Small Business Artificial Intelligence Advancement Act
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The bill would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop or identify voluntary resources — such as best practices, benchmarks, and case studies — to help small businesses understand and adopt artificial intelligence.
It would require NIST to coordinate distribution with the Small Business Administration, update the resources at least every two years, and report to Congress on their use, aiming to help smaller firms navigate AI without new mandates.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act to require the NIST Director to develop or identify resources for small businesses relating to artificial intelligence, including technical standards, best practices, benchmarks, methodologies, and case studies. These resources would have to be generally applicable, technology-neutral, based on relevant voluntary international standards, and linked to existing federal frameworks such as NIST's AI risk management framework and cybersecurity awareness programs. NIST would have to coordinate with the Small Business Administration on distributing the resources through SBA resource partners, review and update them at least every two years, and submit a report to two congressional committees within four years covering the resources developed, feedback received, and recommendations for further action. Use of the resources would remain voluntary, and the requirement is subject to available appropriations.
Key provisions
- 1Would require NIST to develop or identify resources such as best practices, benchmarks, and case studies to help small businesses adopt artificial intelligence
- 2Would require the resources to be generally applicable, technology-neutral, based on voluntary international standards, and tied to existing federal AI and cybersecurity frameworks
- 3Would require NIST to review and update the resources at least once every two years
- 4Would require NIST to coordinate with the Small Business Administration on distributing the resources through SBA resource partners
- 5Would require a report to Congress within four years on the resources' development, use, and recommendations for further action
Who would be affected
Small business concerns as defined under the Small Business Act, which could access NIST's AI guidance materials; the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which must develop and update the resources; and the Small Business Administration, which would help distribute them through its resource partner network.
Why it matters
Small businesses often lack in-house expertise to evaluate or safely adopt artificial intelligence tools. Standardized, voluntary federal guidance and case studies could help them adopt AI more confidently, while the biennial review and congressional reporting requirements are meant to keep the resources current as the technology evolves.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 278h-1) (Sec. 2)
Adds a new subsection requiring NIST to develop, disseminate, review, and report on AI resources for small businesses.
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- First review and update of the small business AI resources
- Report to Congress on development and use of the resources
Funding and costs
Congressional Budget Office estimate
CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 3679 would cost $2 million over the 2025–2030 period, subject to appropriations, with no effect on direct spending, revenues, or the deficit.
H.R. 3679 would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop, disseminate, and periodically update AI-related resources for small businesses, and to report to Congress within four years of enactment. CBO estimates this would require two staff members at roughly $235,000 per person annually, resulting in approximately $2 million in discretionary spending (funds that must be approved through the annual appropriations process) over the 2025–2030 period. The bill would have no effect on direct (mandatory) spending or revenues, and therefore would not change the deficit. CBO identified no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates in the bill.
How implementation would work
NIST would develop or identify the AI resources under its existing technology assistance authority, ensuring they meet criteria like technology neutrality and alignment with voluntary international standards. NIST would coordinate with the Small Business Administration to disseminate the resources through SBA's network of resource partners (such as Small Business Development Centers). NIST must review and update the materials at least once every two years, and within four years must report to the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on the resources' development, use, feedback, and recommendations for further congressional action.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Official CRS summary
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This bill directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop or identify resources for small businesses to address concerns relating to the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Resources must be generally applicable, technology neutral, and based on relevant voluntary international standards, among other requirements.
NIST must coordinate with the Small Business Administration with respect to the distribution of these resources. NIST must also review and update the resources at least biennially.
Legislative subjects
Advanced technology and technological innovations; Computer security and identity theft; Computers and information technology; Congressional oversight; Government studies and investigations; Science, Technology, Communications; Small business; Technology transfer and commercialization
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-503