[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 78 (Friday, May 23, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7149-S7152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself, Mr. Bond, and Mr. Burns):
  S. 1154. A bill to provide for the reauthorization of programs 
administered by the Small Business Administration that assist small 
business concerns owned and controlled by women; and for other 
purposes; to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the ``Women's Small 
Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003'' in recognition of the 
critical potential that women entrepreneurs hold for the Nation's 
economic welfare. I am pleased to be joined by Senators Bond and Burns 
in offering this important legislation.
  Today, women own nearly a third of the Nation's small businesses--
totaling nearly 7 million women-owned enterprises that contribute 
approximately $1.2 trillion to be economy annually. That number, 
however, does not include jointly owned businesses in which women play 
a major role but hold less than fifty percent of the ownership rights. 
So, the actual number of women with significant roles in business goes 
well beyond 7 million--and they are growing rapidly.
  These figures reflect the successes that women entrepreneurs are 
having despite facing the same challenges for the past twenty years--
access to business assistance, access to capital, and access to Federal 
Government contract opportunities. The ``glass ceiling'' in corporate 
America that led many women to start a small business has been 
transformed into a another obstacle--``a glass doorway''--between women 
who want to start and grow businesses and the lending and Federal 
contract markets these women entrepreneurs seek to enter. Overcoming 
these obstacles requires that women are provided the business 
assistance tools they need, which we can ensure through the programs 
and services established within the Small Business Administration, SBA, 
specifically for women.
  As the new Chair of the Committee on Small Business, I have been 
carefully examining the SBA's programs with a particular focus on the 
agency's initiatives that are intended to foster women-owned 
businesses. During the past year, witnesses and participants of the 
Committee's hearings and roundtables clearly identified the concerns of 
women business owners: the lack of business assistance programs 
for existing small businesses; scarcity of financial resources for 
start-up or expansion; limited opportunities for Federal Government 
contracts; and the need for specific research on women's business 
ownership.

  In addition, we heard concerns from the Women's Business Centers and 
their advocates about the Women's Business Centers Sustainability 
Grants Program, which sunsets in 2003. These centers have been 
extraordinarily successful in providing assistance to women in all 
walks of life--those who once received public assistance but now 
operate businesses and create jobs; women transitioning from employee 
to small business employer; and establish women-business owners who 
create and manufacture products for sale at home and abroad. The 
Centers nurture women entrepreneurs through business and financial 
planning and help with critical issues like securing funding for 
startup and expansion. Despite these successes, however, funding 
questions have long plagued the program.
  Adding to the information gained from its official activities, the 
Committee staff also conducted a review of all SBA funded and sponsored 
activities for women entrepreneurs, held discussions with women 
business leaders, and obtained information in the process of preparing 
for the reauthorization of SBA Non-Credit Programs.
  Our findings support specific changes to ensure that the SBA will be 
more accountable in its delivery of programs and services through the 
Office of Women's Business Ownership. Specifically, based on the need 
and the impressive record of the Women's Business Centers, there is 
strong support for making the program permanent, provided that the SBA 
streamlines the grants administration processes. Improvements in the 
focus and operations for the National Women's Business Council and the 
Women's Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise would also 
enhance their missions and ability to serve women entrepreneurs.
  The bill I introduce today is designed to address these issues and 
improve the programs and services that the SBA delivers across the 
nation for women business owners through the Office of Women's Business 
Ownership, the Women's Business Centers Program, the National Women's 
Business Council, and the Interagency Committee on Women's Business 
Enterprise. The key elements of the bill's improvements will provide 
direction, consolidation and integration of existing programs that have 
been previously created to offer opportunities for women through their 
entrepreneurial endeavors.
  The ``Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003'' would 
improve the entrepreneurial environment for women seeking assistance 
and opportunity through Federal Government sponsored programs. A key to 
the success of this bill is the integration of all internal and 
external SBA programs and partnerships. The provisions in this bill are 
timely and in response to the many concerns of women business owners 
that I have received from my constituents in Maine and from across the 
country through the Small Business Committee.
  Additionally, the bill makes the Women's Business Center a permanent 
program for existing eligible Centers so that women can depend on the 
experienced services of small business long-term counseling and small 
business education and training. The Centers have proven to be a great 
value the communities they serve so we must ensure that their programs 
and services continue to be available.
  The ``Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003'' 
ensure that women entrepreneurs at all stages of business ownership get 
the assistance they need so that success

