[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 90 (Monday, May 24, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3375-S3381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SA 1972. Mr. CARDIN (for himself, Mr. Wicker, Ms. Cantwell, and Mr.
Scott of South Carolina) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed
to amendment SA 1502 proposed by Mr. Schumer to the bill S. 1260, to
establish a new Directorate for Technology and Innovation in the
National Science Foundation, to establish a regional technology hub
program, to require a strategy and report on economic security,
science, research, innovation, manufacturing, and job creation, to
establish a critical supply chain resiliency program, and for other
purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:
At the end, add the following:
DIVISION G--MINORITY BUSINESS RESILIENCY
SEC. 7001. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the
``Minority Business Resiliency Act of 2021''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this
division is as follows:
DIVISION G--MINORITY BUSINESS RESILIENCY
Sec. 7001. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 7002. Findings and purposes.
Sec. 7003. Definitions.
Sec. 7004. Minority Business Development Agency.
TITLE I--EXISTING INITIATIVES
Subtitle A--Market Development, Research, and Information
Sec. 7101. Private sector development.
Sec. 7102. Public sector development.
Sec. 7103. Research and information.
Subtitle B--Minority Business Development Agency Business Center
Program
Sec. 7111. Definition.
Sec. 7112. Purpose.
Sec. 7113. Establishment.
Sec. 7114. Grants and cooperative agreements.
Sec. 7115. Minimizing disruptions to existing MBDA Business Center
program.
Sec. 7116. Publicity.
TITLE II--NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC RESILIENCY FOR MINORITY
BUSINESSES
Sec. 7201. Annual diverse business forum on capital formation.
Sec. 7202. Agency study on alternative financing solutions.
Sec. 7203. Educational development relating to management and
entrepreneurship.
TITLE III--RURAL MINORITY BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM
Sec. 7301. Definitions.
Sec. 7302. Business centers.
Sec. 7303. Report to Congress.
Sec. 7304. Study and report.
TITLE IV--MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
Sec. 7401. Grants to nonprofit organizations that support minority
business enterprises.
TITLE V--MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ADVISORY COUNCIL
Sec. 7501. Purpose.
Sec. 7502. Composition and term.
Sec. 7503. Duties.
TITLE VI--FEDERAL COORDINATION OF MINORITY BUSINESS PROGRAMS
Sec. 7601. General duties.
Sec. 7602. Participation of Federal departments and agencies.
TITLE VII--ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF THE AGENCY; MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
Sec. 7701. Administrative powers.
Sec. 7702. Federal assistance.
Sec. 7703. Recordkeeping.
Sec. 7704. Review and report by Comptroller General.
Sec. 7705. Biannual reports; recommendations.
Sec. 7706. Separability.
Sec. 7707. Executive Order 11625.
Sec. 7708. Amendment to the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of
1994.
Sec. 7709. Authorization of appropriations.
SEC. 7002. FINDINGS AND PURPOSES.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds the following:
(1) During times of economic downturn or recession,
communities of color, and businesses within those
communities, are generally more adversely affected.
(2) Despite the growth in the number of minority business
enterprises, gaps remain with respect to key metrics for
those enterprises, such as access to capital, revenue, number
of employees, and survival rate. Specifically--
(A) according to the 2021 Small Business Credit Survey of
the Federal Reserve Banks, Black-owned and Latino-owned
employer businesses are more than 2 and 1.5 times more likely
to be denied loans, respectively, than White-owned employer
businesses;
(B) according to the Bureau of the Census, the average non-
minority business enterprise reports revenue that is more
than 3 times higher than revenue reported by the average
minority business enterprise; and
(C) according to the Kauffman Foundation--
(i) minority business enterprises are \1/2\ as likely to
employ individuals, as compared with non-minority business
enterprises; and
(ii) if minorities started and owned businesses at the same
rate as non-minorities, the economy of the United States
would have more than 1,000,000 additional employer businesses
and more than 9,500,000 additional jobs.
(3) Because of the conditions described in paragraph (2),
it is in the interest of the United States and the economy of
the United States to expeditiously ameliorate the disparities
that minority business enterprises experience.
(4) Many individuals who own minority business enterprises
are socially disadvantaged because those individuals identify
as members of certain groups that have suffered the effects
of discriminatory practices or similar circumstances over
which those individuals have no control, including
individuals who are--
(A) Black or African American;
(B) Hispanic or Latino;
(C) American Indian or Alaska Native;
(D) Asian; and
(E) Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.
(5) Discriminatory practices and similar circumstances
described in paragraph (4) are a significant determinant of
overall economic disadvantage in the United States.
(6) It is in the interest of Congress to address the
persistent racial wealth gap in the United States and to
support entrepreneurship as a pathway to wealth development.
(7) While other Federal agencies focus only on small
businesses and businesses that represent a broader
demographic than solely minority business enterprises, the
Agency focuses exclusively on--
(A) the unique needs of minority business enterprises; and
(B) enhancing the capacity of minority business
enterprises.
(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this division are to--
(1) require the Agency to promote and administer programs
in the public and private sectors to assist the development
of minority business enterprises; and
(2) achieve the development described in paragraph (1) by
authorizing the Under Secretary to carry out programs that
will result in increased access to capital, management, and
technology for minority business enterprises.
[[Page S3376]]
SEC. 7003. DEFINITIONS.
In this division:
(1) Agency.--The term ``Agency'' means the Minority
Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce.
(2) Community-based organization.--The term ``community-
based organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(3) Eligible entity.--Except as otherwise expressly
provided, the term ``eligible entity''--
(A) means--
(i) a private sector entity;
(ii) a public sector entity; or
(iii) a Tribal government; and
(B) includes an institution of higher education.
(4) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has the
meaning given the term ``agency'' in section 551 of title 5,
United States Code.
