[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2261 Reported in House (RH)]





                                                 Union Calendar No. 142

105th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 2261

                          [Report No. 105-246]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

To reauthorize and amend the programs of the Small Business Act and the 
         Small Business Investment Act, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           September 8, 1997

  Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed





                                                 Union Calendar No. 142
105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 2261

                          [Report No. 105-246]

To reauthorize and amend the programs of the Small Business Act and the 
         Small Business Investment Act, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 25, 1997

Mr. Talent (for himself and Mr. LaFalce) introduced the following bill; 
         which was referred to the Committee on Small Business

                           September 8, 1997

  Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
       House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]
 [For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on July 
                               25, 1997]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To reauthorize and amend the programs of the Small Business Act and the 
         Small Business Investment Act, 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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business 
Programs Reauthorization and Amendments Acts of 1997''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

                        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

Sec. 101. Authorizations.

                      TITLE II--FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

                   Subtitle A--General Business Loans

Sec. 201. Securitization regulations.
Sec. 202. Background check of loan applicants.
Sec. 203. Report on increased lender approval, servicing, foreclosure, 
                            liquidation, and litigation of 7(a) loans.
Sec. 204. Completion of planning for loan monitoring system.

           Subtitle B--Certified Development Company Program

Sec. 221. Reauthorization of fees.
Sec. 222. PCLP participation
Sec. 223. PCLP eligibility.
Sec. 224. Loss reserves.
Sec. 225. Goals.
Sec. 226. Technical amendments.
Sec. 227. Promulgation of regulations.
Sec. 228. Technical amendment.
Sec. 229. Repeal.
Sec. 230. Loan servicing and liquidation.
Sec. 231. Use of proceeds.
Sec. 232. Lease of property.
Sec. 233. Seller financing.
Sec. 234. Preexisting conditions.

         Subtitle C--Small Business Investment Company Program

Sec. 241. 5-year commitments.
Sec. 242. Program reform.
Sec. 243. Fees.
Sec. 244. Examination fees.

                     Subtitle D--Microloan Program

Sec. 251. Microloan program extension.
Sec. 252. Supplemental microloan grants

                TITLE III--WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

Sec. 301. Reports.
Sec. 302. Council duties.
Sec. 303. Council membership.
Sec. 304. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 305. Women's business centers.
Sec. 306. Office of Women's Business Ownership.

                   TITLE IV--COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAM

Sec. 401. Program term.
Sec. 402. Monitoring agency performance.
Sec. 403. Reports to Congress.
Sec. 404. Small business participation in dredging.
Sec. 405. Technical amendment.

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Sec. 501. Small business development centers.
Sec. 502. Small business export promotion.
Sec. 503. Pilot preferred surety bond guarantee program extension.
Sec. 504. Very small business concerns.
Sec. 505. Extension of cosponsorship authority
Sec. 506. Trade assistance program for small business concerns harmed 
                            by NAFTA.

                        TITLE I--AUTHORIZATIONS

SEC. 101. AUTHORIZATIONS.

