Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act
Signed into law Apr 13, 2026 · Commerce
What this law does
- Renews through 2031 and changes the federal small business research award programs known as SBIR and STTR.
- Requires agencies to check the security risks of small businesses applying for awards and explain any denial made for security reasons.
- Requires each agency to cap how many proposals a small business may submit each year.
- Expands training for agency contracting staff on awards that bring new technologies to market.
- Creates extra awards in critical technology areas for small businesses that show working technology and receive matching funds.
Plain-language list by Voting On, based only on the official summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service and the bill's titles. Read the official summary.
How it became law
- IntroducedMar 3, 2026 · Senate
- Same dayPassed SenateMar 3, 2026
- 14 daysPassed HouseMar 17, 2026
- 16 daysPresented to the PresidentApr 2, 2026
- 11 daysSigned into lawApr 13, 2026
Official summary
Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act
This act reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs. (The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by various federal agencies and provide competitive awards for domestic small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization.)
Specifically, the act expands the requirements for federal agencies administering these programs to evaluate the security risks of the small businesses that apply for awards under the programs. If an agency denies an application for security reasons, the agency must provide the small business with the basis for such determination.
Further, each agency must set a maximum number of proposals per fiscal year that a small business concern may submit in response to Phase I and Phase II solicitations.
The act expands the training requirements for agencies' contracting officers and acquisition workforce with respect to Phase III (commercialization of technologies) awards under the SBIR and STTR programs.
The act also establishes strategic breakthrough allocations for critical technology areas. These are additional Phase II SBIR and STTR awards to small businesses that demonstrate an effective technology and receive matching funds.
Summary by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Apr 13, 2026).
Who wrote it
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
1 cosponsor: 1 Democrats. 1 signed on the day it was introduced.
Show all cosponsors
| Cosponsor | Signed on | |
|---|---|---|
| Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] | Mar 3, 2026 | Original cosponsor |
Recorded votes
| Date | Chamber | Vote | Yeas | Nays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 17, 2026 | House | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 41 (Roll no. 89). | 345 | 41 |
What was added
Amendments adopted (0)
No floor amendments were adopted. Any changes were made in committee or in a later version of the bill.
Sections in the final law that were not in the first version (Engrossed in Senate) (0)
None. Every section heading in the final law was already in the first version (Engrossed in Senate).
What was removed
Sections in the first version (Engrossed in Senate) that did not make it into the law (0)
None. Every section heading from the first version (Engrossed in Senate) remains in the law.
Compared by section heading between the Engrossed in Senate text (Mar 3, 2026) and the Enrolled Bill text, both from GovInfo. Wording changes inside a section that kept its heading are not shown here; see the amendments and the text versions.
Proposed but not adopted
No amendments were voted down or withdrawn.
Full action history
Show all 20 official actions
| Apr 13, 2026 | Signed by President. |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Signed by President. |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Became Public Law No: 119-83. |
| Apr 13, 2026 | Became Public Law No: 119-83. |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Presented to President. |
| Apr 2, 2026 | Presented to President. |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. |
| Mar 17, 2026 | 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): 345 - 41 (Roll no. 89). |
| Mar 17, 2026 | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 41 (Roll no. 89). |
| Mar 17, 2026 | Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545-2546) |
| Mar 16, 2026 | 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. |
| Mar 16, 2026 | DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3971. |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2491-2497; text: CR H2491-2495) |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Ms. Van Duyne moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Held at the desk. |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Received in the House. |
| Mar 4, 2026 | Message on Senate action sent to the House. |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Introduced in Senate |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. |
| Mar 3, 2026 | Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S752-756; text: CR S752-756) |
Sources: Congress.gov (bill record, sponsors, actions, amendments, CRS summary) and GovInfo (official text). Days are calendar days.