(5) Federally recognized area of economic distress.--The
term ``federally recognized area of economic distress''
means--
(A) a HUBZone, as that term is defined in section 31(b) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657a(b));
(B) an area that--
(i) has been designated as--
(I) an empowerment zone under section 1391 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986; or
(II) a Promise Zone by the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development; or
(ii) is a low or moderate income area, as determined by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(C) a qualified opportunity zone, as that term is defined
in section 1400Z-1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(D) any other political subdivision or unincorporated area
of a State determined by the Under Secretary to be an area of
economic distress.
(6) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe''--
(A) has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304); and
(B) includes a Native Hawaiian organization.
(7) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001).
(8) MBDA business center.--The term ``MBDA Business
Center'' means any business center that--
(A) is established by the Agency; and
(B) provides technical business assistance to minority
business enterprises consistent with the requirements of this
division.
(9) MBDA business center agreement.--The term ``MBDA
Business Center agreement'' means a legal instrument--
(A) reflecting a relationship between the Agency and the
recipient of a Federal assistance award that is the subject
of the instrument; and
(B) that establishes the terms by which the recipient
described in subparagraph (A) shall operate an MBDA Business
Center.
(10) Minority business enterprise.--
(A) In general.--The term ``minority business enterprise''
means a business enterprise--
(i) that is not less than 51 percent-owned by 1 or more
socially or economically disadvantaged individuals; and
(ii) the management and daily business operations of which
are controlled by 1 or more socially or economically
disadvantaged individuals.
(B) Rule of construction.--Nothing in subparagraph (A) may
be construed to exclude a business enterprise from qualifying
as a ``minority business enterprise'' under that subparagraph
because of--
(i) the status of the business enterprise as a for-profit
or not-for-profit enterprise; or
(ii) the annual revenue of the business enterprise.
(11) Private sector entity.--The term ``private sector
entity''--
(A) means an entity that is not a public sector entity; and
(B) does not include--
(i) the Federal Government;
(ii) any Federal agency; or
(iii) any instrumentality of the Federal Government.
(12) Public sector entity.--The term ``public sector
entity'' means--
(A) a State;
(B) an agency of a State;
(C) a political subdivision of a State; or
(D) an agency of a political subdivision of a State.
(13) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Commerce.
(14) Socially or economically disadvantaged business
concern.--The term ``socially or economically disadvantaged
business concern'' means a for-profit business enterprise--
(A)(i) that is not less than 51 percent owned by 1 or more
socially or economically disadvantaged individuals; or
(ii) that is socially or economically disadvantaged; or
(B) the management and daily business operations of which
are controlled by 1 or more socially or economically
disadvantaged individuals.
(15) Socially or economically disadvantaged individual.--
(A) In general.--The term ``socially or economically
disadvantaged individual'' means an individual who has been
subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias (or
the ability of whom to compete in the free enterprise system
has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit
opportunities, as compared to others in the same line of
business and competitive market area) because of the identity
of the individual as a member of a group, without regard to
any individual quality of the individual that is unrelated to
that identity.
(B) Presumption.--In carrying out this division, the Under
Secretary shall presume that the term ``socially or
economically disadvantaged individual'' includes any
individual who is--
(i) Black or African American;
(ii) Hispanic or Latino;
(iii) American Indian or Alaska Native;
(iv) Asian;
(v) Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander; or
(vi) a member of a group that the Agency determines under
part 1400 of title 15, Code of Federal Regulations, as in
effect on November 23, 1984, is a socially disadvantaged
group eligible to receive assistance.
(16) Specialty center.--The term ``specialty center'' means
an MBDA Business Center that provides specialty services
focusing on specific business needs, including assistance
relating to--
(A) capital access;
(B) Federal procurement;
(C) entrepreneurship;
(D) technology transfer; or
(E) any other area determined necessary or appropriate
based on the priorities of the Agency.
(17) State.--The term ``State'' means--
(A) each of the States of the United States;
(B) the District of Columbia;
(C) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(D) the United States Virgin Islands;
(E) Guam;
(F) American Samoa;
(G) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and
(H) each Indian Tribe.
(18) Under secretary.--The term ``Under Secretary'' means
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business
Development, who is appointed as described in section 7004(b)
to administer this division.
SEC. 7004. MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
(a) In General.--There is within the Department of Commerce
the Minority Business Development Agency.
(b) Under Secretary.--
(1) Appointment and duties.--The Agency shall be headed by
the Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business
Development, who shall--
(A) be appointed by the President, by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate;
(B) except as otherwise expressly provided, be responsible
for the administration of this division; and
(C) report directly to the Secretary.
(2) Compensation.--
(A) In general.--The Under Secretary shall be compensated
at an annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level III of
the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United
States Code.
(B) Technical and conforming amendment.--Section 5314 of
title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking ``and
Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism'' and
inserting ``Under Secretary of Commerce for Travel and
Tourism, and Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority
Business Development''.
(c) Report to Congress.--Not later than 120 days after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to
Congress a report that describes--
(1) the organizational structure of the Agency;
(2) the organizational position of the Agency within the
Department of Commerce; and
(3) a description of how the Agency shall function in
relation to the operations carried out by each other
component of the Department of Commerce.
(d) Office of Business Centers.--
(1) Establishment.--There is established within the Agency
the Office of Business Centers.
(2) Director.--The Office of Business Centers shall be
administered by a Director, who shall be appointed by the
Under Secretary.
(e) Offices of the Agency.--
(1) In general.--In addition to the regional offices that
the Under Secretary is required to establish under paragraph
(2), the Under Secretary shall establish such other offices
within the Agency as are necessary to carry out this
division.
(2) Regional offices.--
(A) In general.--In order to carry out this division, the
Under Secretary shall establish a regional office of the
Agency for each of the regions of the United States, as
determined by the Under Secretary.
