[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 204 (Thursday, December 3, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H6072-H6076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    504 MODERNIZATION AND SMALL MANUFACTURER ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2020

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 8211) to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to 
improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small 
manufacturers to access affordable capital, and for other purposes, as 
amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 8211

       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 ``504 Modernization and Small 
     Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2020''.

     SEC. 2. ADDITIONS TO POLICY GOALS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY 
                   PROGRAM.

       Section 501(d)(3) of the Small Business Investment Act of 
     1958 (15 U.S.C. 695(d)(3)) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (L) as 
     subparagraphs (B) through (M), respectively;
       (2) by inserting before subparagraph (B) (as so 
     redesignated) the following:
       ``(A) workforce development through work-based or work-
     integrated training, which shall be satisfied by 
     demonstrating that a small business concern that is a subject 
     of the project has--
       ``(i) a documented in-house training program, the duration 
     of which is not shorter than 12 weeks; or
       ``(ii) entered into a contract with an entity--

       ``(I) to provide trained applicants for any open position 
     of employment at the small business concern; and
       ``(II) that ensures that any applicant provided to the 
     small business concern under subclause (I) has undergone not 
     fewer than 12 weeks of training that is relevant to the open 
     position described in that subclause,'';

       (3) by amending subparagraph (D) (as so redesignated) to 
     read as follows:
       ``(D) expansion of minority-owned, employee-owned, or 
     women-owned business development,'';

[[Page H6073]]

       (4) in subparagraph (L) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     ``producers, or'' and inserting ``producers,'';
       (5) in subparagraph (M) (as so redesignated), by striking 
     the period at the end and inserting a comma;
       (6) by inserting after subparagraph (M) the following new 
     subparagraphs:
       ``(N) enhanced ability for small business concerns to 
     reduce costs by using energy efficient products and 
     generating renewable energy,
       ``(O) aid revitalizing of any area for which a disaster has 
     been declared or determined under subparagraph (A), (B), (C), 
     or (E) of section 7(b)(2) of the Small Business Act, or
       ``(P) expansion of small business concerns with 10 or fewer 
     employees.''; and
       (7) in the flush text following subparagraph (P), as added 
     by paragraph (6), by striking ``subparagraphs (J) and (K)'' 
     and inserting ``subparagraphs (K) and (L)''.

     SEC. 3. INCREASE IN LOAN AMOUNTS FOR MANUFACTURING LOANS.

       Section 502 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 
     (15 U.S.C. 696) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
     ``The Administration'' and inserting the following:
       ``(a) In General.--The Administration''; and
       (2) in subsection (a), as so designated--
       (A) in paragraph (2)(A)--
       (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
     ``section'' and inserting ``subsection''; and
       (ii) in clause (iii), by striking ``$5,500,000'' and 
     inserting ``$6,500,000''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3)(A), by striking ``this section'' and 
     inserting ``this subsection''.

     SEC. 4. IMPROVEMENTS TO 504 LOAN CLOSING PROCEDURE.