[[Page S7150]]

through business growth is more easily obtained. And it achieves that 
goal, not by establish costly new initiatives, but by building on 
successful establish programs within the SBA and improving their 
delivery for the benefit of current and future women entrepreneurs.
  As the Small Business Committee continues its work on legislation to 
reauthorize the SBA, we will be addressing all of the agency's 
programs. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to 
ensure that the provisions of this bill are included so the growth of 
women owned business in America can reach its full potential.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill and a section-by-
section analysis be printed into the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1154

       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 Small Business 
     Programs Improvement Act of 2003''.

     SEC. 2. OFFICE OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

       Section 29(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(g)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``in the areas of--

       ``(I) starting and operating''; and inserting the 
     following:

     ``to solve problems concerning operations, manufacturing, 
     technology, finance, international trade, and other 
     disciplines required for--

       ``(I) starting, operating, and growing'';

       (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, the National 
     Women's Business Council, and the Association of Women's 
     Business Centers'' before the period at the end; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Programs and services for women-owned small 
     businesses.--The Assistant Administrator, in consultation 
     with the Association of Women's Business Centers, the 
     National Women's Business Council, and the Interagency 
     Committee on Women's Business Enterprise, shall develop 
     programs and services for women-owned businesses (as defined 
     in section 408 of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 
     (15 U.S.C. 631 note)) that provide goods or services in the 
     areas of--
       ``(A) manufacturing;
       ``(B) technology;
       ``(C) professional services;
       ``(D) travel and tourism;
       ``(E) international trade; and
       ``(F) Federal Government contract business development.
       ``(4) Training.--The Administration shall provide 
     sufficient training for business ownership representatives 
     and technical representatives within the district offices of 
     the Administration to enable these staffs to carry out their 
     responsibilities under this section.''.

     SEC. 3. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

       (a) Women's Business Center Grants Program.--Section 29 of 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended by striking 
     subsection (b) through (f) and inserting the following:
       ``(b) Grants Authorized.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administration is authorized to 
     award grants, to be known as `Women's Business Center 
     Grants', to private nonprofit organizations to conduct 3-year 
     projects for the benefit of small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by women. At the end of the initial 3-year grant 
     period, and every 3 years thereafter, the grant recipient may 
     apply to renew the grant in accordance with this subsection 
     and subsection (e)(2).
       ``(2) Contract authority.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administration may enter into annual 
     contracts with grant recipients under this subsection to 
     perform the services described under paragraph (3) only to 
     the extent and in the amount provided by appropriated funds.
       ``(B) Termination.--If any grant recipient under this 
     subsection does not fulfill its contractual obligations 
     during the 3-year period of the grant, the Administration may 
     terminate the grant.
       ``(3) Use of funds.--Grants awarded under paragraph (1) 
     shall be used to provide--
       ``(A) financial assistance, including training and 
     counseling in how to apply for and secure business credit and 
     investment capital, preparing and presenting financial 
     statements, and managing cash flow and other financial 
     operations of a business concern;
       ``(B) management assistance, including training and 
     counseling in how to plan, organize, staff, direct, and 
     control each major activity and function of a small business 
     concern; and
       ``(C) marketing assistance, including training and 
     counseling in identifying and segmenting domestic and 
     international market opportunities, preparing and executing 
     marketing plans, developing pricing strategies, locating 
     contract opportunities, negotiating contracts, and utilizing 
     varying public relations and advertising techniques.
       ``(4) Matching requirement.--
       ``(A) Women's business center grants.--As a condition of 
     receiving financial assistance under this section, the grant 
     recipient shall agree to obtain, after its application has 
     been approved and notice of award has been issued, cash 
     contributions from non-Federal sources as follows:
       ``(i) In the first and second years, 1 non-Federal dollar 
     for each 2 Federal dollars provided under the grant.
       ``(ii) In the third year, 1 non-Federal dollar for each 
     Federal dollar provided under the grant.
       ``(iii) In each renewal period, 1 non-Federal dollar for 
     each Federal dollar provided under the grant.
       ``(B) Form of non-federal contributions.--Not more than \1/
     2\ of the non-Federal sector matching assistance may be in 
     the form of in-kind contributions that are budget line items 
     only, including office equipment and office space.
       ``(C) Failure to obtain non-federal funding.--If any grant 
     recipient fails to obtain the required non-Federal 
     contribution during any project, it shall not be eligible 
     thereafter for advance disbursements pursuant to subparagraph 
     (D) during the remainder of that project, or for any other 
     project for which it is or may be funded by the 
     Administration. Before approving assistance to the grant 
     recipient for any other projects, the Administration shall 
     specifically determine whether the Administration believes 
     that the grant recipient will be able to obtain the requisite 
     non-Federal funding and enter a written finding setting forth 
     the reasons for making such determination.
       ``(D) Form of federal contributions.--The financial 
     assistance authorized pursuant to this section may be made by 
     grant, contract, or cooperative agreement and may contain 
     such provision, as necessary, to provide for payments in lump 
     sum or installments, and in advance or by way of 
     reimbursement. The Administration may disburse up to 25 
     percent of each year's Federal share awarded to a grant 
     recipient after notice of the award has been issued and 
     before the non-Federal sector matching funds are obtained.
       ``(5) Application submission.--Each organization desiring a 
     grant under this subsection, shall submit to the 
     Administration an application that contains--
       ``(A) a certification that the applicant--
       ``(i) is a private nonprofit organization;
       ``(ii) employs an executive director or program manager to 
     manage the center; and
       ``(iii) as a condition of receiving a grant under this 
     subsection, agrees--