(B) Duties.--Each regional office established under
subparagraph (A) shall expand the reach of the Agency and
enable the Federal Government to better serve the needs of
minority business enterprises in the region served by the
office, including by--
(i) understanding and participating in the business
environment of that region;
(ii) working with--
(I) MBDA Business Centers that are located in that region;
(II) resource and lending partners of other appropriate
Federal agencies that are located in that region; and
(III) Federal, State, and local procurement offices that
are located in that region;
[[Page S3377]]
(iii) being aware of business retention or expansion
programs that are specific to that region;
(iv) seeking out opportunities to collaborate with regional
public and private programs that focus on minority business
enterprises; and
(v) promoting business continuity and preparedness.
TITLE I--EXISTING INITIATIVES
Subtitle A--Market Development, Research, and Information
SEC. 7101. PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT.
The Under Secretary shall, whenever the Under Secretary
determines such action is necessary or appropriate--
(1) provide Federal assistance to minority business
enterprises operating in domestic and foreign markets by
making available to those business enterprises, either
directly or in cooperation with private sector entities,
including community-based organizations and national
nonprofit organizations--
(A) resources relating to management;
(B) technological and technical assistance;
(C) financial, legal, and marketing services; and
(D) services relating to workforce development;
(2) encourage minority business enterprises to establish
joint ventures and projects--
(A) with other minority business enterprises; or
(B) in cooperation with public sector entities or private
sector entities, including community-based organizations and
national nonprofit organizations, to increase the share of
any market activity being performed by minority business
enterprises; and
(3) facilitate the efforts of private sector entities and
Federal agencies to advance the growth of minority business
enterprises.
SEC. 7102. PUBLIC SECTOR DEVELOPMENT.
The Under Secretary shall, whenever the Under Secretary
determines such action is necessary or appropriate--
(1) consult and cooperate with public sector entities for
the purpose of leveraging resources available in the
jurisdictions of those public sector entities to promote the
position of minority business enterprises in the local
economies of those public sector entities, including by
assisting public sector entities to establish or enhance--
(A) programs to procure goods and services through minority
business enterprises and goals for that procurement;
(B) programs offering assistance relating to--
(i) management;
(ii) technology;
(iii) law;
(iv) financing, including accounting;
(v) marketing; and
(vi) workforce development; and
(C) informational programs designed to inform minority
business enterprises located in the jurisdictions of those
public sector entities about the availability of programs
described in this section;
(2) meet with leaders and officials of public sector
entities for the purpose of recommending and promoting local
administrative and legislative initiatives needed to advance
the position of minority business enterprises in the local
economies of those public sector entities; and
(3) facilitate the efforts of public sector entities and
Federal agencies to advance the growth of minority business
enterprises.
SEC. 7103. RESEARCH AND INFORMATION.
(a) In General.--In order to achieve the purposes of this
division, the Under Secretary--
(1) shall--
(A) collect and analyze data, including data relating to
the causes of the success or failure of minority business
enterprises;
(B) conduct research, studies, and surveys of--
(i) economic conditions generally in the United States; and
(ii) how the conditions described in clause (i)
particularly affect the development of minority business
enterprises; and
(C) provide outreach, educational services, and technical
assistance in, at a minimum, the 5 most commonly spoken
languages in the United States to ensure that limited-English
proficient individuals receive culturally and linguistically
appropriate access to the services and information provided
by the Agency; and
(2) may perform an evaluation of programs carried out by
the Under Secretary that are designed to assist the
development of minority business enterprises.
(b) Information Clearinghouse.--The Under Secretary shall--
(1) establish and maintain an information clearinghouse for
the collection and dissemination to relevant parties
(including business owners and researchers) of demographic,
economic, financial, managerial, and technical data relating
to minority business enterprises; and
(2) take such steps as the Under Secretary may determine to
be necessary and desirable to--
(A) search for, collect, classify, coordinate, integrate,
record, and catalog the data described in paragraph (1); and
(B) in a manner that is consistent with section 552a of
title 5, United States Code, protect the privacy of the
minority business enterprises to which the data described in
paragraph (1) relates.
Subtitle B--Minority Business Development Agency Business Center
Program
SEC. 7111. DEFINITION.
In this subtitle, the term ``MBDA Business Center Program''
means the program established under section 7113.
SEC. 7112. PURPOSE.
The purpose of the MBDA Business Center Program shall be to
create a national network of public-private partnerships
that--
(1) assist minority business enterprises to--
(A) access capital, contracts, and grants; and
(B) create and maintain jobs;
(2) provide counseling and mentoring to minority business
enterprises; and
(3) facilitate the growth of minority business enterprises
by promoting trade.
SEC. 7113. ESTABLISHMENT.
(a) In General.--There is established in the Agency a
program--
(1) that shall be known as the MBDA Business Center
Program;
(2) that shall be separate and distinct from the efforts of
the Under Secretary under section 7101; and
(3) under which the Under Secretary shall make Federal
assistance awards to eligible entities to operate MBDA
Business Centers, which shall, in accordance with section
7114, provide technical assistance and business development
services, or specialty services, to minority business
enterprises.
(b) Coverage.--The Under Secretary shall take all necessary
actions to ensure that the MBDA Business Center Program, in
accordance with section 7114, offers the services described
in subsection (a)(3) in all regions of the United States.
SEC. 7114. GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.
(a) Requirements.--An MBDA Business Center (referred to in
this subtitle as a ``Center''), with respect to the Federal
financial assistance award made to operate the Center under
the MBDA Business Center Program--
(1) shall--
(A) provide to minority business enterprises programs and
services determined to be appropriate by the Under Secretary,
which may include--
(i) referral services to meet the needs of minority
business enterprises; and
(ii) programs and services to accomplish the goals
described in section 7101(1);
(B) develop, cultivate, and maintain a network of strategic
partnerships with organizations that foster access by
minority business enterprises to economic markets, capital,
or contracts;
(C) continue to upgrade and modify the services provided by
the Center, as necessary, in order to meet the changing and
evolving needs of the business community;
(D) establish or continue a referral relationship with not
less than 1 community-based organization; and
(E) collaborate with other Centers; and
(2) in providing programs and services under the applicable
MBDA Business Center agreement, may--
(A) operate on a fee-for-service basis; or
(B) generate income through the collection of--
(i) client fees;
(ii) membership fees; and
(iii) any other appropriate fees proposed by the Center in
the application submitted by the Center under subsection (e).
