[House Report 110-926]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-926
_______________________________________________________________________
Union Calendar No. 599
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITY
of the
COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
for THE
ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS
January 2, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
----------
House of Representatives,
Committee on Small Business,
Washington, DC, January 2, 2009.
Hon. Lorraine C. Miller,
Clerk, House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Ms. Miller: Pursuant to clause 1(d) of rule XI of the
Rules of the House of Representatives for the 110th Congress, I
present herewith a report on the activity of the Committee on
Small Business for the 110th Congress, including the
Committee's review and study of legislation within its
jurisdiction, and the oversight activities undertaken by the
Committee.
Yours truly,
Nydia M. Velazquez,
Chairwoman.
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Letter of Transmittal............................................ III
Jurisdiction..................................................... 1
Rules of the Committee........................................... 2
Membership and Organization...................................... 11
Legislative and Oversight Activities............................. 15
Full Committee................................................... 43
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax.................................. 63
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology....................... 65
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care, and Trade.............. 69
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship................. 75
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight..................... 77
Oversight Plan for the 110th Congress............................ 81
Implementation of the Oversight Plan for the 110th Congress...... 93
Appendix I--Committee Legislation: Committee Reports and Public
Laws........................................................... 113
Appendix II--Committee Publications: Committee Hearings and
Committee...................................................... 117
Prints........................................................... 120
Union Calendar No. 599
110th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 110-926
======================================================================
REPORT ON THE ACTIVITY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS FOR THE 110TH
CONGRESS
_______
January 2, 2009.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Ms. Velazquez, from the Committee on Small Business, submitted to the
Committee on the Budget the following
R E P O R T
Clause 1(d) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of
Representatives for the 110th Congress requires that each
standing committee, not later than January 2 of each odd-
numbered year, submit to the House a report on the activities
of that committee, including separate sections summarizing the
legislative and oversight activities of that committee during
that Congress.
JURISDICTION AND SPECIAL OVERSIGHT FUNCTION
Clause 1(p) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives for the 110th Congress sets forth the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Small Business as follows--
(1) Assistance to and protection of small business,
including financial aid, regulatory flexibility, and paperwork
reduction.
(2) Participation of small business enterprises in Federal
procurement and Government contracts.
Clause 3(l) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives for the 110th Congress sets forth the Special
Oversight Function of the Committee on Small Business as
follows--
The Committee on Small Business shall study and investigate
on a continuing basis the problems of all types of small
business.
REAFFIRMATION OF COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS JURISDICTION
``Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to
reaffirm the jurisdiction of the Committee on Small Business as
contained in House Rule X, clause 1(p). The Committee's
jurisdiction includes the Small Business Administration and its
programs, as well as small business matters related to the
Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Paperwork Reduction Act. Its
jurisdiction under House Rule X, clause 1(p) also includes
other programs and initiatives that address small businesses
outside of the confines of those Acts.
This reaffirmation of the jurisdiction of the Committee on
Small Business will enable the House to ensure that it is
properly considering the consequences of its actions related to
small business.''
Louise Slaughter, Chairwoman, Committee of Rules
Consideration of H. Res. 6, Adopting the Rules of the House
of Representatives for the One Hundredth Tenth Congress,
January 4, 2007
RULES OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS FOR THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH
CONGRESS
1. GENERAL PROVISIONS
The Rules of the House of Representatives, and in
particular the committee rules enumerated in rule XI, are the
rules of the Committee on Small Business to the extent
applicable and by this reference are incorporated. Each
subcommittee of the Committee on Small Business (hereinafter
referred to as the ``committee'') is a part of the committee
and is subject to the authority and direction of the committee,
and to its rules to the extent applicable.
2. REFERRAL OF BILLS BY CHAIRWOMAN
Unless retained for consideration by the committee, all
legislation and other matters referred to the committee shall
be referred by the Chairwoman to the subcommittee of
appropriate jurisdiction within 14 calendar days. Where the
subject matter of the referral involves the jurisdiction of
more than one subcommittee or does not fall within any
previously assigned jurisdictions, the Chairwoman shall refer
the matter, as she may deem advisable.
3. DATE OF MEETING
The regular meeting date of the committee shall be the
second Thursday of every month when the House is in session. A
regular meeting of the committee may be dispensed with if, in
the judgment of the Chairwoman, there is no need for the
meeting. Additional meetings may be called by the Chairwoman as
she may deem necessary or at the request of a majority of the
members of the committee in accordance with clause 2(c) of rule
XI of the House.
At least 3 days' notice of such an additional meeting shall
be given unless the Chairwoman determines that there is good
cause to call the meeting on less notice. The determination of
the business to be considered at each meeting shall be made by
the Chairwoman subject to clause 2(c) of rule XI of the House.
A regularly scheduled meeting need not be held if there is
no business to be considered or, upon at least 3 days' notice,
it may be set for a different date.
4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARINGS
Unless the Chairwoman, with the concurrence of the Ranking
Minority Member, or the committee by majority vote, determines
that there is good cause to begin a hearing at an earlier date,
public announcement shall be made of the date, place and
subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by the committee
at least 7 calendar days before the commencement of that
hearing.
After announcement of a hearing, the committee shall make
available as soon as practicable to all Members of the
committee a tentative witness list and to the extent
practicable a memorandum explaining the subject matter of the
hearing (including relevant legislative reports and other
necessary material). In addition, the Chairwoman shall make
available as soon as practicable to the Members of the
committee any official reports from departments and agencies on
the subject matter as they are received.
5. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
(A) Meetings
Each meeting of the committee or its subcommittees for the
transaction of business, including the markup of legislation,
shall be open to the public, including to radio, television and
still photography coverage, except as provided by clause 4 of
rule XI of the House, except when the committee or
subcommittee, in open session and with a majority present,
determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder of
the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public because
disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national
security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement
information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate
any person or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the
House; Provided, however, that no person other than members of
the committee, and such congressional staff and such executive
branch representatives as they may authorize, shall be present
in any business meeting or markup session which has been closed
to the public.
(B) Hearings
Each hearing conducted by the committee or its
subcommittees shall be open to the public, including radio,
television and still photography coverage, except when the
committee or subcommittee, in open session and with a majority
present, determines by record vote that all or part of the
remainder of the hearing on that day shall be closed to the
public because disclosure of testimony, evidence or other
matters to be considered would endanger the national security,
would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or
would violate any law or rule of the House; Provided, however,
that the committee or subcommittee may by the same procedure
vote to close one subsequent day of hearings. Notwithstanding
the requirements of the preceding sentence, a majority of those
present, there being in attendance the requisite number
required under the rules of the committee to be present for the
purpose of taking testimony, (i) may vote to close the hearing
for the sole purpose of discussing whether testimony or
evidence to be received would endanger the national security,
would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or
violate clause 2(k)(5) of rule XI of the House; or (ii) may
vote to close the hearing, as provided in clause 2(k)(5) of
rule XI of the House.
All members of the committee shall be able to participate
in any subcommittee hearing. No member of the House may be
excluded from non-participatory attendance at any hearing of
the committee or any subcommittee, unless the House of
Representatives shall by majority vote authorize the committee
or subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series of
hearings on a particular article of legislation or on a
particular subject of investigation, to close its hearing to
members by the same procedures designated for closing hearings
to the public. Such members who would like to participate shall
notify the Ranking Minority Member and submit a request to the
Chairwoman one day in advance of such hearing.
6. WITNESSES
(A) Statement of witnesses
Each witness who is to appear before the committee or
subcommittee shall file with the committee at least two
business days before the day of his or her appearance 75 copies
of his or her written statement of proposed testimony. Each
witness shall also submit to the committee a copy of his or her
final prepared statement in an electronic format at that time.
At least one copy of the statement of each witness shall be
furnished directly to the Ranking Minority Member. In addition,
all witnesses shall be required to submit with their testimony
a curriculum vitae or other statement describing their
education, employment, professional affiliations and other
background information pertinent to their testimony unless
waived by the Chairwoman. Each witness will complete a
disclosure form detailing any contracts or business that they
currently have with the federal government.
The committee will provide public access to its printed
materials, including the proposed testimony of witnesses, in
electronic form.
(B) Interrogation of witnesses
Whenever any hearing is conducted by the committee or any
subcommittee upon any measure or matter, the minority party
members on the committee shall be entitled, upon request to the
Chairwoman by a majority of those minority members, to call a
witness or witnesses selected by the minority to testify with
respect to that measure or matter. The minority shall be
entitled to a ratio of one-third of the witnesses testifying.
For the purposes of determining this ratio, it shall not
include testifying government officials. The witnesses
requested by the minority shall be invited to testify by the
Chairwoman and must furnish at least one copy of his or her
statement and any supplementary materials directly to the
Chairwoman within one business day before the day of his or her
appearance unless waived by the Chairwoman.
Except when the committee adopts a motion pursuant to
subdivisions (B) and (C) of clause 2(j)(2) of rule XI of the
rules of the House, committee members may question witnesses
only when they have been recognized by the Chairwoman for that
purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all members
present have had an opportunity to question a witness. The
Chairwoman and the Ranking Member shall not be subject to the
5-minute period limitation. For all other Committee Members,
the 5-minute period for questioning a witness by any one member
can be extended only with the unanimous consent of all members
present. The Chairwoman, followed by the Ranking Minority
Member and all other members alternating between the majority
and minority, shall initiate the questioning of witnesses in
both the full and subcommittee hearings. The order for
questioning by members of each party shall be determined by the
time in which the member arrived at the hearing after the gavel
has been struck, with the first arriving having priority over
members of his or her party. If members arrive at the same
time, then seniority shall dictate the order.
In recognizing members to question witnesses, the
Chairwoman may take into consideration the ratio of majority
and minority members present in such a manner as not to
disadvantage the Members of either party. The Chairwoman, in
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may decrease the
5-minute time period in order to accommodate the needs of all
the Members present and the schedule of the witnesses.
7. SUBPOENAS
A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the committee in
the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or
activities to require the attendance and testimony of such
witness and the production of such books, records,
correspondence, memoranda, papers and documents, as deemed
necessary. Such a subpoena shall be authorized by a majority
vote of the full committee. The requirement that the
authorization of a subpoena require a majority vote may be
waived by the Ranking Minority Member. The Chairwoman may issue
a subpoena, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member,
when the House is out for more than three legislative days.
8. QUORUM
No measure or recommendation shall be reported unless a
majority of the committee was actually present. For purposes of
taking testimony or receiving evidence, there shall be one
member from the majority and one member from the minority for
the purposes of a quorum. Such requirement shall be waived for
field hearings. For all other purposes, one-third of the
members (or 11 Members) shall constitute a quorum.
9. AMENDMENTS DURING MARK-UP
Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the
committee must be made available in written form when requested
by any member of the committee. If such amendment is not
available in written form when requested, the Chairwoman shall
allow an appropriate period for the provision thereof.
10. POSTPONEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS
The Chairwoman in consultation with the Ranking Minority
Member may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is
ordered on the question of approving any measure or matter or
adopting an amendment. The Chairwoman may resume proceedings
postponed at any time, but no later than the next meeting day.
In exercising postponement authority, the Chairwoman shall take
all reasonable steps necessary to notify members on the
resumption of proceedings on any postponed recorded vote. When
proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any
intervening order for the previous question, an underlying
proposition shall remain subject to further debate or amendment
to the same extent as when the question was postponed.
11. NUMBER AND JURISDICTION OF SUBCOMMITTEES
There will be five subcommittees as follows:
Finance and Tax (6 Democratic Members and 5 Republican
Members); Contracting and Technology (6 Democratic Members and
5 Republican Members); Regulations, Health Care, and Trade (8
Democratic Members and 7 Republican Members); Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship (7 Democratic Members and 6 Republican
Members); Investigations and Oversight (4 Democratic Members
and 3 Republican Members).
During the 110th Congress, the Chairwoman and Ranking
Minority Member shall be ex officio members of all
subcommittees, without vote, and the full committee shall have
the authority to conduct oversight of all areas of the
committee's jurisdiction. In addition, all members of the
committee may participate in hearings of any subcommittee of
the committee. In addition to conducting oversight in the area
of their respective jurisdiction, each subcommittee shall have
the following jurisdiction:
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
The Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending and
Investment programs: Section 7(a) loan program, 504 Certified
Development Company program, Small Business Investment Company
program, Disaster Loan Assistance programs, and Microloan
program.
Access to capital and finance issues generally.
Oversight over tax policy and retirement/pension matters
affecting small businesses
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology
SBA Contracting programs including the following: Section
8(a) Business Development program, Small Disadvantaged Business
(SDB) certification operated by SBA, Women's Procurement
Program, HUBZone program, Surety Bond program, Service-disabled
veteran procurement, and Section 7(j) management and technical
assistance program SBA Technology programs: Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) program, Small Business Technology
Transfer program.
Oversight of government-wide procurement practices and
programs affecting small businesses.
Oversight of technology and patent issues.
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care, and Trade
The Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and the Paperwork
Reduction Act.
SBA's Office of Advocacy, National Ombudsman, and SBA small
business size standards.
Oversight of regulations and regulatory issues that affect
small businesses.
Oversight of health care coverage issues.
Oversight over issues affecting small health care
providers.
Oversight of trade issues, including SBA's Office of
International Trade.
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship
SBA entrepreneurial development programs: Women's Business
Centers, National Veterans Business Development Corporation,
Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Drug Free Workplace
program, Office of Women's Business Ownership, and National
Women's Business Council (NWBC).
New Markets Venture Capital (NMVC) program, New Markets Tax
Credit program, BusinessLINC and the Program for Re-Investment
in Micro entrepreneurs.
General oversight of programs targeted toward urban and
rural economic growth as well as general federal government
entrepreneurial development programs.
Oversight of agricultural issues.
Oversight of energy issues.
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
Oversight of SBA Administration, Management, and Agency
Practices.
Oversight of activities by the Office of the Inspector
General at SBA.
12. COMMITTEE STAFF
(A) Majority staff
The employees of the committee, except those assigned to
the minority as provided below, shall be appointed and
assigned, and may be removed by the Chairwoman. The Chairwoman
shall fix their remuneration, and they shall be under the
general supervision and direction of the Chairwoman.
(B) Minority staff
The employees of the committee assigned to the minority
shall be appointed and assigned, and their remuneration
determined, as the Ranking Minority Member of the committee
shall determine.
(C) Subcommittee staff
The Chairwoman and Ranking Minority Member of the full
committee shall endeavor to ensure that sufficient staff is
made available to each subcommittee to carry out its
responsibilities under the rules of the committee.
13. POWERS AND DUTIES OF SUBCOMMITTEES
Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,
receive evidence, and report to the full committee on all
matters referred to it. Subcommittee chairmen shall set meeting
and hearing dates after approval of the Chairwoman of the full
committee. Meetings and hearings of subcommittees shall not be
scheduled to occur simultaneously with meetings or hearings of
the full committee.
14. RECORDS
The committee shall keep a complete record of all actions,
which shall include a record of the votes on any question on
which a record vote is demanded. The result of each
subcommittee record vote, together with a description of the
matter voted upon, shall promptly be made available to the full
committee. A record of such votes shall be made available for
inspection by the public at reasonable times in the offices of
the committee. The committee shall keep a complete record of
all committee and subcommittee activity which, in the case of
any meeting or hearing transcript, shall include a
substantially verbatim account of remarks actually made during
the proceedings, subject only to technical, grammatical, and
typographical corrections authorized by the person making the
remarks involved.
The records of the committee at the National Archives and
Records Administration shall be made available in accordance
with rule VII of the Rules of the House. The Chairwoman of the
full committee shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of the
full committee of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or
clause 4(b) of rule VII of the House, to withhold a record
otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the
committee for a determination of the written request of any
member of the committee.
15. ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION
Access to classified or sensitive information supplied to
the committee and attendance at closed sessions of the
committee or its subcommittees shall be limited to members and
necessary committee staff and stenographic reporters who have
appropriate security clearance when the Chairwoman determines
that such access or attendance is essential to the functioning
of the committee.
The procedures to be followed in granting access to those
hearings, records, data, charts, and files of the committee
which involve classified information or information deemed to
be sensitive shall be as follows:
(A) Only Members of the House of Representatives and
specifically designated committee staff of the Committee on
Small Business may have access to such information.
(B) Members who desire to read materials that are in the
possession of the committee should notify the clerk of the
committee.
(C) The clerk will maintain an accurate access log, which
identifies the circumstances surrounding access to the
information, without revealing the material examined.
(D) If the material desired to be reviewed is material
which the committee or subcommittee deems to be sensitive
enough to require special handling, before receiving access to
such information, individuals will be required to sign an
access information sheet acknowledging such access and that the
individual has read and understands the procedures under which
access is being granted.
(E) Material provided for review under this rule shall not
be removed from a specified room within the committee offices.
(F) Individuals reviewing materials under this rule shall
make certain that the materials are returned to the proper
custodian.
(G) No reproductions or recordings may be made of any
portion of such materials.
(H) The contents of such information shall not be divulged
to any person in any way, form, shape, or manner, and shall not
be discussed with any person who has not received the
information in an authorized manner.
(I) When not being examined in the manner described herein,
such information will be kept in secure safes or locked file
cabinets in the committee offices.
(J) These procedures only address access to information the
committee or a subcommittee deems to be sensitive enough to
require special treatment.
(K) If a member of the House of Representatives believes
that certain sensitive information should not be restricted as
to dissemination or use, the member may petition the committee
or subcommittee to so rule. With respect to information and
materials provided to the committee by the executive branch,
the classification of information and materials as determined
by the executive branch shall prevail unless affirmatively
changed by the committee or the subcommittee involved, after
consultation with the appropriate executive agencies.
(L) Other materials in the possession of the committee are
to be handled in accordance with the normal practices and
traditions of the committee.
16. OTHER PROCEDURES
The Chairwoman of the full committee may establish such
other procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to
carry out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective
operation of the committee.
17. AMENDMENTS TO COMMITTEE RULES
The rules of the committee may be modified, amended or
repealed by a majority of the members, at a meeting
specifically called for such purpose, but only if written
notice of the proposed change has been provided to each such
member at least 3 days before the time of the meeting.
18. BUDGET AND TRAVEL
(A) From the amount provided to the Committee in the
primary expense resolution adopted by the U.S. House of
Representatives for the 110th Congress, the Chairwoman, after
consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall designate
one-third of the budget under the direction of the Ranking
Minority Member for the purposes of minority staff, travel
expenses of minority staff and members, and minority office
expenses.
(B) The Chairwoman may authorize travel in connection with
activities or subject matters under the general jurisdiction of
the Committee.
(C) The Ranking Minority Member may authorize travel for
any minority member or minority committee staff member in
connection with activities or subject matters under the general
jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such travel, there shall
be submitted to the Chairwoman in writing the following at
least seven calendar days prior:
The purpose of the travel.
The dates during which the travel is to occur.
The names of the States or countries to be visited and the
length of time spent in each.
The names of members and staff of the committee
participating in such travel.
At the conclusion of such travel, a summary of the activity
and its accomplishments shall be provided to the Chairwoman
within ten calendar days.
19. COMMITTEE WEBSITE
The Chairwoman shall maintain an official Committee website
for the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and
oversight responsibilities, including communicating information
about the Committee's activities to Committee members and other
Members of the House. The Ranking Minority Members may maintain
a similar website for the same purpose, including communicating
information about the activities of the minority to Committee
members and other Members of the House.
20. VICE CHAIR
Pursuant to House Rules, the Chairwoman shall designate a
member of the majority party to serve as Vice Chairman of the
Committee. The Vice Chairman shall preside at any meeting or
hearing during the temporary absence of the Chairwoman. If the
Chairwoman and Vice Chairman are not present at any meeting or
hearing, the ranking member of the majority who is present
shall preside at the meeting or hearing.
MEMBERSHIP AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS
COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
FULL COMMITTEE LIST
Rep. STEVE CHABOT (OH-01), Ranking Member NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ (NY-12),
Rep. ROSCOE G. BARTLETT (MD-06) Chair
Rep. SAM GRAVES (MO-06) Rep. HEATH SHULER (NC-11)
Rep. W. TODD AKIN (MO-02) Rep. CHARLIE GONZALEZ (TX-20)
Rep. BILL SHUSTER (PA-09) Rep. RICK LARSEN (WA-02)
Rep. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE (CO-04) Rep. RAUL GRIJALVA (AZ-07)
Rep. STEVE KING (IA-05) Rep. MICHAEL MICHAUD (ME-02)
Rep. JEFF FORTENBERRY (NE-01) Rep. MELISSA BEAN (IL-08)
Rep. LYNN WESTMORELAND (GA-03) Rep. HENRY CUELLAR (TX-28)
Rep. LOUIE GOHMERT (TX-01) Rep. DAN LIPINSKI (IL-03)
Rep. DAVID DAVIS (TN-01) Rep. GWEN MOORE (WI-04)
Rep. MARY FALLIN (OK-05) Rep. JASON ALTMIRE (PA-04)
Rep. VERN BUCHANAN (FL-13) Rep. BRUCE BRALEY (IA-01)
VACANT\3\ Rep. YVETTE CLARKE (NY-11)
VACANT\4\ Rep. BRAD ELLSWORTH (IN-08)
Rep. HENRY ``HANK'' JOHNSON (GA-
04)
Rep. JOE SESTAK (PA-07)
Rep. BRIAN HIGGINS (NY-27)\1\
Rep. MAZIE HIRONO (HI-02)\2\
----------
\1\Added 10/03/07. Replaced Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald.
\2\Added 10/03/07. Replaced Rep. William Jefferson.
\3\Vacancy due to Dean Heller's departure from the Committee on
February, 2008.
\4\Vacancy due to Jim Jordan's departure from the Committee on March,
2008.
SUBCOMMITTEE LIST
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
Rep. VERN BUCHANAN (FL-13), Ranking Member\5\ISSA BEAN (IL-08), Chair
Rep. BILL SHUSTER (PA-09) Rep. RAUL GRIJALVA (AZ-07)
Rep. STEVE KING (IA-05) Rep. MICHAEL MICHAUD (ME-02)
VACANT\6\ Rep. HENRY ``HANK'' JOHNSON (GA-
VACANT\7\ 04)
Rep. JOE SESTAK (PA-07)
Rep. BRAD ELLSWORTH (IN-08)
----------
\5\Rep. Buchanan was named Ranking Member after the original ranking
member, Rep. Heller, left the Committee.
\6\Vacancy due to Rep. Dean Heller's departure from the Committee on
February, 2008.
\7\Vacancy due to Rep. Jim Jordan's departure from the Committee on
March, 2008.
------
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology
Rep. DAVID DAVIS (TN-01), Ranking Member. BRUCE BRALEY (IA-01), Chair
Rep. ROSCOE G. BARTLETT (MD-06) Rep. HENRY CUELLAR (TX-28)
Rep. SAM GRAVES (MO-06) Rep. GWEN MOORE (WI-04)
Rep. W. TODD AKIN (MO-02) Rep. YVETTE CLARKE (NY-11)
Rep. MARY FALLIN (OK-05) Rep. JOE SESTAK (PA-07)
VACANT\8\
----------
\8\Vacancy due to Rep. William Jefferson's departure from the Committee
on June, 2007.
------
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care, and Trade
Rep. LYNN WESTMORELAND (GA-03), Ranking MemberLIE GONZALEZ (TX-20),
Rep. BILL SHUSTER (PA-09) Chair
Rep. STEVE KING (IA-05) Rep. DAN LIPINSKI (IL-03)
Rep. MARY FALLIN (OK-05) Rep. RICK LARSEN (WA-02)
Rep. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE (CO-04) Rep. JASON ALTMIRE (PA-04)
Rep. VERN BUCHANAN (FL-13) Rep. MELISSA BEAN (IL-08)
VACANT\10\ Rep. GWEN MOORE (WI-04)
Rep. JOE SESTAK (PA-07)
VACANT\9\
----------
\9\Vacancy due to Rep. William Jefferson's departure from the Committee
on June, 2007.
\10\Vacancy due to Rep. Jim Jordan's departure from the Committee on
March, 2008.
------
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship
Rep. JEFF FORTENBERRY (NE-01), Ranking MemberTH SHULER (NC-11), Chair
Rep. MARILYN N. MUSGRAVE (CO-04) Rep. RICK LARSEN (WA-02)
Rep. ROSCOE G. BARTLETT (MD-06) Rep. BRAD ELLSWORTH (IN-08)
Rep. DAVID DAVIS (TN-01) Rep. MICHAEL MICHAUD (ME-02)
VACANT\11\ Rep. GWEN MOORE (WI-04)
VACANT Rep. YVETTE CLARKE (NY-11)
Rep. HENRY ``HANK'' JOHNSON (GA-
04)
----------
\11\Vacancy due to Rep. Dean Heller's departure from the Committee on
February, 2008.
------
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
Rep. MARY FALLIN (OK-05), Ranking Member\12\SON ALTMIRE (PA-04), Chair
Rep. LYNN WESTMORELAND (GA-03) Rep. CHARLIE GONZALEZ (TX-20)
VACANT Rep. RAUL GRIJALVA (AZ-07)
VACANT
----------
\12\Rep. Louie Gohmert was originally the Ranking Member.
COMMITTEE STAFF
Majority Staff
Michael Day, Staff Director
Adam Minehardt, Deputy Staff
Director
Tim Slattery, Chief Counsel
Andy Jiminez, Banking Counsel
Erik Lieberman, Regulatory Counsel
Mark Palmer, Agriculture Counsel
LeAnn Delaney, Senior Procurement
Counsel
Naveen Parmar, Tax Counsel
Tom Dawson, Health Care Counsel
Nicole Witenstein, Trade Counsel
Bill Maguire, Technology Counsel
Russell Orban, General Counsel
Melody Reis, Professional Staff
Gail O'Connor, Press Secretary
Erin Donar, Deputy Press Secretary
Luis Hestres, Web Coordinator
Darienne Gutierrez, Staff
Assistant
Eduardo Lerma, Staff Assistant
Moraima Garcia, Office Manager
Minority Staff
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Staff Director
Janet Oliver, Deputy Staff
Director
Barry Pineles, Chief Counsel
Joe Hartz, Professional Staff
Member
Lisa Christian, Professional Staff
Kathryn Fox, Press Secretary
Laura Danner, Staff Assistant
LEGISLATIVE AND OVERSIGHT ACTIVITIES
During the 110th Congress, 80 bills were referred to the
Committee on Small Business. The full Committee reported to the
House or was discharged from the further consideration of 18
measures, not including conference reports. Six measures
regarding matters within the Committee's jurisdiction were
enacted into law.
The following is a summary of the legislative and oversight
activities of the Committee on Small Business during the 110th
Congress, including a summary of the activities taken by the
Committee to implement its Oversight Plan for the 110th
Congress.
Full Committee
Legislative Activities
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PROGRAMS
UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT AND THE SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT OF
1958 THROUGH JULY 31, 2007, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
(H.R. 434)
Summary
H.R. 434 extended the programs authorized under the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
through July 31, 2007.
Legislative history
H.R. 434 was introduced by Ranking Member Steve Chabot on
January 12, 2007. Original Cosponsors included the Committee
Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Small Business.
On January 17, 2007, the House considered H.R. 434 under
suspension of the rules. At the conclusion of debate, the yeas
and nays were demanded and ordered. On motion to suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 434 was passed by a record vote
of 413 yeas to 2 nays (Roll no. 28).
On January 18, 2007, H.R. 434 was received in the Senate.
On February 1, 2007, the Senate amended H.R. 434 by unanimous
consent and agreed to Senate Amendments 229 and 230. This
passed the Senate by unanimous consent on the same day. On
February 7, 2007, the House agreed to suspend the rules and
agree to the Senate amendments by voice vote. On February 15,
2007, the legislation was signed by the President and became
Public Law 110-4.
THE SMALL BUSINESS LENDING IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 1332)
A bill to improve the access to capital lending programs of the
Small Business Administration.
Summary
H.R. 1332, the Small Business Lending Improvements Act of
2007, updates and streamlines the SBA's two largest small
business finance programs, the 7(a) and 504 (also known as the
Certified Development Company) programs. The bill makes the
7(a) program more affordable to borrowers and lenders by
providing the SBA with authority to contribute funds for the
purpose of reducing the burden associated with borrower and
lender fees on 7(a) loans. The bill also adapts the 7(a)
program to achieve specific public policy objectives through
improved access to the program for medical professionals in
health professional shortage areas and military veterans.
The bill also focuses on encouraging increased lender
participation in the 7(a) program by establishing programs
within the 7(a) framework that simplify and streamline the
lending process. A rural lender outreach program will reduce
the paperwork burden associated with 7(a) loans, and a Small
Bank Outreach division within the SBA will provide community
banks with direct support in their efforts to participate in
the 7(a) program.
The Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007 also
modernizes and improves the 504, Certified Development Company,
program by making an array of technical changes to the program
and addressing two of the program's most evident problems. The
bill improves the program's ability to liquidate defaulted
loans by permitting CDCs to either foreclose and liquidate
defaulted loans or to contract with a qualified third party to
do so. The bill enhances the ties between CDCs and the
communities that they serve by requiring CDCs to include locals
on the board of directors.
Legislative history
H.R. 1332 was introduced by Representative Melissa Bean on
March 6, 2007. Original Cosponsors included the Committee
Ranking Member Steve Chabot and Committee Chairwoman Nydia
Velazquez. The bill was referred to the Committee on Small
Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on March 8,
2007, and heard from the SBA's Associate Administrator for
Capital Access on the Administration's views on the
legislation. Additionally, the Committee received testimony
from the American Dental Association, the Credit Union National
Association, and the National Association of Development
Companies who testified on the merits of the legislation and
testified in support of its provisions.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on
March 15, 2007, and ordered H.R. 1332 reported to the House,
with an amendment, with a favorable recommendation by a voice
vote.
