Version	Word Count	Changes From Previous Version	Percent Change
Introduced in House	8,443	n/a	n/a
Reported in House	8,860	50	7%
Engrossed in House	10,533	49	21%
Referred in Senate	10,491	5 Show Changes Hide Changes	0%

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

HR 2352 EHRFSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

111th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

H. R. 2352CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

AN ACTCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Small Business Act, 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 ‘Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009’.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--ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM

Sec. 101. Veterans Business Center program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 102. Reporting requirement for interagency task force.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 103. Comptroller General study of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--EDUCATING AND NETWORKING ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH TODAY’S TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 201. Educating entrepreneurs through technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--ENHANCING NATIVE AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Sec. 301. Office of Native American Affairs; Tribal Business Information Centers program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 302. Small Business Development Center assistance to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--BROADENING THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM

Sec. 401. Notification of grants; publication of grant amounts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 402. Communications.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 403. Funding.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 404. Performance and planning.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 405. National Women’s Business Council.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 406. Applicant evaluation criteria.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--SCORE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS

Sec. 501. Expansion of volunteer representation and benchmark reports.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 502. Mentoring and networking.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 503. Name of program changed to SCORE.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 504. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VI--EXPANDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Sec. 601. Expanding entrepreneurship.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VII--MODERNIZING THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER PROGRAM

Sec. 701. Small business development centers operational changes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 702. Access to credit and capital.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 703. Procurement training and assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 704. Green entrepreneurs training program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 705. Main street stabilization.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 706. Prohibition on program income being used as matching funds.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 707. Authorization of appropriations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





Sec. 708. Small Manufacturers transition assistance program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VIII--MICROENTERPRISE TRAINING CENTER PROGRAM

Sec. 801. Microenterprise training center program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IX--MILITARY ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM

Sec. 901. Military entrepreneurs program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE X--RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL

Sec. 1001. Rural Entrepreneurship Advisory Council.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE XI--ASSISTANCE RELATED TO CARBON EMISSION TAX

Sec. 1101. Assistance related to carbon emission tax.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE I--ESTABLISHMENT OF VETERANS BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAMCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 101. VETERANS BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (f), by inserting ‘(other than subsections (g), (h), and (i))’ after ‘this section’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