(b) Term.--Subject to subsection (g)(3), the term of an
MBDA Business Center agreement shall be not less than 3
years.
(c) Financial Assistance.--
(1) In general.--The amount of financial assistance
provided by the Under Secretary under an MBDA Business Center
agreement shall be not less than $250,000 for the term of the
agreement.
(2) Matching requirement.--
(A) In general.--A Center shall match not less than \1/3\
of the amount of the financial assistance awarded to the
Center under the terms of the applicable MBDA Business Center
agreement, unless the Under Secretary determines that a
waiver of that requirement is necessary after a demonstration
by the Center of a substantial need for that waiver.
(B) Form of funds.--A Center may meet the matching
requirement under subparagraph (A) by using--
(i) cash or in-kind contributions, without regard to
whether the contribution is made by a third party; or
(ii) Federal funds received from other Federal programs.
(3) Use of financial assistance and program income.--A
Center shall use--
(A) all financial assistance awarded to the Center under
the applicable MBDA Business Center agreement to carry out
subsection (a); and
(B) all income that the Center generates in carrying out
subsection (a)--
(i) to meet the matching requirement under paragraph (2) of
this subsection; and
(ii) if the Center meets the matching requirement under
paragraph (2) of this subsection, to carry out subsection
(a).
(d) Criteria for Selection.--The Under Secretary shall--
(1) establish criteria that--
(A) the Under Secretary shall use in determining whether to
enter into an MBDA Business Center agreement with an eligible
entity; and
(B) may include criteria relating to whether an eligible
entity is located in--
(i) an area, the population of which is composed of not
less than 51 percent socially or economically disadvantaged
individuals, as
[[Page S3378]]
determined in accordance with data collected by the Bureau of
the Census;
(ii) a federally recognized area of economic distress; or
(iii) a State that is underserved with respect to the MBDA
Business Center Program, as defined by the Under Secretary;
and
(2) make the criteria and standards established under
paragraph (1) publicly available, including--
(A) on the website of the Agency; and
(B) in each Notice of Funding Opportunity soliciting MBDA
Business Center agreements.
(e) Applications.--An eligible entity desiring to enter
into an MBDA Business Center agreement shall submit to the
Under Secretary an application that includes--
(1) a statement of--
(A) how the eligible entity will carry out subsection (a);
and
(B) any experience or plans of the eligible entity with
respect to--
(i) assisting minority business enterprises to--
(I) obtain--
(aa) large-scale contracts, grants, or procurements;
(bb) financing; or
(cc) legal assistance;
(II) access established supply chains; and
(III) engage in--
(aa) joint ventures, teaming arrangements, and mergers and
acquisitions; or
(bb) large-scale transactions in global markets;
(ii) supporting minority business enterprises in increasing
the size of the workforces of those enterprises, including,
with respect to a minority business enterprise that does not
have employees, aiding the minority business enterprise in
becoming an enterprise that has employees; and
(iii) advocating for minority business enterprises; and
(2) the budget and corresponding budget narrative that the
eligible entity will use in carrying out subsection (a)
during the term of the applicable MBDA Business Center
agreement.
(f) Notification.--If the Under Secretary grants an
application of an eligible entity submitted under subsection
(e), the Under Secretary shall notify the eligible entity
that the application has been granted not later than 150 days
after the last day on which an application may be submitted
under that subsection.
(g) Program Examination; Accreditation; Extensions.--
(1) Examination.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, and biennially thereafter, the Under
Secretary shall conduct a programmatic financial examination
of each Center.
(2) Accreditation.--The Under Secretary may provide
financial support, by contract or otherwise, to an
association, not less than 51 percent of the members of which
are Centers, to--
(A) pursue matters of common concern with respect to
Centers; and
(B) develop an accreditation program with respect to
Centers.
(3) Extensions.--
(A) In general.--The Under Secretary may extend the term
under subsection (b) of an MBDA Business Center agreement to
which a Center is a party, if the Center consents to the
extension.
(B) Financial assistance.--If the Under Secretary extends
the term of an MBDA Business Center agreement under paragraph
(1), the Under Secretary shall, in the same manner and amount
in which financial assistance was provided during the initial
term of the agreement, provide financial assistance under the
agreement during the extended term of the agreement.
(h) MBDA Involvement.--The Under Secretary may take actions
to ensure that the Agency is substantially involved in the
activities of Centers in carrying out subsection (a),
including by--
(1) providing to each Center training relating to the MBDA
Business Center Program;
(2) requiring that the operator and staff of each Center--
(A) attend--
(i) a conference with the Agency to establish the services
and programs that the Center will provide in carrying out the
requirements before the date on which the Center begins
providing those services and programs; and
(ii) training provided under paragraph (1);
(B) receive necessary guidance relating to carrying out the
requirements under subsection (a); and
(C) work in coordination and collaboration with the Under
Secretary to carry out the MBDA Business Center Program and
other programs of the Agency;
(3) facilitating connections between Centers and--
(A) Federal agencies other than the Agency, as appropriate;
and
(B) other institutions or entities that use Federal
resources, such as--
(i) small business development centers, as that term is
defined in section 3(t) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632(t));
(ii) women's business centers described in section 29 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656);
(iii) eligible entities, as that term is defined in section
2411 of title 10, United States Code, that provide services
under the program carried out under chapter 142 of that
title; and
(iv) entities participating in the Hollings Manufacturing
Extension Partnership Program established under section 25 of
the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15
U.S.C. 278k);
(4) monitoring projects carried out by each Center; and
(5) establishing and enforcing administrative and reporting
requirements for each Center to carry out subsection (a).
