U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), both members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, have reintroduced the bipartisan Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act of 2026. The bill would authorize the Department of Commerce to collaborate with the Small Business Administration to develop and provide artificial intelligence training resources for small businesses.
The proposed legislation aims to address challenges faced by small businesses as they attempt to adopt AI technologies. According to recent data, AI adoption among small firms is increasing—58 percent reported using generative AI in a 2025 survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, up from 40 percent the previous year. However, many still lack adequate technical expertise and structured training.
“Small businesses are the foundation of our economy and AI has the potential to help them maximize opportunities,” said Sen. Cantwell. “As AI tools become more accessible and more powerful, we need to make sure entrepreneurs in Washington state and across the country have the training and technical support they need to integrate these tools to better compete, grow and create jobs in a rapidly evolving marketplace.”
Senator Moran added: “In rural communities where resources and workforce are limited, AI has tremendous potential to fill the gaps and help small businesses with finance management, marketing, supply chain management and much more. This legislation would help small businesses use AI to meet their needs, expand and innovate. Combining these tools with a trained workforce will help make certain the U.S. is utilizing AI to grow our economy and bolster businesses in Kansas and across the country.”
Washington State hosts nearly 700,000 small businesses that account for over 99 percent of all enterprises in the state; Kansas has over 270,000 small businesses representing about 99 percent of its total business community.
Under this bill, new AI training resources would be developed by the Department of Commerce in partnership with SBA resource partners such as Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE chapters, Veteran Business Opportunity Centers, and Apex Accelerators. The measure also calls for specific attention toward rural or underserved communities through targeted grants funded partly by private sector donations.
The bill mandates regular updates every two years for all training materials created under its provisions as well as biannual reporting to Congress on program outcomes.
Senator Cantwell is also active on other legislative efforts regarding technology access for entrepreneurs; she recently co-sponsored another bipartisan bill focusing on supporting Main Street businesses adopting responsible AI practices.
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee—which reviews legislation like this during congressional sessions—is comprised of senators from both parties who focus on issues involving commerce, science, transportation policy within the legislative branch according to its official website. The committee operates out of its main office at the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington D.C., working on policies that affect interstate commerce as well as advancements in science and transportation.
