HB3953, the SBIR/STTR Website Improvement Act, would amend the Small Business Act to require federal agencies that administer the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs to collect and publish more detailed information about subcontracted research institutions involved in award-funded work. The bill expands the public reporting requirements for Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III SBIR awards, and for Phase I through Phase III STTR awards, by adding data on the name and location of each subcontracted research institution and its institutional type.
The bill also requires agencies to identify whether a subcontracted research institution is a university, nonprofit, or federally funded research and development center, and, for higher education institutions, whether it falls into specific categories such as Hispanic-serving, Tribal College or University, Alaska Native-serving, Native Hawaiian-serving, Predominantly Black, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving, or Native American-serving nontribal institutions. It further directs the Small Business Administration to update the SBIR/STTR databases within one year of enactment so the new information is included in the public reporting system.
Impact
The bill would amend sections 9(g) and 9(k) of the Small Business Act, expanding the scope of required SBIR/STTR award reporting and database disclosures. In practical terms, it would increase transparency around subcontracted research partners used by small businesses receiving federal innovation awards, and it would apply to both the award-level website disclosures and the centralized SBA database. The measure does not create a new grant program or change eligibility for SBIR/STTR awards, but it would impose additional administrative and reporting obligations on agencies and award recipients.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be a relatively noncontroversial transparency and data-reporting bill. It was introduced with bipartisan sponsorship by Representatives Conaway and Simon and referred to committee without recorded opposition, votes, or hearing debate in the available materials. The overall tone suggests support for improving public access to information about how SBIR/STTR funds are used and which institutions participate in subcontracted research.
Contention
No specific points of contention are documented in the available record, but the bill’s expanded disclosure requirements could raise practical concerns for agencies and award recipients about reporting burden, database maintenance, and the precision of institutional classification. Any debate would likely center on whether the added transparency justifies the administrative costs and whether the new categories of institutional reporting are sufficiently clear and workable. There is no evidence in the provided materials of organized opposition or a split in sentiment.
Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance.
Requires certain animals used in testing to be offered for adoption; requires establishment of procedures for assessment and disposition of animals; establishes penalties for noncompliance.