← Back to Bill Feed
FederalIn Committee
Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2026
Introduced Aug 3, 2026 · Last action Aug 3, 2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Track this bill
Save bills and get alerts when status changes.
Sign in to saved bills.
Summary
This legislation is called the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2026. Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Full bill text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10016 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10016
To amend the Small Business Act to require the Administrator of the
Small Business Administration to carry out a pilot program on issuing
grants to eligible veterans to start or acquire qualifying businesses,
and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 3, 2026
Mr. Cline introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Small Business
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Small Business Act to require the Administrator of the
Small Business Administration to carry out a pilot program on issuing
grants to eligible veterans to start or acquire qualifying businesses,
and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of
2026''.
SEC. 2. VETERANS SMALL BUSINESS ENTREPRENEURSHIP PILOT PROGRAM.
Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(h) Veterans Small Business Entrepreneurship Pilot Program.--
``(1) Pilot program required.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this subsection, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory
Committee and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall
begin carrying out a pilot program to assess the
feasibility and advisability of making grants to
eligible veterans to start or acquire a qualifying
business enterprise.
``(B) Promotion of efficiency.--In carrying out the
pilot program, the Administrator shall ensure, to the
maximum extent practicable, that the pilot program
promotes efficiency, accountability, and competition.
``(C) List of categories of business enterprises.--
The Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory
Committee, shall by rule establish a list of categories
of business enterprises that the Administrator
determines to be qualifying business enterprises for
purposes of the pilot program, which shall include--
``(i) a small business concern;
``(ii) a franchise business enterprise; and
``(iii) any other category of business
enterprise that the Administrator, in
consultation with the Advisory Committee,
determines is appropriate and in accordance
with the purposes of the pilot program.
``(D) Number of grants.--Under the pilot program,
the Administrator may make grants in accordance with
paragraph (4) to not more than 250 eligible veterans to
start or acquire a qualifying business enterprise.
``(E) Geographic diversity.--In making grants under
the pilot program, the Administrator shall ensure
geographic diversity among the veterans who receive the
grants.
``(F) Duration.--The Administrator shall carry out
the pilot program during the 3-year period beginning on
the date on which the Administrator begins carrying out
the pilot program.
``(2) Application.--
``(A) In general.--An eligible veteran desiring a
grant under the pilot program shall submit an
application--
``(i) to the Administrator in the form and
containing the information as the Administrator
may require, including the information
described in subparagraph (B); and
``(ii) not later than 1 year before the
date on which the pilot program terminates
under paragraph (1)(F).
``(B) Documentation requirements.--The
Administrator, in considering an application from an
eligible veteran for a grant under the pilot program,
may not approve the application unless the application
includes the following:
``(i) A description of the use of the grant
amount, including an identification and
description of the qualifying business
enterprise.
``(ii) A description of the expected return
on investment resulting from the grant amounts.
``(iii) A certification that the eligible
veteran applying for the grant--
``(I) shall complete the education
and training relevant to the ownership
and operation of the qualifying
business enterprise described in
paragraphs (3)(A) and (3)(B); and
``(II) understands that the
eligible veteran may not receive
amounts under a grant under the pilot
program until after the eligible
veteran has completed the required
education and training relevant to the
ownership and operation of the
qualifying business enterprise
described in paragraphs (3)(A) and
(3)(B).
``(iv) Such certifications as the
Administrator, in consultation with the
Advisory Committee, shall by rule require,
including--
``(I) for a business enterprise in
operation on the date of the
application, evidence that the
Administrator, in consultation with the
Advisory Committee, determines
appropriate of--
``(aa) good standing;
``(bb) profitable
operation; and
``(cc) guarantees relating
to the purchase of the
enterprise;
``(II) for a franchise business
enterprise, evidence that the
Administrator, in consultation with the
Advisory Committee, determines
appropriate of--
``(aa) compliance with
applicable State and Federal
laws on franchises; and
``(bb) training in
conformation with the industry
standard; and
``(III) for a startup, or an
enterprise that is otherwise not in
operation at the time of the
application, a proposal for the
operation of that enterprise that leads
to profitable operation within a
reasonable time frame.
``(v) A certification that the eligible
veteran applying for the grant understands that
the eligible veteran may not receive amounts
under the grant until after the business plan
of the eligible veteran has been approved under
the procedures described in paragraph
(3)(C)(ii).