On April 24, 2007, the House adopted H. Res. 330, providing
for consideration of H.R. 1332 under a modified open rule, by a
voice vote. Also on that day, the House considered H.R. 1332
and passed the bill with an amendment, by a record vote of 380
ayes and 45 nays. On April 26, 2007, the bill was received in
the Senate, read twice, and placed on Senate Legislative
Calendar under General Orders.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
RELIEF FOR ENTREPRENEURS: COORDINATION OF OBJECTIVES AND VALUES FOR
EFFECTIVE RECOVERY ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 1361)
A bill to reform and improve the disaster relief programs of
the Small Business Administration.
Summary
The RECOVER Act was established to address specific
problems in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster
assistance program that were identified following deficiencies
in the SBA's response to the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes. Most
notably, the bill will ensure that the SBA performs
comprehensive, risk-based, disaster planning on an annual basis
and that the agency has mechanisms in place to maintain its
disaster readiness over the long-term. The act also establishes
several new disaster assistance tools to improve the disaster
planning process, including the reorganization of the agency's
Office of Disaster Assistance, a requirement that the agency
engage in an annual disaster simulation exercise, and
requirements that the agency formalize plans to address the
need for additional space and employees in the event of a major
disaster.
The act will also enhance the SBA's disaster loan program
by improving the manner in which disaster loans are processed,
approved, and disbursed, and by providing the agency with
additional financial assistance tools that are intended to
better fit the various needs of small businesses following a
disaster. The bill will establish a bridge financing program to
provide small businesses with emergency, small-dollar financing
within 36 hours following a disaster. This program will provide
vital funds to disaster victims during the 21-day target
approval timeframe for conventional disaster loans. These
immediate disaster assistance loans will be limited in amount
and will be contingent upon the applicant applying for, and
meeting basic eligibility standards for a conventional disaster
loan. These factors are intended to limit the federal
government's risk exposure under this program.
H.R. 1361 also establishes an Enhanced Lending Authority
for Preferred Lenders Program that is intended to enable the
SBA to enlist the resources of private lenders to process,
approve, disburse, and service loans during incidents of
national significance. This program may be implemented whenever
the administrator sees fit or in two specific situations when
the administration is most likely to need the additional loan
processing, approval, and disbursement capacity that the
private sector can provide. The Enhanced Lending Authority for
Preferred Lenders Program loans are intended to carry the same
favorable interest and repayment terms as conventional disaster
loans administered under Section 7(b) of the Small Business
Act.
The bill also creates a small grant program to assist the
most severely affected small businesses damaged by Hurricanes
Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. To ensure that grant assistance only
goes to the neediest small businesses and is only used to spur
redevelopment in communities where market forces have failed,
the program will only be applicable under very limited
circumstances. In order to receive a grant, a small business
must have been located in those communities most severely
damaged by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, must have been
in existence at least two years prior to the disaster, must
have been rejected for a conventional SBA loan, must have
remained economically viable following the disaster, and have
certified that they will reopen their business in one of the
affected communities. Only a small number of businesses are
expected to meet all of these requirements, and the program is
intended to be administered at the discretion of the
Administrator.
To enable the SBA to be more responsive to the needs of
individual disaster victims, H.R. 1361 provides the
administrator with authority to waive the prohibition on
duplication of benefits stemming from state administered grant
assistance programs. This provision will enable the SBA to
assist those victims that were negatively impacted by
deficiencies in the loan processing and disbursement process.
These waivers will be available at the discretion of the
Administrator of the SBA.
The bill also streamlines the SBA's loan processing and
disbursement process and makes them more responsive to the
needs of borrowers. The SBA will be required to develop,
implement, and maintain a centralized system to track all
communication written, verbal, and electronic, between disaster
assistance applicants and agency employees. The SBA will also
be required to provide follow-up information to disaster
assistance applicants as their application moves through vital
stages of the processing, approval, and disbursement process.
The Act is intended to improve the way the SBA disburses
approved assistance to victims by setting a minimum amount that
must be disbursed in each disbursement stage unless the
applicant requests a lesser amount.
Finally, a reporting requirement will ensure that members
of Congress are adequately informed about all aspects of the
SBA's disaster assistance and disaster planning programs so
that they may provide the SBA with the support they need to
fulfill their vital mission following a disaster.
Legislative history
H.R. 1361 was introduced by Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez on
March 6, 2007. Original Cosponsors included Representatives
Richard Baker, Charles Gonzalez, William Jefferson, Henry
Johnson, Charlie Melancon, Gwen Moore, Bruce Braley, Raul
Grijalva, Daniel Lipinski, and Gene Taylor. The bill was
referred to the Committee on Small Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on March 8,
2007, and heard from the SBA's Associate Administrator for
Disaster Relief on the Administration's views on the
legislation. Additionally, the Committee received testimony
from a former director of the Federal Emergency Management
Agency, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S.
Women's Chamber of Commerce, who testified on the merits of the
legislation and testified in support of its provisions.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on
March 15, 2007, and ordered H.R. 1361 reported to the House,
with an amendment, by a record vote of 17 ayes and 9 nays.
On April 18, 2007, the House adopted H. Res. 302, providing
for consideration of H.R. 1332 under a modified open rule, by a
voice vote. Also on that day, the House considered H.R. 1361
and passed the bill with an amendment, by a record vote of 267
ayes and 158 nays. On April 19, 2007, the bill was received in
the Senate. On August 3, 2007, the bill was read twice in the
Senate, and placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General
Orders.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS DISASTER ELIGIBILITY ACT
(H.R. 1468)
To ensure that, for each small business participating in
the 8(a) business development program that was affected by
Hurricane Katrina of 2005, the period in which it can
participate is extended by 18 months.
Summary
H.R. 1468, the ``Disadvantaged Business Disaster
Eligibility Act,'' allows companies participating in the
program established by Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act
(``the 8(a) program'') 18 additional months of participation if
those companies were located in a parish in the state of
Louisiana that was declared a disaster as a result of Hurricane
Katrina.
Legislative history
H.R. 1468 was introduced in the House by Rep. Jefferson on
March 12, 2007. The bill was referred to the House Committee on
Small Business. The legislation was marked-up and reported
favorably out of the Committee on March 15, 2007 on a voice
vote. On March 26, 2007, the bill was considered by the House
under suspension of the rules and passed by a voice vote. On
March 27, 2007, H.R. 1468 was received in the Senate, read
twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship. No further action has been taken on this
legislation.
SMALL BUSINESS FAIRNESS IN CONTRACTING ACT
(H.R. 1873)
To reauthorize the programs and activities of the Small
Business Administration relating to procurement, and for other
purposes.
Summary
H.R. 1873, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act,
amends the Small Business Act to provide greater opportunities
for small businesses in the procurement arena.
The bill closes loopholes in the definition of contract
bundling, explicitly requiring both new work and construction
to be screened for potential bundling.
The bill raises the small business contracting goal to 30
percent and includes overseas work, both of which will
encourage greater participation of small businesses.
Finally, H.R. 1873 addresses fraud. Requiring reviews of
various contracting databases will decrease the likelihood of
counting large business contracts towards agency small business
accomplishments.
Legislative history
H.R. 1873 was introduced in the House by Mr. Braley and two
original cosponsors on April 17, 2007. The bill was referred to
the Committee on Small Business. On April 19, 2007, the
Committee heard testimony on key contracting issues for small
businesses and how H.R. 1873 would address those problems. The
full Committee met in open session on April 24, 2007, to
consider the legislation and ordered H.R. 1873 reported to the
House in the nature of a substitute. The bill was sequentially
referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform. The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform met in
open session on May 1, 2007, to consider the legislation and
ordered H.R. 1873 reported to the House in the nature of a
substitute. On May 9, 2007, the House adopted H. Res. 383,
providing for the consideration of H.R. 1873, by a vote of 223-
197. On May 10, 2007, the House considered H.R. 1873 and passed
the bill, with amendments, by a record vote of 409 yeas and 13
nays. On May 11, 2007, the bill was received in the Senate,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship.
NATIVE AMERICAN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 2284)
To amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the
assistance provided by Small Business Development Centers to
Indian tribe members, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians.
Summary
The legislation targets federal entrepreneurial development
resources to Native American communities. Given limited local
resources and economic development opportunities in many of
these communities, the bill leverages federal resources to
support entrepreneurship.
H.R. 2284 provides grants to Small Business Development
Centers (SBDC) to assist entrepreneurs with starting and
expanding small businesses both within these communities and in
the urban areas adjacent to reservations. It requires SBDC
project recipients to adapt activities to the local context by
requesting the advice of local Tribal Councils (or tribal
governments) on how best assist Indian tribe members, Native
Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians and where to locate satellite
centers to provide such services. The legislation also
emphasizes the role the Association for Small Business
Development Centers (ASBDC) will play in promulgating the
regulations required under the legislation. The SBA must
consult with the ASBDC in establishing standards relating to
(1) educational, technical, and support services to be provided
by SBDCs receiving grant monies, and (2) any work plan that is
required to be submitted by an applicant.
Legislative history
H.R. 2284 was introduced by Congressman Tom Udall on May
10, 2007. Original Cosponsors included the Representatives Neil
Abercrombie, Raul Grijalva, Michael Honda, Michael Michaud,
James Moran, David Wu, Stephanie Herseth, Betty McCollum,
Dennis Moore, and Rick Renzi. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Small Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on May 16,
2007, and heard from the SBA's Acting Assistant Administrator
for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development on the
Administration's views on the legislation. Additionally, the
Committee received testimony from the Pennsylvania Small
Business Development Center, the New Mexico Small Business
Development Center, and the Association of Women's Business
Centers who testified on the merits of the legislation.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on May
23, 2007, and ordered H.R. 2284 reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation by a voice vote.
On June 18, 2007, the House considered H.R. 2284 and
postponed further proceedings on the motion. On June 20, 2007,
the House passed the bill by a record vote of 351 ayes and 73
nays. On June 21, 2007, the bill was received in the Senate,
read twice, and referred to the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
THE SBA ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 2359)
To reauthorize programs to assist small business concerns, and
for other purposes.
Summary
The SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007,
H.R. 2359, amends key sections of the Small Business Act to
assist small business owners gain the technical expertise
associated with starting and running a successful business. The
bill ensures that SBA entrepreneurial development programs
reflect the current composition of small business owners and
have the flexibility to address new needs and conditions.
H.R. 2359 enhances entrepreneurial development services at
the agency in three main areas: operational changes, additional
mandates, and the representation of entrepreneurial composition
in program providers. Procedural improvements to SBA
administered Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are
established to maintain high levels of service across the
country. The role of SBDCs is also expanded, adding to their
enumerated functions under the Small Business Act. SBA's SCORE
program is also modified to reflect the growing numbers of
entrepreneurs from socially and economically disadvantaged
backgrounds by requiring administrators to recruit and maintain
a higher representation of volunteers with diverse backgrounds.
Legislative history
H.R. 2359 was introduced by Congressman Joe Sestak on May
17, 2007. Original Cosponsors included the Committee Chairwoman
Nydia Velazquez (NY-12), and Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship, Small Business Committee Chair Heath Shuler.
The bill was referred to the Committee on Small Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on May 16,
2007, and heard from the SBA's Acting Assistant Administrator
for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development on the
Administration's views on the legislation. Additionally, the
Committee received testimony from the Pennsylvania Small
Business Development Center, the New Mexico Small Business
Development Center, and the Association of Women's Business
Centers who testified on the merits of the legislation.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on May
23, 2007, and ordered H.R. 2359 reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation by a voice vote.
On June 18, 2007, the House considered H.R. 2359 and
postponed further proceedings on the motion. On June 20, 2007,
the House passed the bill by a record vote of 405 ayes and 18
nays. On June 21, 2007, the bill was received in the Senate,
read twice, and placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under
General Orders. (Calendar No. 218).
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
THE SBA VETERANS' PROGRAMS ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 2366)
To reauthorize the veterans entrepreneurial development
programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other
purposes.
Summary
The SBA Veterans' Programs Act of 2007, H.R. 2366, amends
key sections of the Small Business Act to promote increased
veterans entrepreneurship. The bill was designed to ensure
veterans have affordable, timely, and comprehensive access to
start or grow small businesses through targeted resources and
expertise at the agency.
H.R. 2366 enhances assistance to veteran entrepreneurs in
three main areas: outreach, business counseling, and
entrepreneurial development resources. The bill expands
outreach to all service members by requiring SBA to participate
at Transition Assistance Workshops located at military bases
and to compile as well as distribute information on
entrepreneurial development resources for women veterans.
Additional resources are established to enable existing general
business counseling centers located in communities across the
country to develop new programs designed to support the
sector's entrepreneurial needs. Building on the success of the
agency's veterans programs, the bill also expands the network
of counseling centers designed to specifically assist this
population.
Legislative history
H.R. 2366 was introduced by Congressman Vern Buchanan on
May 17, 2007. Original Cosponsors included the Committee
Ranking Member Steve Chabot, Committee Chairwoman Nydia
Velazquez, and Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship, Small Business Committee Chair Heath Shuler.
The bill was referred to the Committee on Small Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on May 16,
2007, and heard from the SBA's Acting Assistant Administrator
for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development on the
Administration's views on the legislation. Additionally, the
Committee received testimony from the Pennsylvania Small
Business Development Center, the New Mexico Small Business
Development Center, and the Association of Women's Business
Centers who testified on the merits of the legislation.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on May
23, 2007, and ordered H.R. 2366 reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation by a voice vote.
On June 18, 2007, the House considered H.R. 2366 and passed
the bill by a voice vote. On June 19, 2007, the bill was
received in the Senate, read twice, and placed on Senate
Legislative Calendar under General Orders.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
THE SMALL ENERGY EFFICIENT BUSINESSES ACT
(H.R. 2389, AND LATER INCORPORATE INTO H.R. 3221)
A bill to help small businesses to develop, invest in, and
purchase energy efficient buildings, fixtures, equipment, and
technology.
Summary
H.R. 2389, the Small Energy Efficient Business Act (SEEBA)
provides information, technical assistance, and access to
capital to help small businesses implement, develop, and market
energy efficient goods, products, and services. The bill
requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to adapt
existing lending and investment programs to provide incentives
and needed capital for small business energy innovations and
improvements.
The bill establishes a new lending program that would
provide 7(a) loans that cost half the upfront guaranty and
ongoing annual lender fees of regular 7(a) loans and a 90
percent guarantee if the proceeds of the loan are used to
purchase or develop energy efficient technologies or reduce the
borrower's energy consumption by 10 percent or more. The bill
also permits small businesses to receive loans under the
Certified Development Company Loan program (known as the 504
program) if the proceeds of the loan are used to reduce the
borrower's energy consumption by at least 10 percent.
H.R. 2389 also adapts the SBA's investment programs to
achieve increased investment in small businesses involved in
the research, development, production, or marketing of energy
efficient goods, products, or services by permitting licensed
debenture SBICs to issue special Energy Saving (ES) Debentures
that provide substantial benefits over existing debentures.
H.R. 2389 also creates a new program within the Small
Business Investment Act of 1958 called the ``Renewable Fuel
Capital Investment Company'' (RFCIC) program. This program will
authorize the creation of new Renewable Fuel Capital Investment
Companies (RFCICs) that issue SBA guaranteed debentures to
invest in small businesses engaged in researching,
manufacturing, developing, and bringing to market renewable
energy sources. The debentures have discounts and deferred
interest to reflect the development period.
The bill also reforms other SBA programs to make the agency
a focal point for national small business energy strategy. H.R.
2389 directs the administrator of the SBA to develop and carry-
out a national program to collect and provide small businesses
with information about methods to promote energy savings-
including best practices, energy saving equipment and
operations, and the latest information on renewable energy
sources. Additionally, the administrator is directed to produce
a strategy for helping small businesses understand the cost
savings from improved energy efficiency and identify programs
that can help finance small business upgrades for this system.
H.R. 2389 also establishes a new program under which Small
Business Development Centers (SBDCs) can apply for special
grants to help small and medium-sized firms evaluate energy
efficiency and green building opportunities, understand the
cost benefits of the efficiency measures or green building,
secure financing to achieve energy efficiency or construction
of green buildings, and empower management to implement energy
efficiency projects.
Legislative history
H.R. 2389 was introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler on May
17, 2007. Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez
was an original cosponsor. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Small Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on May 16,
2007, and heard from the Small Business administration on its
views concerning H.R. 2389. The Committee also received
testimony from representatives from the Wharton School in
affiliation with the Pennsylvania Small Business Development
Center, and the Sustainable Energy Coalition who testified in
support of the bill.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on May
23, 2007, and ordered H.R. 2389 reported to the House, with no
amendments, by a voice vote.
This bill text was generally incorporated in H.R. 3221,
Division A, the New Direction for Energy Independence, National
Security, and Consumer Protection Act. On August 4, 2007, H.R.
3221 passed the House by a vote of 241 to 172. Further, the
provisions of H.R. 2389 that were incorporated into H.R. 3221
were generally incorporated into the Omnibus energy legislation
which was enacted in H.R. 6, and which became Public Law 110-
140 on December 19, 2007.
THE SBA WOMEN'S BUSINESS PROGRAMS ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 2397)
To reauthorize the women's entrepreneurial development programs
of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.
Summary
The SBA Women's Business Programs Act of 2007, H.R. 2397,
amends key sections of the Small Business Act to support the
continued growth of women entrepreneurs, especially from
underserved communities, including socio-economically
disadvantaged and rural areas. The bill strengthens existing
entrepreneurial development programs at the agency to ensure
they continue to serve a unique and important role assisting
women business owners.
H.R. 2397 supports the growth of women entrepreneurs in two
ways: enhancing research conducted on women entrepreneurship
issues; and establishing a more targeted approach to funding
Women's Business Centers. The bill requires the National
Women's Business Council to consult with Congress and conduct
at least one study per year on current issues affecting women
entrepreneurs. It also mandates that the Council update the
Committee on modifications to its plans and programs. A funding
forma is established that allocated federal resources to both
new and existing Women's Business Centers, which provide
outreach and entrepreneurial development assistance through a
network of sites located throughout the country. The bill
promotes the expansion of these centers into underserved areas
by reducing the matchmaking requirement for communities lacking
investment and requiring centers to target their programs to
clients in these communities.
Legislative history
H.R. 2397 was introduced by Congresswoman Mary Fallin on
May 21, 2007. Cosponsors included the Subcommittee on
Contracting and Technology, Small Business Committee Chair
Bruce Braley and Representative Albert Wynn. The bill was
referred to the Committee on Small Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on May 16,
2007, and heard from the SBA's Acting Assistant Administrator
for the Office of Entrepreneurial Development on the
Administration's views on the legislation. Additionally, the
Committee received testimony from the Pennsylvania Small
Business Development Center, the New Mexico Small Business
Development Center, and the Association of Women's Business
Centers who testified on the merits of the legislation.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on May
23, 2007, and ordered H.R. 2397 reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation by a voice vote.
On June 18, 2007, the House considered H.R. 2397 and passed
the bill by a voice vote. On June 19, 2007, the bill was
received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM PROVISIONS IN THE
FOOD, CONSERVATION, AND ENERGY ACT OF 2008
(H.R. 2419)
Summary
H.R. 2419 establishes two bridge loan programs for private
sector lenders. In a catastrophic disaster, the SBA can
authorize private lenders to make 180 day loans of up to
$150,000 at not more then 1 percent over the prime rate to
businesses that are otherwise eligible for a disaster loan. In
all disasters, private lenders can make loans of up to $25,000
and receive an SBA guaranty within 36 hours for up to 85
percent of the loan amount. Both loans would be transitioned
into a standard SBA disaster loan once it has been made. These
bridge loans will get financial assistance to businesses while
they await processing or disbursement of their conventional SBA
loan or insurance payments.
This bill also creates a program to allow private lenders
to make disaster loans after a catastrophic disaster. These
loans will carry the same terms and benefits as conventional
SBA disaster loans. All lenders would be eligible to make loans
to small businesses, but only lenders who are preferred lenders
in the 7(a) program could make loans to individuals. The bill
also provides the SBA with authority to pay a fee to private
lenders to process loans during times when the SBA's processing
capabilities are overwhelmed in order to prevent application
backlogs and ensure timely approval and disbursement of loan
proceeds.
The bill authorizes the SBA to make economic injury
disaster loans to businesses located outside the geographic
area of a catastrophic disaster, if they suffer economic injury
as a direct result of the disaster. The businesses must have
suffered identifiable economic injury as a direct result of the
disaster, and this program will only be available in periods
for which the Administrator has declared eligibility for
additional disaster assistance.
The bill raises the maximum amount of an SBA disaster loan
from the current level of $1,500,000 to $2,000,000, and raises
the maximum amount of unsecured disaster loans from $10,000 to
$14,000. It also gives the SBA Administrator the authority to
make new disaster loans and refinance existing loans from
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita with a four-year deferment period.
The bill adds several requirements to improve the SBA's
coordination with FEMA. The agency will also be required to
conduct biennial disaster simulation exercises and create a
comprehensive disaster response plan for various disaster
scenarios. The SBA will be required to improve its
communication with the public when disaster assistance is made
available. The bill also creates a new position for a high-
level disaster planning expert who will operate independently
from the Office of Disaster Assistance and will oversee the
disaster planning and readiness of the agency. Finally, the
bill will ensure that the SBA maintains adequate loan
processing staff and reserve cadre.
Legislative history
On April 9, 2008, Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member
Chabot, and Representative Chabot were appointed as conferees
for consideration of SBA disaster loan program provisions
contained in subtitle D of title XI of the Senate amendment to
H.R. 2419, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. The
final Conference report contained these provisions, as amended,
regarding the SBA's disaster loan program in Subtitle B of
Title XII.
On May 14, 2008 the Conference report to H.R. 2419 (H.
Rept. 110-627) was agreed to in the House by recorded vote of
318-106 (Roll no. 315).
On May 15, 2008, the Conference report was agreed to in the
Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 81-15. (Record Vote Number: 130). H.R.
2419 was subsequently presented to President on May 20, 2008
and vetoed by the President on May 21, 2008.
On May 21, 2008, H.R. 2419 passed the House over veto, two-
thirds of the Members present having voted in the affirmative
by a vote of 316-108 (Roll no. 346).
On May 22, 2008, H.R. 2419 passed the Senate over veto by
Yea-Nay Vote of 82-13 (Record Vote Number: 140), and became
Public Law No: 110-234.
THE SBA TRADE PROGRAMS ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 2992)
To amend the Small Business Act to improve trade programs, and
for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 2992, the SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007, amends key
sections of the Small Business Act to enhance the agency's
institutional focus on the global pressures and opportunities
for small businesses operating in a market without borders. The
legislation targets resources for the agency's export
assistance programs and establishes a new mandate to help small
businesses prepare for competition against increasing foreign
competitors in domestic and global markets.
H.R. 2992 modernizes the agency's trade programs through
four components. The bill provides for the agency's expanded
role integrating small business needs into international trade
commitments and national policies. It also mandates that the
agency develops and coordinate the implementation of a small-
business based trade strategy and a system to track these
firms' benefits from the use of Federal trade promotion
resources. Trade remedy and dispute assistance tools are
developed to prepare these firms against unfair trade practices
and to safeguard their patents, trademarks and copyrights in
foreign countries. Trade adjustment assistance resources,
including technical and financial assistance, are established
for small firms dislocated due to global economic trends.
Financing and technical assistance resources at the agency are
also expanded for eligible small and medium sized exporters.
Legislative history
H.R. 2992 was introduced by Congressman John Hall on July
11, 2007. Original Cosponsors included the Committee Chairwoman
Nydia Velazquez, Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology,
Small Business Committee Chair Bruce Braley, and Committee Vice
Chair Joe Sestak. Other original Cosponsors included
Representatives Henry Cuellar, Yvette Clarke, and Daniel
Lipinski. The bill was referred to the Committee on Small
Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on July 5,
2007, and heard from the SBA's Associate Administrator for
Capital Access at the U.S. Small Business Administration on the
Administration's views on the legislation. Additionally, the
Committee received testimony from the Small Business Exporters
Association of the United States and the Precision Metalforming
Association who testified on the merits of the legislation
testified in support of its provisions.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on July
19, 2007, and ordered H.R. 2992 reported to the House with a
favorable recommendation by a voice vote.
On September 4, 2007, the House considered H.R. 2992 and
passed the bill by a voice vote. On September 5, 2007, the bill
was received in the Senate, read twice, and referred to the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
THE MICROLOAN AMENDMENTS MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 3020)
To amend the Small Business Act to improve the Microloan
program, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 3020, The Microloan Amendments and Modernization Act
(MAMA) will encourage participation in the Microloan program by
qualified intermediaries (technical assistance providers and
lenders) and aspiring entrepreneurs. H.R. 3020 amends the
program for the first time in eight years and responds to
observations about barriers to participation indicated to the
Committee by intermediaries/lenders, business participants and
academics who have studied the program. The Small Business
Administration (SBA), which operates the program, is directed
to help in this effort and to work with the intermediaries to
find a way to report the repayment records of borrowers to
major credit agencies and expand their capital access options.
In addition, the Committee wants to move the Program for
Investment in MicroEnterprise (PRIME) into the Small Business
Act merging the program's authorization with most of the other
programs run by the SBA.
The bill makes changes to the terms that can be offered on
loans to allow more flexibility. The current statute requires
intermediary lenders to offer only ``short-term'' loans.
However, longer-term loans or revolving credit allowed by the
bill would permit micro-business participants to have greater
latitude in managing their debt obligations, potentially
increasing their profitability. In addition, disabled borrowers
will be specifically identified as an intended beneficiary of
microloans in the ``purpose'' section of the statute, in the
same manner as current law recognizes women business owners,
minority business owners and other deserving groups. Finally,
SBA is directed to help ensure that repayment histories of the
program's borrowers are duly reported to enhance the credit
score of microloan participants and broaden their access to
low-cost financing.
H.R. 3020 promotes greater intermediary participation. It
modernizes the statutory ceiling on the ``average loan size''
so more intermediaries can qualify for the most favorable
interest rate (2 percent below federal borrowing rate on 5-year
Treasury notes) raising it to $10,000. H.R. 3020 sets out the
kind of equivalent lending and counseling experience that would
allow a well-trained employee to help a new non-profit
participant qualify as an intermediary. In addition, the bill
raises the amount of the technical assistance grant that can be
used for this ``pre-loan'' assistance and 3rd party training to
35 percent from its current level of 25 percent. Finally, H.R.
3020 moves the entire PRIME initiative into the Small Business
Act and clarifies that the SBA has authority to administer the
PRIME program.
Legislative history
H.R. 3020 was introduced by Representative Chabot on July
12, 2007 and that day the full Committee held a legislative
hearing on H.R. 3020, the Microloan Amendments and
Modernization Act which was attended by the Associate
Administrator of the SBA for Capital Access, Dr. Michael Hager,
who provided the Administration's views on H.R. 3020. In
addition, three witnesses spoke directly to the impact of the
legislation on the microloan program. Kristie Darien, the
Executive Director of the National Association of the Self
Employed; Mr. Kevin Kelly of the Association of Enterprise
Organizations; and Dr. Cordero-Guzman of Baruch College, CUNY,
who presented the highlights of his recent study that found
that micro-lending can be a very valuable tool for starting
small businesses.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on July
19, 2007 to consider H.R. 3020 the Microloan Amendments and
Modernization Act and any amendments. The Committee accepted an
amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Chairwoman
Velazquez by voice vote. No further amendments were offered.
The bill was ordered reported as amended to the House of
Representatives by a voice vote. The bill was considered on
September 4, 2007 under a suspension of the rules and passed
the House by a vote of 385 to 5. On September 5, 2007 H.R. 3020
was received by the Senate, read twice and referred to the
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PROGRAMS UNDER THE
SMALL BUSINESS ACT AND THE SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT OF 1958
THROUGH DECEMBER 15, 2007, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
(H.R. 3206)
Summary
H.R. 3206 extended the programs authorized under the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
through December 15, 2007.
Legislative history
H.R. 3206 was introduced by Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez on
July 27, 2007. Original Cosponsors included the Committee
Ranking Member Steve Chabot. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Small Business.
On July 30, 2007, the House considered H.R. 3206 under
suspension of the rules and was passed by voice vote.
On July 31, 2007, H.R. 3206 was received in the Senate and
was passed by unanimous consent. On August 8, 2007, the
legislation was signed by the President and became Public Law
110-57.
SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT EXPANSION ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 3567)
A bill to update and expand the Small Business Administration's
Investment and Surety Bond programs.
Summary
The Small Business Investment Expansion Act of 2007 is
aimed at three broad goals. First, the bill updates and
streamlines three programs in the Small Business Investment Act
of 1958, the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC), New
Markets Venture Capital (NMVC) and Surety Bond programs.
Second, the bill will leverage a new investment strategy, angel
investing, to direct more venture capital toward early stage
and startup businesses. Finally, the bill will revise SBA rules
that inhibit the free flow of venture capital investment to
small businesses.
To streamline the SBIC program, this legislation will
simplify the current method of calculating maximum leverage
caps in favor of a straightforward maximum leverage cap that
will remain workable for years to come. The bill will also
revise limitations on aggregate investments to establish
limitations that are more consistent with industry accepted
portfolio risk management practices. Additional provisions of
the bill will increase overall investment in smaller
enterprises and will also establish incentives to form SBIC
funds focused on investment in minority and women owned
businesses.
