[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 8, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H3801-H3806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2018

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 1680) to amend the Small Business Act to improve the women's 
business center program, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.

[[Page H3802]]

  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 1680

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Women's Business Centers 
     Improvements Act of 2018''.

     SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

       Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 29. WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Assistant administrator.--The term `Assistant 
     Administrator' means the Assistant Administrator of the 
     Office of Women's Business Ownership established under 
     subsection (l).
       ``(2) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means--
       ``(A) an organization described in section 501(c) of the 
     Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under 
     section 501(a) of such Code;
       ``(B) a State, regional, or local economic development 
     organization, so long as the organization certifies that 
     grant funds received under this section will not be co-
     mingled with other funds;
       ``(C) an institution of higher education (as defined in 
     section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1001)), unless such institution is currently receiving a 
     grant under section 21;
       ``(D) a development, credit, or finance corporation 
     chartered by a State, so long as the corporation certifies 
     that grant funds received under this section will not be 
     comingled with other funds; or
       ``(E) any combination of entities listed in subparagraphs 
     (A) through (D).
       ``(3) Small business concern owned and controlled by 
     women.--The term `small business concern owned and controlled 
     by women' has the meaning given under section 3(n).
       ``(4) Women's business center.--The term `women's business 
     center' means the location at which counseling and training 
     on the management, operations (including manufacturing, 
     services, and retail), access to capital, international 
     trade, Government procurement opportunities, and any other 
     matter that is needed to start, maintain, or expand a small 
     business concern owned and controlled by women.
       ``(b) Authority.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established a Women's 
     Business Center Program under which the Administrator may 
     provide a grant to any eligible entity to operate 1 or more 
     women's business centers for the benefit of small business 
     concerns owned and controlled by women.
       ``(2) Use of funds.--The women's business centers shall be 
     designed to provide counseling and training that meets the 
     needs of the small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     women, especially socially or economically disadvantaged 
     women, and shall provide--
       ``(A) financial assistance, including training and 
     counseling in how to apply for and secure business credit and 
     investment capital, preparing and presenting financial 
     statements, and managing cash flow and other financial 
     operations of a small business concern;
       ``(B) management assistance, including training and 
     counseling in how to plan, organize, staff, direct, and 
     control each major activity and function of a small business 
     concern; and
       ``(C) marketing assistance, including training and 
     counseling in identifying and segmenting domestic and 
     international market opportunities, preparing and executing 
     marketing plans, developing pricing strategies, locating 
     contract opportunities, negotiating contracts, and utilizing 
     varying public relations and advertising techniques.
       ``(3) Types of grants.--
       ``(A) Initial grant.--The amount of an initial grant 
     provided under this subsection to an eligible entity shall be 
     not more than $185,000 (as such amount is annually adjusted 
     by the Administrator to reflect the change in inflation).
       ``(B) Additional grants.--
       ``(i) In general.--With respect to an eligible entity that 
     has received a grant, the Administrator may award an 
     additional grant of up to $65,000, to be dispersed after the 
     expiration of the term of the initial grant under this 
     subsection if the Administrator determines that the eligible 
     entity--

       ``(I) has agreed to obtain, after its application has been 
     approved and notice of award has been issued, cash 
     contributions from non-Federal sources of 1 non-Federal 
     dollar for each Federal dollar;
       ``(II) is in good standing with the Women's Business Center 
     Program; and
       ``(III) has met performance goals for grant term of the 
     initial grant, if applicable.

       ``(ii) Limitations.--The Administrator may only award 
     additional grants under clause (i)--

       ``(I) during the 3rd and 4th quarters of the grant term of 
     the initial grant; and
       ``(II) from unobligated amounts made available to the 
     Administrator to carry out this section.