       ``(I) to receive a site visit as part of the final 
     selection process;
       ``(II) to undergo an annual programmatic and financial 
     examination; and
       ``(III) to the maximum extent practicable, to remedy any 
     problems identified pursuant to the site visit or examination 
     under subclauses (I) and (II);

       ``(B) information demonstrating that the applicant has the 
     ability and resources to meet the needs of the market to be 
     served by the women's business center site for which a grant 
     is sought, including the ability to comply with the matching 
     requirement under paragraph (4);
       ``(C) information relating to assistance provided by the 
     women's business center site for which a grant is sought in 
     the area in which the site is located, including--
       ``(i) the number of individuals assisted;
       ``(ii) the number of hours of counseling, training, and 
     workshops provided; and
       ``(iii) the number of startup business concerns created;
       ``(D) information demonstrating the effective experience of 
     the applicant in--
       ``(i) conducting financial, management, and marketing 
     assistance programs, as described under paragraph (3), which 
     are designed to teach or upgrade the business skills of women 
     who are business owners or potential business owners;
       ``(ii) providing training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are both socially and economically 
     disadvantaged; and
       ``(iii) using resource partners of the Administration and 
     other entities, such as universities;
       ``(E) a 3-year plan that projects the ability of the 
     women's business center site for which a grant is sought--
       ``(i) to serve women business owners or potential owners in 
     the future by improving training and counseling activities; 
     and
       ``(ii) to provide training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are both socially and economically 
     disadvantaged; and
       ``(F) any additional information that the Administration 
     may reasonably require.
       ``(6) Review and approval of applications.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administration shall--
       ``(i) review each application submitted under paragraph (5) 
     based on the information provided in such paragraph and the 
     criteria set forth under subparagraph (B); and
       ``(ii) as part of the final selection process, conduct a 
     site visit at each women's business center for which a grant 
     is sought.
       ``(B) Selection criteria.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administration shall evaluate and 
     rank applicants in accordance with predetermined selection 
     criteria that shall be stated in terms of relative 
     importance. Such criteria and their relative importance shall 
     be made publicly available and stated in each solicitation 
     for applications made by the Administration.

