,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #aiih ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,june #bf1 #bjai,mr4 ,gardner 7for himself and ,mr4 ,kaine7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship ,a ,,bill ,to improve the programs for veterans of the ,small ,business ,administration1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,veterans ,small ,business ,ownership ,improvements ,act4 #b4 ,establishing the ,veteran's ,business ,outreach ,center ,program ,section #cb of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b7 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking subsections 7d7 and 7f72 7#b7 by redesignating subsections 7e7 and 7g7 as subsections 7j7 and 7k71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7c7 the following3 7d7 ,veteran's business outreach center program 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term covered individual means-- 7i7 a member of the ,armed ,forces1 without regard to whether the member is participating in the ,transition ,assistance ,program of the ,department of ,defense2 7ii7 an individual who is participating in the ,transition ,assistance ,program of the ,department of ,defense2 7iii7 an individual who-- 7,i7 served on active duty in any branch of the ,armed ,forces1 including the ,national ,guard and ,reserves2 and 7,,ii7 was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable2 and 7iv7 a spouse or dependent of an individual described in clause 7i71 7ii71 or 7iii72 7,b7 the term private nonprofit organization means an entity that is described in section #eja7;c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and exempt from taxation under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code2 and 7,c7 the term veteran's business outreach center site means the location of-- 7i7 a veteran's business outreach center2 or 7ii7 #a or more veteran's business outreach center1 established in conjunction with another veteran's business outreach center in another location within a ,state or region-- 7,i7 that reach a distinct population that would otherwise not be served2 7,,ii7 whose services are targeted to veterans2 and 7,,iii7 whose scope1 function1 and activities are similar to those of the primary veteran's business outreach center or centers in conjunction with which it was established4 7#b7 ,authority2 services 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,administration may provide grants to1 or enter into contracts or cooperatives with1 private nonprofit organizations to establish and operate veteran's business outreach centers for the benefit of covered individuals and small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans4 7,b7 ,services provided ,each veteran's business outreach center established under this subsection shall carry out projects providing-- 7i7 #a-to-#a individual counseling to small businesses1 including-- 7,i7 financial assistance2 7,,ii7 management assistance2 7,,iii7 marketing assistance2 7,,iv7 transition assistance2 7,v7 ,federal-contracting assistance2 and 7,,vi7 export assistance2 and 7ii7 small business training and counseling through online and in-person workshops and seminars1 including-- 7,i7 financial assistance2 7,,ii7 management assistance2 7,,iii7 marketing assistance2 7,,iv7 transition assistance1 including the ,boots to ,business program established under subsection 7e72 7,v7 ,federal-contracting assistance2 and 7,,vi7 export assistance4 7#c7 ,contract authority 7,a7 ,in general ,a veteran's business outreach center may enter into a contract with a ,federal department or agency to provide specific assistance to veterans and other underserved small business concerns4 7,b7 ,performance ,performance of a contract described in subparagraph 7,a7 should not hinder a veteran's business outreach center in carrying out the terms of the grant received by the veteran's business outreach center from the ,administration4 7#d7 ,application and approval criteria 7,a7 ,in general ,a private nonprofit organization desiring a grant under this subsection shall submit an application to the ,administrator at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may require4 7,b7 ,criteria ,the ,administration shall-- 7i7 subject to clause 7ii71 develop and publish criteria for the consideration and approval of applications submitted by private nonprofit organizations under this subsection2 and 7ii7 evaluate and rank applicants in accordance with predetermined selection criteria that shall be stated in terms of relative importance1 which-- 7,i7 shall be made publicly available and stated in each solicitation for applications made by the ,administration2 and 7,,ii7 shall include-- 7aa7 the experience of the applicant in conducting programs or ongoing efforts designed to impart or upgrade the business skills of veteran business owners or potential owners2 7bb7 the present ability of the applicant to commence a project within a minimum amount of time2 and 7cc7 the location for the veteran's business center site proposed by the applicant4 7,c7 ,application for renewal of grant ,a private nonprofit organization that receives a grant under this subsection may submit an application for a renewal of the grant at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,administrator may require4 7,d7 ,notification ,not later than #fj days after the date of the deadline to submit applications for each fiscal year1 the ,administrator shall approve or deny any application submitted under this subsection and notify the applicant for each such application4 7#e7 ,award of grants 