(i) Regulations.--The Under Secretary shall issue and
publish regulations that establish minimum standards
regarding verification of minority business enterprise status
for clients of entities operating under the MBDA Business
Center Program.
SEC. 7115. MINIMIZING DISRUPTIONS TO EXISTING MBDA BUSINESS
CENTER PROGRAM.
The Under Secretary shall ensure that each Federal
assistance award made under the Business Centers program of
the Agency, as is in effect on the day before the date of
enactment of this Act, is carried out in a manner that, to
the greatest extent practicable, prevents disruption of any
activity carried out under that award.
SEC. 7116. PUBLICITY.
In carrying out the MBDA Business Center Program, the Under
Secretary shall widely publicize the MBDA Business Center
Program, including--
(1) on the website of the Agency;
(2) via social media outlets; and
(3) by sharing information relating to the MBDA Business
Center Program with community-based organizations, including
interpretation groups where necessary, to communicate in the
most common languages spoken by the groups served by those
organizations.
TITLE II--NEW INITIATIVES TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC RESILIENCY FOR MINORITY
BUSINESSES
SEC. 7201. ANNUAL DIVERSE BUSINESS FORUM ON CAPITAL
FORMATION.
(a) Responsibility of Agency.--Not later than 18 months
after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually
thereafter, the Under Secretary shall conduct a Government-
business forum to review the current status of problems and
programs relating to capital formation by minority business
enterprises.
(b) Participation in Forum Planning.--The Under Secretary
shall invite the heads of other Federal agencies, such as the
Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the
Secretary of the Treasury, and the Chairman of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, organizations
representing State securities commissioners, representatives
of leading minority chambers of commerce, not less than 1
certified owner of a minority business enterprise, business
organizations, and professional organizations concerned with
capital formation to participate in the planning of each
forum conducted under subsection (a).
(c) Preparation of Statements and Reports.--
(1) Requests.--The Under Secretary may request that any
head of a Federal department, agency, or organization,
including those described in subsection (b), or any other
group or individual, prepare a statement or report to be
delivered at any forum conducted under subsection (a).
(2) Cooperation.--Any head of a Federal department, agency,
or organization who receives a request under paragraph (1)
shall, to the greatest extent practicable, cooperate with the
Under Secretary to fulfill that request.
(d) Transmittal of Proceedings and Findings.--The Under
Secretary shall--
(1) prepare a summary of the proceedings of each forum
conducted under subsection (a), which shall include the
findings and recommendations of the forum; and
(2) transmit the summary described in paragraph (1) with
respect to each forum conducted under subsection (a) to--
(A) the participants in the forum;
(B) Congress; and
(C) the public, through a publicly available website.
(e) Review of Findings and Recommendations; Public
Statements.--
(1) In general.--A Federal agency to which a finding or
recommendation described in subsection (d)(1) relates shall--
(A) review that finding or recommendation; and
(B) promptly after the finding or recommendation is
transmitted under subsection (d)(2)(C), issue a public
statement--
(i) assessing the finding or recommendation; and
(ii) disclosing the action, if any, the Federal agency
intends to take with respect to the finding or
recommendation.
(2) Joint statement permitted.--If a finding or
recommendation described in subsection (d)(1) relates to more
than 1 Federal agency, the applicable Federal agencies may,
for the purposes of the public statement required under
paragraph (1)(B), issue a joint statement.
SEC. 7202. AGENCY STUDY ON ALTERNATIVE FINANCING SOLUTIONS.
(a) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to provide
information relating to alternative financing solutions to
minority business enterprises, as those business enterprises
are more likely to struggle in accessing, particularly at
affordable rates, traditional sources of capital.
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(b) Study and Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall--
(1) conduct a study on opportunities for providing
alternative financing solutions to minority business
enterprises; and
(2) submit to Congress, and publish on the website of the
Agency, a report describing the findings of the study carried
out under paragraph (1).
SEC. 7203. EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT RELATING TO MANAGEMENT AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
(a) Duties.--The Under Secretary shall, whenever the Under
Secretary determines such action is necessary or
appropriate--
(1) promote the education and training of socially or
economically disadvantaged individuals in subjects directly
relating to business administration and management;
(2) encourage institutions of higher education, leaders in
business and industry, and other public sector entities and
private sector entities, particularly minority business
enterprises, to--
(A) develop programs to offer scholarships and fellowships,
apprenticeships, and internships relating to business to
socially or economically disadvantaged individuals; and
(B) sponsor seminars, conferences, and similar activities
relating to business for the benefit of socially or
economically disadvantaged individuals;
(3) stimulate and accelerate curriculum design and
improvement in support of development of minority business
enterprises; and
(4) encourage and assist private institutions and
organizations and public sector entities to undertake
activities similar to the activities described in paragraphs
(1), (2), and (3).
(b) Parren J. Mitchell Entrepreneurship Education Grants.--
(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``eligible
institution'' means an institution of higher education
described in any of paragraphs (1) through (7) of section
371(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1067q(a)).
(2) Grants.--The Under Secretary shall award grants to
eligible institutions to develop and implement
entrepreneurship curricula.
(3) Requirements.--An eligible institution to which a grant
is awarded under this subsection shall use the grant funds
to--
(A) develop a curriculum that includes training in various
skill sets needed by contemporary successful entrepreneurs,
including--
(i) business management and marketing;
(ii) financial management and accounting;
(iii) market analysis;
(iv) competitive analysis;
(v) innovation;
(vi) strategic and succession planning;
(vii) marketing; and
(viii) any other skill set that the eligible institution
determines is necessary for the students served by the
eligible institution and the community in which the eligible
institution is located; and
(B) implement the curriculum developed under subparagraph
(A) at the eligible institution.
(4) Implementation timeline.--The Under Secretary shall
establish and publish a timeline under which an eligible
institution to which a grant is awarded under this section
shall carry out the requirements under paragraph (3).
