Senate bill would let wildfire smoke alone trigger SBA disaster loans
In committeeS. 4532Latest action
Sponsor: Catherine Cortez Masto · Senator · NV
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Official title: Small Business Wildfire Smoke Recovery Act
119th Congress
Topics: Jobs & the economy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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S 4532 adds wildfire smoke as a standalone disaster under the Small Business Act, opening SBA loan eligibility to smoke-affected businesses.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S 4532 amends the Small Business Act to add "smoke" as a qualifying disaster for SBA disaster loans. Currently, businesses must suffer direct fire damage to be eligible. This change would allow smoke-related losses alone — such as forced closures or lost customers — to qualify.
Who does it affect?
Small business owners in areas affected by heavy wildfire smoke are the primary group affected, particularly those in Western states such as California, Oregon, Nevada, and Washington. Customers, employees, and communities that rely on those businesses could also be indirectly affected.
Why does it matter?
Businesses harmed by wildfire smoke but not direct fire damage currently may not qualify for SBA disaster loans. If enacted, smoke-affected small businesses would have access to low-interest loans to help recover losses from smoke events.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMay 14, 2026
- Senate committeeYou are here · May 14, 2026
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.