[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4405 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4405
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 22, 2019
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business
and Entrepreneurship
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend the Small Business Act to improve the women's business center
program, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Business Centers
Improvements Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.
Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 29. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Assistant administrator.--The term `Assistant
Administrator' means the Assistant Administrator of the Office
of Women's Business Ownership established under subsection (k).
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) an organization described in section 501(c)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code;
``(B) a State, regional, or local economic
development organization, so long as the organization
certifies that grant funds received under this section
will not be commingled with other funds;
``(C) an institution of higher education (as
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), unless such institution is
currently receiving a grant under section 21;
``(D) a development, credit, or finance corporation
chartered by a State, so long as the corporation
certifies that grant funds received under this section
will not be commingled with other funds; or
``(E) any combination of entities listed in
subparagraphs (A) through (D).
``(3) Small business concern owned and controlled by
women.--The term `small business concern owned and controlled
by women' has the meaning given under section 3(n).
``(4) Women's business center.--The term `women's business
center' means the location at which counseling and training on
the management, operations (including manufacturing, services,
and retail), access to capital, international trade, Government
procurement opportunities, and any other matter that is needed
to start, maintain, or expand a small business concern owned
and controlled by women.
``(5) Women's business center association.--The term
`Women's Business Center Association' means a membership
organization formed by women's business centers to pursue
matters of common concern.
``(b) Authority.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Women's
Business Center Program under which the Administrator may
provide a grant to any eligible entity to operate one or more
women's business centers for the benefit of small business
concerns owned and controlled by women.
``(2) Use of funds.--The women's business centers shall be
designed to provide counseling and training that meets the
needs of the small business concerns owned and controlled by
women, especially socially or economically disadvantaged women,
and shall provide--
``(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 small business concern;
``(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; and
``(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.
``(3) Types of grants.--
``(A) Initial grant.--The amount of an initial
grant, which shall be for a 5-year term, provided under
this subsection to an eligible entity shall be not more
than $300,000 annually (as such amount is annually
adjusted by the Administrator to reflect the change in
inflation).
``(B) Continuation grants.--The Administrator may
award a continuation grant, which shall be for a 5-year
term, of not more than $300,000 annually (as such
amount is annually adjusted by the Administrator to
reflect the change in inflation) to an eligible entity
that received an initial grant under subparagraph (A).
There shall be no limitation on the number of
continuation grants an eligible entity may receive
under this section.
``(c) Application.--
``(1) Initial grants and continuation grants.--To receive
an initial grant or continuation grant under this section, an
eligible entity shall submit an application to the
Administrator in such form, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Administrator may require, including--
``(A) a certification that the eligible entity--
``(i) has designated an executive director
or program manager, who may be compensated
using grant funds awarded under this section or
other sources, to manage the women's business
center for which a grant under subsection (b)
is sought; and
``(ii) meets accounting and reporting
requirements established by the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget;
``(B) information demonstrating the experience and
effectiveness of the eligible entity in--
``(i) providing counseling and training
described under subsection (b)(2);
``(ii) providing training and services to a
representative number of women who are socially
or economically disadvantaged; and
``(iii) working with resource partners of
the Administration and other entities; and
``(C) a 5-year plan that--
``(i) includes information relating to the
assistance to be provided by the women's
business center in the area in which the
women's business center is located;
``(ii) describes the ability of the
eligible entity to meet the needs of the market
to be served by the women's business center,
including the ability to obtain the matching
funds required under subsection (e); and
``(iii) describes the ability of the
eligible entity to provide counseling and
training described under subsection (b)(2),
including to a representative number of women
who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
``(2) Record retention.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall maintain
a copy of each application submitted under this
subsection for not less than 5 years.
``(B) Paperwork reduction.--The Administrator shall
take steps to reduce, to the maximum extent
practicable, the paperwork burden associated with
carrying out subparagraph (A).
