[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 10, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H6028-H6030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SCORE FOR SMALL BUSINESS ACT OF 2018
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 1700) to amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize the
SCORE program, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows
H.R. 1700
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``SCORE for Small Business
Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. SCORE REAUTHORIZATION.
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 in a total amount that does not exceed
$10,500,000 in each of fiscal years 2019 and 2020.''.
SEC. 3. SCORE PROGRAM.
Section 8 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)(B)--
(A) by striking ``a Service Corps of Retired Executives
(SCORE)'' and inserting ``the SCORE program described in
subsection (c)''; and
(B) by striking ``SCORE may'' and inserting ``the SCORE
program may''; and
(2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following:
``(c) SCORE Program.--
``(1) Definition.--In this subsection:
``(A) SCORE association.--The term `SCORE Association'
means the Service Corps of Retired Executives Association or
any successor or other organization that receives a grant
from the Administrator to operate the SCORE program under
paragraph (2)(A).
``(B) SCORE program.--The term `SCORE program' means the
SCORE program authorized by subsection (b)(1)(B).
``(2) Management and volunteers.--
``(A) In general.--The Administrator shall provide a grant
to the SCORE Association to manage the SCORE program.
``(B) Volunteers.--A volunteer participating in the SCORE
program shall--
``(i) based on the business experience and knowledge of the
volunteer--
``(I) provide at no cost to individuals who own, or aspire
to own, small business concerns personal counseling,
mentoring, and coaching relating to the process of starting,
expanding, managing, buying, and selling a business; and
``(II) facilitate low-cost education workshops for
individuals who own, or aspire to own, small business
concerns; and
``(ii) as appropriate, use tools, resources, and expertise
of other organizations to carry out the SCORE program.
``(3) Plans and goals.--The Administrator, in consultation
with the SCORE Association, shall ensure that the SCORE
program and each chapter of the SCORE program develop and
implement plans and goals to more effectively and efficiently
provide services to individuals in rural areas, economically
disadvantaged communities, and other traditionally
underserved communities, including plans for electronic
initiatives, web-based initiatives, chapter expansion,
partnerships, and the development of new skills by volunteers
participating in the SCORE program.
``(4) Annual report.--The SCORE Association shall submit to
the Administrator an annual report that contains--
``(A) the number of individuals counseled or trained under
the SCORE program;
``(B) the number of hours of counseling provided under the
SCORE program; and
``(C) to the extent possible--
``(i) the number of small business concerns formed with
assistance from the SCORE program;
``(ii) the number of small business concerns expanded with
assistance from the SCORE program; and
``(iii) the number of jobs created with assistance from the
SCORE program.
``(5) Privacy requirements.--
``(A) In general.--Neither the Administrator nor the SCORE
Association may disclose the name, address, or telephone
number of any individual or small business concern receiving
assistance from the SCORE Association without the consent of
such individual or small business concern, unless--
``(i) 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
``(ii) the Administrator determines such a disclosure to be
necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of
the SCORE program, in which case disclosure shall be limited
to the information necessary for the audit.
``(B) Administrator use of information.--This paragraph
shall not--
``(i) restrict the access of the Administrator to program
activity data; or
``(ii) prevent the Administrator from using client
information to conduct client surveys.
``(C) Standards.--
``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall, after the
opportunity for notice and comment, establish standards for--
``(I) disclosures with respect to financial audits under
subparagraph (A)(ii); and
``(II) conducting client surveys, including standards for
oversight of the surveys and for dissemination and use of
client information.
``(ii) Maximum privacy protection.--The standards issued
under this subparagraph shall, to the extent practicable,
provide for the maximum amount of privacy protection.''.
SEC. 4. ONLINE COMPONENT.
(a) In General.--Section 8(c) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 637(c)), as amended by section 3, is further amended
by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Online component.--In carrying out this subsection,
the SCORE Association shall make use of online counseling,
including by developing and implementing webinars and an
electronic mentoring platform to expand access to services
provided under this subsection and to further support
entrepreneurs.''.
(b) Online Component Report.--
(1) In general.--At the end of fiscal year 2019, the SCORE
Association shall issue a report to the Committee on Small
Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate on the
effectiveness of the online counseling and webinars required
as part of the SCORE program, including a description of--
(A) how the SCORE Association determines electronic
mentoring and webinar needs, develops training for electronic
mentoring, establishes webinar criteria curricula, and
evaluates webinar and electronic mentoring results;
[[Page H6029]]
(B) the internal controls that are used and a summary of
the topics covered by the webinars; and
(C) performance metrics, including the number of small
business concerns counseled by, the number of small business
concerns created by, the number of jobs created and retained
by, and the funding amounts directed towards such online
counseling and webinars.
