[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 15 (Wednesday, February 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S483-S485]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
By Ms. LANDRIEU (for herself and Mr. Kerry):
S. 257. A bill to improve certain programs of the Small Business
Administration to better assist small business customers in accessing
broadband technology, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship.
Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I come to the Senate floor today to
discuss an issue of great importance to small businesses, the drivers
of this Nation's economy.
In the same way the interstate highway system and the railroads
revolutionized transport, connecting main streets across the Nation to
facilitate the stream of commerce; broadband technology has forever
changed the relationship between small businesses and the customers
that they serve. This is especially true for rural small businesses,
which now have direct access to new customers in major cities across
the globe through broadband connectivity. Over 95 percent of the
world's customers are located outside of our borders, and in the United
States alone, an estimated 60 million Americans use the Internet on a
daily basis. With the click of a mouse, they now have access to goods
and services from main streets around the world. With every click, our
Nation's small businesses are growing, and helping to create jobs as
well as further innovate within the U.S. economy.
Unfortunately, too many of our small businesses are missing out on
these opportunities for growth. Due to a combination of factors that
range from a lack of computer literacy to the inability to access high
speed or broadband Internet services, many entrepreneurs have yet to
capitalize on the resources available to them via the Internet. In
fact, it is estimated that fewer than 24 percent of our Nation's small
businesses routinely use e-commerce applications to sell their products
online. As a result, they are missing out on opportunities to expand to
new markets or find new customers. We must do more to help our Nation's
small businesses
[[Page S484]]
utilize advanced technologies like broadband so that they can best
compete in the global marketplace.
As Chair of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I
have made increasing the ability of small businesses to access high-
speed broadband Internet a top priority. That is why today, I along
with my distinguished colleague on the Small Business Committee, former
Chairman John Kerry, am introducing the Small Business Broadband and
Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2011. This critical
piece of legislation will help to level the playing field for our
entrepreneurs and small businesses by implementing key findings from
the Federal Communications Commission's 2010 National Broadband Plan.
More specifically, this legislation calls on the Small Business
Administration to take a lead role in helping our small businesses to
access broadband and other advanced technologies. To accomplish this,
the legislation requires the SBA to make three key improvements to its
core programs. First, it calls on the agency to create a Broadband and
Emerging Information Technology Coordinator to facilitate the
development of small business broadband initiatives within the agency,
and also to act as a liaison with other Federal agencies. Second, the
legislation requires SBA resource partners, such as Small Business
Development Centers, SBDCs, to provide technical assistance related to
both accessing and utilizing broadband and emerging information
technology. Finally, the bill will improve the SBA's popular 7(a) and
microloan programs by allowing borrowers to use the proceeds of their
loans to finance the purchase of broadband services, equipment or other
emerging technologies. Making these three simple changes will allow
more of our small businesses to not only access previously untapped
customers and markets; it will also allow them to become more
competitive with their foreign counterparts, fostering innovation and
job creation.
I have heard from a number of my Committee members and I know how
important this issue is to them, and I am proud to introduce this
legislation for the second consecutive Congress. I look forward to
working with them 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. 257
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 ``Small Business Broadband and
Emerging Information Technology Enhancement Act of 2011''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds that, according to a report by the Federal
Communications Commission entitled ``Connecting America: The
National Broadband Plan'', dated March 2010, the Commission
recommends that--
(1) ``To fully implement next-generation technology within
its operations, the SBA should also appoint a broadband and
emerging IT coordinator. This individual would ensure that
SBA programs maintain the requisite broadband expertise,
tools and training courses to serve small businesses.'';
(2) ``Congress should consider ways to leverage existing
assistance provided through'' entrepreneurial development
programs, ``to focus training on advanced IT and broadband
applications'';
(3) ``Congress could also consider ways to support
technology training among women entrepreneurs through''
women's business centers;
(4) ``The training programs should include an entry-level
`Broadband 101' course to give small businesses an
introduction to how to capitalize on broadband connectivity,
as well as more advanced applications for IT staff.'';
(5) small and medium enterprise ``IT training should
include resources for non-IT staff, such as how to use e-
commerce tools for sales, streamline finance with online
records or leverage knowledge management across an
organization.''; and
(6) ``To facilitate the development of broadband networks,
Congress should consider allowing all agencies to set the
fees for access to rights-of-way for broadband services on
the basis of a direct cost recovery approach, especially in
markets currently underserved or unserved by any broadband
service provider. The Executive Branch should also develop
one or more master contracts for all federal property and
buildings covering the placement of wireless towers.''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act--
(1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean
the Small Business Administration and the Administrator
thereof, respectively; and
(2) the term ``small business concern'' has the meaning
given that term under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 632).
SEC. 4. BROADBAND AND EMERGING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
COORDINATOR.
(a) In General.--The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et
seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 45 as section 46; and
(2) by inserting after section 44 the following:
``SEC. 45. BROADBAND AND EMERGING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY.
