[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4863 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
117th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4863
To amend the Small Business Act to improve the Women's Business Center
Program, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 15, 2022
Mr. Cardin (for himself, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Hirono, Mrs. Shaheen, and
Ms. Rosen) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and
referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Small Business Act to improve the Women's Business Center
Program, 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 ``Women's Business Centers Improvement
Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.
Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended to
read as follows:
``SEC. 29. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Assistant administrator.--The term `Assistant
Administrator' means the Assistant Administrator of the Office
of Women's Business Ownership established under subsection (j).
``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) an organization described in section 501(c)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from
taxation under section 501(a) of such Code;
``(B) a State, regional, or local economic
development organization, if the organization certifies
that grant funds received under this section will not
be commingled with other funds;
``(C) an institution of higher education, as
defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of
1965, unless the institution is receiving a grant under
section 21;
``(D) a development, credit, or finance corporation
chartered by a State, if the corporation certifies that
grant funds received under this section will not be
commingled with other funds; or
``(E) any combination of entities listed in
subparagraphs (A) through (D).
``(3) Relevant organizations.--The term `relevant
organizations' means--
``(A) organizations that advocate for or work with
women entrepreneurs, women's business ownership, or
women's business centers; and
``(B) other organizations as the Administrator
determines appropriate.
``(4) Resource partners.--The term `resource partners'
means small business development centers, chapters of the
Service Corps of Retired Executives established under section
8(b)(1)(B), and Veteran Business Outreach Centers described in
section 32.
``(5) Women's business center.--The term `women's business
center' means the location at which counseling and training on
the management, operations (including manufacturing, services,
and retail), access to capital, international trade, government
procurement opportunities, and any other matter that is needed
to start, maintain, or expand a small business concern owned
and controlled by women.
``(6) Women's business center organization.--The term
`Women's Business Center Organization' means a membership
organization formed by women's business centers to pursue
matters of common concern.
``(b) Authority.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Women's
Business Center Program under which the Administrator may enter
into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to provide
a grant to the eligible entity to operate 1 or more women's
business centers for the benefit of small business concerns
owned and controlled by women.
``(2) Use of funds.--A women's business center established
using funds made available under this section shall be designed
to provide entrepreneurial counseling and training that meets
the needs of the small business concerns owned and controlled
by women, especially concerns owned and controlled by women who
are both socially and economically disadvantaged, as defined in
section 8(a), and shall provide--
``(A) financial assistance, including counseling
and training on how to--
``(i) apply for and secure business credit
and investment capital;
``(ii) prepare and present financial
statements; and
``(iii) manage cash flow and other
financial operations of a small business
concern;
``(B) management assistance, including counseling
and training on how to plan, organize, staff, direct,
and control each major activity and function of a small
business concern;
``(C) marketing assistance, including counseling
and training on how to--
``(i) identify and segment domestic and
international market opportunities;
``(ii) prepare and execute marketing plans;
``(iii) develop pricing strategies;
``(iv) locate contract opportunities;
``(v) negotiate contracts; and
``(vi) use various public relations and
advertising techniques; and
``(D) other services, as needed, in order to meet
the changing and evolving needs of the small business
community.
``(3) Types of grants.--
``(A) Initial grant.--The amount of an initial
grant, which shall be for a 5-year term, provided under
this section to an eligible entity shall be not more
than $300,000 annually (as that amount is annually
adjusted by the Administrator to reflect the change in
inflation).
``(B) Continuation grants.--
``(i) In general.--The Administrator may
award a continuation grant, which shall be for
a 5-year term, of not more than $300,000
annually (as that amount is annually adjusted
by the Administrator to reflect the change in
inflation) to an eligible entity that received
an initial grant under subparagraph (A).
``(ii) No limitation.--There shall be no
limitation on the number of continuation grants
an eligible entity may receive under this
section.
