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<dc:title>118 HR 832 IH: Giving Disadvantaged Businesses Opportunities for Success Act</dc:title>
<dc:publisher>U.S. House of Representatives</dc:publisher>
<dc:date>2023-02-06</dc:date>
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<dc:language>EN</dc:language>
<dc:rights>Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.</dc:rights>
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<distribution-code display="yes">I</distribution-code> 
<congress display="yes">118th CONGRESS</congress><session display="yes">1st Session</session> 
<legis-num display="yes">H. R. 832</legis-num> 
<current-chamber>IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES</current-chamber> 
<action display="yes"> 
<action-date date="20230206">February 6, 2023</action-date> 
<action-desc><sponsor name-id="G000586">Mr. García of Illinois</sponsor> (for himself and <cosponsor name-id="J000288">Mr. Johnson of Georgia</cosponsor>) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the <committee-name committee-id="HPW00">Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure</committee-name>, and in addition to the Committee on <committee-name committee-id="HSM00">Small Business</committee-name>, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned</action-desc> 
</action> 
<legis-type>A BILL</legis-type> 
<official-title display="yes">To amend title 49, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Transportation to strengthen and advance certain disadvantaged businesses, and for other purposes.</official-title> 
</form> 
<legis-body id="H024FB6C200614C3385FAE39AC0BEE903" style="OLC"> 
<section id="HB5341E5908694562AAFBB813B1BE3BFF" section-type="section-one"><enum>1.</enum><header>Short title</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">This Act may be cited as the <quote><short-title>Giving Disadvantaged Businesses Opportunities for Success Act</short-title></quote>.</text></section> <section id="HC5A5412E357742E8BE086787D74D0BF4"><enum>2.</enum><header>Table of contents</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The table of contents for this Act is as follows:</text> 
<toc container-level="legis-body-container" quoted-block="no-quoted-block" lowest-level="section" regeneration="yes-regeneration" lowest-bolded-level="division-lowest-bolded"> 
<toc-entry idref="HB5341E5908694562AAFBB813B1BE3BFF" level="section">Sec. 1. Short title.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="HC5A5412E357742E8BE086787D74D0BF4" level="section">Sec. 2. Table of contents.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="H0E2DDBC76F994D68BDB4506C5DBD562B" level="section">Sec. 3. Congressional findings on the importance of disadvantaged businesses.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="HFA2F163ABFC8471AB77BCCAC3E508872" level="section">Sec. 4. Definitions.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="H5EF6CB62E6D7401086C10041F8357D14" level="section">Sec. 5. Severability.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="HFB9577DB9737477D917CB94603C4DC65" level="section">Sec. 6. Inflation adjustment to Department of Transportation net worth caps.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="H7E7657C9D8ED4F7DAC6118D0A015A920" level="section">Sec. 7. Update to Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE size standards.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="H5AE4DD59CB0D44FF8373EDE4251DED4C" level="section">Sec. 8. Definition of assets under Department of Transportation personal net worth test.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="HB07059E65A484C78A54E746BA19A0E80" level="section">Sec. 9. Additional funding for Department of Transportation Minority Resource Center.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="H33E44961F3E44341B67A3A3D4CB519A5" level="section">Sec. 10. Improvements to Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE mentor-protégé programs.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="H027616DF68BB4437B91D2117A9567D77" level="section">Sec. 11. Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE certification universal recognition.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="H123D46303F404005925993202F702D3E" level="section">Sec. 12. Incentives for excellence in Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs and ACDBE programs.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="H69B3E243F6E940F48A05384B1B9C5E66" level="section">Sec. 13. Reporting requirements and standards for waivers and exemptions.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry idref="HB53751195D0042EE94BFA8BCC79992FD" level="section">Sec. 14. Advisory committee on disadvantaged business enterprises and ACDBEs.</toc-entry> 
<toc-entry level="section">Sec. 15. Definition of assets under the Small Business Act.</toc-entry></toc></section> 
<section id="H0E2DDBC76F994D68BDB4506C5DBD562B"><enum>3.</enum><header>Congressional findings on the importance of disadvantaged businesses</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Congress finds the following:</text> <paragraph id="HDA54CB5159BA4B7195649916E8FA996B"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">While significant progress has occurred due to the establishment of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program of the Department of Transportation under section 11101(e) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/117/58">Public Law 117–58</external-xref>), the ACDBE program of the Department of Transportation under part 23 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, and the Section 8(a) Business Development Program of the Small Business Administration (established under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/637">15 U.S.C. 637</external-xref>)), discrimination and related barriers continue to pose significant obstacles for minority- and women-owned businesses seeking to do business in federally assisted transportation markets across the United States and through procurement contracts of Federal agencies.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H7704A84E1CF9419C90807C86B95F6ED9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The continuing barriers described in paragraph (1) merit the continuation of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, the ACDBE program, and the Section 8(a) Business Development Program.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HB55035CE646443958750FE86BB0C796A"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Congress has received and reviewed testimony and documentation of race and gender discrimination from numerous sources, including congressional hearings and roundtables, scientific reports, reports issued by public and private agencies, news stories, reports of discrimination by organizations and individuals, and discrimination lawsuits, which show that race- and gender-neutral efforts alone are insufficient to address the problem.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HFC4D8C026AC74293BE7781C93DFCD13B"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Some examples of the sources described in paragraph (3) include the following:</text> <subparagraph id="H972DF1EABFB14158A7BE9EAE1D6AC3CD"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The hearing of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives held on September 23, 2020, titled <quote>Driving Equity: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program</quote>.</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="H99DEFA5F692F488A8B28CF15E4E764EB"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The hearing of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure of the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives held on March 2, 2022, titled <quote>The 8(a) Program: Overview and Next Steps to Promote Small Business Success</quote>.