‘(g) Veterans Business Center Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator shall establish a Veterans Business Center program within the Administration to provide entrepreneurial training and counseling to veterans in accordance with this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DIRECTOR- The Administrator shall appoint a Director of the Veterans Business Center program, who shall implement and oversee such program and who shall report directly to the Associate Administrator for Veterans Business Development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) DESIGNATION OF VETERANS BUSINESS CENTERS- The Director shall establish by regulation an application, review, and notification process to designate entities as veterans business centers for purposes of this section. The Director shall make publicly known the designation of an entity as a veterans business center and the award of a grant to such center under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) FUNDING FOR VETERANS BUSINESS CENTERS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) INITIAL GRANTS- The Director is authorized to make a grant (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as an ‘initial grant’) to each veterans business center each year for not more than 5 years in the amount of $200,000.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) GROWTH FUNDING GRANTS- After a veterans business center has received 5 years of initial grants under subparagraph (A), the Director is authorized to make a grant (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as a ‘growth funding grant’) to such center each year for not more than 3 years in the amount of $150,000. After such center has received 3 years of growth funding grants, the Director shall require such center to meet performance benchmarks established by the Director to be eligible for growth funding grants in subsequent years.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) CENTER RESPONSIBILITIES- Each veterans business center receiving a grant under this subsection shall use the funds primarily on veteran entrepreneurial development, counseling of veteran-owned small businesses through one-on-one instruction and classes, and providing government procurement assistance to veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) MATCHING FUNDS- Each veterans business center receiving a grant under this subsection shall be required to provide a non-Federal match of 50 percent of the Federal funds such center receives under this subsection. The Director may issue to a veterans business center, upon request, a waiver from all or a portion of such matching requirement upon a determination of hardship. The Director may waive the matching funds requirement under this paragraph with respect to veterans business centers that serve communities with a per capita income less than 75 percent of the national per capita income and an unemployment rate at least 150 percent higher than the national average.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) TARGETED AREAS- The Director shall give priority to applications for designations and grants under this subsection that will establish a veterans business center in a geographic area, as determined by the Director, that is not currently served by a veterans business center and in which--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the population of veterans exceeds the national median of such measure; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the population of veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom exceeds the national median of such measure.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) TRAINING PROGRAM- The Director shall develop and implement, directly or by contract, an annual training program for the staff and personnel of designated veterans business centers to provide education, support, and information on best practices with respect to the establishment and operation of such centers. The Director shall develop such training program in consultation with veterans business centers, the interagency task force established under subsection (c), and veterans service organizations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(9) INCLUSION OF OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN PROGRAM- Upon the date of the enactment of this subsection, each Veterans Business Outreach Center established by the Administrator under the authority of section 8(b)(17) and each center that received funds during fiscal year 2006 from the National Veterans Business Development Corporation established under section 33 and that remains in operation shall be treated as designated as a veterans business center for purposes of this subsection and shall be eligible for grants under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(10) RURAL AREAS- The Director shall submit annually to the Administrator a report on whether a sufficient percentage, as determined by the Director, of veterans in rural areas have adequate access to a veterans business center. If the Director submits a report under this paragraph that does not demonstrate that a sufficient percentage of veterans in rural areas have adequate access to a veterans business center, the Director shall give priority during the 1-year period following the date of the submission of such report to applications for designations and grants under this subsection that will establish veterans business centers in rural areas.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(11) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $12,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and $14,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Additional Grants Available to Veterans Business Centers-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ACCESS TO CAPITAL GRANT PROGRAM-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Director of the Veterans Business Center program shall establish a grant program under which the Director is authorized to make, to veterans business centers designated under subsection (g), grants for the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Developing specialized programs to assist veteran-owned small businesses to secure capital and repair damaged credit.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) Providing informational seminars on securing loans to veteran-owned small businesses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) Providing one-on-one counseling to veteran-owned small businesses to improve the financial presentations of such businesses to lenders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) Facilitating the access of veteran-owned small businesses to both traditional and non-traditional financing sources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) Providing one-on-one or group counseling to owners of small business concerns who are members of the reserve components of the armed forces, as specified in section 10101 of title 10, United States Code, to assist such owners to effectively prepare their small businesses for periods when such owners are deployed in support of a contingency operation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(vi) Developing specialized programs to assist unemployed veterans to become entrepreneurs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) AWARD SIZE- The Director may not award a veterans business center more than $75,000 in grants under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Director shall establish a grant program under which the Director is authorized to make, to veterans business centers designated under subsection (g), grants for the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Assisting veteran-owned small businesses to identify contracts that are suitable to such businesses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) Preparing veteran-owned small businesses to be ready as subcontractors and prime contractors for contracts made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) through training and business advisement, particularly with respect to the construction trades.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) Providing veteran-owned small businesses technical assistance with respect to the Federal procurement process, including assisting such businesses to comply with Federal regulations and bonding requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) AWARD SIZE- The Director may not award a veterans business center more than $75,000 in grants under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) SERVICE-DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS GRANT PROGRAM-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- The Director shall establish a grant program under which the Director is authorized to make, to veterans business centers designated under subsection (g), grants for the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Developing outreach programs for service-disabled veterans to promote self-employment opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) Providing training to service-disabled veterans with respect to business plan development, marketing, budgeting, accounting, and merchandising.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) Assisting service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to locate and secure business opportunities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) AWARD SIZE- The Director may not award a veterans business center more than $75,000 in grants under this paragraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) Veterans Entrepreneurial Development Summit-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Director of the Veterans Business Center program is authorized to carry out an event, once every two years, for the purpose of providing networking opportunities, outreach, education, training, and support to veterans business centers funded under this section, veteran-owned small businesses, veterans service organizations, and other entities as determined appropriate for inclusion by the Director. Such event shall include education and training with respect to improving outreach to veterans in areas of high unemployment.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $450,000 for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(j) Inclusion of Surviving Spouses- For purposes of subsections (g), (h), and (i) the following apply:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) The term ‘veteran’ includes a surviving spouse of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) A member of the Armed Forces, including a reserve component thereof.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) A veteran.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The term ‘veteran-owned small business’ includes a small business owned by a surviving spouse of the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) A member of the Armed Forces, including a reserve component thereof.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) A veteran.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(k) Inclusion of Reserve Components- For purposes of subsections (g), (h), and (i) the following apply:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) The term ‘veteran’ includes a member of the reserve components of the armed forces as specified in section 10101 of title 10, United States Code.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) The term ‘veteran-owned small business’ includes a small business owned by a member of the reserve components of the armed forces as specified in section 10101 of title 10, United States Code.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 102. REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.

Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) REPORT- The Administrator shall submit to Congress biannually a report on the appointments made to and activities of the task force.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 103. COMPTROLLER GENERAL STUDY OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OWNED AND CONTROLLED BY VETERANS.

The Comptroller General shall carry out a study on the effects of this Act and the amendments made by this Act on small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and submit to Congress a report on the results of such study. Such report shall include the recommendations of the Comptroller General with respect to how this Act and the amendments made by this Act may be implemented to more effectively serve small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE II--EDUCATING AND NETWORKING ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH TODAY’S TECHNOLOGYCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 201. EDUCATING ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.

The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by redesignating section 44 as section 47 and by inserting the following new section after section 43:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 44. EDUCATING AND NETWORKING ENTREPRENEURS THROUGH TECHNOLOGY.