``(vi) A certification that the eligible
veteran--
``(I) has been truthful about the
employment status of the eligible
veteran; and
``(II) understands that the
eligible veteran will be prohibited
from participating in the pilot program
if the certification described in
subclause (I) is determined to be
untrue.
``(C) Group applications.--The Administrator may
authorize a group of eligible veterans to apply as a
group under the pilot program. The group shall be
treated as a single eligible veteran under the pilot
program, except that the maximum amount of the grant
shall be calculated by multiplying the maximum amount
under paragraph (4)(A) by the number of members of the
group.
``(3) Entrepreneurship training.--
``(A) In general.--Each eligible veteran receiving
a grant under the pilot program shall complete an
entrepreneurship readiness program approved by the
Administrator that is designed to prepare the eligible
veteran for, and lead to the immediate subsequent
ownership and management by the eligible veteran of, a
qualifying business enterprise.
``(B) Approved programs.--An approved program
described in subparagraph (A) may include a program--
``(i) available through a small business
development center;
``(ii) approved by the Administrator for
entrepreneurship training;
``(iii) approved by the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs for entrepreneurship training;
``(iv) available through the Transition
Assistance Program of the Department of
Defense;
``(v) available through a women's business
center, as described in section 29;
``(vi) available through a Veterans
Business Outreach Center, as described in
subsection (d);
``(vii) available through the SCORE program
authorized by section 8(b)(1); or
``(viii) approved by the Administrator, in
consultation with the Advisory Committee, as
appropriate because of the expertise the
program offers relating to a certain type of
business enterprise.
``(C) Business plan.--
``(i) Contents.--An eligible veteran
receiving a grant under the pilot program shall
prepare a business plan, which shall include--
``(I) a description of how the
qualifying business enterprise will
achieve profitable operation within a
reasonable time frame;
``(II) an assessment of relevant--
``(aa) economic indicators;
``(bb) consumer data;
``(cc) production and sales
data; and
``(dd) market or industry
analysis; and
``(III) other information that the
Administrator, in consultation with the
Advisory Committee, determines is
appropriate.
``(ii) Approval procedure.--
``(I) Approval by advisor.--If an
advisor approves the business plan
prepared by the eligible veteran, the
Associate Administrator for Veterans
Business Development of the
Administration--
``(aa) shall review the
business plan; and
``(bb) may reverse the
approval of the business plan
and require that the eligible
veteran continue to consult
with the advisor to develop and
resubmit the business plan.
``(II) Disapproval by advisor.--If
an advisor does not approve the
business plan prepared by an eligible
veteran, the Associate Administrator
for Veterans Business Development of
the Administration, upon appeal by the
eligible veteran, may reverse the
decision of the advisor and approve the
business plan.
``(4) Grant terms and conditions.--
``(A) Maximum grant amount and additional
assistance.--
``(i) In general.--Subject to paragraph
(2)(C), the maximum amount that an eligible
veteran may receive under the pilot program
shall not exceed an amount equal to the sum
of--
``(I) the maximum grant amount
specified in clause (ii);
``(II) the amount equal to the
product obtained by multiplying--
``(aa) the amount of
additional assistance to which
the eligible veteran is
entitled under clause
(iii)(II); by
``(bb) the number of months
that the eligible veteran
participates in the pilot
program; and
``(III) the amount of training
assistance received by the eligible
veteran in clause (iv).
``(ii) Maximum grant amount.--The maximum
grant amount specified in this clause is the
following:
``(I) In the case of an eligible
veteran entitled to educational
assistance under chapter 33 of title
38, United States Code, the amount
equal to the product obtained by
multiplying--
``(aa) the number of months
of educational assistance to
which the eligible veteran is
entitled on the date that the
eligible veteran submits an
application; by
``(bb) the pro rata monthly
rate of the amount that the
eligible veteran is entitled to
under paragraph (1)(A)(ii)(II)
of section 3313(c) of that
title, subject to paragraphs
(2) through (7) of that
section.
``(II) In the case of an eligible
veteran entitled to educational
assistance under chapter 30 of title
38, United States Code, the amount
equal to the product obtained by
multiplying--
``(aa) the number of months
of educational assistance to
which the eligible veteran is
entitled on the date that the
eligible veteran submits an
application; by
``(bb) the rate in effect
under section 3015(a)(1) of
that title.