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HF59B85BC65E8432990C4CEDEFA4D8D81"><enum>(C)</enum><text>The 2017 Disparity Study of the Illinois Department of Transportation.</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="H05B09F2123DD4DAEB2ED76EEBCAC24A9"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The 2018 Disparity Study of the City of Denver.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H824D8B12FA1F4D0A9CC61E3D94ECBA5A"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The testimony and documentation described in paragraphs (3) and (4) demonstrate that discrimination across the United States poses a barrier to full and fair participation of women business owners and minority business owners in federally assisted transportation markets and through procurement contracts of Federal agencies and has impacted the development of such businesses.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HE5983503F5944B53BB3E1E04AC5A38DC"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The testimony and documentation described in paragraphs (3) and (4) provide a strong basis that there is a compelling need for the continuation of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, the ACDBE program, and the Section 8(a) Business Development Program to address race and gender discrimination in federally assisted transportation markets and through procurement contracts of Federal agencies.</text></paragraph></section> <section id="HFA2F163ABFC8471AB77BCCAC3E508872" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>4.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this Act:</text> 
<paragraph id="H7E4BA65CCD4F40E89798DDF020247AB7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Administrator</header><text>The term <term>Administrator</term> means the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H918C39486D2644B3ABB4431655F9B322" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise</header><text>The terms <term>Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE)</term> and <term>ACDBE</term> have the meaning given the term <term>Airport Concession Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (ACDBE)</term> in part 23.3 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. </text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H86485E1983AC4D419C731E668528199C"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Concerned operating administration</header><text>The term <term>concerned operating administration</term> has the meaning given such term in part 26.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H71BEA38AB6C64D6CB866EBF5ADA7160E"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Disadvantaged Business Enterprise</header><text>The term <term>Disadvantaged Business Enterprise</term> has the meaning given such term in part 26.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HD317AE55D3D6463DA3FE27A364A32A0D"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Committee</header><text>The term <term>Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Committee</term> means the committee established in section 109 of this Act. </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5FA5BD6555024C6FB4466D15AFA79B08"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Prime contractor</header><text>The term <term>prime contractor</term> has the meaning given such term in section 8701 of title 41, United States Code.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HDD67F730782646FAB9A12B9879D8333E"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Recipient</header><text>The term <term>recipient</term> has the meaning given such term in parts 23.3 and 26.5 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCCB0B06C7EAC474594A3EBFD890D581C"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Secretary</header><text>The term <term>Secretary</term> means the Secretary of Transportation.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HEAF28F6828BF474284CE667513B64B84"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Small business development center</header><text>The term <term>small business development center</term> has the meaning given such term in section 3 of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/632">15 U.S.C. 632</external-xref>).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE02DCB1722E140F3B5C471E941ABC3C3" commented="no"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Small business transportation resource center</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>small business transportation resource center</term> means an entity funded by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the Department of Transportation that provides an array of technical assistance to build the capacity of small disadvantaged transportation businesses.</text></paragraph></section> 
<section id="H5EF6CB62E6D7401086C10041F8357D14" commented="no"><enum>5.</enum><header>Severability</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">If any provision of this Act, an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and the application of such remainder to any person or circumstance shall not be affected.</text></section> <section id="HFB9577DB9737477D917CB94603C4DC65" commented="no"><enum>6.</enum><header>Inflation adjustment to Department of Transportation net worth caps</header> <subsection id="H4F8ED47F464E4B89AAFAB268D573B2FB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue such regulations as are necessary to increase the personal net worth cap contained in parts 23 and 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to account for any inflation that has occurred since the net worth cap under such parts was increased in the rule submitted by the Department of Transportation issued on January 28, 2011, titled <quote>Disadvantaged Business Enterprise: Program Improvements</quote> (76 Fed. Reg. 5083).</text></subsection> 
<subsection id="HBC580B41259149AABFFA3638018F3DAA"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Parameters</header><text>In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary shall—</text> <paragraph id="HDBCF5C7B0D464FAF99DDDA71C1F81489"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">use the consumer price index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics as the inflation metric; and</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HA4FA4B0A7835409897D9C773AF9637AA"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">account for any inflation that occurred in the time period between the final effective date of the rule submitted by the Department of Transportation issued on January 28, 2011, titled <quote>Disadvantaged Business Enterprise: Program Improvements</quote> (76 Fed. Reg. 5083) and the final effective date of any rule issued pursuant to subsection (a). </text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H01132F4E789348BA9C4D97C8FFD27801" commented="no"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Additional inflation adjustments</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of Transportation shall issue such regulations as are necessary to update parts 23 and 26 of title 49, United States Code, to establish an interval in accordance with this section to make additional adjustments, after the adjustment under subsection (a), to the net worth caps for determining social and economic disadvantage for inflation.</text></subsection> 