(2) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection, the
terms ``SCORE Association'' and ``SCORE program'' have the
meaning given those terms, respectively, under section
8(c)(1) of the Small Business Act, as added by section 3 of
this Act.
SEC. 5. STUDY AND REPORT ON THE FUTURE ROLE OF THE SCORE
PROGRAM.
(a) Study.--The SCORE Association shall carry out a study
on the future role of the SCORE program and develop a
strategic plan for how the SCORE program will meet the needs
of small business concerns during the 5-year period beginning
on the date of the enactment of this Act, with specific
objectives for the first, third, and fifth years of the 5-
year period.
(b) Report.--Not later than the end of the 6-month period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the SCORE
Association shall issue a report to the Committee on Small
Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate
containing--
(1) all findings and determination made in carrying out the
study required under subsection (a);
(2) the strategic plan developed under subsection (a);
(3) an explanation of how the SCORE Association plans to
achieve the strategic plan, assuming both stagnant and
increased funding levels.
(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms
``SCORE Association'' and ``SCORE program'' have the meaning
given those terms, respectively, under section 8(c)(1) of the
Small Business Act, as added by section 3 of this Act.
SEC. 6. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.
(a) Small Business Act.--The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
631 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 7 (15 U.S.C. 636)--
(A) in subsection (b)(12)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``program''
after ``SCORE''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``Service Corps of
Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE program''; and
(B) in subsection (m)(3)(A)(i)(VIII), by striking ``Service
Corps of Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE
program''; and
(2) in section 22 (15 U.S.C. 649)--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ``Service Corps of
Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE program''; and
(ii) in paragraph (3), by striking ``Service Corps of
Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE program''; and
(B) in subsection (c)(12), by striking ``Service Corps of
Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE program''.
(b) Other Laws.--
(1) Small business reauthorization act of 1997.--Section
707 of the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 1997 (15
U.S.C. 631 note) is amended by striking ``Service Corps of
Retired Executives (SCORE) program'' and inserting ``SCORE
program (as defined in section 8(c)(1) of the Small Business
Act)''.
(2) Veterans entrepreneurship and small business
development act of 1999.--Section 301 of the Veterans
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act of 1999
(15 U.S.C. 657b note) is amended by striking ``Service Core
of Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE program''.
(3) Military reservist and veteran small business
reauthorization and opportunity act of 2008.--Section 3(5) of
the Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business
Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2008 (15 U.S.C. 636
note) is amended by striking ``means the SCORE program''.
(4) Children's health insurance program reauthorization act
of 2009.--Section 621 of the Children's Health Insurance
Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (15 U.S.C. 657p) is
amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (4) and
inserting the following:
``(4) the term `SCORE program' means the SCORE program
authorized by section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B));''; and
(B) in subsection (b)(4)(A)(iv), by striking ``Service
Corps of Retired Executives'' and inserting ``SCORE
program''.
(5) Energy policy and conservation act.--Section
337(d)(2)(A) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42
U.S.C. 6307(d)(2)(A)) is amended by striking ``Service Corps
of Retired Executives (SCORE)'' and inserting ``SCORE
program''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
{time} 1915
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, this evening, in support of H.R. 1700, the
SCORE for Small Business Act of 2018, which was introduced by the
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Adams), and I want to commend her
for her leadership on this legislation. This legislation will allow the
SCORE program to continue to offer business mentoring and training to
thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners each year.
The SCORE program currently includes over 11,000 volunteer mentors,
with expertise across 62 industries, who collectively provide more than
a million hours of business counseling each year.
When an entrepreneur seeks a SCORE mentor, they are purposely paired
with a business professional with knowledge in a specific field or
experience facing specific challenges. This process ensures that the
concerns of the entrepreneur are met by the volunteer mentor.
In addition to SCORE's mentorship services, the program also offers
in-person business training classes at its 350 chapter locations
nationwide. Entrepreneurs can also utilize the extensive online
training opportunities and free business tools available on SCORE's
national website.
Last fiscal year, SCORE trained over a half million clients,
empowering them to start, run, and scale their business. This
legislation will allow SCORE to continue to provide these important
services.
H.R. 1700 reauthorizes the SCORE program at $10.5 million for fiscal
years 2019 and 2020, providing for enhanced services to SCORE clients.
This legislation also formally changes the program's name from the
Service Core of Retired Executives to the more commonly used name of
SCORE.
Additionally, H.R. 1700 requires the SCORE Association to further
utilize webinars and electronic mentoring as a way of increasing
SCORE's presence nationwide.
H.R. 1700 will require the SCORE Association to develop a strategic
plan for how the program will adapt to meet the needs of America's
entrepreneurs over the coming years. This requirement will not only
allow for better congressional oversight of the SCORE program, but will
also guarantee that taxpayer dollars contributing to the program are
effectively used to serve the needs of the small business community.