The New Markets Venture Capital program will also be
updated with provisions that emphasize expanding the program
and provide additional incentives for investment in small
manufacturing companies in low-income areas. The final approval
process for conditionally approved NMVC companies will be
streamlined by establishing simplified application documents
and permitting conditionally approved NMVC companies to receive
funding for operational assistance. The operational assistance
aspect will also be improved by eliminating the requirement
that NMVC companies raise matching commitments prior to final
approval and by simplifying the process for operational grant
assistance. Finally, appropriations for the NMVC program will
authorized in a total amount of $35 million ($30 million to
support debentures and $5 million for operational assistance
grants), of which not less than one quarter must be used to
support NMVC companies that invest primarily in small
manufacturers.
The bill will also establish a new Office of Angel
Investment within the SBA's Investment Division. This office
will be headed by a Director of Angel Investment and will focus
on three initiatives to increase equity investment in small
businesses.
First, an Angel Investment Program will be established to
provide eligible angel groups that have ten or more angel
investors with matching financing leverage. This leverage will
be used to finance early stage small businesses, with priority
in financing going to angel groups that invest in small
businesses controlled by veterans, women, or socially and
economically disadvantaged small businesses. This leverage will
be repaid to the SBA with a pro rata share of returns from the
investment. Appropriations for the purpose of providing
leverage to angel groups will be authorized in a total amount
of $50 million.
Second, a directive will be established within the Office
of Angel Investment to create a Federal Angel Network. This
network will be a searchable directory of angel groups
available on through the SBA's internet website. Additionally,
the directory could be distributed or used by other networks to
increase its exposure. The directory will include the names and
contact information for angel groups and angel investors and
will provide information about the types of investments each
group or investor has made. One million dollars will be
authorized to be appropriated for the establishment of the
angel network.
The Angel Investment Program will also include, a grant
initiative to provide eligible state, federal, and nonprofit
entities with resources to increase awareness and education
about angel investing. As a condition of receiving grant
assistance, however, eligible entities must provide 50 percent
matching contributions, thus amplifying the benefits of grant
assistance. This provision will bring more attention to the
benefits of angel investing and attract more angel investors to
participate in the program. A total of $4.5 million will be
authorized for appropriations to carry out this initiative.
The bill will also address deficiencies in the Surety Bond
program. The maximum permissible bond amount will be increased
by half to $3 million. The bill will also strengthen surety
companies' confidence in the Plan A program by barring the SBA
from denying indemnity on Plan A guaranties based upon
information that was provided as part of the guaranty
application. The SBA will also be required to conduct a study
on the program's current funding structure and report its
findings to Congress within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
The bill will make the Surety Bond program more affordable to
small businesses and surety companies by providing the SBA with
authority to contribute funds for the purpose of reducing the
burden associated with surety and contractor fees on bond
guarantees.
Finally, the bill modifies the Small Business Act to
exclude venture capital investment in SBA's consideration of
whether a firm is small for the purposes of the Act. The
provision provides that when calculating the number of
employees of a small business concern that has venture capital
investment, the SBA will exclude those employees who work for
companies affiliated with the venture capital company. The bill
requires that the venture capital company comply, as
appropriate, with federal registration requirements for
investment companies. In addition, the bill prevents a venture
capital that is controlled by a large business or a venture
capital company with more than 500 employees from being
recognized as a venture capital company under this provision.
Legislative history
H.R. 3567 was introduced by Congressman Jason Altmire on
September 18, 2007. Original Cosponsors included
Representatives Sam Graves and Chairwoman of the Small Business
Committee, Nydia Velazquez. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Small Business.
The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on
September, 6, 2007, and heard from SBA Administrator Preston on
the Administration's views on the legislative precursor to H.R.
3567. Additionally, the Committee received testimony from the
National Venture Capital Association, the Biotechnology
Industry Organization, the Information Technology and
Innovation Foundation, the National Association of Small
Business Investment Companies, the American Insurance
Association and the Surety and Fidelity Association of America,
and Community Development Venture Capital Alliance, who all
testified in support of the proposed legislation.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on
September 25, 2007, and ordered H.R. 3567 reported to the
House, with no amendments, by a voice vote.
On September 26, 2007, the House adopted H. Res. 682,
providing for consideration of H.R. 3567 under a modified open
rule, by a record vote of 222-181. Also on that day, the House
considered H.R. 3567 and passed the bill with four amendments,
by a record vote of 325 ayes and 72 nays. On September 28,
2007, the bill was received in the Senate, read twice and
referred to the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 3866)
Summary
H.R. 3866, the Small Business Programs Act of 2007,
provides authorization levels for the Small Business
Administration's (SBA) programs for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
This includes loan levels for the 7(a), 7(m), and 504 loan
programs, as well as for the Small Business Investment Company
program. In addition, the legislation provides authorization
levels for entrepreneurial programs, including the Small
Business Development Center and the Women's Business Center
programs. Finally, it provides authorization levels for the
PRIME, BusinessLINC, HUBZone, the Office of Veterans Business
Development, the Advisory Committee on Veterans Business
Affairs extension, and National Women's Business Council.
Legislative history
H.R. 3866 was introduced in the House by Rep. Velazquez on
October 17, 2007. Original co-sponsors included Committee
Member Ms. Clarke. The bill was referred to the House Committee
on Small Business.
On September 27, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held
a hearing, and heard from the SBA Deputy Administrator on the
agency's views on the legislation. Other witnesses included the
Association for Enterprise Opportunity, the National
Association of Development Companies, the Association of Small
Business Development Centers, and the Credit Union National
Association.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on
October 18, 2007, and ordered H.R. 3866 reported to the House
with a favorable recommendation by voice vote. On November 6,
2007, the bill was considered by the House under a motion to
suspend the rules and pass the bill. The bill passed the House
by voice vote. On November 8, 2007, H.R. 3867 was received in
the Senate. On January 22, 2008, the Senate read the
legislation twice and referred it to the Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship.
No further action has been taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTING PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS ACT
(H.R. 3867)
To update and expand the procurement programs of the Small
Business Administration.
Summary
H.R. 3867, the Small Business Contracting Program
Improvements Act, modifies, updates, and in one case,
implements procurement programs offered by the Small Business
Administration (SBA). These programs include the procurement
program for service-disabled veterans, the women's procurement
program, the HUBZone program and the 8(a) program. The bill
also corrects a number of inconsistencies in the management of
these programs so that they operate similarly. Lastly, the
legislation modifies the treatment of franchises by the SBA and
provides a sense of Congress with respect to the treatment of
small businesses under the General Services Administration's
Federal Supply Schedules, among other matters.
The measure expands procurement opportunities for
businesses owned and controlled by service disabled veterans by
making the procurement program for these companies mandatory
rather than discretionary, thus ensuring that these firms are
the first choice among small businesses for federal contracts.
New penalties are imposed for companies that falsely represent
their status as service-disabled veteran-owned. Teeth are added
to Executive Order 13360 requiring that the SBA fulfill its
obligations under the Order. Additionally, the bill ensures
that severely service-disabled veterans have the highest
priority for federal contracts.
By imposing a standard of business integrity, applying both
prime and subcontracting goals, standardizing the size of
contracts eligible, and expanding bid protest authority, the
bill ensures that all of the SBA's procurement programs operate
in the same manner.
The legislation allows the women's procurement program to
be fully implemented upon enactment. By identifying the
industries in which women are under-represented, the bill
removes the uncertainties that have kept the program from
getting up and running.
To ensure that only eligible companies receive contracts,
the bill requires verification of a HUBZone firm's status prior
to the award of the business's second contract awarded with the
HUBZone preference. The bill also limits construction contracts
to within 150 miles of the company's eligible HUBZone and
requires an evaluation by the SBA to identify whether eligible
areas are being overlooked in the current calculation for
identification of HUBZones.
The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act
also updates the SBA's 8(a) program. It does this by providing
an inflationary adjustment to the entry net worth limitation
and removes that restriction once a company has been certified.
The program's nine-year limitation will be extended by one year
and the ten years will be divided between a six-year
developmental phase and a four-year transitional phase. The SBA
will be required to report on what changes are needed to the
program to ensure that companies with less equity in their
business than others are able to receive access to contracts.
The agency will also be tasked with reporting on an examination
of whether more individuals should be presumed to be socially
disadvantaged, and on the status of the implementation of
legislation designed to streamline state departments of
transportation applications for disadvantaged business
certification for companies who are already 8(a) program
participants.
The legislation also relaxes the affiliation standard for
franchises in the temporary employment industry to comport with
common industry practices. It provides for a sense of the House
that small business-only competitions should be allowed for GSA
Federal Supply Schedule vendors. The SBA must conduct a study
evaluating whether frivolous bid protests are being used to
delay contract performance periods to the detriment of small
businesses, and must create a liaison position to interface
with the Department of Homeland Security for the purpose of
ensuring that small businesses who employ undocumented workers
are not able to participate in SBA's contracting programs.
Lastly, the bill prohibits SBA employees from purchasing first-
or business-class airline accommodations.
Legislative history
H.R. 3867 was introduced in the House by Rep. Velazquez on
October 17, 2007. Original co-sponsors included Committee
Members Ms. Fallin and Ms. Clarke, as well as Rep. Silvestre
Reyes. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Small
Business.
On October 4, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing, and heard from the SBA Administrator on the
Administration's views on the legislation. Other witnesses
included the American Legion, the U.S. Women's Chamber of
Commerce, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the
National Small Business Association who testified in support of
the bill's provisions. An attorney in private practice also
testified.
The Committee on Small Business met in open session on
October 18, 2007, and ordered H.R. 3867 reported to the House
with a favorable recommendation by a recorded vote of 21 yeas
and 4 nays. On October 30, 2007, the bill was considered by the
House under a structured rule. Ten amendments were made in
order under the rule. All ten amendments were approved by voice
votes. The bill passed the House with a vote of 334 yeas and 80
nays. On November 1, 2007, H.R. 3867 was received in the
Senate, read twice and referred to the Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship.
No further action has been taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
TO PROVIDE FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF PROGRAMS UNDER THE
SMALL BUSINESS ACT AND THE SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT OF 1958
THROUGH MAY 23, 2008, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
(H.R. 4252)
Summary
H.R. 4252 extended the programs authorized under the Small
Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958
through May 23, 2008.
Legislative history
H.R. 4252 was introduced by Ranking Member Steve Chabot on
December 4, 2007. Original Cosponsors included the Committee
Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Small Business.
On December 5, 2007, the House considered H.R. 4252 under
suspension of the rules and was passed by voice vote.
On December 7, 2007, H.R. 4252 was received in the Senate
and was passed by unanimous consent. On December 14, 2007, the
legislation was signed by the President and became Public Law
110-136.
MILITARY RESERVIST AND VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS REAUTHORIZATION AND
OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2007
(H.R. 4253)
A bill to improve and expand small business assistance programs
for veterans of the armed forces and military reservists.
Summary
H.R. 4253, the Military Reservist and Veteran Small
Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2007, makes
several improvements to the SBA's lending and entrepreneurial
development programs to benefit veterans of the U.S. military.
The bill increases funding for the SBA's Office of Veterans'
Business Development and requires the SBA to increase the
number of Veterans Business Outreach Centers throughout the
U.S.
The bill establishes an interagency task force consisting
of senior level representatives from the SBA as well as from
several other Federal agencies and representatives from
veteran's service organizations to coordinate the efforts of
Federal agencies to improve and expand access to veteran's
services and programs. The bill also establishes a National
Reservist Enterprise Transition and Sustainability program
through which the SBA will provide competitive grant awards to
Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers,
Veterans Business Outreach Centers, and any other veteran's
business assistance program so that they may provide veteran-
owned businesses with management, financing, procurement,
technical, and regulatory assistance.
The bill also makes several changes to the SBA's disaster
assistance program to simplify and improve the agency's ability
to provide military deployment economic injury disaster
(MREIDL) loans. The bill increases the maximum loan amount from
$1.5 million to $2 million and authorizes the SBA to make
MREIDLoans of up to $50 thousand without collateral. The bill
also directs the SBA to give priority in consideration to
MREIDL loan applications prior to processing, approving, or
disbursing other disaster loans.
Finally, H.R. 4253 establishes an Increased Veteran
Participation Program to provide veteran-owned small businesses
with improved access to the SBA's largest lending program, the
7(a) loan program. Loans made under the Increased Veteran
Participation Program would have no borrower guaranty fee, no
ongoing annual lender fee, and would provide up to a 90 percent
guarantee for veteran-owned small businesses.
Legislative history
H.R. 4253 was introduced by Congressman Jason Altmire on
December 4, 2007. Original co-sponsors for H.R. 4253 included
Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-13), Congressman Steve Chabot
(OH-1), and Chairwoman of the Small Business Committee, Nydia
Velazquez (NY-12). The bill was referred to the Committee on
Small Business.
On December 5, 2007, the House considered H.R. 4253 under
suspension of the rules (CR H14218-14223). At the conclusion of
debate, the yeas and nays were demanded and ordered. On motion
to suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4253 was passed by
a record vote of 407 yeas to 2 nays (Roll no. 1138).
On December 7, 2007, H.R. 4253 was received in the Senate.
On December 19, 2007, the Senate struck all after the enacting
clause and inserted in lieu S. 1784. This passed the Senate by
unanimous consent on the same day. On January 16, 2008, the
House agreed to the Senate amendment with an amendment pursuant
to H. Res. 921. On January 31, 2008, the Senate agreed to the
House amendment to the amendment. On February 14, 2008, the
legislation was signed by the President and became Public Law
110-86.
SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT ACT
(H.R. 4458)
To amend chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code (commonly
known as the Regulatory Flexibility Act), to ensure complete
analysis of potential impacts on small entities of rules, and
for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 4458 seeks to require federal agencies to fully
consider the economic impacts of regulations on small
businesses, improve agency reviews of existing rules affecting
small firms, and give small businesses a greater voice in the
rulemaking process.
One of the biggest loopholes in the Regulatory Flexibility
Act is that it does not define what constitutes an ``economic
impact'' on small businesses. Under current law, agencies are
not required to consider indirect economic impacts of rules on
small businesses. Agencies are using this loophole to avoid
conducting analysis where an economic impact of a rule is
reasonably foreseeable on small firms. H.R. 4458 closes this
loophole by requiring agencies to consider reasonably
foreseeable indirect impacts. The Government Accountability
Office has reported that agency compliance with Section 610 of
RegFlex has been minimal. Section 610 requires agencies to
review existing rules periodically and to consider eliminating
unnecessary requirements to reduce the overall regulatory
burden on small entities. Poor compliance has been attributed
to a lack of clarity in RegFlex. H.R. 4458 clarifies to
agencies what rules need to be reviewed and when reviews need
to be conducted. In addition, the legislation codifies
Executive Order 13272, which requires agencies to notify the
Office of Advocacy of proposed rules that may impact small
businesses before such rules are published in the Federal
Register. Earlier notification will provide the Office of
Advocacy with a greater opportunity to assist agencies in
RegFlex compliance.
Legislative history
On December 6, 2007, the Committee held a hearing on
Legislation to Improve the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The
Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business
Administration, Thomas M. Sullivan delivered testimony.
Representatives of small businesses discussed the legislation
and how it would increase the effectiveness of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. H.R. 4458 was introduced by Mr. Ellsworth on
December 12, 2007 and referred to the Committee on the
Judiciary and, in addition, to the Committee on Small Business.
On November 14, the Committee on Small Business ordered the
measure reported by a vote of 26 yeas and no nays. No further
action has been taken on the legislation.
SBIR/STTR REAUTHORIZATION ACT
(H.R. 5819)
To amend the Small Business Act to improve the Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business
Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and for other purposes.
Summary
The SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act extends for a period of
two years the Federal government's largest small business
research and development programs. The legislation modernizes
the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, changing
the legislative guidelines and policies in order to update the
program in response to the unique challenges facing small
research companies and the changing research priorities of
Federal agencies.
The Act is aimed at three broad goals. First, the bill
seeks to encourage greater participation in SBIR. An increase
in the number of small businesses applying for SBIR is critical
to the on-going success of the program. Second, the bill
permits small companies that are majority-owned by qualifying
venture capital firms to participate in the SBIR program. A
2003 ruling by the Small Business Administration (SBA) has made
small firms with large investments from venture capital
companies ineligible to participate in the SBIR program. The
SBA ruling forces many small businesses to choose between
accepting investments from venture capital firms and
participating in the Federal government's largest R&D program
for small research firms. Third, the bill seeks to encourage
and support commercialization initiatives at Federal agencies
that administer SBIR programs. Under current law certain
Federal agencies have the authority to develop
commercialization programs. This bill extends to all agencies
the authority to develop programs designed to support the
commercialization of SBIR-funded research.
Additionally, the bill seeks to codify in statute the
programmatic flexibility that Federal agencies need in order to
administer SBIR awards in a manner that is most consistent with
the agency's specific mission. The SBIR policy directive issued
by the SBA has provided a great deal of autonomy to the Federal
agencies, the bill codifies agency autonomy with respect to
administering their SBIR programs. Along with granting to
Federal agencies a great degree of autonomy, the bill also
requires Federal agencies to establish more concrete goals and
objectives with respect to their SBIR programs and directs the
agencies to provide Congress with more regular reports.
Legislative history
In the 110th Congress, the Committee on Small Business
convened three hearings on the reauthorization of the SBIR
program. On January 29, 2008, the House Committee on Small
Business convened a hearing entitled ``SBIR: America's
Technology Development Incubator.'' The hearing explored the
numerous contributions that the SBIR program makes to national
security priorities, economic development objectives and
America's international economic competitiveness. On February
13, 2008 the House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on
Investigations and Oversight convened a hearing entitled
``SBIR: Advancing Medical Innovations.'' The Subcommittee
hearing examined the impact of the SBIR program on the
development of innovative medical technologies, therapies and
products. On March 13, 2008 the Committee on Small Business
held a hearing to review a Committee Print of proposed
legislation that would reauthorize and modernize the SBIR
program. The Committee on Small Business met in open session on
April 17, 2008 and ordered H.R. 5819 reported, as amended, to
the House by a recorded vote. Only one amendment, offered by
Ms. Velazquez, was offered at the markup. That amendment was
adopted by voice vote. The bill was ordered reported by a vote
of 20-0.
On April 23, 2008, the bill was considered by the House
under a structured rule. Seventeen were made in order under the
rule. Twelve amendments were approved by voice vote, three
amendments were agreed to by recorded vote, and two amendments
were withdrawn. The bill passed the House with a vote of 368
yeas and 43 nays. On April 24, 2008, H.R. 5819 was received in
the Senate, read twice and referred to the Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship.
No further action has been taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
SMALL BUSINESS FINANCING IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2008
(H.R. 7175)
To amend the Small Business Act to improve the section 7(a)
lending program, and for other purposes.
Summary
H.R. 7175, the Small Business Financing Improvements Act of
2008, updates and streamlines the SBA's two largest small
business finance programs, the 7(a) and 504 (also known as the
Certified Development Company) programs, as well as the Small
Business Investment Company (SBIC) program. The bill improves
the efficiency of the secondary market for small commercial
loans by permitting the pooling of such loans based on a
weighted average interest of the underlying loans in the pool.
In addition, the bill establishes an alternative size standard
for the 7(a) program. This provision will provide a simplified
standard for determining small business loan eligibility,
encouraging greater lender participation in the 7(a) program.
The Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007 also
modernizes and improves the 504, Certified Development Company,
program by making an array of technical changes to the program
and addressing two of the program's most evident problems. The
bill improves the program's ability to liquidate defaulted
loans by permitting CDCs to either foreclose and liquidate
defaulted loans or to contract with a qualified third party to
do so. The bill enhances the ties between CDCs and the
communities that they serve by requiring CDCs to include locals
on the board of directors. The bill also establishes a uniform
leasing policy, permits closing costs to be included in loan
amounts, and provides for limited refinancing of existing debt.
Finally, H.R. 7175 makes two important changes to the SBIC
program. The bill simplifies the SBIC leverage cap rules to a
single formula, regardless of the amount of private capital
that the SBIC has, with a maximum leverage cap of $150 million.
This will make ``transition'' leverage available for SBIC
companies under common control so that successful SBICs may
operate a second or third fund while still maintaining
safeguards against increased risk to the SBA and a maximum
leverage cap for SBICs under common control.
In addition, the legislation revises the current limit on
the amount that can be invested in any one portfolio company to
standards that are more consistent with industry accepted
portfolio risk management practices. This change would apply
the portfolio management rule (``no more than 10 percent should
be invested in any one company'') that is the accepted norm in
the non-SBIC venture capital world and would ensure that SBIC
management teams had both the financial and time resources
required to help their portfolio companies achieve their growth
goals.
Legislative history
H.R. 7175 was introduced by Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez on
September 27, 2008. Original Cosponsors included the Committee
Ranking Member Steve Chabot and Committee Members Yvette
Clarke, Henry Cuellar, and David Davis. The bill was referred
to the Committee on Small Business.
On September 27, 2008, the House considered H.R. 7175 under
suspension of the rules. On September 29, 2008, the House
passed H.R. 7175 by a recorded vote of 374 ayes and 6 nays. On
September 30, 2008, the bill was received in the Senate.
No further action was taken on this legislation in the
110th Congress.
RECOGNIZING THE PLUMBING INDUSTRY AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS
OF ``NATIONAL PLUMBING INDUSTRY WEEK''
(H. RES. 1082)
Summary
H. Res. 1082 recognizes the importance of the plumbing
industry and supports the goals and ideals of ``National
Plumbing Industry Week.''
Legislative history
H. Res. 1082 was introduced by Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez
on April 8, 2008. Original Cosponsors included the Committee
Ranking Member Steve Chabot. The bill was referred to the
Committee on Small Business.
On April 9, 2008, the House considered H. Res. 1082 under
suspension of the rules and it passed by voice vote.
RECOGNIZING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR OF THE FOUNDING OF MACY'S, INC.,
AS AN AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS STORY AND THE ROLE MACY'S, INC.,
PLAYS IN SUPPORTING AMERICA'S SMALL BUSINESSES
(H. RES. 1473)
Summary
H. Res. 1473 recognizes the 150th anniversary year of the
founding of Macy's, Inc., as an American entrepreneurial
success story and the role Macy's, Inc., plays in supporting
America's small businesses and vendors, including those that
are minority and women owned; celebrating the vision,
innovativeness, and ingenuity of all of our Nation's small
businesses that aspire to grow and prosper as Macy's, Inc., has
over its 150-year history; and congratulating Macy's, Inc., as
an American entrepreneurial success story.
Legislative history
H. Res. 1473 was introduced by Ranking Member Steve Chabot
on September 22, 2008. Original Cosponsors included the
Committee Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez. The bill was referred to
the Committee on Small Business.
On September 23, 2008, the House considered H. Res. 1473
under suspension of the rules and it passed by voice vote.
Full Committee
Oversight Activities
OVERSIGHT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S ANNUAL BUDGET
PROPOSALS
On February 8, 2007 the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing of the SBA's proposed budget for FY 2008. This hearing
included a review of the administration's funding requests as
well as their key policy initiatives for the fiscal year. The
Committee heard testimony from SBA Administrator Steven
Preston.
----------
On February 7, 2008 the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing of the SBA's proposed budget for FY 2009. This hearing
included a review of the administration's funding requests as
well as their key policy initiatives for the fiscal year. The
Committee heard testimony from SBA Administrator Steven
Preston.
OVERSIGHT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S ACCESS TO CAPITAL
PROGRAMS
On March 1, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held an
oversight hearing entitled, ``Increasing Access to Capital for
Our Nation's Small Businesses.'' The purpose of the hearing was
to examine the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in securing
affordable financing. The Committee received testimony from the
Deputy Associate Administrator for Capital Access at the Small
Business Administration, who provided testimony on the current
state of the SBA's 7(a) and Certified Development Company loan
programs. The committee also received testimony from the
Independent Community Bankers of America, the National
Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, the National
Small Business Association, and from a small business owner who
discussed ongoing deficiencies in the 7(a) and Certified
Development Company loan programs.
OVERSIGHT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S INVESTMENT PROGRAMS
On June 21, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held an
oversight hearing entitled, ``Increasing Investment in Our
Nation's Small Businesses.'' The purpose of the hearing was to
examine the challenges that small business face in seeking
capital investment in the private markets. The Committee
received testimony from the Associate Administrator for Capital
Access at the Small Business Administration. The Committee also
received testimony from a Harvard scholar of investment banking
and small business capital formation, the Angel Capital
Association, and the National Association of Small Business
Investment Companies.
OVERSIGHT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S DISASTER ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
On February 14, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``The Small Business Administration's Response to the 2005 Gulf
Coast Hurricanes.'' That hearing explored deficiencies in the
Small Business Administration's response to the 2005 Gulf Coast
Hurricanes and the concurrent Government Accountability Office
report that examined the root causes of those problems. The
Committee received testimony from the Administrator of the
Small Business Administration, the Honorable Steven C. Preston.
The Committee also received testimony from the Honorable
Charlie Melancon (LA-3) the Honorable Richard Baker (LA-6) who
testified on the ongoing deficiencies in the SBA's response to
small businesses and homeowners affected by the 2005 Gulf Coast
Hurricanes. The Committee also received testimony from William
Shear, the Director of Financial Markets and Community
Investment at the Government Accountability Office, who
presented the results of a concurrently released GAO report
entitled ``Response to the Gulf Coast Hurricanes Highlights
Need for Enhanced Disaster Preparedness,'' which recommended
that SBA take several steps to improve its disaster
preparedness. The Committee also received testimony from the
Secretary of Economic Development for the state of Louisiana,
the Director for the Governor's Office of Recovery and Renewal
for the state of Mississippi, the American Bankers Association
and two small business owners who encountered numerous problems
in seeking SBA assistance following the 2005 Gulf Coast
Hurricanes.
OVERSIGHT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S CONTRACTING PROGRAMS
On September 19, 2007 the Committee on Small Business held
a hearing on the effectiveness of the SBA's Contracting
Programs and the challenges they face. The SBA indicated they
supported the programs but acknowledged some difficulty in
ensuring that the programs were delivered to appropriate
parties, a problem that had been reported from a number of
sources including the General Accountability Office and the
SBA's Inspector General. The SBA was unable to specify a date
when the Women's Procurement Program would finally be
implemented nearly seven years after enactment. The non-
government witnesses advocated for modernizing the 8(a)
program, particularly the net worth limitation; urged the
committee to take action to increase the participation in
contract assistance programs by service-disabled, veteran owned
firms; addressed the administration's failure thus far to
implement the Women's Procurement program; pointed out the
importance of specific procurement programs, and raised concern
that government contracting is becoming burdensome and
unwieldy.
----------
On January 16, 2008 the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing to examine the SBA's implementation of the Women's
Procurement Program. The SBA had issued a proposed regulation
to administer the program and the Committee heard testimony on
its adequacy and appropriateness given Congressional intent in
creating the program. The first panel was comprised of the
Administrator of the SBA and an official from the Department of
Justice. The second panel was comprised of women-owned small
businesses, a legal scholar, and a law practitioner.
IMMIGRATION POLICY
The full committee held a hearing on Thursday, May 10, 2007
at 10:00 a.m., entitled: ``Immigration Policies and there
Impact on Small Business''. This hearing consisted of two main
panels: Panel 1--The Honorable Luis V. Gutierrez, Member of
Congress. Panel 2--Mr. Benjamin E. Johnson, Director, American
Immigration Law Foundation; Mr. Craig Silvertooth, Director of
Federal Affairs, National Roofing Contractors Association; Ms.
Maureen Torrey, Torrey Farms, Inc.; Mr. Ralph J. Folz, CEO,
Molecular; Mr. Robert Rector, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow,
Heritage Foundation; and Mr. Mark S. Krikorian, Executive
Director, Center for Immigration Studies. The committee heard
testimony from industry experts on their immigration concerns
and address issues including labor shortages, verification
requirements, and the current visa system. Representatives from
the agriculture, technology, and construction industries
discussed the challenges facing their industries related to
immigration.
FAMILY FARMS AND RURAL SMALL BUSINESSES
On Thursday, June 7, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., the full
committee hearing entitled: ``Family Farmer and Rural Small
Business Priorities for 2007 Farm Bill''. Key agriculture
groups testifying include: The Honorable Glenn English, CEO,
National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA); Tom
Buis, President, National Farmers Union (NFU); Mike Noonan,
President, Oregon Wheat Growers League, on behalf of National
Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG); and Mark Schwiebert,
Chairman, Public Policy Action Team, National Corn Growers
Association (NCGA). The committee examined policies that assist
small farmers and businesses with successfully competing in the
domestic and global agricultural markets. Shaping agriculture
policy determines the productivity of farmers, dictates the
future of small businesses, and influence the outcome of the
rural economy.
----------
On Thursday, May 1, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., the full committee
held a hearing entitled: ``Rail Transportation Access for Small
Businesses and Family Farmers''. The Committee heard from
experts from the renewable fuels industry including Ms. Nelle
P. Hotchkiss, SVP of Corporate Relations, North Carolina
Electric Membership Corporation/National Rural Electric
Cooperative Association; Mr. David Cleavinger, President,
National Association of Wheat Growers; Dr. Kendell Keith,
President, National Grain and Feed Association; and Mr. Dan
Weber, Chairman, Agriculture Retailers Association. Small
businesses and farmers in rural America depend on reliable
transportation systems to move their goods and products to and
from the marketplace. Of particular importance is their
dependence upon rail transportation. Family farmers and small
businesses have recently raised issues of affordability and
access to rail shipping as a viable mode of transportation. The
Committee learned about the importance rail transportation, and
how the issues will impact family farmers, and small businesses
alike. Groups have complained about the lack of reliable rail
service coupled with high rates they pay in many regions of the
country. The Committee was able to listen to testimony from
small businesses, farmers who ship grain, renewable fuels
producers, in addition to rail related groups. On the advent of
unprecedented crop production, and renewable production, rail
is becoming an even more important transportation resource.
