[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.
                                 ______