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,administrator shall make a grant for the ,federal share of the cost of activities described in the application to each applicant approved under this subsection4 7,b7 ,amount ,a grant under this subsection shall be for not less than #bbe1jjj and not more than #cge1jjj4 7,c7 ,duration 7i7 ,in general ,a grant under this subsection shall be for a period of #a year4 7ii7 ,renewal ,a grant under this subsection may be renewed for not more than #d additional #a-year periods4 7,d7 ,priority ,in allocating funds made available for grants under this subsection1 the ,administrator shall give priority to applicants for a renewal of a grant over new applicants4 7#f7 ,program examination 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,administration shall-- 7i7 develop and implement an annual programmatic and financial examination of each veteran's business outreach center established pursuant to this subsection1 pursuant to which each veteran's business outreach center shall provide to the ,administration-- 7,i7 an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures for costs incurred during the preceding year1 breaking out ,boots to ,business costs from all other programmatic costs2 and 7,,ii7 a programmatic breakdown of veteran's business outreach center curriculum1 program offerings1 and outcomes2 and 7ii7 analyze the results of each examination described in clause 7i7 and1 based on that analysis1 make a determination regarding the programmatic and financial viability of each veteran's business outreach center4 7,b7 ,conditions for continued funding ,in determining whether to renew a contract 7either as a grant or cooperative agreement7 under this subsection with a veteran's business outreach center1 the ,administrator-- 7i7 shall consider the results of the most recent examination of the veteran's business outreach center under subparagraph 7,a72 and 7ii7 may withhold such award or renewal1 if the ,administration determines that-- 7,i7 the veteran's business outreach center has failed to provide any information required to be provided under subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 of subparagraph 7,a77i71 or the information provided by the center is inadequate2 or 7,,ii7 the veteran's business outreach center has failed to provide any information required to be provided by the center for purposes of the report of the ,administration under subsection 7i77#a71 or the information provided by the center is inadequate4 7#g7 ,expedited acquisition ,notwithstanding any other provision of law1 the ,administrator1 acting through the ,associate ,administrator1 may use such expedited acquisition methods as the ,administrator determines to be appropriate to carry out this subsection1 except that the ,administrator shall ensure that all small business sources are provided a reasonable opportunity to submit proposals4 7#h7 ,privacy requirements 7,a7 ,in general ,a veteran's business outreach center may not disclose the name1 address1 or telephone number of any individual or small business concern receiving assistance under this subsection without the consent of the individual or small business concern1 unless-- 7i7 the ,administrator is ordered to make such a disclosure by a court in any civil or criminal enforcement action initiated by a ,federal or ,state agency2 or 7ii7 the ,administrator considers such a disclosure to be necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of a veteran's business outreach center1 but a disclosure under this clause shall be limited to the information necessary for such audit4 7,b7 ,administration use of information ,this subsection shall not-- 7i7 restrict ,administration access to program activity data2 or 7ii7 prevent the ,administration from using client information1 other than the information described in clause 7i71 to conduct client surveys4 7,c7 ,regulations ,the ,administrator shall issue regulations to establish standards for requiring disclosures during a financial audit under subparagraph 7,a77ii74 7#i7 ,authorization of appropriations 7,a7 ,in general ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection-- 7i7 #ac1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj2 7ii7 #ad1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba2 7iii7 #ad1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb2 and 7iv7 #ae1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc4 7,b7 ,use of amounts ,amounts made available under this paragraph for fiscal year #bjbj and each fiscal year thereafter-- 7i7 may only be used for grant awards2 and 7ii7 may not be used for costs incurred by the ,administration in connection with the management and administration of the program under this subsection4 4 #c4 ,veterans' business programs 7a7 ,in general ,section #cb of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b71 as amended by section #b1 is amended by inserting after subsection 7d7 the following3 7e7 ,boots to ,business ,program 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term covered individual means-- 7i7 a member of the ,armed ,forces1 without regard to whether the member is participating in the ,transition ,assistance ,program of the ,department of ,defense2 7ii7 an individual who is participating in the ,transition ,assistance ,program of the ,department of ,defense2 7iii7 an individual who-- 7,i7 served on active duty in any branch of the ,armed ,forces1 including the ,national ,guard and ,reserves2 and 7,,ii7 was discharged or released from such service under conditions other than dishonorable2 and 7iv7 a spouse or dependent of an individual