GREEN BUILDING DEVELOPMENT
On Wednesday, July 11, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., the Committee
held a two panel hearing entitled: ``Small Businesses at the
Forefront of the Green Revolution: What More Needs to Be Done
to Keep Them Here?'' The panelists included: Panel 1--The
Honorable Marty Blum, Mayor, Santa Barbara, CA; and The
Honorable Adrian Fenty, Mayor, Washington, DC. Panel 2--Julius
Genachowski, Co-founder, New Resource Bank; Bob Jones,
President, Robert R. Jones Homes, National Association of Home
Builders (NAHB); Susan Maxman, Owner, Susan Maxman & Partners,
Architects, American Institute of Architects (AIA); Mary Beth
McGrew, Director, University Architect Campus Building Division
University of Cincinnati; and Danny Seo, Environmental
Lifestyle Expert, Author of Simply Green. The hearing examined
how small firms are playing a vital role in developing
materials, and building ``green'' facilities in an ever
changing global setting. These facilities and initiatives are
designed to improve energy efficiency and use environmentally
friendly production processes during building construction. The
panelists discussed how small ventures are more attuned to
combating global climate change by leading the charge to become
more energy efficient and environmentally sensitive.
----------
On Thursday, July 10, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. the Committee
held a full committee hearing entitled: ``The Role of Green
Technologies in Spurring Economic Growth.'' Small businesses
play a vital role in producing green products and providing
green services, moving our nation away from foreign sources of
petroleum. As a result, of their work, today's small firms have
become more attuned to combating global climate change. As
small businesses become more energy efficient and develop new
technologies that are environmental friendly, they also are
changing our workforce, by providing new ``green collar'' jobs.
As our world continues changing, it is the small businesses
that are creative and innovative; resulting in new green jobs.
It is the American small business that is creating new these
new job opportunities that making positive contributions to our
economy as we adjust to global change. The committee heard
testimony from: Mr. Randy Rema, President, Reese Electric Inc.,
North Bend, OR, on Behalf of the National Electrical
Contractors Association (NECA); Mr. Ellis Guiles, Director of
Sales & Marketing, TAG Mechanical Systems, Inc., Syracuse, New
York, on Behalf of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America
(ACCA); Mr. Gregory Wetstone, Senior Director of Government and
Public Affairs, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) in
Washington, DC; Mr. James Resor, Chief Financial Officer,
groSolar in White River Junction, VT, on Behalf of the Solar
Energy Industries Association (SEIA) ; Ms. Andrea Lucke, Vice
President of Sales and Design, Robert Lucke Homes, Cincinnati,
OH 45249, on Behalf of the National Association of Home
Builders (NAHB); Mr. Kevin Tindall, Owner, Tindall & Ranson
Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc., Princeton, NJ, on
Behalf of National Association of Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-
Contractors (NAPHCC).
ENERGY POLICY
On Thursday, May 3, 2007, at 10:00 a.m., the full committee
held a hearing entitled: ``The Impact of Renewable Energy
Production in Rural America''. The committee heard from experts
from the renewable fuels industry such as: Mr. Bob Dineen,
President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA); Mr. Joe
Jobe, Executive Director, National Biodiesel Board (NBB); Mr.
John Urbanchuk, Economist, LECG; and Mr. Leon Graves, Member,
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. This hearing focused
on the wide range of renewable fuels issues dealing with
consumption and production. The hearing provided for a
discussion about current biofuels programs and future plans for
the industry. The committee listened to key representatives on
the growth and expansion taking place in rural America. The
committee also heard about growth opportunities for family
farmers and small businesses through promising newer
technologies for renewable fuels production.
----------
The Committee held a field hearing chaired by committee
member Representative Shuler on August 31, 2007, in Johnson
City, Tennessee. The hearing was entitled: ``The Cost and
Availability of Energy and the Effect on Small Business''. The
Committee discussed the importance of energy to small
businesses as energy consumers, and talk about how increasing
costs are cutting into profit margins. Panelists included
distinguished guests such as: Dr. Kelly Tiller, Assistant
Professor, Agricultural Policy Analysis Center, The University
of Tennessee; Mr. Jim Keiffer, Senior Vice President of
Marketing, Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA); Dr. Frances
Lamberts, Community Activist; Mr. Larry Elkins, General
Manager, Holston Electric Cooperative; Mr. Robert White, Chief
Public Relations Officer, Johnson City Power Board; Mr. John
Hutchinson, Vice President--Finance, Powell Construction; and
Mr. Stanley Snowden, President, Seven Wheels Trucking, Inc.
----------
On October 17, 2007, the Committee convened a hearing
entitled: ``Small Business Energy Bill Priorities''. The
Committee examined policies that assist small businesses
enabling them to successfully compete in the domestic and
global marketplace. Shaping energy policy determines the
productivity dictates the future of small businesses, and
influences the outcome of the economy. Panelists included: Mr.
Frank Thompson, Owner, Sweetwater Builders, on behalf of the
National Association of Home Builders; Mr. Mitchell Cropp,
President, Cropp-Metcalfe Air Conditioning-Heating-Security, on
behalf of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and The
Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association; Mr. Miguel A.
Rodriguez, Principal, Rodriguez Architects, Inc., on behalf of
the American Institute of Architects (AIA); and Mr. Lee Fuller,
Vice President for Government Relations, Independent Petroleum
Association of America.
AIR TRANSPORTATION AND SMALL BUSINESS
On June 26, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Grounded: How the Air Transportation Crisis is Hurting
Entrepreneurs and the Economy.'' The Committee heard testimony
from the travel industry, air carriers and business travelers.
Witnesses discussed how fare increases and flight delays are
impacting travelers, airlines and small firms in the travel and
tourism industry.
FOOD PRICES AND SMALL BUSINESS
On Thursday May 15, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. the House Small
Business Committee held a full committee hearing entitled:
``Food Prices and Small Businesses.'' National economic
concerns over inflation and food prices at the market are
impacting small businesses and agriculture alike. Increasing
food prices have led some countries to reduce exports and
others to try to build up stocks. This had placed pressure
points on the market by driving prices further upward. Food
price increases have impacted all sectors of the economy but
has done so in different ways. This hearing will be a forum to
identify impacts while also providing an opportunity to discuss
policy solutions.
----------
Those testifying at this hearing include Mr. Tom Buis,
President, National Farmers Union; Mr. Geoff Tracy, with Chef
Goeff's, on behalf of the National Restaurant Association; Mr.
Bob Dinneen, President and CEO, Renewable Fuels Association;
Mr. Daryl Thomas, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing on
behalf of the Snack Food Association and the Grocery
Manufacturers Association; and Mr. Frank D. Formica, on behalf
of the American Bakers Association.
THE STATE OF THE ECONOMY
On November 7, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled,
``The State of the Small Business Economy.'' The Committee
received testimony from Governor Frederick Mishkin of the
Federal Reserve Board on the state of the small business
economy as a leading indicator of economic conditions in the
U.S. The report coincided with the release of the 2007 Report
to Congress on the Availability of Credit to Small Businesses,
a report that was mandated by the Economic Growth and
Regulatory Paperwork Reduction Act of 1996.
----------
On April 24, 2008, the House Committee on Small Business
held a hearing entitled ``The Role of Small Business in
Stimulating the Economy.'' The hearing examined the current
state of the U.S. economy and the role that small businesses
will play in spurring new growth and recovery. In addition, the
Committee will hear testimony regarding trends in
entrepreneurship, as well as obstacles facing startups during
this challenging economic climate. The hearing will consist of
one panel, which will include representatives from a range of
industry sectors.
----------
On October 28, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled,
``Creating Opportunities for Small Businesses in an Economic
Recovery.'' This hearing focused on the impact of the financial
crisis and economic downturn on small firms, including barriers
they are facing in securing capital and credit. The Committee
received testimony from the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce,
the American Bankers Association, the Association of Equipment
Manufacturers, and the manufacturing sectors regarding
challenges related to the financial and economic crisis.
----------
On November 20, 2008, the Committee held a hearing
entitled, ``Review of Recent Federal Efforts to Improve Credit
Conditions for Small Businesses.'' The hearing examined the
government's response to the financial markets crisis and the
slowing economy. The Committee reviewed the establishment of
the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) at the U.S. Department
of Treasury and the creation of several lending facilities at
the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve Board of Governors and
the U.S. Department of Treasury testified at the hearing.
ACCESS TO CAPITAL
The House Committee on Small Business held a field hearing
to examine the effects of New Market Tax Credits, the SBIC and
504 programs, and their role in revitalizing urban communities.
The hearing took place on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 at 10:00
a.m., at the Avondale Pride Center: 3520 Burnet Avenue,
Cincinnati, OH, 45229. This hearing focused on the New Markets
Tax Credit program and how it can be improved to meet the needs
of local communities. The hearing examined the program's
performance to date, a report on the program by the GAO, as
well as testimony from private investors and community
development enterprise (CDE). The panel of witnesses included
program stakeholders testified on the program's structure, the
benefits to the local community, and recommendations for its
improvement.
----------
On April 3, 2008, the Committee held a hearing to explore
the role that credit cards play in providing small businesses
with access to capital. Specifically, the Committee explored
trends surrounding recent growth in credit card lending to
small businesses and examined the specific advantages and
disadvantages that credit cards provide to entrepreneurs,
particularly against the backdrop of prevailing economic
conditions and the state of small business lending. The
Committee received testimony from a small entrepreneur that had
benefited significantly from credit card use, an individual
testifying on behalf of the Independent Community Bankers of
America, an individual testifying on behalf of the National
Association of Federal Credit Unions, and two professional
scholars who have performed significant research on the issue
of small business credit card usage.
SARBANES-OXLEY AND SMALL COMPANIES
On June 5, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled ``Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404: Will
the SEC and PCAOB's New Standards Lower Compliance Costs for
Small Companies?'' The Committee heard testimony from The
Honorable Christopher Cox, Chairman, United States Securities
and Exchange Commission, Chairman Mark W. Olson, Chairman,
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, The Honorable James
C. Greenwood, President and CEO, Biotechnology Industry
Organization (BIO), Ms. Diane Casey-Landry, President and CEO,
America's Community Bankers, Mr. Hal S. Scott, Professor,
Harvard University, Mark G. Heesen, President, National Venture
Capital Association, Mr. David Hirschmann, Senior Vice
President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Mr. Richard G.
Schmalzl, Partner, Graydon, Head and Ritchey LLC. The hearing
examined the new regulations issued by the Security and
Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (PCAOB) in light of the committee's ongoing
concern that Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX
404) places an undue regulatory burden on small firms.
----------
On December 12, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled ``Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404: New
Evidence on the Costs for Small Businesses''. The Committee
heard testimony from The Honorable Christopher Cox, Chairman
United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Michael J.
Ryan, Executive Director and Senior Vice President, Center for
Capital Markets Competitiveness, U.S. Chamber of Commerce;
Harvey Grossblatt, CEO and President, Universal Security
Instruments, Bill Loving, CEO, Pendleton Community Bank, Thomas
Brandt, CFO, TeleCommunication Systems and Shannon Greene, CFO,
Tandy Leather Factory. The hearing examined recently released
data on SOX 404 compliance costs being incurred by small
companies and assesses the appropriateness of the SEC's
compliance timeline for small businesses.
LIABILITY REFORM AND SMALL BUSINESS
On May 17, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Liability Reform and Small Business.'' The Committee heard
testimony from advocacy groups and trade associations on issues
pertaining to small businesses and civil litigation, including
related legislative proposals. Witnesses included the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, Institute for Legal Reform, National
Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association, The
Association for Manufacturing Technology, the National
Federation of Independent Businesses.
SMALL BUSINESS COMPETITION POLICY: ARE MARKETS OPEN FOR ENTREPRENEURS?
On September 25, 2008, the Committee held a hearing
entitled ``Small Business Competition Policy: Are Markets Open
for Entrepreneurs?'' The Committee heard testimony from the
Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission, William E. Kovacic.
Organizations representing physicians, medical device
manufacturers and independent automobile repair stations
delivered testimony. Witnesses discussed current competition
issues facing entrepreneurs and whether federal antitrust
regulators are doing enough to maintain competition in the
marketplace.
MEDICAID DRUG REIMBURSEMENT
On July 18, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Medicaid Drug Reimbursements: Are Cuts Bad Medicine for Small
Businesses and Beneficiaries?'' The Committee met to discuss
the final rule promulgated by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services which sets the average manufacturer price as
the basis for certain prescription drug reimbursements to
pharmacies (71 Fed. Reg. 77174). The hearing examined the
impacts of the rule on small business retail pharmacies and
Medicaid beneficiaries and whether the new reimbursement
formula accurately reflected drug acquisition costs. The
Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations,
Dennis Smith, delivered testimony. Representatives from
independent community pharmacies, chain drug stores and
supermarkets testified as to how the rule impacts their
businesses and affects their ability to continue participating
in Medicaid. The Committee examined whether the agency
adequately complied with the requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act in promulgating the rule.
REGULATORY BURDEN
On November 15, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled
Reducing the Regulatory Burden on Small Business: Improving the
Regulatory Flexibility Act. The Committee heard testimony from
small business representatives of the transportation, health
care and other industries as well as from an administrative law
expert. Witnesses discussed the federal regulatory burden on
small businesses and how Congress can act to reduce it.
Witnesses delivered testimony regarding the regulatory burdens
imposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Department
of Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Committee examined ways to improve the Regulatory
Flexibility Act.
----------
On February 28, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Improving the Paperwork Reduction Act for Small Businesses.''
The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget, Susan E.
Dudley, delivered testimony. Representatives of small firms
testified as well as an administrative law expert. Witnesses
discussed the federal paperwork burden on small firms. The
hearing examined the growing federal paperwork burdens on small
businesses and how Congress can act to reduce it by improving
the Paperwork Reduction Act.
PUBLIC LANDS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
On April 17, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Maintaining Public Lands for Hunting, Fishing, Ranching and
Small Businesses.'' The Assistant Secretary for Land and
Minerals Management at the Department of the Interior, C.
Stephen Allred, delivered testimony. The Committee heard
testimony from hunting and fishing guides, a cattle rancher and
a business providing services to energy firms. Witnesses
discussed how the Interior Department is meeting the needs of
small businesses dependent on the use of public lands for
hunting, fishing, grazing and outdoor recreation.
RESPA AND SMALL BUSINESS
On May 22, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``RESPA and its Impact on Small Business.'' The Director of the
Office of RESPA and Interstate Land Sales at the Department of
Housing and Urban Development, Ivy Jackson, delivered
testimony. Representatives of the real estate industry
testified as well as a consumer advocate. Witnesses discussed
the burdens associated with the proposed rule issued by HUD
pursuant to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. The
Committee examined how the new paperwork required by the rule
would impact consumers and the real estate industry.
TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
On March 7, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled ``Advancing the Innovation Agenda:
The Perspective of the Technology and Telecommunications
Industry.'' The Committee heard testimony from Mr. William J.
Archey, President and CEO, AeA, Mr. Philip J. Bond, President
and CEO, Information Technology Association of America (ITAA),
Mr. Grant Seiffert, President, Telecommunications Industry
Association (TIA), Mr. David Zesiger, Senior Vice President,
Regulatory Policy and External Affairs, Embarq, Mr. Walter B.
McCormick, Jr., President and CEO, United States
Telecommunications Association (USTelecom), Ms. Shirley
Bloomfield, Vice President, Government Affairs and Association
Services for the National Telecommunications Cooperative
Association (NTCA), Mr. Richard Cimerman, Vice President, State
Telecommunications Policy, National Cable and
Telecommunications Association (NCTA), and Mr. Earl Comstock,
President and CEO, COMPTEL. The hearing examined the technology
and telecommunication industries' policy priorities for the
110th Congress and considered how the industries' policy
priorities might impact small innovative companies.
----------
On March 29, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled ``The Impact of Proposed Patent
Reform Legislation on Small Businesses.'' The Committee heard
testimony from Commissioner John J. Doll, Commissioner for
Patents, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Mr.
Mitchell Gross, Chairman and CEO, Mobius Management Systems,
Mr. Bryan Lord, Vice President and General Counsel, AmberWave
Systems Corporation, Ms. Emily Ward, Associate General Counsel
for Patents, eBay, Inc, Mr. John Neis, Managing Director of
Venture Investors LLC, Mr. John R. Thomas, Professor,
Georgetown University, and Mr. Kevin Kirsch, Partner, Taft,
Stettinius & Hollister LLP. The hearing examined the cost and
benefits of reforming the U.S. patent system and the potential
impact on small businesses.
----------
On June 28, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled the ``Assessing the Impact of the
Copyright Royalty Board Decision to Increase Royalty Rates on
Recording Artists and Webcasters.'' The Committee heard
testimony from Mr. Bryan Miller, General Manager for WOXY.com,
Mr. Tom Sullivan, Founder, Tommy Boy Records, Joey Allcorn,
Recording Artist, Ms. Cathy Fink, Recording Artist, Mr. Kieran
Kelly, Co-Owner, Stunning Models on Display Records, Mr. Thomas
Lee, President, American Federation of Musicians, Mr. Richard
Eiswerth, President, General Manager and CEO, Cincinnati Public
Radio, Inc., and the Honorable Jay Inslee, Member of Congress.
The hearing examined a recent decision by the Copyright Royalty
Board (CRB) that increased substantially the royalty rates that
Internet broadcasters or ``webcasters'' pay to compensate
copyright owners for digital transmissions of their sound
recordings.
----------
On October 10, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled ``The Impact of the 700 Megahertz
Wireless Spectrum Auction on Small Business.'' The Committee
heard testimony from The Honorable Kevin J. Martin, Chairman,
Federal Communications Commission, Mr. E. Kelly Bond, CEO and
President, Public Service Communications, Ms. Shelley Spenser,
President, Wirefree Partners, Mr. Chris Guttman-McCabe, Vice
President, Regulatory Affairs, CTIA, Mr. Christopher
Libertelli, Senior Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs,
Skype, and Mr. Jeffery Black, Founder, Chairman and Chief
Strategy Officer, TalkPlus. The hearing examined the potential
impact of the upcoming wireless spectrum auction's rules on
entrepreneurs, small wireless communications providers and
small businesses that are without access to reliable and
affordable access to broadband services.
HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
On March 14, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled ``Challenges and Solutions to Health Insurance
Coverage for Small Businesses.'' The hearing focused on
barriers to coverage for small businesses ranging from their
tax treatment under the Code to the structure of the health
insurance market. Witnesses Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of
America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), Todd Stottlemyer,
President and CEO of the National Federation of Independent
Business (NFIB), Adam D. Cockey, Jr., Senior Vice President of
Prudential Carruthers Realtors and Immediate Past Chair of the
National Association of Realtors (NAR) Business Issues
Committee, and Gail Wilensky, a Leading Economist and former
Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS), testified about the barriers faced by small firms and
possible solutions to bring down costs and increase coverage.
----------
On May 24, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled ``Expanding Small Business Health Insurance
Coverage Using the Private Reinsurance Market.'' The hearing
focused on how reinsurance has been used by businesses to
manage their risk of financial loss. Witnesses testified on
alternative reinsurance arrangements that have been used by
employers to control high risk and catastrophic health care
costs associated with medical benefit plans. Testimony was also
provided describing the current landscape of the reinsurance
market and barriers to the adoption of reinsurance by small
business in the health care arena. Witnesses included Len
Crouse, Vermont Deputy Commissioner, Captive Division, Patrick
L. Collins, Chairperson of the American Academy of Actuaries'
Medical Reinsurance Work Group, as well as Vice Chairperson of
the Academy's Federal Health Committee (AAA), Janet Trautwein,
Executive Vice President & CEO, National Association of Health
Underwriters (NAHU), and Leonard C. Brevik, Executive Vice
President and CEO of the National Association of Professional
Insurance Agents (PIA).
----------
On October 25, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Health Insurer Consolidation--The Impact on Small Business.''
The hearing examined the effects of consolidation on the cost
of health insurance and the impact on physicians and other
health care providers in terms of reimbursements and
administrative burdens. Representatives of small businesses,
physicians and consumers testified as to the impacts of
increased consolidation of health insurers on competition in
health care.
----------
On January 23, 2008, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled ``Limited Options for Small Businesses in the
Small Group Market.'' The hearing examined the challenges small
businesses face providing health insurance coverage to their
workers. Witnesses discussed their experiences purchasing
health insurance in the small group market citing challenges
specific to their industry, region of the country, and business
size. Witnesses also offered their opinions about possible
solutions to the problems small businesses face in the
marketplace. Testimony was provided by Don Teske on behalf of
the National Farmers Union, Scott Eckstein on behalf of the
National Association of Home Builders, Cathey Sandman on behalf
of the National Federation of Independent Business, Richard S.
Lee on behalf of the Society of American Florists, Lee David
Groza on behalf American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants, and R. Stephen Eby, M.D., on behalf of the
American Academy of Family Physicians.
----------
On February 26, 2008, the Committee on Small Business held
a hearing entitled ``State Strategies to Expand Health
Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses''--Featuring Testimony
on Health Care Reform in Minnesota and Pennsylvania from
Governors Pawlenty and Rendell. The hearing examined the
question of State health reform and how it may impact the small
business community. The principle focus of the hearing was to
assess whether State reform efforts will prove successful, and
how the Federal government can best assist States in their
efforts to promote coverage.
----------
On September 18, 2008, the Committee on Small Business held
a hearing entitled: ``Making Health Care Reform Work for Small
Business.'' Testimony was heard from a wide range of witnesses.
COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR CLINICAL LAB SERVICES
On July 25, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled ``Competitive Bidding for Clinical Lab
Services: Where's It Heading and What Small Businesses Can
Expect?'' The hearing examined a competitive bidding
demonstration program developed by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services to reimburse clinical lab providers for
Medicare services. Testimony focused on how the program would
impact small labs and their ability to operate and continue
offering services. Witnesses included Timothy P. Love, Director
for the Office of Research, Development and Information,
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Dr. Ronald Weiss,
M.D., President and C.O.O., ARUP Laboratories, and American
Clinical Laboratory Association Board Chairman; Tod Schild,
Senior Vice President, Shiel Medical Laboratories; Thomas S.
Bejgrowicz, M.S., L.N.H.A., Client Account Manager, Aculabs;
and Mary Jo Bonifas, Manager of Laboratory Services and United
Clinical Laboratories.
MEDICARE PHYSICIAN FEE CUTS AND SMALL BUSINESS
On Thursday, May 8, 2008, the Committee held a hearing
entitled ``Medicare Physician Fee Cuts: Can Small Practices
Survive.'' The hearing examined the business challenges faced
by small medical practices and the impact Medicare physician
fee cuts would have on the operation of health care practices.
Testimony was provided by Herb Kuhn, Deputy Administrator,
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Dr. David C. Dale,
MD, FACP on behalf of the American College of Physicians (ACP);
Dr. Cecil Wilson, MD on behalf of the American Medical
Association (AMA); Mona Reimers on behalf of the Medical Group
Management Association; Tom DiAngelis, PT, on behalf of the
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA); and Dr. Charles
Mabry, MD, FACS on behalf of the American College of Surgeons.
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS IN SMALL SPECIALTY PRACTICES
On Thursday, July 31, 2008, the Committee on Small Business
held a hearing entitled: ``Cost and Confidentiality: The
Unforeseen Challenges of Electronic Health Records in Small
Specialty Practices.'' In spite of findings about the many
benefits of HIT, its dissemination has been slow, due in part
to the high costs of Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems
for smaller health care practices. Small health care practices
have been reluctant to install systems because of concerns over
the upfront capital investment, ongoing maintenance and short-
term productivity loss. Costs concerns have led to public and
private efforts that aim to increase the pace of HIT adoption.
But cost alone is not the only concern before members of the
medical profession. The adoption of EHR is particularly
troublesome for specialty practices. One issue that is unique
to certain specialty practices is patient confidentiality.
Despite best efforts, how and in what manner the records of
children, abused women, and those suffering from mental illness
will be protected remains a concern. Certain small health care
practices protect extremely intimate patient information, so
there is increased concern about confidentially, which can also
increase exposure to liability over improper disclosure. The
hearing focused on the broad discussion about cost and privacy
and how both have influenced the adoption of EHR by solo and
small group specialty practices. Testimony was provided by
Philip W. Tally, MD, on behalf of the American Association of
Neurological Surgeons; Robert Plovnick, MD, MS, on behalf of
the American Psychiatric Association; Edward Gotlieb, MD, FAAP,
on behalf of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Ralph Hale,
MD, FACOG, on behalf of American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists; and Thaddeus Bort, MD, on behalf of the American
Academy of Family Physicians.
KATRINA CONTRACTING
On April 12, 2007, the Committee held a field hearing in
New Orleans, Louisiana, entitled ``Participation of Small
Businesses in Hurricane Katrina Recovery.'' The hearing largely
emphasized the shortcomings of the major agencies involved in
awarding Gulf Coast recovery contracts with regard to their
local and small business usage. The Committee heard testimony
from the Honorable Lurita Doan, Administrator, General Services
Administration; Mr. Paul Schneider, Under Secretary for
Management, Department of Homeland Security; Dr. James Finley,
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology,
and Logistics, Department of Defense; Lt. Gen. Carl Strock,
Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Admiral
Patrick Dunne, Assistant Secretary for Policy, Planning, and
Preparedness, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Steven
Preston, Administrator, Small Business Administration.
----------
On August 2, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Disaster Planning and Recovery: Are We Ready for Another
Katrina?'' This hearing was intended as a follow-up to two
hearings--the February disaster loan hearing, and the April
field hearing on Katrina contracting. The Committee requested
and reviewed data from the agencies that previously testified,
to monitor their progress. It found that progress had not been
made with regard to local and small business contracting. The
Committee will continue to monitor this situation. The
Committee heard testimony from Ms. Lurita Doan, Administrator,
General Services Administration; Mr. Paul Schneider, Under
Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security; Dr.
James Finley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for
Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Department of Defense;
Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp, Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers; Mr. Robert Henke, Assistant Secretary for
Management, Department of Veterans Affairs; and Mr. Steven
Preston, Administrator, Small Business Administration.
EMERGING PROCUREMENT METHODS
On March 6, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Are New Procurement Methods Beneficial to Small Business
Contractors?'' As a result of the decreasing acquisition
workforce, agencies are turning to more automated methods of
awarding government contracts such as schedule contracting and
reverse auctions. The Committee examined the effect of these
methods on small business contractors and determined that these
methods are not clearly producing greater value or increased
efficiency. The Committee heard testimony from Mr. Paul
Dennett, Administrator, Office of Federal Procurement Policy;
Mr. Jim Williams, Commissioner, Federal Acquisition Service,
General Services Administration; Major General Ron Johnson,
Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Mr.
John Palatiello, Administrator, Council on Federal Procurement
of Architectural and Engineering Services; Mr. Anthony Zelenka,
President, Bertucci Contracting Corporation; Mr. Mark Leazer,
Forms & Supply, Inc.; Mr. Arthur Salus, President, Duluth
Travel; and Mr. John Spotila, CEO, R3i Solutions.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE (GAO) INVESTIGATION AND REPORT ON THE
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S HUBZONE PROGRAM
On July 17, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Small Business Administration's Contracting Programs and
Recent GAO Examination of Programs'' to consider the GAO's
findings regarding the potential for fraud in the HUBZone
program. Both GAO's Financial Markets and Community Investment
division as well as the Forensic Audits and Special
Investigations group examined the program and concluded that
SBA does not have sufficient controls for fraud prevention and
detection. SBA pledged to improve the program in several ways.
The Committee will monitor the agency's progress in making
improvements. Acting Administrator Ms. Jovita Carranza
testified on behalf of SBA. GAO was represented by Mr. William
Shear, Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment;
and Mr. Gregory Kutz, Managing Director, Forensic Audits and
Special Investigations.
TRADE POLICY
On November 1, 2007, the House Small Business Committee
held a hearing entitled ``Evaluating the Impact of Pending Free
Trade Agreements upon U.S. Small Businesses.'' The hearing
focused on the potential impacts of the treaties with countries
in Latin America and Asia upon small U.S. businesses, including
changes in domestic and market opportunities. The hearing also
considered Federal resources, such as export promotion
programs, which support small producers' competitiveness in the
global economy and ensure their access to newly opened markets.
Testimony was provided by the Deputy U.S. Trade Representative
regarding the Office of the USTR's efforts to incorporate small
business concerns into the negotiation and implementation of
trade agreements. Business representatives of the service,
manufacturing, agricultural and technology sectors testified as
to the potential impacts of the agreements to small firms in
these industries.
----------
On June 13, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled: ``U.S. Trade Policy and Small Business.'' The
hearing focused on the impact of Federal trade policies and
resources that effect small firms' competitiveness in the
globalized economy. Testimony was provided by administrators
from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the
Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration,
and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural
Service Division regarding their efforts to promote
international transactions by small businesses. Witnesses
representing manufacturing, service and agricultural sectors
highlighted foreign and domestic market access issues facing
small firms as a result of trade liberalization.
----------
On June 19, 2008, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled ``Small Business Exports in the Current
Economic Climate.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine
trends in small businesses export activities during the
country's economic downturn. As overseas sales are particularly
critical during an economic slowdown to offset reduced domestic
consumption, the hearing examined problems small businesses are
facing as they attempt to access foreign markets and contribute
to the nation's growth. The Committee received testimony from
the small business owners in the manufacturing and resource-
based industries. They highlighted the export regulations and
shifting transportation patterns creating obstacles to foreign
customers. A representative of the textile industry testified
regarding trade and fiscal policies that create disadvantages
for small U.S. exporters. A trade policy analyst and academic
highlighted public policies that promote the competitiveness of
small businesses in global markets, particularly during an
economic downturn.
