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HR 2351 101th Congress House Commerce Congressional reporting requirements Executive reorganization Fines (Penalties) Government Operations and Politics Government paperwork Government procurement Small business Women in business

Women's Business Equity Act

Introduced: May 16, 1989 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 101st Congress ended
It never became law before the 101st Congress (1989–1990) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 7, 1989
Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA, the General Economy, and Minority Enterprise Development.
May 16, 1989
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
May 16, 1989
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Women's Business Equity Act - Amends the Small Business Act to establish the Office of Women Business Enterprise (the Office) to promote executive branch programs which facilitate women's business enterprises. Authorizes the Office to develop comprehensive interagency plans and specific program goals for women's business enterprises. Sets forth certification guidelines for such enterprises.

Adds to existing goals for participation of small business concerns in Federal procurement contracts the participation of small business concerns owned and controlled by women. Requires the head of each Federal agency to report to the Small Business Administration (SBA) on the extent that small business concerns owned and controlled by women participate in procurement contracts and subcontracts.

Declares it to be the policy of the United States that small business concerns owned and controlled by women shall have the maximum opportunity to participate in the performance of contracts and subcontracts let by any Federal agency. Precludes the award of any contract unless the procurement authority determines that the offeror's plan includes the maximum opportunity for participation of small business concerns owned and controlled by women.

Requires the SBA to report annually to certain congressional committees on subcontracting plans found acceptable by any Federal agency which the SBA determines do not contain maximum opportunities for small business concerns owned and controlled by women.

Requires each Federal agency having procurement powers to: (1) affirmatively solicit offers from small business concerns owned and controlled by women and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; and (2) include at least one bid from a women-owned business enterprise for specified small purchases of such agency.

Imposes penalties for the misrepresentation of a business concern as one owned or controlled by women.

What's happening now July 7, 1989

Referred to the Subcommittee on SBA, the General Economy, and Minority Enterprise Development.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2351: Women's Business Equity Act. 101st Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2351/
MLA
"H.R. 2351: Women's Business Equity Act." 101st Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2351/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2351, 101st Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2351/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2351: Women's Business Equity Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/101-HR-2351/)
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