[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5361 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5361
To amend the Small Business Act to improve the women's business center
program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 8, 2023
Ms. Davids of Kansas (for herself and Ms. Velazquez) introduced the
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
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 Improvement
Act of 2023''.
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, if 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), unless such institution has received a grant
under section 21;
``(D) a development, credit, or finance corporation
chartered by a State, if such corporation certifies
that grant funds received under this section will not
be commingled with other funds; or
``(E) an entity that is a combination of entities
listed in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
``(3) Resource partners.--The term `resource partners'
means small business development centers, chapters of the
Service Corps of Retired Executives (established under section
8(b)(1)(B)), and Veteran Business Outreach Centers (described
under section 32).
``(4) 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).
``(5) State.--The term `State' means each State of the
United States, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth,
territory, or possession of the United States.
``(6) Women's business center.--The term `women's business
center' means an entity operated by an eligible entity that
provides entrepreneurial counseling and training to small
business concerns owned and controlled by women and to women
entrepreneurs.
``(7) 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 program to be
known as the `Women's Business Center Program' under which the
Administrator may enter into a cooperative agreement with an
eligible entity to provide a grant to such eligible entity to
operate one or more women's business centers.
``(2) Women's business center requirements.--A women's
business center established using funds made available under
this section shall be designed to provide entrepreneurial
counseling and training that meets the particular needs of
small business concerns owned and controlled by women,
especially such concerns owned and controlled by women who are
socially and economically disadvantaged, and of women
entrepreneurs, and shall provide--
``(A) counseling and training on how to form and
develop a business;
``(B) financial assistance, including counseling
and training on how to--
``(i) apply for and secure business credit
and investment capital;
``(ii) prepare and present financial
statements; and
``(iii) manage cash flow and other
financial operations of a small business
concern;
``(C) management assistance, including counseling
and training on how to plan, organize, staff, direct,
and control each major activity and function of a small
business concern;
``(D) marketing assistance, including counseling
and training on how to--
``(i) identify and segment domestic and
international market opportunities;
``(ii) prepare and execute marketing plans;
``(iii) develop pricing strategies;
``(iv) locate contract opportunities;
``(v) negotiate contracts; and
``(vi) use various public relations and
advertising techniques; and
``(E) other services, as determined by the
Administrator.
``(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 beginning on the day after the last date of the
initial grant 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 each 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 entrepreneurial counseling
and training described under subsection (b)(2);
``(ii) providing training and services to a
representative number of women who are socially
and economically disadvantaged; and
``(iii) working with resource partners,
offices of the Administration, and other
entities; and
``(C) a 5-year plan that--
``(i) includes information relating to the
assistance to be provided by each women's
business center in the area in which each such
center is located;
``(ii) describes the ability of the
eligible entity to meet the needs of the market
to be served by a women's business center;
``(iii) describes the ability of the
eligible entity to obtain the matching funds
required under subsection (e); and
``(iv) describes the ability of the
eligible entity to provide entrepreneurial
counseling and training described under
subsection (b)(2), including to a
representative number of women who are socially
and 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.--In selecting recipients of
initial grants, the Administrator shall consider--
``(1) the experience of the applicant in providing
entrepreneurial counseling and training;
``(2) the amount of time needed for the applicant to
commence operation of a women's business center (if
applicable);
``(3) 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;
``(4) the ability of the applicant to sustain operations,
including the applicant's ability to obtain matching funds
under subsection (e), for the 5-year period of such initial
grant;
``(5) the location of a women's business center to be
operated by the applicant and the location's proximity to
resource partners;
``(6) the population density of the area to be served by
the women's business center operated by the applicant; and
``(7) the advice and counsel of a Women's Business Center
Association to determine areas with a lack of services for
small business concerns owned and controlled by women who are
socially and economically disadvantaged.
``(e) Matching Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (6), 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 every 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) Advance 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 matching funds described under
paragraph (1).
``(5) Additional requirements.--
``(A) Initial grants.--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.
``(B) Continuation grants.--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 matching 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 matching funds under paragraph
(1) for a grant awarded under this section for the
eligible entity for a 1-year term of the grant.
``(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 obtain 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 greater
than 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 by using funds granted under
the Women's Business Center Program.
