I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3701 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 16, 2011 Mr. Lewis of Georgia introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means A BILL To amend title XX of the Social Security Act to provide grants to support job creation initiatives, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Back to Basics Job Creation Act of 2011.

2.

Back to Basics Job Creation grant program

Subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

2010.

Back to Basics Job Creation grant program

(a)

Grants

(1)

In general

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce, shall make grants to eligible entities to assist low-income individuals and individuals who have been unemployed for at least 3 months in developing self-employment opportunities. (2)

Timing of grant awards

Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall obligate not less than half of any funds appropriated for grants under this section. (3)

Preference

In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities— (A)that serve communities that have experienced high levels of poverty and unemployment and low levels of reemployment, as determined by the Secretary using data reported by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics; (B)that demonstrate an ability to administer activities using the grant funds without acquiring new administrative structures or resources, such as staffing, technology, evaluation activities, training, research, and programming; and (C)that have established partnerships with other government agencies, community based organizations, financial institutions, educational institutions, or business organizations. (b)

Use of funds

(1)

In general

An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the grant— (A)to provide education and training for business and financial literacy, certification, small business plan development, entrepreneurship, and patent and copyright processes; and (B)to provide funding for new small businesses that pay employees at a living wage. (2)

Limitations

An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section may not use the grant— (A)to subsidize private or public employment; or (B)for any activity in violation of Federal, State, or local law. (3)

Administrative expenses

An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section may use not more than 10 percent of the grant funds for administrative expenses, except that none of the funds may be used for salaries. (4)

Deadline on use of grant funds

An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section shall expend the grant funds before December 31, 2013, except that the Secretary may provide an extension. (c)

No effect on means-Tested benefits

For purposes of determining eligibility and benefit amounts under any means-tested assistance program, any assistance funded by a grant under this section shall be disregarded. (d)

Reporting requirements

The Secretary shall submit a report on the implementation of this section to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate whenever either committee shall so request. (e)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section $5,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2012. The amounts appropriated under this section are authorized to remain available through December 31, 2012. (f)

Definitions

For purposes of this section— (1)the term eligible entity means a State, an Indian tribe, or a local government; (2)the term Indian tribe has the meaning given such term by section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b); and (3)the term means-tested assistance program means a benefit program for which eligibility is based on income.

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