[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1866 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1866

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

                             July 27, 2015

  Mr. Vitter (for himself and Mrs. Shaheen) 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 ``Veterans Small Business Ownership 
Improvements Act of 2015''.

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 by striking subsections (d), (e), and (f) and 
inserting the following:
    ``(d) Boots to Business Program.--
            ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
                    ``(A) the term `covered individual' means--
                            ``(i) a member of the Armed Forces, without 
                        regard to whether the member is participating 
                        in the Transition Assistance Program of the 
                        Department of Defense;
                            ``(ii) an individual who is participating 
                        in the Transition Assistance Program of the 
                        Department of Defense;
                            ``(iii) an individual who--
                                    ``(I) served on active duty in any 
                                branch of the Armed Forces, including 
                                the National Guard and Reserves; and
                                    ``(II) was discharged or released 
                                from such service under conditions 
                                other than dishonorable; and
                            ``(iv) a spouse or dependent of an 
                        individual described in clause (i), (ii), or 
                        (iii); and
                    ``(B) the term `Vet Center' means a center for 
                readjustment counseling and related mental health 
                services for veterans under section 1712A of title 38, 
                United States Code.
            ``(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, identify sources of 
                capital, 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 online, self-study course focused 
                        on the basic skills of entrepreneurship, the 
                        language of business, and the considerations 
                        involved in self-employment and small business 
                        ownership;
                            ``(iii) an in-person classroom instruction 
                        component providing an introduction to the 
                        foundations of self-employment and small 
                        business ownership; and
                            ``(iv) 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) modify program components in 
                        coordination with entities participating in the 
                        Warriors in Transition programs, as defined in 
                        section 738(f) of the National Defense 
                        Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 
                        U.S.C. 1071 note).
                    ``(C) Utilization of resource partners.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Associate 
                        Administrator shall--
                                    ``(I) ensure that veterans' 
                                business outreach centers regularly 
                                participate, on a nationwide basis, in 
                                the Boots to Business Program; and
                                    ``(II) to the maximum extent 
                                practicable, use a variety of other 
                                resource partners and entities in 
                                administering the Boots to Business 
                                Program.
                            ``(ii) Grant authority.--In carrying out 
                        clause (i), the Associate Administrator may 
                        make grants to veterans' business outreach 
                        centers, other resource partners, and other 
                        entities to carry out components of the Boots 
                        to Business Program.
                    ``(D) Availability to dod.--The Administrator 
                shall--
                            ``(i) make available electronically 
                        information regarding the Boots to Business 
                        Program and all course materials created for 
                        the Boots to Business Program to the Secretary 
                        of Defense for inclusion on the website of the 
                        Department of Defense relating to the 
                        Transition Assistance Program and in the 
                        Transition Assistance Program manual and other 
                        publications and materials available for 
                        distribution from the Secretary of Defense; and
                            ``(ii) fully participate in the interagency 
                        governance of the Transition Assistance 
                        Program.
                    ``(E) Availability to veterans affairs.--In 
                consultation with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
                the Associate Administrator shall make available 
                outreach materials regarding the Boots to Business 
                Program for distribution and display at local 
                facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
                (including medical centers, community-based outpatient 
                clinics, Vet Centers, and other facilities determined 
                appropriate by the Associate Administrator and the 
                Secretary), which shall, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) describe the Boots to Business 
                        Program, including a description of services 
                        provided; and
                            ``(ii) include eligibility requirements for 
                        participating in the Boots to Business Program.
            ``(5) Review.--The Inspector General of the Administration 
        shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
        Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
        Business of the House of Representatives an annual report 
        regarding the awarding of grants under the Boots to Business 
        Program.
    ``(e) Women Veterans Business Training Program.--
            ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `covered 
        individual' 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 Women Veterans Business Training 
        Program, to provide specific training for covered individuals 
        interested in exploring careers as owners of small business 
        concerns.
            ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Women Veterans Business 
        Training Program are to--
                    ``(A) help covered individuals by providing the 
                tools to become successful entrepreneurs; and
                    ``(B) integrate the leadership, integrity, focus, 
                and drive of covered individuals 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 Women Veterans Business 
                Training 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 Women Veterans Business 
                Training Program.