[[Page S7151]]

       ``(ii) Required criteria.--The selection criteria under 
     clause (i) shall include--

       ``(I) the experience of the applicant in conducting 
     programs or ongoing efforts designed to impart or upgrade the 
     business skills of women business owners or potential owners;
       ``(II) the ability of the applicant to commence a project 
     within a minimum amount of time;
       ``(III) the ability of the applicant to provide training 
     and services to a representative number of women who are both 
     socially and economically disadvantaged; and
       ``(IV) the location for the women's business center site 
     proposed by the applicant.

       ``(C) Record retention.--The Administration shall maintain 
     a copy of each application submitted under this subsection 
     for not less than 7 years.
       ``(7) Data collection.--Consistent with the annual report 
     to Congress under subsection (g), each women's business 
     center site that is awarded a grant shall, to the maximum 
     extent practicable, collect information relating to--
       ``(A) the number of individuals assisted;
       ``(B) the number of hours of counseling and training 
     provided and workshops conducted;
       ``(C) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(D) any available gross receipts of assisted concerns; 
     and
       ``(E) the number of jobs created, maintained, or lost at 
     assisted concerns.
       ``(8) Savings provision.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, a contract or cooperative agreement, in 
     effect on the date of enactment of the Women's Small Business 
     Programs Improvement Act of 2003, that awards a 
     sustainability grant to a Women's Business Center, shall 
     remain in full force and effect under the terms, and for the 
     duration, of such contract or agreement.
       ``(c) Association of Women's Business Centers.--
       ``(1) Recognition.--The Administration shall recognize the 
     existence and activities of an association formed by the 
     Women's Business Centers to address matters of common 
     concern.
       ``(2) Consultation.--The Administration shall consult with 
     the association described under paragraph (1) to develop--
       ``(A) a request for proposal to deliver assistance under 
     this section;
       ``(B) a training program for the staff of the Women's 
     Business Centers; and
       ``(C) policies and procedures for governing the general 
     operations and administration of the Women's Business Center 
     Program.''.
       (b) Conforming amendments.--Section 29 of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsections (g), (h), (i), (j), and 
     (k) as subsections (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h), respectively.
       (2) in subsection (e)(2), as redesignated by paragraph (1), 
     by striking ``to award a contract (as a sustainability grant) 
     under subsection (l) or'';
       (3) in subsection (h), as redesignated by paragraph (1)--
       (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
       ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out the provisions of this section, to remain 
     available until expended--
       ``(A) $14,500,000 for fiscal year 2004;
       ``(B) $16,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; and
       ``(C) $17,500,000 for fiscal year 2006.''; and
       (B) by striking paragraph (4); and
       (4) by striking subsection (l).

     SEC. 4. NATIONAL WOMEN'S BUSINESS COUNCIL.

       (a) Cosponsorship Authority.--Section 406 of the Women's 
     Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Cosponsorship Authority.--The Council is authorized 
     to enter into cosponsorship agreements with public and 
     private entities to carry out its duties under this 
     section.''.
       (b) Membership.--Section 407 of the Women's Business 
     Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(j) Representation of Member Organizations.--
     Notwithstanding subsection (b), a national women's business 
     organization or small business that is represented on the 
     Council may replace its representative member on the Council 
     at any time during the service term to which that member was 
     appointed.''.
       (c) Establishment of Committees.--The Women's Business 
     Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by 
     inserting after section 407, the following new section:

     ``SEC. 408. COMMITTEES.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There are established within the 
     Council--
       ``(1) the Committee on Manufacturing, Technology, and 
     Professional Services;
       ``(2) the Committee on Travel, Tourism, and International 
     Trade; and
       ``(3) the Committee on Federal Procurement and Contracting.
       ``(b) Duties.--The Committees established under subsection 
     (a) shall perform such duties as the chairperson shall 
     direct.''.
       (d) Repository for Historical Documents.--Section 409 of 
     the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 
     note) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(c) Repository for Historical Documents.--The Council 
     shall establish a repository for historical documents 
     relating to women's ownership of small businesses in the 
     United States.''.
       (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 410(a) of the 
     Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) 
     is amended by striking ``2001 through 2003, of which 
     $550,000'' and inserting ``2004 through 2006, of which 30 
     percent''.

