[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 86 (Wednesday, June 10, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6459-S6471]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself and Ms. Snowe):
  S. 1229. A bill to reauthorize and improve the entrepreneurial 
development programs of the Small Business Administration, and for 
other purposes; to the Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, the Small Business Administration has 
provided critical financial assistance and counseling to America's 
small businesses since 1953. The services and assistance provided 
through SBAs programs have been pivotal to this country's economic 
growth and have helped thousands of American entrepreneurs realize 
their dream of starting and growing a successful business. In this time 
of economic uncertainty, reauthorization of these entrepreneurial 
development programs is essential to moving our Nation forward.
  What helps our entrepreneurs helps our entire economy. According to 
the U.S. Census Bureau, small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all 
firms, employ more than half of the workforce and account for half of 
the Nation's Gross Domestic Product. Small business management and 
technical assistance can potentially help millions of small businesses 
by teaching entrepreneurs and small business owners fundamental 
principles and practices regarding cash flow, cost management, how to 
access to capital and effective business planning. The SBA, through its 
resource partners such as Small Business Development Centers, SBDCs, 
Women's Business Centers, WBCs, Service Corps of Retired Executives, 
SCORE, and others, not only provides technical assistance and 
information to potential and current small business owners, but helps 
focus this Nation's entrepreneurial spirit into concrete economic 
growth.
  As Chair of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I 
have heard from small business owners across the country. They have 
told me that the programs and services currently offered by the Small 
Business Administration provide access to important resources that 
enable them to start, grow and expand their businesses. But more can 
and must be done to help these entrepreneurs. Through an extensive 
reauthorization of the entrepreneurial development programs within the 
Small Business Act, I believe that we can dramatically improve the 
tools available to small business concerns while simultaneously growing 
and strengthening our economy.
  That is why today I am introducing the Entrepreneurial Development 
Act of 2009. This legislation will provide SBA resource partners with 
the tools they need to effectively serve small businesses, giving them 
more opportunities to help lead the nation back toward economic 
prosperity.
  Before I discuss details of this bill, I first wish to thank Senator 
Snowe for her continued leadership on small business issues and working 
with me on this bipartisan effort. Over the past three congresses, the 
reauthorization of these programs has continued to receive support on 
both sides of the aisle, demonstrating the importance of reauthorizing 
essential entrepreneurial development programs.
  SBA is utilizing resource partners such as SBDCs, SCORE, WBCs and 
others to ensure that we are growing the Nation's economy through 
entrepreneurial development. In 2007, with a modest Federal investment 
of approximately $97 million in assistance, SBDC clients generated 
nearly $220 million in additional Federal revenues. Many of the small 
businesses that received assistance from SBDC's attributed their 
success to assistance offered by the SBDC. Nationally, this economic 
activity resulted in approximately $2.26 in revenue for every Federal 
dollar expended.
  This level of return on investment is not unique to SBDCs. According 
to an SBA report to Congress, SCORE helped create more than 19,000 new 
small businesses in 2007 at a cost of $29 per business and helped 
create more than 25,000 new jobs each year.
  These programs also provide essential information, training and 
assistance to a broad and diverse cross-section of communities 
throughout the country, and serve to further grow a variety of 
industries. Resource partners such as WBCs and initiatives such as the 
Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs, PRIME, are dedicated to 
serving clients who are economically and socially disadvantaged, 
providing tools and resources to small businesses in those communities 
that are most in need. According to a study sponsored by the 
Association of Women's Business Centers, AWBC, 2/3 of WBC clients have 
household incomes of less than $50,000 and 42 percent are women of 
color. These programs serve communities with limited access to capital 
and educational opportunities and provide them with the tools and 
information they need to start and manage a successful business.
  The reauthorization of these programs is critical to effectively 
provide entrepreneurs with essential assistance and resources to start 
a successful business. The legislation will also create opportunities 
for veterans and service disabled small business owners. According to 
the Department of Veteran Affairs, there are more than 23.8 million 
veterans in the country, with hundreds of new veterans returning home 
from service in Iraq and Afghanistan each day. Many of these returning 
soldiers become entrepreneurs to support

[[Page S6460]]

themselves and rebuild their lives after long deployments, which also 
serves to create new jobs in their communities.
  Since the passage of The Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business 
Development Act of 1999, the SBA's Office of Veterans Business 
Development has been working to provide technical assistance and 
support to those veterans who have served our country and returned to 
start or grow a small business. This legislation seeks to ease their 
transition by providing business counseling and technical assistance 
through a new network of Veterans Business Centers, modeled after 
Women's Business Centers and Small Business Development Centers. The 
Veterans Business Center Program will provide services not only to 
returning veterans and service disabled veterans, but also to the 
families, spouses and surviving spouses of these heroic men and women.
  The 111th Congress will be the third consecutive Congress during 
which comprehensive legislation reauthorizing and improving the SBA's 
Entrepreneurial Programs has been introduced. Ranking Member Snowe 
introduced S. 3778 in the 109th Congress and former Chairman John Kerry 
introduced S. 1671 and S. 2920, a bill to which I was a cosponsor, 
during the 110th Congress. In each previous Congress, this legislation 
was well received and passed unanimously out of Committee; however, 
these bills stalled before the full Senate. As Chair of the Small 
Business Committee this Congress, it is a top priority of mine to 
finally get this legislation passed and ensure that during this time of 
economic uncertainty, we are able to provide small businesses with the 
tools they need to grow and expand their businesses. With this in mind, 
I will work closely with Ranking Member Snowe and the other members of 
the Committee in the coming months to get this legislation to the 
President's desk.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                S. 1229

       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 ``Entrepreneurial Development 
     Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Definitions.

                        TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION

Sec. 101. Reauthorization.

          TITLE II--WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Office of Women's Business Ownership.
Sec. 202. Women's Business Center Program.
Sec. 203. National Women's Business Council.
Sec. 204. Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise.
Sec. 205. Preserving the independence of the National Women's Business 
              Council.
Sec. 206. Study and report on women's business centers.

     TITLE III--NATIVE AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Sec. 301. Short title.
Sec. 302. Native American small business development program.
Sec. 303. Study and report on Native American business centers.
Sec. 304. Office of Native American Affairs pilot program.

              TITLE IV--VETERANS' BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM

Sec. 401. Veterans' business center program; Office of Veterans 
              Business Development.
Sec. 402. Reporting requirement for interagency task force.
Sec. 403. Repeal and renewal of grants.

         TITLE V--PROGRAM FOR INVESTMENT IN MICROENTREPRENEURS

Sec. 501. PRIME reauthorization.
Sec. 502. Conforming repeal and amendments.
Sec. 503. References.
Sec. 504. Rule of construction.

                       TITLE VI--OTHER PROVISIONS

Sec. 601. Institutions of higher education.
Sec. 602. Health insurance options information for small business 
              concerns.
Sec. 603. National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board.
Sec. 604. Privacy requirements for SCORE chapters.
Sec. 605. National small business summit.
Sec. 606. SCORE program.
Sec. 607. Assistance to out-of-state small businesses.
Sec. 608. Small business development centers.
Sec. 609. Evaluation of pilot programs.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean 
     the Small Business Administration and the Administrator 
     thereof, respectively;
       (2) the term ``small business concern'' has the same 
     meaning as in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     632); and
       (3) the term ``small business development center'' means a 
     small business development center described in section 21 of 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648).

                        TITLE I--REAUTHORIZATION

     SEC. 101. REAUTHORIZATION.

       (a) In General.--Section 20 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 631 note) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (f); and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(g) SCORE Program.--There are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Administrator to carry out the SCORE 
     program authorized by section 8(b)(1) such sums as are 
     necessary for the Administrator to make grants or enter into 
     cooperative agreements for a total of--
       ``(1) $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2010;
       ``(2) $11,000,000 in fiscal year 2011; and
       ``(3) $13,000,000 in fiscal year 2012.''.
       (b) Small Business Development Centers.--Section 
     21(a)(4)(C)(vii) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     648(a)(4)(C)(vii)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(vii) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 
     subparagraph--

       ``(I) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
       ``(II) $155,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
       ``(III) $160,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.''.

       (c) Paul D. Coverdell Drug-Free Workplace Program.--
       (1) In general.--Section 27(g) of the Small Business Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 654(g)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``fiscal years 2005 and 
     2006'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2010 through 2012''; and
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``fiscal years 2005 and 
     2006'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2010 through 2012''.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 21(c)(3)(T) of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(c)(3)(T)) is amended by striking 
     ``October 1, 2006'' and inserting ``October 1, 2012''.

          TITLE II--WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS

     SEC. 201. OFFICE OF WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.

       (a) In General.--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'' 
     and all that follows through the end of subclause (I), and 
     inserting the following: ``to address issues concerning the 
     management, operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, 
     retail and product sales, international trade, Government 
     contracting, and other disciplines required for--

       ``(I) starting, operating, and increasing the business of a 
     small business concern;''; and

       (B) in subparagraph (C), by inserting before the period at 
     the end the following: ``, the National Women's Business 
     Council, and any association of women's business centers''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Training.--The Administrator may provide annual 
     programmatic and financial oversight training for women's 
     business ownership representatives and district office 
     technical representatives of the Administration to enable 
     representatives to carry out their responsibilities.
       ``(4) Program and transparency improvements.--The 
     Administrator shall maximize the transparency of the women's 
     business center financial assistance proposal process and the 
     programmatic and financial oversight process by--
       ``(A) providing public notice of the announcement for 
     financial assistance under subsection (b) and grants under 
     subsection (l) not later than the end of the first quarter of 
     each fiscal year;
       ``(B) in the announcement described in subparagraph (A), 
     outlining award and program evaluation criteria and 
     describing the weighting of the criteria for financial 
     assistance under subsection (b) and grants under subsection 
     (l);
       ``(C) minimizing paperwork and reporting requirements for 
     applicants for and recipients of financial assistance under 
     this section;
       ``(D) standardizing the oversight and review process of the 
     Administration; and
       ``(E) providing to each women's business center, not later 
     than 60 days after the completion of a site visit at the 
     women's business center (whether conducted for an audit, 
     performance review, or other reason), a copy of site visit 
     reports and evaluation reports prepared by district office 
     technical representatives or officers or employees of the 
     Administration.''.
       (b) Change of Title.--
       (1) In general.--Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 656) is amended--
       (A) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by striking paragraphs (1) and (4);
       (ii) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs 
     (4) and (5), respectively; and

[[Page S6461]]

       (iii) by inserting before paragraph (4), as so 
     redesignated, the following:
       ``(2) the term `Director' means the Director of the Office 
     of Women's Business Ownership established under subsection 
     (g);'';
       (B) by striking ``Assistant Administrator'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``Director''; and
       (C) in subsection (g)(2), in the paragraph heading, by 
     striking ``Assistant administrator'' and inserting 
     ``Director''.
       (2) Women's business ownership act of 1988.--Title IV of 
     the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7101 et 
     seq.) is amended--
       (A) in section 403(a)(2)(B), by striking ``Assistant 
     Administrator'' and inserting ``Director'';
       (B) in section 405, by striking ``Assistant Administrator'' 
     and inserting ``Director''; and
       (C) in section 406(c), by striking ``Assistant 
     Administrator'' and inserting ``Director''.