            ``(5) Women veterans business training.--The Associate 
        Administrator shall--
                    ``(A) compile information on resources available to 
                women veterans for business training, including 
                resources for--
                            ``(i) vocational and technical education;
                            ``(ii) general business skills, such as 
                        marketing and accounting; and
                            ``(iii) business assistance programs 
                        targeted to women veterans;
                    ``(B) disseminate the information compiled under 
                subparagraph (A) through veterans' business outreach 
                centers and women's business centers; and
                    ``(C) in consultation with the Secretary of 
                Veterans Affairs, make available outreach materials 
                regarding the Women Veterans Business Training Program 
                for distribution and display at local facilities of the 
                Department of Veterans Affairs (including medical 
                centers, community-based outpatient clinics, Vet 
                Centers (as defined in subsection (d)(1)), and other 
                facilities determined appropriate by the Associate 
                Administrator and the Secretary), which shall, at a 
                minimum--
                            ``(i) describe the Women Veterans Business 
                        Training Program, including a description of 
                        services provided; and
                            ``(ii) include eligibility requirements for 
                        participating in the Women Veterans Business 
                        Training Program.
            ``(6) Grant authority.--The Associate Administrator may 
        make grants to veterans' business outreach centers, women's 
        business centers, and other entities, including other resource 
        partners, to carry out components of the Women Veterans 
        Business Training Program.
    ``(f) Business Training Program for Service Disabled Veterans.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish a 
        Business Training Program for Service Disabled Veterans to 
        provide specific training for service-disabled veterans 
        interested in exploring careers as owners of small business 
        concerns.
            ``(2) Goals.--The goals of the Business Training Program 
        for Service Disabled Veterans 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 Business Training Program 
                for Service Disabled Veterans 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 Business Training Program 
                for Service Disabled Veterans.
            ``(4) Availability to veterans affairs.--In consultation 
        with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Associate 
        Administrator shall make available outreach materials regarding 
        the Business Training Program for Service Disabled Veterans for 
        distribution and display at local facilities of the Department 
        of Veterans Affairs (including medical centers, community-based 
        outpatient clinics, Vet Centers (as defined in subsection 
        (d)(1)), and other facilities determined appropriate by the 
        Associate Administrator and the Secretary), which shall, at a 
        minimum--
                    ``(A) describe the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans, including a description of 
                services provided; and
                    ``(B) include eligibility requirements for 
                participating in the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans.
            ``(5) Grant authority.--The Associate Administrator may 
        make grants to veterans' business outreach centers and other 
        entities, including other resource partners, to carry out 
        components of the Business Training Program for Service 
        Disabled Veterans.
    ``(g) 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 meaning given that term in 
                        section 3(q); and
                            ``(ii) includes a small business concern--
                                    ``(I) not less than 51 percent of 
                                which is owned by 1 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 1 or more spouses of veterans; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) the management and daily 
                                business operations of which are 
                                controlled by 1 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 1 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) technical assistance, training, and 
                counseling to assist in identifying and obtaining 
                Federal procurement opportunities;
                    ``(D) 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
                    ``(E) other 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 service organizations and 
                                other public or private entities;
                            ``(iv) the demonstrated 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 (11) 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;
                            ``(ii) include the criteria in each 
                        solicitation for applications for financial 
                        assistance under this subsection;
                            ``(iii) make every effort to ensure 
                        regional accessibility and geographic 
                        representation in awarding financial assistance 
                        under this subsection; and
                            ``(iv) to the extent practicable, make 
                        publicly available the approximate anticipated 
                        date for the determination of award recipients 
                        by the Administration and the anticipated 
                        timing of disbursement.
            ``(7) Amount of assistance.--The amount of financial 
        assistance provided under this subsection to an entity for each 
        fiscal year shall be not less than $100,000.
