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Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) introduced H.R. 7930, the Military Spouse Entrepreneur Reimbursement Act. This legislation reimburses military spouse entrepreneurs for costs associated with relocating their own businesses when their servicemember receives a permanent change of station (PCS) order. 

“Our servicemembers and their families make so many sacrifices throughout their time in the military,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “One of the most difficult aspects of active-duty service can be the sudden and frequent orders to relocate to other installations. While there are reimbursement processes to aid our servicemembers and their families with the costs of moving, no such procedure exists to reimburse for the costs of moving a business. I’m excited to propose a solution and lessen the burden for those that sacrifice so much already." 

The Military Spouse Entrepreneur Reimbursement Act amends title 37 of the United States Code to provide reimbursements to military spouses for qualified relicensing costs and qualified business costs that arise directly from a permanent change of station order. Specifically, this bill would: 

• Reimburse up to $1,000 in connection with each reassignment expenses related to business licenses or permits;  

• Reimburse up to $2,000 in connection with each reassignment expenses related to qualified business costs that occur because of a move. These costs include: moving services for equipment, equipment removal, new equipment purchases, information technology expenses, and inspection fees. 

Joining Congresswoman Escobar as original cosponsors are Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Michael F. Q. San Nicolas (D-GU), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ), and Dina Titus (D-NV). 

The Military Spouse Entrepreneur Reimbursement Act is endorsed by the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Coalition of State Veteran Chambers. 

“When military families move more than 7x the rate of civilians, military spouses need careers that fit in a suitcase, business ownership often meets that need. Military spouses want to contribute and owning a business provides much-needed income for some of these families to survive yet military families cope with unforeseen expenses each time they move. Self-employed military spouses face additional financial hardship in registering their business in the new state. The Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce proudly stands behind reimbursement of business expenses related to PCS moving expenses,” said Jaime Chapman, co-founder of the Military Spouse Chamber of Commerce. 

The full text of the bill can be found here.