H.R. 4121 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 4121 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 28, 2014 Ms. Velázquez introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business A BILL To amend the Small Business Act to provide for improvements to small business development centers. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2014. 2. Use of Authorized Entrepreneurial Development Programs The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 48. Use of Authorized Entrepreneurial Development Programs (a) Expanded support for entrerpreneurs (1) In general Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator shall only use the programs authorized in sections 7(j), 7(m), 8(a), 8(b)(1), 21, 22, 29, and 32 of this Act, and sections 358 and 389 of the Small Business Investment Act to deliver entrepreneurial development services, entrepreneurial education, business incubation services, growth acceleration services, support for the development and maintenance of clusters, or business training. (2) Exception This section shall not apply to services provided to assist small business concerns owned by an Indian tribe. (b) Annual report Beginning on the first December 1 after the date of enactment of this subsection, the Administrator shall annually report to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate on all entrepreneurial development activities undertaken in the current fiscal year. This report shall include— (1) a description and operating details for each program and activity; (2) operating circulars, manuals, and standard operating procedures for each program and activity; (3) a description of the process used to award grants under each program and activity; (4) a list of all awardees, contractors, and vendors (including organization name and location) and the amount of awards for the current fiscal year for each program and activity; (5) the amount of funding obligated for the current fiscal year for each program and activity; and (6) the names and titles for those individuals responsible for each program and activity. . 3. Marketing of Services Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) is amended by adding at the end the following: (o) No prohibition of marketing of services The Administrator shall not prohibit applicants receiving grants under this section from marketing and advertising their services to individuals and small businesses. . 4. Confidentiality Requirements Section 21(a)(7)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(7)(A)) is amended by inserting after under this section the following: to any State, local or Federal agency or third party. 5. Data Collection (a) In general Section 21(a)(3)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(3)(A)) is amended— (1) by striking as provided in this section and and inserting as provided in this section,; and (2) by inserting before the period at the end the following: , and (iv) governing data collection activities related to applicants receiving grants under this section. (b) Annual report on data collection Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648), as amended by section 3 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: (p) Annual Report on data collection The Administrator shall report annually to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate on data collection activities related to the Small Business Development Center program. . 6. Matchmaking and Other Events Section 21(a)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(3)(C)) is amended to read as follows: (C) Such participation in private partnerships and cosponsorships with the Administration shall not limit Small Business Development Centers from collecting fees or other income related to the operation of such partnerships and cosponsorships. . 7. Equity for SBDCs Section 21(a)(4)(C)(v) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(a)(4)(C)(v)) is amended— (1) in item (aa), by striking ; and and inserting a period; and (2) by striking item (bb). 8. Award of Grants to SBDCs Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648), as amended by sections 3 and 5 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following: (q) Limitation on award of grants Except for not-for-profit institutions of higher education, notwithstanding any provision of law, the Administrator shall not award grants (including contracts and cooperative agreements) under this section to any entity other than those that received grants (including contracts and cooperative agreements) under this section prior to September 30, 2014, and that seek to renew such grants (including contracts and cooperative agreements) after such date. .