            ``(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 2 
                        consecutive fiscal years, 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) Affiliation with small business development 
        centers.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An entity receiving financial 
                assistance under this subsection shall enter into an 
                agreement to affiliate with a small business 
                development center for purposes of carrying out the 
                activities of the entity using the financial 
                assistance.
                    ``(B) Consistency with agreement.--The terms of an 
                agreement to affiliate under subparagraph (A) shall be 
                in accordance with the terms of any agreement between 
                the applicable small business development center and 
                the Administration.
            ``(10) 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.
            ``(11) 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.
            ``(12) 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, including programs at local 
                        facilities of the Department of Veterans 
                        Affairs;
                            ``(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 1 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.
            ``(13) Existing contracts.--An award of financial 
        assistance under this subsection shall not void any contract or 
        cooperative agreement between any entity and the Administration 
        or grant to any entity from the Administration that is in 
        effect on the date of such award.
    ``(h) Online Coordination.--
            ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `veterans' 
        assistance provider' means--
                    ``(A) a veterans' business outreach center 
                established under subsection (g);
                    ``(B) an employee of the Administration assigned to 
                the Office of Veterans Business Development; or
                    ``(C) a veterans business development officer 
                designated under subsection (g)(12)(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) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020--
            ``(1) $2,500,000 to carry out subsection (g); and
            ``(2) $8,000,000 to carry out subsections (d), (e), and 
        (f).
    ``(j) Prohibition on Overseas Travel.--Financial assistance made 
available under this section may not be used to subsidize travel 
outside of the United States (as defined in section 202(a)(7) of the 
State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 4302(a)(7))).
    ``(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 on the performance and 
effectiveness for the programs authorized under this section, 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) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, Military Occupational 
                        Code, and years of service of program 
                        participants;
                            ``(ii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed or expanded with assistance 
                        under the Boots to Business Program;
                            ``(iii) the gross receipts of small 
                        business concerns receiving assistance under 
                        the Boots to Business Program;
                            ``(iv) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Boots to Business Program;
                            ``(v) the number of referrals to other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vi) the number of program participants 
                        receiving financial assistance under loan 
                        programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vii) the type and dollar amount of 
                        financial assistance received by program 
                        participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and
                            ``(viii) results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;
                    ``(D) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the 
                program in each region of the Administration during the 
                most recent fiscal year;
                    ``(E) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Boots to Business Program, as 
                identified by the Associate Administrator;
                    ``(F) 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;
                    ``(G) an explanation of how the Boots to Business 
                Program has been integrated with other transition 
                programs and related resources of the Administration 
                and other Federal agencies; and
                    ``(H) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(2) Women veterans business training program.--For the 
        Women Veterans Business Training Program under subsection (e)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Women Veterans Business Training 
                Program;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Women Veterans Business Training Program;
                    ``(C) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, and years of service;
                            ``(ii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed or expanded with assistance 
                        under the Women Veterans Business Training 
                        Program;
                            ``(iii) the gross receipts of small 
                        business concerns receiving assistance under 
                        the Women Veterans Business Training Program;
                            ``(iv) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Women Veterans Business 
                        Training Program;
                            ``(v) the number of referrals to other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vi) the number of referrals from other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration 
                        and other Federal agencies;
                            ``(vii) the number of program participants 
                        receiving financial assistance under loan 
                        programs of the Administration;
                            ``(viii) the type and dollar amount of 
                        financial assistance received by program 
                        participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and
                            ``(ix) the results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;
                    ``(D) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Women Veterans Business 
                Training Program, as identified by the Associate 
                Administrator;
                    ``(E) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Women Veterans Business Training 
                Program;
                    ``(F) an explanation of how the Women Veterans 
                Business Training Program has been integrated with 
                other transition programs and related resources of the 
                Administration and other Federal agencies; and
                    ``(G) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(3) Business training program for service disabled 
        veterans.--For the Business Training Program for Service 
        Disabled Veterans under subsection (f)--
                    ``(A) the number of program participants using each 
                component of the Business Training Program for Service 