``(d) Selection of Eligible Entities.--
``(1) In general.--In selecting recipients of initial
grants, the Administrator shall consider--
``(A) the experience of the applicant in providing
entrepreneurial training;
``(B) the amount of time needed for the applicant
to commence operation of a women's business center;
``(C) in consultation with a Women's Business
Center Association, the capacity of the applicant to
meet the accreditation standards established under
subsection (k)(4) in a timely manner;
``(D) the ability of the applicant to sustain
operations, including the applicant's ability to obtain
sufficient non-Federal funds, for a 5-year period;
``(E) the proposed location of a women's business
center to be operated by the applicant and the
location's proximity to Veteran Business Outreach
Centers and to recipients of grants under section
8(b)(1) or 21;
``(F) the population density of the area to be
served by the women's business center operated by the
applicant; and
``(G) the advice and counsel of a Women's Business
Center Association to determine areas with unmet needs
and the likelihood that the recipient will become
accredited.
``(2) Selection criteria.--
``(A) Rulemaking.--The Administrator shall issue
regulations to specify the criteria for review and
selection of applicants under this subsection.
``(B) Modifications prohibited after
announcement.--With respect to a public announcement of
any opportunity to be awarded a grant under this
section made by the Administrator pursuant to
subsection (l)(1), the Administrator may not modify
regulations issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) with
respect to such opportunity unless required to do so by
an Act of Congress or an order of a Federal court.
``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
paragraph may be construed as prohibiting the
Administrator from modifying the regulations issued
pursuant to subparagraph (A) (after providing an
opportunity for notice and comment) as such regulations
apply to an opportunity to be awarded a grant under
this section that the Administrator has not yet
publicly announced pursuant to subsection (l)(1).
``(e) Matching Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (5), upon approval
of an application submitted under subsection (c), the eligible
entity shall agree to obtain contributions from non-Federal
sources--
``(A) in the first and second year of the term of
an initial grant, if applicable, 1 non-Federal dollar
for each 2 Federal dollars; and
``(B) in each subsequent year of the term of an
initial grant, if applicable, or for the term of a
continuation grant, 1 non-Federal dollar for each
Federal dollar.
``(2) Form of matching funds.--Not more than one-half of
non-Federal matching funds described under paragraph (1) may be
in the form of in-kind contributions that are budget line items
only, including office equipment and office space.
``(3) Solicitation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, an eligible entity may--
``(A) solicit cash and in-kind contributions from
private individuals and entities to be used to operate
a women's business center; and
``(B) use amounts made available by the
Administrator under this section for the cost of such
solicitation and management of the contributions
received.
``(4) Disbursement of funds.--The Administrator may
disburse an amount not greater than 25 percent of the total
amount of a grant awarded to an eligible entity before such
eligible entity obtains the non-Federal matching funds
described under paragraph (1).
``(5) Failure to obtain matching funds.--If an eligible
entity fails to obtain the required matching funds described
under paragraph (1), the eligible entity may not be eligible to
receive advance disbursements pursuant to paragraph (4) during
the remainder of the term, if applicable, of an initial grant
awarded under this section. Before approving such eligible
entity for a continuation grant under this section, the
Administrator shall make a written determination, including the
reasons for such determination, of whether the Administrator
believes that the eligible entity will be able to obtain the
requisite funding under paragraph (1) for such continuation
grant.
``(6) Waiver of non-federal share.--
``(A) In general.--Upon request by an eligible
entity, and in accordance with this paragraph, the
Administrator may waive, in whole or in part, the
requirement to obtain non-Federal matching funds for a
grant awarded under this section for the eligible
entity for a 1-year term of the grant. The
Administrator may not issue such a waiver for more than
a total of 2 consecutive 1-year terms.
``(B) Considerations.--In determining whether to
issue a waiver under this paragraph, the Administrator
shall consider--
``(i) the economic conditions affecting the
eligible entity;
``(ii) the demonstrated ability of the
eligible entity to raise non-Federal funds; and
``(iii) the performance of the eligible
entity under the initial grant.
``(C) Limitation.--The Administrator may not issue
a waiver under this paragraph if the Administrator
determines that granting the waiver would undermine the
credibility of the Women's Business Center Program.
``(7) Excess non-federal dollars.--The amount of non-
Federal dollars obtained by an eligible entity that is above
the amount that is required to be obtained by the eligible
entity under this subsection shall not be subject to the
requirements of part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor thereto, if such amount of non-
Federal dollars--
``(A) is not used as matching funds for purposes of
implementing the Women's Business Center Program; and
``(B) was not obtained using funds from the Women's
Business Center Program.