    Section 20 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is 
amended by striking subsections (l) through (q) and inserting the 
following:
    ``(l) The following program levels are authorized for fiscal year 
1998:
            ``(1) For the programs authorized by this Act, the 
        Administration is authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $40,000,000 in technical assistance grants, 
                as provided in section 7(m); and
                    ``(B) $60,000,000 in loans, as provided in section 
                7(m).
            ``(2) For the programs authorized by this Act, the 
        Administration is authorized to make $15,040,000,000 in 
deferred participation loans and other financings. Of such sum, the 
Administration is authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $11,000,000,000 in general business loans as 
                provided in section 7(a);
                    ``(B) $3,000,000,000 in financings as provided in 
                section 7(a)(13) of this Act and section 504 of the 
                Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
                    ``(C) $1,000,000,000 in loans as provided in 
                section 7(a)(21); and
                    ``(D) $40,000,000 in loans as provided in section 
                7(m).
            ``(3) For the programs authorized by title III of the Small 
        Business Investment Act of 1958, the Administration is 
        authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $600,000,000 in purchases of participating 
                securities; and
                    ``(B) $500,000,000 in guarantees of debentures.
            ``(4) For the programs authorized by part B of title IV of 
        the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, the Administration 
        is authorized to enter into guarantees not to exceed 
        $2,000,000,000, of which not more than $650,000,000 may be in 
        bonds approved pursuant to section 411(a)(3) of that Act.
            ``(5) The Administration is authorized to make grants or 
        enter into cooperative agreements--
                    ``(A) for the Service Corps of Retired Executives 
                program authorized by section 8(b)(1), $4,000,000; and
                    ``(B) for activities of small business development 
                centers pursuant to section 21(c)(3)(G), $15,000,000, 
                to remain available until expended.
    ``(m)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Administration for fiscal year 1998 such sums as may be necessary to 
carry out this Act, including administrative expenses and necessary 
loan capital for disaster loans pursuant to section 7(b), and to carry 
out the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, including salaries and 
expenses of the Administration.
    ``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for fiscal year 1998--
            ``(A) no funds are authorized to be provided to carry out 
        the loan program authorized by section 7(a)(21) except by 
        transfer from another Federal department or agency to the 
        Administration, unless the program level authorized for general 
        business loans under subsection (l)(2)(A) is fully funded; and
            ``(B) the Administration may not approve loans on behalf of 
        the Administration or on behalf of any other department or 
        agency, by contract or otherwise, under terms and conditions 
        other than those specifically authorized under this Act or the 
        Small Business Investment Act of 1958, except that it may 
        approve loans under section 7(a)(21) of this Act in gross 
        amounts of not more than $1,250,000.
    ``(n) The following program levels are authorized for fiscal year 
1999:
            ``(1) For the programs authorized by this Act, the 
        Administration is authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $60,000,000 in technical assistance grants as 
                provided in section 7(m); and
                    ``(B) $60,000,000 in loans, as provided in section 
                7(m).
            ``(2) For the programs authorized by this Act, the 
        Administration is authorized to make $16,540,000,000 in 
        deferred participation loans and other financings. Of such sum, 
        the Administration is authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $12,000,000,000 in general business loans as 
                provided in section 7(a);
                    ``(B) $3,500,000,000 in financings as provided in 
                section 7(a)(13) of this Act and section 504 of the 
                Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
                    ``(C) $1,000,000,000 in loans as provided in 
                section 7(a)(21); and
                    ``(D) $40,000,000 in loans as provided in section 
                7(m).
            ``(3) For the programs authorized by title III of the Small 
        Business Investment Act of 1958, the Administration is 
        authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $700,000,000 in purchases of participating 
                securities; and
                    ``(B) $650,000,000 in guarantees of debentures.
            ``(4) For the programs authorized by part B of title IV of 
        the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, the Administration 
        is authorized to enter into guarantees not to exceed 
        $2,000,000,000, of which not more than $650,000,000 may be in 
        bonds approved pursuant to section 411(a)(3) of that Act.
            ``(5) The Administration is authorized to make grants or 
        enter cooperative agreements--
                    ``(A) for the Service Corps of Retired Executives 
                program authorized by section 8(b)(1), $4,500,000; and
                    ``(B) for activities of small business development 
                centers pursuant to section 21(c)(3)(G), not to exceed 
                $15,000,000, to remain available until expended.
    ``(o)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Administration for fiscal year 1999 such sums as may be necessary to 
carry out this Act, including administrative expenses and necessary 
loan capital for disaster loans pursuant to section 7(b), and to carry 
out the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, including salaries and 
expenses of the Administration.
    ``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for fiscal year 1999--
            ``(A) no funds are authorized to be provided to carry out 
        the loan program authorized by section 7(a)(21) except by 
        transfer from another Federal department or agency to the 
        Administration, unless the program level authorized for general 
        business loans under subsection (n)(2)(A) is fully funded; and
            ``(B) the Administration may not approve loans on behalf of 
        the Administration or on behalf of any other department or 
        agency, by contract or otherwise, under terms and conditions 
        other than those specifically authorized under this Act or the 
        Small Business Investment Act of 1958, except that it may 
        approve loans under section 7(a)(21) of this Act in gross 
        amounts of not more than $1,250,000.
    ``(p) The following program levels are authorized for fiscal year 
2000:
            ``(1) For the programs authorized by this Act, the 
        Administration is authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $75,000,000 in technical assistance grants as 
                provided in section 7(m); and
                    ``(B) $60,000,000 in direct loans, as provided in 
                section 7(m).
            ``(2) For the programs authorized by this Act, the 
        Administration is authorized to make $19,040,000,000 in 
        deferred participation loans and other financings. Of such sum, 
        the Administration is authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $13,500,000,000 in general business loans as 
                provided in section 7(a);
                    ``(B) $4,500,000,000 in financings as provided in 
                section 7(a)(13) of this Act and section 504 of the 
                Small Business Investment Act of 1958;
                    ``(C) $1,000,000,000 in loans as provided in 
                section 7(a)(21); and
                    ``(D) $40,000,000 in loans as provided in section 
                7(m).
            ``(3) For the programs authorized by title III of the Small 
        Business Investment Act of 1958, the Administration is 
        authorized to make--
                    ``(A) $850,000,000 in purchases of participating 
                securities; and
                    ``(B) $700,000,000 in guarantees of debentures.
            ``(4) For the programs authorized by part B of title IV of 
        the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, the Administration 
        is authorized to enter into guarantees not to exceed 
        $2,000,000,000, of which not more than $650,000,000 may be in 
        bonds approved pursuant to the provisions of section 411(a)(3) 
        of that Act.
            ``(5) The Administration is authorized to make grants or 
        enter cooperative agreements--
                    ``(A) for the Service Corps of Retired Executives 
                program authorized by section 8(b)(1), $5,000,000; and
                    ``(B) for activities of small business development 
                centers pursuant to section 21(c)(3)(G), not to exceed 
                $15,000,000, to remain available until expended.
    ``(q)(1) There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Administration for fiscal year 2000 such sums as may be necessary to 
carry out this Act, including administrative expenses and necessary 
loan capital for disaster loans pursuant to section 7(b), and to carry 
out the provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, 
including salaries and expenses of the Administration.
    ``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for fiscal year 2000--
            ``(A) no funds are authorized to be provided to carry out 
        the loan program authorized by section 7(a)(21) except by 
        transfer from another Federal department or agency to the 
        Administration, unless the program level authorized for general 
        business loans under subsection (p)(2)(A) is fully funded; and
            ``(B) the Administration may not approve loans on behalf of 
        the Administration or on behalf of any other department or 
        agency, by contract or otherwise, under terms and conditions 
        other than those specifically authorized under this Act or the 
        Small Business Investment Act of 1958, except that it may 
        approve loans under section 7(a)(21) of this Act in gross 
        amounts of not more than $1,250,000.''.

                      TITLE II--FINANCIAL PROGRAMS

                   Subtitle A--General Business Loans

SEC. 201. SECURITIZATION REGULATIONS.

    The Administrator shall promulgate final regulations permitting 
bank and non-bank lenders to sell or securitize the non-guaranteed 
portion of loans made under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 636(a)). Such regulations shall be issued within 90 days of the 
date of enactment of this Act, and shall allow securitizations to 
proceed as regularly as is possible within the bounds of prudent and 
sound financial management practice.

SEC. 202. BACKGROUND CHECK OF LOAN APPLICANTS.

    Section 7(a)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)(1)) is 
amended by striking ``(1)'' and inserting the following:
            ``(1)(A) Credit elsewhere.--'', and by adding the following 
        new paragraph at the end:
            ``(B) Background checks.--Prior to the approval of any loan 
        made pursuant to this subsection, or section 503 of the Small 
        Business Investment Act, the Administrator shall verify the 
        applicant's criminal background, or lack thereof, through the 
        best available means, including, if possible, use of the 
        National Crime Information Center computer system at the 
        Federal Bureau of Investigation.''.

