Title 12 › CHAPTER 54 — STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE › § 5702
Creates the State Small Business Credit Initiative, run by the Secretary, to send federal money to participating States for approved small-business programs. Within 30 days after March 11, 2021, the Secretary must allocate funds so each State gets the amount it would under the 2021 formula. That formula gives money based on each State’s 2020 job loss (December 2019 jobs minus December 2020 jobs), but no State gets less than 0.9% of the funds. Tribal governments get $500,000,000 split among them as the Secretary decides; tribes that want to join may need to file a notice within 30 days after March 11, 2021, and tribal allocations may be made within 60 days. If Bureau of Labor Statistics data aren’t available, the Secretary will use other job or economic data. Each State’s allocation is split into three parts: two parts of 33% and a final part of 34%. The State gets the first 33% when approved. The next part and the last part are sent only after the State certifies it spent, transferred, or obligated 80% of the previous part. The Secretary can delay transfers pending audits. The Treasury Inspector General will audit States. If an audit finds intentional or reckless misuse, the Secretary must get the money back. States that intentionally misstate reports lose further funds and lost funds go to the Treasury general fund. States may use transferred money only for approved State programs, as collateral for qualifying loan or swap facilities, and for limited admin costs (up to 5% of the first part and up to 3% of each later part). Any part not transferred within 3 years (second part) or 6 years (last part) after approval can be taken back or reallocated. From fiscal year 2021 funds, $1,500,000,000 is set aside for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people, $1,000,000,000 is set aside as incentives to reward States that strongly support those businesses, and at least $500,000,000 is reserved for very small businesses (fewer than 10 employees, including contractors and sole proprietors).
Full Legal Text
Banks and Banking, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
12 U.S.C. § 5702
Title 12, Banks and Banking
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110