       Title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
     U.S.C. 695 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) in section 502, as amended by section 3, by adding at 
     the end the following new subsections:
       ``(b) Closing.--
       ``(1) Authority of certain development companies.--An 
     accredited lender certified company may take any of the 
     following actions to facilitate the closing of a loan made 
     under subsection (a):
       ``(A) Reallocate the cost of the project with respect to 
     which the loan is made in an amount that is not more than 10 
     percent of the overall cost of the project.
       ``(B) Correct any name that is applicable to the loan, 
     including the name of any borrower, guarantor, eligible 
     passive company described in subparagraph (C)(i), and 
     operating company described in subparagraph (C)(ii).
       ``(C) Form any of the following to receive proceeds of the 
     loan:
       ``(i) An eligible passive company that complies with 
     section 120.111 of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, or 
     any successor regulation.
       ``(ii) If an eligible passive company is formed under 
     clause (i), an operating company with respect to that 
     eligible passive company.
       ``(D) Correct the address of any property with respect to 
     which the loan is made.
       ``(E) Correct the name of any interim lender or third-party 
     lender.
       ``(F) Change any third-party lender or interim lender if 
     that lender is a financial institution that is regulated by 
     the Federal Government or a State government.
       ``(G) Make a guarantor a co-borrower or a co-borrower a 
     guarantor.
       ``(H) Add a guarantor that does not change ownership with 
     respect to the loan.
       ``(I) Reduce the amount of standby debt before the closing 
     as a result of regularly scheduled payments.
       ``(J) Reduce the cost of the project with respect to which 
     the loan is made.
       ``(2) Fees.--The Administrator shall--
       ``(A) issue a rule regarding the amount of a closing fee 
     that may be financed in a debenture that is issued by a 
     certified development company to make one or more loans to 
     small business concerns, the proceeds of which are used by 
     that concern for the purposes described in subsection (a), 
     except that such amount shall be not less than $3,500; and
       ``(B) periodically update the rule issued under 
     subparagraph (A).
       ``(3) No adverse change and financial statement.--Before 
     the closing with respect to a loan made under subsection (a), 
     the borrower and any operating company shall--
       ``(A) make the certification required under section 120.892 
     of title 13, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor 
     regulation; and
       ``(B) submit to the certified development company a 
     financial statement that is not more than 180 days old, which 
     the company shall certify not later than 120 days before the 
     date on which the certified development company issues a 
     debenture with respect to the project to which the loan 
     relates.
       ``(c) Express Program.--An accredited lender certified 
     company may, with respect to a covered loan, take any of the 
     following actions with respect to the loan:
       ``(1) Any action described in any of subparagraphs (A) 
     through (J) of subsection (b)(1).
       ``(2) If the borrower is not delinquent with respect to the 
     loan payments--
       ``(A) permit the loan to subordinate to a new third-party 
     lender loan for the purposes of refinancing that third-party 
     lender loan, except that no refinanced amount with respect to 
     the loan may be increased in order to provide cash to the 
     borrower;
       ``(B) permit a new party to assume responsibility for the 
     loan if the original borrower remains on the loan as the 
     original guarantor;
       ``(C) obtain force placed insurance coverage for the loan 
     if the borrower has allowed insurance coverage with respect 
     to the loan to lapse; and
       ``(D) endorse an insurance check with respect to the 
     property that is financed by the loan in an amount that is 
     less than $100,000.
       ``(3) Certify that the loan is compliant with the appraisal 
     requirements and environmental policies and procedures 
     applicable to the loan under Standard Operating Procedure 50 
     10 6 of the Administration, effective August 28, 2020, or any 
     successor Standard Operating Procedure.
       ``(d) Definitions.--In this section--
       ``(1) the term `accredited lender certified company' means 
     a certified development company that meets the requirements 
     under section 507(b), including a certified development 
     company that the Administration has designated as an 
     accredited lender under such section 507(b); and
       ``(2) the term `covered loan'--
       ``(A) means a loan made under subsection (a) in an amount 
     that is not more than $500,000; and
       ``(B) does not include a loan made to a borrower that is a 
     franchise that, or is in an industry that, has a high rate of 
     default, as annually determined by the Administrator.''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 511. CLOSING AND OVERSIGHT.

       ``(a) SBA District Counsels.--Beginning on the date of 
     enactment of this section, with respect to the program 
     established under this title, district counsels of the 
     Administration shall be subject to the same requirements, and 
     shall have the same authority and responsibilities, as in 
     effect with respect to that program on the day before the 
     date of enactment of this section, except that--
       ``(1) the Office of Credit Risk Management of the 
     Administration shall have the responsibility for all duties 
     relating to conducting file reviews of loans made under this 
     title; and
       ``(2) district counsels of the Administration shall not 
     have any responsibility relating to the review of closing 
     packages with respect to a loan made under this title.
       ``(b) Designated Attorneys.--For the purposes of this 
     title, the following provisions and requirements shall apply 
     with respect to a designated attorney of a certified 
     development company:
       ``(1) A designated attorney that meets the requirements 
     determined under paragraph (2) shall be responsible for 
     certifying documents relating to the closing of a loan 
     described in this title.
       ``(2) The Administrator may determine any continuing 
     education requirements that the designated attorney shall be 
     required to satisfy in order to be permitted to close a loan 
     made under this title.
       ``(3) If, as of the date of enactment of this section, a 
     certified development company does not have a designated 
     attorney, during the 270-day period beginning on that date of 
     enactment, the certified development company may identify 
     such an attorney, subject to the approval of the 
     Administrator.''.

     SEC. 5. CERTIFIED DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LOANS FOR SMALL 
                   MANUFACTURERS.