``(c) Application.--
``(1) Initial grants and continuation grants.--To receive
an initial grant or continuation grant under this section, an
eligible entity shall submit an application to the
Administrator in such form, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Administrator may require, including--
``(A) a certification that the eligible entity--
``(i) has designated an executive director
or program manager, who may be compensated
using grant funds awarded under this section or
other sources, to manage each women's business
center for which a grant under subsection (b)
is sought; and
``(ii) meets accounting and reporting
requirements established by the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget;
``(B) information demonstrating the experience and
effectiveness of the eligible entity in--
``(i) providing entrepreneurial counseling
and training described in subsection (b)(2);
``(ii) providing training and services to a
representative number of women who are both
socially and economically disadvantaged; and
``(iii) working with resource partners,
offices of the Administration, and other public
and private entities engaging in
entrepreneurial and small business development;
and
``(C) a 5-year plan that--
``(i) includes information relating to the
assistance to be provided by each women's
business center in the area in which each
center is located;
``(ii) describes the ability of the
eligible entity to meet the needs of the market
to be served by each women's business center;
``(iii) describes the ability of the
eligible entity to obtain the matching funds
required under subsection (e); and
``(iv) describes the ability of the
eligible entity to provide entrepreneurial
counseling and training described in subsection
(b)(2), including to a representative number of
women who are both socially and economically
disadvantaged.
``(2) Record retention.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall maintain
a copy of each application submitted under this
subsection for not less than 5 years.
``(B) Paperwork reduction.--The Administrator shall
take steps to reduce, to the maximum extent
practicable, the paperwork burden associated with
carrying out subparagraph (A).
``(d) Selection of Eligible Entities.--
``(1) In general.--In selecting recipients of initial
grants, the Administrator shall consider--
``(A) the experience of the applicant in providing
entrepreneurial counseling and training;
``(B) the amount of time needed for the applicant
to commence operation of a women's business center;
``(C) the capacity of the applicant to meet the
accreditation standards established under subsection
(j)(4) in a timely manner and the likelihood that the
recipient will become accredited;
``(D) the ability of the applicant to sustain
operations, including the applicant's ability to obtain
matching funds under subsection (e), for a 5-year
period;
``(E) the proposed location of a women's business
center to be operated by the applicant and the
location's proximity to Veteran Business Outreach
Centers and to recipients of grants under section
8(b)(1) or 21;
``(F) the counsel of a Women's Business Center
Organization or another relevant organization on the
level of unmet need in the area where the women's
business center is to be located; and
``(G) whether the applicant has received trainings
conducted by, utilized services provided by, or engaged
with a Women's Business Center Organization or another
relevant organization in the preparation of the
application.
``(2) Selection criteria.--
``(A) Rulemaking.--The Administrator shall issue
regulations to specify the criteria for review and
selection of applicants under this subsection.
``(B) Effect of regulations at time of
application.--Unless otherwise required by an Act of
Congress or an order of a Federal court, any
application for an opportunity to award a grant under
this section shall be governed by the regulations
issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) that are in effect
at the time of the public announcement of such
opportunity made by the Administrator pursuant to
subsection (k)(1).
``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this
paragraph may be construed as prohibiting the
Administrator from modifying the regulations issued
pursuant to subparagraph (A) as the regulations apply
to an opportunity to be awarded a grant under this
section that the Administrator has not yet publicly
announced pursuant to subsection (k)(1).
``(e) Matching Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (5), upon approval
of an application submitted under subsection (c), the eligible
entity shall agree to obtain contributions from non-Federal
sources--
``(A) in the first and second year of the term of
an initial grant, if applicable, 1 non-Federal dollar
for every 2 Federal dollars; and
``(B) in each subsequent year of the term of an
initial grant, if applicable, or for the term of a
continuation grant, 1 non-Federal dollar for each
Federal dollar.
``(2) Form of matching funds.--Not more than one-half of
non-Federal matching funds described in paragraph (1) may be in
the form of in-kind contributions that are budget line items
only, including office equipment and office space.