Considering the important role that small businesses play throughout
our Nation and our communities, it is our responsibility to ensure that
our entrepreneurs and small businesses have the resources that they
need to be successful. H.R. 1700 is the way of doing just that, and I
urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1700, the SCORE for Small Business
Act of 2018.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of my bill, H.R. 1700, the SCORE for
Small Business Act of 2018.
There are nearly 30 million small businesses in the United States,
representing more than 99 percent of all businesses. These small firms
employ nearly 50 percent of all private sector employees in the United
States.
These trailblazers play a critical role in the American economy. They
take great risks by launching new ventures, developing new products,
and establishing new industries; and, ultimately, these brave efforts
help spur growth in our economy.
The Small Business Administration, SBA, is a vital part of their
support system. The SBA administers a portfolio of Entrepreneurial
Development programs, which includes the Service Corps of Retired
Executives, better known as SCORE.
Through this program, the SBA has undertaken efforts to connect new
entrepreneurs and small-business owners with more experienced
businessmen
[[Page H6030]]
and -women. This expansive network consists of entrepreneurs, business
leaders, and executives who volunteer as mentors to small firms both
in-person and online.
SCORE has grown to become one of the Federal Government's largest
volunteer business adviser and mentoring programs. In 2017, 59 percent
of SCORE's clients were women, 39 percent minorities, and 11 percent
veterans.
My legislation reauthorizes this essential program so that it will
continue to have the ability to meet the needs of entrepreneurs. With
technology enhancements and streamlined service processes, SCORE
mentoring will now be accessible to business owners, no matter their
location.
I urge Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance
of my time.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I would ask the gentlewoman from North
Carolina if she has any further speakers this evening, and, if not, I
believe I have the right to close. So if she has any concluding
remarks, I would be happy to yield if the gentlewoman has any other
speakers to speak on this issue because I would be closing then.
Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I do have the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Evans), who will speak on this issue.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Evans).
Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I want to lend my voice to this very
important essential legislation. Nothing is more important than
mentoring, particularly in small businesses. I know in the particular
case of the city of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,
SCORE is an important asset.
I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina for her leadership on
something that is extremely essential, something that transcends
parties. It is about economic growth and economic opportunity, and I
thank her for her leadership that she has shown in understanding the
importance of mentoring.
Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
I do want to thank Chairman Chabot for his support.
There is no question that we need to support our small businesses
across the country, no matter their location, industry, or expertise
level. My bill, H.R. 1700, provides that critical support by
reauthorizing a major component of SBA's entrepreneurial programs and
clarifying the utilization of the volunteer base.
This bill is supported by the SCORE Association and is reflective of
the growth of this program that actively engages business owners, as
well as retired executives, to mentor the next generation of job
makers.
I want to again thank Chairman Chabot for working in a bipartisan
manner to help our Nation's small businesses and for his support to
reauthorize SCORE.
I would urge all of the Members to support this bill, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, the commonsense improvements in this bill will allow the
SCORE program to continue its mission: helping entrepreneurs to start
and grow their businesses.
With over 99 percent of all businesses in the United States being
classified as small, it is vital that these business owners have access
to effective entrepreneurial resources.
H.R. 1700 would ensure that, regardless of location, a small-business
owner can access SCORE mentoring and training.
Mr. Speaker, I would, again, like to commend the gentlewoman from
North Carolina for her leadership on this important matter. I urge my
colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1700,
the SCORE for Small Business Act of 2017.
H.R. 1700 amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize the SCORE
program (Service Corps of Retired Executives) for FY2018-FY2019.
The program is renamed as simply the SCORE program.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) shall award a grant to the
SCORE Association (or any successor group) in order to strengthen
resources for entrepreneurs.
By passing this bill, we are ensuring that the program and each of
its chapters develop and implement plans and goals to provide services
more effectively and efficiently to individuals in rural areas,
economically disadvantaged communities, and other traditionally
underserved communities.
Such requirements includes plans for electronic initiatives, web-
based initiatives, chapter expansion, partnerships, and the development
of new skills by participating volunteers.
The SBA's SCORE program embodies the power of public-private
partnerships and is dedicated to educating and assisting entrepreneurs
and small business owners in the formation, growth and expansion of
their small businesses.
I want to thank all the trained volunteers that serve as counselor's
advisors and mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners.
Further, there are approximately 13,000 volunteer business counselors
with 348 chapters across the country.
Established in 1965, the Houston chapter has more than 130+
volunteers covering the 9-county Greater Houston Area.
These services are offered at no fee, as a community service.
According to the SCORE Association, in FY13, SCORE estimates that it
served over 400,000 clients, and helped to create more than 40,500 new
businesses and more than 67,098 new jobs.
I urge my colleagues to join me in voting for H.R. 1700 as it is
vital that we support.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Lewis of Minnesota). 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. 1700, 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.
____________________