     SEC. 202. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

       (a) Women's Business Center Financial Assistance.--Section 
     29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)--
       (A) by inserting before paragraph (2), as added by section 
     201(b), the following:
       ``(1) the term `association of women's business centers' 
     means an organization--
       ``(A) that represents not less than 51 percent of the 
     women's business centers that participate in a program under 
     this section; and
       ``(B) whose primary purpose is to represent women's 
     business centers;'';
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (2), as added by section 
     201(b), the following:
       ``(3) the term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(A) a private nonprofit organization;
       ``(B) a State, regional, or local economic development 
     organization;
       ``(C) a development, credit, or finance corporation 
     chartered by a State;
       ``(D) a public or private institution of higher education 
     (as that term is used in sections 101 and 102 of the Higher 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)); or
       ``(E) any combination of entities listed in subparagraphs 
     (A) through (D);''; and
       (C) by adding after paragraph (5), as redesignated by 
     section 201(b), the following:
       ``(6) the term `women's business center' means a project 
     conducted by an eligible entity under this section that--
       ``(A) is carried out separately from other projects, if 
     any, of the eligible entity; and
       ``(B) is separate from the financial system of the eligible 
     entity;''.
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as 
     subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), and adjusting the margins 
     accordingly;
       (B) by striking ``The Administration'' and all that follows 
     through ``5-year project'' and inserting the following:
       ``(1) In general.--The Administration may provide financial 
     assistance to an eligible entity to conduct a project under 
     this section'';
       (C) by striking ``The projects shall'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(2) Use of funds.--The project shall be designed to 
     provide training and counseling that meets the needs of 
     women, especially socially and economically disadvantaged 
     women, and shall provide''; and
       (D) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Amount of financial assistance.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator may award financial 
     assistance under this subsection of not less than $150,000 
     per year.
       ``(B) Equal allocations.--In the event that the 
     Administration has insufficient funds to provide financial 
     assistance of $150,000 for each recipient of financial 
     assistance under this subsection in any fiscal year, 
     available funds shall be allocated equally to recipients, 
     unless a recipient requests a lower amount than the allocated 
     amount.
       ``(4) Consultation with associations of women's business 
     centers.--The Administrator shall consult with each 
     association of women's business centers to develop--
       ``(A) a training program for the staff of women's business 
     centers and the Administration; and
       ``(B) recommendations to improve the policies and 
     procedures for governing the general operations and 
     administration of the Women's Business Center program, 
     including grant program improvements under subsection 
     (g)(5).'';
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1) by striking ``the recipient 
     organization'' and inserting ``an eligible entity'';
       (B) in paragraph (3), in the second sentence, by striking 
     ``a recipient organization'' and inserting ``an eligible 
     entity''; and
       (C) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) by striking ``recipient'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``eligible entity''; and
       (ii) by striking ``such organization'' and inserting ``the 
     eligible entity'';
       (4) in subsection (e)--
       (A) by striking ``applicant organization'' and inserting 
     ``eligible entity'';
       (B) by striking ``a recipient organization'' and inserting 
     ``an eligible entity''; and
       (C) by striking ``site'';
       (5) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
       ``(f) Applications and Criteria for Initial Financial 
     Assistance.--
       ``(1) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring financial 
     assistance under subsection (b) shall submit to the 
     Administrator an application that contains--
       ``(A) a certification that the eligible entity--
       ``(i) has designated an executive director or program 
     manager, who may be compensated from financial assistance 
     under subsection (b) or other sources, to manage the center 
     on a full-time basis; and
       ``(ii) as a condition of receiving financial assistance 
     under subsection (b), agrees--

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

       ``(iii) meets the accounting and reporting requirements 
     established by the Director of the Office of Management and 
     Budget;
       ``(B) information demonstrating that the eligible entity 
     has the ability and resources to meet the needs of the market 
     to be served by the women's business center for which 
     financial assistance under subsection (b) is sought, 
     including the ability to obtain the non-Federal contribution 
     required under subsection (c);
       ``(C) information relating to the assistance to be provided 
     by the women's business center for which financial assistance 
     under subsection (b) is sought in the area in which the 
     women's business center site is located;
       ``(D) information demonstrating the experience and 
     effectiveness of the eligible entity in--
       ``(i) conducting financial, management, and marketing 
     assistance programs, as described under subsection (b)(2), 
     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 socially and economically 
     disadvantaged; and
       ``(iii) using resource partners of the Administration and 
     other entities, such as universities; and
       ``(E) a 5-year plan that describes the ability of the 
     women's business center for which financial assistance is 
     sought--
       ``(i) to serve women who are business owners or potential 
     owners by conducting training and counseling activities; and
       ``(ii) to provide training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are socially and economically 
     disadvantaged.
       ``(2) Additional information.--The Administrator shall make 
     any request for additional information from an organization 
     applying for financial assistance under subsection (b) that 
     was not requested in the original announcement in writing.
       ``(3) Review and approval of applications for initial 
     financial assistance.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall--
       ``(i) review each application submitted under paragraph 
     (1), based on the information described in such paragraph and 
     the criteria set forth under subparagraph (B) of this 
     paragraph; and
       ``(ii) to the extent practicable, as part of the final 
     selection process, conduct a site visit at each women's 
     business center for which financial assistance under 
     subsection (b) is sought.
       ``(B) Selection criteria.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall evaluate 
     applicants for financial assistance under subsection (b) in 
     accordance with selection criteria that are--

       ``(I) established before the date on which applicants are 
     required to submit the applications;
       ``(II) stated in terms of relative importance; and
       ``(III) publicly available and stated in each solicitation 
     for applications for financial assistance under subsection 
     (b) made by the Administrator.

       ``(ii) Required criteria.--The selection criteria for 
     financial assistance under subsection (b) shall include--

       ``(I) the experience of the applicant in conducting 
     programs or ongoing efforts designed to teach or enhance the 
     business skills of women who are business owners or potential 
     business 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 
     socially and economically disadvantaged; and
       ``(IV) the location for the women's business center site 
     proposed by the applicant, including whether the applicant is 
     located in a State in which there is not a women's business 
     center receiving funding from the Administration.

       ``(C) Proximity.--If the principal place of business of an 
     applicant for financial assistance under subsection (b) is 
     located less than 50 miles from the principal place of 
     business of a women's business center that received funds 
     under this section on or before the date of the application, 
     the applicant shall not be eligible for the financial 
     assistance, unless the applicant submits a detailed written 
     justification of the need for an additional center in the 
     area in which the applicant is located.
       ``(D) Record retention.--The Administrator shall maintain a 
     copy of each application submitted under this subsection for 
     not less than 7 years.''; and
       (6) in subsection (m), by striking paragraph (3) and 
     inserting the following:
       ``(3) Application and approval for renewal grants.--

[[Page S6462]]

       ``(A) Application.--Each eligible entity desiring a grant 
     under this subsection shall submit to the Administrator an 
     application that contains--
       ``(i) a certification that the applicant--

       ``(I) is a private nonprofit organization;
       ``(II) has designated a full-time executive director or 
     program manager to manage the women's business center 
     operated by the applicant; and
       ``(III) as a condition of receiving a grant under this 
     subsection, agrees--

       ``(aa) to receive a site visit as part of the final 
     selection process;
       ``(bb) to submit, for the 2 full fiscal years before the 
     date on which the application is submitted, annual 
     programmatic and financial review reports or certified copies 
     of the compliance supplemental audits under OMB Circular A-
     133 of the applicant; and
       ``(cc) to remedy any problem identified pursuant to the 
     site visit or review under item (aa) or (bb);
       ``(ii) 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 for which a grant under 
     this subsection is sought, including the ability to ability 
     to obtain the non-Federal contribution required under 
     paragraph (4)(C);
       ``(iii) information relating to assistance to be provided 
     by the women's business center for which a grant under this 
     subsection is sought in the area of the women's business 
     center site;
       ``(iv) information demonstrating the use of resource 
     partners of the Administration and other entities;
       ``(v) a 3-year plan that describes the ability of the 
     women's business center for which a grant under this 
     subsection is sought--

       ``(I) to serve women who are business owners or potential 
     business owners by conducting training and counseling 
     activities; and
       ``(II) to provide training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are socially and economically 
     disadvantaged; and

       ``(vi) any additional information that the Administrator 
     may reasonably require.
       ``(B) Review and approval of applications for grants.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall--

       ``(I) review each application submitted under subparagraph 
     (A), based on the information described in such subparagraph 
     and the criteria set forth under clause (ii) of this 
     subparagraph; and
       ``(II) whenever practicable, as part of the final selection 
     process, conduct a site visit at each women's business center 
     for which a grant under this subsection is sought.

       ``(ii) Selection criteria.--

       ``(I) In general.--The Administrator shall evaluate 
     applicants for grants under this subsection in accordance 
     with selection criteria that are--

       ``(aa) established before the date on which applicants are 
     required to submit the applications;
       ``(bb) stated in terms of relative importance; and
       ``(cc) publicly available and stated in each solicitation 
     for applications for grants under this subsection made by the 
     Administrator.

       ``(II) Required criteria.--The selection criteria for a 
     grant under this subsection shall include--

       ``(aa) the total number of entrepreneurs served by the 
     applicant;
       ``(bb) the total number of new start-up companies assisted 
     by the applicant;
       ``(cc) the percentage of the clients of the applicant that 
     are socially or economically disadvantaged; and
       ``(dd) the percentage of individuals in the community 
     served by the applicant who are socially or economically 
     disadvantaged.
       ``(iii) Conditions for continued funding.--In determining 
     whether to make a grant under this subsection, the 
     Administrator--

       ``(I) shall consider the results of the most recent 
     evaluation of the women's business center for which a grant 
     under this subsection is sought, and, to a lesser extent, 
     previous evaluations; and
       ``(II) may withhold a grant under this subsection, if the 
     Administrator determines that the applicant has failed to 
     provide the information required to be provided under this 
     paragraph, or the information provided by the applicant is 
     inadequate.

       ``(C) Notification.--Not later than 60 days after the date 
     of the deadline to submit applications for each fiscal year, 
     the Administrator shall approve or deny any application under 
     this paragraph and notify the applicant for each such 
     application.
       ``(D) Record retention.--The Administrator shall maintain a 
     copy of each application submitted under this paragraph for 
     not less than 7 years.''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--Section 29 of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (h)(2), by striking ``to award a contract 
     (as a sustainability grant) under subsection (l) or'';
       (2) in subsection (j)(1), by striking ``The 
     Administration'' and inserting ``Not later than November 1st 
     of each year, the Administrator'';
       (3) in subsection (k)--
       (A) by striking paragraphs (1), (2), and (4);
       (B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (5); and
       (C) by inserting before paragraph (5), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Administration to carry out this section, to remain 
     available until expended--
       ``(A) $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
       ``(B) $20,500,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
       ``(C) $21,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.
       ``(2) Allocation.--Of amounts made available pursuant to 
     paragraph (1), the Administrator shall use not less than 50 
     percent for grants under subsection (l).
       ``(3) Use of amounts.--Amounts made available under this 
     subsection may only be used for grant awards and may not be 
     used for costs incurred by the Administration in connection 
     with the management and administration of the program under 
     this section.
       ``(4) Continuing grant and cooperative agreement 
     authority.--
       ``(A) In general.--The authority of the Administrator to 
     provide financial assistance under this section shall be in 
     effect for each fiscal year only to the extent and in the 
     amounts as are provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
       ``(B) Prompt disbursement.--Upon receiving funds to carry 
     out this section for a fiscal year, the Administrator shall, 
     to the extent practicable, promptly reimburse funds to any 
     women's business center awarded financial assistance under 
     this section if the center meets the eligibility requirements 
     under this section.
       ``(C) Renewal.--After the Administrator has entered into a 
     grant or cooperative agreement with any women's business 
     center under this section, the Administrator shall not 
     suspend, terminate, or fail to renew or extend any such grant 
     or cooperative agreement, unless the Administrator--
       ``(i) provides the women's business center with written 
     notification setting forth the reasons for that action; and
       ``(ii) affords the center an opportunity for a hearing, 
     appeal, or other administrative proceeding under chapter 5 of 
     title 5, United States Code.'';
       (4) in subsection (m)(4)(D), by striking ``or subsection 
     (l)''; and
       (5) by redesignating subsections (m) and (n), as amended by 
     this Act, as subsections (l) and (m), respectively.

