[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2396 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2396

To establish the veterans' business outreach center program, to improve 
the programs for veterans of the Small Business Administration, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 22, 2014

 Mr. Pryor (for himself, Ms. Landrieu, Mr. Johanns, and Ms. Murkowski) 
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the 
            Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To establish the veterans' business outreach center program, to improve 
the programs for veterans of the Small Business Administration, 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 ``Veteran Entrepreneurship and 
Training Opportunities Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. VETERANS' BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTER PROGRAM; OFFICE OF VETERANS 
              BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

    (a) In General.--Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
657b) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (d);
            (2) by striking subsection (f);
            (3) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f);
            (4) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Boots to Business Program.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection the term `covered 
        individual' means--
                    ``(A) a member of the Armed Forces;
                    ``(B) an individual who separated from the Armed 
                Forces during the 1-year period ending on the date on 
                which the individual receives assistance under this 
                subsection; and
                    ``(C) a spouse or dependent of an individual 
                described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
            ``(2) Establishment.--There is established a program to be 
        known as the `Boots to Business Program' to provide 
        entrepreneurship training to covered individuals, which shall 
        be carried out by the Administrator.
            ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Boots to Business Program 
        are to--
                    ``(A) provide exposure, introduction, and in-depth 
                training for covered individuals interested in business 
                ownership; and
                    ``(B) provide covered individuals with the tools 
                and knowledge necessary to identify a business 
                opportunity, draft a business plan, connect with local 
                small business resources, and launch a small business 
                concern.
            ``(4) Program components.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Boots to Business Program 
                may include--
                            ``(i) a brief presentation providing 
                        exposure to the considerations involved in self 
                        employment and small business ownership;
                            ``(ii) an in-person classroom instruction 
                        component providing an introduction to the 
                        foundations of self employment and small 
                        business ownership; and
                            ``(iii) in-depth training delivered through 
                        online instruction, including an online course 
                        that leads to the creation of a business plan.
                    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator may--
                            ``(i) collaborate with public and private 
                        entities to develop a course curriculum for the 
                        Boots to Business Program; and
                            ``(ii) design the course curriculum to 
                        allow participants to receive college credit or 
                        a certificate through an educational 
                        institution upon completion of all components 
                        of the Boots to Business Program.
                    ``(C) Availability to dod.--The Administrator shall 
                make available electronically all course materials 
                created for the Boots to Business Program to the 
                Secretary of Defense for inclusion in the Transition 
                Assistance Program manual.
    ``(e) Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship.--
            ``(1) Definition.--In this section, the term `covered 
        woman' means an individual who--
                    ``(A) is female; and
                    ``(B) is--
                            ``(i) a member of the Armed Forces;
                            ``(ii) a veteran; or
                            ``(iii) the spouse or dependent of a member 
                        of the Armed Forces or a veteran.
            ``(2) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        program, to be known as the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit 
        of Entrepreneurship Program, to provide specific training for 
        covered women interested in exploring careers as owners of 
        small business concerns.
            ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Veteran Women Igniting the 
        Spirit of Entrepreneurship Program are to--
                    ``(A) help covered women by providing the tools to 
                become successful entrepreneurs; and
                    ``(B) integrate the leadership, integrity, focus, 
                and drive of covered women into a premier education 
                training program taught by accomplished entrepreneurs 
                and entrepreneurship educators from across the United 
                States.
            ``(4) Program components.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Veteran Women Igniting the 
                Spirit of Entrepreneurship Program may include--
                            ``(i) an online, self-study course focused 
                        on the basic skills of entrepreneurship and the 
                        language of business;
                            ``(ii) a conference where participants are 
                        exposed to accomplished entrepreneurs and 
                        entrepreneurship educators from across the 
                        United States; and
                            ``(iii) a plan to provide ongoing support 
                        and mentorship.
                    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator may 
                collaborate with public and private entities to develop 
                a course curriculum for the Veteran Women Igniting the 
                Spirit of Entrepreneurship Program.''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans With Disabilities 
Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        program, to be known as the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for 
        Veterans with Disabilities Program, to provide specific 
        training for service-disabled veterans interested in exploring 
        careers as owners of small business concerns.