SMALL BUSINESS POLICY AT THE U.S. EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
On January 17, 2008, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled ``Oversight of the U.S. Export-Import Bank's
Implementation of its Small Business Mandate.'' The purpose of
the hearing was to examine the U.S. Export-Import Bank
(Eximbank), which was created Congress in 1934 to help
stimulate foreign trade and increase employment. Specifically,
the hearing considered the status of Eximbank's implementation
of recent legislative initiatives to strengthen its small
business programs. The Committee received testimony from the
Chairman and President of the U.S. Export-Import Bank, James
Lambright. His testimony highlighted the steps the Bank has
taken to administer the small business provisions mandated in
the agency's recent reauthorization as well as overall lending
activities to the sector at Eximbank. Representatives of small
businesses in export-based industries testified on financing
needs and presented recommendations for improved export
assistance through the institution.
TAX POLICY
On March 22, 2007, the Committee held a hearing on the 3
percent government withholding requirement. In an effort to
close the tax gap, Sec. 511 of the 2005 TIPRA requires the
government to withhold 3 percent on nearly all of its payments
for goods or services. However, for many small businesses that
operate on small profit margins and need cash to conduct their
operations, the 3 percent withholding requirement would
literally put many small businesses that operate exclusively on
government contracts out of business. Witnesses included
Vincent Iannelli of Iannelli Construction on behalf of the
Associated General Contractors, Daryl Deel of NEI Transport
Inc. on behalf of the American Trucking Associations and Lamar
Whitman, Public Policy Manager for the Computing Technology
Industry Association. The witnesses testified how harmful this
provision would be for their business in that the withheld
money could mean difference between meeting payroll, expanding
a company or buying needed equipment while reducing their
ability to compete against their corporate counterparts. All
interested parties were of the mindset that the 3 percent
withholding requirements needs to be repealed in full.
----------
On April 26, 2007, the Committee held a hearing on the tax
gap. The tax gap is the difference between the amount of taxes
paid voluntarily and timely for a given year and the amount of
taxes due. The IRS pointed to small businesses and self-
employed individuals as being major contributors to the tax gap
and the hearing addressed ways in which efforts to close the
tax gap would impact small businesses. Witnesses included the
Honorable Mark W. Everson, Commissioner of Internal Revenue,
Keith Hall, National Tax Advisor for the National Association
for the Self-Employed, Paul Hense, CPA on behalf of the
National Small Business Association, James E. Brennan, CPA
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Donald C.
Alexander, Former IRS Commissioner Partner, and Mr. Joe Samuel
Senior Vice President, Public Policy First Data Corporation.
The witnesses testified how some of the proposals by the IRS
would unduly harm small businesses and that much of the tax gap
could be closed by simplifying the tax code and making it
compliance easier.
----------
On October 3, 2007, the Committee held a hearing on the
Internet Tax Moratorium, which currently bans taxes on internet
access, and prevented taxes on Internet transactions and was
set to expire on November 1, 2007. The hearing focused on the
effect that policy has had on the ability of small businesses
to successfully compete in the new digital economy. Witnesses
included Brian Bieron the Senior Director, Federal Government
Relations for eBay Inc., Brett Dewey, CEO of
WickedCoolStuff.com, David P. McClure President & CEO of the
U.S. Internet Industry Association, Ross J. Lieberman Vice
President of Government Affairs for the American Cable
Association and Raymond Keating Chief Economist for the Small
Business Economic Council. The witness testimony focused on how
a tax free Internet has proved to be the great leveling field
in American business today, permitting small businesses with
less access to capital to compete with much larger businesses.
As such, all witnesses were in agreement that a permanent
extension of the moratorium was needed so as to continue to
foster small business development in the digital economy.
----------
On February 14, 2008, the Committee held a hearing on
Business Activity Taxes (BATs) and their impact on small
businesses. BATs are taxes imposed by states on out of state
businesses in the form of income taxes, royalty fees, or
licensing fees for conducting business within a particular
state's borders. The hearing highlighted the many problems
small businesses face when attempting to conduct interstate
sales. Witnesses from the technology, manufacturing, and
restaurant industries explained that because states have
imposed these taxes, they have faced increased tax liabilities,
increased litigation costs, and increased administrative costs
due to the complex tax provisions of the various states. The
witnesses stressed to the Committee that federal legislation is
required to set a bright-line standard so that small businesses
know that when they conduct business in a particular state,
they could potentially be subject to its taxing regime. As a
follow up to the hearing, the Committee sent a comment letter
to the Judiciary Committee which detailed the substance of the
hearing. The letter, signed by Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking
member Chabot, indicated the concerns regarding BATs from the
small business perspective while also stating that the
Committee is willing to work with Judiciary on a matter of
great importance to the small business community.
----------
On April 10, 2008, the Committee held a hearing on how
certain updates could be made to the Internal Revenue Code that
could help small businesses stimulate the economy. Although
there is a real need for reform to make our economy more
competitive in an increasingly globally competitive world, the
Committee believes that there is an immediate need for a more
limited modernization of some of the most antiquated provisions
of our current business tax system that better reflect the
economy that we are operating in today. As such, the Committee
held this hearing and heard testimony from small businesses
operating in the technology, manufacturing, and food and
service industries. The witnesses explained to the Committee
that in many respects, the tax code has not adequately
responded to the economy that exists in the 21st century, and
this hinders their ability to grow and expand their business.
Along with the hearing, the Committee released a report, which
detailed 7 ways the Internal Revenue Code should be immediately
updated. Finally, the Committee introduced legislation, H.R.
6601, which will attempt to incorporate those recommendations
into law.
----------
On June 5, 2008 the Committee held a hearing focused on the
housing crisis and the ripple effect it has had on small
businesses and our nation's economy. By some estimates, the
housing industry comprises nearly 10 percent of our nation's
Gross Domestic Product making it a critical component of our
nation's economic well being. However, increased foreclosures,
declining home values, and slumping sales of new homes have
affected consumer confidence and spending as many Americans and
small businesses have witnessed their most significant asset
rapidly depreciate. Further, small businesses such as home
builders, contractors, engineers, architects, and those in the
financial service industry permeate the housing industry and
rely on it for survival. The hearing gave members of the
Committee the opportunity to analyze potential tax relief,
including a first-time home buyer's credit, and other tax
preferences which could provide relief to the industry. The
Committee heard from those small businesses directly affected
by the housing downturn, such as the National Association of
Home Builders, the National Association of Realtors, and the
Independent Community Bankers, who testified that a housing
stimulus package must be passed to aid this struggling
industry.
----------
On June 12, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Electronic Payments Tax Reporting--Another Tax Burden for
Small Businesses.'' The hearing examined recent efforts to
require information tax reporting on all credit card receipts
of small businesses. Specifically, this hearing focused on the
potential administrative and financial burdens that new
reporting requirements could create for small businesses and
financial institutions. The Committee received testimony from a
leading electronic payment processing company, a Midwest-based
financial institution, the National Small Business Association,
and the National Association of the Self-Employed.
----------
On July 24, 2008, the Committee held a hearing on the
stimulus package enacted in February of 2008 and its impact on
small businesses and the economy in general. The hearing also
examined the current state of the economy, and whether another
round of stimulus is needed, what form that should take, and
small business' role in getting our nation back on track. The
Committee heard testimony from a wide spectrum of industries,
including the American Banking Association, the National Retail
Federation, and the American Council of Engineering Companies.
Each group spoke about specific policies, such as banking
reform, rebate checks, and infrastructure spending, and how
those proposals could benefit both small businesses and our
national economy. The Committee also heard testimony from Mark
Zandi, an economist, and founder of MoodysEconomy.com. Mr.
Zandi emphasized the need for another round of stimulus
targeted in the $50-100 billion range as a way to boost the
sagging economy due to waning affects of the last stimulus
package.
----------
On September 11, 2008, the Committee held a hearing to
examine expiring tax incentives and the needs of small
businesses. The Committee heard testimony from the National
Biodiesel Board, The National Restaurant Association, the
International Council of Shopping Centers, and the
Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International.
SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM
On January 29, 2008, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled ``SBIR: America's Technology
Development Incubator''. The Committee heard testimony from
Douglas Doerfler, President & CEO, MaxCyte, Inc, Michael
Borrus, General Partner, X/Seed Capital, Lawrence Farrell,
President & CEO, National Defense Industrial Association,
Robert J. Beall, President and CEO, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
and William Bean, Director, Technology and Business Center,
College of William and Mary. The hearing examined the
importance of the SBIR program to American competitiveness as
well as changes to it that may strengthen the initiative.
----------
On March 13, 2008 the House Small Business Committee
convened a legislative hearing to review a Committee Print of
draft legislation reauthorizing and modernizing the Small
Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The Committee
heard testimony from the Honorable Steven Preston,
Administrator, United States Small Business Administration, the
Honorable James C. Greenwood, President and CEO, Biotechnology
Industry Organization (BIO), Mark G. Heesen, President,
National Venture Capital Association, Mark Leahey, Executive
Director, Medical Device Manufactures Association, Mark
Skinner, Vice President, State Science and Technology Institute
and Charles Matthews Professor of Management, University of
Cincinnati.
IMPACT OF GEORGIA DROUGHT ON SMALL BUSINESSES
On March 25, 2008 at 10:00 a.m., the Small Business
Committee held a field hearing in LaGrange, GA examining the
impact of local droughts on small businesses. The Committee
heard testimony from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other
affected parties on the impact of recent droughts on Georgia.
The hearing examined the challenges the drought presented for
individuals and businesses in the landscaping, tourism and
other industries.
SMALL BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
On December 8, 2008, the Small Business Committee held a
field hearing in Asheville, NC. The hearing examined the effect
of industrial contamination on small businesses and their
surrounding communities, as well as potential solutions. The
Committee heard from small business owners and stakeholders on
their concerns about the issue.
WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP
On July 23, 2007, the Small Business Committee held a field
hearing in Philadelphia, PA. This hearing examined the
contributions of women entrepreneurs to Pennsylvania's economy
and the challenges that they face. The panel was comprised of
small business owners, lenders, and entrepreneurial assistance
groups, as well as an SBA representative. The witnesses
discussed their successes and the obstacles they have overcome
to get their businesses off the ground. The women entrepreneurs
on the panel further discussed the policies that have assisted
them or that could help them expand in the future. The other
representatives on the panel discussed the financial and
technical assistance programs that are available to the women
entrepreneur community.
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
Oversight Activities
DATA SECURITY AND SMALL BUSINESS
On June 6, 2007, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax held a
hearing entitled ``Data Security: Small Business
Perspectives.'' The subcommittee discussed how the issue of
data security is impacting small businesses. In addition, the
subcommittee examined the efforts of small businesses to secure
data from increasingly sophisticated threats. The hearing
assessed proposals for a federal data security law and how they
can be crafted to account for the unique needs of small
businesses. Witnesses from the retail, credit card and
information technology industries testified.
PENSION PARITY BETWEEN SMALL AND LARGE BUSINESSES
On October 24, 2007, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
held a hearing regarding the barriers small businesses face in
offering pension benefits to their employees as compared to
larger entities. The witnesses included Catherine Collinson, of
Transamerica Retirement Services, Jim McCarthy, Managing
Director of Morgan Stanley, Sal Tripodi, a retirement benefits
specialist on behalf of the American Society of Pension
Professionals and Actuaries and Paula Calimafde, the Chair of
the Small Business Council of America. The hearing revealed
that many small firms cannot afford to provide retirement
benefits or lack the in-house expertise necessary to comply
with complicated Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(ERISA) guidelines. As a result, only 15 percent of micro
businesses offer pensions to their employees. Witnesses
discussed how changes in the tax code and modifications to
existing retirement vehicles would encourage employees to save
more for retirement while alleviating some of the burden on
business owners.
OVERSIGHT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S ACCESS TO CAPITAL
PROGRAMS
On March 5, 2008, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax held
a hearing regarding the SBA's access to capital programs. This
included testimony from the Eric Zarnikow, the Associate
Administrator for Capital Access at SBA, the National
Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, the National
Association of Development Companies, the National Association
of Small Business Investment Companies, and the Association of
Enterprise Opportunity. The Subcommittee heard about the
challenges SBA program participants face in making capital more
available for small firms.
THE SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMY
On April 30, 2008, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax held
a hearing to examine the effect that prevailing economic
conditions have had on small business access to capital. In
particular, the Committee examined how small firms have been
affected by a contraction in the national credit supply and
explored how these conditions impacted national employment,
gross domestic product, and trade. The subcommittee received
testimony from the Independent Community Bankers of America,
the Credit Union National Association, a small business owner
testifying on behalf of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce,
and a small business owner testifying on behalf of the Greater
Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.
S-CORPORATIONS
On June 18, 2008, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax held
a hearing to discuss the business classification known as the S
corporation and what potential changes should be made to their
operating rules. Over the past 50 years, S-corporations have
become the favored entity classification for small businesses.
However, many of the rules relating to the S-corporation regime
date back nearly half a century. Additionally, in many ways,
the tax code treats S corporations differently than other
entity classifications, such as partnerships and C
corporations, even though they may be similarly situated in
terms of their business operations. Thus, the hearing gave
Committee members the opportunity to examine which changes
could be made to better help small businesses raise capital and
improve impediments to growth. Members heard testimony from the
banking industry along with those in the tax preparation
community who explained the importance of S corporations to the
family owned business and how the vitality of the S corporation
contributes to small business growth, development, and
expansion.
On September 17, 2008, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
held a hearing on Disaster Savings Accounts and their
protections for small businesses. Witnesses from the financial
services, baking, and manufacturing sectors testified during
the hearing.
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology
Oversight Activities
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EFFORTS IN CONTRACTING WITH WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
On March 21, 2007 the Subcommittee on Contracting and
Technology held a hearing on the implementation of the Women's
Procurement Program and federal government efforts in
contracting with women-owned businesses. The first panel of
agency representatives reviewed the status of their respective
agencies' efforts to meet their goals with regard to
contracting with women-owned businesses and individual
successes within their programs. They went over their reports
and data related to their accomplishments and their plans to
support and include women-owned businesses in contract efforts
in the future. SBA Deputy Administrator Carranza went through
the current status of the implementation of the Women's
Procurement Program. The report of under-represented industries
has been completed and regulations are being prepared. The
second panel comprised of the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce
as well as women entrepreneurs testified as to their challenges
in accessing federal contracts.
RENEWABLE ENERGY WORKFORCE NEEDS
On Wednesday, June 20, 2007, the Subcommittee on
Contracting and Technology convened a hearing entitled:
``Meeting the Workforce Demands of Small Bio-Energy
Businesses''. The Subcommittee heard from two sets of
panelists, which included: Panel 1--The Honorable Sen. Tom
Harkin (D-IA), Chairman, Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and
Forestry Committee. Panel 2--John Caupert, Director, National
Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center; Ron Litterer, First Vice
President, National Corn Growers Association (NCGA); Bruce
Rastetter, CEO, Hawkeye Renewables; Dr. Patricia Keir,
Chancellor, Eastern Iowa Community College District Office; Dr.
Kelly J. Tiller, PhD, Assistant Professor, Agricultural Policy
Analysis Center, The University of Tennessee; and Dr. Colin R.
South, President, Mascoma Corporation. The subcommittee
explored the potential for sustaining the renewable fuels
sector for small businesses in rural America. Members heard
from expert witnesses on issues dealing with industry growth
and expansion, as well as the need for future investment in
human capital in the renewable fuels industry and possible
solutions to worker shortages.
SMALL BUSINESS ENERGY TAX POSSIBILITIES
On Wednesday, September 26, 2007 the Subcommittee on
Contracting and Technology hearing entitled: ``Small Business
Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Possibilities''. Considering
energy tax policies will enhance the small business role in new
alternative sources of energy by moving our country away from
foreign sources of petroleum. The Subcommittee listened to
testimony from expert witnesses on how more renewable energy
investment can occur if changes are made to the Internal
Revenue Code (IRC). The panelists discussed the importance of
energy tax policy as a driving force behind renewable energy
production and development, a field in which small businesses
have been leading the way. The subcommittee heard how small
businesses are suffering from high energy prices. The
subcommittee listened to testimony from Mr. Quentin T. Kelly,
Chairman & CEO, WorldWater & Solar Technologies Corp.; Mr.
Craig Breitbach, Director, Western Dubuque Biodiesel; Mr. Ed
Woolsey, President, Green Prairie Wind Development; Mr. Kim
Zuhlke, Vice President--New Generation, Alliant Energy
Corporation; and Mr. John Hutchinson, Vice President--Finance,
Powell Construction.
PLAIN LANGUAGE IN PAPERWORK--THE BENEFITS TO SMALL BUSINESS
On February 26, 2008, the Subcommittee on Contracting and
Technology held a hearing entitled ``Plain Language in
Paperwork--The Benefits to Small Business.'' The Chairman of
the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Honorable
Christopher Cox delivered testimony. The Subcommittee heard
testimony from organizations representing small businesses,
retired persons and a plain language expert. Witnesses
discussed the complexities of government forms, notices and
instructions. The Subcommittee examined how the use of plain
language by the federal government can reduce the paperwork
burden on small businesses.
THE DTV TRANSITION AND SMALL BUSINESS
On May 7, 2008, the House Committee on Small Business
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology convened a hearing
entitled ``The DTV Transition and Small Businesses: Small Firms
Contributing to a Big Change.'' The Committee heard testimony
from Mr. Greg Hephner, President, Hephner TV and Electronics
Inc., Mr. Ed Pardini, Senior Vice President of Operations,
Mediacom Communications, Mr. Keith Oliver, Senior Vice
President of Corporate Operations, Home Telephone Company, and
Mr. Jack Dempsey, General Manager of WJHL-TV in Johnson City,
Tennessee. The hearing examined the impact of the DTV
transition on small broadcasters, small cable and video service
providers and small electronics retailers. The Subcommittee
also considered whether there are appropriate measures Congress
should take in order to minimize the burden of the DTV
transition on small firms, particularly those small firms
serving rural areas.
OVERSIGHT OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION'S CONTRACTING PROGRAMS
On April 16, 2008, the Subcommittee on Contracting and
Technology held a hearing centered around SBA contracting
programs. The Subcommittee considered the management and
effectiveness of the 8(a), service-disabled veterans, and
HUBZone programs, as well as the agency's proposal to implement
the women's procurement program. The Committee heard testimony
from Ms. Fay Ott, Associate Administrator for the Office of
Government Contracting and Business Development, Small Business
Administration; Ms. Margot Dorfman, CEO, U.S. Women's Chamber
of Commerce; Mr. Chris Bates, President, National Office
Products Alliance; Mr. Charles Day, Senior Member, Charles F.
Day & Associates, LLC; and Ms. Aundrea Wilcox, Executive
Director, Kingsport Office of Small Business Development &
Entrepreneurship.
ENSURING CONTINUITY OF CARE FOR VETERAN AMPUTEES: THE ROLE OF SMALL
PROSTHETIC PRACTICES
On Wednesday, July 16, 2008, the Subcommittee on
Contracting and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Ensuring
Continuity of Care for Veteran Amputees: The Role of Small
Prosthetic Practices.'' Providing America's veterans with
quality prosthetic care depends on the Veterans' Administration
(VA) working closely with small prosthetic vendors to fill the
service gaps in the VA's health care system. Despite the VA's
efforts to ensure amputees have access to quality prosthetic
care, prosthetic professionals claim the VA's procurement
process does not reflect the rapidly changing face of the
prosthetic's industry. Ultimately, practices contracting with
the VA and veterans relying on them for care are being
negatively impacted. Given these concerns, the hearing focused
on the VA's relationship with independent prosthetic
contractors and the VA's efforts to ensure continuity of care
for amputees through the Veterans Integrated Service Network
(VISN). Particular attention was given to identifying the
future needs of amputee soldiers returning from Iraq and
Afghanistan, and how the VA and independent prosthetic
contractors can best work together to address their needs.
Testimony was provided by 1) AAOP President James Roger on
behalf of the American Academy of Orthotists & Prosthetists
(AAOP); 2) Dennis Clark, President of Clark & Associates
Prosthetics and Orthotics 3) Mr. Frederick Downs Jr., Chief
Prosthetics and Clinical Logistics Officer, Veterans Health
Administration; 4) NAAOP President Thomas Guth on behalf of the
National Association for the Advancement of Orthotics and
Prosthetics (NAAOP); 5) Christian Smith, President and Co-Owner
of Victory Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc.; and 6) Captain
Matthew Bacik, Retired Army.
SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY FROM THE MIDWEST DISASTERS OF 2008
On September 24, 2008, the Subcommittee on Contracting and
Technology held a hearing entitled ``Small Business Recovery
from the Midwest Disasters of 2008.'' Testimony was heard from
the Small Business Administration official Jovita Carranza and
affected business owners. Mr. Mike Tully, President and CEO of
Aerial Services, Inc. in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Mr. David Wilke,
owner of Wilke's Grocery Store in Elkader, Iowa. Mr. Don
Bowers, the owner and operator of Tapken's Convenience Plus in
Anamosa, Iowa. Mr. Don Karr, owner of Affordable Plumbing and
Remodeling in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a company that provides
design, products, installation and repair for home improvement
needs. Mr. Mike Monnahan, President of The Blue Strawberry
Coffee Company, a popular coffee house located in downtown
Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mr. Randy Pilkington, who serves as
Executive Director of Business and Community Services at the
University of Northern Iowa in Waterloo, Iowa.
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade
Oversight Activities
THE VALUE OF HEALTH IT TO SOLO AND SMALL MEDICAL PRACTICES
On March 28, 2007, the Subcommittee on Regulations, Health
Care and Trade held a hearing ``The Value of Health IT to Solo
and Small Medical Practices.'' The hearing focused on the
importance of health IT to smaller health care practices,
barriers to implementation, and what Congress can do to
increase health IT adoption by solo and small group
practitioners. Testimony was provided by Dr. Lynne M. Kirk, MD,
FACP, the President of the American College of Physicians, Dr.
Mark Leavitt, MD, PhD, Chairman, Certification Commission for
Health Information Technology (CCHIT), Dr. Margaret Kelley, MD,
a practicing OB/GYN in San Antonio, Texas, and Dr. David R.
Shober, D.O, a family practice physician and Medical Staff
President of Jameson Hospital in New Castle, Pennsylvania.
ENSURING PROMPT PAYMENT FOR SMALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
On August 1, 2007, the Subcommittee on Regulations, Health
Care and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Ensuring Prompt
Payment for Small Health Care Providers.'' The hearing focused
on prompt payment of insurance claims by insurers to health
care providers and how claim delays impact the operation of
small health care practices. Testimony included an examination
of state prompt payment laws as well as federal requirements
under ERISA and government health care programs such as
Medicare. Witnesses included Dr. Cecil B. Wilson, M.D.,
Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Trustees for the American
Medical Association; Dr. Robert Merrill, D.D.S., M.S., Chairman
of the Committee on Government Affairs for the American
Association of Orthodontists; Dr. David Henkes, MD, Immediate
Past President of the Bexar County Medical Society in San
Antonio, Texas; Dr. Gordon T. Austin, D.M.D., P.C., President
of the Northwest District of the Georgia Dental Association;
and Dr. Frank B. Kelly, MD, Chair of the Communications Cabinet
for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
MEDICARE'S REIMBURSEMENT CUTS
On November 8th, 2007, the Subcommittee on Regulations,
Health Care and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Medicare's
Reimbursement Cuts: The Potential Impact on Solo and Small
Group Practitioners and the Businesses they run.'' The hearing
focused on the challenges faced by solo and small group
practitioners; and how Medicare reimbursement cuts have
impacted their practices. A primary focus of the hearing
involved the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) that is used to
determine the payment rates for physician reimbursements.
Testimony was provided by Dr. Brad Fedderly, on behalf of the
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP); Dr. Jeffrey P.
Harris, MD, FACP, on behalf of the American College of
Physicians--American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP); Dr.
Melinda Rother Allen, D.O., on behalf of the American
Osteopathic Association (AOA); Dr. Kenneth L. Noller, MD, MS,
on behalf of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine as well as the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; and Dr.
John B. Whitlow, OD, on behalf of the American Optometric
Association (AOA).
MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE
On April 23, 2008, the Subcommittee on Regulations, Health
Care and Trade held an oversight hearing entitled ``Minority
and Hispanic Participation in the Federal Workforce and Its
Impact on the Small Business Community.'' The focus of this
hearing was the federal government's efforts to address new
challenges with their workforce, hiring and leadership
succession. Five witnesses testified at the hearing: Ms. Nancy
Kachik, the Associate Director for Strategic Human Resources
Policy, Office of Personnel Management; Mr. Daryl Hairston,
Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Management and
Administration; Mr. George H. Stalcup, Director, Strategic
Issues, Government Accountability Office; Mr. Jose Osegueda,
President and CEO of the National Association of Hispanic
Federal Executives (NAHFE); and Mr. William Gil, Vice
President, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
(HACU).
IMPACT OF ONLINE ADVERTISING ON SMALL FIRMS
On June 25, 2008, at 10:00, the Subcommittee on
Regulations, Health Care and Trade convened a hearing entitled
``The Impact of Online Advertising on Small Firms.'' The
Subcommittee heard testimony from Mr. Tim Carter, Founder,
Askthebuilder.com, Mr. Paul Sanar, Founder & CEO, SkyFacet.com,
Mr. Rob Snell, Co-owner of GunDogSupply.com, Mr. Randall
Rothenberg, President and CEO of Interactive Advertising Bureau
and Mr. Richard Lent, Founder and CEO of AgencyNet. The hearing
examined the benefits of on-line advertising to smaller firms
and the increasing importance of on-line marketing strategies
to many successful small businesses. The hearing also
considered concerns that some small companies have raised about
the challenge of driving traffic to their websites.
CMS REGULATIONS AND SMALL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS
On May 14, 2008, the Subcommittee on Regulations, Health
Care and Trade held a hearing entitled ``The Impact of CMS
Regulations and Programs on Small Health Care Providers.'' Mr.
Timothy Hill, the Chief Financial Officer of the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services delivered testimony. The
Subcommittee heard testimony from organizations representing
small health care providers including physicians, clinical labs
and a home care provider. The pharmacy industry delivered
testimony. Witnesses discussed how CMS regulations and programs
are affecting small firms.
REGULATORY BURDENS ON SMALL FIRMS
On July 30, 2008, the Subcommittee on Regulations, Health
Care and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Regulatory Burdens on
Small Firms: What Rules Need Reforms?'' The Subcommittee heard
testimony from the Administrator of the Office of Information
and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget,
Susan E. Dudley; the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, Small Business
Administration, Thomas M. Sullivan; and the Deputy Commissioner
of the Small Business/Self-Employed Division at the Internal
Revenue Service, Chris Wagner. Organizations representing small
businesses, architects and the self-employed also delivered
testimony. Witnesses discussed the burdens of existing
regulations on entrepreneurs, and how agencies are complying
with the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The hearing examined the
Office of Advocacy's regulatory reform initiative.
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship
Oversight Activities
BROADBAND POLICY AND RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
On May 9, 2007, the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship convened a hearing entitled ``Maximizing the
Value of Broadband in Rural Communities.'' The Subcommittee
heard testimony from Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein,
Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission, Mr. Brandon
Stephens, Chairman of the Board, BalsamWest FiberNET, Mr. T.
Russell Shields, Founder, Ygomi LLC, Mr. Russ Kremer,
President, Missouri Farmers Union, Mr. Brent J. Christensen,
Vice President and General Manager of Christensen
Communications Company, Mr. Brian Mefford, President and CEO,
ConnectKentucky, Mr. William Deere, Vice President, Government
Affairs, US Telecom. The hearing examined the role broadband
services can play in revitalizing rural economies.
HOW CAN SMALL BUSINESSES BEST ADDRESS THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF THEIR
EMPLOYEES?
On August 30, 2007, the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship held a field hearing in Asheville, NC,
entitled ``How Can Small Businesses Best Address the Healthcare
Needs of Their Employees?'' The hearing focused on barriers to
offering insurance coverage faced by small business owners,
factors which influence the decision of small businesses to
offer coverage, and possible solutions to bringing down costs
and increasing coverage. Witnesses included small business
owners from the Asheville, North Carolina, community. Testimony
addressed small business concerns about the structure of the
small group health insurance market and the tax treatment of
small firms.
USDA AND SBA PROGRAM HARMONIZATION
Chairman Heath Shuler (D-NC) on Wednesday, November 14.
2007, at 10:00 a.m., convened a Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship hearing entitled: ``Program Harmonization in
Rural America--How the Small Business Administration (SBA) and
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Can Work Together to
Better Serve Small Businesses''. The subcommittee considered
and examined how Small Business Administration (SBA) and U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs have worked, and
gained a better understanding and how the two agencies can work
better together in the future through potential program
harmonization and improved communications. The subcommittee
gleaned knowledge from the small business community that
included distinguished guests such as: Mr. William Shear,
Director, Financial Markets and Community Investments,
Government Accountability Office (GAO); Ms. Katy Ziegler, Vice
President of Government Relations, National Farmers Union
(NFU); Mr. Dale Carroll, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Advantage West Economic Development Group; Michael Myhre, CPA,
State Director, Minnesota Small Business Development Center
Network, On Behalf of the Association of Small Business
Development Centers; and Mr. Leon Milobar, Nebraska District
Office, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
SBA ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND NATIONAL VETERANS BUSINESS
DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
On March 12, 2008, the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the
Entrepreneurial Development Programs Implemented by the Small
Business Administration and National Veterans Business
Development Corporation.'' Oversight was conducted for the
Small Business Administration's (SBA) Entrepreneurial
Development (ED) portfolio and to evaluate the effectiveness of
the National Veterans Business Development Corporation's
efforts to serve the needs of veteran small business owners.
The purpose of the hearing was to consider the management
approach and distribution of federal resources to implement
these programs, particularly given the recent release of the
administration's FY 2009 budget in combination with weakening
economic conditions.