       ``(C) Continuation grants.--The Administrator may award a 
     continuation grant of up to $150,000 to an eligible entity 
     that received an initial grant under subparagraph (A). There 
     shall be no limitation on the number of continuation grants 
     an eligible entity may receive under this section.
       ``(c) Application.--
       ``(1) Initial grants and continuation grants.--To receive 
     an initial grant or continuation grant under this section, an 
     eligible entity shall submit an application to the 
     Administrator in such form, in such manner, and containing 
     such information as the Administrator may require, 
     including--
       ``(A) a certification that the eligible entity--
       ``(i) has designated an executive director or program 
     manager, who may be compensated using grant funds awarded 
     under this section or other sources, to manage the women's 
     business center for which a grant under subsection (b) is 
     sought; and
       ``(ii) meets the accounting and reporting requirements 
     established under guidance issued by the Director of the 
     Office of Management and Budget for the eligible entity;
       ``(B) information demonstrating the experience and 
     effectiveness of the eligible entity in--
       ``(i) provide counseling and training described under 
     subsection (b)(2);
       ``(ii) providing training and services to a representative 
     number of women who are socially or economically 
     disadvantaged; and
       ``(iii) working with resource partners of the 
     Administration and other entities; and
       ``(C) a 5-year plan that--
       ``(i) includes information relating to the assistance to be 
     provided by the women's business center in the area in which 
     the women's business center is located
       ``(ii) describes the ability of the eligible entity to meet 
     the needs of the market to be served by the women's business 
     center, including the ability to fundraise to obtain the 
     matching funds required under subsection (e)
       ``(iii) describes the ability of the eligible entity to 
     provide counseling and training described under subsection 
     (b)(2), including to a representative number of women who are 
     socially or economically disadvantaged.
       ``(2) Record retention.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall maintain a copy 
     of each application submitted under this subsection for not 
     less than 5 years.
       ``(B) Paperwork reduction.--The Administrator shall take 
     steps to reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, the 
     paperwork burden associated with carrying out subparagraph 
     (A).
       ``(d) Selection of Eligible Entities.--
       ``(1) In general.--In selecting recipients of initial 
     grants, the Administrator shall consider--
       ``(A) the experience of the applicant in providing 
     entrepreneurial training;
       ``(B) the amount of time needed for the applicant to 
     commence operation of a women's business center;
       ``(C) the capacity of the applicant to meet the 
     accreditation standards established under subsection (l)(4) 
     in a timely manner;
       ``(D) the ability of the applicant to sustain operations, 
     including its ability to obtain sufficient non-Federal funds, 
     for a 5-year period;
       ``(E) the proposed location of a women's business center to 
     be operated by the applicant eligible entity and its 
     proximity to Veteran Business Outreach Centers and to 
     recipients of grants under section 8(b)(1) or 21; and
       ``(F) the population density of the area to be served by 
     the women's business center operated by the applicant 
     eligible entity.
       ``(2) Selection criteria.--
       ``(A) Rulemaking.--The Administrator shall issue 
     regulations to specify the criteria for review and selection 
     of applicants under this subsection.
       ``(B) Modifications prohibited after announcement.--With 
     respect to a public announcement of any opportunity to be 
     awarded a grant under this section made by the Administrator 
     pursuant to subsection (j)(1), the Administrator may not 
     modify regulations issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) with 
     respect to such opportunity unless required to do so by an 
     Act of Congress or an order of a Federal court.
       ``(C) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this clause may be 
     construed as prohibiting the Administrator from modifying the 
     regulations issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) (after 
     providing an opportunity for notice and comment) as such 
     regulations apply to an opportunity to be awarded a grant 
     under this section that the Administrator has not yet 
     publicly announced pursuant to subsection (j)(1).
       ``(e) Matching Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (5), upon approval 
     of an application submitted under subsection (c), the 
     eligible entity shall agree to obtain contributions from non-
     Federal sources--
       ``(A) in the first and second year of the term of an 
     initial grant, if applicable, 1 non-Federal dollar for each 2 
     Federal dollars; and
       ``(B) in each year of the term of an initial grant, if 
     applicable, 1 non-Federal dollar for each Federal dollar:
       ``(2) Form of matching funds.--Not more than one-half of 
     non-Federal matching funds described under paragraph (1) may 
     be in the form of in-kind contributions that are budget line 
     items only, including office equipment and office space.
       ``(3) Disbursement of funds.--The Administrator may 
     disburse an amount not greater than 25 percent of the total 
     amount of a grant awarded to an eligible entity before such 
     eligible entity obtains the non-Federal matching funds 
     described under paragraph (1).