<subsection id="HD964406BD662431A9EC43E0BA5D4213F" display-inline="no-display-inline"><enum>(d)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall update part 124 of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, with respect to the maximum net worth of an individual claiming economic disadvantage to be equal to the net worth cap established by the Secretary of Transportation under section 6.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H578EE033DE1148CF8B90A12F080BF635"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Adjustment</header> <paragraph id="HA728AC3483AA443AA3816541322CEDCE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Interval</header><text>On the first January 1 that is 2 years after the date on which the Administrator makes the update described in subsection (d), and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall adjust the maximum net worth described in subsection (d) for inflation using a metric developed by the Administrator.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HB5EFDABB20E742BFAB2C422D7262AAEF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Metric</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In developing the metric described in paragraph (1) to account for inflation, the Administrator shall—</text> <subparagraph id="H3C4BA9F9F9294D079B05BAD25F0C5213"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consider using the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in such metric;</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="H4C1506708DAA4EB395C2821BD2293421"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">solicit and consider the recommendations of the Secretary of Transportation; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6B670F5BC05D49FCA02141A145F83CBB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>solicit and consider public comment on the appropriate metric to use and whether such metric should take into account regional variations in maximum net worth.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HBEDA346BEDAF4A6BBF0CF70356832FEB"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Final rule on inflation metric</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the Administrator solicits public comment pursuant to paragraph (2), the Administrator shall issue a final rule describing the metric developed under this paragraph. </text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HA0E445E7C7324483BA432DBF17163C32" commented="no"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Interval</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The interval for adjusting the net worth caps described in subsection (c) shall be the same annual interval that the Administrator adjusts the net worth caps for the Small Business Administration under subsection (e).</text></subsection> 
<subsection id="H817091CD2B334B82BC1A76112F8C22DC" commented="no"><enum>(g)</enum><header>First additional adjustment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The first additional inflation adjustment under subsection (c) shall occur at the same time the Administrator carries out the first adjustment under subsection (e).</text></subsection> <subsection id="HC1D585DD7CDA480C866CF8B8754931ED" commented="no"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Metric</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall use the same inflation metric under subsection (c) that the Administrator chooses under subsection (e).</text></subsection></section> 
<section id="H7E7657C9D8ED4F7DAC6118D0A015A920" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section" commented="no"><enum>7.</enum><header>Update to Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE size standards</header> 
<subsection id="HE62B924009784795B6BD7832BDD01853" commented="no"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Highways and transit small business concern definition</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 11101(e)(2)(A) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/117/58">Public Law 117–58</external-xref>) is amended to read as follows: </text> <quoted-block style="OLC" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H4BE48CB565E343DA8C0B163325A46FA7"> <subparagraph id="H69C11EF96EB8485EA219657629327487" commented="no"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Small business concern</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>small business concern</term> has the meaning given the term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/632">15 U.S.C. 632</external-xref>).</text></subparagraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> 
<subsection id="H7CB4A2992F63495EB7912FC660AE0214" commented="no"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Aviation small business concern definition</header><text>Section 47113(a)(1) of title 49, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:</text> <quoted-block style="OLC" id="H6E8509FF5FE3425889001D7B862F9609"> <paragraph id="H8D871D871EF44FB6BB98F8E9CD5AFF01" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text><quote>small business concern</quote> has the meaning given the term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/632">15 U.S.C. 632</external-xref>);</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subsection> 
<subsection id="H75D34DDF2D8646768149E42640E50EE0" commented="no"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue or amend such rules as are necessary to carry out the amendment made by this section.</text></subsection></section> <section id="H5AE4DD59CB0D44FF8373EDE4251DED4C"><enum>8.</enum><header>Definition of assets under Department of Transportation personal net worth test</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall issue such regulations as are necessary to update the assets excluded in the personal net worth test contained in parts 23.3 and 26.67 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to match the assets excluded in the computation of net worth under section 8(a)(6)(E) of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/637">15 U.S.C. 637(a)(6)(E)</external-xref>), as amended by section 15.</text></section> 
<section id="HB07059E65A484C78A54E746BA19A0E80"><enum>9.</enum><header>Additional funding for Department of Transportation Minority Resource Center</header> 
<subsection id="H13C38B9F925F4F349A598E29CAE0DC9A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Improvements to Minority Resource Center</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 332 of title 49, United States Code, is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H02690C8860B14895AA4531320CE145C8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in subsection (b)—</text> 
<subparagraph id="H13E9A87665C64F9BABED1AA819A31DF9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>in paragraph (6) by striking <quote>and</quote> at the end;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H3ED4CAAE3B3A4C588C6FC58E4BEA24F5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by redesignating paragraph (7) as paragraph (8); and</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="HBF0AACC17D9E4EA6A97652C80C304FC0"><enum>(C)</enum><text>by inserting after paragraph (6) the following: </text> <quoted-block style="USC" id="H033D483EBC3E4B2CA5BD6ACC7D1B5D0C" display-inline="no-display-inline"> <paragraph id="H460D48126DFF46DAAC6018FCAF87326D"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish a goal of having a small business transportation resource center in every State; and</text></paragraph><after-quoted-block>; and </after-quoted-block></quoted-block></subparagraph></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H3532C1335E144F18A312D742B98C2202" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">in subsection (e)(2) by striking <quote>such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2005 through 2009</quote> and inserting <quote>$25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028</quote>.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H75F7D7E0B39247E1A8B5B331AF51F786"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Use of funding</header><text>The Secretary shall use any additional funding appropriated under section 332 of title 49, United States Code, to—</text> 
