HR4053-119

What This Bill Does

The Stop Funding Rioters Act creates a criminal-conviction eligibility bar for Small Business Administration programs. A person convicted of an offense relating to misdemeanor or felony assault of a law enforcement officer, or convicted of a felony for actions during or connected to a riot that resulted in destruction of a small business concern, would be ineligible for assistance from or through any SBA program and could not participate in such programs. The bill ties SBA access to public-order and small-business destruction convictions rather than changing the underlying criminal penalties.

Who Benefits and How

Law enforcement officers benefit symbolically because assault convictions against officers carry a federal benefit consequence. Small business owners harmed by riot-related destruction benefit because the bill prevents convicted perpetrators from receiving SBA help. SBA program integrity officials benefit from a clear statutory exclusion category. Taxpayers concerned about federal aid misuse benefit if SBA assistance is denied to covered convicted individuals.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Covered convicted individuals lose eligibility for SBA assistance and program participation. Small Business Administration loan and grant staff must screen applicants for the covered convictions. SBA lenders and intermediaries must apply the new exclusion when delivering SBA-backed assistance. Applicants with old or ambiguous criminal records may face documentation burdens to show the bar does not apply.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits SBA assistance for people convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers.
• Prohibits SBA assistance for felony riot conduct that destroyed a small business concern.
• Applies the exclusion across assistance from or through any SBA-administered program.
• Uses SBA eligibility rules rather than adding new criminal penalties.