S. 1748 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1748 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES November 20, 2013Mr. Schatz introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs A BILL To authorize appropriations to the Secretary of Commerce to establish public-private partnerships under the Market Development Cooperator Program of the International Trade Administration, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the American Export Promotion Act of 2013. 2. Additional funding for the market development cooperator program of the Department of Commerce (a) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce, for the 18-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, $8,000,000 for the Industry and Analysis unit of the International Trade Administration— (1) to establish public-private partnerships under the Market Development Cooperator Program of the International Trade Administration; and (2) to underwrite a portion of the start-up costs for new projects carried out under that Program to strengthen the competitiveness and market share of United States industry, not to exceed, for each such project, the lesser of— (A) ½ of the total start-up costs for the project; or (B) $500,000. (b) Requirements In obligating and expending the funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary of Commerce shall give preference to activities that the Secretary determines will— (1) assist small- and medium-sized businesses in the United States; and (2) (A) create or sustain the greatest number of jobs in the United States; (B) obtain the maximum return on investment; (C) increase United States exports to the Asia and Pacific region; (D) increase United States exports in services; or (E) address export priorities set by the Department of Commerce.