``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `broadband and
emerging information technology coordinator' means the
individual assigned the broadband and emerging information
technology coordination responsibilities of the
Administration under subsection (b)(1).
``(b) Assignment of Coordinator.--
``(1) Assignment of coordinator.--The Administrator shall
assign responsibility for coordinating the programs and
activities of the Administration relating to broadband and
emerging information technology to an individual who--
``(A) shall report directly to the Administrator;
``(B) shall work in coordination with--
``(i) the chief information officer, the chief technology
officer, and the head of the Office of Technology of the
Administration; and
``(ii) any Associate Administrator of the Administration
determined appropriate by the Administrator;
``(C) has experience developing and implementing
telecommunications policy in the private sector or
government; and
``(D) has demonstrated significant experience in the area
of broadband or emerging information technology.
``(2) Responsibilities of coordinator.--The broadband and
emerging information technology coordinator shall--
``(A) coordinate programs of the Administration that assist
small business concerns in adopting, making innovations in,
and using broadband and other emerging information
technologies;
``(B) serve as the primary liaison of the Administration to
other Federal agencies involved in broadband and emerging
information technology policy, including the Department of
Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, and the Federal
Communications Commission; and
``(C) identify best practices relating to broadband and
emerging information technology that may benefit small
business concerns.
``(3) Travel.--Not more than 20 percent of the hours of
service by the broadband and emerging information technology
coordinator during any fiscal year shall consist of travel
outside the United States to perform official duties.
``(c) Broadband and Emerging Technology Training.--
``(1) Training.--The Administrator shall provide to
employees of the Administration training that--
``(A) familiarizes employees of the Administration with
broadband and other emerging information technologies; and
``(B) includes--
``(i) instruction counseling small business concerns
regarding adopting, making innovations in, and using
broadband and other emerging information technologies; and
``(ii) information on programs of the Federal Government
that provide assistance to small business concerns relating
to broadband and emerging information technologies.
``(2) Authorization of appropriations.--There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to
carry out this subsection.
``(d) Reports.--
``(1) Biennial report on activities.--Not later than 2
years after the date on which the Administrator makes the
first assignment of responsibilities under subsection (b),
and every 2 years thereafter, the broadband and emerging
information technology coordinator 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 regarding the programs and
activities of the Administration relating to broadband and
other emerging information technologies.
``(2) Report on federal programs.--Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this section, the broadband
and emerging information technology coordinator, in
consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, the Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information, and
the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, 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
programs of the Federal Government that provide assistance to
small business concerns relating to broadband and emerging
information technologies, which shall include
recommendations, if any, for improving coordination among the
programs.''.
(b) Elimination of Vacant Position Required.--
(1) Elimination.--Before assigning the first broadband and
emerging technologies coordinator under section 45 of the
Small Business
[[Page S485]]
Act, as added by subsection (a) of this section, the
Administrator shall--
(A) identify a position within the Administration that is--
(i) vacant on the date of enactment of this Act; and
(ii) required to be filled by an employee in the Senior
Executive Service or at GS-15 of the General Schedule; and
(B) eliminate the position identified under subparagraph
(A).
(2) Restriction.--For purposes of paragraph (1), the
Administrator may not eliminate a position established by the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.), the Small
Business Investment Act 1958 (15 U.S.C. 661 et seq.), or any
Federal statute.
SEC. 5. ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT.
Section 21(c)(3)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
648(c)(3)(B)) is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting
``accessing broadband and other emerging information
technology,'' after ``technology transfer,'';
(2) in clause (ii), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) in clause (iii), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(iv) increasing the competitiveness and productivity of
small business concerns by assisting entrepreneurs in
accessing broadband and other emerging information
technology;''.
SEC. 6. CAPITAL ACCESS.
(a) In General.--Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(a)) is amended in the matter preceding paragraph
(1) by inserting ``(including to purchase equipment for
broadband or other emerging information technologies)'' after
``equipment''.
(b) Microloans.--Section 7(m)(1)(A)(iii)(I) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)(1)(A)(iii)(I)) is amended by
inserting ``(including to purchase equipment for broadband or
other emerging information technologies)'' after ``or
equipment''.
SEC. 7. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
(a) In General.--Not later than 45 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation
with the Administrator of General Services, 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 ways to assist with the
development of broadband and wireless technology that would
benefit small business concerns.
(b) Content of the Report.--The report submitted under
subsection (a) shall--
(1) outline the participation by the Administration in the
National Antenna Program, including the number of wireless
towers deployed on facilities which contain an office of the
Administration;
(2) information on agreements between the Administration
and the General Services Administration related to broadband
and wireless deployment in offices of the Administration; and
(3) recommendations, if any, on opportunities for the
Administration to improve broadband or wireless technology in
offices of the Administration that are in areas currently
underserved or unserved by broadband service providers.
______