‘(a) Purpose- The purpose of this section is to provide distance learning and opportunities for the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance through online networking to potential and existing entrepreneurs through the use of technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Definition- As used in this section, the term ‘qualified third-party vendor’ means an entity with experience in distance learning content or communications technology, or both, with the ability to utilize on-line, satellite, video-on-demand, and connected community-based organizations to distribute and conduct distance learning and establish an online network for use by potential and existing entrepreneurs to facilitate the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance related to entrepreneurship, credit management, financial literacy, and Federal small business development programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Authority- The Administrator shall contract with qualified third-party vendors for entrepreneurial training content, the development of communications technology that can distribute content under this section throughout the United States, and the establishment of a nationwide, online network for the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance. The Administrator shall contract with at least two qualified third-party vendors to develop content.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Content- The Administrator shall ensure that the content referred to in subsection (c) is timely and relevant to entrepreneurial development and can be successfully communicated remotely to an audience through the use of technology. The Administrator shall, to the maximum extent practicable, promote content that makes use of technologies that allow for remote interaction by the content provider with an audience. The Administrator shall ensure that the content is catalogued and accessible to small businesses on-line or through other remote technologies.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Communications Technology- The Administrator shall ensure that the communications technology referred to in subsection (c) is able to distribute content throughout all 50 States and the territories of the United States to small business concerns, home-based businesses, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, Veterans Business Centers, SCORE chapters, and the Small Business Administration and network entrepreneurs throughout all 50 States and the territories of the United States to allow for peer-to-peer learning through the creation of a location online that allows entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to exchange technical assistance through the sharing of information. To the extent possible, the qualified third-party vendor should deliver the content and facilitate the networking using broadband technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Reports to Congress- The Administrator shall submit a report to Congress 6 months after the date of the enactment of this section containing an analysis of the Small Business Administration’s progress in implementing this section. The Administrator shall submit a report to Congress 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter containing the number of presentations made under this section, the number of small businesses served under this section, the extent to which this section resulted in the establishment of new businesses, and feedback on the usefulness of this medium in presenting entrepreneurial education and facilitating the exchange of peer-to-peer technical assistance throughout the United States.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE III--ENHANCING NATIVE AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURSHIPCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 301. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS; TRIBAL BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTERS PROGRAM.

(a) Associate Administrator- Section 4(b)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 633(b)(1)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘five Associate Administrators’ and inserting ‘six Associate Administrators’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after ‘vested in the Administration.’ the following: ‘One such Associate Administrator shall be the Associate Administrator for Native American Affairs, who shall administer the Office of Native American Affairs established under section 45.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Establishment- The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 44, as added by section 201 of this Act, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 45. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS AND TRIBAL BUSINESS INFORMATION CENTERS PROGRAM.

‘(a) Office of Native American Affairs-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established in the Administration an Office of Native American Affairs (hereinafter referred to in this subsection as the ‘Office’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR- The Office shall be administered by an Associate Administrator appointed under section 4(b)(1).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) RESPONSIBILITIES- The Office shall have the following responsibilities:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Developing and implementing tools and strategies to increase Native American entrepreneurship.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Expanding the access of Native American entrepreneurs to business training, financing, and Federal small business contracts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Expanding outreach to Native American communities and marketing entrepreneurial development services to such communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) Representing the Administration with respect to Native American economic development matters.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT FUNCTION- The Office shall provide oversight with respect to and assist the implementation of all Administration initiatives relating to Native American entrepreneurial development.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- To carry out this subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Tribal Business Information Centers Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT- The Administrator is authorized to operate, alone or in coordination with other Federal departments and agencies, a Tribal Business Information Centers program that provides Native American populations with business training and entrepreneurial development assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DESIGNATION OF CENTERS- The Administrator shall designate entities as centers under the Tribal Business Information Centers program.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) ADMINISTRATION SUPPORT- The Administrator may contribute agency personnel and resources to the centers designated under paragraph (2) to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) GRANT PROGRAM- The Administrator is authorized to make grants of not more than $300,000 to centers designated under paragraph (2) for the purpose of providing Native Americans the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Business workshops.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Individualized business counseling.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Entrepreneurial development training.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) Access to computer technology and other resources to start or expand a business.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) REGULATIONS- The Administrator shall by regulation establish a process for designating centers under paragraph (2) and making the grants authorized under paragraph (4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) DEFINITION OF ADMINISTRATOR- In this subsection, the term ‘Administrator’ means the Administrator, acting through the Associate Administrator administering the Office of Native American Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- To carry out this subsection, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and $17,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Definition of Native American- The term ‘Native American’ means an Indian tribe member, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian as such are defined in section 21(a)(8) of this Act.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 302. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER ASSISTANCE TO INDIAN TRIBE MEMBERS, ALASKA NATIVES, AND NATIVE HAWAIIANS.