SEC. 203. REPORT ON INCREASED LENDER APPROVAL, SERVICING, FORECLOSURE, 
              LIQUIDATION, AND LITIGATION OF 7(A) LOANS.

    (a) Within six months of the date of enactment of this act the 
Administrator shall report on action taken and planned for future 
reliance on private sector lender resources to originate, approve, 
close, service, liquidate, foreclose, and litigate loans made under 
Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act. The report should address 
administrative and other steps necessary to achieve these results, 
including--
            (1) streamlining the process for approving lenders and 
        standardizing requirements;
            (2) establishing uniform reporting requirements using on-
        line automated capabilities to the maximum extent feasible;
            (3) reducing paperwork through automation, simplified forms 
        or incorporation of lender's forms;
            (4) providing uniform standards for approval, closing, 
        servicing, foreclosure, and liquidation;
            (5) promulgating new regulations or amending existing ones;
            (6) establishing a timetable for implementing the plan for 
        reliance on private sector lenders;
            (7) implementing organizational changes at SBA; and
            (8) estimating the annual savings that would occur as a 
        result of implementation.
    (b) In preparing the report the Administrator shall seek the views 
and consult with, among others, 7(a) borrowers and lenders, small 
businesses who are potential program participants, financial 
institutions who are potential program lenders, and representative 
industry associations, such as the U. S. Chamber of Commerce, the 
American Bankers Association, the National Association of Government 
Guaranteed Lenders and the Independent Bankers Association of America.

SEC. 204. COMPLETION OF PLANNING FOR LOAN MONITORING SYSTEM.

    (a) The Administrator shall perform and complete the planning 
needed to serve as the basis for funding the development and 
implementation of computerized loan monitoring system, including--
            (1) fully defining the system requirement using on-line, 
        automated capabilities to the extent feasible;
            (2) identifying all data inputs and outputs necessary for 
        timely report generation;
            (3) benchmark loan monitoring business processes and 
        systems against comparable industry processes and, if 
        appropriate, simplify or redefine work processes based on these 
        benchmarks;
            (4) determine data quality standards and control systems 
        for ensuring information accuracy;
            (5) identify an acquisition strategy and work increments to 
        completion;
            (6) analyze the benefits and costs of alternatives and use 
        to demonstrate the advantage of the final project;
            (7) ensure that the proposed information system is 
        consistent with the agency's information architecture; and
            (8) estimate the cost to system completion, identifying the 
        essential cost element.
    (b) Six months from the date of enactment of this Act, the 
Administrator shall report to the House and Senate Committees on Small 
Business pursuant to the requirements of subsection (a), and shall also 
submit a copy of the report to the General Accounting Office, which 
shall evaluate the report for compliance with subsection (a) and shall 
submit such evaluation to both Committees no later than 28 days after 
receipt of the report from the Small Business Administration. None of 
the funds provided for the purchase of the loan monitoring system may 
be expended until the requirements of this section have been satisfied.

           Subtitle B--Certified Development Company Program

SEC. 221. REAUTHORIZATION OF FEES.

    Section 503 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 
697) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (b)(7)(A) and inserting the 
        following:
                    ``(A) assesses and collects a fee, which shall be 
                payable by the borrower, in an amount equal to 0.9375 
                percent per year of the outstanding balance of the 
                loan; and'';
            (2) by striking from subsection (d)(2) ``equal to 50 basis 
        points'' and inserting ``equal to not more than 50 basis 
        points,'';
            (3) by adding the following at the end of subsection 
        (d)(2): ``The amount of the fee authorized herein shall be 
        established annually by the Administration in the minimal 
        amount necessary to reduce the cost (as that term is defined in 
        section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990) to the 
        Administration of purchasing and guaranteeing debentures under 
        this Act to zero.''; and
            (4) by striking from subsection (f) ``1997'' and inserting 
        ``2000''.

SEC. 222. PCLP PARTICIPATION.

    Section 508(a) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 697e(a)) is amended by striking ``not more than 15''.

SEC. 223. PCLP ELIGIBILITY.

    Section 508(b)(2) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 697e(b)(2)) is amended by striking paragraphs (A) and (B) and 
inserting:
                    ``(A) is an active certified development company in 
                good standing and has been an active participant in the 
                accredited lenders program during the entire 12-month 
                period preceding the date on which the company submits 
                an application under paragraph (1), except that the 
                Administration may waive this requirement if the 
                company is qualified to participate in the accredited 
                lenders program;
                    ``(B) has a history (i) of submitting to the 
                Administration adequately analyzed debenture guarantee 
                application packages and (ii) of properly closing 
                section 504 loans and servicing its loan portfolio; 
                and''.

SEC. 224. LOSS RESERVES.

    Section 508(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 697e(c)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(c) Loss Reserve.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--A company designated as a premier 
        certified lender shall establish a loss reserve for financing 
        approved pursuant to this section.
            ``(2) Amount.--The amount of the loss reserve shall be 
        equal to 10 percent of the amount of the company's exposure as 
        determined under subsection (b)(2)(C).
            ``(3) Assets.--The loss reserve shall be comprised of any 
        combination of the following types of assets:
                    ``(A) segregated funds on deposit in an account or 
                accounts with a federally insured depository 
                institution or institutions selected by the company, 
                subject to a collateral assignment in favor of, and in 
                a format acceptable to, the Administration; or
                    ``(B) irrevocable letter or letters of credit, with 
                a collateral assignment in favor of, and a commercially 
                reasonable format acceptable to, the Administration.
            ``(4) Contributions.--The company shall make contributions 
        to the loss reserve, either cash or letters of credit as 
        provided above, in the following amounts and at the following 
        intervals:
                    ``(A) 50 percent when a debenture is closed;
                    ``(B) 25 percent additional not later than 1 year 
                after a debenture is closed; and
                    ``(C) 25 percent additional not later than 2 years 
                after a debenture is closed.
            ``(5) Replenishment.--If a loss has been sustained by the 
        Administration, any portion of the loss reserve, and other 
        funds provided by the premier company as necessary, may be used 
        to reimburse the Administration for the company's 10 percent 
        share of the loss as provided in subsection (b)(2)(C). If the 
        company utilizes the reserve, within 30 days it shall replace 
        an equivalent amount of funds.
            ``(6) Disbursements.--The Administration shall allow the 
        certified development company to withdraw from the loss reserve 
        amounts attributable to any debenture which has been repaid.''.