[[Page H3803]]

       ``(4) Failure to obtain matching funds.--If an eligible 
     entity fails to obtain the required matching funds described 
     under paragraph (1), the eligible entity may not be eligible 
     to receive advance disbursements pursuant to paragraph (3) 
     during the remainder of the term, if applicable, of a grant 
     awarded under this section. Before approving such eligible 
     entity for an additional grant or continuation grant under 
     this section, the Administrator shall make a written 
     determination, including the reasons for such determination, 
     of whether the Administrator believes that the eligible 
     entity will be able to obtain the requisite funding under 
     paragraph (1) for such additional grant or continuation 
     grant.
       ``(5) Waiver of non-federal share.--
       ``(A) In general.--Upon request by an eligible entity, and 
     in accordance with this paragraph, the Administrator may 
     waive, in whole or in part, the requirement to obtain non-
     Federal matching funds for a grant awarded under this section 
     for the eligible entity for a fiscal year. The Administrator 
     may not issue such a waiver for more than a total of 2 
     consecutive fiscal years.
       ``(B) Considerations.--In determining whether to issue a 
     waiver under this paragraph, the Administrator shall 
     consider--
       ``(i) the economic conditions affecting the eligible 
     entity;
       ``(ii) the impact the waiver would have on the credibility 
     of the Women's Business Center Program under this section;
       ``(iii) the demonstrated ability of the eligible entity to 
     raise non-Federal funds; and
       ``(iv) the performance of the eligible entity under the 
     initial grant.
       ``(C) Limitation.--The Administrator may not issue a waiver 
     under this paragraph if granting the waiver would undermine 
     the credibility of the Women's Business Center Program.
       ``(6) Excess non-federal dollars.--The amount of non-
     Federal dollars obtained by an eligible entity that is above 
     the amount that is required to be obtained by the eligible 
     entity under this subsection shall not be subject to the 
     requirements of part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, or any successor thereto, if such amount of non-
     Federal dollars--
       ``(A) is not used as matching funds for purposes of 
     implementing the Women's Business Center Program; and
       ``(B) was not obtained using funds from the Women's 
     Business Center Program.
       ``(f) Other Requirements.--
       ``(1) Separation of funds.--An eligible entity shall--
       ``(A) operate a women's business center under this section 
     separately from other projects, if any, of the eligible 
     entity; and
       ``(B) separately maintain and account for any grants 
     received under this section.
       ``(2) Examination of eligible entities.--
       ``(A) Required site visit.--Before receiving an initial 
     grant under this section, each applicant shall have a site 
     visit by an employee of the Administration, in order to 
     ensure that the applicant has sufficient resources to provide 
     the services for which the grant is being provided.
       ``(B) Annual review.--An employee of the Administration 
     shall--
       ``(i) conduct an annual review of the compliance of each 
     eligible entity receiving an initial grant under this section 
     with the grant agreement, including a financial examination; 
     and
       ``(ii) provide such review to the eligible entity as 
     required under subsection (j)(3).
       ``(3) Remediation of problems.--
       ``(A) Plan of action.--If a review of an eligible entity 
     under paragraph (2)(B) identifies any problems, the eligible 
     entity shall, within 45 calendar days of receiving a copy of 
     such review, provide the Assistant Administrator with a plan 
     of action, including specific milestones, for correcting such 
     problems.
       ``(B) Plan of action review by the assistant 
     administrator.--The Assistant Administrator shall review each 
     plan of action submitted under subparagraph (A) within 30 
     calendar days of receiving such plan. If the Assistant 
     Administrator determines that such plan--
       ``(i) will bring the eligible entity into compliance with 
     all the terms of the grant agreement, the Assistant 
     Administrator shall approve such plan; or
       ``(ii) is inadequate to remedy the problems identified in 
     the annual review to which the plan of action relates, the 
     Assistant Administrator shall set forth such reasons in 
     writing and provide such determination to the eligible entity 
     within 15 calendar days of such determination.
       ``(C) Amendment to plan of action.--An eligible entity 
     receiving a determination under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall 
     have 30 calendar days from the receipt of the determination 
     to amend the plan of action to satisfy the problems 
     identified by the Assistant Administrator and resubmit such 
     plan to the Assistant Administrator.
       ``(D) Amended plan review by the assistant administrator.--
     Within 15 calendar days of the receipt of an amended plan of 
     action under subparagraph (C), the Assistant Administrator 
     shall either approve or reject such plan and provide such 
     approval or rejection in writing to the eligible entity.
       ``(E) Appeal of assistant administrator determination.--
       ``(i) In general.--If the Assistant Administrator rejects 
     an amended plan under subparagraph (D), the eligible entity 
     shall have the opportunity to appeal such decision to the 