The Committee received testimony from the SBA Associate
Administrator for Entrepreneurial Development regarding the
agency's upcoming budget and management plans for these
programs. Entrepreneurial development program operators,
including representatives of the Association of Small Business
Development Centers and Women's Business Centers, as well as
the Service Corps of Retired Executives, testified on the
programs' capacities to meet the needs of small businesses and
provided recommendations to improve the structure as well as
delivery of the agency's ED programs. The Executive Director of
the National Veterans Business Development Corporation (NVBDC)
also testified on the effectiveness of the organization in
assisting veterans to become successful entrepreneurs.
SECOND GENERATION BIOFUELS--THE NEW FRONTIER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
On Wednesday June 11, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., the Subcommittee
on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship convened a hearing
entitled: ``Second Generation Biofuels--the New Frontier for
Small Businesses.'' This forum provided a discussion of the
current renewable fuels programs, and how they apply to the
next generation fuels. It also enabled the subcommittee to
consider future policies that will further develop the
industry's future. To sustain the growth and development of
this industry, the subcommittee looked forward to the next
generation of renewable fuels derived from alternative inputs.
This subcommittee heard testimony about growth opportunities
newer technologies for renewable fuels production can provide
in the future. Witnesses included: Dr. Robert J. Wooley,
Director, Process Engineering, Abengoa Bioenergy New
Technology; Mr. Scott Barnwell, General Manager, Blue Ridge
Biofuels in Asheville, NC; Mr. Tom Todaro, CEO, Targeted Growth
and Sustainable Oils; Mr. Jeffrey M. Trucksess, Executive Vice
President, Green Earth Fuels, LLC; and Mr. Robert Byrnes,
Nebraska Renewable Energy Systems.
COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
On Wednesday, May 21, 2008, the Subcommittee on Rural and
Urban Entrepreneurship held a hearing entitled ``Competitive
Bidding for Durable Medical Equipment.'' Small durable medical
equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS)
suppliers have experienced difficulty with the competitive
bidding program. Many claim the bidding program is fraught with
procedural flaws and operational problems that call into
question the fairness of the overall process. Given these
concerns, the hearing focused on the bidding program's
structure, operational problems, and the financial impact it
could have on DMEPOS suppliers and manufacturers. Testimony was
provided by Laurence Wilson, Director of DMEPOS Policy, Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Julie Weidemann on behalf
of the VGM Group; Dr. Bob Haralson M.D. on behalf of the
American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons; Dr. Rebecca H.
Wartman O.D. on behalf of American Optometric Association;
Linwood Staub on behalf of the Advanced Medical Technology
Association; Dr. Rebecca H. Wartman O.D. on behalf of the
American Optometric Association; Casey Hite on behalf of the
American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) and the North
Carolina Association of Medical Equipment Services; Heath
Sutton on behalf of Mountaineer Oxygen Services; Jon Einfalt on
behalf of the Association of Community Pharmacists; and Mr.
Gary Gilberti on behalf of the National Coalition for Assistive
and Rehab Technology.
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight
Oversight Activities
COMPETITIVE BIDDING FOR DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
On October 31, 2007, Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight held a hearing entitled ``Competitive Bidding for
Durable Medical Equipment: Will Small Suppliers Be Able to
Compete?'' The hearing focused on how the competitive bidding
program for certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics,
orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) has been structured, the
manner in which it will be implemented, and its impact on small
business suppliers and manufacturers. Additional attention was
also given to alternative approaches to the program. Testimony
on the subject was provided by Laurence Wilson, Director of
DMEPOS Policy, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;
Georgetta Blackburn on behalf of the American Association for
Home Care; Dr. Ross Taubman, President Elect of the American
Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) will testify on behalf of
the APMA; John Shirvinsky on behalf of Pennsylvania Association
of Medical Suppliers; Carol Gilligan, on behalf of Health Aid
of Ohio, Inc.; Richard Saxon, on Behalf of the Advanced Medical
Technology Association (AdvaMed); and Jose Navarro, on behalf
of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores.
SBA'S RESPONSE TO THE JULY 5TH FLOODS IN BEAVER COUNTY, PA
On August 23, 2007, the Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight held a field hearing in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania,
entitled ``The SBA's Response to the July 5 Floods in Beaver
County, Pennsylvania.'' That hearing focused on the SBA's
response to flooding that occurred in Beaver County
Pennsylvania on July 5, 2007. The Committee received testimony
from the SBA's Associate Administrator for Disaster Assistance,
as well as from the Chairman of the Beaver County Board of
Commissioners, the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, the
Director of the local library, and a small business owner from
Aliquippa. These individuals provided testimony on the effects
of the flooding, the status of SBA assistance in the community,
and progress that had been made in recovering from the flood.
NATIONAL VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
On May 2, 2007, the Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight held a hearing entitled ``Is the Veterans Corporation
Prepared to Provide Entrepreneurial Development Assistance to
Service Men and Women Returning from Iraq & Afghanistan?'' The
hearing focused on the National Veterans Business Development
Corporation (Veterans Corporation), a public-private
organization designed to provide entrepreneurial development
assistance to veterans seeking to start and expand businesses.
The focus of the hearing was considering the effectiveness of
Veteran Corporation to assist recent veterans of the Iraq and
Afghanistan wars. The Committee received testimony from
administrators of the Veterans Corporation and the Small
Business Administration's Veterans Affairs Office regarding
ongoing assistance and new programs for former service members.
Representatives of veteran service organization testified
regarding the Veterans Corporation's limited outreach, service
delivery, and performance accountability while suggesting
modifications to the organization.
SBIR AND MEDICAL INNOVATIONS
On February 13, 2008, the Subcommittee on Investigations
and Oversight convened a hearing entitled ``SBIR: Advancing
Medical Innovations.'' The hearing examined the impact of the
SBIR program on the development of innovative medical
technologies, therapies and products. The Subcommittee heard
testimony from Jo Anne Goodnight SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator,
National Institutes of Health, Amy Comstock Rick, Chief
Executive Officer, Parkinson's Action Network, Mel Billingsley,
President and CEO, Life Sciences Greenhouse, James D.
Stefansic, Chief Technology Officer, Pathfinder Therapeutics,
Inc., and Charles Matthews, Nicholas Franano, Chief Scientific
Officer, Proteon Therapeutics, Inc.
THE IMPACT OF INCREASING GAS PRICES ON SMALL BUSINESSES
On April 9, 2008, the Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight held a hearing entitled: ``The Impact of Increasing
Gas Prices on Small Businesses.'' Rising prices and volatile
supplies of gasoline and diesel fuel impacts small businesses'
bottom line and ability to do business at a time when our
economy is heavily reliant on transportation to move products
to and from the marketplace.
The subcommittee heard from experts from Mr. John
Urbanchuk, Economist, LECG; Mr. Tim Williford, Chairman
Government Affairs Committee, Plumbing-Heating-Cooling
Contractors--National Association; Mr. Gary Gilberti,
Chesapeake Rehab Equipment; Mr. Michael J. Graff, President &
CEO, Graff Trucking, Inc.; and Mr. Vincent F. Orza, Jr., Dean,
Meinders School of Business, Oklahoma City University.
The witnesses presented testimony focusing on a wide range
of issues including: plans for the future to deal with high
energy costs; changes and modifications to their business plans
in order to accommodate and absorb rising costs; dealing with
the inability to invest in new capital due to the higher cost
of gas; and the overall adverse impact prices at the pump have
on their particular business sector.
NURSING HOME SAFETY ISSUES
On Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 10:00 am in Room 1539 of the
Longworth House Office Building, the Subcommittee on
Investigations and Oversight of the Committee on Small Business
met for the purposes of examining the impact of criminals and
sexual predators on the operations of small businesses that
operate long-term care facilities, either intermediate care
facilities (ICFs)\13\ or skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
collectively and colloquially referred to as nursing homes. The
hearing assessed the regulatory problems associated with the
placement of criminals and sexual predators in nursing homes by
state officials and the industry's response to that problem.
Witnesses from the nursing home industry, victim advocacy and
other interested parties testified on the subject matter.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\13\ICFs provide long-term care for residents who do not require
the 24-hour nursing services available in SNFs. These institutions,
along with definitions for SNFs, were made in 1967 amendments to the
Medicare statute. National Academy of Science, Institute of Medicine,
Improving the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes 242 (1986).
OVERSIGHT PLAN FOR THE 110TH CONGRESS
Clause 2(d) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives for the 110th Congress requires that each
standing committee in the first session of a congress adopt an
oversight plan for the two-year period of the Congress and
submit the plan to the Committee on Government Reform and the
Committee on House Administration.
Clause 1(d)(1) of rule XI requires each committee to submit
to the House not later than January 2 of each odd-numbered
year, a report on the activities of that committee under rules
X and XI during the Congress ending on January 3 of such year.
Clause 1(d)(3) of rule XI also requires that the report include
a summary of the oversight plans submitted pursuant to clause
2(d) of rule X; a summary of the actions taken and
recommendations made with respect to each such plan; and a
summary of any additional oversight activities undertaken by
the committee and any recommendations made or actions taken
thereon.
Part A of this section contains the Oversight Plan of the
Committee on Small Business for the One Hundred Tenth Congress,
which the Committee considered and adopted on January 31, 2007.
Part B of this section contains a summary of the actions
taken to implement that plan and the recommendations made with
respect to the plan. Additional oversight activities undertaken
by the Committee, and the recommendations made or actions taken
thereon, are contained in the specific sections relating to the
activities of the full Committee and each of the subcommittees.
PART A
OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS FOR THE ONE HUNDRED
TENTH CONGRESS
----------
January 31, 2007. Approved by the Committee on Small Business. Approved
by the Committee on Small Business
----------
Ms. Velazquez, from the Committee on Small Business,
submitted to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
and the Committee on House Administration the following
REPORT
Clause 2(d)(1) of rule X of the Rules of the House of
Representatives for the 110th Congress requires each standing
committee, no later than February 15 of the first session to
adopt an oversight plan for the 110th Congress. The oversight
plan must be submitted simultaneously to the Committee on
Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on House
Administration.
The following agenda constitutes the oversight plan of the
Committee on Small Business for the 110th Congress. It includes
areas in which the Committee and its subcommittees expect to
conduct oversight during this Congress, but does not preclude
oversight or investigation of additional matters or programs as
they arise. The Committee will consult, as appropriate, with
other committees of the House that may share jurisdiction on
any of the subjects listed below.
I. Oversight of the Small Business Administration
A. Agency Management. The Committee will review the
management of the Agency's programs, personnel, and financial
resources. The Committee will examine methods the SBA uses to
manage risk in its loan portfolio and review the agency's
policies and practices regarding its lending partners. The
Committee will review the agency's outreach and public/private
funding initiatives through cooperative agreements,
partnerships and co-sponsorships. Further, the Committee will
evaluate the status of the SBA's transformation plan, personnel
training initiatives, and incentive programs. The Committee
also will review the working relationship between the agency
and its Inspector General to ensure that management
recommendations and objectives are being actively considered.
Finally, the Committee will continue to assess the agency's
financial management and reporting goals.
B. Lending Programs. The Committee will examine the SBA's
lending programs to ensure that they meet the needs of small
businesses. The Committee will examine ways to reduce the cost
of the 7(a) loan program to both small businesses and lenders.
In addition, the Committee will review proposals that would
expand and broaden the program's reach, including those focused
on low-income and rural areas. The Committee will conduct
oversight hearings regarding the 504 Certified Development
Company program to ensure that it is properly carrying out its
mission of economic development and job creation. The Committee
will also review the Microloan program with the intent of
reducing barriers to its growth and expansion.
C. Investment Programs. The Committee will study the impact
of the recent termination of the Small Business Investment
Company (SBIC) Participating Securities program on
entrepreneurs. In particular, the Committee will seek to
understand the effect of its termination on early stage firms
as well as on investment companies. The Committee will examine
proposals that would reopen the SBIC Participating Securities
program, as well as alternative venture capital investment
initiatives. Finally, the Committee will consider policy
changes that would increase individual angel investment and
foster small business growth.
D. Disaster Programs. The Committee will evaluate the SBA's
disaster programs to ensure that they can meet the needs of
small businesses affected by disasters. This includes reviewing
policy proposals that would make more effective use of private
sector lenders, improve the agency's response times, better
coordinate the agency's program with other federal efforts, and
provide for improved system resiliency. The Committee will
oversee any actions the agency has taken to modify the disaster
program. Finally, the Committee will consider policy and
organizational alternatives for providing disaster assistance
to homeowners.
E. Entrepreneurial Development Programs. The Committee will
evaluate the SBA's Entrepreneurial Development programs and
whether existing initiatives have the capacity to meet the
needs of their growing and diverse constituencies. The
Committee will ascertain whether the Small Business Development
Centers network has the capacity and infrastructure to provide
assistance to address the unique challenges facing small
business, particularly with respect to energy, regulatory
fairness, healthcare, and under-served entrepreneurs. The
Committee will examine the Women Business Centers program to
look for ways to meet the mutual goal of creating new Centers
versus the sustainability of existing Centers. In carrying out
this review, the Committee will study whether the
sustainability funding formula needs modification to ensure
that the original intent of the program's creators is met.
F. Government Contracting and Business Development
Programs. The Committee will oversee the SBA's efforts to
maximize small business participation in the federal
marketplace. In particular, SBA's role in mitigating bundled
contracts will be assessed. Further, the Committee will review
SBA's role in the miscoding of the size of businesses awarded
federal government contracts. The Committee will examine the
SBA's 8(a) program to ensure that its rules and regulations do
not impede minority business growth and development. The
Committee will review the HUBZone program to ensure that the
program is being utilized properly by contracting officers and
the program is meeting its objective of promoting economic
development in poor regions of the United States. The Committee
will assess the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Procurement
Program to ensure that it is being properly carried out.
Finally, the Committee will make certain that the Women's
Procurement Program is implemented by the SBA.
G. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small
Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. As part of its
efforts to reauthorize the SBIR program during the 110th
Congress, the Committee will evaluate the effectiveness of the
program and will endeavor to gather first-hand testimony from
SBIR program administrators, SBIR program participants, and
relevant experts. The Committee will investigate potential
changes to the SBIR program that would advance critical
national priorities including energy independence and economic
development in urban and rural empowerment zones and enterprise
communities. The Committee will also examine the STTR program's
effectiveness as a means to help small businesses gain access
to technologies developed at federal laboratories.
H. Office of Advocacy. The Committee will assess the Office
of Advocacy's Economic Research programs to determine if they
meet the underlying mission of the Office.
I. Veterans Corporation. The Committee will review the on-
going activities of the National Veterans Business Development
Corporation to determine whether the Corporation is serving as
an effective advocate for veteran-owned businesses. In
particular, the Committee will evaluate the relationship
between the SBA and the Corporation to identify whether the SBA
is working cooperatively with the Corporation or whether work
is being unnecessarily replicated. The Committee will identify
whether the Corporation's efforts at expanding and enhancing
private funding options have been successful. The Committee
also will investigate whether additional federal investment is
warranted and, if so, for what duration.
II. Agriculture
A. Federal Agricultural Policy. The Committee will examine
the impact of federal policies on family farms, ranchers, and
rural small businesses. The Committee will conduct oversight
hearings on Farm Bill reauthorization legislation to
investigate the policies' effects on the income, production
costs, and prices received by small producers.
B. Financial Assistance. The Committee will examine federal
resources, including loans and fee subsidies, which spur
private enterprises in rural areas. The Committee will evaluate
federal programs that provide training, information, and
networking resources to enhance entrepreneurial activity in
these regions.
C. Biofuels. The Committee will examine the role that
farmers and rural businesses can play in the development of
biofuels. The Committee will examine the operational needs of
small farmers working to shift production from food to energy
crops and to build facilities to refine alternative resources.
D. Value Added Products. The Committee will increase
oversight of financing and technical assistance programs that
assist small farmers' expansion into emerging niche
agricultural markets, including organic products. The Committee
will examine the operational needs of small farmers working to
add value to outputs and maintain competitiveness in the
changing marketplace.
E. Rural Economic Development. The Committee will oversee
federal activities to spur economic development in rural
communities. The Committee will conduct hearings on the
physical and financial infrastructure needed to maintain and
grow small rural businesses.
III. Energy
A. Energy Prices. The Committee will conduct hearings on
the impacts of rising energy and petroleum prices on small
businesses, particularly fuel intensive sectors, such as
farming, transportation, and those that use petroleum products
as feedstock.
B. Relief Measures. The Committee will examine price relief
measures in existing and upcoming energy legislation and their
application to small businesses struggling under burdensome
fuel costs.
C. Energy Efficiency. The Committee will investigate
methods to increase energy efficiency and resource conservation
practices for small businesses. The Committee will increase
oversight of federal initiatives to streamline business
operations and reduce operational costs for small firms.
IV. Financial services
A. Trends in Small Business Financing. To better understand
the mechanisms that small firms are using to fund their
business, the Committee will examine recent research, including
the Federal Reserve's Survey of Small Business Finances.
B. Access to Financial Services. The Committee will review
federal laws that impede small businesses fair access to
financial services such as their ability to receive interest on
checking accounts or to have a variety of potential lending
options.
C. Role of Small Lenders. The Committee will endeavor to
assess the impact of consolidation in the financial services
industry on small lenders and small business borrowers. In
addition, the Committee will review industry trends and
regulatory developments that may reduce the availability of
financing to small firms.
D. Insurance. The Committee will evaluate the use of
insurance products by small businesses, including property/
casualty lines. The Committee will assess the impact of federal
insurance reforms on small insurance firms and small business
insured. Finally, the Committee will examine the tort liability
system and its impact on the cost of insurance, particularly
for small businesses.
E. Capital Formation. The Committee will examine challenges
that small businesses face in raising capital. This will
include a review of federal securities laws and regulations
that affect small firms, such as Securities and Exchange
regulation S-B.
V. Health care
A. Access to Affordable Health Coverage and State Market
Reforms. The Committee will evaluate a number of health care
policies designed to expand access to affordable health
insurance through small employers. The Committee will look at
proposed federal changes to give small employers greater
options for coverage. The Committee will examine current and
proposed state initiatives to promote coverage and the impact
of these reforms on small employers in those markets. The
Committee will examine the impact of these changes on the small
group health insurance market.
B. Expanding Available Options for Small Employers to
Purchase Health Insurance. The Committee will examine options
for removing barriers to affordable small employer coverage.
The Committee will conduct hearings to review new and emerging
policies to increase access to affordable health care coverage.
These possible changes include, but are not limited to,
increasing pooling mechanisms for small businesses, reinsurance
models, and ERISA reforms.
C. Tax Credits. The Committee will examine the possibility
of tax credits to promote coverage and their impact on small
employers. In particular, the Committee seeks to understand
whether tax credits are a viable vehicle for health care market
reform and the budgetary effect of such changes. The Committee
will hold hearings to explore tax credits and other approaches
to encourage small employer purchase of coverage for their
employees.
D. Health IT Adoption. The Committee will conduct hearings
to evaluate the economic benefits derived through the adoption
of a uniform, secure, interoperable health information
technology infrastructure (Health IT) by small health care
groups--i.e., physicians, vendors and other providers. In
particular, the Committee will consider the degree to which
Health IT creates market efficiencies and whether those
advantages will exist for small groups. The Committee will
evaluate the challenges of Health IT adoption.
E. Health Care Cost and Quality. The Committee will examine
efforts to increase access to information on the cost and
quality of health care. The Committee will conduct hearings to
explore how access to cost and quality information can affect
the purchase of insurance by small employers.
F. Health Care Provider Compensation and Regulatory
Structure. The Committee will examine federal reimbursement of
health care providers and the effect that such reimbursement
decisions have on non-Medicare/Medicaid insurer reimbursement
to physicians and other healthcare providers. The Committee
will evaluate state regulation, such as insurance laws that
affect provider compensation and business organization. The
Committee will hold hearings to consider how current practices
within the health care market affect small health care
providers.
VI. Immigration
The Committee will review proposals to reform the nation's
immigration system to ensure that small businesses will be able
to readily access a high-quality workforce. The Committee will
examine reform proposals to ensure that enforcement, security
and economic needs are appropriately balanced.
VII. International trade
A. International Agreements. The Committee will hold
hearings on the impact of new and existing international
commitments on the small business sector. The Committee will
increase oversight of ongoing international negotiations to
ensure trade regulations, standards, and facilitation measures
serve the needs of small businesses.
B. Trade Enforcement. The Committee will evaluate trade
enforcement activities, particularly affecting intellectual
property rights, and methods to protect small businesses from
unfair trade practices. The Committee will investigate trade
remedies for firms adjusting to pressures from low-cost
overseas and corporate producers.
C. Export Assistance. The Committee will examine efforts to
increase small businesses' access to global markets, including
initiatives to reduce excessively burdensome administrative and
legal requirements. The Committee will conduct oversight of
federal export assistance programs, including those conducted
by the Export-Import Bank, the SBA, and the United States
Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, which seek to reduce
small firms' costs of expanding into international markets.
VIII. Pensions and retirement
A. The Committee will examine the current state of pension
coverage for small employers. The Committee will look at
reforms to improve the plan options for small businesses and
possible ways to defray administrative costs of operating the
plan. The Committee will hold hearings to look at innovative
ways to promote coverage for small businesses and their
employees. This will include looking at modifications to
defined benefit and defined contribution plans to encourage
coverage.
B. The Committee will assess the impact of recently passed
pension legislation on small employer's ability to offer
pension plans. This will include an examination of the impacts
on promoting coverage and addressing any concerns over
increased liabilities of offering a pension plan.
IX. Procurement
A. Federal Procurement Practices. The Committee recognizes
the increase in use of contracting methods such as interagency
contracting and electronic procurement and will work to ensure
that these procedures allow the full participation by small
businesses. The Committee will work to make sure that the
regulations are being followed in a manner that enables
competition, increases small business procurement
opportunities, and provides the government with the best value.
B. Transparency. The Committee will work to increase
transparency in federal procurement activities. Greater
transparency will allow agencies to be evaluated fairly on
their commitment to competition, integrity, and best value, as
well as their support of small business and entrepreneurship.
C. 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes. The Committee will continue
to monitor the recovery efforts related to the 2005 Gulf Coast
Hurricanes as well as investigate past contracting actions
related to those events. The Committee will specifically look
at emergency procurement practices, such as the use of no-bid
contracts and increasing the micropurchase threshold, to
enhance small business participation as prime contractors while
ensuring maximum competition to the extent permitted by the
necessities of the emergency.
D. Iraqi Reconstruction. The Committee will monitor the
contracts awarded for the reconstruction of Iraq, with an
emphasis on ensuring that small businesses have received fair
prime contracting and subcontracting opportunities. The
Committee will hold accountable those agencies and contractors
who fail to provide competition as required by law.
E. Contract Bundling. The practice of contract bundling
displaces small businesses from the federal marketplace. The
Committee will continue to monitor the use of ``bundled''
contracts and ensure that regulations are being followed. The
Committee will continue to work to ``unbundle'' contracts when
appropriate.
F. Federal Contracting Goal. The Committee will review
federal agencies performance in meeting annual contracting
goals. In order to foster greater small business participation
in the federal marketplace, the Committee will seek to work
with agencies that have historically underperformed in meeting
their contracting goals.
G. Sole Source Contracting. The Committee will continue to
monitor the use of sole-source contracts, particularly with
regard to Alaska Native Corporations. The Committee will work
to ensure that all socio-economic contracting programs are
operating as intended.
H. Agency Miscounting of Contracts. As a follow-up to a
hearing in which GAO found that agencies were counting
contracts awarded to large corporations towards their small
business procurement goals, the Committee will investigate the
sufficiency of agencies' efforts to rectify the problem. The
Committee also will investigate the adequacy of the Federal
Procurement Data System and its capabilities to record accurate
data on federal procurement by government agencies, especially
as it relates to the size of the business awarded a contract.
I. Inaccurate Reporting of Federal Contracting Awards. The
Committee will evaluate the accuracy of procurement data used
to determine the small business goal and whether agencies
knowingly relied on inaccurate data to achieve these goals. The
Committee will examine the causes for such inaccuracies,
including, but not limited to, management oversight,
appropriateness of procurement policies, and adequacy of funds.
J. Contracting Certifications by Business. The Committee
will investigate if any large businesses improperly certified
themselves as small in order to receive contracts. Furthermore,
the Committee will assess whether federal procurement officials
took any actions to uncover these problems and implemented
steps to prevent them. Should the Committee uncover
questionable practices, it will report them to the appropriate
enforcement authorities.
X. Regulations
The Committee will examine federal agency rules and
regulations, as well as legislation that proposes such rules
and regulations, to ensure that small businesses are not
subject to undue regulatory burdens. In doing so the Committee
will focus on:
A. Whether the regulation imposes unnecessary
barriers to competitive market entry by small
businesses and places small businesses at a competitive
disadvantage with respect to larger competitors,
including the impact that Section 404 of the Sarbanes
Oxley Act is having on the competitiveness of small
companies;
B. Whether the regulation minimizes recordkeeping and
reporting requirements including the elimination of any
duplicative requirements as required by the Paperwork
Reduction Act;
C. Whether the rules and regulations are in plain
English;
D. Whether the rules and regulations are
indistinguishable of existing state and local
regulations; and
E. Whether small businesses are provided sufficient
compliance assistance including small entity compliance
guides issued by agencies as mandated by the Small
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.
In addition, the Committee will examine the agency process
for promulgating rules and regulations to include:
A. The adequacy of an agency's compliance with the
Regulatory Flexibility Act;
B. Whether the agency minimized burdens and maximized
benefits for small businesses while achieving its
statutory and regulatory objectives; and
C. Whether small businesses have been provided
sufficient opportunity to comment and provide input
into the development of regulations.
XI. Tax
A. Tax Simplification and Relief. The Committee will hold
hearings on the concerns over the growing complexity of the tax
code for small employers. The Committee will work to identify
ways to simplify the tax code and reduce the tax burden on
small business owners. The Committee will focus on changes to
the tax code that provide targeted tax relief and equity for
small business owners. In addition, the Committee will examine
any specific tax relief including, but not limited to,
expensing and depreciation that will spur investment by small
businesses.
B. Alternative Minimum Tax. The Committee will examine ways
to reform the alternative minimum tax to provide tax relief for
small businesses. The Committee will review proposed changes
and the budgetary costs of making such modifications.
C. Tax Gap Efforts by the IRS. The Committee will examine
recent efforts by the IRS to close the so-called ``Tax Gap''
and the impact of these measures on small businesses. The
Committee shall review efforts by the agency that have a
negative impact on small businesses. The Committee will examine
measures to close the tax gap through legislative changes and
the impact of these changes on small businesses.
D. Investment in Small Business and New Markets Tax Credit.
The Committee will review what is being done to encourage
economic growth and investment in small businesses through the
tax code. The Committee will look at ways to encourage equity
investment in small businesses. The Committee will look at the
current state of the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program.
E. Estate Tax. The Committee will examine the impact of the
sunset of the estate tax repeal on business planning and the
ability of small businesses to continue as going enterprises
after the deaths of the founders.
XII. Technology and innovation
A. Technology Workforce. The Committee will further
investigate the regulations governing the annual cap on H-1B
visas and the process by which such visas are issued, in light
of the challenge small technology companies have in hiring and
retaining scientists, researchers and engineers.
B. Financing for Startups. The Committee will review the
eligibility requirements of the Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) program with respect to venture capital
investment to ensure that small companies are afforded a wide
array of financing options. In addition, the Committee will
examine the eligibility requirements for the SBIR program to
determine the extent that venture capital investment should be
permitted in the program.
C. Broadband. The Committee will assess the role that small
companies can play in the development and expansion of wireless
and wire line broadband technologies. The Committee also will
review the impact on the planned spectrum auctions will have on
small business. This review will examine the process by which
the Federal Communications Commission complies with 3(a)(2) of
the Small Business Act while meeting its obligations under 332
of the Federal Communications Act of 1934 to provide
opportunities for designated entities including small
businesses.
D. Development of Energy Efficient Technologies. The
efforts of technology companies to create and promote energy
efficient devices will be examined, as well as ways that the
federal government could encourage more of America's small
businesses to adopt ``green'' technologies. The Committee will
look at the potential modifications to the Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) program that could advance national
energy independence. The Committee also will examine whether
changes made by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 affect the
viability of renewable energy generators.
E. eWaste. The Committee will review the efforts that the
technology industry, particularly small companies, is making to
address the growing challenge of recycling computer equipment
and peripherals.
PART B
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
FOR THE ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS
I. Oversight of the Small Business Administration
A. Agency management
The Committee continued to oversee the management of the
SBA through hearing on the agency's FY 2008 and FY 2009 budget
proposals. These hearings, as well as associated meetings and
interviews with agency personnel, informed the Committee of the
SBA's managerial operations. On February 8, 2007 the Committee
on Small Business held a hearing of the SBA's proposed budget
for FY 2008. This hearing included a review of the
administration's funding requests as well as agency management
of key policy initiatives for the fiscal year. The Committee
heard testimony from SBA Administrator Steven Preston. On
February 7, 2008 the Committee on Small Business held a hearing
of the SBA's proposed budget for FY 2009. This hearing included
a review of the administration's funding requests as well as
agency management of key policy initiatives for the fiscal
year. The Committee heard testimony from SBA Administrator
Steven Preston.
In addition to the annual budget hearings, the Committee
held several hearings on SBA's management of agency programs,
including those related to disaster assistance, entrepreneurial
development, lending, and contracting. Finally, the Committee
requested a GAO investigation into the agency's management of
the HUBZone program and also requested that the SBA examine
irregularities in the award of contracts through the 7(j)
program.
B. Lending programs
The Committee has conducted several hearings and briefings
on the SBA's lending programs. The Committee held three
hearings that focused exclusively on the SBA's 7(a), Certified
Development Company, and Microloan programs, culminating in the
introduction of two pieces of legislation, H.R. 1332 and H.R.