SEC. 225. GOALS.

    Section 508 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 
697e) is amended by inserting the following after subsection (d) and by 
redesignating subsections (e) to (i) as (f) to (j):
    ``(e) Program Goals.--Certified development companies participating 
in this program shall establish a goal of processing 50 percent of 
their loan applications for section 504 assistance pursuant to the 
premier certified lender program authorized in this section.''.

SEC. 226. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.

    Section 508(g) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 697(g)) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (g), as redesignated herein, is amended 
        by striking ``State or local'' and inserting ``certified'';
            (2) in subsection (h), as redesignated herein--
                    (A) by striking ``EFFECT OF SUSPENSION OR 
                DESIGNATION'' and inserting ``EFFECT OF SUSPENSION OR 
                REVOCATION''; and
                    (B) by striking ``under subsection (f)'' and 
                inserting ``under subsection (g)''.

SEC. 227. PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS.

    Section 508(i) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 697e(i)), as redesignated herein, is amended to read as follows:
    ``(i) Regulations.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Administration shall promulgate 
regulations to carry out this section. Not later than 120 days after 
the date of enactment, the Administration shall issue program 
guidelines and implement the changes made herein.''.

SEC. 228. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.

    Section 508(j) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 697e(j)), as redesignated herein, is amended by striking ``other 
lenders'' and inserting ``other lenders, specifically comparing default 
rates and recovery rates on liquidations''.

SEC. 229. REPEAL.

    Section 217(b) of Public Law 103-403 (108 Stat. 4185) is repealed.

SEC. 230. LOAN SERVICING AND LIQUIDATION.

    Section 508(d)(1) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 697e(d)) is amended by striking ``to approve loans'' and 
inserting ``to approve, authorize, close, service, foreclose, litigate, 
and liquidate loans''.

SEC. 231. USE OF PROCEEDS.

    Section 502(1) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 696(1)) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(1) The proceeds of any such loan shall be used solely by 
        such borrower or borrowers to assist an identifiable small-
        business or businesses and for a sound business purpose 
        approved by the Administration.''.

SEC. 232. LEASE OF PROPERTY.

    Section 502 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 
696) is amended by adding the following new subsection:
            ``(5) Not to exceed 25 percent of any project may be 
        permanently leased by the assisted small business: Provided,  
        That the assisted small business shall be required to occupy 
        and use not less than 55 percent of the space in the project 
        after the execution of any leases authorized in this 
        section.''.

SEC. 233. SELLER FINANCING AND COLLATERALIZATION.

    Section 502(3) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 696(3)) is amended by inserting the following new subparagraphs:
                    ``(D) Seller financing.--Seller provided financing 
                may be used to meet the requirements of--
                            ``(i) paragraph (B), if the seller 
                        subordinates his interest in the property to 
                        the debenture guaranteed by the Administration; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) not to exceed 50 percent of the 
                        amounts required by paragraph (C).
                    ``(E) Collateralization.--The collateral provided 
                by the small business concern generally shall include a 
                subordinate lien position on the property being 
                financed under this title, and is only one of the 
                factors to be evaluated in the credit determination. 
                Additional collateral shall be required only if the 
                Administration determines, on a case by case basis, 
                that additional security is necessary to protect the 
                interest of the Government.''.

SEC. 234. PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

    Section 502 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 
696) is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
            ``(6) Any loan authorized under this section shall not be 
        denied or delayed for approval by the Administration due to 
        concerns over preexisting environmental conditions: Provided, 
        That the development company provides the Administration a 
        letter issued by the appropriate State or Federal environmental 
        protection agency specifically stating that the environmental 
        agency will not institute any legal proceedings against the 
        borrower or, in the event of a default, the development company 
        or the Administration based on the preexisting environmental 
        conditions: Provided further, That the borrower shall agree to 
        provide environmental agencies access to the property for any 
        reasonable and necessary remediation efforts or inspections.''.

         Subtitle C--Small Business Investment Company Program

SEC. 241. 5-YEAR COMMITMENTS.

    Section 20(a)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is 
amended in the last sentence by striking ``the following fiscal year'' 
and inserting ``any one or more of the 4 subsequent fiscal years''.

SEC. 242. PROGRAM REFORM.