(5) Reports.--Each year, the Under Secretary shall submit
to all applicable committees of Congress, and as part of the
annual budget submission of the President under section
1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, a report evaluating
the awarding and use of grants under this subsection during
the fiscal year immediately preceding the date on which the
report is submitted, which shall include, with respect to
that fiscal year--
(A) a description of each curriculum developed and
implemented under each grant awarded under this section;
(B) the date on which each grant awarded under this section
was awarded; and
(C) the number of eligible entities that were recipients of
grants awarded under this section.
TITLE III--RURAL MINORITY BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM
SEC. 7301. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of
Representatives.
(2) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a part B institution; or
(B) a consortium of institutions of higher education that
is led by a part B institution.
(3) MBDA rural business center.--The term ``MBDA Rural
Business Center'' means an MBDA Business Center that provides
technical business assistance to minority business
enterprises located in rural areas.
(4) MBDA rural business center agreement.--The term ``MBDA
Rural Business Center agreement'' means an MBDA Business
Center agreement that establishes the terms by which the
recipient of the Federal assistance award that is the subject
of the agreement shall operate an MBDA Rural Business Center.
(5) Part b institution.--The term ``part B institution''
has the meaning given the term in section 322 of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
(6) Rural area.--The term ``rural area'' has the meaning
given the term in section 343(a) of the Consolidated Farm and
Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C. 1991(a)).
(7) Rural minority business enterprise.--The term ``rural
minority business enterprise'' means a minority business
enterprise located in a rural area.
SEC. 7302. BUSINESS CENTERS.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary may establish MBDA
Rural Business Centers.
(b) Partnership.--
(1) In general.--With respect to an MBDA Rural Business
Center established by the Under Secretary, the Under
Secretary shall establish the MBDA Rural Business Center in
partnership with an eligible entity in accordance with
paragraph (2).
(2) MBDA agreement.--
(A) In general.--With respect to each MBDA Rural Business
Center established by the Under Secretary, the Under
Secretary shall enter into a cooperative agreement with an
eligible entity that provides that--
(i) the eligible entity shall provide space, facilities,
and staffing for the MBDA Rural Business Center;
(ii) the Under Secretary shall provide funding for, and
oversight with respect to, the MBDA Rural Business Center;
and
(iii) subject to subparagraph (B), the eligible entity
shall match 20 percent of the amount of the funding provided
by the Under Secretary under clause (ii), which may be
calculated to include the costs of providing the space,
facilities, and staffing under clause (i).
(B) Lower match requirement.--Based on the available
resources of an eligible entity, the Under Secretary may
enter into a cooperative agreement with the eligible entity
that provides that--
(i) the eligible entity shall match less than 20 percent of
the amount of the funding provided by the Under Secretary
under subparagraph (A)(ii); or
(ii) if the Under Secretary makes a determination, upon a
demonstration by the eligible entity of substantial need, the
eligible entity shall not be required to provide any match
with respect to the funding provided by the Under Secretary
under subparagraph (A)(ii).
(C) Eligible funds.--An eligible entity may provide
matching funds required under an MBDA Rural Business Center
agreement with Federal funds received from other Federal
programs.
(3) Term.--The initial term of an MBDA Rural Business
Center agreement shall be not less than 3 years.
(4) Extension.--The Under Secretary and an eligible entity
may agree to extend the term of an MBDA Rural Business Center
agreement with respect to an MBDA Rural Business Center.
(c) Functions.--An MBDA Rural Business Center shall--
(1) primarily serve clients that are--
(A) rural minority business enterprises; or
(B) minority business enterprises that are located more
than 50 miles from an MBDA Business Center (other than that
MBDA Rural Business Center);
(2) focus on--
(A) issues relating to--
(i) the adoption of broadband internet access service (as
defined in section 8.1(b) of title 47, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation), digital literacy
skills, and e-commerce by rural minority business
enterprises;
(ii) advanced manufacturing;
(iii) the promotion of manufacturing in the United States;
(iv) ways in which rural minority business enterprises can
meet gaps in the supply chain of critical supplies and
essential goods and services for the United States;
(v) improving the connectivity of rural minority business
enterprises through transportation and logistics;
(vi) promoting trade and export opportunities by rural
minority business enterprises;
(vii) securing financial capital;
(viii) facilitating entrepreneurship in rural areas; and
(ix) creating jobs in rural areas; and
(B) any other issue relating to the unique challenges faced
by rural minority business enterprises; and
(3) provide education, training, and legal, financial, and
technical assistance to minority business enterprises.
(d) Applications.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall issue a
Notice of Funding Opportunity requesting applications from
eligible entities that desire to enter into MBDA Rural
Business Center agreements.
(2) Criteria and priority.--In selecting an eligible entity
with which to enter into an MBDA Rural Business Center
agreement, the Under Secretary shall--
(A) select an eligible entity that demonstrates--
(i) the ability to collaborate with governmental and
private sector entities to leverage capabilities of minority
business enterprises through public-private partnerships;
(ii) the research and extension capacity to support
minority business enterprises;
(iii) knowledge of the community that the eligible entity
serves and the ability to conduct effective outreach to that
community to advance the goals of an MBDA Rural Business
Center;
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(iv) the ability to provide innovative business solutions,
including access to contracting opportunities, markets, and
capital;
(v) the ability to provide services that advance the
development of science, technology, engineering, and math
jobs within minority business enterprises;
(vi) the ability to leverage resources from within the
eligible entity to advance an MBDA Rural Business Center;
(vii) that the mission of the eligible entity aligns with
the mission of the Agency;
(viii) the ability to leverage relationships with rural
minority business enterprises; and
(ix) a referral relationship with not less than 1
community-based organization; and
(B) give priority to an eligible entity located in a State
or region that--
(i) lacks an MBDA Business Center, as of the date of
enactment of this Act; or
(ii) has a significant population of socially or
economically disadvantaged individuals.