``(3) Solicitation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, an eligible entity may--
``(A) solicit cash and in-kind contributions from
private individuals and entities to be used to operate
a women's business center; and
``(B) use amounts made available by the
Administrator under this section for the cost of
solicitation and management of the contributions
received, subject to the limitations set by the
Administrator.
``(4) Disbursement of funds.--The Administrator may
disburse an amount not greater than 25 percent of the total
amount of a grant awarded to an eligible entity before the
eligible entity obtains the matching funds described in
paragraph (1).
``(5) Failure to obtain matching funds.--
``(A) In general.--If an eligible entity fails to
obtain the required matching funds described in
paragraph (1), the eligible entity may not be eligible
to receive advance disbursements pursuant to paragraph
(4) during the remainder of the term, if applicable, of
an initial grant awarded under this section.
``(B) Continuation grant.--Before approving the
eligible entity for a continuation grant under this
section, the Administrator shall make a written
determination, including the reasons for the
determination, of whether the Administrator believes
that the eligible entity will be able to obtain the
requisite matching funding under paragraph (1) for the
continuation grant.
``(6) Waiver of non-federal share.--
``(A) In general.--Upon request by an eligible
entity and in accordance with this paragraph, the
Administrator may waive, in whole or in part, the
requirement to obtain matching funds under paragraph
(1) for a grant awarded under this section for the
eligible entity for a 1-year term of the grant.
``(B) Considerations.--In determining whether to
issue a waiver under this paragraph, the Administrator
shall consider--
``(i) the economic conditions affecting the
eligible entity;
``(ii) the demonstrated ability of the
eligible entity to raise non-Federal funds; and
``(iii) the performance of the eligible
entity under the initial grant.
``(C) Limitation.--The Administrator may not issue
a waiver under this paragraph if the Administrator
determines that granting the waiver would undermine the
credibility of the Women's Business Center Program.
``(7) Excess non-federal dollars.--The amount of non-
Federal dollars obtained by an eligible entity that is greater
than the amount that is required to be obtained by the eligible
entity under this subsection shall not be subject to the
requirements of part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor thereto, if the amount of non-
Federal dollars--
``(A) is not used as matching funds for purposes of
implementing the Women's Business Center Program; and
``(B) was not obtained by using funds granted under
the Women's Business Center Program.
``(8) Carryover.--An eligible entity may use excess non-
Federal dollars described in paragraph (7) to satisfy the
matching funds requirement under paragraph (1) for the
subsequent 1-year grant term, if applicable, except that the
amounts shall be subject to the requirements of part 200 of
title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto.
``(f) Other Requirements.--
``(1) Separation of funds.--An eligible entity shall--
``(A) operate a women's business center under this
section separately from other projects, if any, of the
eligible entity; and
``(B) separately maintain and account for any grant
funds received under this section.
``(2) Examination of eligible entities.--
``(A) Required site visit.--Before receiving an
initial grant under this section, each applicant shall
have a site visit by an employee of the Administration
in order to ensure that the applicant has sufficient
resources to provide the services for which the grant
is being provided.
``(B) Annual review.--An employee of the
Administration shall--
``(i) conduct an annual programmatic and
financial examination of each eligible entity,
as described in subsection (g); and
``(ii) provide the results of the
examination to the eligible entity.
``(3) Remediation of problems.--
``(A) Plan of action.--If an examination of an
eligible entity conducted under paragraph (2)(B)
identifies any problems, the eligible entity shall, not
later than 45 calendar days after receiving a copy of
the results of the examination, provide the Assistant
Administrator with a plan of action, including specific
milestones, for correcting those problems.