            ``(2) Goals.--The goals of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 
        for Veterans with Disabilities Program are to--
                    ``(A) help service-disabled veterans by providing 
                the tools to become successful entrepreneurs; and
                    ``(B) integrate the leadership, integrity, focus, 
                and drive of service-disabled veterans into a premier 
                education training program taught by accomplished 
                entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship educators from 
                across the United States.
            ``(3) Program components.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 
                for Veterans with Disabilities Program may include--
                            ``(i) an online, self-study course focused 
                        on the basic skills of entrepreneurship and the 
                        language of business;
                            ``(ii) a conference where participants are 
                        exposed to accomplished entrepreneurs and 
                        entrepreneurship educators from across the 
                        United States; and
                            ``(iii) a plan to provide ongoing support 
                        and mentorship.
                    ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator may 
                collaborate with public and private entities to develop 
                a course curriculum for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 
                for Veterans with Disabilities Program.
    ``(h) Online Coordination.--
            ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `veterans' 
        assistance provider' means--
                    ``(A) a veterans' business outreach center 
                established under subsection (i);
                    ``(B) an employee of the Administration assigned to 
                the Office of Veterans Business Development; or
                    ``(C) a veterans business development officer 
                designated under subsection (i)(11)(B).
            ``(2) Establishment.--The Associate Administrator shall 
        establish an online mechanism to--
                    ``(A) provide information that assists veterans' 
                assistance providers in carrying out the activities of 
                the veterans' assistance providers; and
                    ``(B) coordinate and leverage the work of the 
                veterans' assistance providers, including by allowing a 
                veterans' assistance provider to--
                            ``(i) distribute best practices and other 
                        materials;
                            ``(ii) communicate with other veterans' 
                        assistance providers regarding the activities 
                        of the veterans' assistance provider on behalf 
                        of veterans; and
                            ``(iii) pose questions to and request input 
                        from other veterans' assistance providers.
    ``(i) Veterans' Business Outreach Center Program.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    ``(A) the term `active duty' has the meaning given 
                that term in section 101 of title 10, United States 
                Code;
                    ``(B) the term `Reservist' means a member of a 
                reserve component of the Armed Forces, as described in 
                section 10101 of title 10, United States Code;
                    ``(C) the term `small business concern owned and 
                controlled by veterans'--
                            ``(i) has the same meaning as in section 
                        3(q); and
                            ``(ii) includes a small business concern--
                                    ``(I) not less than 51 percent of 
                                which is owned by one or more spouses 
                                of veterans or, in the case of any 
                                publicly owned business, not less than 
                                51 percent of the stock of which is 
                                owned by one or more spouses of 
                                veterans; and
                                    ``(II) the management and daily 
                                business operations of which are 
                                controlled by one or more spouses of 
                                veterans;
                    ``(D) the term `spouse', relating to a member of 
                the Armed Forces on active duty, veteran, service-
                disabled veteran, or Reservist, includes an individual 
                who, on the date on which the member of the Armed 
                Forces on active duty, veteran, service-disabled 
                veteran, or Reservist died, is the spouse of the member 
                of the Armed Forces on active duty, veteran, service-
                disabled veteran, or Reservist; and
                    ``(E) the term `veterans' business outreach center 
                program' means the program established under paragraph 
                (2)(A).
            ``(2) Program established.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator, acting 
                through the Associate Administrator, shall establish a 
                veterans' business outreach center program, under which 
                the Associate Administrator may provide financial 
                assistance to educational institutions, veterans' 
                nonprofit community-based organizations, and Federal, 
                State, and local departments and agencies to conduct a 
                5-year project for the benefit of small business 
                concerns owned and controlled by veterans, which, upon 
                application by the entity receiving financial 
                assistance, may be renewed for one or more additional 
                5-year periods.
                    ``(B) Form of financial assistance.--Financial 
                assistance under this subsection may be in the form of 
                a grant, a contract, or a cooperative agreement.