SEC. 7303. REPORT TO CONGRESS.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to the appropriate
congressional committees a report that includes--
(1) a summary of the efforts of the Under Secretary to
provide services to minority business enterprises located in
States that lack an MBDA Business Center, as of the date of
enactment of this Act, and especially in those States that
have significant minority populations; and
(2) recommendations for extending the outreach of the
Agency to underserved areas.
SEC. 7304. STUDY AND REPORT.
(a) In General.--The Under Secretary, in coordination with
relevant leadership of the Agency and relevant individuals
outside of the Department of Commerce, shall conduct a study
that addresses the ways in which minority business
enterprises can meet gaps in the supply chain of the United
States, with a particular focus on the supply chain of
advanced manufacturing and essential goods and services.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall submit to
the appropriate congressional committees a report that
includes the results of the study conducted under subsection
(a), which shall include recommendations regarding the ways
in which minority business enterprises can meet gaps in the
supply chain of the United States.
TITLE IV--MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT GRANTS
SEC. 7401. GRANTS TO NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SUPPORT
MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``covered
entity'' means a private nonprofit organization that--
(1) is described in paragraph (3), (4), (5), or (6) of
section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and
exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Code; and
(2) can demonstrate that a primary activity of the
organization is to provide services to minority business
enterprises, whether through education, making grants or
loans, or other similar activities.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to make grants
to covered entities to help those covered entities continue
the necessary work of supporting minority business
enterprises.
(c) Establishment of Office.--Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Under Secretary shall
establish within the Agency an office that has adequate
staffing to make and administer grants under this section.
(d) Application.--A covered entity desiring a grant under
this section shall submit to the Under Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Under Secretary may require.
(e) Priority.--The Under Secretary shall, in carrying out
this section, prioritize granting an application submitted by
a covered entity that is located in a federally recognized
area of economic distress.
(f) Use of Funds.--A covered entity to which a grant is
made under this section may use the grant funds to support
the development, growth, or retention of minority business
enterprises.
(g) Procedures.--The Under Secretary shall establish
procedures to--
(1) discourage and prevent waste, fraud, and abuse by
applicants for, and recipients of, grants made under this
section; and
(2) ensure that grants are made under this section to a
diverse array of covered entities, including--
(A) covered entities with a national presence;
(B) community-based covered entities;
(C) covered entities with annual budgets below $1,000,000;
and
(D) covered entities that principally serve low-income and
rural communities.
(h) Inspector General Audit.--Not later than 180 days after
the date on which the Under Secretary begins making grants
under this section, the Inspector General of the Department
of Commerce shall--
(1) conduct an audit of grants made under this section,
which shall seek to identify any discrepancies or
irregularities with respect to those grants; and
(2) submit to Congress a report regarding the audit
conducted under paragraph (1).
(i) Updates to Congress.--Not later than 90 days after the
date on which the Under Secretary establishes the office
described in subsection (c), and once every 30 days
thereafter, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a
report that contains--
(1) the number of grants made under this section during the
period covered by the report; and
(2) with respect to the grants described in paragraph (1)--
(A) the geographic distribution of those grants by State
and county;
(B) if applicable, demographic information with respect to
the minority business enterprises served by the covered
entities to which the grants were made; and
(C) information regarding the industries of the minority
business enterprises served by the covered entities to which
the grants were made.
TITLE V--MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISES ADVISORY COUNCIL
SEC. 7501. PURPOSE.
The Under Secretary shall establish the Minority Business
Enterprises Advisory Council (referred to in this title as
the ``Council'') to advise and assist the Agency.
SEC. 7502. COMPOSITION AND TERM.
(a) Composition.--The Council shall be composed of 9
members of the private sector and 1 representative from each
of not fewer than 10 Federal agencies that support or
otherwise have duties that relate to business formation,
including duties relating to labor development, monetary
policy, national security, energy, agriculture,
transportation, and housing.
(b) Chair.--The Under Secretary shall designate 1 of the
private sector members of the Council as the Chair of the
Council for a 1-year term.
(c) Term.--The Council shall meet at the request of the
Under Secretary and members shall serve for a term of 2
years. Members of the Council may be reappointed.
SEC. 7503. DUTIES.
(a) In General.--The Council shall provide advice to the
Under Secretary by--
(1) serving as a source of knowledge and information on
developments in areas of the economic and social life of the
United States that affect socially or economically
disadvantaged business concerns;
(2) providing the Under Secretary with information
regarding plans, programs, and activities in the public and
private sectors that relate to socially or economically
disadvantaged business concerns; and
(3) advising the Under Secretary regarding--
(A) any measures to better achieve the objectives of this
division; and
(B) problems and matters the Under Secretary refers to the
Council.
(b) Capacity.--Members of the Council shall not be
compensated for service on the Council but may be allowed
travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence,
in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5,
United States Code.
(c) Termination.--Notwithstanding section 14 of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.), the Council shall
terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of
enactment of this Act.
TITLE VI--FEDERAL COORDINATION OF MINORITY BUSINESS PROGRAMS
SEC. 7601. GENERAL DUTIES.
The Under Secretary may coordinate, as consistent with law,
the plans, programs, and operations of the Federal Government
that affect, or may contribute to, the establishment,
preservation, and strengthening of socially or economically
disadvantaged business concerns.
SEC. 7602. PARTICIPATION OF FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.
The Under Secretary shall--
(1) consult with other Federal departments and agencies as
appropriate to--
(A) develop policies, comprehensive plans, and specific
program goals for the programs carried out under subtitle B
of title I and title III;
(B) establish regular performance monitoring and reporting
systems to ensure that goals established by the Under
Secretary with respect to the implementation of this division
are being achieved; and
(C) evaluate the impact of Federal support of socially or
economically disadvantaged business concerns in achieving the
objectives of this division;
(2) conduct a coordinated review of all proposed Federal
training and technical assistance activities in direct
support of the programs carried out under subtitle B of title
I and title III to ensure consistency with program goals and
to avoid duplication; and
(3) convene, for purposes of coordination, meetings of the
heads of such departments and agencies, or their designees,
the programs and activities of which may affect or contribute
to the carrying out of this division.