``(B) Plan of action review by the assistant
administrator.--Not later than 30 days after receipt of
the plan of action, the Assistant Administrator shall
review the plan of action submitted under subparagraph
(A), and if the Assistant Administrator determines that
the plan--
``(i) will bring the eligible entity into
compliance with all the terms of a cooperative
agreement described in subsection (b), the
Assistant Administrator shall approve the plan;
or
``(ii) is inadequate to remedy the problems
identified in the annual examination to which
the plan of action relates, the Assistant
Administrator shall set forth the reasons in
writing and provide the determination to the
eligible entity not later than 15 calendar days
after the date of determination.
``(C) Amendment to plan of action.--An eligible
entity receiving a determination under subparagraph
(B)(ii) shall have 30 calendar days from the receipt of
the determination to amend the plan of action to
satisfy the problems identified by the Assistant
Administrator and resubmit the plan to the Assistant
Administrator.
``(D) Amended plan review by the assistant
administrator.--Not later than 15 calendar days after
receipt of an amended plan of action under subparagraph
(C), the Assistant Administrator shall approve or
reject the plan and provide the approval or rejection
in writing to the eligible entity.
``(E) Appeal of assistant administrator
determination.--
``(i) In general.--If the Assistant
Administrator rejects an amended plan of action
under subparagraph (D), the eligible entity
shall have the opportunity to appeal the
decision to the Administrator, who may delegate
the appeal to an appropriate officer of the
Administration.
``(ii) Opportunity for explanation.--Any
appeal described in clause (i) shall provide an
opportunity for the eligible entity to provide,
in writing, an explanation of why the amended
plan of action of the eligible entity remedies
the problems identified in the annual
examination conducted under paragraph (2)(B).
``(iii) Notice of determination.--The
Administrator shall provide to the eligible
entity a determination of the appeal, in
writing, not later than 15 calendar days after
the eligible entity files an appeal under this
subparagraph.
``(iv) Effect of failure to act.--If the
Administrator fails to act on an appeal made
under this subparagraph within the 15-day
period specified under clause (iii), the
amended plan of action of the eligible entity
submitted under subparagraph (C) shall be
deemed to be approved.
``(4) Termination of grant.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall
terminate a grant to an eligible entity under this
section if the eligible entity fails to comply with--
``(i) a plan of action approved by the
Assistant Administrator under paragraph
(3)(B)(i); or
``(ii) an amended plan of action approved
by the Assistant Administrator under paragraph
(3)(D) or approved on appeal under paragraph
(3)(E).
``(B) Appeal of termination.--An eligible entity
shall have the opportunity to challenge the termination
of a grant under subparagraph (A) on the record and
after an opportunity for a hearing.
``(C) Final agency action.--A determination made
pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be considered final
agency action for the purposes of chapter 7 of title 5,
United States Code.
``(5) Engagement with majority women's business center
organization, women's business centers, and other relevant
organizations.--If, on the date of enactment of the Women's
Business Centers Improvement Act of 2022, a majority of women's
business centers that are operating pursuant to agreements with
the Administration are members of an individual Women's
Business Center Organization, the Administrator shall--
``(A) recognize the existence and activities of the
Organization; and
``(B) consult with the Organization, and to the
extent practicable, women's business centers and other
relevant organizations, on the development of documents
with respect to--
``(i) announcing the annual scope of
activities pursuant to this section;
``(ii) requesting proposals to deliver
assistance as provided in this section; and
``(iii) the governance, general operations,
and administration of the Women's Business
Center Program, including general best
practices in the operation of that Program and
the development of regulations and financial
examinations under that Program.
``(6) Enforcement.--
``(A) Grants.--The Assistant Administrator shall
develop policies and procedures to minimize the
possibility of awarding a grant to an eligible entity
that will operate a women's business center that likely
will not remain in compliance with program and
financial requirements.
``(B) Individual cooperative agreements.--The
Assistant Administrator shall enforce the terms of any
individual cooperative agreement described in paragraph
(5)(B)(iii).
