I 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3771 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES October 8, 2009 Ms. Clarke (for herself, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Ryan of Ohio, Mr. Rangel, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Ms. Fudge, Mr. Clay, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Hare, Mr. Towns, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Meeks of New York, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Ms. Kilpatrick of Michigan, Ms. Bordallo, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mr. Cuellar, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Hastings of Florida, and Ms. Richardson) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business A BILL To amend the Small Business Act to establish mentorship and assistance programs designed to help minority, veteran-owned, and women-owned small businesses operate in the construction industry, and for other purposes.

1.

Findings

The Congress finds as follows: (1)The construction industry often serves as a preferred entry point for emerging small businesses, including those undertaken by minorities, women and veterans, which may conduct business as contractors, specialty trade contractors, suppliers, fabricators, vendors or a myriad of other businesses serving the needs of the construction industry. (2)Construction provides rewarding careers, but is a challenging and competitive business environment that demands specialized knowledge and skill sets of business owners, especially small and emerging businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans, who may be underrepresented or disadvantaged or who have given service unselfishly to their country.

2.

Mentorship and assistance programs for minority, veteran-owned, and women-owned small businesses with respect to contracting opportunities in the construction industry

The Small Business Act is amended by redesignating section 44 as section 45 and by inserting after section 43 the following new section:

44.

Mentorship and assistance programs for minority, veteran-owned, and women-owned small businesses with respect to contracting opportunities in the construction industry

(a)

In general

The Administrator shall establish programs for the purpose of assisting eligible small business concerns to gain access to the specialized knowledge and professional services needed to operate business concerns in the construction industry, enhance their capacities and their qualifications for financial and surety credit, and access and compete for construction contracting opportunities. (b)

Grants to state and local governments

The Administrator may make grants to State and local government entities to assist such entities— (1)to establish or expand mentorship and assistance programs designed to carry out the purposes of this section; (2)to identify problems and solutions regarding eligible small business concerns in the construction industry; (3)to establish performance criteria and objectives with respect to the mentoring and assistance programs; (4)to encourage the involvement of relevant industry trade associations to partner with State and local government entities to carry out the purposes of this section; (5)to establish and fund State and local grant programs for universities, colleges, community colleges and vocational/technical schools, and for business leagues or for similar not for profit entities that conduct business or executive training programs to develop and administer a standing curriculum benefitting owners and executives of eligible small business concerns and focused on business, financial accounting, and risk management courses addressing the operation of small business concerns in the construction industry; and (6)to establish and fund State and local grant programs to award eligible small business concerns grants of not more than $15,000 each to pay for the services of legal, accounting, and other business consultants to prepare such concerns for qualifying for financial and surety credit. (c)

Other assistance

The Administrator shall provide support and resources to State and local government entities receiving assistance under this section, including training and marketing materials and assistance in joint marketing and outreach campaigns. (d)

Eligible small business concerns

For purposes of this section, the term eligible small business concern means— (1)any small business concern owned and controlled by women (as defined in section 3(n)); (2)any socially and economically disadvantaged small business concern (as defined in section 8(a)(4)); and (3)any small business concern owned and controlled by veterans (as defined in section 3(q)), especially service-disabled veterans (as defined in such section). (e)

Annual reports

Entities receiving assistance under this section shall report annually to the Administrator on their activities under this section. (f)

Funding

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

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