     SEC. 5. INTERAGENCY COMMITTEE ON WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE.

       (a) Chairperson.--Section 403(b) of the Women's Business 
     Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``Not later'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--Not later''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(2) Vacancy.--In the event that a chairperson is not 
     appointed under paragraph (1), the Deputy Administrator of 
     the Small Business Administration shall serve as acting 
     chairperson of the Interagency Committee until a chairperson 
     is appointed under paragraph (1).''.
       (b) Policy Advisory Group.--Section 401 of the Women's 
     Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) is 
     amended--
       (1) by striking ``There'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) In general.--There''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Policy Advisory Group.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Interagency Committee a Policy Advisory Group to assist the 
     chairperson in developing policies and programs under this 
     Act.
       ``(2) Membership.--The Policy Advisory Group shall be 
     composed of--
       ``(A) 1 representative from the Small Business 
     Administration;
       ``(B) 1 representative from the Department of Commerce;
       ``(C) 1 representative from the Department of Labor;
       ``(D) 1 representative from the Department of Defense;
       ``(E) 1 representative from the Association of Women's 
     Business Centers; and
       ``(F) 2 representatives from the National Women's Business 
     Council.''.
       (c) Establishment of Subcommittees.--Section 401 of the 
     Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 note), 
     as amended by subsection (b), is further amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(c) Subcommittees.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There are established within the 
     Interagency Committee--
       ``(A) the Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Technology, and 
     Professional Services;
       ``(B) the Subcommittee on Travel, Tourism, and 
     International Trade; and
       ``(C) the Subcommittee on Federal Procurement and 
     Contracting.
       ``(2) Duties.--The Subcommittees established under 
     paragraph (1) shall perform such duties as the chairperson 
     shall direct.''.

     SEC. 6. ANNUAL MANAGEMENT REPORT.

       Section 29(g)(1) of the Small Business Act, as amended by 
     this Act, is further amended by striking ``The 
     Administration'' and inserting ``Not later than November 1st 
     of each year, the Administration''.

     SEC. 7. EFFECTIVE DATE.

       This Act, and the amendments made by this Act, shall take 
     effect on October 1, 2003.
                                  ____


     The Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003--
                       Explanation of Provisions


              i. sba office of women's business ownership

       This section of the bill reflects the Committee's 
     recognition of the achievements and challenges of women small 
     business owners. The hearings and reauthorization 
     roundtables, held during 2003, provided the opportunity to 
     identify the Small Business Administration (SBA) non-credit 
     programs that most interest or concern women advocates and 
     business owners.
       Hearing witnesses and Roundtables participants identified 
     the following concerns held by women business owners:
       The concern for the Women's Business Center Program's 
     sustainability grants pilot program that fund centers beyond 
     the maximum 5-year funding periods;
       The need to expand the SBA non-credit programs 
     (Entrepreneurial Development and Government Contracting);
       The need for current research on women-owned small 
     businesses;
       The lack of progress for women to gain access to start-up 
     and expansion capital, and
       The limited opportunities available to women-owned small 
     businesses for Federal government contracts.
       In followup meetings and discussions, women business 
     advocates and leaders indicated their interests in positive 
     changes for the SBA sponsored programs through the Women's 
     Business Centers program, the National Women's Business 
     Council, and the Interagency Committee on Women's Business 
     Enterprise. The SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership is 
     in a position to take the ``real world problems'' faced by 
     women on a day-to-day basis and work with all of its partners 
     and public and private resources to expand its menu of 
     programs and services.
       The bill will direct the SBA Office of Women's Business 
     Ownership to develop and make available new programs and 
     services for established women owned businesses--adding to 
     the SBA menu of small business start-up programs.
       The new programs and services for women would assist women-
     owned small business solve problems concerning business 
     operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, Federal 
     government contracting and international trade and other 
     disciplines required for starting, operating, and growing 
     small