``(g) Program Examination.--
``(1) In general.--The Administration shall--
``(A) develop and implement an annual programmatic
and financial examination of each eligible entity
receiving a grant under this section, under which each
eligible entity shall provide to the Administration--
``(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual
expenditures for costs incurred during the
preceding year; and
``(ii) documentation regarding the amount
of matching assistance from non-Federal sources
obtained and expended by the eligible entity
during the preceding year in order to meet the
requirements of subsection (e) and, with
respect to any in-kind contributions described
in subsection (e)(2) that were used to satisfy
the requirements of subsection (e),
verification of the existence and valuation of
those contributions; and
``(B) analyze the results of each examination and,
based on that analysis, make a determination regarding
the programmatic and financial viability of each
women's business center operated by the eligible
entity.
``(2) Conditions for continued funding.--In determining
whether to award a continuation grant to an eligible entity,
the Administrator shall--
``(A) consider the results of the most recent
examination of the eligible entity under paragraph (1);
``(B) determine if--
``(i) the eligible entity has failed to
provide, or provided inadequate, information
under paragraph (1)(A); or
``(ii) the eligible entity has failed to
provide any information required to be provided
by a women's business center for purposes of
the management report under subsection (l)(1),
or the information provided by the center is
inadequate; and
``(C) consider the accreditation status as
described in subsection (j)(4).
``(h) Contract Authority.--
``(1) Eligible entity.--An eligible entity that receives a
grant under this section may enter into a contract with a
Federal department or agency to provide specific assistance to
small business concerns owned and controlled by women and other
underserved small business concerns, if performance of that
contract does not hinder the ability of the eligible entity to
carry out the terms of a grant received under this section.
``(2) Administrator.--
``(A) In general.--The authority of the
Administrator to enter into contracts shall be in
effect for each fiscal year only to the extent and in
the amounts as are provided in advance in
appropriations Acts.
``(B) Adverse contract action.--After the
Administrator has entered into a contract, either as a
grant or a cooperative agreement, with any applicant
under this section, the Administrator shall not
suspend, terminate, or fail to renew or extend the
contract unless the Administrator provides the
applicant with written notification setting forth the
reasons therefore and affords the applicant an
opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or other
administrative proceeding under chapter 5 of title 5,
United States Code.
``(i) Privacy Requirements.--
``(1) In general.--A women's business center may not
disclose the name, address, email address, or telephone number
of any individual or small business concern receiving
assistance under this section without the consent of that
individual or small business concern, unless--
``(A) the Administrator orders the disclosure after
the Administrator is ordered to make a disclosure by a
court in any civil or criminal enforcement action
initiated by a Federal or State agency; or
``(B) the Administrator considers a disclosure to
be necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial
audit of a women's business center, except that the
disclosure shall be limited to the information
necessary for the audit.
``(2) Administration use of information.--This subsection
shall not--
``(A) restrict the access of the Administration to
women's business center data; or
``(B) prevent the Administration from using
information about individuals who use women's business
centers to conduct surveys of those individuals.
``(3) Regulations.--The Administrator shall issue
regulations to establish standards for disclosures for purposes
of a financial audit described in paragraph (1)(B).
``(j) Office of Women's Business Ownership.--
``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the
Administration an Office of Women's Business Ownership, which
shall be--
``(A) responsible for the administration of the
Administration's programs for the development of
women's business enterprises, as defined in section 408
of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15
U.S.C. 7108); and
``(B) administered by an Assistant Administrator,
who shall be appointed by the Administrator.
``(2) Assistant administrator of the office of women's
business ownership.--
``(A) Qualification.--The position of Assistant
Administrator shall be--
``(i) a Senior Executive Service position
under section 3132(a)(2) of title 5, United
States Code; and
``(ii) a noncareer appointee, as defined in
section 3132(a)(7) of that title.
``(B) Duties.--The Assistant Administrator shall
administer the programs and services of the Office of
Women's Business Ownership and perform the following
functions:
``(i) Recommend the annual administrative
and program budgets of the Office and eligible
entities receiving a grant under the Women's
Business Center Program.
