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S. 154Senate115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

Small Business Relief From Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2017

Sponsored by Marco RubioSen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
Introduced January 17, 2017

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 11:58 AM UTC

The bill changes the Small Business Act so that small businesses hurt by outbreaks of transmissible diseases can receive disaster relief. It does this by expanding the definition of a disaster to include communicable diseases that trigger a federal travel alert or warning. The change applies to any such disease announced before or after the law takes effect, and to impacts that occur after enactment. This affects small businesses that suffer economic loss because of disease‑related disruptions.

Key Provisions

  • Amends the Small Business Act’s definition to add a new category (D) for communicable diseases that receive a federal travel alert or warning, making them eligible for disaster assistance.
  • Specifies that the amendment applies to any qualifying disease announced before, on, or after the law’s enactment, and to effects experienced after the law takes effect.

Legislative Activity

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4 earlier actions
SenateCalendars Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 194.

August 2, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 17, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

January 17, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

August 2, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

August 2, 2017

SenateCalendars

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 194.

August 2, 2017

Bill Text

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Reported to SenateIssued August 2, 2017

II

Calendar No. 194

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 154

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 17, 2017

Mr. Rubio (for himself and Mr. Nelson) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

August 2, 2017

Reported by Mr. Risch, without amendment

A BILL

To amend the Small Business Act to ensure small businesses affected by the onset of transmissible diseases are eligible for disaster relief.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Small Business Relief From Disease Induced Economic Hardship Act of 2017.

2.

Definitions

(a)

In general

Section 3(k)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(k)(2)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in subparagraph (C), striking the period and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(D)

communicable diseases for which the Federal Government issues a travel alert or travel warning.

.

(b)

Applicability

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to a communicable disease—

(1)

for which the Federal Government issues a travel alert or travel warning before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act; and

(2)

the effects of which are experienced on or after the date of enactment of this Act.

August 2, 2017

Reported without amendment