     Administrator, who may delegate such appeal to an appropriate 
     officer of the Administration.
       ``(ii) Opportunity for explanation.--Any appeal described 
     under clause (i) shall provide an opportunity for the 
     eligible entity to provide, in writing, an explanation of why 
     the eligible entity's amended plan remedies the problems 
     identified in the annual review conducted under paragraph 
     (2)(B).
       ``(iii) Notice of determination.--The Administrator shall 
     provide to the eligible entity a determination of the appeal, 
     in writing, not later than 15 calendar days after the 
     eligible entity files an appeal under this subparagraph.
       ``(iv) Effect of failure to act.--If the Administrator 
     fails to act on an appeal made under this subparagraph within 
     the 15-day period specified under clause (iii), the eligible 
     entity's amended plan of action submitted under subparagraph 
     (C) shall be deemed to be approved.
       ``(4) Termination of grant.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall terminate a 
     grant to an eligible entity under this section if the 
     eligible entity fails to comply with--
       ``(i) a plan of action approved by the Assistant 
     Administrator under paragraph (3)(B)(i); or
       ``(ii) an amended plan of action approved by the Assistant 
     Administrator under paragraph (3)(D)or approved on appeal 
     under paragraph (3)(E).
       ``(B) Appeal of termination.--An eligible entity shall have 
     the opportunity to challenge the termination of a grant under 
     subparagraph (A) on the record and after an opportunity for a 
     hearing.
       ``(C) Final agency action.--A determination made pursuant 
     to subparagraph (B) shall be considered final agency action 
     for the purposes of chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(5) Solicitation.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
     law, an eligible entity may--
       ``(A) solicit cash and in-kind contributions from private 
     individuals and entities to be used to operate a women's 
     business center; and
       ``(B) use amounts made available by the Administrator under 
     this section for the cost of such solicitation and management 
     of the contributions received.
       ``(6) Notice and comment required.--The Administrator may 
     only make a change to the standards by which an eligible 
     entity obtains or maintains grants under this section, the 
     standards for accreditation, or any other requirement for the 
     operation of a women's business center if the Administrator 
     first provides notice and the opportunity for public comment, 
     as set forth in section 553(b) of title 5, United States 
     Code, without regard to any exceptions provided for under 
     such section.
       ``(g) Program Examination.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Administration shall--
       ``(A) develop and implement an annual programmatic and 
     financial examination of each eligible entity, under which 
     each such eligible entity shall provide to the 
     Administration--
       ``(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures for 
     costs incurred during the preceding year; and
       ``(ii) documentation regarding the amount of matching 
     assistance from non-Federal sources obtained and expended by 
     the eligible entity during the preceding year in order to 
     meet the requirements of subsection (e) and, with respect to 
     any in-kind contributions described in subsection (e)(2) that 
     were used to satisfy the requirements of subsection (e), 
     verification of the existence and valuation of those 
     contributions; and
       ``(B) analyze the results of each such examination and, 
     based on that analysis, make a determination regarding the 
     programmatic and financial viability of each women's business 
     center operated by the eligible entity.
       ``(2) Conditions for continued funding.--In determining 
     whether to award a continuation grant, the Administrator--
       ``(A) shall consider the results of the most recent 
     examination of the eligible entity under paragraph (1); and
       ``(B) shall determine if--
       ``(i) the eligible entity has failed to provide, or 
     provided inadequate, information under paragraph (1)(A); or
       ``(ii) the eligible entity has failed to provide any 
     information required to be provided by the women's business 
     center for purposes of the management report under subsection 
     (k)(1), or the information provided by the center is 
     inadequate.
       ``(h) Contract Authority.--
       ``(1) Eligible entity.--An eligible entity that receives a 
     grant under this section may enter into a contract with a 
     Federal department or agency to provide specific assistance 
     to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and 
     other underserved small business concerns, if performance of 
     such a contract does not hinder the ability of the eligible 
     entity to carry out the terms of a grant received under this 
     section.
       ``(2) Administrator.--The authority of the Administrator to 
     enter into contracts shall be in effect for each fiscal year 
     only to the extent and in the amounts as are provided in 
     advance in appropriations Acts. After the Administrator has 
     entered into a contract, either as a grant or a cooperative 
     agreement, with any applicant under this section, the 
     Administrator shall not suspend, terminate, or fail to renew 
     or extend any such contract unless the Administrator provides 
     the applicant with written notification setting forth