     SEC. 203. NATIONAL WOMEN'S BUSINESS COUNCIL.

       (a) Membership.--Section 407(f) of the Women's Business 
     Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7107(f)) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Representation of member organizations.--In 
     consultation with the chairperson of the Council and the 
     Administrator, a national women's business organization or 
     small business concern that is represented on the Council may 
     replace its representative member on the Council during the 
     service term to which that member was appointed.''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 410(a) of the 
     Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7110(a)) is 
     amended by striking ``2001 through 2003, of which $550,000'' 
     and inserting ``2010 through 2012, of which not less than 30 
     percent''.

     SEC. 204. 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. 7103(b)) 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. 7101) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``There'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Establishment of Committee.--There''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(b) Policy Advisory Group.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Policy 
     Advisory Group within the Interagency Committee to assist the 
     chairperson in developing policies and programs under this 
     Act.
       ``(2) Membership.--The Policy Advisory Group shall be 
     composed of 7 policy making officials, of whom--
       ``(A) 1 shall be a representative of the Small Business 
     Administration;
       ``(B) 1 shall be a representative of the Department of 
     Commerce;
       ``(C) 1 shall be a representative of the Department of 
     Labor;
       ``(D) 1 shall be a representative of the Department of 
     Defense;
       ``(E) 1 shall be a representative of the Department of the 
     Treasury; and
       ``(F) 2 shall be representatives of the Council.
       ``(3) Meetings.--The Policy Advisory Group established 
     under paragraph (1) shall meet not less frequently than 3 
     times each year to--
       ``(A) plan activities for the new fiscal year;
       ``(B) track year-to-date agency contracting activities; and
       ``(C) evaluate the progress during the fiscal year and 
     prepare an annual report.''.

     SEC. 205. PRESERVING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S 
                   BUSINESS COUNCIL.

       (a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:

[[Page S6463]]

       (1) The National Women's Business Council provides an 
     independent source of advice and policy recommendations 
     regarding women's business development and the needs of women 
     entrepreneurs in the United States to--
       (A) the President;
       (B) Congress;
       (C) the Interagency Committee on Women's Business 
     Enterprise; and
       (D) the Administrator.
       (2) The members of the National Women's Business Council 
     are small business owners, representatives of business 
     organizations, and representatives of women's business 
     centers.
       (3) The chairman and ranking member of the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives 
     make recommendations to the Administrator to fill 8 of the 
     positions on the National Women's Business Council. Four of 
     the positions are reserved for small business owners who are 
     affiliated with the political party of the President, and 4 
     of the positions are reserved for small business owners who 
     are not affiliated with the political party of the President. 
     This method of appointment ensures that the National Women's 
     Business Council will provide Congress with nonpartisan, 
     balanced, and independent advice.
       (4) In order to maintain the independence of the National 
     Women's Business Council and to ensure that the Council 
     continues to provide the President, the Interagency Committee 
     on Women's Business Enterprise, the Administrator, and 
     Congress with advice on a nonpartisan basis, it is essential 
     that the Council maintain the bipartisan balance established 
     under section 407 of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 
     1988 (15 U.S.C. 7107).
       (b) Maintenance of Partisan Balance.--Section 407(f) of the 
     Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7107(f)), 
     as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:
       ``(4) Partisan balance.--When filling a vacancy under 
     paragraph (1) of this subsection of a member appointed under 
     paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (b), the Administrator 
     shall, to the extent practicable, ensure that there are an 
     equal number of members on the Council from each of the 2 
     major political parties.
       ``(5) Accountability.--If a vacancy is not filled within 
     the 30-day period required under paragraph (1), or if there 
     is an imbalance in the number of members on the Council from 
     each of the 2 major political parties for a period exceeding 
     30 days, the Administrator shall submit a report, not later 
     than 10 days after the expiration of either such 30-day 
     deadline, to the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives, that explains why 
     the respective deadline was not met and provides an estimated 
     date on which any vacancies will be filled, as applicable.''.

     SEC. 206. STUDY AND REPORT ON WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS.

       (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a broad study of the unique economic 
     issues facing women's business centers located in covered 
     areas to identify--
       (1) the difficulties such centers face in raising non-
     Federal funds;
       (2) the difficulties such centers face competing for 
     financial assistance, non-Federal funds, or other types of 
     assistance;
       (3) the difficulties such centers face in writing grant 
     proposals; and
       (4) other difficulties such centers face because of the 
     economy in the type of covered area in which such centers are 
     located.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to Congress a report regarding the results of the study 
     conducted under subsection (a), which shall include 
     recommendations, if any, regarding how to--
       (1) address the unique difficulties women's business 
     centers located in covered areas face because of the type of 
     covered area in which such centers are located;
       (2) expand the presence of, and increase the services 
     provided by, women's business centers located in covered 
     areas; and
       (3) best use technology and other resources to better serve 
     women business owners located in covered areas.
       (c) Definition of Covered Area.--In this section, the term 
     ``covered area'' means--
       (1) any State that is predominantly rural, as determined by 
     the Administrator;
       (2) any State that is predominantly urban, as determined by 
     the Administrator; and
       (3) any State or territory that is an island.

     TITLE III--NATIVE AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

     SEC. 301. SHORT TITLE.

       This title may be cited as the ``Native American Small 
     Business Development Act of 2009''.

     SEC. 302. NATIVE AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.

       The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 44 as section 45; and
       (2) by inserting after section 43 the following:

     ``SEC. 44. NATIVE AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 
                   PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `Alaska Native' has the meaning given the 
     term `Native' in section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims 
     Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(b));
       ``(2) the term `Alaska Native corporation' has the meaning 
     given the term `Native Corporation' in section 3(m) of the 
     Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1602(m));
       ``(3) the term `Assistant Administrator' means the 
     Assistant Administrator of the Office of Native American 
     Affairs established under subsection (b);
       ``(4) the terms `center' and `Native American business 
     center' mean a center established under subsection (c);
       ``(5) the term `eligible applicant' means--
       ``(A) an Indian tribe;
       ``(B) a tribal college;
       ``(C) an Alaska Native corporation; or
       ``(D) a private, nonprofit organization--
       ``(i) that provides business and financial or procurement 
     technical assistance to any entity described in subparagraph 
     (A), (B), or (C); and
       ``(ii) the majority of members of the board of directors of 
     which are members of an Indian tribe; or
       ``(E) a small business development center, women's business 
     center, or other private organization participating in a 
     joint project;
       ``(6) the term `Indian' means a member of an Indian tribe;
       ``(7) the term `Indian tribe' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and 
     Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b);
       ``(8) the term `joint project' means a project that--
       ``(A) combines the resources and expertise of 2 or more 
     distinct entities at a physical location dedicated to 
     assisting the Native American community; and
       ``(B) submits to the Administration a joint application 
     that contains--
       ``(i) a certification that each participant of the 
     project--

       ``(I) is an eligible applicant;
       ``(II) employs an executive director or program manager to 
     manage the center; and

       ``(ii) provides information demonstrating a record of 
     commitment to providing assistance to Native Americans and;
       ``(iii) information demonstrating that the participants in 
     the joint project have the ability and resources to meet the 
     needs, including the cultural needs, of the Native Americans 
     to be served by the project;
       ``(9) the term `Native American Business Enterprise Center' 
     means an entity providing business development assistance to 
     federally recognized tribes and Native Americans under a 
     grant from the Minority Business Development Agency of the 
     Department of Commerce;
       ``(10) the term `Native American small business concern' 
     means a small business concern that is owned and controlled 
     by--
       ``(A) a member of an Indian tribe; or
       ``(B) an Alaska Native or Alaska Native corporation;
       ``(11) the term `Native American small business development 
     program' means the program established under subsection (c);
       ``(12) the term `tribal college' has the meaning given the 
     term `tribally controlled college or university' has in 
     section 2(a)(4) of the Tribally Controlled Community College 
     Assistance Act of 1978 (25 U.S.C. 1801(a)(4)); and
       ``(13) the term `tribal lands' means all lands within the 
     exterior boundaries of any Indian reservation.
       ``(b) Office of Native American Affairs.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Administration the Office of Native American Affairs, which, 
     under the direction of the Assistant Administrator, shall 
     implement the programs of the Administration for the 
     development of business enterprises by Native Americans.
       ``(2) Purpose.--The purpose of the Office of Native 
     American Affairs is to assist Native American entrepreneurs 
     to--
       ``(A) start, operate, and increase the business of small 
     business concerns;
       ``(B) develop management and technical skills;
       ``(C) seek Federal procurement opportunities;
       ``(D) increase employment opportunities for Native 
     Americans through the establishment and expansion of small 
     business concerns; and
       ``(E) increase the access of Native Americans to capital 
     markets.
       ``(3) Assistant administrator.--
       ``(A) Appointment.--The Administrator shall appoint a 
     qualified individual to serve as Assistant Administrator of 
     the Office of Native American Affairs in accordance with this 
     paragraph.
       ``(B) Qualifications.--The Assistant Administrator 
     appointed under subparagraph (A) shall have--
       ``(i) knowledge of Native American culture; and
       ``(ii) experience providing culturally tailored small 
     business development assistance to Native Americans.
       ``(C) Employment status.--The Administrator shall establish 
     the position of Assistant Administrator as--
       ``(i) a position at GS-15 of the General Schedule; or
       ``(ii) a Senior Executive Service position to be filled by 
     a noncareer appointee, as defined under section 3132(a)(7) of 
     title 5, United States Code.

[[Page S6464]]

       ``(D) Responsibilities and duties.--The Assistant 
     Administrator shall--
       ``(i) in consultation with the Associate Administrator for 
     Entrepreneurial Development, administer and manage the Native 
     American Small Business Development program established under 
     this section;
       ``(ii) recommend the annual administrative and program 
     budgets for the Office of Native American Affairs;
       ``(iii) consult with Native American business centers in 
     carrying out the program established under this section;
       ``(iv) recommend appropriate funding levels;
       ``(v) review the annual budgets submitted by each applicant 
     for the Native American Small Business Development program;
       ``(vi) select applicants to participate in the program 
     under this section;
       ``(vii) implement this section; and
       ``(viii) maintain a clearinghouse for the dissemination and 
     exchange of information between Native American business 
     centers.
       ``(E) Consultation requirements.--In carrying out the 
     responsibilities and duties described in this paragraph, the 
     Assistant Administrator shall confer with and seek the advice 
     of--
       ``(i) officials of the Administration working in areas 
     served by Native American business centers;
       ``(ii) representatives of Indian tribes;
       ``(iii) tribal colleges; and
       ``(iv) Alaska Native corporations.
       ``(c) Native American Small Business Development Program.--
       ``(1) Authorization.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administration, through the Office 
     of Native American Affairs, shall provide financial 
     assistance to eligible applicants to create Native American 
     business centers in accordance with this section.
       ``(B) Use of funds.--The financial and resource assistance 
     provided under this subsection shall be used to establish a 
     Native American business center to overcome obstacles 
     impeding the creation, development, and expansion of small 
     business concerns, in accordance with this section, by--
       ``(i) reservation-based American Indians; and
       ``(ii) Alaska Natives.
       ``(2) 5-Year projects.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each Native American business center 
     that receives assistance under paragraph (1)(A) shall conduct 
     a 5-year project that offers culturally tailored business 
     development assistance in the form of--
       ``(i) financial education, including training and 
     counseling in--

       ``(I) applying for and securing business credit and 
     investment capital;
       ``(II) preparing and presenting financial statements; and
       ``(III) managing cash flow and other financial operations 
     of a business concern;

       ``(ii) management education, including training and 
     counseling in planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and 
     controlling each major activity and function of a small 
     business concern; and
       ``(iii) marketing education, including training and 
     counseling in--

       ``(I) identifying and segmenting domestic and international 
     market opportunities;
       ``(II) preparing and executing marketing plans;
       ``(III) developing pricing strategies;
       ``(IV) locating contract opportunities;
       ``(V) negotiating contracts; and
       ``(VI) utilizing varying public relations and advertising 
     techniques.