       (a) Contribution Requirement.--Section 502(a)(3)(C) of the 
     Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as designated by 
     section 3, is amended--
       (1) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) as 
     subclauses (I), (II), (III), and (IV), respectively, and 
     adjusting the margins of such subclauses accordingly;
       (2) by inserting before subclause (I), as so redesignated, 
     the following:
       ``(i) for a small business concern that is not a small 
     manufacturer (as defined in section 501(e)(7))--'';
       (3) in subclause (III), as so redesignated, by striking 
     ``clauses (i) and (ii)'' and inserting ``subclauses (I) and 
     (II)'';
       (4) in subclause (IV) as so redesignated, by striking the 
     period and the end and inserting ``; or''; and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) for a small manufacturer (as defined in section 
     501(e)(7))--

       ``(I) at least 5 percent of the total cost of the project 
     financed, if the small business concern has been in operation 
     for a period of 2 years or less;
       ``(II) at least 5 percent of the total cost of the project 
     financed, if the project involves a limited or single purpose 
     building or structure;
       ``(III) at least 10 percent of the total cost of the 
     project financed if the project involves both of the 
     conditions set forth in subclauses (I) and (II); or
       ``(IV) at least 5 percent of the total cost of the project 
     financed, in all other circumstances, at the discretion of 
     the development company.''.

       (b) Creation or Retention of Jobs Requirement.--Section 
     501(e) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
     U.S.C. 695(e)) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``creates or retains'' 
     and all that follows through the period at the end and 
     inserting ``creates or retains 1 job for every $75,000 
     guaranteed by

[[Page H6074]]

     the Administration, except that the amount is $150,000 in the 
     case of a project of a small manufacturer.'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``creates or retains'' 
     and all that follows through the period at the end and 
     inserting ``creates or retains 1 job for every $75,000 
     guaranteed by the Administration, except that the amount is 
     $150,000 in the case of a project of a small manufacturer.'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (7); and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
       ``(6) For a loan for a project directed toward the creation 
     of job opportunities under subsection (d)(1), the 
     Administrator shall publish on the website of the 
     Administration the number of jobs created or retained under 
     the project as of the date that is 2 years after the 
     completion (as determined based on information provided by 
     the development company) of the project.''.
       (c) Collateral Requirements.--Section 502(a)(3)(E)(i) of 
     the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as designated by 
     section 3, is amended by adding at the end the following: 
     ``Additional collateral shall not be required in the case of 
     a small manufacturer (as defined in section 501(e)(7)).''.
       (d) Debt Refinancing.--Section 502(a)(7)(B) of the Small 
     Business Investment Act of 1958, as designated by section 3, 
     is amended in the matter preceding clause (i) by inserting 
     ``(or in the case of a small manufacturer (as defined in 
     section 501(e)(7)), that does not exceed 100 percent of the 
     project cost of the expansion)'' after ``cost of the 
     expansion''.
       (e) Amount of Guaranteed Debenture.--Section 503(a) of the 
     Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 697(a)) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Any debenture issued by a State or local development 
     company to a small manufacturer (as defined in section 
     501(e)(7)) with respect to which a guarantee is made under 
     this subsection shall be in an amount equal to not more than 
     50 percent of the cost of the project with respect to which 
     such debenture is issued, without regard to whether good 
     cause has been shown.''.

     SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL MANUFACTURERS.

       Title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 
     U.S.C. 695 et seq.), as amended by section 4(2), is further 
     amended by adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 512. ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL MANUFACTURERS.

       ``(a) In General.--The Administrator shall ensure that each 
     district office of the Administration partners with not less 
     than 1 resource partner to provide training to small business 
     concerns assigned a North American Industry Classification 
     System code for manufacturing on obtaining assistance under 
     the program carried out under this title, including with 
     respect to the application process under that program and 
     partnering with development companies under this title.
       ``(b) Resource Partner Defined.--In this section, the term 
     `resource partner' means--
       ``(1) a small business development center (as defined in 
     section 3 of the Small Business Act);
       ``(2) a women's business center (described under section 29 
     of such Act);
       ``(3) a chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Executives 
     (established under section 8(b)(1)(B) of such Act); and
       ``(4) a Veteran Business Outreach Center (described under 
     section 32 of such Act).''.

     SEC. 7. LEASING RULES FOR NEW FACILITIES AND EXISTING 
                   BUILDINGS.