``(8) Carryover.--An eligible entity may use excess non-
Federal dollars described in paragraph (7) to satisfy the
matching funds requirement under paragraph (1) for a subsequent
1-year grant term, if applicable, except that such excess non-
Federal dollars 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 that
receives a grant under this section 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 grant
funds 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 after receipt of such plan.
If the Assistant Administrator determines that such
plan--
``(i) will bring the eligible entity into
compliance with all the terms of a cooperative
agreement described in subsection (b), 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 remedy
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 on the date of the enactment of this
subsection, 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 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 cooperative
agreements with women's business centers.
``(6) Enforcement.--
``(A) Grants.--The Assistant Administrator shall
develop policies and procedures to minimize the
possibility of awarding a grant to an eligible entity
that will operate a women's business center that likely
will not remain in compliance with program and
financial requirements.
``(B) Individual cooperative agreements.--The
Assistant Administrator shall enforce the terms of any
individual cooperative agreement described in paragraph
(5)(B)(iii).
``(g) Program Examination.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator 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 relating to activities funded by
a grant under this section; 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
for purposes of the report required under
subsection (m)(1), or the information provided
is inadequate; and
``(C) shall consider the accreditation status as
described in subsection (k)(4).
``(3) Accreditation requirement.--After the end of the 2-
year period beginning on the date of the 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 subsection (k), except that the Assistant
Administrator for the Office of Women's Business Ownership may
waive such accreditation requirement upon a showing that the
eligible entity is making a good faith effort to obtain
accreditation.
``(4) Additional oversight.--The Assistant Administrator
shall work with the Women's Business Center Association
recognized under subsection (f)(5) (as applicable) to develop,
implement, and maintain policies and procedures for conducting
financial examinations under this subsection and to maintain
internal controls that ensure that such financial examinations
are conducted properly.
``(h) Rulemaking.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator may only make a change
to the rules or standards of the Women's Business Center
Program, including such rules or standards relating to how 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.
``(2) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this paragraph may
be construed to prohibit the Administrator from modifying the
rules or standards of the Women's Business Center Program,
after providing an opportunity for notice and comment, as such
rules and standards apply to an opportunity under the Women's
Business Center Program that the Administrator has not yet
publicly announced pursuant to subsection (l)(1).
``(i) Additional Requirements.--
``(1) Eligibility for other federal awards.--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, 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) Written notice.--The Administrator shall not suspend,
terminate, or fail to renew or extend any cooperative agreement
entered into under this section 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 or an eligible
entity may not disclose the name, address, telephone number, or
email address of any individual or small business concern
receiving assistance under this section, or the nature of
content of such assistance, to any State, local, or Federal
agency, or to any third party, 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
deidentified data on women's business centers; or
``(B) prevent the Administration from using
information about individuals who, or concerns that,
use women's business centers to conduct surveys of such
individuals or concerns.
``(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, as
required under standard operating procedures of
the Administration.
``(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
administered 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 and grow businesses 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 the States;
``(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
Administration 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) Annual conference.--Each women's business center
shall participate in annual professional development at an
annual conference facilitated by the Administrator, in
consultation with 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 for the
award of a grant under this section, to include the selection
criteria under subsection (d) and any applicable rules or
standards.
``(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 under subsection (f)(2) 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 women's business center, as required
under subsection (g)(1)(B), and the subsequent
determination made by the Administration under that
subsection;
``(B) the number of persons counseled and trained
through the Women's Business Center Program (referred
to in this paragraph as `participants');
``(C) the total number of hours of counseling and
training provided through such Program;
``(D) the demographics of participants of such
Program, including the gender, race, and age of each
such participant;
``(E) the number of such participants who are
veterans;
``(F) the number of new businesses started by such
participants;
``(G) to the extent practicable, the number of jobs
created or retained with assistance from women's
business centers;
``(H) the amount of capital, including loans and
equity investments, secured by each women's business
center to carry out the requirements of this section;
``(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 resource
partners;
``(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
2024 through 2027.
``(2) Use of amounts.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), amounts made available under this
subsection for fiscal year 2024, 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 2027, 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 concerns 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)(5).''.
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 the 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 the 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
the 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 the
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 the 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.
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