Press Releases

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i-01), along with U.S. Representative Robert Bresnahan, Jr. (R-Pennsylvania-08), today announced introduction of a bipartisan measure to assist small businesses to adopt Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), which offer a tested solution to employment and business productivity, stability and ownership transfer.

Their ESOP Funding For SBA Position Act 2025 is also co-sponsored by U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan-12).

“ESOPs are a proven mechanism for allowing employees to become full stakeholders in their businesses,” said Case.

“This wealth-generating and, especially for small family-owned businesses, retirement plan approach creates a more engaged and productive workforce by aligning employee interests with a company’s success. This model promotes a stronger sense of ownership and community and keeps investment and wealth in local economies, benefiting workers and their families.”

"When employees share in ownership, they also share in success, which builds a business where everyone is invested, not just financially, but personally," said Rep. Bresnahan, Jr.

"ESOPs are vital to building succession plans to ensure these small businesses remain in their communities where they belong. This legislation will improve access to this program for thousands of businesses and millions of employees across the country, and I thank Rep. Case for his partnership on this crucial investment for small businesses."

Case continued: “In Hawai‘i, we’ve seen firsthand the benefits of ESOPs. Hawai‘i is home to the second-oldest ESOP chapter in the nation, underscoring the success and importance of employee-owned businesses in our state.

“From that humble beginning, the Hawai‘i Chapter of the ESOP Association now represents over 45 ESOP companies and professional service providers in the state, which is a significant number considering our state’s size. These businesses, with the help of ESOPs, have continued to thrive, contributing to the local economy in ways that benefit families and the broader community.”

“Despite this strong record of ESOPs in Hawai‘i and throughout the United States, many small businesses face challenges in navigating the complex process of establishing and maintaining an ESOP. They often lack expertise in tax considerations, regulatory compliance, stock valuation, and securing the necessary funding. Our measure expands the availability of that necessary expertise and advocacy to grow ESOPs further across our country.”

Nationally, as of 2021 there were 6,247 ESOPs, with nearly 11 million workers and a little more than $2 trillion in ESOP assets, with average assets per employee of $165,000.

Attachments:

·        Text of the measure is here

·        Rep. Case’s remarks on introduction of the measure are here

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