       (a) In General.--Section 502(a) of the Small Business 
     Investment Act of 1958, as designated by section 3, is 
     amended by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the 
     following new paragraphs:
       ``(4) New facilities.--
       ``(A) In general.--With respect to a project to construct a 
     new facility, an assisted small business concern may 
     permanently lease not more than 20 percent of the project if 
     such concern--
       ``(i) permanently occupies and uses not less than 60 
     percent of the project;
       ``(ii) plans to occupy and use an additional portion of the 
     project that is not permanently leased not later than 3 years 
     after receipt of assistance under this section; and
       ``(iii) plans to permanently occupy and use 80 percent of 
     the project not later than 10 years after receipt of such 
     assistance.
       ``(B) Small manufacturers.--With respect to an assisted 
     small business concern that is a small manufacturer (as 
     defined in section 501(e)(6)), subparagraph (A)(i) shall 
     apply with `50 percent' substituted for `60 percent'.
       ``(5) Existing buildings.--With respect to a project to 
     acquire, renovate, or reconstruct an existing building, the 
     following shall apply:
       ``(A) Occupancy requirements.--The assisted small business 
     concern may permanently lease not more than 50 percent of the 
     project if the concern permanently occupies and uses not less 
     than 50 percent of the project.
       ``(B) Exception.--The assisted small business concern may 
     permanently lease more than 50 percent of the project if--
       ``(i) such concern--

       ``(I) has occupied and used the existing building for a 
     consecutive 12-month period before submitting an application 
     for assistance under this section;
       ``(II) agrees to permanently use less than 50 percent of 
     the existing building and permanently lease more than 50 
     percent for a consecutive 12-month period after receiving 
     such assistance; and
       ``(III) affirms that the existing building is appropriate 
     for current and reasonably anticipated needs; and

       ``(ii) the development company assisting such project--

       ``(I) provides written notice to the Administrator on the 
     date on which the development company closes the loan for 
     such project; and
       ``(II) once each year during the first 5 years of the loan, 
     and once every 2 years for the remainder of the loan--

       ``(aa) conducts an examination of the assisted small 
     business concern to ensure the concern is not a real estate 
     development business; and
       ``(bb) files with the Administrator an anti-investor 
     certification signed by the development company and the 
     assisted small business concern.
       ``(C) Lease term.--Any residential lease made under this 
     paragraph shall be for a term of not more than 1 year, and 
     any commercial lease made under this paragraph shall be for a 
     term of not more than 5 years.''.
       (b) Report.--Not later than 5 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small 
     Business Administration shall submit to Congress a report 
     analyzing the impact of the amendments made by this section 
     on access to capital for small business concerns (as defined 
     under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)), 
     and recommending whether similar notice, examination, and 
     certifications requirements should be made to the program 
     established under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 636(a)).

     SEC. 8. LOW-INTEREST REFINANCING UNDER THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT 
                   BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM.

       (a) Expansions.--Section 502(a)(7)(B) of the Small Business 
     Investment Act of 1958, as designated by section 3 and 
     amended by section 5(d), is further amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``50 
     percent'' and inserting ``100 percent''; and
       (2) in clause (v), by adding ``and'' at the end;
       (3) by striking clause (vi); and
       (4) by redesignating clause (vii) as clause (vi).
       (b) Repeal.--Section 521(a) of division E of the 
     Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (Public Law 114-113; 
     129 Stat. 2463; 15 U.S.C. 696 note) is repealed.
       (c) Refinancing.--Section 502(a)(7) of the Small Business 
     Investment Act of 1958, as designated by section 3, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(C) Refinancing not involving expansions.--
       ``(i) Definitions.--In this subparagraph--

       ``(I) the term `borrower' means a small business concern 
     that submits an application to a development company for 
     financing under this subparagraph;
       ``(II) the term `eligible fixed asset' means tangible 
     property relating to which the Administrator may provide 
     financing under this section; and
       ``(III) the term `qualified debt' means indebtedness that--

       ``(aa) was incurred not less than 6 months before the date 
     of the application for assistance under this subparagraph;
       ``(bb) is a commercial loan;
       ``(cc) the proceeds of which were used to acquire an 
     eligible fixed asset;
       ``(dd) was incurred for the benefit of the small business 
     concern; and
       ``(ee) is collateralized by eligible fixed assets; and
       ``(ii) Authority.--A project that does not involve the 
     expansion of a small business concern may include the 
     refinancing of qualified debt if--

       ``(I) the amount of the financing is not more than 90 
     percent of the value of the collateral for the financing, 
     except that, if the appraised value of the eligible fixed 
     assets serving as collateral for the financing is less than 
     the amount equal to 125 percent of the amount of the 
     financing, the borrower may provide additional cash or other 
     collateral to eliminate any deficiency;
       ``(II) the borrower has been in operation for all of the 2-
     year period ending on the date the loan application is 
     submitted; and
       ``(III) for a financing for which the Administrator 
     determines there will be an additional cost attributable to 
     the refinancing of the qualified debt, the borrower agrees to 
     pay a fee in an amount equal to the anticipated additional 
     cost.