            ``(3) Veterans' business outreach centers.--Each entity 
        that receives financial assistance under this subsection shall 
        establish or operate a veterans' business outreach center 
        (which may include establishing or operating satellite offices 
        in the region described in paragraph (5) served by that entity) 
        that provides to veterans (including service-disabled 
        veterans), Reservists, and the spouses of members of the Armed 
        Forces on active duty, veterans (including service-disabled 
        veterans), and Reservists--
                    ``(A) financial advice, including training and 
                counseling on applying for and securing business credit 
                and investment capital, preparing and presenting 
                financial statements, and managing cash flow and other 
                financial operations of a small business concern;
                    ``(B) management advice, including training and 
                counseling on the planning, organization, staffing, 
                direction, and control of each major activity and 
                function of a small business concern;
                    ``(C) marketing advice, including training and 
                counseling on identifying and segmenting domestic and 
                international market opportunities, preparing and 
                executing marketing plans, developing pricing 
                strategies, locating contract opportunities, 
                negotiating contracts, and using public relations and 
                advertising techniques; and
                    ``(D) advice, including training and counseling.
            ``(4) Application.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An entity desiring to receive 
                financial assistance under this subsection shall submit 
                an application to the Associate Administrator at such 
                time and in such manner as the Associate Administrator 
                may require.
                    ``(B) 5-year plan.--Each application described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall include a 5-year plan on 
                proposed fundraising and training activities relating 
                to the veterans' business outreach center.
                    ``(C) Determination and notification.--Not later 
                than 90 days after the date on which applications for a 
                fiscal year are required to be submitted under 
                subparagraph (A), the Associate Administrator shall 
                approve or deny any application submitted and notify 
                the applicant of the determination.
                    ``(D) Availability of application.--The Associate 
                Administrator shall make every effort to make the 
                application under subparagraph (A) available online.
            ``(5) Eligibility.--The Associate Administrator may select 
        to receive financial assistance under this subsection--
                    ``(A) a Veterans Business Outreach Center 
                established by the Administrator under section 8(b)(17) 
                on or before the day before the date of enactment of 
                this subsection; or
                    ``(B) educational institutions, veterans' nonprofit 
                community-based organizations, and Federal, State, and 
                local departments and agencies located in various 
                regions of the United States, as the Associate 
                Administrator determines is appropriate.
            ``(6) Selection criteria.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Associate Administrator 
                shall establish selection criteria, stated in terms of 
                relative importance, to evaluate and rank applicants 
                under paragraph (5)(B) for financial assistance under 
                this subsection.
                    ``(B) Criteria.--The selection criteria established 
                under this paragraph shall include--
                            ``(i) the experience of the applicant in 
                        conducting programs or ongoing efforts designed 
                        to impart or upgrade the business skills of 
                        veterans (including service-disabled veterans), 
                        Reservists, and the spouses of members of the 
                        Armed Forces on active duty, veterans 
                        (including service-disabled veterans), and 
                        Reservists who own or may own small business 
                        concerns;
                            ``(ii) for an applicant for initial 
                        financial assistance under this subsection--
                                    ``(I) the ability of the applicant 
                                to begin operating a veterans' business 
                                outreach center within a minimum amount 
                                of time; and
                                    ``(II) the geographic region to be 
                                served by the veterans' business 
                                outreach center;
                            ``(iii) the demonstrated ability of the 
                        applicant to--
                                    ``(I) provide managerial counseling 
                                and technical assistance to 
                                entrepreneurs; and
                                    ``(II) coordinate services provided 
                                by veterans services organizations and 
                                other public or private entities;
                            ``(iv) the ability to leverage and 
                        coordinate with existing resources and 
                        infrastructure of the Administration; and
                            ``(v) for any applicant for a renewal of 
                        financial assistance under this subsection, the 
                        results of the most recent examination under 
                        paragraph (10) of the veterans' business 
                        outreach center operated by the applicant.
                    ``(C) Criteria publicly available.--The Associate 
                Administrator shall--
                            ``(i) make publicly available the selection 
                        criteria established under this paragraph; and
                            ``(ii) include the criteria in each 
                        solicitation for applications for financial 
                        assistance under this subsection.
            ``(7) Amount of assistance.--The amount of financial 
        assistance provided under this subsection to an entity for each 
        fiscal year shall be--
                    ``(A) not less than $100,000; and
                    ``(B) not more than $300,000.
