Small Business Energy Loan Act
Public Law 95-315 · H.R. 11713 · 95th Congress · began in the House
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Jul 4, 1978 · Commerce
Sponsor: Rep. Berkley Bedell (D-IA-6)
Cosponsors (1): Rep. Alvin Baldus
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
(House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments)
Small Business Energy Loan Act - Amends the Small Business Act to empower the Small Business Administration to make loans, directly or in cooperation with banks and lending institutions, to assist small business concerns in financing plant construction, conversion, expansion, or start up, and the acquisition of such items as equipment, facilities, and supplies to enable such concerns to design, manufacture, market, and install and service solar energy or renewable energy sources equipment. States that such concerns may receive loans for such energy measures as photovoltaic cells and related equipment, equipment designed to produce energy from biomass and from industrial wastes, hydroelectric power equipment, wind energy conversion equipment, and equipment and services designed to conserve energy by increasing the efficiency of existing equipment.
Makes firms which provide professional engineering or architectural services which conserve energy or apply renewable energy measures as their main objective eligible for loans. Stipulates that such loans may not be used primarily for research and development.
Establishes the ceiling for guaranteed loans at $500,000 and for direct loans at $350,000.
Sets forth criteria applicants must meet before qualifying for any loan under this Act.
Specified that the SBA not guarantee more than 90 percent of a loan. Sets the interest rate for this program. Requires loans to be of sound value as reasonably to assure repayment.
States that it is the intent of Congress that the paperwork burden and regulatory impact on applicants shall be minimized to the maximum extent practicable. Requires the SBA to: (1) issue regulations governing this program within 180 days of enactment; (2) hold seminars to inform businesses of this program; and (3) provide grants to private groups for seminars.
Authorizes the appropriations of $30,000,000 for direct loans and $45,000,000 for guaranteed loans.
Directs the Administrator to report annually on the number and amount of loans, applications, and defaults, and on the energy savings achieved and the number of jobs created by firms through loans under this program.
Authorizes appropriations to the Administration for fiscal year 1979 to carry out the programs of this Act.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 15 actions.
- Jul 4, 1978Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public Law 95-315.
- Jun 23, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- Jun 22, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- Jun 21, 1978PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Jun 19, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendment to Senate amendment.
- Jun 16, 1978Resolving differencesResolving differences · House agreed to Senate amendments with amendments.
- May 24, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended.
- May 15, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
- May 3, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
- May 2, 1978FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, roll call #269 (375-17).House roll call 269
- FloorFloor · Measure called up under motion to suspend rules and pass in House.
- Apr 19, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Small Business Committee
- Mar 22, 1978CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Small Business Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.