(a) In General- Section 21(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(8) ADDITIONAL GRANT TO ASSIST INDIAN TRIBE MEMBERS, ALASKA NATIVES, AND NATIVE HAWAIIANS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Any applicant in an eligible State that is funded by the Administration as a Small Business Development Center may apply for an additional grant to be used solely to provide services described in subsection (c)(3) to assist with outreach, development, and enhancement on Indian lands of small business startups and expansions owned by Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) ELIGIBLE STATES- For purposes of subparagraph (A), an eligible State is a State that has a combined population of Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians that comprises at least 1 percent of the State’s total population, as shown by the latest available census.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) GRANT APPLICATIONS- An applicant for a grant under subparagraph (A) shall submit to the Administration an application that is in such form as the Administration may require. The application shall include information regarding the applicant’s goals and objectives for the services to be provided using the grant, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) the capability of the applicant to provide training and services to a representative number of Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) the location of the Small Business Development Center site proposed by the applicant;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) the required amount of grant funding needed by the applicant to implement the program; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) the extent to which the applicant has consulted with local tribal councils.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) APPLICABILITY OF GRANT REQUIREMENTS- An applicant for a grant under subparagraph (A) shall comply with all of the requirements of this section, except that the matching funds requirements under paragraph (4)(A) shall not apply.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF GRANTS- No applicant may receive more than $300,000 in grants under this paragraph for any fiscal year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) REGULATIONS- After providing notice and an opportunity for comment and after consulting with the Association recognized by the Administration pursuant to paragraph (3)(A) (but not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph), the Administration shall issue final regulations to carry out this paragraph, including regulations that establish--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) standards relating to educational, technical, and support services to be provided by Small Business Development Centers receiving assistance under this paragraph; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) standards relating to any work plan that the Administration may require a Small Business Development Center receiving assistance under this paragraph to develop.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) ADVICE OF LOCAL TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS- A Small Business Development Center receiving a grant under this paragraph shall request the advice of a tribal organization on how best to provide assistance to Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and where to locate satellite centers to provide such assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(H) DEFINITIONS- In this paragraph, the following definitions apply:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) INDIAN LANDS- The term ‘Indian lands’ has the meaning given the term ‘Indian country’ in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code, the meaning given the term ‘Indian reservation’ in section 151.2 of title 25, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph), and the meaning given the term ‘reservation’ in section 4 of the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1903).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) INDIAN TRIBE- The term ‘Indian tribe’ means any band, nation, or organized group or community of Indians located in the contiguous United States, and the Metlakatla Indian Community, whose members are recognized as eligible for the services provided to Indians by the Secretary of the Interior because of their status as Indians.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) INDIAN TRIBE MEMBER- The term ‘Indian tribe member’ means a member of an Indian tribe (other than an Alaska Native).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) ALASKA NATIVE- The term ‘Alaska Native’ has the meaning given the term ‘Native’ in section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) NATIVE HAWAIIAN- The term ‘Native Hawaiian’ means any individual who is--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) a citizen of the United States; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(II) a descendant of the aboriginal people, who prior to 1778, occupied and exercised sovereignty in the area that now constitutes the State of Hawaii.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(vi) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION- The term ‘tribal organization’ has the meaning given that term in section 4(l) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b(l)).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this paragraph $7,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 and 2011.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(J) FUNDING LIMITATIONS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) NONAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN LIMITATIONS- Funding under this paragraph shall be in addition to the dollar program limitations specified in paragraph (4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS- The Administration may carry out this paragraph only with amounts appropriated in advance specifically to carry out this paragraph.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IV--BROADENING THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAMCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 401. NOTIFICATION OF GRANTS; PUBLICATION OF GRANT AMOUNTS.

Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(o) Notification of Grants; Publication of Grant Amounts- The Administrator shall disburse funds to a women’s business center not later than 1 month after the center’s application is approved under this section. At the end of each fiscal year the Administrator (acting through the Office of Women’s Business ownership) shall publish on the Administration’s website a report setting forth the total amount of the grants made under this Act to each women’s business center in the fiscal year for which the report is issued, the total amount of such grants made in each prior fiscal year to each such center, and the total amount of private matching funds provided by each such center over the lifetime of the center.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 402. COMMUNICATIONS.

Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656), as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(p) Communications- The Administrator shall establish, by rule, a standardized process to communicate with women’s business centers regarding program administration matters, including reimbursement, regulatory matters, and programmatic changes. The Administrator shall notify each women’s business center of the opportunity for notice and comment on the proposed rule.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 403. FUNDING.

(a) Formula- Section 29(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(b)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Authority-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administrator may provide financial assistance to private nonprofit organizations to conduct projects for the benefit of small business concerns owned and controlled by women. The projects shall provide--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) financial assistance, including training and counseling in how to apply for and secure business credit and investment capital, preparing and presenting financial statements, and managing cash flow and other financial operations of a business concern;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) management assistance, including training and counseling in how to plan, organize, staff, direct, and control each major activity and function of a small business concern, including implementing cost-saving energy techniques; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) marketing assistance, including training and counseling in identifying and segmenting domestic and international market opportunities, preparing and executing marketing plans, developing pricing strategies, locating contract opportunities, negotiating contracts, and utilizing varying public relations and advertising techniques.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) TIERS- The Administrator shall provide assistance under paragraph (1) in 3 tiers of assistance as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The first tier shall be to conduct a 5-year project in a situation where a project has not previously been conducted. Such a project shall be in a total amount of not more than $150,000 per year. Projects receiving assistance under this subparagraph that possess the capacity to train existing or potential business owners in the fields of green technology, clean technology, or energy efficiency shall receive the maximum award under this subparagraph.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The second tier shall be to conduct a 3-year project in a situation where a first-tier project is being completed. Such a project shall be in a total amount of not more than $100,000 per year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) The third tier shall be to conduct a 3-year project in a situation where a second-tier project is being completed. Such a project shall be in a total amount of not more than $100,000 per year. Third-tier grants shall be renewable subject to established eligibility criteria as well as criteria in subsection (b)(4).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) ALLOCATION OF FUNDS- Of the amounts made available for assistance under this subsection, the Administrator shall allocate--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) at least 40 percent for first-tier projects under paragraph (2)(A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) 20 percent for second-tier projects under paragraph (2)(B); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the remainder for third-tier projects under paragraph (2)(C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) BENCHMARKS FOR THIRD-TIER PROJECTS- In awarding third-tier projects under paragraph (2)(C), the Administrator shall use benchmarks based on socio-economic factors in the community and on the performance of the applicant. The benchmarks shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) the total number of women served by the project;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) the proportion of low income women and socio-economic distribution of clients served by the project;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) the proportion of individuals in the community that are socially or economically disadvantaged (based on median income);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) the future fund-raising and service coordination plans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) the capacity of the project to train existing or potential business owners in the fields of green technology, clean technology, or energy efficiency;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) the diversity of services provided; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(G) geographic distribution within and across the 10 regions of the Small Business Administration.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Matching- Subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 29(c)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(c)(1)) are amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) For the first and second years of the project, 1 non-Federal dollar for each 2 Federal dollars.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Each year after the second year of the project--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) 1 non-Federal dollar for each Federal dollar; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) if the center is in a community at least 50 percent of the population of which is below the median income for the State or United States territory in which the center is located, 1 non-Federal dollar for each 2 Federal dollars.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Authorization- Section 20 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by inserting the following new subsection after subsection (e):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(f) Women’s Business Centers- There is authorized to be appropriated for purposes of grants under section 29 to women’s business centers not more than $20,000,000 in fiscal year 2010 and not more than $22,000,000 in fiscal year 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 404. PERFORMANCE AND PLANNING.