       ``(B) Business development assistance recipients.--The 
     business development assistance under subparagraph (A) shall 
     be offered to prospective and current owners of small 
     business concerns that are owned by--
       ``(i) Indians or Indian tribes, and located on or near 
     tribal lands; or
       ``(ii) Alaska Natives or Alaska Native corporations.
       ``(3) Form of federal financial assistance.--
       ``(A) Documentation.--
       ``(i) In general.--The financial assistance to Native 
     American business centers authorized under this subsection 
     may be made by grant, contract, or cooperative agreement.
       ``(ii) Exception.--Financial assistance under this 
     subsection to Alaska Native corporations may only be made by 
     grant or cooperative agreement.
       ``(B) Payments.--
       ``(i) Timing.--Payments made under this subsection may be 
     disbursed in periodic installments, at the request of the 
     recipient.
       ``(ii) Advance.--The Administrator may disburse not more 
     than 25 percent of the annual amount of Federal financial 
     assistance awarded to a Native American small business center 
     after notice of the award has been issued.
       ``(C) Federal share.--
       ``(i) In general.--

       ``(I) Initial financial assistance.--Except as provided in 
     subclause (II), an eligible applicant that receives financial 
     assistance under this subsection shall provide non-Federal 
     contributions for the operation of the Native American 
     business center established by the eligible applicant in an 
     amount equal to--

       ``(aa) in each of the first and second years of the 
     project, not less than 33 percent of the amount of the 
     financial assistance received under this subsection; and
       ``(bb) in each of the third through fifth years of the 
     project, not less than 50 percent of the amount of the 
     financial assistance received under this subsection.

       ``(II) Renewals.--An eligible applicant that receives a 
     renewal of financial assistance under this subsection shall 
     provide non-Federal contributions for the operation of a 
     Native American business center established by the eligible 
     applicant in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent of 
     the amount of the financial assistance received under this 
     subsection.

       ``(4) Contract and cooperative agreement authority.--A 
     Native American business center may enter into a contract or 
     cooperative agreement with a Federal department or agency to 
     provide specific assistance to Native American and other 
     underserved small business concerns located on or near tribal 
     lands, to the extent that such contract or cooperative 
     agreement is consistent with and does not duplicate the terms 
     of any assistance received by the Native American business 
     center from the Administration.
       ``(5) Application process.--
       ``(A) Submission of a 5-year plan.--Each applicant for 
     assistance under paragraph (1) shall submit a 5-year plan to 
     the Administration on proposed assistance and training 
     activities.
       ``(B) Criteria.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall evaluate 
     applicants for financial assistance under this subsection in 
     accordance with selection criteria that are--

       ``(I) established before the date on which eligible 
     applicants are required to submit the applications;
       ``(II) stated in terms of relative importance; and
       ``(III) publicly available and stated in each solicitation 
     for applications for financial assistance under this 
     subsection made by the Administrator.

       ``(ii) Considerations.--The criteria required by this 
     subparagraph shall include--

       ``(I) the experience of the applicant in conducting 
     programs or ongoing efforts designed to impart or upgrade the 
     business skills of current or potential owners of Native 
     American small business concerns;
       ``(II) the ability of the applicant to commence a project 
     within a minimum amount of time;
       ``(III) the ability of the applicant to provide quality 
     training and services to a significant number of Native 
     Americans;
       ``(IV) previous assistance from the Administration to 
     provide services in Native American communities;
       ``(V) the proposed location for the Native American 
     business center, with priority given based on the proximity 
     of the center to the population being served and to achieve a 
     broad geographic dispersion of the centers; and
       ``(VI) demonstrated experience in providing technical 
     assistance, including financial, marketing, and management 
     assistance.

       ``(6) Conditions for participation.--Each eligible 
     applicant desiring a grant under this subsection shall submit 
     an application to the Administrator that contains--
       ``(A) a certification that the applicant--
       ``(i) is an eligible applicant;
       ``(ii) employs an executive director or program manager to 
     manage the Native American business center; and
       ``(iii) agrees--

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

       ``(B) information demonstrating that the applicant has the 
     ability and resources to meet the needs, including cultural 
     needs, of the Native Americans to be served by the grant;
       ``(C) information relating to proposed assistance that the 
     grant will provide, including--
       ``(i) the number of individuals to be assisted; and
       ``(ii) the number of hours of counseling, training, and 
     workshops to be provided;
       ``(D) information demonstrating the effectiveness and 
     experience of the applicant in--
       ``(i) conducting financial, management, and marketing 
     assistance programs designed to educate or improve the 
     business skills of, current or prospective Native American 
     business owners;
       ``(ii) providing training and services to a representative 
     number of Native Americans;
       ``(iii) using resource partners of the Administration and 
     other entities, including universities, Indian tribes, or 
     tribal colleges; and
       ``(iv) the prudent management of finances and staffing;
       ``(E) the location where the applicant will provide 
     training and services to Native Americans;
       ``(F) a 5-year plan that describes--
       ``(i) the number of Native Americans and Native American 
     small business concerns to be served by the grant;
       ``(ii) if the Native American business center is located in 
     the continental United States, the number of Native Americans 
     to be served by the grant; and
       ``(iii) the training and services to be provided to a 
     representative number of Native Americans; and
       ``(G) if the applicant is a joint project--
       ``(i) a certification that each participant in the joint 
     project is an eligible applicant;
       ``(ii) information demonstrating a record of commitment to 
     providing assistance to Native Americans; and

[[Page S6465]]

       ``(iii) information demonstrating that the participants in 
     the joint project have the ability and resources to meet the 
     needs, including the cultural needs, of the Native Americans 
     to be served by the grant.
       ``(7) Review of applications.--The Administrator shall 
     approve or disapprove each completed application submitted 
     under this subsection not later than 60 days after the date 
     on which the eligible applicant submits the application.
       ``(8) Program examination.--
       ``(A) In general.--Each Native American business center 
     established under this subsection shall annually provide to 
     the Administrator an itemized cost breakdown of actual 
     expenditures made during the preceding year.
       ``(B) Administration action.--Based on information received 
     under subparagraph (A), the Administration shall--
       ``(i) develop and implement an annual programmatic and 
     financial examination of each Native American business center 
     assisted pursuant to this subsection; and
       ``(ii) analyze the results of each examination conducted 
     under clause (i) to determine the programmatic and financial 
     viability of each Native American business center.
       ``(C) Conditions for continued funding.--In determining 
     whether to renew a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement 
     with a Native American business center, the Administration--
       ``(i) shall consider the results of the most recent 
     examination of the center under subparagraph (B), and, to a 
     lesser extent, previous examinations; and
       ``(ii) may withhold such renewal, if the Administrator 
     determines that--

       ``(I) the center has failed to provide the information 
     required to be provided under subparagraph (A), or the 
     information provided by the center is inadequate;
       ``(II) the center has failed to provide adequate 
     information required to be provided by the center for 
     purposes of the report of the Administrator under 
     subparagraph (E);
       ``(III) the center has failed to comply with a requirement 
     for participation in the Native American small business 
     development program, as determined by the Administrator, 
     including--

       ``(aa) failure to acquire or properly document a non-
     Federal share;
       ``(bb) failure to establish an appropriate partnership or 
     program for marketing and outreach to reach new Native 
     American small business concerns;
       ``(cc) failure to achieve results described in a financial 
     assistance agreement; and
       ``(dd) failure to provide to the Administrator a 
     description of the amount and sources of any non-Federal 
     funding received by the center;

       ``(IV) the center has failed to carry out the 5-year plan 
     under in paragraph (6)(F); or
       ``(V) the center cannot make the certification described in 
     paragraph (6)(A).

       ``(D) Continuing contract and cooperative agreement 
     authority.--
       ``(i) In general.--The authority of the Administrator to 
     enter into contracts or cooperative agreements in accordance 
     with this subsection shall be in effect for each fiscal year 
     only to the extent and in the amounts as are provided in 
     advance in appropriations Acts.
       ``(ii) Renewal.--After the Administrator has entered into a 
     contract or cooperative agreement with any Native American 
     business center under this subsection, the Administrator may 
     not suspend, terminate, or fail to renew or extend any such 
     contract or cooperative agreement unless the Administrator 
     provides the center with written notification setting forth 
     the reasons therefor and affords the center an opportunity 
     for a hearing, appeal, or other administrative proceeding 
     under chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(E) Management report.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Administration shall prepare and 
     submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives an annual report on 
     the effectiveness of all projects conducted by Native 
     American business centers under this subsection and any pilot 
     programs administered by the Office of Native American 
     Affairs.
       ``(ii) Contents.--Each report submitted under clause (i) 
     shall include, with respect to each Native American business 
     center receiving financial assistance under this subsection--

       ``(I) the number of individuals receiving assistance from 
     the Native American business center;
       ``(II) the number of startup business concerns created with 
     the assistance of the Native American business center;
       ``(III) the number of existing businesses in the area 
     served by the Native American business center seeking to 
     expand employment;
       ``(IV) the number of jobs created or maintained, on an 
     annual basis, by Native American small business concerns 
     assisted by the center since receiving funding under this 
     Act;
       ``(V) to the maximum extent practicable, the amount of the 
     capital investment and loan financing used by emerging and 
     expanding businesses that were assisted by a Native American 
     business center; and
       ``(VI) the most recent examination, as required under 
     subparagraph (B), and the determination made by the 
     Administration under that subparagraph.

       ``(9) Annual report.--Each Native American business center 
     receiving financial assistance under this subsection shall 
     submit to the Administrator an annual report on the services 
     provided with the financial assistance, including--
       ``(A) the number of individuals assisted, categorized by 
     ethnicity;
       ``(B) the number of hours spent providing counseling and 
     training for those individuals;
       ``(C) the number of startup small business concerns created 
     or maintained with the assistance of the Native American 
     business center;
       ``(D) the gross receipts of small business concerns 
     assisted by the Native American business center;
       ``(E) the number of jobs created or maintained by small 
     business concerns assisted by the Native American business 
     center; and
       ``(F) the number of jobs for Native Americans created or 
     maintained at small business concerns assisted by the Native 
     American business center.
       ``(10) Record retention.--
       ``(A) Applications.--The Administrator shall maintain a 
     copy of each application submitted under this subsection for 
     not less than 7 years.
       ``(B) Annual reports.--The Administrator shall maintain 
     copies of the certification submitted under paragraph (6)(A) 
     indefinitely.
       ``(d) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2010 
     through 2012, to carry out the Native American Small Business 
     Development program.''.

     SEC. 303. STUDY AND REPORT ON NATIVE AMERICAN BUSINESS 
                   CENTERS.

       (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a broad study of the unique economic 
     issues facing Native American business centers to identify--
       (1) the difficulties such centers face in raising non-
     Federal funds;
       (2) the difficulties such centers face competing for 
     financial assistance, non-Federal funds, or other types of 
     assistance;
       (3) the difficulties such centers face in writing grant 
     proposals; and
       (4) other difficulties such centers face because of the 
     economy in the area in which such centers are located.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit 
     to Congress a report regarding the results of the study 
     conducted under subsection (a), which shall include 
     recommendations, if any, regarding how to--
       (1) address the unique difficulties Native American 
     business centers face because of the type of area in which 
     such centers are located;
       (2) expand the presence of, and increase the services 
     provided by, Native American business centers; and
       (3) best use technology and other resources to better serve 
     Native American business owners.
       (c) Definition of Native American Business Center.--In this 
     section, the term ``Native American business center'' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 44(a) of the Small 
     Business Act, as added by this Act.