            ``(8) Federal share.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Initial financial assistance.--Except 
                        as provided in clause (ii) and subparagraph 
                        (E), an entity that receives financial 
                        assistance under this subsection shall provide 
                        non-Federal contributions for the operation of 
                        the veterans' business outreach center 
                        established by the entity in an amount equal 
                        to--
                                    ``(I) in each of the first and 
                                second years of the project, not less 
                                than 33 percent of the amount of the 
                                financial assistance received under 
                                this subsection; and
                                    ``(II) in each of the third through 
                                fifth years of the project, not less 
                                than 50 percent of the amount of the 
                                financial assistance received under 
                                this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Renewals.--An entity that receives a 
                        renewal of financial assistance under this 
                        subsection shall provide non-Federal 
                        contributions for the operation of the 
                        veterans' business outreach center established 
                        by the entity in an amount equal to not less 
                        than 50 percent of the amount of the financial 
                        assistance received under this subsection.
                    ``(B) Form of non-federal share.--Not more than 50 
                percent of the non-Federal share for a project carried 
                out using financial assistance under this subsection 
                may be in the form of in-kind contributions.
                    ``(C) Timing of disbursement.--The Associate 
                Administrator may disburse not more than 25 percent of 
                the financial assistance awarded to an entity before 
                the entity obtains the non-Federal share required under 
                this paragraph with respect to that award.
                    ``(D) Failure to obtain non-federal funding.--
                            ``(i) In general.--If an entity that 
                        receives financial assistance under this 
                        subsection fails to obtain the non-Federal 
                        share required under this paragraph during any 
                        fiscal year, the entity may not receive a 
                        disbursement under this subsection in a 
                        subsequent fiscal year or a disbursement for 
                        any other project funded by the Administration, 
                        unless the Administrator makes a written 
                        determination that the entity will be able to 
                        obtain a non-Federal contribution.
                            ``(ii) Restoration.--An entity prohibited 
                        from receiving a disbursement under clause (i) 
                        in a fiscal year may receive financial 
                        assistance in a subsequent fiscal year if the 
                        entity obtains the non-Federal share required 
                        under this paragraph for the subsequent fiscal 
                        year.
                    ``(E) Waiver of non-federal share.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Upon request by an 
                        entity, and in accordance with this 
                        subparagraph, the Administrator may waive, in 
                        whole or in part, the requirement to obtain 
                        non-Federal funds under subparagraph (A) for a 
                        fiscal year. The Administrator may not waive 
                        the requirement for an entity to obtain non-
                        Federal funds under this subparagraph for more 
                        than a total of 2 fiscal years.
                            ``(ii) Considerations.--In determining 
                        whether to waive the requirement to obtain non-
                        Federal funds under this subparagraph, the 
                        Administrator shall consider--
                                    ``(I) the economic conditions 
                                affecting the entity;
                                    ``(II) the impact a waiver under 
                                this subparagraph would have on the 
                                credibility of the veterans' business 
                                outreach center program;
                                    ``(III) the demonstrated ability of 
                                the entity to raise non-Federal funds; 
                                and
                                    ``(IV) the performance of the 
                                entity.
                            ``(iii) Limitation.--The Administrator may 
                        not waive the requirement to obtain non-Federal 
                        funds under this subparagraph if granting the 
                        waiver would undermine the credibility of the 
                        veterans' business outreach center program.
            ``(9) Contract authority.--A veterans' business outreach 
        center may enter into a contract with a Federal department or 
        agency to provide specific assistance to veterans, service-
        disabled veterans, Reservists, or the spouses of members of the 
        Armed Forces on active duty, veterans, service-disabled 
        veterans, or Reservists with prior written approval of the 
        Associate Administrator. Performance of such contract shall not 
        hinder the veterans' business outreach center in carrying out 
        the terms of the grant received by the veterans' business 
        outreach center from the Administrator.