<paragraph id="H77A672AAEEC74137AE0862F041C09124"><enum>(1)</enum><text>establish additional small business transportation resource centers with the goal of having 1 in each State; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H4AA9D79FD46644DBA7972DBE5375924F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>provide additional funding to existing small business transportation resource centers to augment the activities of the center so the center can reach more disadvantaged businesses.</text></paragraph></subsection></section> 
<section id="H33E44961F3E44341B67A3A3D4CB519A5" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>10.</enum><header>Improvements to Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE mentor-protégé programs</header> 
<subsection id="HA5933C03AEA44F7EB4728A0F62A86694"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to update parts 23 and 26.35 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor regulation) to require covered large recipients with Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs or ACDBE programs to have a mentor-protégé program.</text></subsection> <subsection id="H27E2ACAD03FE4F41B6557B514D31D5FB"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Quality control standards</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue or update regulations regarding minimum quality standards or certain items that shall be included in mentor-protégé programs in order for such programs to qualify under subsection (a), including—</text> 
<paragraph id="HAF022FD06A464CE7A75E1E2051B8DA88"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensuring that any mentor-protégé program results in an increase to or success of a protégé with respect to—</text> <subparagraph id="HA1DA34F9158A4298B475C2B0939D43E3"><enum>(A)</enum><text>capital base, including—</text> 
<clause id="HD271349E603C47C39BA1B77D9735F02E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>working capital;</text></clause> <clause id="H2BA66D6BAEBD4BBB8F9F6E3ABE19E651"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">depreciated value of equipment owned or leased;</text></clause> 
<clause id="HD1DD0565E0BF44009FC3FAEB5F1CA223"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>payroll;</text></clause> <clause id="HE4D00D46ED1C4648AE7B3682E3E43960"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>overhead;</text></clause> 
<clause id="H51AFF2D1A39B43238A04A0FE796A8234"><enum>(v)</enum><text>material expensed;</text></clause> <clause id="HBB4EFB136734425080F11C7CA88667F6"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>overhead expensed;</text></clause> 
<clause id="H812770599BD143F0B71D0C680AAE47C1"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>net profit; and</text></clause> <clause id="HF06014FB2DBF40CE9E98535B3A3EDC94"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>available credit;</text></clause></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="H13D5727FEDA54EEEBB7C010615969F0E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>bonding limits, by job and in the aggregate;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6EF5B1B4B9FF4D9A98E3C19429840B2A"><enum>(C)</enum><text>value of current and future work;</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="H5DD6EC5D9796489B842216726DDD691E"><enum>(D)</enum><text>success in getting profitable work outside any government or other procurement program for small, minority, women, or Disadvantaged Business Enterprises;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7194B17B9CEA47D8BECE2932928C589F"><enum>(E)</enum><text>retention of reliable and productive employees;</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="H843F1107A96942439E6EAF91FEB92DF0"><enum>(F)</enum><text>customer loyalty resulting in repeat business; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H6DBE4DCC4A504E6987FE1C610AE37D4C"><enum>(G)</enum><text>any other area determined by the Secretary; and</text></subparagraph></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H5975E879B60540958D573795B23D5AF5"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensuring that any mentorship-protégé program demonstrates overall success in—</text> <subparagraph id="HA1B78F4B87894994987451AF64DB79B7"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">higher than average survival rate for protégés;</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="HCCEBD3A36D764D3AA142178007D72A66"><enum>(B)</enum><text>continuous improvement in the financial strength and bonding capacity of protégés;</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HC8283B1B3B4F440A940F39CEAE3AF763"><enum>(C)</enum><text>consistent success in meeting the objectives included in each protégé's individual business plan;</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="HDD838E7EB1104ADCA153E57077B0813C"><enum>(D)</enum><text>a high rate of successful transition out of the program; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H640DC354068744308CF5519FD19AF690"><enum>(E)</enum><text>any other area determined by the Secretary.</text></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection> 
<subsection id="H21433B28A1264B38803F4BC315F84A43"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Auditing</header> 
<paragraph id="HA92C76E6E69A4446A120F59AEDECAC66"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall periodically audit the mentor-protégé programs of recipients to ensure such programs are meeting the quality control standards set under subsection (b).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H437B28A98EBE4C0C8152F9571F81DAEA"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of information</header><text>The findings of the audits under paragraph (1) shall inform any updates to the quality control standards that the Secretary issues under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection> 
<subsection id="HD2523753C8504FF19CE5583709C3042D"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to update parts 23 and 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to make clear that a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program of a covered large recipient is not in compliance with this section unless such recipient’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program has the required mentor-protégé program and such program complies with all requirements or regulations established by the concerned operating administration or Secretary, including any quality control standards established under subsection (b).</text></subsection> <subsection id="H920CAB9C310241229C3CE89527696FDA" commented="no"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to carry out this section $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028, of which—</text> 
<paragraph id="H46CB83219E3B4C4CAF62072866310427" commented="no"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">$3,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be for the Secretary to carry out the quality control, auditing, and compliance activities required under this section; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H2E01D0C2794E494188EFF419311B3387" commented="no"><enum>(2)</enum><text>$7,000,000 for each fiscal year shall be for the Secretary to assist recipients with setting up, improving, and carrying out mentor-protégé programs. </text></paragraph></subsection> 
