PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Small Business and Farm Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2001

Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 8, 2001

Small Business Energy Emergency Relief Act of 2001 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make disaster loans to assist small businesses that have suffered or are likely to suffer substantial economic injury as the result of a sharp and significant increase in the price of heating fuel. Prohibits any such loan from being made if the total amount outstanding and committed to the borrower would exceed $1.5 million, unless the applicant is a major source of employment in its surrounding area. Requires, for such assistance: (1) a declaration of a disaster by the President or the SBA Administrator; or (2) a certification from the governor of the State that its small businesses have suffered such economic injury and are in need of assistance which is not otherwise available.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] · D–MA

Committees

  • Agriculture Committee
  • Small Business Committee
  • Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
34 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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

  1. Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research.

  2. Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  3. Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  4. Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

  5. Received in the House.

  6. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  7. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S2912-2913)

  8. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S2912-2913)

  9. The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

  10. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2909-2913; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S2910)

  11. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 21.

  12. Committee on Small Business. Reported by Senator Bond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 107-4.

  13. Committee on Small Business. Reported by Senator Bond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 107-4.

  14. Committee on Small Business. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  15. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1227)

  16. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1225-1227)

  17. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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

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.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.295 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.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.295 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.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.295 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.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.295 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.

View full prompt & sources