``(8) Carryover.--Excess non-Federal dollars described in
paragraph (7) may be used to satisfy the matching funds
requirement under paragraph (1) for the subsequent 1-year grant
term, if applicable, except that such amounts shall be subject
to the requirements of part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor thereto.
``(f) Other Requirements.--
``(1) Separation of funds.--An eligible entity shall--
``(A) operate a women's business center under this
section separately from other projects, if any, of the
eligible entity; and
``(B) separately maintain and account for any
grants received under this section.
``(2) Examination of eligible entities.--
``(A) Required site visit.--Before receiving an
initial grant under this section, each applicant shall
have a site visit by an employee of the Administration,
in order to ensure that the applicant has sufficient
resources to provide the services for which the grant
is being provided.
``(B) Annual review.--An employee of the
Administration shall--
``(i) conduct an annual programmatic and
financial examination of each eligible entity,
as described in subsection (g); and
``(ii) provide the results of such
examination to the eligible entity.
``(3) Remediation of problems.--
``(A) Plan of action.--If an examination of an
eligible entity conducted under paragraph (2)(B)
identifies any problems, the eligible entity shall,
within 45 calendar days of receiving a copy of the
results of such examination, provide the Assistant
Administrator with a plan of action, including specific
milestones, for correcting such problems.
``(B) Plan of action review by the assistant
administrator.--The Assistant Administrator shall
review each plan of action submitted under subparagraph
(A) within 30 calendar days of receiving such plan. If
the Assistant Administrator determines that such plan--
``(i) will bring the eligible entity into
compliance with all the terms of the grant
agreement, the Assistant Administrator shall
approve such plan; or
``(ii) is inadequate to remedy the problems
identified in the annual examination to which
the plan of action relates, the Assistant
Administrator shall set forth such reasons in
writing and provide such determination to the
eligible entity within 15 calendar days of such
determination.
``(C) Amendment to plan of action.--An eligible
entity receiving a determination under subparagraph
(B)(ii) shall have 30 calendar days from the receipt of
the determination to amend the plan of action to
satisfy the problems identified by the Assistant
Administrator and resubmit such plan to the Assistant
Administrator.
``(D) Amended plan review by the assistant
administrator.--Within 15 calendar days of the receipt
of an amended plan of action under subparagraph (C),
the Assistant Administrator shall either approve or
reject such plan and provide such approval or rejection
in writing to the eligible entity.
``(E) Appeal of assistant administrator
determination.--
``(i) In general.--If the Assistant
Administrator rejects an amended plan under
subparagraph (D), the eligible entity shall
have the opportunity to appeal such decision to
the Administrator, who may delegate such appeal
to an appropriate officer of the
Administration.
``(ii) Opportunity for explanation.--Any
appeal described under clause (i) shall provide
an opportunity for the eligible entity to
provide, in writing, an explanation of why the
eligible entity's amended plan remedies the
problems identified in the annual examination
conducted under paragraph (2)(B).
``(iii) Notice of determination.--The
Administrator shall provide to the eligible
entity a determination of the appeal, in
writing, not later than 15 calendar days after
the eligible entity files an appeal under this
subparagraph.
``(iv) Effect of failure to act.--If the
Administrator fails to act on an appeal made
under this subparagraph within the 15-day
period specified under clause (iii), the
eligible entity's amended plan of action
submitted under subparagraph (C) shall be
deemed to be approved.
``(4) Termination of grant.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall
terminate a grant to an eligible entity under this
section if the eligible entity fails to comply with--
``(i) a plan of action approved by the
Assistant Administrator under paragraph
(3)(B)(i); or
``(ii) an amended plan of action approved
by the Assistant Administrator under paragraph
(3)(D) or approved on appeal under paragraph
(3)(E).
``(B) Appeal of termination.--An eligible entity
shall have the opportunity to challenge the termination
of a grant under subparagraph (A) on the record and
after an opportunity for a hearing.
``(C) Final agency action.--A determination made
pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be considered final
agency action for the purposes of chapter 7 of title 5,
United States Code.