     SEC. 304. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS PILOT PROGRAM.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``Indian tribe'' 
     means any band, nation, or organized group or community of 
     Indians located in the contiguous United States, and the 
     Metlakatla Indian Community, whose members are recognized as 
     eligible for the services provided to Indians by the 
     Secretary of the Interior because of their status as Indians.
       (b) Authorization.--The Office of Native American Affairs 
     of the Administration may conduct a pilot program--
       (1) to develop and publish a self-assessment tool for 
     Indian tribes that will allow such tribes to evaluate and 
     implement best practices for economic development; and
       (2) to provide assistance to Indian tribes, through an 
     interagency working group, in identifying and implementing 
     economic development opportunities available from the Federal 
     Government and private enterprise, including--
       (A) the Administration;
       (B) the Department of Energy;
       (C) the Environmental Protection Agency;
       (D) the Department of Commerce;
       (E) the Federal Communications Commission;
       (F) the Department of Justice;
       (G) the Department of Labor;
       (H) the Office of National Drug Control Policy; and
       (I) the Department of Agriculture.
       (c) Termination of Program.--The authority to conduct a 
     pilot program under this section shall terminate on September 
     30, 2012.
       (d) Report.--Not later than September 30, 2012, the Office 
     of Native American Affairs shall submit a report to the 
     Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
     Representatives regarding the effectiveness of the self-
     assessment tool developed under subsection (b)(1).

              TITLE IV--VETERANS' BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM

     SEC. 401. VETERANS' BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM; OFFICE OF 
                   VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) In General.--Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 657b) is amended by

[[Page S6466]]

     striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
       ``(f) Online Coordination.--
       ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `veterans' 
     assistance provider' means--
       ``(A) a veterans' business center established under 
     subsection (g);
       ``(B) an employee of the Administration assigned to the 
     Office of Veterans Business Development; and
       ``(C) a veterans business ownership representative 
     designated under subsection (g)(13)(B).
       ``(2) Establishment.--The Associate Administrator shall 
     establish an online mechanism to--
       ``(A) provide information that assists veterans' assistance 
     providers in carrying out the activities of the veterans' 
     assistance providers; and
       ``(B) coordinate and leverage the work of the veterans' 
     assistance providers, including by allowing a veterans' 
     assistance provider to--
       ``(i) distribute best practices and other materials;
       ``(ii) communicate with other veterans' assistance 
     providers regarding the activities of the veterans' 
     assistance provider on behalf of veterans; and
       ``(iii) pose questions to and request input from other 
     veterans' assistance providers.
       ``(g) Veterans' Business Center Program.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `active duty' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code;
       ``(B) the term `private nonprofit organization' means an 
     entity that is described in section 501(c) of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 
     501(a) of such Code;
       ``(C) the term `Reservist' means a member of a reserve 
     component of the Armed Forces, as described in section 10101 
     of title 10, United States Code;
       ``(D) the term `Service Corps of Retired Executives' means 
     the Service Corps of Retired Executives authorized under 
     section 8(b)(1);
       ``(E) the term `small business concern owned and controlled 
     by veterans'--
       ``(i) has the same meaning as in section 3(q); and
       ``(ii) includes a small business concern--

       ``(I) not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or 
     more spouses of veterans or, in the case of any publicly 
     owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of 
     which is owned by one or more spouses of veterans; and
       ``(II) the management and daily business operations of 
     which are controlled by one or more spouses of veterans;

       ``(F) the term `spouse', relating to a veteran, service-
     disabled veteran, or Reservist, includes an individual who is 
     the spouse of a veteran, service-disabled veteran, or 
     Reservist on the date on which the veteran, service-disabled 
     veteran, or Reservist died;
       ``(G) the term `veterans' business center program' means 
     the program established under paragraph (2)(A); and
       ``(H) the term `women's business center' means a women's 
     business center described in section 29.
       ``(2) Program established.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator, acting through the 
     Associate Administrator, shall establish a veterans' business 
     center program, under which the Associate Administrator may 
     provide financial assistance to a private nonprofit 
     organization to conduct a 5-year project for the benefit of 
     small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, 
     which may be renewed for one or more additional 5-year 
     periods.
       ``(B) Form of financial assistance.--Financial assistance 
     under this subsection may be in the form of a grant, a 
     contract, or a cooperative agreement.
       ``(3) Veterans' business centers.--Each private nonprofit 
     organization that receives financial assistance under this 
     subsection shall establish or operate a veterans' business 
     center (which may include establishing or operating satellite 
     offices in the region described in paragraph (5) served by 
     that private nonprofit organization) that provides to 
     veterans (including service-disabled veterans), Reservists, 
     and the spouses of veterans (including service-disabled 
     veterans) and Reservists--
       ``(A) financial advice, including training and counseling 
     on applying for and securing business credit and investment 
     capital, preparing and presenting financial statements, and 
     managing cash flow and other financial operations of a small 
     business concern;
       ``(B) management advice, including training and counseling 
     on the planning, organization, staffing, direction, and 
     control of each major activity and function of a small 
     business concern;
       ``(C) marketing advice, including training and counseling 
     on identifying and segmenting domestic and international 
     market opportunities, preparing and executing marketing 
     plans, developing pricing strategies, locating contract 
     opportunities, negotiating contracts, and using public 
     relations and advertising techniques; and
       ``(D) advice, including training and counseling, for 
     Reservists and the spouses of Reservists.
       ``(4) Application.--
       ``(A) In general.--A private nonprofit organization 
     desiring to receive financial assistance under this 
     subsection shall submit an application to the Associate 
     Administrator at such time and in such manner as the 
     Associate Administrator may require.
       ``(B) 5-year plan.--Each application described in 
     subparagraph (A) shall include a 5-year plan on proposed 
     fundraising and training activities relating to the veterans' 
     business center.
       ``(C) Determination and notification.--Not later than 60 
     days after the date on which a private nonprofit organization 
     submits an application under subparagraph (A), the Associate 
     Administrator shall approve or deny the application and 
     notify the applicant of the determination.
       ``(D) Availability of application.--The Associate 
     Administrator shall make every effort to make the application 
     under subparagraph (A) available online.
       ``(5) Eligibility.--The Associate Administrator may select 
     to receive financial assistance under this subsection--
       ``(A) a Veterans Business Outreach Center established by 
     the Administrator under section 8(b)(17) on or before the day 
     before the date of enactment of this subsection;
       ``(B) a private nonprofit organization that--
       ``(i) received financial assistance in fiscal year 2006 
     from the National Veterans Business Development Corporation 
     established under section 33; and
       ``(ii) is in operation on the date of enactment of this 
     subsection; or
       ``(C) other private nonprofit organizations located in 
     various regions of the United States, as the Associate 
     Administrator determines is appropriate.
       ``(6) Selection criteria.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall 
     establish selection criteria, stated in terms of relative 
     importance, to evaluate and rank applicants under paragraph 
     (5)(C) for financial assistance under this subsection.
       ``(B) Criteria.--The selection criteria established under 
     this paragraph shall include--
       ``(i) the experience of the applicant in conducting 
     programs or ongoing efforts designed to impart or upgrade the 
     business skills of veterans, and the spouses of veterans, who 
     own or may own small business concerns;
       ``(ii) for an applicant for initial financial assistance 
     under this subsection--

       ``(I) the ability of the applicant to begin operating a 
     veterans' business center within a minimum amount of time; 
     and
       ``(II) the geographic region to be served by the veterans 
     business center;

       ``(iii) the demonstrated ability of the applicant to--

       ``(I) provide managerial counseling and technical 
     assistance to entrepreneurs; and
       ``(II) coordinate services provided by veterans services 
     organizations and other public or private entities; and

       ``(iv) for any applicant for a renewal of financial 
     assistance under this subsection, the results of the most 
     recent examination under paragraph (10) of the veterans' 
     business center operated by the applicant.
       ``(C) Criteria publicly available.--The Associate 
     Administrator shall--
       ``(i) make publicly available the selection criteria 
     established under this paragraph; and
       ``(ii) include the criteria in each solicitation for 
     applications for financial assistance under this subsection.
       ``(7) Amount of assistance.--The amount of financial 
     assistance provided under this subsection to a private 
     nonprofit organization for each fiscal year shall be--
       ``(A) not less than $150,000; and
       ``(B) not more than $200,000.
       ``(8) Federal share.--
       ``(A) In general.--
       ``(i) Initial financial assistance.--Except as provided in 
     clause (ii), a private nonprofit organization that receives 
     financial assistance under this subsection shall provide non-
     Federal contributions for the operation of the veterans 
     business center established by the private nonprofit 
     organization in an amount equal to--

       ``(I) in each of the first and second years of the project, 
     not less than 33 percent of the amount of the financial 
     assistance received under this subsection; and
       ``(II) in each of the third through fifth years of the 
     project, not less than 50 percent of the amount of the 
     financial assistance received under this subsection.

       ``(ii) Renewals.--A private nonprofit organization that 
     receives a renewal of financial assistance under this 
     subsection shall provide non-Federal contributions for the 
     operation of the veterans business center established by the 
     private nonprofit organization in an amount equal to not less 
     than 50 percent of the amount of the financial assistance 
     received under this subsection .
       ``(B) Form of non-federal share.--Not more than 50 percent 
     of the non-Federal share for a project carried out using 
     financial assistance under this subsection may be in the form 
     of in-kind contributions.
       ``(C) Timing of disbursement.--The Associate Administrator 
     may disburse not more than 25 percent of the financial 
     assistance awarded to a private nonprofit organization before 
     the private nonprofit organization obtains the non-Federal 
     share required under this paragraph with respect to that 
     award.
       ``(D) Failure to obtain non-federal funding.--
       ``(i) In general.--If a private nonprofit organization that 
     receives financial assistance under this subsection fails to 
     obtain the non-Federal share required under this paragraph 
     during any fiscal year, the private nonprofit organization 
     may not receive a disbursement

[[Page S6467]]

     under this subsection in a subsequent fiscal year or a 
     disbursement for any other project funded by the 
     Administration, unless the Administrator makes a written 
     determination that the private nonprofit organization will be 
     able to obtain a non-Federal contribution.
       ``(ii) Restoration.--A private nonprofit organization 
     prohibited from receiving a disbursement under clause (i) in 
     a fiscal year may receive financial assistance in a 
     subsequent fiscal year if the organization obtains the non-
     Federal share required under this paragraph for the 
     subsequent fiscal year.
       ``(9) Contract authority.--A veterans' business center may 
     enter into a contract with a Federal department or agency to 
     provide specific assistance to veterans, service-disabled 
     veterans, Reservists, or the spouses of veterans, service-
     disabled veterans, or Reservists. Performance of such 
     contract shall not hinder the veterans' business center in 
     carrying out the terms of the grant received by the veterans' 
     business centers from the Administrator.
       ``(10) Examination and determination of viability.--
       ``(A) Examination.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall 
     conduct an annual examination of the programs and finances of 
     each veterans' business center established or operated using 
     financial assistance under this subsection.
       ``(ii) Factors.--In conducting the examination under clause 
     (i), the Associate Administrator shall consider whether the 
     veterans business center has failed--

       ``(I) to provide the information required to be provided 
     under subparagraph (B), or the information provided by the 
     center is inadequate;
       ``(II) the center has failed to comply with a requirement 
     for participation in the veterans' business center program, 
     as determined by the Assistant Administrator, including--

       ``(aa) failure to acquire or properly document a non-
     Federal share;
       ``(bb) failure to establish an appropriate partnership or 
     program for marketing and outreach to small business 
     concerns;
       ``(cc) failure to achieve results described in a financial 
     assistance agreement; and
       ``(dd) failure to provide to the Administrator a 
     description of the amount and sources of any non-Federal 
     funding received by the center;

       ``(III) to carry out the 5-year plan under in paragraph 
     (4)(B); or
       ``(IV) to meet the eligibility requirements under paragraph 
     (5).