            ``(10) Examination and determination of performance.--
                    ``(A) Examination.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 180 days 
                        after the date of enactment of this subsection 
                        and every year thereafter, the Associate 
                        Administrator shall conduct an annual 
                        examination of the programs and finances of 
                        each veterans' business outreach center 
                        established or operated using financial 
                        assistance under this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Factors.--In conducting the 
                        examination under clause (i), the Associate 
                        Administrator shall consider whether the 
                        veterans' business outreach center has failed--
                                    ``(I) to provide the information 
                                required to be provided under 
                                subparagraph (B), or the information 
                                provided by the center is inadequate;
                                    ``(II) to comply with a requirement 
                                for participation in the veterans' 
                                business outreach center program, as 
                                determined by the Associate 
                                Administrator, including--
                                            ``(aa) failure to acquire 
                                        or properly document a non-
                                        Federal share;
                                            ``(bb) failure to establish 
                                        an appropriate partnership or 
                                        program for marketing and 
                                        outreach to small business 
                                        concerns;
                                            ``(cc) failure to achieve 
                                        results described in a 
                                        financial assistance agreement; 
                                        and
                                            ``(dd) failure to provide 
                                        to the Administrator a 
                                        description of the amount and 
                                        sources of any non-Federal 
                                        funding received by the center;
                                    ``(III) to carry out the 5-year 
                                plan under in paragraph (4)(B);
                                    ``(IV) to meet the eligibility 
                                requirements under paragraph (5); or
                                    ``(V) to serve small business 
                                concerns in the geographic region 
                                served by the veterans' business 
                                outreach center.
                    ``(B) Information provided.--In the course of an 
                examination under subparagraph (A), the veterans' 
                business outreach center shall provide to the Associate 
                Administrator--
                            ``(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual 
                        expenditures for costs incurred during the most 
                        recent full fiscal year, including the amount 
                        spent on administrative expenses;
                            ``(ii) documentation of the amount of non-
                        Federal contributions obtained and expended by 
                        the veterans' business outreach center during 
                        the most recent full fiscal year;
                            ``(iii) with respect to any in-kind 
                        contribution under paragraph (8)(B), 
                        verification of the existence and valuation of 
                        such contribution; and
                            ``(iv) any additional information the 
                        Associate Administrator determines necessary.
                    ``(C) Determination of performance.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator shall analyze the results of each 
                        examination under subparagraph (A) and, based 
                        on that analysis, make a determination 
                        regarding the performance of the programs and 
                        finances of each veterans' business outreach 
                        center.
                            ``(ii) Nondelegation of determination.--The 
                        duty under clause (i) to make a determination 
                        regarding the performance of the programs and 
                        finances of a veterans' business outreach 
                        center may not be delegated.
                    ``(D) Discontinuation of funding.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator may discontinue an award of 
                        financial assistance to an entity at any time 
                        for poor performance as determined under 
                        subparagraph (C).
                            ``(ii) Restoration.--The Associate 
                        Administrator may continue to provide financial 
                        assistance to an entity in a subsequent fiscal 
                        year if the Associate Administrator determines 
                        under subparagraph (C) that the veterans' 
                        business outreach center has taken appropriate 
                        measures to improve its performance and it is 
                        viable.
            ``(11) Coordination of efforts and consultation.--
                    ``(A) Coordination and consultation.--To the extent 
                practicable, the Associate Administrator and each 
                entity that receives financial assistance under this 
                subsection shall--
                            ``(i) coordinate outreach and other 
                        activities with other programs of the 
                        Administration and the programs of other 
                        Federal agencies;
                            ``(ii) consult with technical 
                        representatives of the district offices of the 
                        Administration in carrying out activities using 
                        financial assistance under this subsection; and
                            ``(iii) provide information to the veterans 
                        business development officers designated under 
                        subparagraph (B) and coordinate with the 
                        veterans business development officers to 
                        increase the ability of the veterans business 
                        development officers to provide services 
                        throughout the area served by the veterans 
                        business development officers.
                    ``(B) Veterans business development officers.--
                            ``(i) Designation.--The Administrator shall 
                        designate not fewer than one individual in each 
                        district office of the Administration as a 
                        veterans business development officer, who 
                        shall communicate and coordinate activities of 
                        the district office with entities that receive 
                        financial assistance under this subsection.
                            ``(ii) Initial designation.--The first 
                        individual in each district office of the 
                        Administration designated by the Administrator 
                        as a veterans business development officer 
                        under clause (i) shall be an individual that is 
                        employed by the Administration on the date of 
                        enactment of this subsection.