    (a) Tax Distributions.--Section 303(g)(8) of the Small Business 
Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 683(g)(8)) is amended in the first 
sentence--
            (1) by inserting ``, for each calendar quarter or once 
        annually, as the company may elect,'' after ``the company 
        may''; and
            (2) by inserting ``for the preceding quarter or year'' 
        before the period.
    (b) Leverage Fee.--Section 303(i) of the Small Business Investment 
Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 683(i)) is amended by striking ``, payable 
upon'' and all that follows before the period and inserting the 
following: ``in the following manner: 1 percent upon the date on which 
the Administration enters into any commitment for such leverage with 
the licensee, and the balance of 2 percent (or 3 percent in which case 
in which no commitment has been entered into by the Administration) on 
the date on which the leverage is drawn by the licensee''.
    (c) Periodic Issuance of Guarantees and Trust Certificates.--
Section 320 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 
687m) is amended by striking ``three months'' and inserting ``6 
months''.
    (d) Indexing for Leverage.--Section 303 of the Small Business 
Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 683) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the 
                following:
                    ``(D)(i) The dollar amounts in subparagraphs (A), 
                (B), and (C) shall be adjusted annually to reflect 
                increases in the Consumer Price Index established by 
                the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of 
                Labor.
                    ``(ii) The initial adjustments made under this 
                subparagraph after the date of enactment of the Small 
                Business Reauthorization Act of 1997 shall reflect only 
                increases from March 31, 1993.''; and
                    (B) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(4) Maximum aggregate amount of leverage.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the aggregate amount of outstanding 
                leverage issued to any company or companies that are 
                commonly controlled (as determined by the 
                Administrator) may not exceed $90,000,000, as adjusted 
                annually for increases in the Consumer Price Index.
                    ``(B) Exceptions.--The Administrator may, on a 
                case-by-case basis--
                            ``(i) approve an amount of leverage that 
                        exceeds the amount described in subparagraph 
                        (A) for companies under common control; and
                            ``(ii) impose such additional terms and 
                        conditions as the Administrator determines to 
                        be appropriate to minimize the risk of loss to 
                        the Administration in the event of default.
                    ``(C) Applicability of other provisions.--Any 
                leverage that is issued to a company or companies 
                commonly controlled in an amount that exceeds 
                $90,000,000, whether as a result of an increase in the 
                Consumer Price Index or a decision of the 
                Administrator, is subject to subsection (d).''; and
            (2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
    ``(d) Required Certifications.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall require each 
        licensee, as a condition of approval of an application for 
        leverage, to certify in writing--
                    ``(A) for licensees with leverage less than or 
                equal to $90,000,000, that not less than 20 percent of 
                the licensee's aggregate dollar amount of financings 
                will be provided to smaller enterprises; and
                    ``(B) for licensees with leverage in excess of 
                $90,000,000, that, in addition to satisfying the 
                requirements of subparagraph (A), 100 percent of the 
                licensee's aggregate dollar amount of financings made 
                in whole or in part with leverage in excess of 
                $90,000,000 will be provided to smaller enterprises as 
                defined in section 103(12).
            ``(2) Multiple licensees.--Multiple licensees under common 
        control (as determined by the Administrator) shall be 
        considered to be a single licensee for purposes of determining 
        both the applicability of and compliance with the investment 
        percentage requirements of this subsection.''.

SEC. 243. FEES.

    Section 301 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 
681) is amended by adding the following:
    ``(d) Fees.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administration may prescribe fees to 
        be paid by each applicant for a license to operate as a small 
        business investment company under this Act.
            ``(2) Use of amounts.--Amounts collected pursuant to this 
        subsection shall be--
                    ``(A) deposited in the account for salaries and 
                expenses of the Administration; and
                    ``(B) available without further appropriation 
                solely to cover contracting and other administrative 
                costs related to licensing.''.

SEC. 244. EXAMINATION FEES.

    Section 310(b) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
U.S.C. 687b(b)) is amended by inserting after the first sentence the 
following: ``Fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited in 
the account for salaries and expenses of the Administration, and shall 
be available without further appropriation solely to cover the costs of 
examinations and other program oversight activities.''.

                     Subtitle D--Microloan Program

SEC. 251. MICROLOAN PROGRAM EXTENSION.

    (a) Loan Limits.--Section 7(m)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 636(m)(3)(C)) is amended by striking ``$2,500,000'' and 
inserting ``$3,500,000''.
    (b) Loan Loss Reserve Fund.--Section 7(m)(3)(D) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)(3)(D)) is amended by striking clauses 
(i) and (ii), and inserting the following:
                            ``(i) during the initial 5 years of the 
                        intermediary's participation in the program 
                        under this subsection, at a level equal to not 
                        more than 15 percent of the outstanding balance 
                        of the notes receivable owed to the 
                        intermediary; and
                            ``(ii) in each year of participation 
                        thereafter, at a level equal to not more than 
                        the greater of--
                                    ``(I) 2 times an amount reflecting 
                                the total losses of the intermediary as 
                                a result of participation in the 
                                program under this subsection, as 
                                determined by the Administrator on a 
                                case-by-case basis; or
                                    ``(II) 10 percent of the 
                                outstanding balance of the notes 
                                receivable owed to the intermediary.''.
    (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 7(m) of the Small 
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)) is amended--
            (1) in the subsection heading, by striking 
        ``Demonstration'';
            (2) by striking ``Demonstration'' each place that term 
        appears;
            (3) by striking ``demonstration'' each place that term 
        appears; and
            (4) in paragraph (12), by striking ``during fiscal years 
        1995 through 1997'' and inserting ``during fiscal years 1998 
        through 2000''.

SEC. 252. SUPPLEMENTAL MICROLOAN GRANTS.

    Section 7(m)(4) of the Small Business Act (15 USC 636 (m)(4)) is 
amended by adding the following:
                    ``(F)(i) The Administration may accept and disburse 
                funds received from another Federal department or 
                agency to provide additional assistance to individuals 
                who are receiving assistance under the State program 
                funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security 
                Act (42 USC 601 et seq.), or under any comparable 
                State-funded means-tested program of assistance for 
                low-income individuals.
                    ``(ii) Grant proceeds are in addition to other 
                grants provided by this subsection and shall not 
                require the contribution of matching amounts to be 
                eligible. The grants may be used to pay or reimburse a 
                portion of child care and transportation costs of 
                individuals described in clause (i) and for marketing, 
                management and technical assistance.
                    ``(iii) Prior to accepting and distributing any 
                such grants, the Administration shall enter a 
                Memorandum of Understanding with the department or 
                agency specifying the terms and conditions of the 
                grants and providing appropriate monitoring of 
                expenditures by the intermediary and ultimate grant 
                recipient to insure compliance with the purpose of the 
                grant.
                    ``(iv) On January 31, 1999, and annually 
                thereafter, the Administration shall submit to the 
                Committees on Small Business of the House of 
                Representatives and the Senate a report on any monies 
                distributed pursuant to the provisions of this 
                paragraph.
                    ``(v) No funds are authorized to be provided to 
                carry out the grant program authorized by this 
                paragraph (F) except by transfer from another Federal 
                department or agency to the Administration.''.

                TITLE III--WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES

SEC. 301. REPORTS.