(a) In General- Section 29(h)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(h)(1)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘and’ at the end of subparagraph (A);CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by inserting the following new subparagraphs after subparagraph (A):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) establish performance measures, taking into account the demographic differences of populations served by women’s business centers, which measures shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(i) outcome-based measures of the amount of job creation or economic activity generated in the local community as a result of efforts made and services provided by each women’s business center, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(ii) service-based measures of the amount of services provided to individuals and small business concerns served by each women’s business center;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) require each women’s business center to submit an annual plan for the next year that includes the center’s funding sources and amounts, strategies for increasing outreach to women-owned businesses, strategies for increasing job growth in the community, strategies for increasing job placement of women in nontraditional occupations, and other content as determined by the Administrator; and’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Conforming Amendment- Section 29(h)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(h)(1)), as amended, is further amended by adding the following at the end thereof:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘The Administrator’s evaluation of each women’s business center as required by this subsection shall be in part based on the performance measures under subparagraphs (B) and (C). These measures and the Administrator’s evaluations thereof shall be made publicly available.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 405. NATIONAL WOMEN’S BUSINESS COUNCIL.

The Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 is amended as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) In section 409(a) (15 U.S.C. 7109(a)), by adding the following at the end thereof: ‘Such studies shall include a study on the impact of the 2008-2009 financial markets crisis on women-owned businesses, and a study of the use of the Small Business Administration’s programs by women-owned businesses.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) In section 410(a) (15 U.S.C. 7110(a)), by striking ‘2001 through 2003’ and insert ‘2010 and 2011’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 406. APPLICANT EVALUATION CRITERIA.

Section 29(f) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(f)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘and’ at the end;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (4) by striking the period and inserting ‘; and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





‘(5) whether the applicant has the capacity to train existing or potential business owners in the fields of green technology, clean technology, or energy efficiency.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE V--SCORE PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 501. EXPANSION OF VOLUNTEER REPRESENTATION AND BENCHMARK REPORTS.

(a) Expansion of Volunteer Representation- Section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting ‘(i)’ after ‘(B)’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





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





‘(ii) The Administrator shall ensure that SCORE, established under this subparagraph, carries out a plan to increase the proportion of mentors who are from socially or economically disadvantaged backgrounds and, on an annual basis, reports to the Administrator on the implementation of this subparagraph.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Benchmark Reports- Section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)), as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iii) The Administrator shall ensure that SCORE, established under this subparagraph, establishes benchmarks for use in evaluating the performance of its activities and of its volunteers. The benchmarks shall include benchmarks relating to the demographic characteristics and the geographic characteristics of persons assisted by SCORE, benchmarks related to the hours spent mentoring by volunteers, and benchmarks relating to the performance of the persons assisted by SCORE. SCORE shall report, on an annual basis, to the Administrator the extent to which the benchmarks established under this clause are being attained.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 502. MENTORING AND NETWORKING.

Section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)), as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(iv) The Administrator shall ensure that SCORE, established under this subparagraph, establishes a mentoring program for small business concerns that provides one-on-one advice to small business concerns from qualified counselors. For purposes of this clause, qualified counselors are counselors with at least 10 years experience in the industry sector or area of responsibility of the small business concern seeking advice.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(v) The Administrator shall carry out a networking program through SCORE, established under this subparagraph, that provides small business concerns with the opportunity to make business contacts in their industry or geographic region.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 503. NAME OF PROGRAM CHANGED TO SCORE.

(a) Name Change- The Small Business Act is amended as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) In section 8(b)(1)(B) (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)), by striking ‘Executives (SCORE)’ and inserting ‘Executives (in this Act referred to as ‘SCORE’)’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) In section 7(m)(3)(A)(i)(VIII) (15 U.S.C. 636(m)(3)(A)(i)(VIII)), by striking ‘the Service Corps of Retired Executives’ and inserting ‘SCORE’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) In section 20 (15 U.S.C. 631 note)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subsection (d)(1)(E), by striking ‘the Service Corps of Retired Executives program’ and inserting ‘SCORE’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subsection (e)(1)(E), by striking ‘the Service Corps of Retired Executives program’ and inserting ‘SCORE’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) In section 33(b)(2) (15 U.S.C. 657c(b)(2)), by striking ‘Service Corps of Retired Executives’ and inserting ‘SCORE’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Elimination of ACE- Section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)), as amended, is further amended by striking ‘and an Active Corps of Executive (ACE)’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 504. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 20 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 note), as amended by section 403(c) of this Act, is further amended by inserting the following new subsection after subsection (f):CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Authorization of Appropriations for SCORE- There is authorized to be appropriated $7,000,000 for SCORE under section 8(b)(1) for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VI--EXPANDING ENTREPRENEURSHIPCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 601. EXPANDING ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