[[Page S7152]]

     business in changing economies. New programs would be based 
     on recommendations by the National Women's Business Council, 
     the Women's Business Centers, and the Interagency Committee 
     on Women's Business Enterprise, these programs and services 
     would be developed by the SBA in partnership with its funded 
     resource partners and private sector cosponsors.
       The bill will direct the SBA to provide training for 
     District Office Women Business Ownership Representatives 
     (existing staff who carry out marketing and outreach 
     activities) and District Office of Technical Representatives 
     (existing staff who carry out grant programmatic and 
     financial oversight) and to provide resources for the 
     District Offices to carry out their responsibilities in 
     support of women's business ownership programs.
       The bill will direct the SBA to submit a report on data 
     collections on women's programs and services to the Congress 
     no later than November 1st of each year.
       The bill will direct the SBA to work with the Association 
     of Women's Business Centers, the National Women's Business 
     Council and the Interagency Committee on Women Business 
     Enterprise to develop marketing and outreach programs, as 
     well as procurement training programs, on Federal government 
     contracting and business development opportunities.


                  ii. women's business center program

       The Women's Business Center Program, established in 1988, 
     provides long-term training and counseling to encourage small 
     business ownership through nonprofit organizations. The 
     competitive grant award programs is administered through the 
     SBA Headquarters Office of Women's Business Ownership (OWBO) 
     Grants Management Division, with oversight designated to the 
     SBA District Office Technical Representative. The Women's 
     Business Center program has been well received by the 
     recipient users and the program has been a tremendous 
     marketing and outreach tool for the SBA in recent years. The 
     SBA estimated in Fiscal Year 2002, the Women's Business 
     Center program had an approximate return of $161 for every $1 
     invested in the program.
       The bill makes the Women's Business Centers a permanent 
     grant program with renewal options, replacing the Pilot 
     Sustainability Grants Program. The Pilot program sunsets in 
     2003.
       Existing Women's Business Centers will be eligible to 
     submit proposals every 3 years. The program improvements are 
     modeled after the SBDC grant program and several provisions 
     contained in the Sustainability Grant Program. Eligibility 
     and evaluation criteria will be establish that encourages 
     existing productive Centers to continue to participate in the 
     program.
       The bill recognizes the Association of Women's Business 
     Centers (AWBCs) and directs the SBA Office of Women's 
     Business Ownership to partner with the Association in 
     developing and administering the programs delivered through 
     the Centers (modeled after the SBA's current partnership with 
     the Association of Small Business Development Centers with 
     regard to the Small Business Development Center program).
       The bill directs the SBA to streamline the reporting 
     requirements of the Centers recognizing the limited grant 
     award and limited human resources within the Centers.


       iii. interagency committee on women's business enterprise

       The Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise 
     was created in 1977, as an interagency task force. By 
     Executive Order 112138, in May 1979, the name was changed to 
     the Interagency Council. In 1988, the Women's Business 
     Ownership Act (Public Law 100-533) replaced the Interagency 
     Council with a joint public-private sector National Women's 
     Business Council. The SBA Reauthorization and Amendment Act 
     of 1997 (Public Law 103-403) revised the Council's structure, 
     returning to all public-sector participants to comprise an 
     expanded Interagency Committee on Women's Business 
     Enterprise.
       Under current law, there is no authorization for 
     appropriations to support the activities on the Interagency 
     Committee. Nor are there clear directives on the operations 
     and interaction of the Federal agency and department 
     representatives. The Federal agencies and departments 
     represented on the Interagency Committee allocate existing 
     personnel and resources to support participation on the 
     Interagency Committee. The Interagency Committee is required 
     to submit, through SBA, an annual report to the President and 
     Congress, but there is no record of such annual reports being 
     prepared or delivered for the past three years.
       In addition, the President has not appointed a Chairperson 
     to carry out the mission of the Interagency Committee, and 
     therefore, it is inactive.
       The bill will direct that the SBA Deputy Administrator 
     temporarily fulfill the needs of the Interagency Committee 
     Chair if vacant until the President makes an appointment. 
     When the Interagency Committee is active and a Chair is in 
     place, the SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership serves as 
     Co-Chair. This action will provide for the continuity of 
     activities and avoid the periods of time of inactivity.
       The bill will direct the Interagency Committee to conduct 
     three official meetings each year:
       In October to plan upcoming fiscal year activities;
       In February to track year-to-date agency contracting goals; 
     and
       In August to evaluate fiscal year progress and begin the 
     report process.
       The bill creates a Policy Advisory Group consisting of 
     representatives from the SBA, the Department of Commerce, the 
     Department of Labor, the Department of Defense, Association 
     of Women's Business Centers, and two individuals and two 
     organizations that are members of the National Women's 
     Business Council. Creating the Policy Advisory Group will 
     return the Interagency to a mix of public/private members to 
     provide the energy and direction so badly needed to revive 
     the intent of the Interagency Committee.
       The bill will create three subcommittees:
       Subcommittee on Manufacturing, technology and Professional 
     Services;
       Subcommittee on Travel and International Trade; and
       Subcommittee on Procurement and Federal Contracting.
       These subcommittees will create the opportunity for smaller 
     groups to work on specific issues. Each subcommittee will 
     meet once a quarter and report their minutes to the National 
     Women's Business Council, the SBA Office of Women's Business 
     Ownership, and the SBA Contract Assistance for Women Business 
     Ownership Office. In addition to the Policy Advisory Group 
     members, all Federal departments and agencies may participate 
     at will.