3020, which were ultimately reported out of Committee and
passed by the House. On March 1, 2007, the Committee on Small
Business held an oversight hearing entitled, ``Increasing
Access to Capital for Our Nation's Small Businesses.'' That
hearing examined the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in
securing affordable financing through the 7(a) and 504 loan
programs. On March 8, 2007, the full Committee held a hearing
entitled, ``Disaster Relief and Access to Capital
Legislation.'' In that hearing, the Committee reviewed
legislation affecting the SBA's Access to Capital programs.
Specifically, this hearing focused on the H.R. 1332, the Small
Business Lending Improvements Act, legislation to improve and
expand the SBA's 7(a) and Certified Development Company loan
programs.
In passing H.R. 1332, the Committee satisfied several of
its objectives concerning the SBA's Access to Capital programs.
H.R. 1332 featured an initiative that will reduce the borrower
and lender fees associated with the 7(a) loan program.
Additionally, the bill contained provisions that would expand
the reach of the 7(a) and 504 loan programs, particularly in
rural areas and for socially and economically disadvantaged
areas. Finally, H.R. 1332 will make an array of technical
changes to the 504 loan program and enhances the ties between
504 lenders and the communities that they serve by requiring
lenders to include locals on the board of directors.
On March 5, 2008, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax held
a hearing regarding the SBA's access to capital programs. This
included testimony from Eric Zarnikow, the Associate
Administrator for Capital Access at SBA, the National
Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, the National
Association of Development Companies, the National Association
of Small Business Investment Companies, and the Association of
Enterprise Opportunity. The Subcommittee heard about the
challenges SBA program participants face in making capital more
available for small firms.
C. Investment programs
The Committee conducted two hearings on the SBA's
investment programs, culminating in the introduction and
passage of H.R. 3567, the Small Business Investment Expansion
Act of 2007. On June 21, 2007, the Committee on Small Business
held an oversight hearing entitled, ``Increasing Investment in
Our Nation's Small Businesses.'' That hearing examined the
challenges that small businesses face in seeking capital
investment in the private markets. Of particular interest was
witness testimony on the role of equitable investment for early
stage and newly formed firms.
On September 6, 2007, the full committee held a hearing
entitled, ``A Hearing to Consider Legislation Updating and
Improving the SBA's Investment and Surety Bond Programs.''
Specifically, that hearing examined draft legislation that
would improve and expand the SBA's investment programs,
including the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program
and the New Markets Venture Capital (NMVC) program as well as
the Surety Bond program.
In passing H.R. 3567, the Committee satisfied several of
its objectives concerning the SBA's Investment programs.
Perhaps most notably, H.R. 3567 established an Angel Investment
Program under the purview of the SBA. The bill also modernized
and streamlined three programs in the Small Business Investment
Act of 1958, the SBIC, NMVC and Surety Bond programs. Finally,
the bill will revise SBA rules that inhibited the free flow of
venture capital investment to small businesses.
D. Disaster programs
The Committee has conducted several hearings and briefings
on the SBA's disaster program. These activities were largely
driven by the problems encountered in the SBA's response to the
2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes. The Committee held three hearings
that focused on the SBA's disaster lending program and
culminated its work on the SBA Disaster Program with passage of
H.R. 1361, the RECOVER Act.
On February 14, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``The Small Business Administration's Response to the 2005 Gulf
Coast Hurricanes.'' That hearing explored deficiencies in the
Small Business Administration's response to the 2005 Gulf Coast
Hurricanes and the concurrent Government Accountability Office
report that examined the root causes of those problems. William
Shear, the Director of Financial Markets and Community
Investment at the Government Accountability Office, who
presented the results of a concurrently released GAO report
entitled ``Response to the Gulf Coast Hurricanes Highlights
Need for Enhanced Disaster Preparedness,'' which recommended
that SBA take several steps to improve its disaster
preparedness.
On March 8, 2007, the full Committee held a hearing
entitled, ``Disaster Relief and Access to Capital
Legislation.'' The purpose of the hearing was to review
legislation affecting the SBA's Disaster and Access to Capital
programs. Specifically, this hearing focused on the H.R. 1361,
the Relief for Entrepreneurs: Coordination of Objectives and
Values for Effective Recovery Act of 2007 (RECOVER),
legislation that would reform and improve the SBA's Disaster
Assistance program. The Committee received testimony from the
Associate Administrator for Disaster Relief. Additionally, the
Committee received testimony from James Lee Witt, former
director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
On August 23, 2007, the Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight held a field hearing in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania,
entitled ``The SBA's Response to the July 5 Floods in Beaver
County, Pennsylvania.'' That hearing focused on the SBA's
response to flooding that occurred in Beaver County
Pennsylvania on July 5, 2007.
In passing the RECOVER Act, the Committee successfully
addressed numerous problems that were identified following
deficiencies in the SBA's response to the 2005 Gulf Coast
Hurricanes. Most notably, the bill will require the SBA to
perform comprehensive, risk-based, disaster planning on an
annual basis and that the agency has mechanisms in place to
maintain its disaster readiness over the long term. The act
also establishes several new disaster assistance tools to
improve the disaster planning process, including the
reorganization of the agency's Office of Disaster Assistance, a
requirement that the agency engage in an annual disaster
simulation exercise, and requirements that the agency formalize
plans to address the need for additional space and employees in
the event of a major disaster.
The RECOVER act also enhances the SBA's disaster loan
program by improving the manner in which disaster loans are
processed, approved, and disbursed, and by providing the agency
with additional financial assistance tools that are intended to
better fit the various needs of small businesses following a
disaster. H.R. 1361 established an Enhanced Lending Authority
for Preferred Lenders Program that will enable the SBA to
enlist the resources of private lenders to process, approve,
disburse, and service loans during incidents of national
significance. Finally, the bill creates a small grant program
to assist small businesses damaged by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita,
and Wilma with their continued recovery.
Finally, in response to the severe flooding that occurred
in the Midwest during 2008, the Committee requested that
resources be expedited to the area and maximum flexibility be
given to affected parties. The Committee requested and received
daily updates regarding the disaster loan program.
E. Entrepreneurial development programs
The Committee continued to monitor and update SBA
Entrepreneurial Development Programs to ensure the agency meets
the current needs of small businesses. Programmatic and
resource evaluations were executed in particular of the
agency's Small Business Development Centers and Women's
Business Center Programs.
To evaluate the entrepreneurial development programs'
service level and resource gaps, the Committee held a hearing
on February 8, 2007 entitled ``SBA FY 2008 Budget Request.''
SBA Administrators testified on the status of current ED
programs, reported on improvements to agency resources,
including increased efficiencies and performance.
Representatives of outreach programs, including the SBDCs and
WBCs as well as a Native American business owner testified
regarding the need for adequate and guaranteed funding for
their centers.
The Committee analyzed potential modifications to the
agency's entrepreneurial programs in a hearing on May 16, 2007.
Representatives of program service providers and agency
administrators reviewed proposed legislation to reauthorize the
Entrepreneurial Development Programs. On June 18, 2007, the
House of Representatives voted 405-18 in favor of H.R. 2359,
the ``SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of 2007,'' a
bill sponsored by Vice Chair of the Small Business Committee,
Representative Sestak, to enhance the agency's business
development programs. The Committee held a hearing regarding
resource gaps for the agency's programs on September 27, 2007.
Administration officials and program service providers
presented funding level requests in order to maintain and
upgrade capacity levels.
The Committee also explored the role of the SBA's
Entrepreneurial Development programs through H.R. 4253, the
Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization
and Opportunity Act of 2007. This bill incorporated several of
the initiatives contained in H.R. 2366, SBA Veterans' Programs
Act of 2007. Most notably, H.R. 4253 increased funding for the
SBA's Office of Veterans' Business Development and requires the
SBA to increase the number of Veterans Business Outreach
Centers throughout the U.S. The bill also establishes an
interagency task force consisting of senior level
representatives from the SBA as well as from several other
Federal agencies and representatives from veteran service
organizations to coordinate the efforts of Federal agencies to
improve and expand access to veterans services and programs.
The bill also establishes a National Reservist Enterprise
Transition and Sustainability program through which the SBA
will provide competitive grant awards to Small Business
Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, Veterans
Business Outreach Centers, and any other veterans business
assistance program so that they may provide veteran-owned
businesses with management, financing, procurement, technical,
and regulatory assistance.
On March 12, 2008, the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship held a hearing entitled ``Oversight of the
Entrepreneurial Development Programs Implemented by the Small
Business Administration and National Veterans Business
Development Corporation. Oversight was conducted for the SBA's
entrepreneurial development portfolio and to evaluate the
effectiveness of the National Veterans Business Development
Corporation's efforts to serve the needs of veteran small
business owners. The purpose of the hearing was to consider the
management approach and distribution of federal resources to
implement these programs, particularly given the recent release
of the administration's FY 2009 budget in combination with
weakening economic conditions.
F. Government contracting and business development programs
The Committee conducted regular oversight through hearings
on SBA's contracting programs, which reviewed the challenges
that small firms face in making use of these initiatives. The
Committee also held hearings on the SBA's implementation of the
Women's Procurement Program. The Committee and the House passed
legislation making changes to the SBA's 8(a), Service-Disabled
Veterans, HUBZone, and other contracting programs. The
Committee requested a GAO examination of the HUBZone program
and a hearing was held on July 17, 2008 on the GAO's findings.
In addition, the Committee requested that the SBA investigate
improprieties in the award of contracts under the 7(j) program.
On September 19, 2007 the Committee conducted a hearing on
the effectiveness of the SBA's contracting programs and the
challenges they face. This was followed by an April 16, 2008
hearing in the Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology. The
Subcommittee considered the management and effectiveness of the
8(a), service-disabled veterans, and HUBZone programs, as well
as the agency's proposal to implement the women's procurement
program.
On March 21, 2007 the Subcommittee on Contracting and
Technology held a hearing on the implementation of the Women's
Procurement Program and federal government efforts in
contracting with women-owned businesses. On January 16, 2008
the Committee held a hearing to examine the SBA's
implementation of the Women's Procurement Program. The SBA had
issued a proposed regulation to administer the program and the
Committee heard testimony on its adequacy and appropriateness
given Congressional intent in creating the program. The first
panel was comprised of the Administrator of the SBA and an
official from the Department of Justice. The second panel was
comprised of women-owned small businesses, a legal scholar, and
a law practitioner.
G. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small
Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs
The Committee on Small Business undertook a comprehensive
reauthorization effort of the SBIR and STTR programs during the
110th Congress. This included oversight and legislative
hearings, meetings with key stakeholders, and consideration of
reauthorization legislation in both the Committee and on the
House floor.
The Committee held three hearings on the reauthorization of
the SBIR program. On January 29, 2008, the Committee held a
hearing entitled ``SBIR: America's Technology Development
Incubator.'' The hearing explored the numerous contributions
that the SBIR program makes to national security priorities,
economic development objectives and America's international
economic competitiveness. On February 13, 2008 the House
Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on Investigations and
Oversight convened a hearing entitled ``SBIR: Advancing Medical
Innovations.'' The Subcommittee hearing examined the impact of
the SBIR program on the development of innovative medical
technologies, therapies and products. On March 13, 2008 the
Committee on Small Business held a hearing to review a
Committee Print of proposed legislation (H.R. 5819) that would
reauthorize and modernize the SBIR program.
H.R. 5819, the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act extends for a
period of two years both SBIR and STTR. The legislation
modernizes the SBIR program, changing the legislative
guidelines and policies in order to update the program in
response to the unique challenges facing small research
companies. The Committee and House passed the legislation
during the 110th Congress.
H. Office of Advocacy
The Committee conducted oversight of the Office of Advocacy
through the annual budget process, as well as through hearings
on Advocacy's effort to reduce regulatory burden on small
firms. On December 6, 2007, the Committee held a hearing on
legislation to improve the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The
Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business
Administration, Thomas M. Sullivan delivered testimony. On July
30, 2008, the Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and
Trade held a hearing entitled ``Regulatory Burdens on Small
Firms: What Rules Need Reforms?'' The Subcommittee heard
testimony from, among other witnesses, the Chief Counsel for
Advocacy, Small Business Administration, Thomas M. Sullivan.
The hearing examined the Office of Advocacy's r3 regulatory
reform initiative.
I. Veterans Corporation
The Committee continued to monitor the performance of the
National Veterans Business Development Corporation (NVBDC) and
the entity's ability to meet the needs of the current veteran
population. The committee held meetings with NVBDC officials
and Veteran Service Organization representatives to identify
gaps in services by the organization as well as recommendations
to improve its performance.
To evaluate the NVBDC's performance, the Committee held a
hearing on May 2, 2007. Agency officials and veterans service
organizations presented analysis on the NVBDC and proposals to
comprehensively modernize the Federal government's veteran
entrepreneurship resources.
The Committee also examined the role of the Veterans
Corporation through H.R. 4253, the Military Reservist and
Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of
2007. This bill incorporated several of the initiatives
contained in H.R. 2366, SBA Veterans' Programs Act of 2007.
Most notably, H.R. 4253 contained a provision that removed the
SBA Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs from the
purview of the Veterans Corporation and permanently extended
the operational authority of the SBA Advisory Committee on
Veterans Business Affairs.
II. Agriculture
A. Federal agriculture policy
The Committee conducted regular oversight of agricultural
issues that affect small businesses and family farmers. On
November 14, 2007, the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship held a hearing entitled ``Program
Harmonization in Rural America--How the Small Business
Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Can Work Together to Better Serve Small Businesses''. The
Subcommittee considered and examined how the SBA and USDA
programs have worked, and gain a better understanding of how
the two agencies can work better together in the future through
potential program harmonization and improved communications.
On June 7, 2007, the Committee held a hearing on small
business priorities in the 2007 Farm Bill. The Committee
examined policies that assist small farmers and businesses with
successfully competing in the domestic and global agricultural
markets. On May 1, 2008, the Committee held a hearing on the
impact of rail transportation access on family farmers. The
Committee held a hearing on April 17, 2008, entitled
``Maintaining Public Lands for Hunting, Fishing, Ranching and
Small Businesses.'' The Committee examined how the Department
of the Interior is meeting the needs of ranchers dependent on
the use of public lands for grazing.
B. Financial assistance
The Committee examined the role that the SBA's financial
assistance programs play in providing federal resources to spur
private enterprises in rural areas. At hearings held on March
1, 2007 and March 8, 2007, the Committee received testimony
from community banks and credit unions that stressed the need
to increase rural lender participation in the SBA's 7(a) and
504 loan programs so that they may provide access to these
programs for entrepreneurs in rural areas. To address these
concerns, the Committee established a Rural Lending Outreach
program under the framework of the 7(a) loan program in H.R.
1332. Additionally, the Committee directed the SBA to make
improved nationwide distribution of investment program
resources a priority of its New Markets Venture Capital program
in H.R. 3567.
C. Biofuels
The Committee held several hearing on biofuels during the
110th Congress. On May 3, 2007, the Committee held a hearing
entitled ``The Impact of Renewable Energy Production in Rural
America''. This hearing focused on the consumption and
production of renewable fuels. On June 18, 2008, the
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship held a hearing
on second generation biofuels. On June 20, 2007, the
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology convened a hearing
on the workforce demands on small bio-energy businesses. The
subcommittee explored the potential for sustaining the
renewable fuels sector for small businesses in rural America.
The Committee considered initiatives in H.R. 2389, the
Small Energy Efficient Businesses Act (SEEBA) that ultimately
passed the House in H.R. 3221 that were aimed at increasing
small business development and use of biofuels. H.R. 2389
adapts the SBA's investment programs to achieve increased
investment in small businesses involved in the research,
development, production, or marketing of energy efficient
goods, products, or services, including biofuels, by permitting
licensed debenture SBICs to issue special Energy Saving (ES)
Debentures that provide substantial benefits over existing
debentures.
In addition to hearings, the Committee conducted oversight
of biofuels issues through the legislative process. H.R. 2389
also creates a new program within the Small Business Investment
Act of 1958 called the ``Renewable Fuel Capital Investment
Company'' (RFCIC) program. This program will authorize the
creation of new Renewable Fuel Capital Investment Companies
(RFCICs) that issue SBA guaranteed debentures to invest in
small businesses engaged in researching, manufacturing,
developing, and bringing to market renewable energy sources,
with specific emphasis on investing in businesses that produce
biofuels.
D. Value added products
Through hearings on agricultural matters, the Committee
considered challenges that family farmers face in developing
value-added products. On June 18, 2008, the Subcommittee on
Rural and Entrepreneurship held a hearing on second generation
biofuels, which considered the possibility of using biomass,
such as corn stover, husks, and cobs, to produce biofuels. On
May 15, 2008, the Committee held a hearing on rising food
prices and their impact on small businesses, which included
considerable examination of cellulosic ethanol from non-food
sources. Finally, on July 10, 2008, the Committee held a
hearing on the role of green technologies in spurring economic
growth. This hearing reviewed farms' role in generating
electricity through alternative sources for their own
utilization or to sell it back to the grid. This is a major
opportunity for them to increase their investments and
diversify their on- and off-farm financial risks.
E. Rural economic development
On June 7, 2007, the Committee held a hearing regarding
family farms and rural small businesses. The committee examined
policies that assist small farmers and businesses with
successfully competing in the domestic and global agricultural
markets. On May 9, 2007, the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship convened a hearing entitled ``Maximizing the
Value of Broadband in Rural Communities.'' The hearing examined
the role broadband services can play in revitalizing rural
economies.
III. Energy
A. Energy prices
The Committee conducted regular oversight of the impact of
energy prices on small businesses. On August 31, 2007, the
Committee held a field hearing in Johnson City, Tennessee on
the cost and availability of energy and the effect on small
businesses. The Committee discussed the importance of energy to
small businesses as energy consumers, and talk about how
increasing costs are cutting into profit margins. On April 9,
2008, the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight held a
hearing on the impact of increasing gas prices on small
businesses. On May 15, 2008, the Committee held a hearing on
rising food prices and their impact on small businesses. The
hearing considered the role that energy prices are contributing
to food price inflation. The Committee conducted a hearing on
June 26, 2008, entitled ``Grounded: How the Air Transportation
Crisis Is Hurting Entrepreneurs and the Economy.'' Witnesses
discussed the effect of increasing energy prices on airlines
and small firms in the travel and tourism industry.
B. Relief measures
On October 10, 2007, the Committee convened a hearing on
small business energy policy, including an examination of
policies that assist small businesses to successfully compete
in the domestic and global marketplace. The Committee also
included in H.R. 2389, the Small Energy Efficient Businesses
Act (SEEBA) that ultimately passed the House in H.R. 3221 that
were aimed at increasing small business energy efficiency
through both conservation practices for small businesses and
through the adaptation of existing SBA programs to fund energy
efficient equipment and practices. H.R. 2389, the Small Energy
Efficient Business Act (SEEBA) provides information, technical
assistance, and access to capital to help small businesses
implement, develop, and market energy efficient goods,
products, and services. The bill also establishes a new lending
program that would provide 7(a) loans that cost half the
upfront guaranty and ongoing annual lender fees of regular 7(a)
loans and a 90 percent guarantee if the proceeds of the loan
are used to purchase or develop energy efficient technologies
or reduce the borrower's energy consumption by 10 percent or
more.
C. Energy efficiency
On July 11, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled:
``Small Businesses at the Forefront of the Green Revolution:
What More Needs To Be Done To Keep Them Here?'' The hearing
examined how small firms are playing a vital role in developing
materials, and building ``green'' facilities in an ever
changing global setting. On July 10, 2008, the Committee held a
hearing on the role of green technologies in spurring economic
growth. The hearing reviewed the role that small businesses
play in producing green products and providing green services.
IV. Financial services
The Committee examined the most recent figures related to
small business financing and held a hearing on November 7, 2007
to explore the results of the Federal Reserve's most recent
survey of small business finances. The hearing coincided with
the release of the 2007 Report to Congress on the Availability
of Credit to Small Businesses. On April 30, 2008, the
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax held a hearing to examine the
effect that prevailing economic conditions have had on small
business access to capital. In particular, the Committee
examined how small firms have been affected by a contraction in
the national credit supply and explored how these conditions
impacted national employment, gross domestic product, and
trade. On April 3, 2008, the Committee held a hearing to
explore the role that credit cards play in providing small
businesses with access to capital. Specifically, the Committee
explored trends surrounding recent growth in credit card
lending to small businesses and examined the specific
advantages and disadvantages that credit cards provide to
entrepreneurs.
The Committee explored the role of small lenders in small
business access to capital at its March 1, 2007 and March 8,
2007 hearings. At those hearings, the Committee received
testimony from the Credit Union National Association and from
the Independent Community Bankers of America on the role that
small lenders play in making capital available to small
businesses. Additionally, the Committee examined the trend of
continued consolidation in the financial services industry
during its November 7, 2007 hearing on the State of the Small
Business Economy as the Federal Reserve released data on the
continued trend of small business lending through small
financial institutions.
The Committee examined the process and challenges facing
small businesses in capital formation through its June 21, 2007
and September 6, 2007 hearings on increasing investment to
small businesses. These hearings focused on a variety of
investment strategies, including patient venture capital, angel
investment, and SBA investment programs.
V. Health Care
A. Access to affordable health coverage and state market
reforms
The Committee convened several hearings on access to
affordable health coverage and state market reforms. On October
25, 2007, the Committee held a hearing entitled ``Health
Insurer Consolidation--The Impact on Small Business.'' The
hearing examined the effects of consolidation on the cost of
health insurance and the impact on physicians and other health
care providers in terms of reimbursements and administrative
burdens. On February 26, 2008, the Committee held a hearing
entitled ``State Strategies To Expand Health Insurance Coverage
for Small Businesses''--Featuring Testimony on Health Care
Reform in Minnesota and Pennsylvania from Governors Pawlenty
(R-MN) and Rendell (D-PA). The hearing examined the question of
state health reform and how it may impact the small business
community. The principal focus of the hearing was to assess
whether state reform efforts will prove successful, and how the
federal government can best assist states in their efforts to
promote coverage.
B. Expanding available options for small employers to
purchase health insurance
During the 110th Congress, the Committee reviewed policy
options to expand health care coverage for small employers. On
January 23, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Limited Options for Small Businesses in the Small Group
Market.'' The hearing examined the challenges small businesses
face providing health insurance coverage to their workers.
On May 24, 2007, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled ``Expanding Small Business Health Insurance
Coverage Using the Private Reinsurance Market.'' The hearing
focused on how reinsurance has been used by businesses to
manage their risk of financial loss. Witnesses testified on
alternative reinsurance arrangements that have been used by
employers to control high risk and catastrophic health care
costs associated with medical benefit plans. Testimony was also
provided describing the current landscape of the reinsurance
market and barriers to the adoption of reinsurance by small
business in the health care arena.
On August 30, 2007, the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship held a field hearing entitled ``How Can Small
Businesses Best Address the Healthcare Needs of Their
Employees?'' The hearing focused on barriers to offering
insurance coverage faced by small business owners, factors
which influence the decision of small businesses to offer
coverage, and possible solutions to bringing down costs and
increase coverage. Witnesses included small business owners
from the Asheville, North Carolina community. Testimony
addressed small business concerns about the structure of the
small group health insurance market and the tax treatment of
small firms.
C. Tax credits
In its effort to examine health care issues, the Committee
held hearings that considered changes in tax policy to
encourage greater coverage of small employers. Among them was
the March 14, 2007 hearing entitled ``Challenges and Solutions
to Health Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses.'' The
hearing focused on barriers to coverage for small businesses
ranging from their tax treatment under the Code to the
structure of the health insurance market.
D. Health IT adoption
The Committee held two hearings that focused on Health IT
issues. On March 28, 2007, the Subcommittee on Regulations,
Health Care and Trade held a hearing ``The Value of Health IT
to Solo and Small Medical Practices.'' The hearing focused on
the importance of health IT to smaller health care practices,
barriers to implementation, and what Congress can do to
increase health IT adoption by solo and small group
practitioners. On Thursday, July 31, 2008, the Committee on
Small Business held a hearing entitled: ``Cost and
Confidentiality: The Unforeseen Challenges of Electronic Health
Records in Small Specialty Practices.'' In spite of findings
about the many benefits of HIT, its dissemination has been
slow, due in part to the high costs of Electronic Health
Records (EHR) systems for smaller health care practices. Small
health care practices have been reluctant to install systems
because of concerns over the upfront capital investment,
ongoing maintenance and short-term productivity loss.
The Committee also addressed this issue during a hearing
held on September 25, 2008, entitled ``Small Business
Competition Policy: Are Markets Open for Entrepreneurs?'' The
hearing examined how the FTC/DOJ Statements of Antitrust
Enforcement Policy in Health Care have failed to keep up with
changes in the health care marketplace and created barriers to
the adoption of Health IT among providers.
E. Health care cost and quality
The Committee reviewed the cost and quality of health care
through several hearings on agency procurement practices. On
July 25, 2007, Committee on Small Business held a hearing
entitled ``Competitive Bidding for Clinical Lab Services:
Where's It Heading and What Small Businesses Can Expect?'' The
hearing examined a competitive biding demonstration program
developed by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services to
reimburse clinical lab providers for Medicare services. In
addition, on Wednesday, May 21, 2008, the Subcommittee on Rural
and Urban Entrepreneurship held a hearing entitled
``Competitive Bidding for Durable Medical Equipment.'' Small
durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies
(DMEPOS) suppliers have experienced difficulty with the
competitive bidding program. Many claim the bidding program is
fraught with procedural flaws and operational problems that
call into question the fairness of the overall process. Given
these concerns, the hearing focused on the bidding program's
structure, operational problems, and the financial impact it
could have on DMEPOS suppliers and manufacturers.
F. Health care provider compensation and regulatory
structure
The Committee held a series of hearings on health care
provider compensation issues. On August 1, 2007, the
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade held a
hearing entitled ``Ensuring Prompt Payment for Small Health
Care Providers.'' The hearing focused on prompt payment of
insurance claims by insurers to health care providers and how
claim delays impact the operation of small health care
practices. Testimony included an examination of state prompt
payment laws as well as federal requirements under ERISA and
government health care programs such as Medicare.
On November 8th, 2007, the Subcommittee on Regulations,
Health Care and Trade held a hearing entitled ``Medicare's
Reimbursement Cuts: The Potential Impact on Solo and Small
Group Practitioners and the Businesses They Run.'' The hearing
focused on the challenges faced by solo and small group
practitioners; and how Medicare reimbursement cuts have
impacted their practices. A primary focus of the hearing
involved the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) that is used to
determine the payment rates for physician reimbursements. On
Thursday, May 8, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Medicare Physician Fee Cuts: Can Small Practices Survive.''
The hearing examined the business challenges faced by small
medical practices and the impact Medicare physician fee cuts
would have on the operation of health care practices.
In addition to hearings, the Committee also included a
provision in H.R. 1332, the Small Business Lending Improvements
Act, to provide health professionals with a source of
affordable capital when located in Health Professional Shortage
Areas (HPSAs). This provision would establish a program to
reduce borrower and lender fees by half and increase the
guaranty to 90 percent for loans made to doctors and dentists
located in Federally designated Health Professional Shortage
Areas (HPSAs). The Committee believes that this program, in
combination with existing federal assistance programs, will
help mitigate the risk associated with opening a new practice
and encourage more health professionals to establish their
small businesses in HPSAs.
VI. Immigration
The Committee held a hearing on May 10, 2007 on immigration
policies and their impact on small firms. The committee heard
testimony from small businesses regarding the role that
immigration plays in their industry as well as their associated
concerns about labor shortages, federal verification
requirements, and the current visa system.
VII. International trade
A. International trade agreements
The Committee continued to evaluate the effectiveness of
policies and resources that promote the competitiveness of
small businesses as the economy becomes integrated with foreign
countries through trade liberalization efforts. To evaluate the
impact upon small businesses from U.S. commitments to open
markets with partner countries, the Committee held a hearing on
November 1, 2007. The hearing examined the likely result of
agreements signed by the Administration and pending
ratification by Congress with countries in Latin America and
Asia. It also considered additional federal resources necessary
for entrepreneurs to access newly opened markets and protect
against unfair trade practices in the globalized economy.
To ensure small businesses have adequate tools to benefit
from the opening of countries' borders, the Committee analyzed
the SBA's international trade programs on February 8, 2007. The
purpose of the hearing was to determine the agency's current
level of service based on revenues and future demands for
assistance to small U.S. businesses, including those engaged in
exporting and in industries facing significant foreign
competition.
B. Trade enforcement
The Committee continued to conduct extensive oversight of
Federal and foreign enforcement of international trade rules
and standards. Discussions were held with business groups and
entrepreneurs to highlight the impacts from unfair trade
practices. The Committee also monitored resources available for
small businesses to ensure their continued viability as markets
are opened to foreign competition.
To evaluate the impacts from the liberalization of trade
rules, the Committee held a hearing on June 13, 2007 which
highlighted small businesses' need for tools to protect against
unfair trade practices. Business groups, particularly
manufacturing representatives, presented the case for enhanced
access to trade remedy and dispute assistance at the federal
level.
C. Export assistance
On June 19, 2008, the Committee on Small Business held a
hearing entitled ``Small Business Exports in the Current
Economic Climate.'' The purpose of the hearing was to examine
trends in small businesses export activities during the
country's economic downturn and consider policies to assist
small U.S. exporters.
VIII. Pensions and retirement
On October 24, 2007, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax
held a hearing regarding the barriers small businesses face in
offering pension benefits to their employees as compared to
larger entities. The hearing revealed that many small firms
cannot afford to provide retirement benefits or lack the in-
house expertise necessary to comply with Employee Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA) guidelines.