       ``(iii) Financing for business expenses.--

       ``(I) Financing for business expenses.--The Administrator 
     may provide financing to a borrower that receives financing 
     that includes a refinancing of qualified debt under clause 
     (ii), in addition to the refinancing under clause (ii), to be 
     used solely for the payment of business expenses.
       ``(II) Application for financing.-- An application for 
     financing under subclause (I) shall include--

       ``(aa) a specific description of the expenses for which the 
     additional financing is requested; and
       ``(bb) an itemization of the amount of each expense.

       ``(III) Condition on additional financing.--A borrower may 
     not use any part of the

[[Page H6075]]

     financing under this clause for non-business purposes.

       ``(iv) Loans based on jobs.--

       ``(I) Job creation and retention goals.--

       ``(aa) In general.--The Administrator may provide financing 
     under this subparagraph for a borrower that meets the job 
     creation goals under subsection (d) or (e) of section 501.
       ``(bb) Alternate job retention goal.--The Administrator may 
     provide financing under this subparagraph to a borrower that 
     does not meet the goals described in item (aa) in an amount 
     that is not more than the product obtained by multiplying the 
     number of employees of the borrower by $75,000.

       ``(II) Number of employees.--For purposes of subclause (I), 
     the number of employees of a borrower is equal to the sum 
     of--

       ``(aa) the number of full- time employees of the borrower 
     on the date on which the borrower applies for a loan under 
     this subparagraph; and
       ``(bb) the product obtained by multiplying--
       ``(AA) the number of part-time employees of the borrower on 
     the date on which the borrower applies for a loan under this 
     subparagraph; by
       ``(BB) the quotient obtained by dividing the average number 
     of hours each part time employee of the borrower works each 
     week by 40.
       ``(v) Nondelegation.--Notwithstanding section 508(e), the 
     Administrator may not permit a premier certified lender to 
     approve or disapprove an application for assistance under 
     this subparagraph.
       ``(vi) Total amount of loans.--The Administrator may 
     provide not more than a total of $7,500,000,000 of financing 
     under this subparagraph for each fiscal year.''.

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


                             General Leave

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks 
and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill before us today, H.R. 
8211, the 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 
2020, a bill that makes important improvements to the SBA's 504 Loan 
Program.
  Over 62 years ago, Congress created the 504 Loan Program at SBA to 
help America's small businesses access affordable, long-term capital 
needed to purchase land, real estate, heavy machinery, equipment, and 
other fixed assets.
  The program is a true public-private partnership. An SBA-backed 
Certified Development Company provides 40 percent of the financing; a 
bank or credit union provides 50 percent; and the small business 
borrower provides 10 percent. This structure has proved to be extremely 
successful for all parties involved.
  However, earlier this Congress, our Investigations, Oversight and 
Regulations Subcommittee heard from stakeholders who expressed concerns 
with the loan closing process, specifically that delays have caused 
loans to fall through and businesses to lose out on affordable 
financing.
  To that end, Ms. Craig and Mr. Chabot have put forth today's bill to 
streamline the closing process and make compliance easier for CDCs, 
borrowers, and third-party lenders alike. The bill also enhances access 
to capital for small manufacturers by increasing the maximum 504. Loan 
amount for small manufacturers from $5.5 million to $6.5 million. These 
changes address the issues we have heard in our engagement with CDCs 
and their borrowers in our districts.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Craig and Mr. Chabot for their hard work and 
applaud them for their efforts to make bipartisan improvements to this 
valuable program.
  Mr. Speaker, I recommend a ``yes'' vote to all my colleagues in the 
House, and I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1530