``(5) Consultation with majority women's business center
association.--If a majority of women's business centers that
are operating pursuant to agreements with the Administration
are members of an individual Women's Business Center
Association, the Administrator shall--
``(A) recognize the existence and activities of
such Association; and
``(B) consult with the Association on, and
negotiate with the Association in the development of
documents with respect to--
``(i) announcing the annual scope of
activities pursuant to this section;
``(ii) requesting proposals to deliver
assistance as provided in this section; and
``(iii) governing the general operations
and administration of women's business centers,
specifically including the development of
regulations and a uniform negotiated
cooperative agreement for use on an annual
basis when entering into individual negotiated
agreements with women's business centers.
``(g) Program Examination.--
``(1) In general.--The Administration shall--
``(A) develop and implement an annual programmatic
and financial examination of each eligible entity
receiving a grant under this section, under which each
such eligible entity shall provide to the
Administration--
``(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual
expenditures for costs incurred during the
preceding year; and
``(ii) documentation regarding the amount
of matching assistance from non-Federal sources
obtained and expended by the eligible entity
during the preceding year in order to meet the
requirements of subsection (e) and, with
respect to any in-kind contributions described
in subsection (e)(2) that were used to satisfy
the requirements of subsection (e),
verification of the existence and valuation of
those contributions; and
``(B) analyze the results of each such examination
and, based on that analysis, make a determination
regarding the programmatic and financial viability of
each women's business center operated by the eligible
entity.
``(2) Conditions for continued funding.--In determining
whether to award a continuation grant to an eligible entity,
the Administrator--
``(A) shall consider the results of the most recent
examination of the eligible entity under paragraph (1);
``(B) shall determine if--
``(i) the eligible entity has failed to
provide, or provided inadequate, information
under paragraph (1)(A); or
``(ii) the eligible entity has failed to
provide any information required to be provided
by the women's business center for purposes of
the management report under subsection (m)(1),
or the information provided by the center is
inadequate; and
``(C) shall consider the accreditation status as
described in subsection (k)(4).
``(h) Notice and Comment Required.--The Administrator may only make
a change to the standards by which an eligible entity obtains or
maintains grants under this section, the standards for accreditation,
or any other requirement for the operation of a women's business center
if the Administrator first provides notice and the opportunity for
public comment, as set forth in section 553(b) of title 5, United
States Code, without regard to any exceptions provided for under such
section.
``(i) Contract Authority.--
``(1) Eligible entity.--An eligible entity that receives a
grant under this section may enter into a contract with a
Federal department or agency to provide specific assistance to
small business concerns owned and controlled by women and other
underserved small business concerns, if performance of such a
contract does not hinder the ability of the eligible entity to
carry out the terms of a grant received under this section.
``(2) Administrator.--The authority of the Administrator to
enter into contracts shall be in effect for each fiscal year
only to the extent and in the amounts as are provided in
advance in appropriations Acts. After the Administrator has
entered into a contract, either as a grant or a cooperative
agreement, with any applicant under this section, the
Administrator shall not suspend, terminate, or fail to renew or
extend any such contract unless the Administrator provides the
applicant with written notification setting forth the reasons
therefore and affords the applicant an opportunity for a
hearing, appeal, or other administrative proceeding under
chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.
``(j) Privacy Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--A women's business center may not
disclose the name, address, or telephone number of any
individual or small business concern receiving assistance under
this section without the consent of such individual or small
business concern, unless--
``(A) the Administrator orders such disclosure
after the Administrator is ordered to make such a
disclosure by a court in any civil or criminal
enforcement action initiated by a Federal or State
agency; or
``(B) the Administrator considers such a disclosure
to be necessary for the purpose of conducting a
financial audit of a women's business center, except
that such a disclosure shall be limited to the
information necessary for such audit.
``(2) Administration use of information.--This subsection
shall not--
``(A) restrict Administration access to women's
business center data; or
``(B) prevent the Administration from using
information about individuals who use women's business
centers to conduct surveys of such individuals.
``(3) Regulations.--The Administrator shall issue
regulations to establish standards for disclosures for purposes
of a financial audit described under paragraph (1)(B).