            ``(12) Existing contracts.--An award of financial 
        assistance under this subsection shall not void any contract 
        between any entity and the Administration that is in effect on 
        the date of such award.
    ``(j) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated--
            ``(1) to carry out subsection (d), $7,000,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2015 through 2019;
            ``(2) to carry out subsection (e), $500,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2015 through 2019;
            ``(3) to carry out subsection (g), $450,000 for each of 
        fiscal years 2015 through 2019; and
            ``(4) to carry out subsection (i)--
                    ``(A) $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2015;
                    ``(B) $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2016;
                    ``(C) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2017;
                    ``(D) $4,500,000 for fiscal year 2018; and
                    ``(E) $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2019.
    ``(k) Reports.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this subsection and every year thereafter, the Associate 
Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of 
the House of Representatives a report, which may be included as part of 
another report submitted to the Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of 
the House of Representatives by the Associate Administrator, and which 
shall include the following:
            ``(1) Boots to business.--For the Boots to Business Program 
        under subsection (d)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Boots to Business Program;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Boots to Business Program;
                    ``(C) the demographics of program participants, to 
                include gender, age, race, relationship to military, 
                and years of service;
                    ``(D) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the number of small business concerns 
                        formed or expanded with assistance under the 
                        Boots to Business Program;
                            ``(ii) the gross receipts of small business 
                        concerns receiving assistance under the Boots 
                        to Business program; and
                            ``(iii) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Boots to Business program;
                    ``(E) the number of referrals to other resources 
                and programs of the Administration;
                    ``(F) the number of program participants receiving 
                financial assistance under loan programs of the 
                Administration;
                    ``(G) the type and dollar amount of financial 
                assistance received by program participants under loan 
                programs of the Administration;
                    ``(H) results of participant satisfaction surveys, 
                including a summary of any comments received from 
                program participants;
                    ``(I) the range of percentage of disability and the 
                average percentage of disability, as identified by the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs, of program 
                participants;
                    ``(J) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
                program in each region of the Administration during the 
                most recent fiscal year;
                    ``(K) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Boots to Business Program, as 
                identified by the Associate Administrator;
                    ``(L) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Boots to Business Program, which may 
                include expansion of the types of individuals who are 
                covered individuals;
                    ``(M) a discussion of how the Boots to Business 
                program has been integrated with other resources and 
                programs of the Administration; and
                    ``(N) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(2) Veteran women igniting the spirit of 
        entrepreneurship.--For the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of 
        Entrepreneurship Program under subsection (e)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of 
                Entrepreneurship Program;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of 
                Entrepreneurship Program;
                    ``(C) the demographics of program participants, to 
                include gender, age, race, relationship to military, 
                and years of service;
                    ``(D) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the number of small business concerns 
                        formed or expanded with assistance under the 
                        Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of 
                        Entrepreneurship Program;
                            ``(ii) the gross receipts of small business 
                        concerns receiving assistance under the Veteran 
                        Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship 
                        Program; and
                            ``(iii) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Veteran Women Igniting the 
                        Spirit of Entrepreneurship Program;
                    ``(E) the number of referrals to other resources 
                and programs of the Administration;
                    ``(F) the number of program participants receiving 
                financial assistance under loan programs of the 
                Administration;
                    ``(G) the type and dollar amount of financial 
                assistance received by program participants under loan 
                programs of the Administration;
                    ``(H) the results of participant satisfaction 
                surveys, including a summary of any comments received 
                from program participants;
                    ``(I) the range of percentage of disability and the 
                average percentage of disability, as identified by the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs, of program 
                participants;
                    ``(J) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Veteran Women Igniting the 
                Spirit of Entrepreneurship Program, as identified by 
                the Associate Administrator;
                    ``(K) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of 
                Entrepreneurship Program;
                    ``(L) a discussion of how the Veteran Women 
                Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Program has 
                been integrated with other resources and programs of 
                the Administration; and
                    ``(M) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(3) Entrepreneurship bootcamp for veterans with 
        disabilities program.--For the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for 
        Veterans with Disabilities Program under subsection (g)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans 
                with Disabilities Program;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with 
                Disabilities Program;
                    ``(C) the demographics of program participants, to 
                include gender, age, race, relationship to military, 
                and years of service;
                    ``(D) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the number of small business concerns 
                        formed or expanded with assistance under the 
                        Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with 