[[Page H3804]]

     the reasons therefore and affords the applicant an 
     opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or other administrative 
     proceeding under chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.
       ``(i) Privacy Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--A women's business center may not 
     disclose the name, address, or telephone number of any 
     individual or small business concern receiving assistance 
     under this section 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 considers such a disclosure to be 
     necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of 
     a women's business center, except that such a disclosure 
     shall be limited to the information necessary for such audit.
       ``(2) Administration use of information.--This subsection 
     shall not--
       ``(A) restrict Administration access to women's business 
     center data; or
       ``(B) prevent the Administration from using information 
     about individuals who use women's business centers (other 
     than the information described in subparagraph (A)) to 
     conduct surveys of such individuals.
       ``(3) Regulations.--The Administrator shall issue 
     regulations to establish standards for disclosures for 
     purposes of a financial audit under paragraph (1)(B).
       ``(j) Notification Requirements Under the Women's Business 
     Center Program.--The Administrator shall provide the 
     following:
       ``(1) A public announcement of any opportunity to be 
     awarded grants under this section, to include the selection 
     criteria under subsection (d) and any applicable regulations.
       ``(2) To any applicant for a grant under this section that 
     failed to obtain such a grant, an opportunity to debrief with 
     the Administrator to review the reasons for the applicant's 
     failure.
       ``(3) To an eligible entity that receives an initial grant 
     under this section, if a site visit or review of the eligible 
     entity is carried out by an officer or employee of the 
     Administration (other than the Inspector General), a copy of 
     the site visit report or evaluation, as applicable, within 30 
     calendar days of the completion of such visit or evaluation.
       ``(k) Reports.--
       ``(1) Management report.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall prepare and 
     submit to the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate a report on the effectiveness 
     of women's business centers operated through a grant awarded 
     under this section.
       ``(B) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include information concerning, with respect to each 
     women's business center established pursuant to a grant 
     awarded under this section--
       ``(i) the number of individuals receiving assistance;
       ``(ii) the number of startup business concerns formed;
       ``(iii) the gross receipts of assisted concerns;
       ``(iv) the employment increases or decreases of assisted 
     concerns;
       ``(v) to the maximum extent practicable, increases or 
     decreases in profits of assisted concerns; and
       ``(vi) the most recent analysis, as required under 
     subsection (g)(1)(B), and the subsequent determination made 
     by the Administration under that subsection.
       ``(2) Study and report on representation of women.--
       ``(A) Study.--The Administrator shall periodically conduct 
     a study to identify industries, as defined under the North 
     American Industry Classification System, underrepresented by 
     small business concerns owned and controlled by women.
       ``(B) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, and every 5 years thereafter, 
     the 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 results of each study under paragraph (1) conducted 
     during the 5-year period ending on the date of the report.
       ``(l) Office of Women's Business Ownership.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Administration an Office of Women's Business Ownership, which 
     shall be responsible for the administration of the 
     Administration's programs for the development of women's 
     business enterprises (as defined in section 408 of the 
     Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7108)). The 
     Office of Women's Business Ownership shall be administered by 
     an Assistant Administrator, who shall be appointed by the 
     Administrator.
       ``(2) Assistant administrator of the office of women's 
     business ownership.--
       ``(A) Qualification.--The position of Assistant 
     Administrator shall be a Senior Executive Service position 
     under section 3132(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code. The 
