PSI Sci
New here? Follow the money and the votes · Not sure of your district? Find your U.S. House member · Find your state legislators

H.R. 3737: Small Business Microlending Expansion Act of 2009

Before you vote › Federal bills

H.R. 3737: Small Business Microlending Expansion Act of 2009

111th Congress · introduced 2009-10-07 · Commerce · Latest: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2009-10-07 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Ellsworth, Brad [D-IN-8] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 876 (2009): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended, HR3737 (2009-11-07), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Small Business Microlending Expansion Act of 2009

Plain summary

Small Business Microlending Expansion Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Small Business Act with respect to the Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan program (small-scale loans to start-up, newly established, or growing small businesses for working capital or the acquisition of materials, supplies, or equipment) to direct the SBA Administrator to establish a process under which an intermediary making a Microloan loan provides relevant borrower information to the major credit reporting agencies. (Sec. 3) Removes the requirement that such loans be short-term only. (Sec. 4) Increases eligibility for Microloan program participation to include intermediaries with at least one full-time employee with not less than: (1) three years of experience making microloans to startup, newly established, or growing small businesses; or (2) one year of experience providing intensive marketing, management, and technical assistance to borrowers. (Sec. 5) Increases from: (1) $750,000 to $1 million the loan limit to an intermediary in the first year of participation; and (2) $3.5 million to $7 million the loan limit for the remaining years of participation. (Sec. 6) Increases from 25% to 35% of grant funds received the maximum amount that may be used by an intermediary to provide information and technical assistance to small business borrowers. (Sec. 7) Allows intermediaries that receive grants to establish a program that provides technical assistance to young entrepreneurs in establishing or operating a small business, or in securing financing, in the area served by the intermediary. (Sec. 8) Increases from $7,500 to $10,000 the maximum loan amount to a small business borrower that will qualify for a reduced interest rate from the intermediary. (Sec. 9) Directs the Administrator to submit annually to the congressional small business committees specified information with respect to the Microloan program, including participating intermediaries and borrowers, and the marketing, management, and technical assistance provided. (Sec. 10) Authorizes the Administrator to make grants to intermediaries for reducing interest rates charged to Microloan borrowers (interest assistance grants). (Sec. 11) Authorizes the Administrator to make Microloan technical assistance grants, direct loans, and interest assistance grants for FY2010-FY2011, and authorizes appropriations for such loans and grants.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Small Business Microlending Expansion Act of 2009

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed House amended)

AI explanation – may be wrong, check the official text

No AI explanation yet. It takes up to a minute to write and is then saved for everyone.

Limited to a few requests an hour per person.

The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Arguments against (opponents)

Needs sources: no published arguments on this side yet. We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

Alternatives

Needs sources: no published alternatives yet (for example a different bill, a law instead of an amendment, or keeping current law). We only show items backed by a published source. Suggest one.

How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Ellsworth, Brad [D-IN-8] · 2 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Peter Welch (D-VT)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (1)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong111-hr3737 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111