Section 4 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 633) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(g) Management and Direction-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) PLAN FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION STRATEGY- The Administrator shall develop and submit to Congress a plan, in consultation with a representative from each of the agency’s entrepreneurial development programs, for using the Small Business Administration’s entrepreneurial development programs to create jobs during fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The plan shall include the Administration’s plan for drawing on existing programs, including Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE, Veterans Business Centers, Native American Outreach, and other appropriate programs. The Administrator shall identify a strategy for each Administration region to create or retain jobs through Administration programs. The Administrator shall identify, in consultation with appropriate personnel from entrepreneurial development programs, performance measures and criteria, including job creation, job retention, and job retraining goals, to evaluate the success of the Administration’s actions regarding these efforts.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DATA COLLECTION PROCESS- The Administrator shall, after notice and opportunity for comment, promulgate a rule to develop and implement a consistent data collection process to cover all entrepreneurial development programs. Such data collection process shall include data relating to job creation, performance, and any other data determined appropriate by the Administrator with respect to the Administration’s entrepreneurial development programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) COORDINATION AND ALIGNMENT OF SBA ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS- The Administrator shall submit annually to Congress, in consultation with other Federal departments and agencies as appropriate, a report on opportunities to foster coordination, limit duplication, and improve program delivery for Federal entrepreneurial development programs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) DATABASE OF ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS- The Administrator shall, after a period of 60 days for public comment, establish a database of providers of entrepreneurial development services and, make such database available through the Administration’s Web site. The database shall be searchable by industry, geography, and service required.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) COMMUNITY SPECIALIST- The Administrator shall designate not less than one staff member in each Administration district office as a community specialist who has as their full-time responsibility working with local entrepreneurial development service providers to increase coordination with Federal resources. The Administrator shall develop benchmarks for measuring the performance of community specialists under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(6) ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PORTAL- The Administrator shall publish a design for a Web-based portal to provide comprehensive information on the Administration’s entrepreneurial development programs. After a period of 60 days for public comment, the Administrator shall establish such portal and--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) integrate under one Web portal, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE, Veterans Business Centers, the Administration’s distance learning program, and other programs as appropriate;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) revise the Administration’s primary Web site so that the Web portal described in subparagraph (A) is available as a link on the main Web page of the Web site;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) increase consumer-oriented content on the Administration’s Web site and focus on promoting access to business solutions, including marketing, financing, and human resources planning;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) establish relevant Web content aggregated by industry segment, stage of business development, level of need, and include referral links to appropriate Administration services, including financing, training and counseling, and procurement assistance; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) provide style guidelines and links for visitors to the Administration’s Web site to be able to comment on and evaluate the materials in terms of their usefulness.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(7) PILOT PROGRAMS- The Administrator may not conduct any pilot program for a period of greater than 3 years if the program conflicts with, or uses the resources of, any of the entrepreneurial development programs authorized under section 8(b)(1)(B), 21, 29, 32, or any other provision of this Act.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VII--MODERNIZING THE SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER PROGRAMCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 701. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS OPERATIONAL CHANGES.

(a) Accreditation Requirement- Section 21(a)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(1)) is amended as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) In the proviso, by inserting before ‘institution’ the following: ‘accredited’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) In the sentence beginning ‘The Administration shall’, by inserting before ‘institutions’ the following: ‘accredited’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) By adding at the end the following new sentence: ‘In this paragraph, the term ‘accredited institution of higher education’ means an institution that is accredited as described in section 101(a)(5) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)(5)).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Program Negotiations- Section 21(a)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(3)) is amended in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting before ‘agreed’ the following: ‘mutually’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Contract Negotiations- Section 21(a)(3)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(3)(A)) is amended by inserting after ‘uniform negotiated’ the following: ‘mutually agreed to’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) SBDC Hiring- Section 21(c)(2)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(c)(2)(A)) is amended by inserting after ‘full-time staff’ the following: ‘, the hiring of which shall be at the sole discretion of the center without the need for input or approval from any officer or employee of the Administration’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Content of Consultations- Section 21(a)(7)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(7)(A)) is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting after ‘under this section’ the following: ‘, or the content of any consultation with such an individual or small business concern,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Amounts for Administrative Expenses- Section 21(a)(4)(C)(v)(I) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(4)(C)(v)(I)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(I) IN GENERAL- Of the amounts made available in any fiscal year to carry out this section, not more than $500,000 may be used by the Administration to pay expenses enumerated in subparagraphs (B) through (D) of section 20(a)(1).’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Non-Matching Portability Grants- Section 21(a)(4)(C)(viii) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(4)(C)(viii)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ‘In the event of a disaster, the dollar limitation in the preceding sentence shall not apply.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Distribution to SBDCs- Section 21(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) Limitation on Distribution to Small Business Development Centers-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) IN GENERAL- Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, the Administration shall not distribute funds to a Small Business Development Center if the State in which the Small Business Development Center is located is served by more than one Small Business Development Center.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) UNAVAILABILITY EXCEPTION- The Administration may distribute funds to a maximum of two Small Business Development Centers in any State if no applicant has applied to serve the entire State.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) GRANDFATHER CLAUSE- The limitations in this paragraph shall not apply to any State in which more than one Small Business Development Center received funding prior to January 1, 2007.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) DEFINITION- For the purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘Small Business Development Center’ means the entity selected by the Administration to receive funds pursuant to the funding formula set forth in subsection (a)(4), without regard to the number of sites for service delivery such entity establishes or funds.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Women’s Business Centers- Section 21(a)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(1)), as amended, is further amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘and women’s business centers operating pursuant to section 29’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking ‘or a women’s business center operating pursuant to section 29’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 702. ACCESS TO CREDIT AND CAPITAL.

Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(o) Access to Credit and Capital Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administration shall establish a grant program for small business development centers in accordance with this subsection. To be eligible for the program, a small business development center must be in good standing and comply with the other requirements of this section. Funds made available through the program shall be used to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) develop specialized programs to assist local small business concerns in securing capital and repairing damaged credit;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) provide informational seminars on securing credit and loans;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) provide one-on-one counseling with potential borrowers to improve financial presentations to lenders; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) facilitate borrowers’ access to non-traditional financing sources, as well as traditional lending sources.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AWARD SIZE LIMIT- The Administration may not award an entity more than $300,000 in grant funds under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) AUTHORITY- Subject to amounts approved in advance in appropriations Acts and separate from amounts approved to carry out the program established in subsection (a)(1), the Administration may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) AUTHORIZATION- There is authorized to be appropriated not more than $2,500,000 for the purposes of carrying out this subsection for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 703. PROCUREMENT TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE.

Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648), as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(p) Procurement Training and Assistance-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administration shall establish a grant program for small business development centers in accordance with this subsection. To be eligible for the program, a small business development center must be in good standing and comply with the other requirements of this section. Funds made available through the program shall be used to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) work with local agencies to identify contracts that are suitable for local small business concerns;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) prepare small businesses to be ready as subcontractors and prime contractors for contracts made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) through training and business advisement, particularly in the construction trades; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) provide technical assistance regarding the Federal procurement process, including assisting small business concerns to comply with federal regulations and bonding requirements.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AWARD SIZE LIMIT- The Administration may not award an entity more than $300,000 in grant funds under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) AUTHORITY- Subject to amounts approved in advance in appropriations Acts and separate from amounts approved to carry out the program established in subsection (a)(1), the Administration may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated not more than $2,500,000 for the purposes of carrying out this subsection for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 704. GREEN ENTREPRENEURS TRAINING PROGRAM.

Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648), as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(q) Green Entrepreneurs Training Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administration shall establish a grant program for small business development centers in accordance with this subsection. To be eligible for the program, a small business development center must be in good standing and comply with the other requirements of this section. Funds made available through the program shall be used to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) provide education classes and one-on-one instruction in starting a business in the fields of energy efficiency, green technology, or clean technology and in adapting a business to include such fields;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) coordinate such classes and instruction, to the extent practicable, with local community colleges and local professional trade associations;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) assist and provide technical counseling to individuals seeking to start a business in the fields of energy efficiency, green technology, or clean technology and to individuals seeking to adapt a business to include such fields; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) provide services that assist low-income or dislocated workers to start businesses in the fields of energy efficiency, green technology, or clean technology.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AWARD SIZE LIMIT- The Administration may not award an entity more than $300,000 in grant funds under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) AUTHORITY- Subject to amounts approved in advance in appropriations Acts and separate from amounts approved to carry out the program established in subsection (a)(1), the Administration may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS- There is authorized to be appropriated not more than $2,500,000 for the purposes of carrying out this subsection for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 705. MAIN STREET STABILIZATION.

Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648), as amended, is further amended by adding the following new subsection at the end thereof:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(r) Main Street Stabilization-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administration shall establish a grant program for small business development centers in accordance with this subsection. To be eligible for the program, a small business development center must be in good standing and comply with the other requirements of this section. Funds made available through the program shall be used to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) establish a statewide small business helpline within every State and United States territory to provide immediate expert information and assistance to small business concerns;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) develop a portfolio of online survival and growth tools and resources that struggling small business concerns can utilize through the Internet;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) develop business advisory capacity to provide expert consulting and education to assist small businesses at-risk of failure and to, in areas of high demand, shorten the response time of small business development centers, and, in rural areas, support added outreach in remote communities;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) deploy additional resources to help specific industry sectors with a high presence of small business concerns, which shall be targeted toward clusters of small businesses with similar needs and build upon best practices from earlier assistance;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) develop a formal listing of financing options for small business capital access; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(F) deliver services that help dislocated workers start new businesses.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) AWARD SIZE LIMIT- The Administration may not award an entity more than $250,000 in grant funds under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) AUTHORITY- Subject to amounts approved in advance in appropriations Acts and separate from amounts approved to carry out the program established in subsection (a)(1), the Administration may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) AUTHORIZATION- There is authorized to be appropriated not more than $2,500,000 for the purposes of carrying out this subsection for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 706. PROHIBITION ON PROGRAM INCOME BEING USED AS MATCHING FUNDS.