     Assistant Administrator shall serve as a noncareer appointee 
     (as defined in section 3132(a)(7) of that title).
       ``(B) Duties.--The Assistant Administrator shall administer 
     the programs and services of the Office of Women's Business 
     Ownership and perform the following functions:
       ``(i) Recommend the annual administrative and program 
     budgets of the Office and eligible entities receiving a grant 
     under the Women's Business Center Program.
       ``(ii) Review the annual budgets submitted by each eligible 
     entity receiving a grant under the Women's Business Center 
     Program.
       ``(iii) Collaborate with other Federal departments and 
     agencies, State and local governments, not-for-profit 
     organizations, and for-profit organizations to maximize 
     utilization of taxpayer dollars and reduce (or eliminate) any 
     duplication among the programs overseen by the Office of 
     Women's Business Ownership and those of other entities that 
     provide similar services to women entrepreneurs.
       ``(iv) Maintain a clearinghouse to provide for the 
     dissemination and exchange of information between women's 
     business centers.
       ``(v) Serve as the vice chairperson of the Interagency 
     Committee on Women's Business Enterprise and as the liaison 
     for the National Women's Business Council.
       ``(3) Mission.--The mission of the Office of Women's 
     Business Ownership shall be to assist women entrepreneurs to 
     start, grow, and compete in global markets by providing 
     quality support with access to capital, access to markets, 
     job creation, growth, and counseling by--
       ``(A) fostering participation of women entrepreneurs in the 
     economy by overseeing a network of women's business centers 
     throughout States and territories;
       ``(B) creating public-private partnerships to support women 
     entrepreneurs and conduct outreach and education to small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by women; and
       ``(C) working with other programs of the Administrator to--
       ``(i) ensure women are well-represented in those programs 
     and being served by those programs; and
       ``(ii) identify gaps where participation by women in those 
     programs could be increased.
       ``(4) Accreditation program.--
       ``(A) Establishment.--Not later than 270 days after the 
     date of enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall 
     publish standards for a program to accredit eligible entities 
     that receive a grant under this section.
       ``(B) Public comment; transition.--Before publishing the 
     standards under subparagraph (A), the Administrator--
       ``(i) shall provide a period of not less than 60 days for 
     public comment on such standards; and
       ``(ii) may not terminate a grant under this section absent 
     evidence of fraud or other criminal misconduct by the 
     recipient.
       ``(C) Contracting authority.--The Administrator may provide 
     financial assistance, by contract or otherwise, to a relevant 
     national women's business center representative association 
     to provide assistance in establishing the standards required 
     under subparagraph (A) or for carrying out an accreditation 
     program pursuant to such standards.
       ``(m) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       ``(1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to the Administration to carry out this section, to remain 
     available until expended, $21,750,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2019 through 2022.
       ``(2) Use of amounts.--
       ``(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph (B), 
     amounts made available under this subsection for fiscal year 
     2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, 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.
       ``(B) Exceptions.--Of the amount made available under this 
     subsection for a fiscal year, the following amounts shall be 
     available:
       ``(i) For the first fiscal year beginning after the date of 
     the enactment of this subparagraph, 2.65 percent.
       ``(ii) For the second fiscal year beginning after the date 
     of the enactment of this subparagraph and each fiscal year 
     thereafter through fiscal year 2022, 2.5 percent.
       ``(3) Expedited acquisition.--Notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Administrator may use such expedited 
     acquisition methods as the Administrator determines to be 
     appropriate to carry out this section, except that the 
     Administrator shall ensure that all small business sources 
     are provided a reasonable opportunity to submit proposals.''.