                        Disabilities Program;
                            ``(ii) the gross receipts of small business 
                        concerns receiving assistance under the 
                        Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with 
                        Disabilities Program; and
                            ``(iii) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp 
                        for Veterans with Disabilities Program;
                    ``(E) the number of referrals to other resources 
                and programs of the Administration;
                    ``(F) the number of program participants receiving 
                financial assistance under loan programs of the 
                Administration;
                    ``(G) the type and dollar amount of financial 
                assistance received by program participants under loan 
                programs of the Administration;
                    ``(H) the results of participant satisfaction 
                surveys, including a summary of any comments received 
                from program participants;
                    ``(I) the range of percentage of disability and the 
                average percentage of disability, as identified by the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs, of program 
                participants;
                    ``(J) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for 
                Veterans with Disabilities Program, as identified by 
                the Associate Administrator;
                    ``(K) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for 
                Veterans with Disabilities Program;
                    ``(L) a discussion of how the Entrepreneurship 
                Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities Program has 
                been integrated with other resources and programs of 
                the Administration; and
                    ``(M) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(4) Veterans' business outreach center program.--For the 
        veterans' business outreach center program under subsection 
        (i)--
                    ``(A) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
                veterans' business outreach center program in each 
                region of the Administration during the most recent 
                full fiscal year;
                    ``(B) for each veterans' business outreach center 
                established or operated using financial assistance 
                provided under subsection (i)--
                            ``(i) the number of individuals receiving 
                        assistance from the veterans' business outreach 
                        center, including the number of such 
                        individuals who are--
                                    ``(I) veterans or spouses of 
                                veterans;
                                    ``(II) service-disabled veterans or 
                                spouses of service-disabled veterans;
                                    ``(III) Reservists or spouses of 
                                Reservists; or
                                    ``(IV) spouses of members of the 
                                Armed Forces on active duty;
                            ``(ii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed by individuals receiving 
                        assistance from the veterans' business outreach 
                        center, including--
                                    ``(I) veterans or spouses of 
                                veterans;
                                    ``(II) service-disabled veterans or 
                                spouses of service-disabled veterans;
                                    ``(III) Reservists or spouses of 
                                Reservists; or
                                    ``(IV) spouses of members of the 
                                Armed Forces on active duty;
                            ``(iii) to the extent possible--
                                    ``(I) the gross receipts of small 
                                business concerns receiving assistance 
                                from the veterans' business outreach 
                                center;
                                    ``(II) the employment increases or 
                                decreases of small business concerns 
                                receiving assistance from the veterans' 
                                business outreach center; and
                                    ``(III) the increases or decreases 
                                in profits of small business concerns 
                                receiving assistance from the veterans' 
                                business outreach center;
                            ``(iv) the number of referrals by the 
                        veterans' business outreach center to other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration;
                            ``(v) the results of satisfaction surveys, 
                        including a summary of any comments received 
                        from small business concerns receiving 
                        assistance from the veterans' business outreach 
                        center;
                            ``(vi) the range of percentage of 
                        disability and the average percentage of 
                        disability, as identified by the Department of 
                        Veterans Affairs, of individuals receiving 
                        assistance from the veterans' business outreach 
                        center;
                            ``(vii) the number of small business 
                        concerns receiving assistance from the 
                        veterans' business outreach center that 
                        received financial assistance under loan 
                        programs of the Administration;
                            ``(viii) the type and dollar amount of 
                        financial assistance received under loan 
                        programs of the Administration by small 
                        business concerns receiving assistance from the 
                        veterans' business outreach center;
                            ``(ix) an assessment of additional 
                        performance outcome measures for the veterans' 
                        business outreach center, as identified by the 
                        Associate Administrator;
                            ``(x) whether the Administrator waived, in 
                        whole or in part, the requirement to obtain 
                        non-Federal funds under subsection (i)(8) and, 
                        if so, the justification for the waiver; and
                            ``(xi) the results of the examination of 
                        the veterans' business outreach center under 
                        subsection (i)(10);
                    ``(C) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the veterans' business outreach center 
                program;
                    ``(D) a discussion of how the veterans' business 
                outreach center program has been integrated with other 
                resources and programs of the Administration; and
                    ``(E) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(5) Other activities and programs administered by the 
        office of veterans business development.--An evaluation of the 
        effectiveness of any other activities and programs administered 
        by the Office of Veterans Business Development, including using 
        the metrics identified in paragraphs (1) through (4).''.