    Section 404 of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 
U.S.C. 631 note) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``, through the Small Business 
        Administration,'' after ``transmit'';
            (2) by striking paragraph (1) and redesignating paragraphs 
        (2) through (4) as paragraphs (1) through (3), respectively; 
        and
            (3) in paragraph (1), as redesignated, by inserting before 
        the semicolon the following: ``, including a status report on 
        the progress of the Interagency Committee in meeting its 
        responsibilities and duties under section 402(a)''.

SEC. 302. COUNCIL DUTIES.

    Section 406 of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 
U.S.C. 631 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (c), by inserting after ``Administrator'' 
        the following: ``(through the Assistant Administrator for the 
        Office of Women's Business Ownership)''; and
            (2) in subsection (d)--
                    (A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the 
                end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(6) submit to the President and to the Committee on Small 
        Business of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of 
        the House of Representatives, an annual report containing--
                    ``(A) a detailed description of the activities of 
                the council, including a status report on the Council's 
                progress toward meeting its duties outlined in 
                subsections (a) and (d) of section 406;
                    ``(B) the findings, conclusions, and 
                recommendations of the Council; and
                    ``(C) the Council's recommendations for such 
                legislation and administrative actions as the Council 
                considers appropriate to promote the development of 
                small business concerns owned and controlled by women.
    ``(e) Submission of Reports.--The annual report required by 
subsection (d) shall be submitted not later than 90 days after the end 
of each fiscal year.''.

SEC. 303. COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP.

    Section 407 of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 
U.S.C. 631 note) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking ``and Amendments Act of 
        1994'' and inserting ``Act of 1997'';
            (2) in subsection (b)--
                    (A) by striking ``and Amendments Act of 1994'' and 
                inserting ``Act of 1997'';
                    (B) by inserting after ``the Administrator shall'' 
                the following: ``, after receiving the recommendations 
                of the Chair and the Ranking Member of the Minority of 
                the Committees on Small Business of the House of 
                Representatives and the Senate,'';
                    (C) by striking ``9'' and inserting ``14'';
                    (D) in paragraph (1), by striking ``2'' and 
                inserting ``4'';
                    (E) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by striking ``2'' and inserting ``4''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (F) in paragraph (3)--
                            (i) by striking ``5'' and inserting ``6''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``national''.

SEC. 304. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 409 of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 
U.S.C. 631 note) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``1995 through 1997'' and inserting ``1998 
        through 2000''; and
            (2) by striking ``$350,000'' and inserting ``$600,000, of 
        which $200,000 shall be for grants for research of women's 
        procurement or finance issues.''.

SEC. 305. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS.

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

``SEC. 29. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS.

    ``(a) Definition.--For the purposes of this section the term `small 
business concern owned and controlled by women', either startup or 
existing, includes any small business concern--
            ``(1) that is not less than 51 percent owned by one or more 
        women; and
            ``(2) the management and daily business operations of which 
        are controlled by one or more women.
    ``(b) Authority.--The Administration may provide financial 
assistance to private organizations to conduct 5-year projects for the 
benefit of small business concerns owned and controlled by women. The 
projects shall provide--
            ``(1) 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;
            ``(2) 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
            ``(3) 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.
    ``(c) Conditions of Participation.--
            ``(1) Non-federal contributions.--As a condition of 
        receiving financial assistance authorized by this section, the 
        recipient organization shall agree to obtain, after its 
        application has been approved and notice of award has been 
        issued, cash contributions from non-Federal sources as follows:
                    ``(A) In the first and second years, 1 non-Federal 
                dollar for each 2 Federal dollars.
                    ``(B) In the third year, 1 non-Federal dollar for 
                each Federal dollar.
                    ``(C) In the fourth and fifth years, 2 non-Federal 
                dollars for each Federal dollar.
            ``(2) Form of non-federal contributions.--Not more than 
        one-half of the non-Federal sector matching assistance may be 
        in the form of in-kind contributions which are budget line 
        items only, including but not limited to office equipment and 
        office space.
            ``(3) Form of federal contributions.--The financial 
        assistance authorized pursuant to this section may be made by 
        grant, contract, or cooperative agreement and may contain such 
        provision, as necessary, to provide for payments in lump sum or 
        installments, and in advance or by way of reimbursement. The 
        Administration may disburse up to 25 percent of each year's 
        Federal share awarded to a recipient organization after notice 
        of the award has been issued and before the non-Federal sector 
        matching funds are obtained.
            ``(4) Failure to obtain private funding.--If any recipient 
        of assistance fails to obtain the required non-Federal 
        contribution during any project, it shall not be eligible 
        thereafter for advance disbursements pursuant to paragraph (3) 
        during the remainder of that project, or for any other project 
        for which it is or may be funded by the Administration, and 
        prior to approving assistance to such organization for any 
        other projects, the Administration shall specifically determine 
        whether the Administration believes that the recipient will be 
        able to obtain the requisite non-Federal funding and enter a 
        written finding setting forth the reasons for making such 
        determination.
    ``(d) Contract Authority.--A women's business center may enter into 
a contract with a Federal department or agency to provide specific 
assistance to women and other underserved small business concerns. 
Performance of such contract should not hinder the women's business 
centers in carrying out the terms of the grant received by the women's 
business centers from the Administration.
    ``(e) Submission of 5-Year Plan.--Each applicant organization 
initially shall submit a 5-year plan to the Administration on proposed 
fundraising and training activities, and a recipient organization may 
receive financial assistance under this program for a maximum of 5 
years per women's business center.
    ``(f) Criteria.--The Administration shall evaluate and rank 
applicants in accordance with predetermined selection criteria that 
shall be stated in terms of relative importance. Such criteria and 
their relative importance shall be made publicly available and stated 
in each solicitation for applications made by the Administration. The 
criteria shall include--
            ``(1) the experience of the applicant in conducting 
        programs or ongoing efforts designed to impart or upgrade the 
        business skills of women business owners or potential owners;
            ``(2) the present ability of the applicant to commence a 
        project within a minimum amount of time;
            ``(3) the ability of the applicant to provide training and 
        services to a representative number of women who are both 
        socially and economically disadvantaged; and
            ``(4) the location for the women's business center site 
        proposed by the applicant.
    ``(g) Office of Women's Business Ownership.--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 that term is 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.
    ``(h) Report.--The Administrator shall prepare and submit an annual 
report to the Committees on Small Business of the House of 
Representatives and the Senate on the effectiveness of all projects 
conducted under the authority of this section. Such report shall 
provide information concerning--
            ``(1) the number of individuals receiving assistance;
            ``(2) the number of startup business concerns formed;
            ``(3) the gross receipts of assisted concerns;
            ``(4) increases or decreases in profits of assisted 
        concerns; and
            ``(5) the employment increases or decreases of assisted 
        concerns.
    ``(i) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated $8,000,000 per year to carry out the projects authorized 
by this section of which for fiscal year 1998 not more than 10 percent 
may be used for administrative expenses related to the program. Amounts 
appropriated pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 1999 and later 
are to be used exclusively for grant awards and not for costs incurred 
by the Administration for the management and administration of the 
program. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administration 
may use such expedited acquisition methods as it deems appropriate, 
through the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's Business 
Ownership, to achieve the purposes of this section, except that the 
Administration shall ensure that all small business sources are 
provided a reasonable opportunity to submit proposals.''.
    (b) Applicability.--Any organization conducting a 3-year project 
under section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) on the day 
before the date of enactment of this Act, may extend the term of that 
project to a total term of 5 years and receive financial assistance in 
accordance with section 29(c) of the Small Business Act (as amended by 
this title) subject to procedures established by the Administrator in 
coordination with the Office of Women's Business Ownership established 
under section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) (as amended 
by this title).