     SEC. 3. EFFECT ON EXISTING GRANTS.

       (a) Terms and Conditions.--A nonprofit organization 
     receiving a grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)), as in effect on the day before the 
     date of enactment of this Act, shall continue to receive the 
     grant under the terms and conditions in effect for the grant 
     on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, except 
     that the nonprofit organization may not apply for a 
     continuation of the grant under section 29(m)(5) of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)(5)), as in effect on the day 
     before the date of enactment of this Act.
       (b) Length of Continuation Grant.--The Administrator of the 
     Small Business Administration may award a grant under section 
     29(m) of the Small Business Act, as amended by this Act, to a 
     nonprofit organization receiving a grant under section 29(m) 
     of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)), as in effect on 
     the day before the date of enactment of this Act, for the 
     period--

[[Page H3805]]

       (1) beginning on the day after the last day of the grant 
     agreement under such section 29(m); and
       (2) ending at the end of the third fiscal year beginning 
     after the date of enactment of this Act.

     SEC. 4. REGULATIONS.

       Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Administrator of Small Business Administration 
     shall publish in the Federal Register such regulations as are 
     necessary to carry out section 29 of the Small Business Act 
     (15 U.S.C. 656), as amended by this Act. The Administrator 
     shall accept public comments on such proposed regulations for 
     a period of not less than 60 days.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Ohio?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1680, the Women's 
Business Centers Improvements Act of 2018, which was introduced by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Knight), who is also the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce and who has been a very 
active member of that committee for quite some time now.
  This legislation makes key updates to the Small Business 
Administration's Office of Women's Business Ownership and the Women's 
Business Center, or WBC, program.
  The WBC program provides grants to over 100 nonprofit organizations 
across the country to provide socially and economically disadvantaged 
women with technical and managerial training designed to meet the needs 
of women entrepreneurs. Many women's business centers offer training at 
night, or in multiple languages, to ensure that all women have the 
small business knowledge, tools, and support they need when creating or 
sustaining a business.
  Last year, WBCs trained over 114,000 clients and advised over 26,000 
individuals. This training and counseling contributed to the creation 
of more than 17,000 new small businesses in the United States. Clearly, 
the Women's Business Center program has a profound impact not only in 
our local communities, but also on our Nation's economy overall.
  H.R. 1680 authorizes the WBC program, requiring specific conditions 
for participation and application criteria for organizations seeking a 
WBC grant. While many of these requirements have been met in practice, 
the inclusion of these standards in statute allows for increased 
congressional oversight and program confidence.
  H.R. 1680 also increases the WBC grant award to reflect inflation. 
This minor increase provides new and existing women's business centers 
with the support they need to provide an effective course curriculum to 
small business clients.
  Additionally, H.R. 1680 requires the SBA to establish a WBC 
accreditation program. This program, similar to the successful small 
business development center accreditation program, will ensure 
pragmatic consistency among WBC locations and guarantee that each 
center is providing women entrepreneurs with effective training 
opportunities. These updates will ensure that the funds supporting the 
WBC program are used efficiently and to foster economic growth.
  H.R. 1680 is an important step to ensuring that the more than 11.6 
million women-owned small businesses continue to grow and that the next 
generation of women entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pursue 
business creation. For that reason, I urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 1680.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1415