    (b) GAO Reports.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    (A) the term ``covered individual'' means--
                            (i) a veteran;
                            (ii) a service-disabled veteran;
                            (iii) a Reservist;
                            (iv) the spouse of an individual described 
                        in clause (i), (ii), or (iii); or
                            (v) the spouse of a member of the Armed 
                        Forces;
                    (B) the terms ``Reservist'' and ``veterans' 
                business outreach center program'' have the meanings 
                given those terms in section 32(h) of the Small 
                Business Act, as added by this section; and
                    (C) the terms ``service-disabled veteran'', ``small 
                business concern'', and ``veteran'' have the meanings 
                given those terms under section 3 of the Small Business 
                Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
            (2) Report on access to credit.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General 
                of the United States shall submit a report regarding 
                the ability of small business concerns owned and 
                controlled by covered individuals to access credit to--
                            (i) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
                        the Committee on Small Business and 
                        Entrepreneurship of the Senate; and
                            (ii) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and 
                        the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
                        Representatives.
                    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include an analysis of--
                            (i) the sources of credit used by small 
                        business concerns owned and controlled by 
                        covered individuals and the percentage of the 
                        credit obtained by small business concerns 
                        owned and controlled by covered individuals 
                        that is obtained from each source;
                            (ii) the default rate for small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by covered 
                        individuals separately for each source of 
                        credit described in clause (i), as compared to 
                        the default rate for the source of credit for 
                        small business concerns generally;
                            (iii) the Federal lending programs 
                        available to provide credit to small business 
                        concerns owned and controlled by covered 
                        individuals;
                            (iv) gaps, if any, in the availability of 
                        credit for small business concerns owned and 
                        controlled by covered individuals that are not 
                        being filled by the Federal Government or 
                        private sources;
                            (v) obstacles faced by covered individuals 
                        in trying to access credit;
                            (vi) the extent to which deployment and 
                        other military responsibilities affect the 
                        credit history of veterans and Reservists; and
                            (vii) the extent to which covered 
                        individuals are aware of Federal programs 
                        targeted towards helping covered individuals 
                        access credit.
            (3) Report on veterans' business outreach center program.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the 
                end of the second fiscal year beginning after the date 
                on which the veterans' business outreach center program 
                is established, the Comptroller General of the United 
                States shall evaluate the effectiveness of the 
                veterans' business outreach center program, and submit 
                to Congress a report on the results of that evaluation.
                    (B) Contents.--The report submitted under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include--
                            (i) an assessment of--
                                    (I) the use of amounts made 
                                available to carry out the veterans' 
                                business outreach center program;
                                    (II) the effectiveness of the 
                                services provided by each entity 
                                receiving financial assistance under 
                                the veterans' business outreach center 
                                program;
                                    (III) whether the services 
                                described in subclause (II) are 
                                duplicative of services provided by 
                                other veteran service organizations, 
                                programs of the Small Business 
                                Administration, or programs of another 
                                Federal department or agency and, if 
                                so, recommendations regarding how to 
                                alleviate the duplication of the 
                                services; and
                                    (IV) whether there are areas of the 
                                United States in which there are not 
                                adequate entrepreneurial services for 
                                small business concerns owned and 
                                controlled by veterans and, if so, 
                                whether there is a veterans' business 
                                outreach center established under the 
                                veterans' business outreach center 
                                program providing services to that 
                                area; and
                            (ii) recommendations, if any, for improving 
                        the veterans' business outreach center program.

SEC. 3. REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.

    Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(c)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) Report.--Not less frequently than once each year, the 
        Administrator shall submit to Congress a report--
                    ``(A) discussing the appointments made to and 
                activities of the task force; and
                    ``(B) identifying and outlining a plan for outreach 
                and promotion of all the programs authorized under the 
                Veteran Entrepreneurship and Training Opportunities Act 
                of 2014, or an amendment made by that Act.''.
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