       ``(B) Information provided.--In the course of an 
     examination under subparagraph (A), the veterans' business 
     center shall provide to the Associate Administrator--
       ``(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures for 
     costs incurred during the most recent full fiscal year;
       ``(ii) documentation of the amount of non-Federal 
     contributions obtained and expended by the veterans' business 
     center during the most recent full fiscal year; and
       ``(iii) with respect to any in-kind contribution under 
     paragraph (8)(B), verification of the existence and valuation 
     of such contributions.
       ``(C) Determination of viability.--The Associate 
     Administrator shall analyze the results of each examination 
     under this paragraph and, based on that analysis, make a 
     determination regarding the viability of the programs and 
     finances of each veterans' business center.
       ``(D) Discontinuation of funding.--
       ``(i) In general.--The Associate Administrator may 
     discontinue an award of financial assistance to a private 
     nonprofit organization at any time if the Associate 
     Administrator determines under subparagraph (C) that the 
     veterans' business center operated by that organization is 
     not viable.
       ``(ii) Restoration.--The Associate Administrator may 
     continue to provide financial assistance to a private 
     nonprofit organization in a subsequent fiscal year if the 
     Associate Administrator determines under subparagraph (C) 
     that the veterans' business center is viable.
       ``(11) Privacy requirements.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     a veterans' business center established or operated using 
     financial assistance provided under this subsection may not 
     disclose the name, address, or telephone number of any 
     individual or small business concern that receives advice 
     from the veterans' business center without the consent of the 
     individual or small business concern.
       ``(B) Exception.--A veterans' business center may disclose 
     information described in subparagraph (A)--
       ``(i) if the Administrator or Associate Administrator is 
     ordered to make such a disclosure by a court in any civil or 
     criminal enforcement action initiated by a Federal or State 
     agency; or
       ``(ii) to the extent that the Administrator or Associate 
     Administrator determines that such a disclosure is necessary 
     to conduct a financial audit of a veterans' business center.
       ``(C) Administration use of information.--This paragraph 
     does not--
       ``(i) restrict access by the Administrator to program 
     activity data; or
       ``(ii) prevent the Administrator from using information not 
     described in subparagraph (A) to conduct surveys of 
     individuals or small business concerns that receive advice 
     from a veterans' business center.
       ``(D) Regulations.--The Administrator shall issue 
     regulations to establish standards for requiring disclosures 
     under subparagraph (B)(ii).
       ``(12) Report.--
       ``(A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the end of 
     each fiscal year, the Associate Administrator shall submit to 
     the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the 
     Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the effectiveness of the 
     veterans' business center program in each region during the 
     most recent full fiscal year.
       ``(B) Contents.--Each report under this paragraph shall 
     include, at a minimum, for each veterans' business center 
     established or operated using financial assistance provided 
     under this subsection--
       ``(i) the number of individuals receiving assistance from 
     the veterans' business center, including the number of such 
     individuals who are--

       ``(I) veterans or spouses of veterans;
       ``(II) service-disabled veterans or spouses of service-
     disabled veterans; or
       ``(III) Reservists or spouses of Reservists;

       ``(ii) the number of startup small business concerns formed 
     by individuals receiving assistance from the veterans' 
     business center, including--

       ``(I) veterans or spouses of veterans;
       ``(II) service-disabled veterans or spouses of service-
     disabled veterans; or
       ``(III) Reservists or spouses of Reservists;

       ``(iii) the gross receipts of small business concerns that 
     receive advice from the veterans' business center;
       ``(iv) the employment increases or decreases of small 
     business concerns that receive advice from the veterans' 
     business center;
       ``(v) to the maximum extent practicable, the increases or 
     decreases in profits of small business concerns that receive 
     advice from the veterans' business center; and
       ``(vi) the results of the examination of the veterans' 
     business center under paragraph (10).
       ``(13) Coordination of efforts and consultation.--
       ``(A) Coordination and consultation.--To the extent 
     practicable, the Associate Administrator and each private 
     nonprofit organization that receives financial assistance 
     under this subsection shall--
       ``(i) coordinate outreach and other activities with other 
     programs of the Administration and the programs of other 
     Federal agencies;
       ``(ii) consult with technical representatives of the 
     district offices of the Administration in carrying out 
     activities using financial assistance under this subsection; 
     and
       ``(iii) provide information to the veterans business 
     ownership representatives designated under subparagraph (B) 
     and coordinate with the veterans business ownership 
     representatives to increase the ability of the veterans 
     business ownership representatives to provide services 
     throughout the area served by the veterans business ownership 
     representatives.
       ``(B) Veterans business ownership representatives.--
       ``(i) Designation.--The Administrator shall designate not 
     fewer than 1 individual in each district office of the 
     Administration as a veterans business ownership 
     representative, who shall communicate and coordinate 
     activities of the district office with private nonprofit 
     organizations that receive financial assistance under this 
     subsection.
       ``(ii) Initial designation.--The first individual in each 
     district office of the Administration designated by the 
     Administrator as a veterans business ownership representative 
     under clause (i) shall be an individual that is employed by 
     the Administration on the date of enactment of this 
     subsection.
       ``(14) Existing contracts.--An award of financial 
     assistance under this subsection shall not void any contract 
     between a private nonprofit organization and the 
     Administration that is in effect on the date of such award.
       ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated--
       ``(1) to carry out subsections (a) through (f), $2,000,000 
     for each of fiscal years 2010 through 2012; and
       ``(2) to carry out subsection (g)--
       ``(A) $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2010;
       ``(B) $8,500,000 for fiscal year 2011; and
       ``(C) $9,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.''.
       (b) GAO Report.--
       (1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       (A) the term ``small business concern owned and controlled 
     by veterans'' has the meaning given that term in section 
     32(g) of the Small Business Act, as added by this section; 
     and
       (B) the term ``veterans' business center program'' means 
     the veterans' business center program established under 
     section 32(g) of the Small Business Act, as added by this 
     section.
       (2) Report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 60 days after the end of 
     the second fiscal year beginning after the date on which the 
     veterans' business center program is established, the 
     Comptroller General of the United States shall evaluate the 
     effectiveness of the veterans' business center program, and 
     submit to Congress a report on the results of that 
     evaluation.
       (B) Contents.--The report submitted under subparagraph (A) 
     shall include
       (i) an assessment of--

       (I) the use of amounts made available to carry out the 
     veterans' business center program;

[[Page S6468]]

       (II) the effectiveness of the services provided by each 
     private nonprofit organization receiving financial assistance 
     under the veterans' business center program;
       (III) whether the services described in clause (ii) are 
     duplicative of services provided by other veteran service 
     organizations, programs of the Administration, or programs of 
     another Federal department or agency and, if so, 
     recommendations regarding how to alleviate the duplication of 
     the services; and
       (IV) whether there are areas of the United States in which 
     there are not adequate entrepreneurial services for small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and, if 
     so, whether there is a veterans' business center established 
     under the veterans' business center program providing 
     services to that area; and

       (ii) recommendations, if any, for improving the veteran's 
     business center program.

     SEC. 402. REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.

       Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(c)) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Report.--Not less frequently than twice each year, 
     the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     appointments made to and activities of the task force.''.

     SEC. 403. REPEAL AND RENEWAL OF GRANTS.

       (a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered grant, 
     contract, or cooperative agreement'' means a grant, contract, 
     or cooperative agreement that was--
       (1) made or entered into under section 8(b)(17) of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(17)); and
       (2) in effect on or before the date described in subsection 
     (b)(2).
       (b) Repeal.--
       (1) In general.--Section 8(b) of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 637(b)) is amended--
       (A) in paragraph (15), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in paragraph (16), by striking ``; and'' and inserting 
     a period; and
       (C) by striking paragraph (17).
       (2) Effective date.--The amendments made by paragraph (1) 
     shall take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act.
       (c) Transitional Rules.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, a covered grant, contract, or cooperative agreement 
     shall remain in full force and effect under the terms, and 
     for the duration, of the covered grant, contract, or 
     agreement.
       (2) Additional requirements.--Any organization that was 
     awarded or entered into a covered grant, contract, or 
     cooperative agreement shall be subject to the requirements of 
     section 32(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(g)) 
     (as added by this Act).
       (d) Renewal of Financial Assistance.--An organization that 
     was awarded or entered into a covered grant, contract, or 
     cooperative agreement may apply for a renewal of the grant, 
     contract, or agreement under the terms and conditions 
     described in section 32(g) of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 657b(g)) (as added by this Act).

         TITLE V--PROGRAM FOR INVESTMENT IN MICROENTREPRENEURS

     SEC. 501. PRIME REAUTHORIZATION.

       The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating sections 37 through 44 as sections 38 
     through 45, respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after section 36 the following:

     ``SEC. 37. PROGRAM FOR INVESTMENT IN MICROENTREPRENEURS.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Associate administrator.--The term `Associate 
     Administrator' means the Associate Administrator for 
     Entrepreneurial Development of the Administration.
       ``(2) Capacity building services.--The term `capacity 
     building services' means services provided to an organization 
     that is, or that is in the process of becoming, a 
     microenterprise development organization or program, for the 
     purpose of enhancing the ability of the organization to 
     provide training and services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
       ``(3) Collaborative.--The term `collaborative' means 2 or 
     more nonprofit entities that agree to act jointly as a 
     qualified organization under this section.
       ``(4) Disadvantaged entrepreneur.--The term `disadvantaged 
     entrepreneur' means a microentrepreneur that--
       ``(A) is a low-income person;
       ``(B) is a very low-income person; or
       ``(C) lacks adequate access to capital or other resources 
     essential for business success, or is economically 
     disadvantaged, as determined by the Administrator.
       ``(5) Disadvantaged native american entrepreneur.--The term 
     `disadvantaged Native American entrepreneur' means a 
     disadvantaged entrepreneur who is also a member of an Indian 
     Tribe.
       ``(6) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian tribe' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 4(e) of the Indian Self-
     Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 
     450b(e).
       ``(7) Intermediary.--The term `intermediary' means a 
     private, nonprofit entity that seeks to serve microenterprise 
     development organizations and programs, as authorized under 
     subsection (d).
       ``(8) Low-income person.--The term `low-income person' 
     means a person having an income, adjusted for family size, of 
     not more than--
       ``(A) for metropolitan areas, 80 percent of the area median 
     income; and
       ``(B) for nonmetropolitan areas, the greater of--
       ``(i) 80 percent of the area median income; or
       ``(ii) 80 percent of the statewide nonmetropolitan area 
     median income.
       ``(9) Microentrepreneur.--The term `microentrepreneur' 
     means the owner or developer of a microenterprise.
       ``(10) Microenterprise.--The term `microenterprise' means a 
     sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation that--
       ``(A) has not more than 4 employees; and
       ``(B) generally lacks access to conventional loans, equity, 
     or other banking services.
       ``(11) Microenterprise development organization or 
     program.--The term `microenterprise development organization 
     or program' means a nonprofit entity, or a program 
     administered by such an entity, including community 
     development corporations or other nonprofit development 
     organizations and social service organizations, that provides 
     services to disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
       ``(12) Training and technical assistance.--The term 
     `training and technical assistance' means services and 
     support provided to disadvantaged entrepreneurs, such as 
     assistance for the purpose of enhancing business planning, 
     marketing, management, financial management skills, and 
     assistance for the purpose of accessing financial services.
       ``(13) Qualified organization.--The term `qualified 
     organization' means--
       ``(A) a nonprofit microenterprise development organization 
     or program (or a group or collaborative thereof) that has a 
     demonstrated record of delivering microenterprise services to 
     disadvantaged entrepreneurs;
       ``(B) an intermediary;
       ``(C) a microenterprise development organization or program 
     that is--
       ``(i) accountable to a local community; and
       ``(ii) working in conjunction with a State or local 
     government or Indian tribe; or
       ``(D) an Indian tribe acting on its own, if the Indian 
     tribe certifies that no private organization or program 
     referred to in this paragraph exists within its jurisdiction.
       ``(14) Very low-income person.--The term `very low-income 
     person' means an individual having an income, adjusted for 
     family size, of not more than 150 percent of the poverty line 
     (as defined in section 673(2) of the Community Services Block 
     Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)), including any revision 
     required by that section).
       ``(b) Establishment of Program.--The Associate 
     Administrator shall establish a microenterprise training and 
     technical assistance and capacity building services grant 
     program to provide grants to qualified organizations in 
     accordance with this section.
       ``(c) Uses of Assistance.--A qualified organization shall 
     use a grant made under this section--
       ``(1) to provide training and technical assistance to 
     disadvantaged entrepreneurs;
       ``(2) to provide training and technical assistance and 
     capacity building services to microenterprise development 
     organizations and programs and groups of such organizations 
     and programs to assist such organizations and programs in 
     developing microenterprise training and services;
       ``(3) to aid in researching and developing the best 
     practices in the field of microenterprise and training and 
     technical assistance programs for disadvantaged 
     entrepreneurs;
       ``(4) to provide training and technical assistance to 
     disadvantaged Native American entrepreneurs and prospective 
     disadvantaged Native American entrepreneurs; and
       ``(5) for such other activities as the Associate 
     Administrator determines are consistent with the purposes of 
     this section.
       ``(d) Allocation of Grants; Subgrants.--
       ``(1) Allocation of grants.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall 
     allocate assistance from the Administration under this 
     section to ensure that--
       ``(i) not less than 75 percent of amounts made available to 
     the Administrator for grants under this section are used for 
     activities described in subsection (c)(1); and
       ``(ii) not less than 15 percent of amounts made available 
     to the Administrator for grants under this section are used 
     for activities described in subsection (c)(2).
       ``(B) Limit on individual assistance.--No single person may 
     receive more than 10 percent of the total amounts made 
     available for grants under this section for a single fiscal 
     year.
       ``(2) Targeted assistance.--The Associate Administrator 
     shall ensure that not less than 50 percent of the total 
     amounts made available for grants under this section are used 
     to benefit very low-income persons, including very low-income 
     persons residing on Indian reservations.
       ``(3) Subgrants authorized.--
       ``(A) In general.--A qualified organization receiving a 
     grant under this section may provide subgrants using that 
     grant to qualified organizations that are small or emerging 
     microenterprises and programs, subject to such rules and 
     regulations as the Associate Administrator determines are 
     appropriate.
       ``(B) Limit on administrative expenses.--Not more than 7.5 
     percent of the amount received by a qualified organization 
     under a grant under this section may be used for 
     administrative expenses in connection with the making of 
     subgrants under subparagraph (A).
       ``(4) Diversity.--In making grants under this section, the 
     Associate Administrator shall ensure that grant recipients 
     include

[[Page S6469]]

     both large and small microenterprise organizations that serve 
     urban, rural, and Indian tribal communities and diverse 
     populations.
       ``(5) Prohibition on preferential consideration of certain 
     administration program participants.--In making grants under 
     this section, the Associate Administrator shall ensure that 
     any application made by a qualified organization that is a 
     participant in the program established under section 7(m) 
     does not receive preferential consideration over applications 
     from other qualified organizations that are not participants 
     in the program.
       ``(e) Federal Share.--
       ``(1) In general.--A qualified organization that receives a 
     grant under this section shall provide non-Federal 
     contributions to carry out the activities described in 
     subsection (c) in an amount equal to not less than 50 percent 
     of the amount of the grant received under this section.
       ``(2) Sources of non-federal share.--The non-Federal share 
     of the cost of a project using a grant under this section may 
     be in the form of fees, grants, gifts, funds from loan 
     sources, or in-kind resources of an applicant from public or 
     private sources.
       ``(3) Exception.--
       ``(A) In general.--If the Associate Administrator 
     determines that an applicant for assistance under this 
     section has severe constraints on available sources of non-
     Federal funds, the Associate Administrator may reduce or 
     eliminate the requirement under paragraph (1).
       ``(B) Limitation.--Not more than 10 percent of the total 
     funds made available from the Administration in any fiscal 
     year to carry out this section may be excepted under 
     subparagraph (A) from the requirement under paragraph (1).
       ``(f) Applications for Assistance.--An application for a 
     grant under this section shall be submitted in such form and 
     in accordance with such procedures as the Associate 
     Administrator shall establish.
       ``(g) Recordkeeping and Reporting.--
       ``(1) In general.--Each qualified organization that 
     receives a grant under this section shall--
       ``(A) submit to the Administration not less frequently than 
     once every 18-month period, financial statements audited by 
     an independent certified public accountant;
       ``(B) submit an annual report to the Administration on the 
     activities of the qualified organization; and
       ``(C) keep such records as the Associate Administrator 
     determines are necessary to disclose the manner in which 
     amounts made available under a grant under this section are 
     used.
       ``(2) Access.--Upon the request of the Associate 
     Administrator, the Associate Administrator shall have access 
     to any record of any qualified organization that receives a 
     grant under this section, for the purpose of determining 
     compliance with this section.
       ``(3) Data collection.--Each qualified organization that 
     receives a grant under this section shall collect information 
     relating to, as applicable--
       ``(A) the number of individuals counseled or trained by the 
     organization;
       ``(B) the number of hours of counseling provided by the 
     organization;
       ``(C) the number of startup small business concerns formed 
     with the assistance of the organization;
       ``(D) the number of small business concerns expanded with 
     the assistance of the organization;
       ``(E) the number of low-income individuals counseled or 
     trained by the organization; and
       ``(F) the number of very low-income individuals counseled 
     or trained by the organization.
       ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Administrator $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 
     2010 through 2012 to carry out this section, which shall 
     remain available until expended.
       ``(2) Certain programs.--In addition to the amount 
     authorized under paragraph (1), there are authorized to be 
     appropriated to the Administrator $2,000,000 for each of 
     fiscal years 2010 through 2012 to carry out subsection 
     (c)(4), which shall remain available until expended.''.

     SEC. 502. CONFORMING REPEAL AND AMENDMENTS.

       (a) Conforming Repeal.--Subtitle C of title I of the Riegle 
     Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994 
     (15 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.) is repealed.
       (b) Conforming Amendments.--The Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 38(d) (15 U.S.C. 657i(d)), as so 
     redesignated, by striking ``section 43'' and inserting 
     ``section 44'';
       (2) in section 41(d) (15 U.S.C. 657l(d)), as so 
     redesignated, by striking ``section 43'' and inserting 
     ``section 44''; and
       (3) in section 42(b) (15 U.S.C. 657m(b)), as so 
     redesignated, by striking ``section 43'' and inserting 
     ``section 44''.

     SEC. 503. REFERENCES.

       All references in Federal law, other than section 504 of 
     this Act, to the ``Program for Investment in 
     Microentrepreneurs Act of 1999'' or the ``PRIME Act'' shall 
     be deemed to be references to section 37 of the Small 
     Business Act, as added by this Act.

     SEC. 504. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.

       Nothing in this title or the amendments made by this title 
     shall affect any grant or assistance provided under the 
     Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act of 1999 (15 
     U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), before the date of enactment of this 
     Act, and any such grant or assistance shall be subject to the 
     Program for Investment in Microentrepreneurs Act of 1999, as 
     in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this 
     Act.

                       TITLE VI--OTHER PROVISIONS

     SEC. 601. INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

       (a) In General.--Section 21(a)(1) of the Small Business Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``: Provided, 
     That'' and all that follows through ``on such date.'' and 
     inserting the following: ``. On and after December 31, 2010, 
     the Administration may only make a grant under this paragraph 
     to an applicant that is an institution of higher education, 
     as defined in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) that is accredited (and not merely 
     in preaccreditation status) by a nationally recognized 
     accrediting agency or association, recognized by the 
     Secretary of Education for such purpose in accordance with 
     section 496 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1099b), or to a women's 
     business center operating pursuant to section 29 as a small 
     business development center, unless the applicant was 
     receiving financial assistance (including a contract or 
     cooperative agreement) on December 31, 2010.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on December 31, 2010.

     SEC. 602. HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS INFORMATION FOR SMALL 
                   BUSINESS CONCERNS.

       (a) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``grant program'' means the small business 
     health insurance information grant program established under 
     subsection (b)(1); and
       (2) the term ``resource partner'' means--
       (A) the association of small business development centers 
     authorized to be established under section 21(a)(3)(A) of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(3)(A));
       (B) the Association of Women's Business Centers;
       (C) the Service Corps of Retired Executives authorized by 
     section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     637(b)(1)(B)); and
       (D) 1 veterans business center (as that term is used in 
     section 32(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(g)), 
     as added by this Act), as determined by the Associate 
     Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development.
       (b) Small Business Health Insurance Information Program.--
       (1) Program established.--The Administrator, acting through 
     the Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development, 
     shall establish a program to make grants to resource partners 
     to provide neutral and objective information and educational 
     materials regarding health insurance options, including 
     coverage options within the small group market, to small 
     business concerns.
       (2) Grant recipients.--The Associate Administrator for 
     Entrepreneurial Development shall make 1 grant to each of the 
     resource partners.
       (3) Grant amounts.--The grants made under this section 
     shall--
       (A) be made from funds appropriated to the Administrator to 
     carry out the activities of the Office of Entrepreneurial 
     Development; and
       (B) not exceed a total amount of $5,000,000.
       (4) Contract.--As a condition of receiving a grant under 
     this section, each resource partner shall agree, by contract 
     with the Administration--
       (A) to begin to use the funds in accordance with paragraph 
     (5) not later than 1 year after the date on which the 
     resource partner receives the grant; and
       (B) to return any funds that have not been used, if the 
     Administrator determines that the resource partner is not 
     carrying out the grant program activities under paragraph 
     (5)(A).
       (5) Use of funds.--
       (A) Grant program activities.--A resource partner shall use 
     funds provided under the grant program to create, in 
     consultation with the Associate Administrator for 
     Entrepreneurial Development of the Administration--
       (i) an online training program;
       (ii) an online repository of health insurance information 
     relevant to small business concerns;
       (iii) a counseling curriculum that can be used in the 
     physical location of the resource partner; and
       (iv) materials containing relevant information that can be 
     disbursed to owners of small business concerns throughout the 
     country.
       (B) Content of materials.--
       (i) In general.--In creating materials under the grant 
     program, a resource partner shall evaluate and incorporate 
     relevant portions of existing informational materials 
     regarding health insurance options, including materials and 
     resources developed by the National Association of Insurance 
     Commissioners, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the 
     Healthcare Leadership Council.
       (ii) Health insurance options.--In incorporating 
     information regarding health insurance options under clause 
     (i), a resource partner shall provide neutral and objective 
     information regarding health insurance options in the 
     geographic area served by the resource partner, including 
     traditional employer sponsored health insurance for the group 
     insurance market, such as the health insurance options 
     described in section 2791 of

[[Page S6470]]

     the Public Health Services Act (42 U.S.C. 300gg-91) or 
     section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and Federal 
     and State health insurance programs.
       (c) Review and Report.--
       (1) Review of grant program.--The Associate Administrator 
     for Entrepreneurial Development shall conduct a review of the 
     effectiveness of the grant program.
       (2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which 
     all grants under the grant program are disbursed, the 
     Associate Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development shall 
     submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives a report on the 
     results of the review under paragraph (1).

     SEC. 603. NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER ADVISORY 
                   BOARD.