SEC. 306. OFFICE OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

    Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:
    ``(j) Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women's Business 
Ownership.--
            ``(1) Establishment.--There is established the position of 
        Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women's Business 
        Ownership (hereafter in this section referred to as the 
        `Assistant Administrator') who shall serve without regard to 
        the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
        appointments in the competitive service.
            ``(2) Responsibilities and duties.--
                    ``(A) Responsibilities.--The responsibilities of 
                the Assistant Administrator shall be to administer the 
                programs and services of the Office of Women's Business 
                Ownership established to assist women entrepreneurs in 
                the areas of--
                            ``(i) starting and operating a small 
                        business;
                            ``(ii) development of management and 
                        technical skills;
                            ``(iii) seeking Federal procurement 
                        opportunities; and
                            ``(iv) increasing the opportunity for 
                        access to capital.
                    ``(B) Duties.--Duties of the position of the 
                Assistant Administrator shall include--
                            ``(i) administering and managing the 
                        Women's Business Centers program;
                            ``(ii) recommending the annual 
                        administrative and program budgets for the 
                        Office of Women's Business Ownership (including 
                        the budget for the Women's Business Centers);
                            ``(iii) establishing appropriate funding 
                        levels therefore;
                            ``(iv) reviewing the annual budgets 
                        submitted by each applicant for the Women's 
                        Business Center program;
                            ``(v) selecting applicants to participate 
                        in this program;
                            ``(vi) implementing this section;
                            ``(vii) maintaining a clearinghouse to 
                        provide for the dissemination and exchange of 
                        information between Women's Business Centers;
                            ``(viii) serving as the vice chairperson of 
                        the Interagency Committee on Women's Business 
                        Enterprise;
                            ``(ix) serving as liaison for the National 
                        Women's Business Council; and
                            ``(x) advising the Administrator on 
                        appointments to the Women's Business Council.
            ``(3) Consultation requirements.--In carrying out the 
        responsibilities and duties described in this subsection, the 
        Assistant Administrator shall confer with and seek the advice 
        of the Administration officials in areas served by the Women's 
        Business Centers.
    ``(k) Program Examination.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of this subsection, the Administration shall 
        develop and implement an annual programmatic and financial 
        examination of each Women's Business Center established 
        pursuant to this section.
            ``(2) Extension of contracts.--In extending or renewing a 
        contract with a Women's Business Center, the Administration 
        shall consider the results of the examination conducted 
        pursuant to paragraph (1).
    ``(l) Contract Authority.--The authority of the Administration 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 Administration has entered a contract, 
either as a grant or a cooperative agreement, with any applicant under 
this section, it shall not suspend, terminate, or fail to renew or 
extend any such contract unless the Administration provides the 
applicant with written notification setting forth the reasons therefore 
and affording the applicant an opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or 
other administrative proceeding under chapter 5 of title 5, United 
States Code.''.

                   TITLE IV--COMPETITIVENESS PROGRAM

SEC. 401. PROGRAM TERM.

    Section 711(c) of the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration 
Program Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 644 note) is amended by striking ``, and 
terminate on September 30, 1997''.

SEC. 402. MONITORING AGENCY PERFORMANCE.

    Section 712(d)(1) of the Small Business Competitiveness 
Demonstration Program Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 644 note) is amended to 
read as follows:
            ``(1) Participating agencies shall monitor the attainment 
        of their small business participation goals on an annual basis. 
        An annual review by each participating agency shall be 
        completed not later than January 31 of each year, based on the 
        data for the preceding fiscal year, from October 1 through 
September 30.''.

SEC. 403. SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN DREDGING.

    Section 722(a) of the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration 
Program Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 644 note) is amended by striking ``and 
terminating on September 30, 1997''.

SEC. 404. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.

    Section 717 of the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration 
Program Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 644 note) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``standard industrial classification code'' 
        each time it appears and inserting in lieu thereof ``North 
        American Industrial Classification Code''; and
            (2) by striking ``standard industrial classification 
        codes'' each time it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 
        ``North American Industrial Classification Codes''.

                   TITLE V--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SEC. 501. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.