Section 21(a)(4)(B) (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(4)(B)) is amended by inserting after ‘Federal program’ the following: ‘and shall not include any funds obtained through the assessment of fees to small business clients’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 707. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

Section 20 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 note), as amended by sections 403(c) and 504 of this Act, is further amended by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(h) Small Business Development Centers- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Small Business Development Center Program under section 21 $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and $160,000,000 for fiscal year 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 708. SMALL MANUFACTURERS TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648), as amended, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(s) Small Manufacturers Transition Assistance Program-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL- The Administration shall establish a grant program for small business development centers in accordance with this subsection. To be eligible for the program, a small business development center must be in good standing and comply with the other requirements of this section. Funds made available through the program shall be used to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) provide technical assistance and expertise to small manufacturers with respect to changing operations to another industry sector or reorganizing operations to increase efficiency and profitability;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) assist marketing of the capabilities of small manufacturers outside the principal area of operations of such manufacturers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) facilitate peer-to-peer and mentor-protege relationships between small manufacturers and corporations and Federal agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) conduct outreach activities to local small manufacturers with respect to the availability of the services described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DEFINITION OF SMALL MANUFACTURER- In this subsection, the term ‘small manufacturer’ means a small business concern engaged in an industry specified in sector 31, 32, or 33 of the North American Industry Classification System in section 121.201 of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) AWARD SIZE LIMIT- The Administration may not award an entity more than $250,000 in grant funds under this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) AUTHORITY- Subject to amounts approved in advance in appropriations Acts and separate from amounts approved to carry out the program established in subsection (a)(1), the Administration may make grants or enter into cooperative agreements to carry out this subsection.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(5) AUTHORIZATION- There is authorized to be appropriated not more than $2,500,000 for the purposes of carrying out this subsection for each of the fiscal years 2010 and 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE VIII--MICROENTERPRISE TRAINING CENTER PROGRAMCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 801. MICROENTERPRISE TRAINING CENTER PROGRAM.

The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 45, as added by section 301(b) of this Act, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 46. MICROENTERPRISE TRAINING CENTER PROGRAM.

‘(a) Establishment- The Administrator shall establish and carry out a microenterprise training center program for the purpose of providing low-income and unemployed individuals with training and counseling with respect to starting a microenterprise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Number and Location of Centers- In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall establish 10 microenterprise training centers, which, to the extent practicable, shall be located in a manner that promotes the geographic diversity of such centers. The Administrator shall give priority in locating such centers to areas with high proportions of low-income and unemployed individuals.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Function- In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Administrator shall ensure that microenterprise training centers provide training and resources to individuals seeking to start a new microenterprise, including through the provision of classes, one-on-one instruction, and other services the Administrator determines appropriate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(d) Coordination- The Administrator shall coordinate the program established under subsection (a) with other programs of the Administration that may provide support to microenterprises.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Definition of Microenterprise- In this section, the term ‘microenterprise’ means a business with not more than 6 employees and begun with an initial investment of not more than $40,000.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE IX--MILITARY ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAMCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 901. MILITARY ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM.

The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 45, as added by section 301(b) of this Act, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 47. MILITARY ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM.

‘(a) Establishment- The Administrator shall establish and carry out a program to provide business counseling and entrepreneurial development assistance to members of the Armed Forces to facilitate the development of small business concerns.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Liaison- In carrying out the program described in subsection (a), the Administrator shall establish a liaison to facilitate outreach to members of the Armed Forces with respect to business counseling and entrepreneurial development assistance.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this section $1,000,000 for fiscal years 2010 and 2011.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE X--RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ADVISORY COUNCILCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1001. RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL.

The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et. seq.) is amended by inserting after section 45, as added by section 301(b) of this Act, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘SEC. 48. RURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP ADVISORY COUNCIL.

‘(a) Establishment- The Administrator shall establish a rural entrepreneurship advisory council (hereinafter referred to in this section as the ‘council’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) Composition- The Administrator shall ensure that the council is composed of appropriate officials from the Administration, the rural development programs of the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Commerce and of representatives, who volunteer for the council, from the academic, small business, agriculture, and high-tech communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(c) Functions-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) INITIAL REPORT- Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the council shall submit to the Administrator and to Congress a report on the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) Entrepreneurship in rural communities compared to urban communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) Potential barriers to entrepreneurship for individuals in rural communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) Effective Federal policies that are expanding entrepreneurship in rural communities.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) Recommendations for Federal policies to foster entrepreneurship in rural communities and to ensure that rural entrepreneurs have equal access to technical assistance, entrepreneurial opportunities, and educational outreach.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) ADVICE- The council shall provide ongoing advice to the Administrator with respect to rural entrepreneurship and make recommendations to foster rural entrepreneurs, including through the effective use of broadband technology.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

TITLE XI--ASSISTANCE RELATED TO CARBON EMISSION TAXCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 1101. ASSISTANCE RELATED TO CARBON EMISSION TAX.

Section 21(c)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(c)(3)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subparagraph (S), by striking the final ‘and’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subparagraph (T), by striking the period and inserting ‘; and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(U) providing information and technical assistance to any small business owner that faces an increase in costs as a result of the enactment of any program to impose a tax on carbon emissions, either directly or through the operation of a cap and trade system on such emission limits.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Passed the House of Representatives May 20, 2009.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Attest:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.

111th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2352

AN ACT

To amend the Small Business Act, and for other purposes LORRAINE C. MILLER, CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Clerk.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink