DOE and SBA Research Act
This bill directs the Department of Energy and the Small Business Administration to partner on joint research and development initiatives, requiring them to include small businesses in these projects. The agencies can share resources and work with other federal offices while applying federal research security rules to safeguard sensitive technology. No new taxpayer money is authorized for the program, meaning the agencies must cover all collaborative work using their existing budgets and submit a progress report to Congress within two years.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- small business concernsSection 2(c) directs the Department of Energy and the Small Business Administration to ensure small businesses are included, where appropriate, in collaborative federal research and development initiatives.
Who it burdens
- Department of Energy and Small Business AdministrationSection 2 requires both agencies to negotiate joint research agreements, integrate small businesses, follow federal research security standards, and report to Congress within two years, all using existing resources because Section 3 prohibits new funding.
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 6 provisions
Directs the Department of Energy and the Small Business Administration to enter into an agreement to carry out joint research and development projects supporting both agencies' missions.
Requires the agencies to include small businesses in their joint research and development activities when appropriate.
Prohibits authorizing any additional federal funding to carry out the Act.
Authorizes the agencies to partner with other federal agencies and use reimbursable agreements with outside entities to conduct research activities.
Requires both agencies to submit a report to Congress within two years on their coordination, research achievements, and opportunities for continued collaboration.
Requires all collaborative research activities to comply with federal research security standards.
Directs the Department of Energy and the Small Business Administration to enter into an agreement to carry out joint research and development projects supporting both agencies' missions.
Requires the agencies to include small businesses in their joint research and development activities when appropriate.
Prohibits authorizing any additional federal funding to carry out the Act.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on DOE and SBA Research Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 11 actions
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 427 - 3 (Roll no. 48). (text: 2/24/2025 CR H742)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 427 - 3 (Roll no. 48). (text: 2/24/2025 CR H742)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H823-824)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 788.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H742-743)
- Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 427 - 3 (Roll no. 48). (text: 2/24/2025 CR H742)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 427 - 3 (Roll no. 48). (text: 2/24/2025 CR H742)
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “DOE and SBA Research Act (H.R. 788, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-788. Congress.gov record as of Jul 13, 2026.