<subsection id="HD713DC287A0041AEAAF8D56636E6ACD3"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Covered large recipients defined</header><text>In this section, the term <term>covered large recipients</term> means—</text> <paragraph id="H538DA1F1A8464848B2BB2DA89B028477"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a State department of Transportation;</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H3DF47E3CCC7C400B8E9914FDEF431F0C"><enum>(2)</enum><text>large public transportation and regional transportation agencies, as defined by the Secretary;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H50FF0982E65A483ABB8E6D3EFE736B10"><enum>(3)</enum><text>any recipient of airport funds authorized under section 47101 of title 49, United States Code, that operates a large hub airport (as such term is defined in section 47102 of title 49, United States Code); and</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H68E25FD08E914510BB21925F8FA48D0D"><enum>(4)</enum><text>recipients that are similar in size and purpose to recipients described in paragraphs (1) through (3), as determined by the Secretary. </text></paragraph></subsection></section> <section id="H027616DF68BB4437B91D2117A9567D77"><enum>11.</enum><header>Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE certification universal recognition</header> <subsection id="HB94E26E6D5354FD49A7FAFFDAFBD6ABD"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Universal certification recognition</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to update parts 23 and 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, (or a successor regulation) to require States and recipients to recognize a certification issued by another State to a business recognizing such business as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or an ACDBE without further procedures.</text></subsection> 
<subsection id="H533EB85C1FEE4228B622136F2F6FE811"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Certification criteria</header><text>In certifying a business as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or an ACDBE, a State shall meet any requirements that the Secretary establishes under section 11101(e)(5) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/117/58">Public Law 117–58</external-xref>).</text></subsection> <subsection id="HEC37F57E0EE8458E840345DE1FCABE83"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Secretary authority</header><text>The Secretary shall have the authority to regulate certain items or issue standards that any recipient’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program shall meet as part of universal certification recognition under this section, including—</text> 
<paragraph id="H110927FAA39240A38965CDDB78CF3C69"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the transportation contracts that a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE shall have access to bid on once such business obtains Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE certification;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H9E6743A630274365BC0A05C39CE4E6E3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>any differences in the way a State or recipient treats a home State Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE versus an out-of-State Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE;</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HAED9FB300987441CB0C08934D52E62A9"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">access to a State or recipient’s resources and information that an out-of-State Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE has access to once such business obtains a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE certification; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HA5BA7F296CCB441B99F2ADD4A3E2995F"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any other area the Secretary determines necessary to ensure the success of universal certification recognition.</text></paragraph></subsection> 
<subsection id="H9EF1346CDA6045698D81A5A8356CF0D8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Auditing</header> 
<paragraph id="HB320650BAFB24F4999F345D7F2F8583D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall periodically audit States and recipients to ensure that such States are recognizing a certification issued by another State to a business recognizing such business as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE without further procedures.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H52A24396397142AB834C1192E7F6901E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of information</header><text>The findings of the audits under paragraph (1) shall inform any updates to the regulations that the Secretary issues under this section.</text></paragraph></subsection> 
<subsection id="HDCC3FAD52D974E32AB7998C427C9800D"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Compliance</header><text>In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as are necessary to update parts 23 and 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to make clear that a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program of a recipient is not in compliance with this section unless such recipient’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program recognizes a certification issued by another State to a business recognizing such business as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE without further procedures and meets any standards established by the Secretary under subsection (c).</text></subsection></section> <section id="H123D46303F404005925993202F702D3E"><enum>12.</enum><header>Incentives for excellence in Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs and ACDBE programs</header> <subsection id="H2AAA40CE5F674D07A6C595AFD7FFD4A9"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment of excellence awards</header><text>Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish an awards program that recognizes recipients that have excellent Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs or ACDBE programs.</text></subsection> 
<subsection id="HD3354956E7B149B7AE984AE69CE8C0D4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Annual awards</header><text>The Secretary shall on an annual basis review recipients’ Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs or ACDBE programs and recognize certain recipients that have excellent Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs or ACDBE programs through the awards program under subsection (a).</text></subsection> <subsection id="H6BC50E0AD0EF47359FFF13EA3A215154"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Criteria for awards</header><text>In carrying out the awards program established under subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider the following criteria:</text> 