described in clause 7i71 7ii71 or 7iii72 and 7,b7 the term ,vet ,center means a center for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans under section #agab;,a of title #ch1 ,united ,states ,code4 7#b7 ,establishment ,there is established a program to be known as the ,boots to ,business ,program to provide entrepreneurship training to covered individuals1 which shall be carried out by the ,administrator4 7#c7 ,goals ,the goals of the ,boots to ,business ,program are to-- 7,a7 provide exposure1 introduction1 and in-depth training for covered individuals interested in business ownership2 and 7,b7 provide covered individuals with the tools and knowledge necessary to identify a business opportunity1 draft a business plan1 identify sources of capital1 connect with local small business resources1 and launch a small business concern4 7#d7 ,program components 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,boots to ,business ,program may include-- 7i7 a brief presentation providing exposure to the considerations involved in self-employment and small business ownership2 7ii7 an online1 self-study course focused on the basic skills of entrepreneurship1 the language of business1 and the considerations involved in self-employment and small business ownership2 7iii7 an in-person classroom instruction component providing an introduction to the foundations of self employment and small business ownership2 and 7iv7 in-depth training delivered through online instruction1 including an online course that leads to the creation of a business plan4 7,b7 ,collaboration ,the ,administrator may-- 7i7 collaborate with public and private entities to develop a course curriculum for the ,boots to ,business ,program2 and 7ii7 modify program components in coordination with entities participating in the ,warriors in ,transition programs1 as defined in section #gch7;f7 of the ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjac 7#aj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajga note74 7,c7 ,utilization of resource partners 7i7 ,in general ,the ,associate ,administrator shall1 to the maximum extent practicable1 use a variety of resource partners and entities in administering the ,boots to ,business ,program4 7ii7 ,grant authority ,in carrying out clause 7i71 the ,associate ,administrator may make grants to resource partners and other entities to carry out components of the ,boots to ,business ,program4 7,d7 ,availability to ,,dod ,the ,administrator shall-- 7i7 make available electronically information regarding the ,boots to ,business ,program and all course materials created for the ,boots to ,business ,program to the ,secretary of ,defense for inclusion on the website of the ,department of ,defense relating to the ,transition ,assistance ,program and in the ,transition ,assistance ,program manual and other publications and materials available for distribution from the ,secretary of ,defense2 and 7ii7 fully participate in the interagency governance of the ,transition ,assistance ,program4 7,e7 ,availability to ,veterans ,affairs ,in consultation with the ,secretary of ,veterans ,affairs1 the ,associate ,administrator shall make available outreach materials regarding the ,boots to ,business ,program for distribution and display at local facilities of the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs 7including medical centers1 community-based outpatient clinics1 ,vet ,centers1 and other facilities determined appropriate by the ,associate ,administrator and the ,secretary71 which shall1 at a minimum-- 7i7 describe the ,boots to ,business ,program1 including a description of services provided2 and 7ii7 include eligibility requirements for participating in the ,boots to ,business ,program4 7#e7 ,review ,the ,inspector ,general of the ,administration shall submit to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives an annual report regarding the awarding of grants under the ,boots to ,business ,program4 7f7 ,veterans business development officers 7#a7 ,designation ,the ,administrator shall designate not fewer than #a individual in each district office of the ,administration as a veterans business development officer1 who shall communicate and coordinate activities of the district office with entities that receive financial assistance under this subsection4 7#b7 ,initial designation ,the first individual in each district office of the ,administration designated by the ,administrator as a veterans business development officer under paragraph 7#a7 shall be an individual that is employed by the ,administration on the date of enactment of this subsection4 7g7 ,online ,coordination 7#a7 ,definition ,in this subsection1 the term veterans' assistance provider means-- 7,a7 an employee of the ,administration assigned to the ,office of ,veterans ,business ,development2 or 7,b7 a veterans business development officer designated under subsection 7f74 7#b7 ,establishment ,the ,associate ,administrator shall establish an online mechanism to-- 7,a7 provide information that assists veterans' assistance providers in carrying out the activities of the veterans' assistance providers2 and 7,b7 coordinate and leverage the work of the veterans' assistance providers1 including by allowing a veterans' assistance provider to-- 7i7 distribute best practices and other materials2 7ii7 communicate with other veterans' assistance providers regarding the activities of the veterans' assistance provider on behalf of veterans2 and 7iii7 pose questions to and request input from other veterans' assistance providers4 7h7 ,limitations on use for overseas travel ,financial assistance made available under this section may not be used for travel outside of the ,united ,states 7as defined in section #bjb7;a77#g7 of the ,state ,department ,basic ,authorities ,act of #aief 7#bb ,u4,s4,c4 #dcjb7;a77#g777 until after the date on which the ,administrator submits to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives a plan describing how services will be provided by recipients1 and how the ,administrator will oversee the provision of services1 outside of the ,united ,states4 7i7 ,reports ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of the ,veterans ,small ,business ,ownership ,improvements ,act and every year thereafter1 the ,associate ,administrator shall submit to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives a report on the performance and effectiveness for the programs authorized under this section1 which may be included as part of another report submitted to the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives by the ,associate ,administrator1 and which shall include the following3 7#a7 ,veteran's business outreach centers ,for the ,veteran's ,business ,outreach ,center ,program under subsection 7d71 with respect to each veteran's business center established under such subsection-- 7,a7 the effectiveness of all projects conducted by the veteran's business outreach center2 7,b7 the number of individuals receiving assistance2 7,c7 the number of startup business concerns formed2 7,d7 the gross receipts of assisted concerns2 7,e7 the employment increases or decreases of assisted concerns2 7,f7 to the maximum extent practicable1 increases or decreases in profits of assisted concerns2 and 7,g7 the most recent analysis1 as required under clause 7ii7 of subsection 7d77#f77;,a71 and the subsequent determination made by the ,administration under that clause4 7#b7 ,boots to business ,for the ,boots to ,business ,program under subsection 7e7-- 7,a7 the number of program participants using each component of the ,boots to ,business ,program2 7,b7 the completion rates for each component of the ,boots to ,business ,program2 7,c7 to the extent possible-- 7i7 the demographics of program participants1 to include gender1 age1 race1 relationship to military1 ,military ,occupational ,code1 and years of service of program participants2 7ii7 the number of small business concerns formed or expanded with assistance under the ,boots to ,business ,program2 7iii7 the gross receipts of small business concerns receiving assistance under the ,boots to ,business ,program2 7iv7 the number of jobs created with assistance under the ,boots to ,business ,program2 7v7 the number of referrals to other resources and programs of the ,administration2 7vi7 the number of program participants receiving financial assistance under loan programs of the ,administration2 7vii7 the type and dollar amount of financial assistance received by program participants under loan programs of the ,administration2 and 7viii7 the results of participant satisfaction surveys1 including a summary of any comments received from program participants2 7,d7 an evaluation of the effectiveness of the ,boots to ,business ,program in each region of the ,administration during the most recent fiscal year2 7,e7 an assessment of additional performance outcome measures for the ,boots to ,business ,program1 as identified by the ,associate ,administrator2 7,f7 any recommendations of the ,administrator for improvement of the ,boots to ,business ,program1 which may include expansion of the types of individuals who are covered individuals2 7,g7 an explanation of how the ,boots to ,business ,program has been integrated with other transition programs and related resources of the ,administration and other ,federal agencies2 and 7,h7 any additional information the ,administrator determines necessary4 7#c7 ,other activities and programs administered by the office of veterans business development ,an evaluation of the effectiveness of any other activities and programs administered by the ,office of ,veterans ,business ,development1 including using the metrics identified in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b74 4 7b7 ,,gao ,reports 7#a7 ,definitions ,in this subsection-- 7,a7 the term covered individual means-- 7i7 a veteran2 7ii7 a service-disabled veteran2 7iii7 a ,reservist2 7iv7 the spouse of an individual described in clause 7i71 7ii71 or 7iii72 or 7v7 the spouse of a member of the ,armed ,forces2 7,b7 the term ,reservist means a member of a reserve component of the ,armed ,forces1 as described in section #ajaja of title #aj1 ,united ,states ,code2 7,c7 the term small business concern owned and controlled by veterans-- 7i7 has the meaning given the term in section #c7q7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb7q772 and 7ii7 includes a small business concern-- 7,i7 not less than #ea percent of which is owned by #a or more spouses of veterans or1 in the case of any publicly owned business1 not less than #ea percent of the stock of which is owned by #a or more spouses of veterans2 and 7,,ii7 the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by #a or more spouses of veterans2 7,d7 the terms service-disabled veteran1 small business concern1 and veteran have the meanings given those terms under section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb74 7#b7 ,report on access to credit 7,a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states shall submit a report regarding the ability of small business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals to access credit to-- 7i7 