Small Business Contracting Programs Parity Act of 2009

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

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 21, 2009

Small Business Contracting Programs Parity Act of 2009 - Amends the Small Business Act with respect to the HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) program to authorize (current law requires) a contracting opportunity to be awarded under the program on the basis of competition restricted to qualified HUBZone small businesses if the contracting officer expects that not less than two qualified HUBZone small businesses will submit offers and that the award can be made at a fair market price.

Includes within HUBZone federal procurement small business contract participation goals small business subcontracting participation goals.

Authorizes the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish mentor-protege programs for small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans and women, and HUBZone small businesses, modeled on the SBA mentor-protege program for small businesses participating in the 8(a) general small business development program.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] · R–ME

Committees

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 21, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Jul 21, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (S7792-7793)
Jul 21, 2009
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Jul 21, 2009 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.1489 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1489, 111th Congress: Small Business Contracting Programs Parity Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1489

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2009-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/s1489/BILLS-111s1489is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:08:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1489 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1489 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.1489, 111th Congress: Small Business Contracting Programs Parity Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1489

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2009-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/s1489/BILLS-111s1489is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:08:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1489 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

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Examine S.1489 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.1489, 111th Congress: Small Business Contracting Programs Parity Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1489

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2009-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/s1489/BILLS-111s1489is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:08:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1489 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

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View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.1489, 111th Congress: Small Business Contracting Programs Parity Act of 2009

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1489

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2009-07-21.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/s1489/BILLS-111s1489is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:08:45Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1489 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.