IX. Procurement
The Committee has conducted oversight of federal
procurement policy through both hearings and the legislative
process. On March 6, 2008, the Committee held a hearing
entitled ``Are New Procurement Methods Beneficial to Small
Business Contractors?'' The Committee examined the impact of
the decreasing acquisition workforce and the new, automated
methods that agencies are turning to, including schedule
contracting and reverse auctions.
The Committee also conducted an extensive review of small
business participation in Hurricane Katrina contracts. On April
12, 2007, the Committee held a field hearing in New Orleans,
Louisiana, entitled ``Participation of Small Businesses in
Hurricane Katrina Recovery.'' The hearing focused on the
contracting records of the most relevant government agencies. A
follow-up hearing was held on August 2, 2008 to revisit these
issues. Following this hearing, the Committee continued to
review the agencies' performance.
The Committee considered several procurement matters
through the legislative process, including contract bundling
and raising the federal small business contracting goal. H.R.
1873, the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act, expanded
the definition of contract bundling, primarily closing a
loophole that excluded construction and other new work from
bundling analyses. The legislation also raised the federal
small business contracting goal from 23 percent to 30 percent
and required overseas contracts to be counted when calculating
this figure.
X. Regulations
The Committee held hearings and intervened on several
regulations that place small businesses at a competitive
disadvantage. On November 15, 2007, the Committee held a
hearing entitled ``Reducing the Regulatory Burden on Small
Business.'' The Committee heard testimony from small business
representatives of the transportation, health care and other
industries as well as from an administrative law expert.
Witnesses discussed the federal regulatory burden on small
businesses and how Congress can act to reduce it. Witnesses
delivered testimony regarding the regulatory burdens imposed by
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Department of
Homeland Security and the Federal Aviation Administration. The
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade held a
hearing on July 30, 2008, entitled ``Regulatory Burdens on
Small Firms: What Rules Need Reforms?'' The hearing examined
the adequacy of agency compliance with Section 610 of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
Hearings were also held on individual regulations and their
impact on small firms. This included a hearing on July 18,
2007, entitled ``Medicaid Drug Reimbursements: Are Cuts Bad
Medicine for Small Businesses and Beneficiaries?'' The
Committee met to discuss the final rule promulgated by the
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services which sets the
average manufacturer price as the basis for certain
prescription drug reimbursements to pharmacies. The hearing
examined the impacts of the rule on small business retail
pharmacies and Medicaid beneficiaries and whether the agency
adequately complied with the Regulatory Flexibility Act in
promulgating the rule.
The Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade held
a hearing on May 14, 2008, entitled ``The Impact of CMS
Regulations and Programs on Small Health Care Providers.'' The
Subcommittee examined how CMS regulations and programs are
affecting small firms. Witnesses discussed the Recovery Audit
Contractor program and provider compensation issues. On May 22,
2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled ``RESPA and Its
Impact on Small Business.'' The Committee examined the proposed
rule issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development
pursuant to the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act and its
potential burdens on small businesses in the real estate
industry.
The Committee held two hearings about the impact of
Sarbanes-Oxley regulations on small firms. On June 5, 2007, the
Committee convened a hearing entitled ``Sarbanes-Oxley Section
404: Will the SEC and PCAOB's New Standards Lower Compliance
Costs for Small Companies?'' The hearing examined the new
regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC) and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
in light of the committee's ongoing concern that Section 404 of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX 404) places an undue
regulatory burden on small firms. On December 12, 2007, the
House Committee on Small Business convened a hearing entitled
``Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404: New Evidence on the Costs for
Small Businesses''. The hearing examined recently released data
on SOX 404 compliance costs being incurred by small companies
and assessed the appropriateness of the SEC's compliance
timeline for small businesses.
The Committee also considered whether regulations were in
plain English. The Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology
held a hearing on February 26, 2008, entitled ``Plain Language
in Paperwork--The Benefits to Small Business.'' The
Subcommittee examined how the use of plain language by the
federal government can reduce the paperwork burden on small
businesses.
The Committee held a hearing regarding the recordkeeping
and reporting requirements on small firms. On February 28, 2008
the Committee convened a hearing entitled ``Improving the
Paperwork Reduction Act for Small Businesses.'' The Committee
examined whether the Paperwork Reduction Act is serving to
minimize recordkeeping and reporting requirements on small
businesses. The Committee discussed ways to improve the
Paperwork Reduction Act to make it more effective in reducing
paperwork burdens on small firms.
The Committee, in its role as a monitor, held a series of
staff meetings with Federal agencies to discuss their
obligations to small firms pursuant to the Regulatory
Flexibility Act. The Committee examined the agencies'
regulatory agendas, focusing on rules with disparate impacts on
small businesses. Further, to ensure that agencies were
considering small businesses in their rulemakings, the
Committee issued several letters. On August 20, 2007, the
Chairwoman submitted comments to Secretary of Agriculture
Michael Johanns regarding mandatory country of origin labeling
and minimizing recordkeeping burdens for small businesses. On
February 23, 2007, the Chairwoman submitted comments to the
Acting Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services, Leslie Norwalk, on the agency's lack of compliance
with the Regulatory Flexibility Act on the proposed rule
implementing the provisions of the Deficit Reduction Act of
2005 pertaining to prescription drugs under the Medicaid
program (71 Fed. Reg. 77174).
On September 25, 2007, the Chairwoman sent a letter to
Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff on the agency's lack of
compliance with RegFlex in promulgating the ``No-Match'' letter
rule (72 Fed. Reg. 45611). On May 9, 2007, the Chairwoman sent
a letter to Dennis Deziel of the Chemical Security Task Force
at the Department of Homeland Security to request an extension
of the time period for public comment on Appendix A to part 27
(Appendix A) of the interim final rule on chemical facilities
(72 Fed. Reg. 17689). On August 3, 2007, the Chairwoman sent a
letter to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency, Stephen Johnson, expressing the concerns of small
businesses regarding a lack of consideration of their views in
the rulemaking process on the proposed rule regarding control
of emissions of nonroad spark-ignition engines (72 Fed. Reg.
28098). On May 1, 2008, the Chairwoman sent a letter to the
Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration,
Edmund S. Hawley, regarding the Certified Cargo Screening
Program pilot and the fact small firms were not eligible to
participate.
XI. Tax
The Committee held a wide range of hearings on tax
simplification and relief proposals. This included a March 22,
2007 hearing on the 3 percent government withholding
requirement. In an effort to close the tax gap, Sec. 511 of the
2005 TIPRA requires the government to withhold 3 percent on
nearly all of its payments for goods or services. The hearing
examined the impact of this provision on small businesses. On
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 the Subcommittee on Contracting
and Technology hearing entitled: ``Small Business Renewable
Energy Tax Incentive Possibilities''. The Subcommittee heard
testimony from witnesses on how to encourage increased
renewable energy investment through changes in the Internal
Revenue Code. On October 3, 2007, the Committee held a hearing
on the Internet Tax Moratorium, which currently bans taxes on
Internet access, and prevented taxes on Internet transactions
and was set to expire on November 1, 2007.
On February 14, 2008, the Committee held a hearing on
Business Activity Taxes (BATs) and their impact on small
businesses. BATs are taxes imposed by states on out of state
businesses in the form of income taxes, royalty fees, or
licensing fees for conducting business within a particular
state's borders. The hearing highlighted the many problems
small businesses face when attempting to conduct interstate
sales. As a follow up to the hearing, the Committee sent a
comment letter to the Judiciary Committee that detailed the
substance of the hearing. The letter, signed by Chairwoman
Velazquez and Ranking Member Chabot, indicated the concerns
regarding BATs from the small business perspective while also
stating that the Committee is willing to work with Judiciary on
a matter of great importance to the small business community.
On June 12, 2008, the Committee held a hearing entitled
``Electronic Payments Tax Reporting--Another Tax Burden for
Small Businesses.'' The hearing examined recent efforts to
require information tax reporting on all credit card receipts
of small businesses. Specifically, this hearing focused on the
potential administrative and financial burdens that new
reporting requirements could create for small businesses and
financial institutions.
On April 10, 2008, the Committee held a hearing on how
certain updates could be made to the Internal Revenue Code that
could help small businesses stimulate the economy. The
witnesses explained to the Committee that in many respects, the
tax code has not adequately responded to the economy that
exists in the 21st century, and this hinders their ability to
grow and expand their business. Along with the hearing, the
Committee released a report, which detailed seven ways the
Internal Revenue Code should be immediately updated. Finally,
the Committee introduced legislation, H.R. 6601, which will
attempt to incorporate those recommendations into law.
On June 18, 2008, the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax held
a hearing to discuss the business classification known as the S
corporation and what potential changes should be made to their
operating rules. The hearing reviewed which changes could be
made to better help small businesses raise capital and improve
impediments to growth. On July 24, 2008, the Committee held a
hearing on the stimulus package enacted in February of 2008 and
its impact on small businesses and the economy in general. The
hearing also examined the current state of the economy, and
whether another round of stimulus is needed, what form that
should take, and small business' role in getting our nation
back on track.
During the 110th Congress, the Committee also considered
the issues pertaining to the tax gap. On April 26, 2007, the
Committee held a hearing that examined the difference between
the amount of taxes paid voluntarily and timely for a given
year and the amount of taxes due. The hearing examined how
efforts to close the tax gap could impact small businesses.
XII. Technology and Innovation
The Committee conducted oversight of technology policy
issues and their impact on small firms. On March 7, 2007, the
House Committee on Small Business convened a hearing entitled
``Advancing the Innovation Agenda: The Perspective of the
Technology and Telecommunications Industry.'' The hearing
examined the technology and telecommunication industries'
policy priorities for the 110th Congress and considered how the
industries' policy priorities might impact small innovative
companies. This included major technology policy issues as well
as related workforce and education issues.
On May 9, 2007, the Subcommittee on Rural and Urban
Entrepreneurship convened a hearing entitled ``Maximizing the
Value of Broadband in Rural Communities.'' The hearing examined
the role broadband services can play in revitalizing rural
economies. On June 25, 2008 at 10:00 the Subcommittee on
Regulations, Health Care and Trade convened a hearing entitled
``The Impact of Online Advertising on Small Firms.'' The
hearing considered the benefits of on-line advertising to
smaller firms and the increasing importance of on-line
marketing strategies to many successful small businesses. The
hearing also examined concerns that some small companies have
raised about the challenge of driving traffic to their website.
On May 7, 2008, the Subcommittee on Contracting and
Technology convened a hearing entitled ``The DTV Transition and
Small Businesses: Small Firms Contributing to a Big Change.''
The hearing reviewed the impact of the DTV transition on small
broadcasters, small cable and video service providers and small
electronics retailers. The Subcommittee also considered whether
there are appropriate measures Congress should take in order to
minimize the burden of the DTV transition on small firms,
particularly those small firms serving rural areas. On March
29, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business convened a
hearing entitled ``The Impact of Proposed Patent Reform
Legislation on Small Businesses.'' The hearing examined the
cost and benefits of reforming the U.S. patent system and the
potential impact on small businesses.
On June 28, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled the ``Assessing the Impact of the
Copyright Royalty Board Decision to Increase Royalty Rates on
Recording Artists and Webcasters.'' The hearing examined a
recent decision by the Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) that
increased substantially the royalty rates that Internet
broadcasters or ``webcasters'' pay to compensate copyright
owners for digital transmissions of their sound recordings. On
October 10, 2007, the House Committee on Small Business
convened a hearing entitled ``The Impact of the 700 Megahertz
Wireless Spectrum Auction on Small Business.'' The hearing
examined the potential impact of the upcoming wireless spectrum
auction's rules on entrepreneurs, small wireless communications
providers and small businesses that are without access to
reliable and affordable access to broadband services.
The Committee also considered the role of technology in
increasing energy efficiency. On Wednesday, July 11, 2007, at
10:00 a.m., the Committee held a hearing entitled: ``Small
Businesses at the Forefront of the Green Revolution: What More
Needs to Be Done to Keep Them Here?'' The hearing examined how
small firms are playing a vital role in developing materials,
and building ``green'' facilities in an ever changing global
setting. These facilities and initiatives are designed to
improve energy efficiency and use environmentally friendly
production processes during building construction.
Finally, the Committee reviewed the role of financing to
startups. This includes hearings and the consideration of
legislation. The Committee on Small Business held a hearing on
September 6, 2007, on H.R. 3567, which established an Angel
Financing program for startup companies, as well as modernized
the SBA's investment programs. In addition, the Committee held
several hearings on the SBIR program, which is a vital source
of funding for early stage firms. This included a hearing on
January 29, 2008, that examined the importance of the SBIR
program to American competitiveness as well as changes to it
that may strengthen the initiative. On March 13, 2008, the
Committee convened a legislative hearing to review legislation
reauthorizing and modernizing the Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) program.
APPENDIX I--COMMITTEE LEGISLATION
PART A--COMMITTEE REPORTS
Reports filed by the Committee on Small Business with the
House
110-104--Report to accompany H.R. 1332, a bill to amend the
Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act to
improve the access to capital programs of the Small Business
Administration, and for other purposes, having considered the
same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend
that the bill as amended do pass. April 20, 2007
110-82--A report to accompany H.R. 1361, the Relief for
Entrepreneurs: Coordination of objective and Values for
Effective Recovery ``Act of 2007 (The Recover Act) to amend the
Small Business Act and improve the disaster relief programs of
the Small Business Administration and for other purposes. March
30, 2007
110-111--(parts 1, 2, and 3) A report to accompany H.R.
1873 a bill to amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize
programs and activities of the Small Business Administration
relating to procurement and for other purposes. April 26, 2007
110-192--A report to accompany H.R. 2284 a bill that would
amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the
assistance provided by Small Business Development Centers to
Indian Tribal members, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians.
June 15, 2007
110-193--A report to Accompany H.R. 2359 a bill to amend
the Small Business Act and reauthorize programs to assist small
business concerns and for other purposes. June 15, 2007
110-194--A report to accompany H.R. 2366 the SBA Veteran's
Programs Act of 2007, a bill to reauthorize the veterans
entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business
Administration and for other purposes. June 15, 2007
110-195--A report to accompany H.R. 2397, the Small
Business Women's Programs Act of 2007, a bill to reauthorize
the women's entrepreneurial development programs of the Small
Business Administration, and for other purposes. June 15, 2007
110-312--A report to accompany H.R. 2992, the SBA Trade
Programs Act of 2007, a bill to improve trade programs, and for
other purposes. September 4, 2007
110-313--A report to accompany H.R. 3020, the Microloan
Amendments and Modernization Act, to amend the Small Business
Act to improve the Microloan program and for other purposes.
September 4, 2007
110-347--A report to accompany H.R. 3567, the Small
Business Investment Expansion Act of 2007 which amends the
Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to expand opportunities
for investments in small businesses, and for other purposes.
September 25, 2007
110-400--A report to accompany H.R. 3867, the Small
Business Contracting Program Improvements Act, to update and
expand the procurement programs of the Small Business
Administration and for other purposes. October 22, 2007
110-595 Part 1--A report to accompany H.R. 5819 the SBIR/
STTR Reauthorization Act, a bill to amend the Small Business
Act to improve the Small Business Innovation Research program
and the Small Business Technology Transfer program and for
other purposes. April 18, 2008
PART B--PUBLIC LAWS
This table lists measures that contained matters within the
jurisdiction of the Committee on Small Business, which were
enacted into law during the 110th Congress.
1. [110th] H.R. 434: An act to provide for an additional
temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act
and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through July 31,
2007, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Chabot, Steve [OH-1] (introduced 1/12/2007)
Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Small Business; Senate Small Business and
Entrepreneurship
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-4
2. [110th] H.R. 3206: To provide for an additional
temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act
and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through December
15, 2007, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] (introduced 7/27/
2007) Cosponsors (1)
Committees: House Small Business
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-57
3. [110th] H.R. 3221: A bill to provide needed housing
reform and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Pelosi, Nancy [CA-8] (introduced 7/30/2007)
Cosponsors (18)
Committees: House Energy and Commerce; House Education and
Labor; House Foreign Affairs; House Small Business; House
Science and Technology; House Agriculture; House Oversight and
Government Reform; House Natural Resources; House
Transportation and Infrastructure; House Armed Services
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-289 [GPO:
Text, PDF]
Note: Previously H.R. 3221 was the New Direction for Energy
Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act.
Omnibus energy legislation was enacted in H.R. 6, which became
Public Law 110-140 on 12/19/2007.
4. [110th] H.R. 4252: To provide for an additional
temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act
and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through May 23,
2008, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Chabot, Steve [OH-1] (introduced 12/4/2007)
Cosponsors (None)
Committees: House Small Business
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-136
5. [110th] H.R. 4253: To improve and expand small business
assistance programs for veterans of the armed forces and
military reservists, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Altmire, Jason [PA-4] (introduced 12/4/2007)
Cosponsors (3)
Committees: House Small Business
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-186
6. H.R.2419
Title: To provide for the continuation of agricultural
programs through fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Peterson, Collin C. [MN-7] (introduced 5/22/
2007) Cosponsors (None)
Related Bills: H. Res. 574, H. Res. 1189, H.J. Res. 88,
H.R. 5957, H.R. 6124, S. 163, S. 2302
Latest Major Action: Became Public Law No: 110-234
House Reports: 110-256 Part 1; Latest Conference Report:
110-627 (in Congressional Record H3409-3700)
Note: The House and Senate passed H.R. 2419 over veto,
enacting 14 of 15 farm bill titles into law. The trade title
(title III) was inadvertently excluded from the enrolled bill.
To remedy the situation, both chambers re-passed the farm bill
conference agreement (including the trade title) as H.R. 6124,
again over veto. Upon its enactment H.R. 6124, in section 4,
repealed Public Law 110-234.
APPENDIX II--COMMITTEE PUBLICATIONS
PART A--COMMITTEE HEARINGS
HEARINGS
January 2007
January 31, 2007
Full Committee Organizational Meeting
February 2007
February 8, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Small Business
Administration's Budget for Fiscal Year 2008.''
February 14, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Small Business
Administration's Response to the 2005 Gulf Coast Hurricanes.''
March 2007
March 1, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Increasing Access to Capital
for Our Nation's Small Businesses.''
March 7, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Advancing the Innovation
Agenda: The Perspective of the Technology and
Telecommunications Industry.''
March 8, 2007
Full Committee Legislative Hearing on: ``Disaster Relief
and Access to Capital.''
March 14, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Challenges and Solutions to
Health Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses.''
March 21, 2007
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology Hearing on:
``Implementation of the Women's Procurement Program and Federal
Government Efforts in Contracting with Women-Owned
Businesses.''
March 22, 2007
Full Committee hearing on: ``The New Hidden Tax on Small
Business, on 3% Tax Withholding.''
March 28, 2007
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care & Trade hearing
on: ``The Value of Health IT to Solo and Small Medical
Practices.''
March 29, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Impact of Proposed Patent
Reform Legislation on Small Businesses.''
April 2007
April 11, 2007
Full Committee Field Hearing on: ``The Impact of New Market
Tax Credits, the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC)
Program, and 504 Program on Urban Communities.'' Cincinnati, OH
April 12, 2007
Full Committee Field Hearing: ``Participation of Small
Businesses in Hurricane Katrina Recovery.'' New Orleans, LA
April 19, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Expanding Small Businesses'
Access to Federal Contracts.''
April 26, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Closing the Tax Gap Without
Creating Burdens for Small Businesses.''
May 2007
May 2, 2007
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, Hearing on:
``Is the Veterans Corporation Prepared to Provide
Entrepreneurial Development Assistance to Service Men and Women
Returning From Iraq & Afghanistan?''
May 3, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Impacts of Renewable
Energy Production on Small Businesses in Rural America.''
May 9, 2007
Subcommittee on Rural & Urban Entrepreneurship Hearing on:
``Maximizing the Value of Broadband Services to Rural
Communities.''
May 10, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Immigration Policies and Their
Impact on Small Business.''
May 16, 2007
Full Committee Legislative Hearing on: ``Energy, Women's
Business Centers, Veterans' Business, and Entrepreneurial
Development.''
May 17, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Liability Reform and Small
Business.''
May 24, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Expanding Small Business
Health Insurance Coverage Using the Private Reinsurance
Market.''
June 2007
June 5, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404:
Will the SEC's and PCAOB's New Standards Lower Compliance Costs
for Small Companies?''
June 6, 2007
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax Hearing on: ``Data
Security: Small Business Perspectives.''
June 7, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Family Farmer and Rural Small
Business Priorities for the 2007 Farm Bill.''
June 13, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``U.S. Trade Policy and Small
Business.''
June 14, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The SBA's Microloan Program.''
June 20, 2007
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology Hearing on:
``Meeting the Workforce Demands of Small Bio-Energy
Businesses.''
June 21, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The SBA's Investment
Programs.''
June 28, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Assessing the Impact of the
Copyright Royalty Board Decision to Increase Royalty Rates on
Recording Artists and Webcasters.''
July 2007
July 11
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Small Businesses at the
Forefront of the Green Revolution: What More Needs to Be Done
to Keep Them Here?''
July 12
Full Committee Legislative Hearing to: ``Improve the SBA's
Microloan and Trade Programs.''
July 18
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Medicaid Drug Reimbursements:
Are Cuts Bad Medicine for Small Businesses and Beneficiaries?''
July 23
Full Committee Field Hearing on: ``Challenges Facing Women
Small Business Owners.'' Philadelphia, PA.
July 25
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Competitive Bidding for
Clinical Lab Services: Where's It Heading and What Small
Businesses Can Expect.''
August 2007
August 1
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade Hearing
on: ``Ensuring Prompt Payment for Small Health Care
Providers.''
August 2
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Disaster Planning and
Recovery: Are We Ready for Another Katrina?''
August 23
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Field Hearing
on: ``The SBA's Response to the July 5 Floods in Beaver County,
Pennsylvania.'' Aliquippa, PA
August 30
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship Field
Hearing on: ``How Can Small Businesses Best Address the
Healthcare Needs of Their Employees?'' Asheville, NC
August 31
Full Committee Field Hearing on: ``The Cost and
Availability of Energy and the Effect on Small Business.''
Johnson City, TN
September 2007
September 6, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Small Business
Administration's Investment and Surety Bond Programs.''
September 19, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Small Business
Administration's Contracting Programs.''
September 26, 2007
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology Hearing on:
``Small Business Renewable Energy Tax Incentive
Possibilities.''
September 27, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Legislation to Provide Funding
Levels.''
October 2007
October 3, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Internet Tax Moratorium:
The Potential Negative Impacts on Small Businesses of Allowing
Moratorium to Expire.''
October 4, 2007
Full Committee Legislative Hearing on: ``The Small Business
Administration's Contracting Programs.''
October 10, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Impact of the 700
Megahertz Wireless Spectrum Auction on Small Business.''
October 17, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Small Business Energy
Priorities.''
October 24, 2007
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax Hearing on: ``Pension
Parity: Addressing the Inequities between Retirement Plan
Options for Small and Large Businesses.''
October 25, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Health Insurer Consolidation--
The Impact on Small Business.''
October 31, 2007
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Hearing on:
``Competitive Bidding for Durable Medical Equipment: Will Small
Suppliers Be Able to Compete?''
November 2007
November 1, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Evaluating the Impact of
Pending Free Trade Agreements Upon U.S. Small Businesses.''
November 7, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The State of the Small
Business Economy.''
November 8, 2007
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade Hearing
on: ``Medicare's Reimbursement Cuts: The Potential Impact on
Solo and Small Group Practitioners and the Businesses they
Run.''
November 14, 2007
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship Hearing
on: ``Program Harmonization in Rural America--How the Small
Business Administration (SBA) and U.S. Department of
Agriculture (USDA) Can Work Together to Better Serve Small
Businesses.''
November 15, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Reducing the Regulatory Burden
on Small Business: Improving the Regulatory Flexibility Act.''
December 2007
December 6, 2007
Full Committee Legislative Hearing to: ``Improve the
RegFlex Act.''
December 12, 2007
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404:
New Evidence on the Costs for Small Businesses.''
January 2008
January 16, 2008
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The SBA's Progress in
Implementing the Women's Procurement Program.''
January 17, 2008
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Oversight of the U.S. Export-
Import Bank's Implementation of its Small Business Mandate.''
January 23, 2008
Full Committee Hearing on: Health Care: ``Limited Health
Care Options for Small Businesses in the Small Group Market.''
January 29, 2008
Full Committee Hearing on: ``SBIR: America's National
Technology Development Incubator.''
February 2008
February 7, 2008
Full Committee Hearing on: ``The Small Business
Administration's Budget for Fiscal Year 2009.''
February 14, 2008
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Business Activity Taxes and
Their Impact on Small Businesses.''
February 13, 2008:
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight hearing on:
``SBIR: Advancing Medical Breakthroughs.''
February 26, 2008:
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology hearing on:
``Plain Language in Paperwork--The Benefits to Small
Business.''
February 26, 2008:
Full Committee Hearing on: ``State Strategies to Expand
Health Insurance Coverage for Small Businesses.''
February 28, 2008:
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Improving the Paperwork
Reduction Act For Small Businesses.''
March 2008
March 5, 2008
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax Hearing on: ``Improving the
SBA's Access to Capital Programs for Our Nation's Small
Businesses.''
March 6, 2008
Full Committee Hearing on: ``Are New Procurement Methods
Beneficial to Small Business Contractors?''
March 12, 2008
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship Hearing
on: ``Oversight of the Entrepreneurial Development Programs
Implemented By the Small Business Administration and National
Veterans Business Development Corporation.''
March 13, 2008
Full Committee Legislative Hearing to: ``Reauthorize the
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.''
March 25, 2008
Full Committee Field Hearing on: ``The Impact Of The 2006-
2007 Drought on Georgia's Economy.''
April 2008
April 3, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``The Role of Credit Cards in
Small Business Financing.''
April 9, 2008
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight hearing on:
``The Impact of Increasing Gas Prices on Small Businesses.''
April 10, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Modernizing the Tax Code:
Updating the Internal Revenue Code to Help Small Businesses
Stimulate the Economy.''
April 16, 2008
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology hearing on:
``Ensuring Small Businesses Have Fair Access to Federal
Contracts.''
April 17, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Maintaining Public Lands for
Hunting, Fishing, Ranching and Small Businesses.''
April 23, 2008
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade hearing
on: ``Minority and Hispanic Participation in the Federal
Workforce and the Impact on the Small Business Community.''
April 24, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``The Role of Small Businesses
in Stimulating the Economy.''
April 30, 2008
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax hearing on: ``The Effect of
the Credit Crunch on Small Business Access to Capital.''
May 2008
May 1, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Rail Transportation Access for
Small Businesses and Family Farmers.''
May 7, 2008
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology hearing on:
``The DTV Transition and Small Businesses: Small Firms
Contributing to a Big Change.''
May 8, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Medicare Physician Fee Cuts:
Can Small Practices Survive.''
May 14, 2008
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade hearing
on: ``The Impact of CMS Regulations and Programs on Small
Health Care Providers.''
May 15, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Food Prices and Small
Businesses.''
May 21, 2008
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship hearing
on: ``Competitive Bidding for Durable Medical Equipment.''
May 22, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``RESPA and Its Impact on Small
Business.''
June 2008
June 5, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``The Housing Crisis Identifying
Tax Incentives to Stimulate the Economy.''
June 11, 2008
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship hearing
on: ``Second Generation Biofuels: The New Frontier for Small
Businesses.''
June 12, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Electronic Payments Tax
Reporting: Another Tax Burden for Small Businesses.''
June 18, 2008
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax hearing on: ``S-Corps:
Recommended Reforms That Promote Parity, Growth and Development
for Small Businesses.''
June 19, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Small Business Exports in the
Current Economic Climate.''
June 25, 2008
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade hearing
on: ``The Impact of Online Advertising on Small Firms.''
June 26, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Grounded: How the Air
Transportation Crisis Is Hurting Entrepreneurs and the
Economy.''
July 2008
July 10, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``The Role of Green Technologies
in Spurring Economic Growth.''
July 16, 2008
Subcommittee on Contracting & Technology hearing on:
``Ensuring Continuity of Care for Veteran Amputees: The Role of
Small Prosthetic Practices.''
July 17, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Small Business
Administration's (SBA) Contracting Programs and Recent GAO
Examination of Programs.''
July 23, 2008
Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight hearing on:
``The Impact of Predators in Long-Term Care on Small Business
Operators.''
July 24, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Economic Stimulus for Small
Business: A Look Back and Assessing Need for Additional
Relief.''
July 30, 2008
Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care and Trade hearing
on: ``Regulatory Burdens on Small Firms: What Rules Need
Reform?''
July 31, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Cost and Confidentiality: The
Unforeseen Challenges of Electronic Health Records in Small
Specialty Practices.''
September 2008
September 11, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Examining Expiring Tax
Incentives and the Needs of Small Businesses.''
September 17, 2008
Subcommittee on Finance and Tax hearing on: ``Disaster
Savings Accounts: Protections for Small Businesses during a
Disaster.''
September 18, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Making Health Care Reform Work
for Small Business.''
September 24, 2008
Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology hearing on:
``Small Business Recovery from the Midwest Disasters of 2008.''
September 25, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Small Business Competition
Policy: Are Markets Open for Entrepreneurs?''
October 2008
October 28, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Creating Opportunities for
Small Businesses in an Economic Recovery.''
November 2008
November 20, 2008
Full Committee hearing on: ``Review of Recent Federal
Efforts to Improve Credit Conditions for Small Businesses.''
December 2008
December 8, 2008
Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship, North
Carolina Field hearing on: ``Examining the Effect of Industrial
Contamination on Small Businesses and Their Surrounding
Communities, as Well as Potential Solutions.''
Total: 116
Full Committee: 66
Subcommittee: 33
Field Hearings: 8
PART B--COMMITTEE PRINTS
There are no committee prints in this Congress.