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,small ,business and ,entrepreneurship of the ,senate2 and 7ii7 the ,committee on ,veterans' ,affairs and the ,committee on ,small ,business of the ,house of ,representatives4 7,b7 ,contents ,the report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 shall include an analysis of-- 7i7 the sources of credit used by small business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals and the percentage of the credit obtained by small business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals that is obtained from each source2 7ii7 the default rate for small business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals separately for each source of credit described in clause 7i71 as compared to the default rate for the source of credit for small business concerns generally2 7iii7 the ,federal lending programs available to provide credit to small business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals2 7iv7 gaps1 if any1 in the availability of credit for small business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals that are not being filled by the ,federal ,government or private sources2 7v7 obstacles faced by covered individuals in trying to access credit2 7vi7 the extent to which deployment and other military responsibilities affect the credit history of veterans and ,reservists2 and 7vii7 the extent to which covered individuals are aware of ,federal programs targeted towards helping covered individuals access credit4 #d4 ,improvements to business development and entrepreneurial programs 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the terms ,administration and ,administrator mean the ,small ,business ,administration and the ,administrator thereof1 respectively2 7#b7 the term individual eligible for a veteran entrepreneurial development program means-- 7,a7 a covered individual1 as defined in section #cb7;d77#a7 of the ,small ,business ,act1 as amended by section #b2 7,b7 a covered individual1 as defined in section #cb7;e77#a7 of the ,small ,business ,act1 as amended by section #c2 and 7,c7 an individual who qualifies to be the owner of a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans1 as defined in section #c7;b77#a72 7#c7 the term one-stop resource means the one-stop online resource established under subsection 7c77#a72 and 7#d7 the term small business concern has the meaning given the term in section #c of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcb74 7b7 ,veteran peer-to-,peer networks ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,administrator shall establish guidelines to improve the network of peer-to-peer counseling and mentoring for individuals eligible for a veteran entrepreneurial development program relating to the business development and entrepreneurial programs of the ,administration4 7c7 ,one-,stop online resource 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,administrator shall establish an online mechanism that serves as a one-stop online resource for veterans regarding all of the entrepreneurial development programs of the ,administration4 7#b7 ,contents ,the one-stop resource shall include descriptions of each entrepreneurial program of the ,administration 7which shall include the programs described in paragraph 7#c771 including-- 7,a7 target client descriptions for each program2 7,b7 contact information for information on or assistance regarding each program from locally1 statewide1 and nationally available sources2 7,c7 a detailed description of the services available under each program2 7,d7 a description of any costs associated with the services under each program2 7,e7 an outline of program curriculums if training seminars or courses are offered2 and 7,f7 other resource information that the ,administrator determines appropriate and necessary for veteran entrepreneurs and veterans who own small business concerns1 in order to ensure the one-stop online resource provides information and resources necessary for a veteran beginning to develop a small business concern4 7#c7 ,programs ,the programs identified and described under the one-stop resource shall include-- 7,a7 the small business development center program under section #ba of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fdh72 7,b7 the women's business center program under section #bi of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fef72 7,c7 the programs of the ,office of ,entrepreneurship ,education of the ,administration2 7,d7 the ,veteran's ,business ,outreach ,center ,program under section #cb7;d7 of the ,small ,business ,act1 as amended by section #b of this ,act2 7,e7 the ,boots to ,business ,program under section #cb7;e7 of the ,small ,business ,act1 as amended by section #c7;a7 of this ,act2 7,f7 the ,service ,corps of ,retired ,executives program authorized by section #h7;b77#a7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #fcg7;b77#a772 and 7,g7 any other program of the ,administration determined appropriate by the ,administrator4 #e4 ,reporting requirement for interagency task force ,section #cb7;c7 of the ,small ,business ,act 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #feg;b7c77 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,report ,not less frequently than once each year1 the ,administrator shall submit to ,congress a report-- 7,a7 discussing the appointments made to and activities of the task force2 and 7,b7 identifying and outlining a plan for outreach and promotion of all the programs authorized under the ,veterans ,small ,business ,ownership ,improvements ,act1 or an amendment made by that ,act4 4