<paragraph id="HA4D08EFEA22A45FBB2E6AD3274B840FE"><enum>(1)</enum><text>How high the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE participation goal of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program is. </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H4941E7AB09C740B5ADD0563A5461F1C4"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The success of the recipient in meeting and exceeding participation goals described in paragraph (1). </text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H3E31ABA335324555A62F5C68F59D084D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>How much successful growth a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE in the program has. </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H3F1C0501F94B44A0AF6EF133518E7159"><enum>(4)</enum><text>To what extent and how well a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program welcomes new Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs. </text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HF6955718730044E2A3B01CDA20000FD1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>How well a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program assists all socially and economically disadvantaged individuals in overcoming barriers to participation. </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HEFA4D005C2A1461996FEA9CBF3756D0E"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The existence of and the quality of a mentor-protégé program. </text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H2420BB55092F46FFB4BA3BA484DF960E"><enum>(7)</enum><text>Any other criteria the Secretary determines is integral to an excellent Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program or ACDBE program.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HB676A339F66B415F869639C5E298BD09"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Adjusting criteria</header><text>The Secretary may adjust the criteria under subsection (c) to account for a recipient’s size, type of business, geographic location, or any other characteristic the Secretary determines necessary.</text></subsection> 
<subsection id="H0881D4EE38244D43A33E64CDC64DC026"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Discretionary grant preference</header><text>The Secretary shall provide preferences for discretionary grant funding awards to recipients that are recognized under subsections (a) and (b).</text></subsection> <subsection id="HE266F4D440FD45E5802BE51259678DED"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Notice of funding opportunities</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, the Secretary shall ensure that any notice of funding opportunity or availability for discretionary grant funding issued by the Secretary contains the preferences under subsection (e).</text></subsection> 
<subsection id="HFFCF7DCFF88A463293E639347372D0B9"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Timing of requirement</header><text>Subsection (f) shall apply to any notice of funding opportunity or availability issued after the date of enactment of this Act.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HDC2F5B5074E043108D285851C46E7D07"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Additional incentives</header><text>In addition to the grant preferences under subsection (e), the Secretary may provide additional incentives to recipients that are recognized under subsections (a) and (b).</text></subsection> 
<subsection id="H7DCC4CC34FF4420898A49375981CE6F3"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Reporting</header><text>The Secretary shall—</text> <paragraph id="H43AF0DFE64874F6C9D0C18873B768330"><enum>(1)</enum><text>make available on the Department of Transportation’s website a list of recipients being recognized for excellent Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE programs under subsections (a) and (b);</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H98F8D7662EEB425AB601FA139A2ACFD6"><enum>(2)</enum><text>include a rationale for why the Secretary is recognizing the recipients described in paragraph (1);</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H7B705B15A80E42F1950B5F1CF3449744"><enum>(3)</enum><text>provide information regarding the recipients’ Disadvantaged Business Enterprise or ACDBE programs, including a link to the recipients’ program website; and</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H80E9AAA9755A4B44B81D9E88DA8E21A1"><enum>(4)</enum><text>annually update the information required under this subsection.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H0C3A138C167A43649C1CD8920002782F" commented="no"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to carry out this section $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.</text></subsection></section> 
<section id="H69B3E243F6E940F48A05384B1B9C5E66"><enum>13.</enum><header>Reporting requirements and standards for waivers and exemptions</header> 
<subsection id="HF0BBF586D7964F6EAB3423FC0E8AAE21"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Reporting requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall update parts 23 and 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, to require each concerned operating administration or model agency to annually report to the Secretary any waiver or exemption such administration or agency grants to a recipient from any requirement under parts 23 and 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HA56D51D9AE534882913AD1AA0DC7F395"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Contents of reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The reports under subsection (a) shall contain the following information:</text> 
<paragraph id="HA1914F6BE08747E5BF2DF69FDBD2E0B9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>The name of the recipient granted the waiver or exemption.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD6B4C8C9B6804BF391F46C5E793DCE77"><enum>(2)</enum><text>The name of the concerned operating administration or model agency that granted the waiver or exemption.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HB6E34ADDB8864839B5702F93FE7C00DD"><enum>(3)</enum><text>Any provision that the recipient received a waiver or exemption from.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HD1E375C043DA4F25B14B52C6AB477296"><enum>(4)</enum><text>The reason the concerned operating administration or model agency granted the waiver.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H40129DC0EEB841CABAE723091E2A6695"><enum>(5)</enum><text>A description of the conditions in the recipient’s jurisdiction that made the situation appropriate to grant the recipient’s program proposal.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H5538C697F5B647F7BE253FD7887CB5AF"><enum>(6)</enum><text>The duration of the waiver.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H89B8A598612A45C19BF70D2906B97384"><enum>(7)</enum><text>The public participation a recipient conducted in developing such recipient’s request, including any consultations with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE communities.</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF12F04FE209D45FBA1EC42384BC55AD2"><enum>(8)</enum><text>Any other information the Secretary determines necessary.</text></paragraph></subsection> 
<subsection id="HAE0A11B6F8DF44B7BA72DA9D1AB73557"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Posting on website</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date on which a report is required to be filed under subsection (a), the Secretary shall in a full-text searchable, sortable, and downloadable format for access by the public—</text> <paragraph id="H49A553165EB249A292E5B3DFD58E3401"><enum>(1)</enum><text>make the reports submitted to the Secretary under subsection (a) available on the website of the Department of Transportation;</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H6E75FBBC2F054060B5EDD763E49A3B87"><enum>(2)</enum><text>report the total number of waivers or exemptions that a concerned operating administration or model agency granted that year; and</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H0B6CBCE6789E450B88DFC1F93F4C5A0E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>report the total number of waivers or exemptions that a recipient applied for or was granted that year.</text></paragraph></subsection> 