                Disabled Veterans;
                    ``(B) the completion rates for each component of 
                the Business Training Program for Service Disabled 
                Veterans;
                    ``(C) to the extent possible--
                            ``(i) the demographics of program 
                        participants, to include gender, age, race, 
                        relationship to military, and years of service;
                            ``(ii) the number of small business 
                        concerns formed or expanded with assistance 
                        under the Business Training Program for Service 
                        Disabled Veterans;
                            ``(iii) the gross receipts of small 
                        business concerns receiving assistance under 
                        the Business Training Program for Service 
                        Disabled Veterans;
                            ``(iv) the number of jobs created with 
                        assistance under the Business Training Program 
                        for Service Disabled Veterans;
                            ``(v) the number of referrals to other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration;
                            ``(vi) the number of referrals from other 
                        resources and programs of the Administration 
                        and other Federal agencies;
                            ``(vii) the number of program participants 
                        receiving financial assistance under loan 
                        programs of the Administration;
                            ``(viii) the type and dollar amount of 
                        financial assistance received by program 
                        participants under loan programs of the 
                        Administration; and
                            ``(ix) the results of participant 
                        satisfaction surveys, including a summary of 
                        any comments received from program 
                        participants;
                    ``(D) an assessment of additional performance 
                outcome measures for the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans, as identified by the 
                Associate Administrator;
                    ``(E) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the Business Training Program for 
                Service Disabled Veterans;
                    ``(F) an explanation of how the Business Training 
                Program for Service Disabled Veterans has been 
                integrated with other transition programs and related 
                resources of the Administration and other Federal 
                agencies; and
                    ``(G) any additional information the Administrator 
                determines necessary.
            ``(4) Veteran's business outreach center program.--For the 
        veterans' business outreach center program under subsection 
        (g)--
                    ``(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 (g)--
                            ``(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 average distance traveled by 
                        veterans to access services at the veterans' 
                        business outreach center;
                            ``(iii) 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; and
                            ``(iv) 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;
                                    ``(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 number of small business 
                                concerns receiving assistance from the 
                                veterans' business outreach center that 
                                received financial assistance under 
                                loan programs of the Administration;
                                    ``(VII) 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;
                                    ``(VIII) the number of small 
                                business concerns receiving assistance 
                                from the veterans' business outreach 
                                center that obtained a Federal contract 
                                through a small business contracting 
                                program;
                                    ``(IX) the type and dollar amount 
                                of the Federal contracts awarded to 
                                small business concerns receiving 
                                assistance from the veterans' business 
                                outreach center;
                                    ``(X) an assessment of additional 
                                performance outcome measures for the 
                                veterans' business outreach center, as 
                                identified by the Associate 
                                Administrator; and
                                    ``(XI) the results of the 
                                examination of the veterans' business 
                                outreach center under subsection 
                                (g)(10);
                    ``(C) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
                improvement of the veterans' business outreach center 
                program;
                    ``(D) an explanation of how the veterans' business 
                outreach center program has been integrated with other 
                transition programs and related resources of the 
                Administration and other Federal agencies; 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) Federal Share for Existing Program.--
            (1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``existing 
        award'' means an award made under the Veterans' Business 
        Outreach Center Program of the Small Business Administration 
        before the date of enactment of this Act that is in effect on 
        the date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Exception from provision on failure to obtain non-
        federal funding.--During the 2-year period beginning on the 
        date of enactment of this Act, subsection (g)(8)(D) of section 
        32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b), as added by 
        subsection (a), shall not apply to an existing award.
    (c) 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'', ``small business 
                concern owned and controlled by veterans'', and 
                ``veterans' business outreach center program'' have the 
                meanings given those terms in section 32(g) of the 
                Small Business Act, as added by subsection (a); 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 veterans 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;
                                    (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
                                    (V) whether there is a correlation 
                                between the proximity of a veterans' 
                                business outreach center to small 
                                business concerns owned and controlled 
                                by veterans and the rate of the use of 
                                the services of the veterans' business 
                                outreach center; and
                            (ii) recommendations, if any, for improving 
                        the veterans' business outreach center program.

SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND ENTREPRENEURIAL 
              PROGRAMS.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section--
            (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean 
        the Small Business Administration and the Administrator 
        thereof, respectively;
            (2) the term ``individual eligible for a veteran 
        entrepreneurial development program'' means--
                    (A) a covered individual, as defined in section 
                32(d)(1) of the Small Business Act, as amended by 
                section 2;
                    (B) a covered individual, as defined in section 
                32(e)(1) of the Small Business Act, as amended by 
                section 2;
                    (C) a service-disabled veteran, as defined in 
                section 3(q)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                632(q)(1)); and
                    (D) an individual who qualifies to be the owner of 
                a small business concern owned and controlled by 
                veterans, as defined in section 32(g)(1)(C) of the 
                Small Business Act, as amended by section 2;
            (3) the term ``one-stop resource'' means the one-stop 
        online resource established under subsection (c)(1); and
            (4) the term ``small business concern'' has the meaning 
        given that term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 
        U.S.C. 632).
    (b) Veteran Peer-to-Peer Networks.--Not later than 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish 
guidelines to improve the network of peer-to-peer counseling and 
mentoring for individuals eligible for a veteran entrepreneurial 
development program relating to the business development and 
entrepreneurial programs of the Administration.
    (c) One-Stop Online Resource.--
            (1) In general.--The Administrator shall establish an 
        online mechanism that serves as a one-stop online resource for 
        veterans regarding all of the entrepreneurial development 
        programs of the Administration.
            (2) Contents.--The one-stop resource shall include 
        descriptions of each entrepreneurial program of the 
        Administration (which shall include the programs described in 
        paragraph (3)), including--
                    (A) target client descriptions for each program;
                    (B) contact information for information on or 
                assistance regarding each program from locally, State-
                wide, and nationally available sources;
                    (C) a detailed description of the services 
                available under each program;
                    (D) a description of any costs associated with the 
                services under each program;
                    (E) an outline of program curriculums if training 
                seminars or courses are offered; and
                    (F) other resource information that the 
                Administrator determines appropriate and necessary for 
                veteran entrepreneurs and veterans who own small 
                business concerns, in order to ensure the one-stop 
                online resource provides information and resources 
                necessary for a veteran beginning to develop a small 
                business concern.
            (3) Programs.--The programs identified and described under 
        the one-stop resource shall include--
                    (A) the small business development center program 
                under section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
                648);
                    (B) the women's business center program under 
                section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656);
                    (C) the programs of the Office of Entrepreneurship 
                Education of the Administration;
                    (D) the Boots to Business Program under section 
                32(d) of the Small Business Act, as amended by section 
                2(a) of this Act;
                    (E) the veterans' business outreach center program 
                under section 32(e) of the Small Business Act, as 
                amended by section 2(a) of this Act;
                    (F) the Service Corps of Retired Executives program 
                authorized by section 8(b)(1) of the Small Business Act 
                (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)); and
                    (G) any other program of the Administration 
                determined appropriate by the Administrator.

SEC. 4. 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 
                Veterans Small Business Development Act of 2015, or an 
                amendment made by that Act.''.

SEC. 5. EDUCATIONAL TRAINING.

    Section 8(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)) is 
amended--
            (1) in paragraph (16), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in paragraph (17), by striking the period at the end 
        and inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(18) to make a grant to, or enter into a cooperative 
        agreement with, a nonprofit entity to operate an educational 
        training program to provide assistance to small business 
        concerns owned and controlled by veterans regarding how to 
        increase the likelihood of being awarded contracts with the 
        Federal Government--
                    ``(A) which shall be made to or entered into with a 
                nonprofit entity that has a track record of 
                successfully providing educational and job training 
                services to targeted veterans populations in diverse 
                locations;
                    ``(B) under which the nonprofit entity shall be 
                required to match any Federal funds received for the 
                program with State, local, or private sector funds; and
                    ``(C) under which the nonprofit entity shall use a 
                diverse group of professional service experts, such as 
                Federal, State, and local contracting experts and 
                private sector industry experts with first-hand 
                experience in Federal Government contracting, to 
                provide instruction to small business concerns owned 
                and controlled by veterans.''.
                                 <all>