       (a) In General.--Section 21(i)(1) of the Small Business Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 648(i)(1)) is amended--
       (1) in the first sentence, by striking ``nine members'' and 
     inserting ``10 members'';
       (2) in the second sentence, by striking ``six'' and 
     inserting ``the members who are not from universities or 
     their affiliates'';
       (3) by striking the third sentence; and
       (4) in the fourth sentence, by inserting ``not less than'' 
     before ``one-third''.
       (b) Incumbents.--An individual serving as a member of the 
     Board on the date of enactment of this Act may continue to 
     serve on the Board until the end of the term of the member 
     under section 21(i)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     648(i)(1)), as in effect on the day before such date of 
     enactment.

     SEC. 604. PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS FOR SCORE CHAPTERS.

       Section 8 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637) is 
     amended by striking subsection (c) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(c) Privacy Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--A chapter of the SCORE program 
     authorized by subsection (b)(1) or an agent of such a chapter 
     may not disclose the name, address, or telephone number of 
     any individual or small business concern receiving assistance 
     from that chapter or agent without the consent of such 
     individual or small business concern, unless--
       ``(A) the Administrator is ordered to make such a 
     disclosure by a court in any civil or criminal enforcement 
     action initiated by a Federal or State agency; or
       ``(B) the Administrator determines such a disclosure to be 
     necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of 
     a chapter of the SCORE program authorized by subsection 
     (b)(1), in which case disclosure shall be limited to the 
     information necessary for such audit.
       ``(2) Administrator use of information.--This subsection 
     shall not--
       ``(A) restrict the access of the Administrator to program 
     activity data; or
       ``(B) prevent the Administrator from using client 
     information to conduct client surveys.
       ``(3) Regulations.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall issue 
     regulations to establish standards--
       ``(i) for disclosures with respect to financial audits 
     under paragraph (1)(B); and
       ``(ii) for client surveys under paragraph (2)(B), including 
     standards for oversight of such surveys and for dissemination 
     and use of client information.
       ``(B) Maximum privacy protection.--Regulations under this 
     paragraph shall, to the extent practicable, provide for the 
     maximum amount of privacy protection.
       ``(C) Inspector general.--Until the effective date of 
     regulations under this paragraph, any client survey and the 
     use of such information shall be approved by the Inspector 
     General of the Administration who shall include such approval 
     in the semi-annual report of the Inspector General.''.

     SEC. 605. NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT.

       (a) In General.--Not later than December 31, 2012, the 
     President shall convene a National Small Business Summit to 
     examine the present conditions and future of the community of 
     small business concerns in the United States. The summit 
     shall include owners of small business concerns, 
     representatives of small business groups, labor, academia, 
     the Federal Government, State governments, Indian tribes, 
     Federal research and development agencies, and nonprofit 
     policy groups concerned with the issues of small business 
     concerns.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     conclusion of the summit convened under subsection (a), the 
     President shall issue a report on the results of the summit. 
     The report shall identify key challenges and make 
     recommendations for promoting entrepreneurship and the growth 
     of small business concerns.

     SEC. 606. SCORE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)) is amended by striking ``a 
     Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)'' and inserting 
     ``the SCORE''.
       (b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) In general.--The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et 
     seq.) is amended--
       (A) in section 7(m)(3)(A)(i)(VIII), by striking ``Service 
     Corps of Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE''; and
       (B) in section 33(b)(2), by striking ``Service Corps of 
     Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE''.
       (2) Other law.--Section 337(d)(2) of the Energy Policy and 
     Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6307(d)(2)) is amended by 
     striking ``Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE)'' and 
     inserting ``SCORE''.
       (c) References.--Any reference to the Service Corps of 
     Retired Executives established under section 8(b)(1)(B) of 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)), as in effect 
     on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, in any 
     law, rule, regulation, certificate, directive, instruction, 
     or other official paper shall be considered to refer to the 
     SCORE established under section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small 
     Business Act, as amended by this Act.

     SEC. 607. ASSISTANCE TO OUT-OF-STATE SMALL BUSINESSES.

       Section 21(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     648(b)(3)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``(3) At the discretion'' and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(3) Assistance to Out-of-State Small Businesses.--
       ``(A) In general.--At the discretion''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(B) Disaster recovery assistance.--
       ``(i) In general.--At the discretion of the Administrator, 
     the Administrator may authorize a small business development 
     center to provide assistance, as described in subsection (c), 
     to small business concerns located outside of the State, 
     without regard to geographic proximity, if the small business 
     concerns are located in an area for which the President has 
     declared a major disaster, as defined in section 102 of the 
     Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5122), during the period of the declaration.
       ``(ii) Continuity of services.--A small business 
     development center that provides counselors to an area 
     described in clause (i) shall, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, ensure continuity of services in any State in 
     which the small business development center otherwise 
     provides services.
       ``(iii) Access to disaster recovery facilities.--For 
     purposes of this subparagraph, the Administrator shall, to 
     the maximum extent practicable, permit the personnel of a 
     small business development center to use any site or facility 
     designated by the Administrator for use to provide disaster 
     recovery assistance.''.

     SEC. 608. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS.

       (a) Portability Grants.--Section 21(a)(4)(C)(viii) of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(4)(C)(viii)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in the first sentence--
       (A) by striking ``From the funds appropriated pursuant to 
     clause (vii)'' and inserting ``Of the amounts made available 
     to carry out this subparagraph in each fiscal year''; and
       (B) by striking ``as a result of a business or government 
     facility down sizing or closing, which has resulted in the 
     loss of jobs or small business instability'' and inserting 
     ``due to events that have resulted or will result in, the 
     downsizing or closing of a business or government facility''; 
     and
       (2) by adding at the end ``The Administrator may make a 
     grant under this clause that exceeds $100,000 to accommodate 
     extraordinary events that the Administrator determines have 
     had a catastrophic impact on small business concerns in a 
     community.''.
       (b) Purposes.--Section 21(a)(1) of the Small Business Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(1)) is amended in the first sentence by 
     adding ``regulatory compliance and'' after ``counseling 
     concerning''.

     SEC. 609. EVALUATION OF PILOT PROGRAMS.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 30 months after the date of 
     disbursement of the first grant under a covered pilot 
     program, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
     submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives a report evaluating 
     the covered pilot program, including recommendations, if any, 
     on possible improvements or modifications to the covered 
     pilot program, including the feasibility of extending the 
     covered pilot program to all small business development 
     centers.
       (b) Definition of Covered Pilot Program.--In this section, 
     the term ``covered pilot program'' means a pilot program 
     relating to small business development centers established 
     under this Act or an amendment made by this Act.

  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee 
on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I rise today to join with 
Senator Landrieu to introduce the Entrepreneurial Development Act of 
2009, a bill that would reauthorize and improve the U.S. Small Business 
Administration's, SBA, Entrepreneurial Development programs. I have 
long fought to expand the power and reach of the SBA's entrepreneurial 
development tools, which are used by millions of current and aspiring 
entrepreneurs and small businesses across the U.S. These programs 
demonstrate how Congress can play a positive role in enhancing private-
sector financing for start-up companies. We must continue to strengthen 
these core SBA programs because they have proven invaluable in aiding 
the efforts and dreams of America's entrepreneurs, and in bolstering 
small business job creation.

[[Page S6471]]

  The bill that I am cosponsoring today is the product of the type of 
bipartisan, consensus work product for which the Senate Small Business 
Committee has come to be known. The provisions contained in this 
legislation are a compilation of ideas and initiatives put forward by 
myself, Senator Landrieu, and other Committee members. Much of the 
language in the Entrepreneurial Development Act of 2009 was contained 
in S. 2920, the SBA Reauthorization and Improvements Act in the 110th 
Congress, the individual provisions of which were each passed 
unanimously by the Senate Small Business Committee during the 110th 
Congress. Unfortunately, that bipartisan bill never passed the Senate.
  This act, among other things, builds upon the aforementioned 
successes of SBA's Entrepreneurial Development programs, which 
collectively created or retained 200,000 jobs in 2008 alone.
  Since their inception, Small Business Development Centers, SBDCs, 
have been essential in the delivery of management and technical 
counseling assistance and educational programs to prospective and 
existing small business owners. The SBDC program has served over 11 
million clients with new business starts, sustainability programs for 
struggling firms, and expansion plans for growth firms. For every 
dollar spent on the SBDC program, approximately $2.87 in tax revenue is 
generated.
  According to a recent report conducted at Mississippi State 
University, as a direct result of its counseling programs, SBDC clients 
generated approximately $7 billion in sales and created over 73,000 new 
jobs in 2006. Therefore, it is imperative that in such troubling 
economic times we ensure that this program has the resources necessary 
to successfully aid small businesses. Through this legislation, which 
increases the SBDC program's authorization to $160 million by fiscal 
year 2012, this program will be in a better position to continue 
helping entrepreneurs succeed.
  The Women's Business Center, WBC, program, established by Congress in 
1988, promotes the growth of women-owned businesses through business 
training and technical assistance, and provides access to credit and 
capital, federal contracts, and international trade opportunities. The 
WBC program served more than 159,000 clients across the country last 
year, providing help with financial management, procurement training, 
marketing and technical assistance. WBCs also provide specialized 
programs that include mentoring in various languages, Internet 
training, issues facing displaced workers and rural home-based 
entrepreneurs.
  Our legislation builds on our commitment to providing assistance to 
women entrepreneurs. It directs the SBA's Office of Women's Business 
Ownership to develop programs to bolster the growth of women-owned 
small businesses by providing support for business operations, 
manufacturing, technology, finance, Federal Government contracting, and 
international trade.
  The bill also makes substantial improvements to the Women's Business 
Center program, which created nearly 9,000 jobs in the last fiscal 
year, including an expansion of the types of entities that are eligible 
to host WBCs to economic development organizations, state-chartered 
development organizations, and public or private colleges and 
universities. Finally, the bill directs the SBA to provide a minimum of 
$150,000 in funding annually to all new WBCs that are in their first 5 
years of operation, allowing new centers to become fully established 
before they have to compete for federal funding.
  The bill also reauthorizes SCORE, a non-profit association that 
matches business-management counselors with small business clients. 
SCORE volunteer counselors share their management and technical 
expertise with both existing and prospective small business owners. 
With its 10,500 member volunteer association, sponsored by the SBA, and 
more than 389 service delivery points and a website, SCORE provides 
counseling to small businesses nationwide. The national SCORE 
organization delivers its services of business and technical assistance 
through a national network of chapters, an Internet counseling site, 
partnerships with SBA, the SBDCs and WBCs, and with the public and 
private sectors. In 2008, SCORE created or retained 25,000 jobs, and 
this act will help improve this program by raising the authorization 
level to $13 million in fiscal year 2012.
  In addition to reauthorizing SBA's ED programs and increasing their 
funding levels, this bill also addresses the crisis small businesses 
face when it comes to securing quality, affordable health insurance. 
Health insurance costs have increased by 89 percent since 2000. This 
has led to a disturbing trend of fewer and fewer small businesses being 
able to offer health insurance to their employees.
  A key provision in this bill would establish a grant program to 
provide information, counseling, and educational materials to small 
businesses, through the well-established national framework of the 
SBA's technical assistance partners including SBDCs, WBC, Veteran's 
Business Centers, and SCORE.
  Research conducted by the non-partisan Healthcare Leadership Council 
found that with a short educational and counseling session, small 
businesses were up to 33 percent more likely to offer health insurance 
to their employees. It is therefore vital that we provide the SBA's 
resource partners with the resources necessary to give small businesses 
the critical health care education they need to navigate the complex 
insurance market.
  The SBA's entrepreneurial development programs provide tremendous 
value for a relatively small investment. I am committed to ensuring 
that Americans have the necessary resources to start, grow and develop 
a business. I believe that it is our duty to do everything possible to 
sustain prosperity and job creation throughout the U.S. I urge my 
colleagues to support this vital piece of legislation.
                                 ______