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1680, the Women's Business 
Centers Improvements Act of 2018.
  Small businesses are as diverse as our Nation, and the SBA 
entrepreneurial development initiatives are no different.
  Women's business centers, or WBCs, are a critical initiative for 
female entrepreneurs. WBCs provide in-depth counseling, training, and 
mentoring to small firms, resulting in substantial economic impact.
  Women businessowners have used this program to develop business 
plans, obtain financing, and expand their operations. As more women 
turn to entrepreneurship as a career path, it is critical this 
initiative remain in place to close these gaps.
  Women are the fastest growing sector of entrepreneurs, and as more 
women establish home-based businesses, downsize from corporate 
executive positions, these centers are crucial in addressing the whole 
range of women's entrepreneurial needs.
  The Women's Business Centers Improvements Act builds upon their 
success by creating uniformity through accreditation for WBCs and 
increasing maximum grant levels to ensure they have the resources to 
meet the growing demand for their services.
  We all agree that women businessowners offer invaluable contributions 
to our economy, so we must step up to help them, and this legislation 
achieves that.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, before I turn it over to the gentleman, the 
principal sponsor of the bill, I want to thank our colleague Mr. Lawson 
for his work on this bill as well. Again, we have been bipartisan, 
Republican and Democrat, working together to advance, in this case, 
women entrepreneurs all across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Knight), the chairman of the Subcommittee on 
Contracting and Workforce.
  Mr. KNIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman for his leadership. I 
thank Mr. Lawson and Ranking Member Velazquez for their leadership in 
this very, very important measure.
  Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in support of the Women's Business 
Centers Improvements Act of 2018.
  I introduced H.R. 1680 so that the outstanding growth our country has 
seen within women's entrepreneurship within the last decade can 
continue.
  Over the last 10 years, the number of women-owned small businesses 
has increased by 114 percent. With women-owned firms growing more than 
two and a half times faster than the average business, we must 
recognize women entrepreneurs as a driving force in the U.S. economy.
  The legislation modernizes both the Small Business Administration's 
Office of Women's Business Ownership and the SBA's Women's Business 
Centers program.
  The Office of Women's Business Ownership administers the grant 
program that funds women's business centers. H.R. 1680 would require 
consistent standards and application requirements for grant recipients, 
ensuring that those centers have the ability to provide women with 
small business counseling and training.
  The bill also institutes commonsense oversight requirements, 
standards for continued funding, and conditions of participation. This 
will increase congressional accountability and responsibility.
  H.R. 1680 will allow millions of women throughout the country 
continued access to reliable and effective small business resources.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1680.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Lawson), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health 
and Technology.
  Mr. LAWSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1680, 
the Women's Business Centers Improvements Act. This is a critically 
important piece of legislation that supports our Nation's women-owned 
small businesses.
  Women's Business Centers support women-owned businesses through 
counseling and technical assistance. This

[[Page H3806]]

network of educational centers is the nexus for women who are either 
looking to start a business or looking to grow their business to the 
next level.
  This bill clarifies the work of the Office of Women's Business 
Ownership within the SBA to help women entrepreneurs compete in a 
global market.
  Specifically, there are more than 11.6 million small businesses owned 
by women, who employ nearly 9 million people. Further, there are 
roughly 5.4 million businesses owned by women of color, employing over 
2.1 million people.
  I am proud to work with my colleague, Mr. Stephen Knight, on a 
bipartisan bill to increase the level of support for women 
businessowners so that we can guarantee that women entrepreneurs have 
the on-the-ground resources for them to strive.
  I might point out that in the committee we learned that women-owned 
businesses are the fastest growing businesses in America.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support this nonpartisan 
bill, H.R. 1680.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, the United States has over 9 million women-owned firms, 
over one-third of all firms. Our economy relies heavily on women-owned 
small businesses, as they generate over $1 trillion in revenues and 
employ over 8 million workers. H.R. 1680 ensures that they have access 
to the tools they need to succeed.
  Because nearly half of aspiring women businessowners report a lack of 
available mentors, we must take action to break down the barriers 
hindering their success. That is why it is imperative for us to pass 
this legislation today, ensuring access to mentorship and professional 
guidance to the fastest growing group of entrepreneurs.
  Today's measure is endorsed by the Association of Women's Business 
Centers, along with other organizations.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, almost 40 percent of all firms in the United States are 
women-owned, and over the last 10 years that number has more than 
doubled.
  It is important to recognize women entrepreneurs as a driving force 
in the American economy. This legislation, I think, goes a long way in 
recognizing that and actually improving it over the upcoming years.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan 
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) that the House suspend the rules and 
pass the bill, H.R. 1680, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________