Us Congress Senate Bill SB298

Us Congress 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/29/25
• Refer: 1/29/25
• Report Pass: 2/20/25

Caption

Returning SBA to Main Street Act

Impact

Upon implementation, this bill is likely to shift the landscape of federal employment distribution within the SBA, promoting a more balanced presence throughout the country. It sets forth strict guidelines for calculating employee pay based on their new duty stations, thus ensuring that employees who relocate are not permitted to telework full-time. This approach may lead to a re-evaluation of job roles within the agency and its interaction with small businesses nationwide, potentially improving local engagement and responsiveness.

Summary

Senate Bill 298, titled the 'Returning SBA to Main Street Act', mandates that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) relocate at least 30 percent of its employees from the headquarters located in the Washington metropolitan area to various duty stations outside this region. This relocation aims to promote geographic diversity and enhance SBA services across rural markets. The bill highlights the need to improve in-person customer service by decentralizing the workforce and ensuring that employees are stationed closer to the constituents they serve.

Sentiment

Discussions around SB298 have been mixed, with proponents arguing that relocating SBA employees can enhance visibility and service quality for small businesses in underserved areas. They believe this move is essential for revitalizing local economies and broadening SBA's outreach. However, critics express concerns about the potential complications for employees, particularly regarding pay disparities and the logistical challenges presented by such a sweeping relocation. The sentiment appears to derive from a genuine desire to strengthen local economies balanced against potential disruptions to federal employees' lives.

Contention

A significant point of contention arises from the handling of telework policies. The bill prohibits full-time telework for relocated employees, impacting those seeking flexible work arrangements. Additionally, employees with disabilities who are accommodated for telework are specifically excluded from the relocation requirement, raising questions about fairness and inclusivity. Moreover, the bill supersedes any existing collective bargaining agreements, which has sparked further debate about employee rights and protections within the federal workforce.