TITLE VII--ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS OF THE AGENCY; MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
SEC. 7701. ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS.
(a) In General.--In carrying out this division, the Under
Secretary may--
(1) adopt and use a seal for the Agency, which shall be
judicially noticed;
(2) hold hearings, sit and act, and take testimony as the
Under Secretary may determine to be necessary or appropriate
to carry out this division;
(3) acquire, in any lawful manner, any property that the
Under Secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate to
carry out this division;
(4) with the consent of another Federal agency, enter into
an agreement with that Federal agency to utilize, with or
without
[[Page S3381]]
reimbursement, any service, equipment, personnel, or facility
of that Federal agency; and
(5) coordinate with the heads of the Offices of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization of Federal agencies.
(b) Use of Property.--
(1) In general.--Subject to paragraph (2), in carrying out
this division, the Under Secretary may, without cost (except
for costs of care and handling), allow any public sector
entity, or any recipient nonprofit organization, for the
purpose of the development of minority business enterprises,
to use any real or tangible personal property acquired by the
Agency in carrying out this division.
(2) Terms, conditions, reservations, and restrictions.--The
Under Secretary may impose reasonable terms, conditions,
reservations, and restrictions upon the use of any property
under paragraph (1).
SEC. 7702. FEDERAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--
(1) Provision of federal assistance.--To carry out sections
7101, 7102, and 7103(a), the Under Secretary may provide
Federal assistance to public sector entities and private
sector entities in the form of grants or cooperative
agreements.
(2) Notice.--Not later than 120 days after the date on
which amounts are appropriated to carry out this section, the
Under Secretary shall, in accordance with subsection (b),
broadly publish a statement regarding Federal assistance that
will, or may, be provided under paragraph (1) during the
fiscal year for which those amounts are appropriated,
including--
(A) the actual, or anticipated, amount of Federal
assistance that will, or may, be made available;
(B) the types of Federal assistance that will, or may, be
made available;
(C) the manner in which Federal assistance will be
allocated among public sector entities and private sector
entities, as applicable; and
(D) the methodology used by the Under Secretary to make
allocations under subparagraph (C).
(3) Consultation.--The Under Secretary shall consult with
public sector entities and private sector entities, as
applicable, in deciding the amounts and types of Federal
assistance to make available under paragraph (1).
(b) Publicity.--In carrying out this section, the Under
Secretary shall broadly publicize all opportunities for
Federal assistance available under this section, including
through the means required under section 7116.
SEC. 7703. RECORDKEEPING.
(a) In General.--Each recipient of assistance under this
division shall keep such records as the Under Secretary shall
prescribe, including records that fully disclose, with
respect to the assistance received by the recipient under
this division--
(1) the amount and nature of that assistance;
(2) the disposition by the recipient of the proceeds of
that assistance;
(3) the total cost of the undertaking for which the
assistance is given or used;
(4) the amount and nature of the portion of the cost of the
undertaking described in paragraph (3) that is supplied by a
source other than the Agency; and
(5) any other record that will facilitate an effective
audit with respect to the assistance.
(b) Access by Government Officials.--The Under Secretary,
the Inspector General of the Department of Commerce, and the
Comptroller General of the United States, or any duly
authorized representative of any such individual, shall have
access, for the purpose of audit, investigation, and
examination, to any book, document, paper, record, or other
material of the Agency or an MBDA Business Center.
SEC. 7704. REVIEW AND REPORT BY COMPTROLLER GENERAL.
Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall--
(1) conduct a thorough review of the programs carried out
under this division; and
(2) submit to Congress a detailed report of the findings of
the Comptroller General of the United States under the review
carried out under paragraph (1), which shall include--
(A) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the programs in
achieving the purposes of this division;
(B) a description of any failure by any recipient of
assistance under this division to comply with the
requirements under this division; and
(C) recommendations for any legislative or administrative
action that should be taken to improve the achievement of the
purposes of this division.
SEC. 7705. BIANNUAL REPORTS; RECOMMENDATIONS.
(a) Biannual Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of this Act, and 90 days after the last day of
each odd-numbered year thereafter, the Under Secretary shall
submit to Congress, and publish on the website of the Agency,
a report of each activity of the Agency carried out under
this division during the period covered by the report.
(b) Recommendations.--The Under Secretary shall
periodically submit to Congress and the President
recommendations for legislation or other actions that the
Under Secretary determines to be necessary or appropriate to
promote the purposes of this division.
SEC. 7706. SEPARABILITY.
If a provision of this division, or the application of a
provision of this division to any person or circumstance, is
held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, that
judgment--
(1) shall not affect, impair, or invalidate--
(A) any other provision of this division; or
(B) the application of this division to any other person or
circumstance; and
(2) shall be confined in its operation to--
(A) the provision of this division with respect to which
the judgment is rendered; or
(B) the application of the provision of this division to
each person or circumstance directly involved in the
controversy in which the judgment is rendered.
SEC. 7707. EXECUTIVE ORDER 11625.
The powers and duties of the Agency shall be determined--
(1) in accordance with this division and the requirements
of this division; and
(2) without regard to Executive Order 11625 (36 Fed. Reg.
19967; relating to prescribing additional arrangements for
developing and coordinating a national program for minority
business enterprise).
SEC. 7708. AMENDMENT TO THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION STREAMLINING
ACT OF 1994.
Section 7104(c) of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act
of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 644a(c)) is amended by striking paragraph
(2) and inserting the following:
``(2) The Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business
Development.''.
SEC. 7709. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Under
Secretary $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through
2025 to carry out this division, of which--
(1) a majority shall be used in each such fiscal year to
carry out the MBDA Business Center Program under subtitle B
of title I, including the component of that program relating
to specialty centers; and
(2) $10,000,000 shall be used in each such fiscal year to
carry out title III.
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