``(k) Office of Women's Business Ownership.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the
Administration an Office of Women's Business Ownership, which
shall be responsible for the administration of the
Administration's programs for the development of women's
business enterprises (as defined in section 408 of the Women's
Business Ownership Act of 1988). The Office of Women's Business
Ownership shall be administered by an Assistant Administrator,
who shall be appointed by the Administrator.
``(2) Assistant administrator of the office of women's
business ownership.--
``(A) Qualification.--The position of Assistant
Administrator shall be a Senior Executive Service
position under section 3132(a)(2) of title 5, United
States Code. The Assistant Administrator shall serve as
a noncareer appointee (as defined in section 3132(a)(7)
of that title).
``(B) Duties.--The Assistant Administrator shall
administer the programs and services of the Office of
Women's Business Ownership and perform the following
functions:
``(i) Recommend the annual administrative
and program budgets of the Office and eligible
entities receiving a grant under the Women's
Business Center Program.
``(ii) Review the annual budgets submitted
by each eligible entity receiving a grant under
the Women's Business Center Program.
``(iii) Collaborate with other Federal
departments and agencies, State and local
governments, not-for-profit organizations, and
for-profit organizations to maximize
utilization of taxpayer dollars and reduce (or
eliminate) any duplication among the programs
overseen by the Office of Women's Business
Ownership and those of other entities that
provide similar services to women
entrepreneurs.
``(iv) Maintain a clearinghouse to provide
for the dissemination and exchange of
information between women's business centers.
``(v) Serve as the vice chairperson of the
Interagency Committee on Women's Business
Enterprise and as the liaison for the National
Women's Business Council.
``(3) Mission.--The mission of the Office of Women's
Business Ownership shall be to assist women entrepreneurs to
start, grow, and compete in global markets by providing quality
support with access to capital, access to markets, job
creation, growth, and counseling by--
``(A) fostering participation of women
entrepreneurs in the economy by overseeing a network of
women's business centers throughout States and
territories;
``(B) creating public-private partnerships to
support women entrepreneurs and conduct outreach and
education to small business concerns owned and
controlled by women; and
``(C) working with other programs of the
Administrator to--
``(i) ensure women are well-represented in
those programs and being served by those
programs; and
``(ii) identify gaps where participation by
women in those programs could be increased.
``(4) Accreditation program.--
``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 270 days after
the date of enactment of this paragraph, the
Administrator shall publish standards for a program to
accredit eligible entities that receive a grant under
this section.
``(B) Public comment; transition.--Before
publishing the standards under subparagraph (A), the
Administrator--
``(i) shall provide a period of not less
than 60 days for public comment on such
standards; and
``(ii) may not terminate a grant under this
section absent evidence of fraud or other
criminal misconduct by the recipient.
``(C) Contracting authority.--The Administrator may
provide financial support, by contract or otherwise, to
a Women's Business Center Association to provide
assistance in establishing the standards required under
subparagraph (A) or for carrying out an accreditation
program pursuant to such standards.
``(5) Continuation grant considerations.--
``(A) In general.--In determining whether to award
a continuation grant under this section, the
Administrator shall consider the results of the annual
programmatic and financial examination conducted under
subsection (g) and the accreditation program.
``(B) Accreditation requirement.--After the end of
the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of
this subsection, the Administration may not award a
continuation grant under this section unless the
applicable eligible entity has been approved under the
accreditation program conducted pursuant to this
subsection, except that the Assistant Administrator for
the Office of Women's Business Ownership may waive such
accreditation requirement, in the discretion of the
Assistant Administrator, upon a showing that the
eligible entity is making a good faith effort to obtain
accreditation.
``(6) Annual conference.--Each women's business center
shall participate in annual professional development at an
annual conference facilitated by a Women's Business Center
Association.
``(l) Notification Requirements Under the Women's Business Center
Program.--The Administrator shall provide the following:
``(1) A public announcement of any opportunity to be
awarded grants under this section, to include the selection
criteria under subsection (d) and any applicable regulations.
``(2) To any applicant for a grant under this section that
failed to obtain such a grant, an opportunity to debrief with
the Administrator to review the reasons for the applicant's
failure.