<subsection id="HC849A47B2DF8437E8F85D529B9B15162"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Standards for granting waivers</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to update regulations regarding the standards for granting waivers or exemptions to a recipient from any requirement under parts 23 and 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, in order to minimize the improper granting of such waivers or exemptions.</text></subsection> <subsection id="HF85A56E6DEBA4679B116757AD0EA4D64"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text>In carrying out subsection (d), the Secretary shall consider—</text> 
<paragraph id="H07D9C0C7D0F34E86BE2F63BDADFFB14B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>creating a uniform list of reasons for granting waivers or exemptions;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HCEF0F20A217940BCAB8A1EC5F8FA8399"><enum>(2)</enum><text>creating a uniform list of conditions in jurisdictions that are appropriate for granting waivers or exemptions;</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H42A23F4A40104071BD81DB1F60CDEF9B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>limiting the number of waivers or exemptions a recipient can receive;</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HF463EF3A14AA436E824826A673CA9192"><enum>(4)</enum><text>requiring a recipient to conduct more public hearings and consultations with the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE communities before a proposal for a waiver or exemption can be granted; and</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H818E3060DAC44F87911A2F28F4DDFE65"><enum>(5)</enum><text>increasing the level of standard for which a recipient’s proposal must meet before a concerned operating administration or model agency will grant a waiver or exemption to a recipient.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="H6F38636F4B66481A88F5B2AC284C6822"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Auditing</header> <paragraph id="H74D8357E38044F8FA17E3780052F7681"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In general</header><text>The Secretary shall periodically audit concerned operating administrations or model agencies to ensure that such administrations or agencies are minimizing the improper granting of waivers or exemptions to a recipient from any requirement under parts 23 and 26 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H8A73C54916674BB9A31F2BE5BB592E18"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Use of information</header><text>The findings of the audits under paragraph (1) shall inform any updates to the regulations that the Secretary issues or updates under subsection (d).</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HE59E27580FA24268BC6D70B0F9B61A2B" commented="no"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization of appropriations</header><text>There is authorized to carry out this section $3,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2024 through 2028.</text></subsection></section> 
<section id="HB53751195D0042EE94BFA8BCC79992FD"><enum>14.</enum><header>Advisory committee on disadvantaged business enterprises and ACDBEs</header> 
<subsection id="H26201F01881D4BF8AE9A5D0D5F6DE132"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Disadvantaged business enterprise and ACDBE advisory committee</header> 
<paragraph id="HD5C866915161416DB7D1119F5767C32F"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text>Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and ACDBE Advisory Committee (in this section referred to as the <quote>Committee</quote>).</text></paragraph> <paragraph id="H964B2395308A4B5D8B7CB47850D82E71"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Duties</header><text>The duties of the Committee shall be to provide a forum for stakeholders to discuss and make policy recommendations to Congress with respect to advancing the success of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and ACDBEs in the transportation, infrastructure, construction, and building industries.</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="HB6C0CE2B491B41A9BE2D7E437A8A28E3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Membership</header> 
<subparagraph id="H6150A6B99A4046EF93C42BF3C49CC3A5"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Voting members</header><text>The Committee shall be composed of the following voting members:</text> <clause id="H5C073635720749A99A469201616DF7CC"><enum>(i)</enum><text>The Secretary or the Secretary’s designee.</text></clause> 
<clause id="HBA527958D2AB40D49C932E2F5CCA1EDB"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>The Administrator or the Administrator’s designee.</text></clause> <clause id="HBACB4707B47545AFB7EB670BC95C1250"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>A representative of State governments.</text></clause> 
<clause id="H941D224CA25F4B86ADEEEFFD5B276707"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>A representative of local governments.</text></clause> <clause id="H20CD433C8916435E8B67ED4C88C0902A"><enum>(v)</enum><text>A representative of county governments.</text></clause> 
<clause id="HD81F4AFC66004BF1989CAFCF78DAE165"><enum>(vi)</enum><text>A representative of State Departments of Transportation.</text></clause> <clause id="HCE366F0BB28B442DA7134FA0D54F6C43"><enum>(vii)</enum><text>A representative of transit agencies.</text></clause> 
<clause id="H77850AC9535A4AFD804B16527E45AA87"><enum>(viii)</enum><text>A representative of airports.</text></clause> <clause id="HFE925EA9C2CB4D029DA95EC21D892A96"><enum>(ix)</enum><text>A representative from the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.</text></clause> 
<clause id="HCE751D1D615B4008B4EEEDA94EA39281"><enum>(x)</enum><text>Two individuals who have experience advocating for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs.</text></clause> <clause id="HF2704720109C4422B19E2B69F0C0C1EC"><enum>(xi)</enum><text>Two or more representatives from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs owned by persons of color.</text></clause> 
<clause id="H301C7959B85F48F78548B39F7DECE0FB"><enum>(xii)</enum><text>Two or more representatives from Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs owned by women.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HA7109E1B6BDC42F5BA871D6BBBFF1D79"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Appointing authority</header><text>The Secretary shall appoint all members of the Committee, except for the Administrator, who shall have a self-executing appointment.</text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="H8DB099F6D5B745EA8F2C669616C46275"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Appointment replacement</header><text>The Secretary shall promptly appoint a replacement for any member whose term has expired or who has resigned from the Committee.</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H60AC46C321724463B5F3F1CDA2CA6220"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Term length</header> <clause id="HE3CA9286208F4DACB1F6DF91CCCEB52B"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each member, except for the Secretary or the Administrator, shall serve for an initial term of 4 years on the Committee.</text></clause> 
<clause id="HC0FD9F63CF6F4AE28162CEDF726A89F6"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Reappointment</header><text>A member whose term has expired may be reappointed to the Committee for subsequent terms.</text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="HBAA68D2A5C76416C8734BEB09153F4AA"><enum>(E)</enum><header>Service continuation</header><text>A member whose term has expired may continue to serve until the Secretary has appointed a replacement member. </text></subparagraph> 