                 iv. national women's business council

       The National Women's Business Council was created by the 
     Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to serve as an 
     advisory body because the Interagency Committee had been 
     criticized for inactivity. By separating the Council from the 
     Interagency Committee (1994 Act), the Council was able to 
     focus on its mission. The 1997 Reauthorization Act provided 
     for improved reporting duties and Council appointments.
       The 1988 Act required the Council to conduct studies on 
     issues relating to women-owned businesses, including the 
     award of Federal prime contracts to women-owned businesses 
     and access to credit and investment capital by women 
     entrepreneurs. In general, the National Women's Business 
     Council's statutory mandate is broad and lacks an integration 
     with other women's business ownership programs.
       Although the Council has not received its authorized level 
     of $1 million in funding, it has been required to designate 
     $550,000 of its appropriated funding to research studies. The 
     level of funding for Fiscal Year 2003 was $750,000. The 
     Administration has proposed a change in the amount that can 
     be spent on research studies--from a set amount of dollars 
     allocated to a 55 percentage of appropriated funds.
       The bill supports full funding for the National Women's 
     Business Council and full authority for the Chairperson to 
     conduct the Council's activities. In addition, the bill 
     establishes an allocation of appropriated funds for research.
       The change will provide the opportunity for the Council to 
     engage in activities, conferences and the development of 
     programs and services, at the direction of the Chairperson, 
     and be more pro-active in the years 2004 through 2006.
       The bill creates three Sub-committees on the Council (which 
     parallel the new subcommittees that the bill establishes for 
     the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise):
       Subcommittee on Manufacturing, Technology and Professional 
     Services;
       Subcommittee on Travel and International Trade; and
       Subcommittee on Procurement and Federal Contracting.
       These subcommittees will create the opportunity for smaller 
     groups to work on specific issues and interact with the 
     Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise and the 
     SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership. Recognizing that 
     the membership of the Council includes very active business 
     owners and leaders, rather than establish official meetings 
     for the Committees, the participants may participate via 
     conference calls or video conferencing.
       The bill will provide the Council with cosponsorship 
     authority. The SBA advised the Council in 2003 that the 
     Council did not have sufficient authority to engage in 
     cosponsored activities (such conferences, training 
     activities, and materials). The inability to engage in 
     cosponsored activities would seriously impede the works of 
     the Council in the future. It is through cosponsored 
     activities, partially funded by the private-sector or other 
     government agencies, that the Council is able to conduct 
     research as well as produce activities for women-owned small 
     businesses.
       The bill will clarify the membership representation. At 
     present, there is a problem with the interpretation of 
     Council membership as applied to an organization, business or 
     individual. Clarification language is needed to allow an 
     organization or business to change the names of individuals 
     representing the organization or business on the Council 
     without interruption.
       The bill directs the Council to establish a repository, at 
     the direction of the Chairperson, of information and research 
     on women's entrepreneurship.
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