``(3) To an eligible entity that receives an initial grant
under this section, if a site visit or review of the eligible
entity is carried out by an officer or employee of the
Administration (other than the Inspector General), a copy of
the site visit report or evaluation, as applicable, within 30
calendar days of the completion of such visit or evaluation.
``(m) Annual Management Report.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall prepare and
submit to the Committee on Small Business of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship of the Senate an annual report on the
effectiveness of women's business centers operated through a
grant awarded under this section.
``(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall include--
``(A) information concerning, with respect to each
women's business center established pursuant to a grant
awarded under this section, the most recent analysis of
the annual programmatic and financial examination of
the applicable eligible entity, as required under
subsection (g)(1)(B), and the subsequent determination
made by the Administration under that subsection;
``(B) the number of persons advised and trained
through the Women's Business Center Program;
``(C) the total number of hours of advising and
training through the Program;
``(D) the demographics of Program participants to
include gender, race, and age of each such participant;
``(E) the number of Program participants who are
veterans;
``(F) the number of new businesses started by
participants in the Program;
``(G) to the extent practicable, the number of jobs
supported, created or retained with assistance from
women's business centers;
``(H) the amount of capital secured by participants
in the Program, including through loans and equity
investment;
``(I) the number of participants in the Program
receiving financial assistance, including the type and
dollar amount, under the loan programs of the
Administration;
``(J) an estimate of gross receipts, including to
the extent practicable a description of any change in
revenue of small business concerns assisted through the
Program;
``(K) to the maximum extent practicable, increases
or decreases in revenues for the assisted small
business concerns;
``(L) the number of referrals made to other
resources and programs of the Administration;
``(M) the results of satisfaction surveys of
participants, including a summary of any comments
received from such participants; and
``(N) any recommendations by the Administrator to
improve the delivery of services by women's business
centers.
``(n) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Administration to carry out this section, to remain
available until expended, $31,500,000 for each of fiscal years
2020 through 2023.
``(2) Use of amounts.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), amounts made available under this
subsection for fiscal year 2020, and each fiscal year
thereafter, may only be used for grant awards and may
not be used for costs incurred by the Administration in
connection with the management and administration of
the program under this section.
``(B) Exceptions.--Of the amount made available
under this subsection for a fiscal year, the following
amounts shall be available for costs incurred by the
Administration in connection with the management and
administration of the program under this section:
``(i) For the first fiscal year beginning
after the date of the enactment of this
subparagraph, 2.65 percent.
``(ii) For the second fiscal year beginning
after the date of the enactment of this
subparagraph and each fiscal year thereafter
through fiscal year 2023, 2.5 percent.
``(3) Expedited acquisition.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Administrator may use such expedited
acquisition methods as the Administrator determines to be
appropriate to carry out this section, except that the
Administrator shall ensure that all small business sources are
provided a reasonable opportunity to submit proposals.
``(4) Accreditation and annual conference.--Not less than
$500,000 of the amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1)
for a fiscal year shall be available for purposes of carrying
out subsection (k), of which no less than $50,000 shall be
available to support an annual conference described under
subsection (k)(6).''.
SEC. 3. EFFECT ON EXISTING GRANTS.
(a) Terms and Conditions.--A nonprofit organization receiving a
grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)),
as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, shall
continue to receive the grant under the terms and conditions in effect
for the grant on the day before the date of enactment of this Act,
except that the nonprofit organization may not apply for a continuation
of the grant under section 29(m)(5) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 656(m)(5)), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment
of this Act.
(b) Length of Continuation Grant.--The Administrator of the Small
Business Administration may award a grant under section 29 of the Small
Business Act, as amended by this Act, to a nonprofit organization
receiving a grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 656(m)), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of
this Act, for the period--
(1) beginning on the day after the last day of the grant
agreement under such section 29(m); and
(2) ending at the end of the third fiscal year beginning
after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. REGULATIONS.
Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Administrator of Small Business Administration shall issue
such rules as are necessary to carry out section 29 of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656), as amended by this Act, and ensure that a
period of public comment for such rules is not less than 60 days.
Passed the House of Representatives October 21, 2019.
Attest:
CHERYL L. JOHNSON,
Clerk.