    (a) In General.--Section 21(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
648(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``any women's business 
        center operating pursuant to section 29,'' after ``credit or 
        finance corporation,'';
            (2) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) by striking ``, but with'' and all that follows 
                through ``parties.'' and inserting the following: ``for 
                the delivery of programs and services to the Small 
                Business community. Such programs and services shall be 
                jointly developed, negotiated, and agreed upon, with 
                full participation of both parties, pursuant to an 
                executed cooperative agreement between the Small 
                Business Development Center applicant and the 
                Administration.''; and
                    (B) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(C) On an annual basis, the Small Business Development 
        Center shall review and coordinate public and private 
        partnerships and cosponsorships with the Administration for the 
        purpose of more efficiently leveraging available resources on a 
        National and a State basis.'';
            (3) in paragraph (4)(C)--
                    (A) by striking clause (i) and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(i) In general.--
                            ``(I) Maximum amount.--Except as provided 
                        in clause (ii), and subject to subclause (II) 
                        of this clause, the amount of a grant received 
                        by a State under this section shall not exceed 
                        greater of--
                                    ``(aa) $500,000; and
                                    ``(bb) the State's pro rata share 
                                of a national program, based upon the 
                                population of the State as compared to 
                                the total population of the United 
                                States.
                            ``(II) Exception.--Subject to the 
                        availability of amounts made available in 
                        advance in an appropriations Act to carry out 
                        this section for any fiscal year in excess of 
                        amounts so provided for fiscal year 1997, the 
                        amount of a grant received by a State under 
                        this section shall not exceed the greater of 
                        $500,000, and the sum of--
                                    ``(aa) the State's pro rata share 
                                of a national program, based upon the 
                                population of the State as compared to 
                                the total population of the United 
                                States; and
                                    ``(bb) and $300,000 in fiscal year 
                                1998, $400,000 in fiscal year 1999, and 
                                $500,000 in each fiscal year 
                                thereafter.''; and
                    (B) in clause (iii), by striking ``(iii)'' and all 
                that follows through ``1997.'' and inserting the 
                following:
                    ``(iii) National program.--The national program 
                under this section shall be--
                            ``(I) $85,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
                            ``(II) $90,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; 
                        and
                            ``(III) $95,000,000 for fiscal year 2000 
                        and each fiscal year thereafter.''; and
            (4) in paragraph (6)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the comma at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
                    (C) inserting after subparagraph (B) the following:
                    ``(C) with outreach, development, and enhancement 
                of minority-owned small business startups or 
                expansions, veteran-owned small business startups or 
                expansions, and women-owned small business startups or 
                expansions, in communities impacted by base closings or 
                military or corporate downsizing, or in rural or 
                underserved communities;''.
    (b) SBDC Services.--Section 21(c) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 648(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``businesses;'' and inserting ``businesses, including--
                    ``(i) working with individuals to increase 
                awareness of basic credit practices and credit 
                requirements;
                    ``(ii) working with the Administration to develop 
                and provide informational tools for use in working with 
                individuals on pre-business startup planning, existing 
                business expansion, business plans, financial packages, 
                credit applications, contract proposals, and export 
                planning; and
                    ``(iii) working with individuals referred by the 
                local offices of the Administration and Administration 
                participating lenders;'';
                    (B) in each of subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (E), 
                (F), (G), (M), (N), (O), (Q), and (R) by moving each 
                margin two ems to the left;
                    (C) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``and the 
                Administration'' after ``Center'';
                    (D) in subparagraph (Q), by striking ``and'' at the 
                end;
                    (E) in subparagraph (R), by striking the period at 
                the end and inserting ``; and''; and
            (2) in paragraph (5)--
                    (A) by moving the margin 2 ems to the left;
                    (B) by striking ``paragraph (a)(1)'' and inserting 
                ``subsection (a)(1)'';
                    (C) by striking ``which ever'' and inserting 
                ``whichever''; and
                    (D) by striking ``last,,'' and inserting ``last,'';
            (3) by redesignating paragraphs (4) through (7) as 
        paragraphs (5) through (8), respectively; and
            (4) in paragraph (3), in the undesignated material 
        following subparagraph (S) (as added by this subsection), by 
        striking ``A small'' and inserting the following:
    ``(4) A small''.
    (c) Competitive Awards.--Section 21(l) of the Small Business Act 
(15 U.S.C. 648(l)) is amended by adding at the end the following: ``If 
any contract under this section is not renewed or extended, award of 
the succeeding contract shall be made on a competitive basis.''.
    (d) Prohibition on Certain Fees.--Section 21 of the Small Business 
Act (15 U.S.C. 648) is amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(m) Prohibition on Certain Fees.--A small business development 
center shall not impose or otherwise collect a fee or other 
compensation in connection with the provision of counseling services 
under this section.''.

SEC. 502. SMALL BUSINESS EXPORT PROMOTION.

    (a) In General.--Section 21(c)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 
U.S.C. 648(c)(3)) is amended by inserting after subparagraph (R) the 
following:
            ``(S) providing small business owners with access to a wide 
        variety of export-related information by establishing on-line 
        computer linkages between small business development centers 
        and an international trade data information network with ties 
        to the Export Assistance Center program.''.
    (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out section 21(c)(3)(S) of the Small Business Act 
(15 U.S.C. 648(c)(3)(S)), as added by this section, $1,500,000 for each 
of fiscal years 1998 and 1999.

SEC. 503. PILOT PREFERRED SURETY BOND GUARANTEE PROGRAM EXTENSION.

    Section 207 of the Small Business Administration Reauthorization 
and Amendment Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 694b note) is amended by striking 
``September 30, 1997'' and inserting ``September 30, 2000''.

SEC. 504. VERY SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.

    Section 304(i) of Public Law 103-403 (15 U.S.C. 644 note) is 
amended by striking ``1998'' and inserting ``2000''.

SEC. 505. EXTENSION OF COSPONSORSHIP AUTHORITY.

    Section 401(a)(2) of the Small Business Administration 
Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 637 note) is 
amended by striking ``September 30, 1997'' and inserting ``September 
30, 2000''.

SEC. 506. TRADE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS HARMED 
              BY NAFTA.

    The Small Business Administration shall coordinate assistance 
programs currently administered by the Administration to counsel small 
business concerns harmed by the North American Free Trade Agreement to 
aid such concerns in reorienting their business purpose.