``(iii) Additional assistance.--
``(I) Period of eligibility.--An
eligible veteran shall receive the
amount described in subclause (II) for
each month that the eligible veteran
participates in the pilot program.
``(II) Amount.--The amount of the
additional assistance specified in this
subclause is an amount, paid to the
eligible veteran on a monthly basis,
equal to the product obtained by
multiplying--
``(aa) the monthly amount
of the basic allowance for
housing payable under section
403 of title 37, United States
Code, for a member with
dependents in pay grade E-5
residing in the military
housing area that encompasses
all or the majority portion of
the ZIP Code area in which is
located the residence of the
eligible veteran (similar to
the calculation made under
section 3313(c)(1)(B)(i)(I) of
title 38, United States Code);
by
``(bb)(AA) in the case of
an eligible veteran who, as of
the date on which the eligible
veteran applies for a grant
under this subsection, has no
employment other than the
qualifying business enterprise
for which the eligible veteran
seeks a grant under this
subsection, 1; or
``(BB) in the case of an
eligible veteran who is not
described in subitem (AA), 0.5.
``(iv) Training assistance.--Upon
application by an eligible veteran receiving a
grant under the pilot program, the
Administrator may pay for the cost, if
applicable, of an approved program described in
paragraph (3)(B)(viii).
``(B) Disbursement.--The amount of a grant made
under the pilot program shall be disbursed to an
eligible veteran--
``(i) in installments, in accordance with
the procedures described in subparagraph (C);
``(ii) only after the eligible veteran
presents documentation proving that the
eligible veteran has completed the required
entrepreneurship training described in
paragraphs (3)(A) and (3)(B); and
``(iii) only after the business plan of the
eligible veteran has been approved under the
procedures described in paragraph (3)(C)(ii).
``(C) Installment payments.--The amount described
in subparagraph (A)(ii) shall be paid to the eligible
veteran in installments on a pro rata basis with each
installment being paid to the eligible veteran--
``(i) not earlier than 3 months after the
date of the payment of the most recent
installment to the eligible veteran;
``(ii) not later than 12 months after the
date of the payment of the most recent
installment to the eligible veteran; and
``(iii) only after the eligible veteran has
met milestones established in the business plan
of the eligible veteran.
``(5) Use of grant amounts.--An eligible veteran who
receives a grant under the pilot program may use the amount of
the grant--
``(A) in accordance with the limitations that the
Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory
Committee, may by rule establish; and
``(B) for purposes related to starting or acquiring
a qualifying business enterprise that the
Administrator, in consultation with the Advisory
Committee, determines are appropriate, including--
``(i) purchasing goods or services
necessary for the creation or operation of a
qualifying business enterprise;
``(ii) funding a project that is directed
toward any economic development objective
described under section 501(d) of the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C.
695(d)); and
``(iii) acquiring a qualifying business
enterprise.
``(6) Report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the
date on which the pilot program is commenced, the
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship and the Committee on
Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Small Business and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs
of the House of Representatives a report analyzing the
feasibility and effectiveness of the pilot program.
``(B) Contents.--The report submitted under
subparagraph (A) shall include--
``(i) an assessment of the pilot program;
``(ii) a survey containing--
``(I) the number of grantees under
the pilot program; and
``(II) the number of the grantees
under the pilot program that
participated in each of the training
programs described in subparagraphs (A)
and (B) of paragraph (3);
``(iii) recommendations regarding whether
any aspect of the pilot program should be made
a permanent authority, and, if so, the means to
ensure--
``(I) geographic and demographic
diversity among the eligible veterans
who receive the grants under the
permanent authority; and
``(II) diversity in the types of
qualifying business enterprises for
which eligible veterans may receive
grants under the pilot program;
``(iv) an assessment regarding whether the
grants distributed under the pilot program
should continue to be made in installments or
with a 1-time, lump sum payment;
``(v) an assessment of the additional
assistance made available under the pilot
program, including the accountability
surrounding the availability of additional
assistance;
``(vi) an analysis of the procedures for
approving a business plan and a recommendation
regarding ways, if necessary, to improve the
procedures; and
``(vii) a recommendation regarding ways, if
necessary, to improve the accountability of
advisors.