``(ii) Review the annual budgets submitted
by each eligible entity receiving a grant under
the Women's Business Center Program.
``(iii) Collaborate with other Federal
departments and agencies, State and local
governments, nonprofit organizations, and for-
profit organizations to maximize utilization of
taxpayer dollars and reduce or eliminate any
duplication among the programs overseen by the
Office of Women's Business Ownership and those
of other entities that provide similar services
to women entrepreneurs.
``(iv) Maintain a clearinghouse to provide
for the dissemination and exchange of
information between women's business centers.
``(v) Serve as the vice chairperson of the
Interagency Committee on Women's Business
Enterprise and as the liaison for the National
Women's Business Council.
``(3) Mission.--The mission of the Office of Women's
Business Ownership shall be to assist women entrepreneurs to
start, grow, and compete in global markets by providing quality
support with access to capital, access to markets, job
creation, growth, and counseling by--
``(A) fostering participation of women
entrepreneurs in the economy by overseeing a network of
women's business centers throughout States and
territories;
``(B) creating public-private partnerships to
support women entrepreneurs and conduct outreach and
education to small business concerns owned and
controlled by women; and
``(C) working with other programs of the
Administrator to--
``(i) ensure women are well-represented in
those programs and being served by those
programs; and
``(ii) identify gaps where participation by
women in those programs could be increased.
``(4) Accreditation program.--
``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 270 days after
the date of enactment of the Women's Business Centers
Improvement Act of 2022, the Administrator shall
publish standards for a program to accredit eligible
entities that receive a grant under this section.
``(B) Public comment; transition.--Before
publishing the standards under subparagraph (A), the
Administrator--
``(i) shall provide a period of not less
than 60 days for public comment on the
standards; and
``(ii) may not terminate a grant under this
section absent evidence of fraud or other
criminal misconduct by the recipient.
``(C) Contracting authority.--The Administrator may
provide financial support, by contract or otherwise, to
a Women's Business Center Organization to provide
assistance in establishing the standards required under
subparagraph (A) or for carrying out an accreditation
program pursuant to those standards.
``(5) Continuation grant considerations.--
``(A) In general.--In determining whether to award
a continuation grant under this section, the
Administrator shall consider the results of the annual
programmatic and financial examination conducted under
subsection (g) and the accreditation program.
``(B) Accreditation requirement.--On and after the
date that is 2 years after the date of enactment of the
Women's Business Centers Improvement Act of 2022, the
Administration may not award a continuation grant under
this section unless the applicable eligible entity has
been approved under the accreditation program conducted
pursuant to this subsection, except that the Assistant
Administrator for the Office of Women's Business
Ownership may waive the accreditation requirement, in
the discretion of the Assistant Administrator, upon a
showing that the eligible entity is making a good faith
effort to obtain accreditation.
``(6) Annual conference.--
``(A) In general.--Each women's business center
shall participate in annual professional development at
an annual conference facilitated by the Administrator.
``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator shall
collaborate with 1 or more Women's Business Center
Organizations, women's business centers, or other
relevant organizations in carrying out the
responsibilities of the Administrator under
subparagraph (A).
``(k) Notification Requirements Under the Women's Business Center
Program.--The Administrator shall provide the following:
``(1) A public announcement of any opportunity to be
awarded grants under this section, to include the selection
criteria under subsection (d) and any applicable regulations.
``(2) To any applicant for a grant under this section that
failed to obtain a grant, an opportunity to debrief with the
Administrator to review the reasons for the failure of the
applicant.
``(3) To an eligible entity that receives an initial grant
under this section, if a site visit or review of the eligible
entity is carried out by an officer or employee of the
Administration (other than the Inspector General), a copy of
the site visit report or evaluation, as applicable, not later
than 30 calendar days after the completion of the visit or
evaluation.
