II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3285 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES July 17, 2008 Ms. Landrieu introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship A BILL To ensure that, for each small business participating in the 8(a) business development program that was affected by Hurricane Katrina of 2005 or Hurricane Rita of 2005, the period in which it can participate is extended by 24 months.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Disadvantaged Business Disaster Eligibility Act of 2008.

2.

Extension of participation term for victims of Hurricane Katrina or Hurricane Rita

(a)

Retroactivity

If a small business concern (within the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)), while participating in any program or activity under the authority of paragraph (10) of section 7(j) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(j)), was located in a parish or county described in subsection (b) of this section and was affected by Hurricane Katrina of 2005 or Hurricane Rita of 2005, the period during which that small business concern is permitted continuing participation and eligibility in that program or activity shall be extended for 24 months after the date such participation and eligibility would otherwise terminate. (b)

Parishes and Counties covered

Subsection (a) applies to any parish in the State of Louisiana, or any county in the State of Mississippi or in the State of Alabama, that has been designated by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration as a disaster area by reason of Hurricane Katrina of 2005 or Hurricane Rita of 2005 under disaster declaration 10176, 10177, 10178, 10179, 10180, 10181, 10205, or 10206. (c)

Review and compliance

The Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall ensure that the case of every small business concern participating before the date of enactment of this Act in a program or activity covered by subsection (a) is reviewed and brought into compliance with this section.