``(7) No effect on time limitation for use of entitlement
to educational assistance.--Nothing in this subsection shall be
construed to modify any time limitation or period during which
an individual is entitled to educational assistance under
chapter 30 or 33 of title 38, United States Code.
``(8) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Advisor.--The term `advisor' means a person--
``(i) affiliated with an entrepreneurship
or training and curricula program described in
paragraphs (3)(A) and (3)(B);
``(ii) who may assist an eligible veteran
with the preparation and approval of a business
plan; and
``(iii) who is approved to serve as an
advisor by the Administrator, in consultation
with the Advisory Committee.
``(B) Advisory committee.--The term `Advisory
Committee' means the Advisory Committee on Veterans
Business Affairs established under section 203 of the
Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business
Development Act of 1999 (15 U.S.C. 657b note).
``(C) Business plan.--The term `business plan'
means a plan prepared by an eligible veteran for the
operation of a qualifying business enterprise that
shall be--
``(i) prepared--
``(I) while the eligible veteran
participates in an approved training
program described in paragraphs (3)(A)
and (3)(B); and
``(II) with the assistance of an
advisor; and
``(ii) consistent with the guidelines and
recommendations provided by the Business Plan
Tool of the Administration.
``(D) Eligible veteran.--The term `eligible
veteran' means an individual who--
``(i) is--
``(I) a veteran; or
``(II) a member of the Armed Forces
who--
``(aa) is currently
retiring or separating from the
Armed Forces and has a service
approved retirement or
separation packet; or
``(bb) has last been
honorably discharged from
active duty service in the
Armed Forces;
``(ii) has completed not less than--
``(I) 36 months of active duty
service in the Armed Forces (other than
active duty service for training); or
``(II) 24 months of active duty
service in the Armed Forces (other than
active duty service for training)
before being discharged or separated
for a service-connected disability, as
that term is defined in section 101 of
title 38, United States Code; and
``(iii) is entitled to educational
assistance under chapter 30 or 33 of title 38,
United States Code.
``(E) Franchise business enterprise.--The term
`franchise business enterprise' means any continuing
commercial relationship or arrangement, regardless of
the title given the relationship or arrangement, under
which the terms of the offer or contract specify, or
the franchise seller promises or represents, orally or
in writing, that--
``(i) the franchisee will obtain the right
to--
``(I) operate a business that is
identified or associated with the
trademark of the franchisor; or
``(II) offer, sell, or distribute
goods, services, or commodities that
are identified or associated with the
trademark of the franchisor;
``(ii) the franchisor may--
``(I) exert, or has authority to
exert, a significant degree of control
over the method of operation of the
franchisee; or
``(II) provide significant
assistance in the method of operation
of the franchisee; and
``(iii) as a condition of obtaining or
commencing operation of the franchise business
enterprise, the franchisee makes a required
payment or commits to make a required payment
to the franchisor or the affiliate of the
franchisor.
``(F) Franchisee.--The term `franchisee' means any
person who is granted a franchise business enterprise.
``(G) Franchisor.--The term `franchisor'--
``(i) means any person who grants a
franchise business enterprise and participates
in the franchise relationship; and
``(ii) includes subfranchisors.
``(H) Pilot program.--The term `pilot program'
means the pilot program established under paragraph
(1)(A).
``(I) Qualifying business enterprise.--The term
`qualifying business enterprise' means a business
included in the list of categories of business
enterprises established under paragraph (1)(C).
``(J) Startup.--The term `startup' means a business
enterprise that--
``(i) is not yet in existence; or
``(ii) has been in existence for not more
than 5 years.
``(K) Subfranchisor.--The term `subfranchisor'
means a person who functions as a franchisor by
engaging in both pre-sale activities and post-sale
performance.''.
<all>Official legislative text sourced from the public record (cached on CivicsHQ).
Official source
View the original bill, actions, and full legislative record on Congress.gov.
Status
In Committee
- 1Introduced
- 2Committee
- 3Floor
- 4Passed
- 5Signed
Timeline reflects current normalized status only. Full action history is not yet stored in the API.
Sponsors
- Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]RHouseVA
Cosponsors
No cosponsors on record.
Votes
Voting records are not yet available for this bill.