An investor group is pushing legislation that would permanently ease taxes for foreign shareholders holding stock in business development companies and mutual funds.

Brett Palmer, president of the Small Business Investor Alliance, announced the organization’s support for the measure in a press release Friday.

“This bill will eliminate a significant hurdle blocking foreign capital investment in BDCs,” Brett Palmer said. “BDCs are a major source of capital that stimulates job creation and growth in small and mid-sized businesses.”

H.R. 2115, introduced Wednesday by Congressman Erik Paulson (R-Minn.), makes permanent a temporary tax provision that removed withholding tax on dividend interest payments to foreign investors. The provision expired at the end of 2014.

“Increasing investment in our small and medium-sized businesses will mean more jobs and a healthier economy,” Paulson said on Friday. “Eliminating barriers that prevent foreign capital from reaching our job creators will increase the opportunities for American businesses to grow and expand.”

Congress created business development companies in 1980 as alternate sources of capital for small and medium-sized companies. Similar to venture capital funds, they provide investors with the chance to invest in smaller, growing companies, but allow a larger pool of investors to purchase shares. In recent years, the number of listed BDCs has increased from less than 20 in 2011 to more than 50 today.

The Small Business Investor Alliance represents lower middle market private equity funds and investors, advocating for policies that promote competition and investment in small business.