<subparagraph id="HEF790E8F4D4D401FABBA24DDB48220AE"><enum>(F)</enum><header>Non-voting members</header><text>The Secretary may allow additional interested stakeholders to attend and participate in the activities of the Committee as non-voting members.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> <paragraph id="H31DAFD94A1114B59BD14AE7990BC956C"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Meetings</header><text>The Committee shall meet not less frequently than—</text> 
<subparagraph id="H59712631F2D540C198AB6A71D131C972"><enum>(A)</enum><text>4 times per year until the report under paragraph (5) is submitted; and</text></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H8747372445584156BF6A31FD3A1F42E7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>2 times per year after such report is submitted. </text></subparagraph></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H5277DD3EE76348718CD1F64A6C4060B1"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Report</header> 
<subparagraph id="HEFB575940C24407FA7D6C626E64421A1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In general</header><text>Not later than 2 years after the establishment of the Committee, the Committee shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report that contains recommendations, supported by at least a majority of all voting members. Such report shall include recommendations regarding—</text> <clause id="H7F59918AEF494E59851B88EF7498F310"><enum>(i)</enum><text>policy or regulatory changes to help increase the success of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs in the transportation construction and building industries;</text></clause> 
<clause id="HD5850DD34F974E75A660D2EB5573EB0E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">policy or regulatory changes to help increase the number of prime contractors that are Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs;</text></clause> <clause id="HE8DF39E8ABC64B01BB1FC776031DAA8B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">policy or regulatory changes to address the penalization that occurs when businesses owned by women or persons of color become too large to qualify as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs;</text></clause> 
<clause id="H03FA62D7CDED4332B9003DA8A155BC6D"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>policy or regulatory changes to address the structural and legacy barriers faced by women and persons of color in attempting to enter or succeed in the transportation, construction, and building industries; </text></clause> <clause id="HE46951FD6AD342BB99AB6BFA1DBAA0A0"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">policy or regulatory changes to increase the access of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises or ACDBEs to financial capital and other necessary ancillary services to succeed; and</text></clause> 
<clause id="HA5303EE797E140ED81D9ED24C94A12E4" commented="no"><enum>(vi)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ways to make existing Federal technical assistance programs such as small business transportation resource centers, small business development centers, minority business development centers, and procurement technical assistance centers work better and reach more Disadvantaged Business Enterprises and ACDBEs. </text></clause></subparagraph> <subparagraph id="H7678FF53A3574BD5981CD82B816EEF8B"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Dissenting views</header><text>The report in subparagraph (A) shall include a section allowing any dissenting views and the dissent’s rationale from the majority’s recommendations.</text></subparagraph></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H47B54092D17749CE8ACDD3C9116CBF49"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Additional reports</header><text>After the submission of the report under paragraph (5), the Committee shall, from time to time at an appropriate time determined by the Committee, submit to the Secretary and Congress subsequent reports that are consistent with the duties of the Committee described in paragraph (2). </text></paragraph> <paragraph id="HE25BCED1404F40B0838DAAB1894AFBFD"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Compensation</header><text>Members of the Committee shall serve without compensation, but may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of <external-xref legal-doc="usc-chapter" parsable-cite="usc-chapter/5/7">chapter 7</external-xref> of title 5, United States Code. </text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H31E50309E2F7442598C48FB9EDE98A9F"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Support</header><text>The Secretary shall use the resources of the Department of Transportation and the Office of the Secretary to provide support to the Committee.</text></paragraph></subsection> <subsection id="HB2B43FF3A6CC4924880DFDAC8E1C904E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Termination</header><text>The Committee shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date on which the Committee is established under subsection (a). </text></subsection> 
<subsection id="H41A434D9DD954B2FBCAD433B682ACE91"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Regulations</header><text>The Secretary shall have the authority to issue or modify any regulations necessary to carry out subsection (a).</text></subsection> <subsection id="H7BD13D0789A845298EBB6BC856EDD546"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Conforming amendment</header><text>Sections 100501, 100502, and 100503 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (<external-xref legal-doc="public-law" parsable-cite="pl/117/58">Public Law 117–58</external-xref>) are repealed. </text></subsection></section> 
<section id="H1E58FB4B9D394C779723C247670BAF26" display-inline="no-display-inline" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>15.</enum><header>Definition of assets under the Small Business Act</header> 
<subsection id="H5F2AB51C430B435AA952237F2FC21DEF"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition of assets</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Section 8(a)(6)(E) of the Small Business Act (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/15/637">15 U.S.C. 637(a)(6)(E)</external-xref>) is amended—</text> <paragraph id="H667DBEA0C7EE45888EEBBC00D4408DE7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and</text></paragraph> 
<paragraph id="H6A32F04B38D143C396E35E6A96F31EDC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding the following new clauses:</text> <quoted-block id="H87693B1923A844ADB0E7ACC8B0932C76" style="OLC"> <clause id="HDA9CCB6D88704106B1F82930BFE8B24B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>retirement savings accounts of disadvantaged owners;</text></clause> 
<clause id="HEB00612B694244BBAFBF595286FBC963"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>investments in real estate other than primary personal residences of disadvantaged owners; and</text></clause> <clause id="H4058F3E922A5406986B30295C3F12B03"><enum>(v)</enum><text>equity in businesses that are not certified under this subsection of disadvantaged owners.</text></clause><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block></paragraph></subsection> 
<subsection id="H5439568DA38F4FACA7885AEE976B05ED"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall issue or amend such rules as are necessary to carry out the amendments made by subsection (a).</text></subsection></section> </legis-body> </bill> 