  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 8211, the 504 Modernization and Small 
Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2020.
  Fortunately, many of the SBA's government guaranteed loan programs 
have a strong track record of producing results. Included near the top 
of that list is the 504 loan program.
  The SBA's 504/CDC Loan Program provides the Nation's smallest 
businesses with long-term and fixed-rate financing.
  Importantly, for a project to qualify for this government guarantee 
loan program, certain economic development goals must be met, including 
job creation and job retention goals.
  H.R. 8211 modernizes that program by expanding the public policy 
goals to include businesses with 10 employees or less, as well as 
enhancing the program for small manufacturers.
  I would like to thank the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Craig) for 
working with me in a bipartisan fashion to craft this piece of 
legislation.
  I would also like to thank the chairwoman, Ms. Velazquez, once again 
for advancing this legislation that was favorably reported out of 
committee unanimously; so both Republicans and Democrats supporting it.
  I urge my colleagues to support this, which provides crucial updates 
to the SBA's program, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Craig), the sponsor of the bill.
  Ms. CRAIG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to support 
H.R. 8211, the 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturing Enhancement 
Act of 2020.
  I would like to thank the ranking member for being an original 
cosponsor of this bill; the chairwoman, for her leadership, and to her 
staff for helping me and my constituents throughout the 116th Congress.
  Our small businesses are suffering. Every day we see a new wave of 
businesses closing their doors. Unemployment numbers are rising, and 
our economy is suffering.
  I hear from constituents daily that their businesses are on their 
very last leg, and without action to support them, they will soon be 
forced to close. These are not simply businesses. These are 
livelihoods, family traditions, and priceless contributions to our 
communities.
  It is our job, as Members of Congress, to support these businesses, 
ensure they survive these troubling times, and provide them with 
multiple avenues to succeed.
  In addition to relief, we need to pass legislation that provides 
businesses in various industries opportunities for growth and access to 
capital. One way we can do this is to build upon the Small Business 
Administration's successful 504 loan program that promotes economic 
development, job creation, and retention and expansion of small 
businesses.
  The 504 loan program is designed by local certified development 
companies, or CDCs, delivered by those companies, which are private, 
nonprofit corporations whose entire purpose is to promote economic 
development within their communities.
  The program backs long-term, fixed-rate loans to support investment 
in major fixed assets through a three-part partnership with a local 
lender.
  One year ago, in the Subcommittee on Investigation, Oversight, and 
Regulation hearing, CDC lenders spoke about their experiences with this 
loan program and the many issues they navigated, we saw areas for 
improvement.
  One was the lengthy and complex loan closing process which caused 
third-party lenders to walk away, along with various outdated rules and 
guidelines hindering the financing of projects.
  In order for small businesses to take advantage of these programs, we 
must listen to this feedback and alter our programs accordingly. That 
is why I introduced H.R. 8211.
  This bill would make an array of improvements to the 504 program, 
making it more accessible to small businesses and ultimately driving 
economic development and growth.
  In a time of economic crisis and unemployment, we must continue to 
invest in our small businesses, specifically small manufacturers, in 
order to promote economic development and the creation and retention of 
good-paying jobs. We must do everything we can

[[Page H6076]]

to support small manufacturers and ensure that the SBA programs 
available to them are operating as effectively and efficiently as 
possible.
  In addition, H.R. 8199, the 504 Credit Risk Management Improvement 
Act of 2020, which is also under floor consideration later today, would 
further clarify provisions in the 504 program, enhancing its 
accessibility and effectiveness.
  Mr. Speaker, small businesses are the heart of this economy, and with 
the improvements from H.R. 8211 and H.R. 8199, more small businesses 
will be able to grow and ultimately contribute to the economic 
landscape of not only their communities but this country.
  I urge all of my colleagues to support these bills before us today.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers and I am prepared 
to close, so I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan 
legislation. As our Nation's small businesses continue to face numerous 
capital access challenges, the SBA's existing government guarantee loan 
programs must be prepared to provide assistance. This bill, H.R. 8211, 
does just that by expanding the 504/CDC Loan Program's economic 
development goals and enhancing the program for small manufacturers.
  This program has a proven record of the success, and the improvements 
that this legislation delivers will continue this track record into the 
future.
  I ask for my colleagues' support, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  The SBA's 504 program has enjoyed a track record of success in 
delivering affordable, long-term capital to small businesses for 
acquiring land, real estate, or heavy machinery.
  Furthermore, the CDCs who deliver the program are actively involved 
in promoting local economic development, especially for underserved 
business communities.
  As the chair of the Small Business Committee, I have seen the values 
CDCs have delivered in my community in New York City, across the State, 
and across the country. I am proud of our opportunity here today to 
continue supporting their work and helping entrepreneurs access 
affordable capital, especially as our local economies continue 
adjusting to the realities of conducting business in the COVID-19 era.
  I want to applaud the work by Ms. Craig and Ranking Member Chabot for 
their collaboration to improve the 504 loan program.
  I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 8211, 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.

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