``(l) Annual Management Report.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator shall prepare and
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 on the effectiveness of
women's business centers operated through a grant awarded under
this section.
``(2) Information for report.--Each women's business center
shall, annually and upon request, provide the Administrator
with sufficient information to complete the report required
under paragraph (1), including the information described in
paragraph (3).
``(3) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1)
shall summarize--
``(A) information concerning, with respect to each
women's business center established pursuant to a grant
awarded under this section, the most recent analysis of
the annual programmatic and financial examination of
the applicable eligible entity, as required under
subsection (g)(1)(B), and the subsequent determination
made by the Administration under that subsection;
``(B) the total number of individuals and the
number of unique individuals counseled or trained
through the Women's Business Center Program;
``(C) the total number of hours of counseling and
training services provided through the Program;
``(D) to the extent practicable, the demographics
of Program participants to include the gender, race,
ethnicity, and age of each participant;
``(E) the number of Program participants who are
veterans;
``(F) the number of new businesses started by
participants in the Program;
``(G) to the extent practicable, the number of jobs
supported, created, or retained with assistance from
women's business centers;
``(H) the total amount of capital secured by
participants in the Program, including through loans
and equity investment of the Administration;
``(I) the number of participants in the Program
receiving financial assistance, including the type and
dollar amount, under a loan program of the
Administration;
``(J) an estimate of gross receipts, including to
the extent practicable a description of any change in
revenue of small business concerns assisted through the
Program;
``(K) the number of referrals of individuals to
other resources and programs of the Administration;
``(L) the results of satisfaction surveys of
participants, including a summary of any comments
received from those participants; and
``(M) any recommendations by the Administrator to
improve the delivery of services by women's business
centers.
``(m) Authorization of Appropriations.--
``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated
to the Administration to carry out this section, to remain
available until expended, $31,500,000 for each of fiscal years
2023 through 2026.
``(2) Use of amounts.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), amounts made available under this
subsection for fiscal year 2023, and each fiscal year
thereafter, may only be used for grant awards and may
not be used for costs incurred by the Administration in
connection with the management and administration of
the program under this section.
``(B) Exceptions.--Of the amount made available
under this subsection for a fiscal year, for the fiscal
year beginning after the date of enactment of the
Women's Business Centers Improvement Act of 2022 and
each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 2026,
2.6 percent shall be available for costs incurred by
the Administration in connection with the management
and administration of the program under this section.
``(C) Accreditation and annual conference.--Of the
amounts made available in any fiscal year to carry out
this section, not more than $250,000 may be used by the
Administration to pay for expenses related to carrying
out paragraphs (4) and (6) of subsection (j).
``(3) Expedited acquisition.--Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the Administrator may use expedited
acquisition methods as the Administrator determines to be
appropriate to carry out this section, except that the
Administrator shall ensure that all small business concerns are
provided a reasonable opportunity to submit proposals.''.
SEC. 3. EFFECT ON EXISTING GRANTS.
(a) Terms and Conditions.--A nonprofit organization receiving a
grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)),
as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, shall
continue to receive the grant under the terms and conditions in effect
for the grant on the day before the date of enactment of this Act,
except that the nonprofit organization may not apply for a continuation
of the grant under section 29(m)(5) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 656(m)(5)), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment
of this Act.
(b) Length of Continuation Grant.--The Administrator of the Small
Business Administration may award a grant under section 29 of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656), as amended by this Act, to a nonprofit
organization receiving a grant under section (m) of such section 29, as
in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, for the
period--
(1) beginning on the day after the last day of the grant
agreement under such section 29(m); and
(2) ending at the end of the third fiscal year beginning
after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 4. REGULATIONS.
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Administrator of Small Business Administration shall issue rules as
are necessary to carry out section 29 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 656), as amended by this Act, and ensure that a period of public
comment for those rules is not less than 60 days.
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