Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	2,142	n/a	n/a
Reported in House	2,374	33	16%
Engrossed in House	2,210	9	11%
Referred in Senate	2,211	6 Show Changes Hide Changes	4%

Display Version Introduced in House Reported in House Engrossed in House Referred in Senate

HR 2992 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

110th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2992 AN ACT

To amend the Small Business Act to improve trade programs, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title- This Act may be cited as the `SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Table of Contents- The table of contents for this Act is as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--SMALL BUSINESS TRADE POLICY

Sec. 101. Develop and implement small business trade policies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Establish an annual small business trade strategy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Track small business exports and trade resource utilization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--TRADE COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Trade Remedy and Dispute Assistance Initiative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 202. Patent Assistance and Intellectual Property Protections Initiative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Sec. 301. Trade Adjustment Assistance Financing Initiative.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 302. Technical resources for trade adjustment assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--EXPORT ASSISTANCE

Sec. 401. Increase Small Business Administration participation at Export Assistance Centers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 402. Increase access to capital for small and medium-sized exporters.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 403. Clerical amendment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--SMALL BUSINESS TRADE POLICY

SEC. 101. TRADE POLICY FOR SMALL BUSINESS.

Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(h) Role in Trade Policy-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) RECOMMENDATIONS- The director of the Office shall present recommendations regarding small business exporters to trade negotiators.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) DEVELOPMENT OF TRADE POLICIES- The director of the Office shall assist in the development of trade policies that increase opportunities for small businesses in domestic and foreign markets, including the removal of trade barriers.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) IMPLEMENTATION OF TRADE POLICIES- The director of the Office shall assist in the implementation of trade policies through relationships developed with Federal trade policymakers, particularly the United States Trade Representative, and transnational organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) SMALL EXPORTER PROMOTION PROGRAMS- The director of the Office shall establish programs that will boost the export opportunities of entrepreneurs and encourage transnational organizations, such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, small exporter organizations, and ministries of foreign governments to support and publicize these programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(5) STRATEGIC ALLIANCES-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) CONGRESSIONAL NOTIFICATION- The director of the Office shall notify the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate of pending strategic alliances.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES- The director of the Office shall ensure that planned and documented follow-up activities for strategic alliances increase trade opportunities for small businesses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) STRATEGIC ALLIANCE DEFINED- In this paragraph, the term `strategic alliance' means a working relationship, entered into between the Small Business Administration and foreign national ministries representing small business concerns, for the purpose of strengthening trade between United States small businesses and foreign small businesses by establishing overseas networks and buyers.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS TRADE STRATEGY.

Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Annual Small Business Trade Strategy-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The director of the Office shall develop and maintain a small business trade strategy that is contributed as part of the National Export Strategy developed by the Department of Commerce that includes at least the following components:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) Strategies to increase small business export opportunities. The strategies shall include a specific strategy to increase small business export opportunities to the Asia Pacific Region.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) Recommendations to increase the competitiveness of domestic small business industries in the global economy.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) Recommendations to protect small businesses from unfair trade practices, including intellectual property violations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(D) Strategies to expand small business representation in United States trade policy formation and implementation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) Coordination efforts with the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee of the Department of Commerce, as well as with Federal agencies that also provide trade financing to small businesses, such as the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Export-Import Bank.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) REPORT- At the beginning of each fiscal year, the director shall submit to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a report on the small business trade strategy required by paragraph (1). The report shall cover, at a minimum, each of the components required by paragraph (1) and shall include specific policies and objectives and timelines to implement those policies and objectives.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. TRACK SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTS AND TRADE RESOURCE UTILIZATION.

Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(j) Tracking System-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The director of the Office shall develop a system to track small business exports and the use by small businesses of Federal trade promotion resources. The director shall ensure that the system is consistent through each Federal agency member of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) DESIGN EMPHASIS- The director shall give particular attention, in designing the system, to the tracking of data on the trade of services by small exporters, in consultation with the Department of Commerce.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) IMPLEMENTATION- The director shall work in consultation with members of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee to ensure that the system is implemented and that the results of the system are reported annually in the National Export Strategy conducted by the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--TRADE COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

SEC. 201. TRADE REMEDY AND DISPUTE ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE.

Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(k) Trade Remedy and Dispute Assistance Initiative- The director of the Office shall design, and the district offices of the Administration shall implement, a program that provides technical assistance, counseling services, and reference materials to assist small businesses navigate the trade dispute and remedy processes. The program shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) information on available resources, procedures, and requirements for trade remedy investigations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) an approach for district office staff to provide one-on-one assistance to small businesses involved in these activities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) an identification of legal resources and other tools to ensure small businesses can navigate the trade dispute and remedy processes affordably.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 202. PATENT ASSISTANCE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTIONS INITIATIVE.

Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(l) Patent Assistance and Intellectual Property Protections Initiative- In consultation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office, the Office shall design counseling services, including identifying legal resources for small businesses to secure intellectual property protection in foreign countries. To implement the program, the Office shall collaborate with district office staff to provide on-on-one assistance to small businesses involved in these activities.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

SEC. 301. TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FINANCING INITIATIVE.

Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2)(D) by inserting after `paragraph (14)(A),' the following: `or to participate in a loan made under paragraph (16),'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (16)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (D) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) is impacted by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(I) increased competition with foreign firms in the relevant market; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(II) unfair trade practices, particularly intellectual property violations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(ii) is injured by such impacts.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(E) OUTREACH AND MARKETING- The Administration shall increase outreach and marketing of international trade loans to district offices and private lenders.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 302. TECHNICAL RESOURCES FOR TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE.

Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(m) Technical Resources for Trade Adjustment Assistance-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) IN GENERAL- The director of the Office shall establish a comprehensive set of services to assist small business readjustment, including access to training, technology, marketing assistance, and research and information on domestic and global markets.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) IMPLEMENTATION- The Administrator shall, by regulation, establish such requirements as may be necessary to carry out paragraph (1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) OUTREACH- The Office shall work with the district offices and the outreach business assistance centers of the Administration, including Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, and SCORE, to offer the set of services established under paragraph (1) to small businesses in their local communities.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--EXPORT ASSISTANCE

SEC. 401. INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PARTICIPATION AT EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTERS.

Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(n) Trade Finance Positions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) ADDITIONAL TRADE FINANCE SPECIALISTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) IN GENERAL- The Office, over the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection, shall increase the number of trade finance specialists at Export Assistance Centers by at least 6 and thereafter shall maintain the number of such trade finance specialists at or above that number. Candidates for the positions are required to have sufficient qualifications and experiences.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subparagraph (A) such sums as may be necessary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) FILLING VACANT POSITIONS- The Office, over the 3-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection, shall fill all trade finance positions that have been vacant since 2003. Candidates for the positions are required to have sufficient qualifications and experiences.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) FILLING GAPS IN HIGH-EXPORT-VOLUME AREAS- The director of the Office shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, carry out a national study to compare the rate of exports from each State and major metropolitan region to the availability of Administration staff participating in Export Assistance Centers in such State or region;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) not later than 2 years after such date of enactment, design a formula to eliminate gaps between supply of, and demand for, such staff in areas with high export volumes; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) request the additional staff that are required to eliminate such gaps and place them in those areas.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 402. INCREASE ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED EXPORTERS.

Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (2)(D) by amending the heading to read as follows: `PARTICIPATION UNDER EXPORT WORKING CAPITAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE PROGRAMS'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (3)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subparagraph (A) by striking `subparagraph (B)' and inserting `subparagraphs (B) and (C)';CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as (C) and (D), respectively;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) if the total amount outstanding and committed (by participation or otherwise) solely for the purposes provided in paragraphs (14)(A) and (16) to the borrower from the business loan and investment fund established by this Act would exceed $2,250,000 (or if the gross loan amount would exceed $3,000,000), except as provided in subparagraph (C);'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated) by striking `$1,750,000, of which not more than $1,250,000' and inserting `$2,250,000, of which not more than $1,600,000'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 403. CLERICAL AMENDMENT.

Section 22(c)(5) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649) is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

SEC. 501. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act and the amendments made by this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives September 4, 2007.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.

110th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 2992AN ACTTo amend the Small Business Act to improve trade programs, and for other purposes LORRAINE C. MILLER, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

By Jorge E. Sorensen,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Deputy Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink