II
113th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2693
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 30, 2014
Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Cardin, Mrs. Shaheen, Mrs. Gillibrand, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Walsh) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
A BILL
To reauthorize the women's business center program of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as
the
Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2014
.
Definition
In this Act—
the terms Administration and Administrator mean the Small Business Administration and the Administrator thereof, respectively;
the term disability has the meaning given that term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102);
the term microloan program means the program established under section 7(m) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(m) );
the term rural small business concern means a small business concern located in a rural area, as that term is defined in section 1393(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
the terms small business concern, small business concern owned and controlled by veterans, and small business concern owned and controlled by women have the meanings given those terms under section 3 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632 ).
Office of Women’s Business Ownership
Section 29(g) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 656(g) ) is amended—
in paragraph (2)—
in subparagraph (B)—
in clause (i), by striking “in the areas” and all that follows through the end of subclause (I), and inserting the following: “to address issues concerning the management, operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, retail and product sales, international trade, Government contracting, and other disciplines required for—
starting, operating, and increasing the business of a small business concern;
; and
in
clause (ii), by striking Women's Business Center program
each
place that term appears and inserting women's business center
program
; and
in
subparagraph (C), by inserting before the period at the end the following:
, the National Women’s Business Council, and any association of women’s
business centers
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Training
The Administrator may provide annual programmatic and financial examination training for women’s business ownership representatives and district office technical representatives of the Administration to enable representatives to carry out their responsibilities.
Program and transparency improvements
The Administrator shall maximize the transparency of the women’s business center financial assistance proposal process and the programmatic and financial examination process by—
providing public notice of any announcement for financial assistance under subsection (b) or a grant under subsection (l);
in the announcement described in subparagraph (A), outlining award and program evaluation criteria and describing the weighting of the criteria for financial assistance under subsection (b) and grants under subsection (l); and
not later than 60 days after the completion of a site visit to the women's business center (whether conducted for an audit, performance review, or other reason), when feasible, providing to each women’s business center a copy of any site visit reports or evaluation reports prepared by district office technical representatives or officers or employees of the Administration.
.
Women’s Business Center Program
Women’s Business Center financial assistance
Section 29 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 656 ) is amended—
in subsection (a)—
by striking paragraph (4);
by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively;
by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
the term association of women’s business centers means an organization—
that represents not less than 51 percent of the women’s business centers that participate in a program under this section; and
whose primary purpose is to represent women’s business centers;
the term eligible entity means—
a private nonprofit organization;
a State, regional, or local economic development organization;
a development, credit, or finance corporation chartered by a State;
a junior or community college, as defined in section 312(f) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1058(f) ); or
any combination of entities listed in subparagraphs (A) through (D);
; and
by adding after paragraph (5), as so redesignated, the following:
the term women's business center means a project conducted by an eligible entity under this section.
;
in subsection (b)—
by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C), and adjusting the margins accordingly;
by striking
The Administration
and all that follows through 5-year
projects
and inserting the following:
In general
The Administration may provide financial assistance to an eligible entity to conduct a project under this section
;
by striking
The projects shall
and inserting the following:
Use of funds
The project shall be designed to provide training and counseling that meets the needs of women, especially socially and economically disadvantaged women, and shall
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Amount of financial assistance
The Administrator may award financial assistance under this subsection of not more than $250,000 per project year.
Consultation with associations of women’s business centers
The Administrator shall seek advice, input, and recommendations for policy changes from any association of women’s business centers to develop—
a training program for the staff of women’s business centers; and
recommendations to improve the policies and procedures for governing the general operations and administration of the women’s business center program, including grant program improvements under subsection (g)(4).
;
in subsection (c)—
in paragraph
(1) by striking the recipient organization
and inserting
an eligible entity
;
in paragraph
(3), in the second sentence, by striking a recipient
organization
and inserting an eligible entity
;
in paragraph (4)—
by striking
recipient of assistance
and inserting eligible
entity
;
by striking
such organization
and inserting the eligible
entity
; and
by striking
recipient
and inserting eligible entity
;
and
by adding at the end the following:
Separation of project and funds
An eligible entity shall—
carry out a project under this section separately from other projects, if any, of the eligible entity; and
separately maintain and account for any financial assistance under this section.
;
in subsection (e)—
by striking
applicant organization
and inserting eligible
entity
;
by striking
a recipient organization
and inserting an eligible
entity
; and
by striking
site
;
by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following:
Applications and criteria for initial financial assistance
Application
Each eligible entity desiring financial assistance under subsection (b) shall submit to the Administrator an application that contains—
a certification that the eligible entity—
has designated an executive director or program manager, who may be compensated using financial assistance under subsection (b) or other sources, to manage the center;
as a condition of receiving financial assistance under subsection (b), agrees—
to receive a site visit at the discretion of the Administrator as part of the final selection process;
to undergo an annual programmatic and financial examination; and
to remedy any problems identified pursuant to the site visit or examination under subclause (I) or (II); and
meets the accounting and reporting requirements established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;
information demonstrating that the eligible entity has the ability and resources to meet the needs of the market to be served by the women's business center for which financial assistance under subsection (b) is sought, including the ability to obtain the non-Federal contribution required under subsection (c);
information relating to the assistance to be provided by the women's business center for which financial assistance under subsection (b) is sought in the area in which the women's business center is located;
information demonstrating the experience and effectiveness of the eligible entity in—
conducting financial, management, and marketing assistance programs, as described in subsection (b)(2), which are designed to teach or upgrade the business skills of women who are business owners or potential business owners;
providing training and services to a representative number of women who are socially and economically disadvantaged; and
working with resource partners of the Administration and other entities, such as universities; and
a 5-year plan that describes the ability of the women's business center for which financial assistance is sought—
to serve women who are business owners or potential business owners by conducting training and counseling activities; and
to provide training and services to a representative number of women who are socially and economically disadvantaged.
Review and approval of applications for initial financial assistance
In general
The Administrator shall—
review each application submitted under paragraph (1), based on the information described in such paragraph and the criteria set forth under subparagraph (B) of this paragraph; and
to the extent practicable, as part of the final selection process, conduct a site visit to each women's business center for which financial assistance under subsection (b) is sought.
Selection criteria
In general
The Administrator shall evaluate applicants for financial assistance under subsection (b) in accordance with selection criteria that are—
established before the date on which applicants are required to submit the applications;
stated in terms of relative importance; and
publicly available and stated in each solicitation for applications for financial assistance under subsection (b) made by the Administrator.
Required criteria
The selection criteria for financial assistance under subsection (b) shall include—
the experience of the applicant in conducting programs or ongoing efforts designed to teach or enhance the business skills of women who are business owners or potential business owners;
the ability of the applicant to begin a project within a minimum amount of time, as established under the program announcement or by regulation;
the ability of the applicant to provide training and services to a representative number of women who are socially and economically disadvantaged; and
the location for the women's business center proposed by the applicant, including whether the applicant is located in a State in which there is not a women's business center receiving funding from the Administration.
Proximity
If the principal place of business of an applicant for financial assistance under subsection (b) is located less than 50 miles from the principal place of business of a women’s business center that received funds under this section on or before the date of the application, the applicant shall not be eligible for the financial assistance, unless the applicant submits a detailed written justification of the need for an additional center in the area in which the applicant is located.
Record retention
The Administrator shall maintain a copy of each application submitted under this subsection for not less than 7 years.
; and
in subsection (m)—
by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
Application and approval for renewal grants
Solicitation of applications
The Administrator shall solicit applications and award grants under this subsection for the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of the Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2014 , and every third fiscal year thereafter.
Contents of application
Each eligible entity desiring a grant under this subsection shall submit to the Administrator an application that contains—
a certification that the applicant—
is an eligible entity;
has designated an executive director or program manager to manage the women's business center operated by the applicant; and
as a condition of receiving a grant under this subsection, agrees—
to receive a site visit as part of the final selection process;
to submit, for the 2 full fiscal years before the date on which the application is submitted, annual programmatic and financial examination reports or certified copies of the compliance supplemental audits under OMB Circular A–133 of the applicant; and
to remedy any problem identified pursuant to the site visit or examination under item (aa) or (bb);
information demonstrating that the applicant has the ability and resources to meet the needs of the market to be served by the women's business center for which a grant under this subsection is sought, including the ability to obtain the non-Federal contribution required under paragraph (4)(C);
information relating to assistance to be provided by the women's business center in the area served by the women's business center for which a grant under this subsection is sought;
information demonstrating that the applicant has worked with resource partners of the Administration and other entities;
a 3-year plan that describes the ability of the women's business center for which a grant under this subsection is sought—
to serve women who are business owners or potential business owners by conducting training and counseling activities; and
to provide training and services to a representative number of women who are socially and economically disadvantaged; and
any additional information that the Administrator may reasonably require.
Review and approval of applications for grants
In general
The Administrator shall—
review each application submitted under subparagraph (B), based on the information described in such subparagraph and the criteria set forth under clause (ii) of this subparagraph; and
at the discretion of the Administrator, and as part of the final selection process, conduct a site visit to each women's business center for which a grant under this subsection is sought.
Selection criteria
In general
The Administrator shall evaluate applicants for grants under this subsection in accordance with selection criteria that are—
established before the date on which applicants are required to submit the applications;
stated in terms of relative importance; and
publicly available and stated in each solicitation for applications for grants under this subsection made by the Administrator.
Required criteria
The selection criteria for a grant under this subsection shall include—
the total number of entrepreneurs served by the applicant;
the total number of new startup companies assisted by the applicant;
the percentage of clients of the applicant that are socially or economically disadvantaged; and
the percentage of individuals in the community served by the applicant who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
Conditions for continued funding
In determining whether to make a grant under this subsection, the Administrator—
shall consider the results of the most recent evaluation of the women's business center for which a grant under this subsection is sought, and, to a lesser extent, previous evaluations; and
may withhold a grant under this subsection, if the Administrator determines that the applicant has failed to provide the information required to be provided under this paragraph, or the information provided by the applicant is inadequate.
Notification
Not later than 60 days after the date of each deadline to submit applications, the Administrator shall approve or deny any application under this paragraph and notify the applicant for each such application of the approval or denial.
Record retention
The Administrator shall maintain a copy of each application submitted under this paragraph for not less than 7 years.
; and
by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the following:
Award to previous recipients
There shall be no limitation on the number of times the Administrator may award a grant to an applicant under this subsection.
.
Technical and conforming amendments
Section 29 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 656 ) is amended—
in subsection
(h)(2), by striking to award a contract (as a sustainability grant)
under subsection (l) or
;
in subsection
(j)(1), by striking The Administration
and inserting Not
later than November 1 of each year, the Administrator
;
in subsection (k)—
by striking paragraphs (1) and (4);
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4);
by inserting before paragraph (2) the following:
In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration to carry out this section , to remain available until expended, $26,750,000 for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2019.
; and
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
Continuing grant and cooperative agreement authority
Prompt disbursement
Upon receiving funds to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, promptly reimburse funds to any women’s business center awarded financial assistance under this section if the center meets the eligibility requirements under this section.
Suspension or termination
If the Administrator has entered into a grant or cooperative agreement with a women's business center under this section, the Administrator may not suspend or terminate the grant or cooperative agreement, unless the Administrator—
provides the women's business center with written notification setting forth the reasons for that action; and
affords the women's business center an opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or other administrative proceeding under chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.
;
in subsection (m)—
in
paragraph (2), by striking subsection (b) or (l)
and inserting
this subsection or subsection (b)
; and
in
paragraph (4)(D), by striking or subsection (l)
; and
by redesignating subsections (m), (n), and (o), as amended by this Act, as subsections (l), (m), and (n), respectively.
Effect on existing grants
Terms and conditions
A nonprofit organization receiving a grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 656(m) ), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, shall continue to receive the grant under the terms and conditions in effect for the grant on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, except that the nonprofit organization may not apply for a renewal of the grant under section 29(m)(5) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 656(m)(5) ), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act.
Length of renewal grant
The Administrator may award a grant under section 29(l) of the Small Business Act, as so redesignated by subsection (a)(5) of this section, to a nonprofit organization receiving a grant under section 29(m) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 656(m) ), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, for the period—
beginning on the day after the last day of the grant agreement under such section 29(m); and
ending at the end of the third fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.
Matching requirements under women's business center program
In general
Section 29(c) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 656(c) ), as amended by section 4 of this Act, is amended—
in paragraph (1),
by striking As a condition
and inserting Subject to
paragraph (6), as a condition
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Waiver of non-Federal share relating to technical assistance and counseling
In general
Upon request by a recipient organization, and in accordance with this paragraph, the Administrator may waive, in whole or in part, the requirement to obtain non-Federal funds under this subsection for the technical assistance and counseling activities of the recipient organization carried out using financial assistance under this section for a fiscal year. The Administrator may not waive the requirement for a recipient organization to obtain non-Federal funds under this paragraph for more than a total of 2 consecutive fiscal years.
Considerations
In determining whether to waive the requirement to obtain non-Federal funds under this paragraph, the Administrator shall consider—
the economic conditions affecting the recipient organization;
the impact a waiver under this clause would have on the credibility of the women's business center program under this section;
the demonstrated ability of the recipient organization to raise non-Federal funds; and
the performance of the recipient organization.
Limitation
The Administrator may not waive the requirement to obtain non-Federal funds under this paragraph if granting the waiver would undermine the credibility of the women's business center program under this section.
Solicitation
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a recipient organization may—
solicit cash and in-kind contributions from private individuals and entities to be used to carry out the activities of the recipient organization under the project conducted under this section; and
use amounts made available by the Administration under this section for the cost of such solicitation and management of the contributions received.
.
Regulations
In general
The Administrator shall—
except as provided in paragraph (2), and not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register proposed regulations by the Administrator to carry out the amendments made to section 29 of the Small Business Act by this Act; and
accept public comments on such proposed regulations for not less than 60 days.
Existing proposed regulations
Paragraph (1)(A) shall not apply to the extent proposed regulations by the Administrator have been published on the date of enactment of this Act that are sufficient to carry out the amendments made to section 29 of the Small Business Act by this Act.
Study and report on economic issues facing women's business centers
Study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a broad study of the unique economic issues facing women's business centers located in covered areas to identify—
the difficulties such centers face in raising non-Federal funds;
the difficulties such centers face in competing for financial assistance, non-Federal funds, or other types of assistance;
the difficulties such centers face in writing grant proposals; and
other difficulties such centers face because of the economy in the type of covered area in which such centers are located.
Report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study under subsection (a), which shall include recommendations, if any, regarding how to—
address the unique difficulties women's business centers located in covered areas face because of the type of covered area in which such centers are located;
expand the presence of, and increase the services provided by, women's business centers located in covered areas; and
best use technology and other resources to better serve women business owners located in covered areas.
Definition of covered area
In this section, the term covered area means—
any State that is predominantly rural, as determined by the Administrator;
any State that is predominantly urban, as determined by the Administrator; and
any State or territory that is an island.
Study and report on oversight of women's business centers
Study
The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study of the oversight of women's business centers by the Administrator, which shall include—
an analysis of the coordination by the Administrator of the activities of women's business centers with the activities of small business development centers, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, and Veteran Business Outreach Centers;
a comparison of the types of individuals and small business concerns served by women's business centers and the types of individuals and small business concerns served by small business development centers, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, and Veteran Business Outreach Centers; and
an analysis of performance data for women's business centers that evaluates how well women's business centers are carrying out the mission of women's business centers and serving individuals and small business concerns.
Report
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress a report containing the results of the study under subsection (a), which shall include recommendations, if any, for eliminating the duplication of services provided by women's business centers, small business development centers, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, and Veteran Business Outreach Centers.
Sole source contracts for small business concerns owned and controlled by women
In general
Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m) ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Authority for sole source contracts for economically disadvantaged small business concerns owned and controlled by women in underrepresented industries
A contracting officer may award a sole source contract under this subsection to a small business concern owned and controlled by women that meets the requirements under paragraph (2)(A) if—
the small business concern owned and controlled by women is in an industry in which small business concerns owned and controlled by women are underrepresented, as determined by the Administrator;
the contracting officer determines that the small business concern owned and controlled by women is a responsible contractor with respect to performance of the contract opportunity;
the anticipated award price of the contract, including options, is not more than—
$6,500,000, in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a North American Industry Classification System code for manufacturing; or
$4,000,000, in the case of any other contract opportunity; and
in the estimation of the contracting officer, the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.
Authority for sole source contracts for small business concerns owned and controlled by women in substantially underrepresented industries
A contracting officer may award a sole source contract under this subsection to a small business concern owned and controlled by women that meets the requirements under paragraph (2)(E) if—
the small business concern owned and controlled by women is in an industry in which small business concerns owned and controlled by women are substantially underrepresented, as determined by the Administrator;
the contracting officer determines that the small business concern owned and controlled by women is a responsible contractor with respect to performance of the contract opportunity;
the anticipated award price of the contract, including options, is not more than—
$6,500,000, in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a North American Industry Classification System code for manufacturing; or
$4,000,000, in the case of any other contract opportunity; and
in the estimation of the contracting officer, the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.
.
Reporting on goals for sole source contracts for small business concerns owned and controlled by women
Section 15(h)(2)(E)(viii) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 644(h)(2)(E)(viii) ) is amended—
in subclause (IV), by striking and
at the end;
by redesignating subclause (V) as subclause (VIII); and
by inserting after subclause (IV) the following:
through sole source contracts awarded under section 8(m)(7);
through sole source contracts awarded under section 8(m)(8);
by industry for contracts described in subclause (III), (IV), (V), or (VI); and
.
Deadline for report on underrepresented industries accelerated
Section 29(o)(2) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 656(o)(2) ) is amended—
by striking 5 years after the date of enactment of this subsection
and inserting January 2, 2015
; and
by striking 5-year period
and inserting 2-year or 5-year period, as applicable,
.
Technical and conforming amendments
Section 8(m) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 637(m) ) is amended—
in paragraph (2)(C), by striking paragraph (3)
and inserting paragraph (4)
; and
in paragraph (5), by striking paragraph (2)(F)
each place it appears and inserting paragraph (2)(E)
.
Small business intermediary lending program
Section 7(l) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(l) ) is amended—
in the subsection heading, by striking
Pilot
;
in paragraph (1)(B), by striking pilot
;
in paragraph (2)—
by striking 3-year
; and
by striking pilot
;
in paragraph (4)—
by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following:
Loan limits
In general
No single loan to an eligible intermediary under this subsection may exceed $1,000,000.
Total amount
The total amount outstanding and committed to an eligible intermediary by the Administrator under the Program may not exceed $5,000,000.
; and
by striking subparagraph (G) and inserting the following:
Maximum amounts
The Administrator may make loans under the Program—
during each of fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017, in a total amount of not more than $20,000,000; and
during fiscal year 2018 and each fiscal year thereafter, using such amounts as are made available for the Program.
; and
by striking paragraph (6).
Access to capital for small business concerns
Microloan program
Section 7(m) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(m) ) is amended—
in paragraph (1)(B)(i), by striking short-term,
;
in paragraph (3)(C), by striking $5,000,000
and inserting $7,000,000
;
in paragraph (4)—
by striking subparagraph (E); and
by redesignating subparagraph (F) as subparagraph (E);
in paragraph (6)—
in subparagraph (A), by striking short-term,
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Report to commercial credit reporting agencies
The Administrator shall establish a process under which an intermediary that makes a loan to a small business concern under this paragraph shall provide to 1 or more of the commercial credit reporting agencies, through the Administration or independently, including through third party intermediaries, information on the small business concern that is relevant to credit reporting, including the payment activity of the small business concern on the loan.
;
in paragraph (7)—
by striking
Program
and all that follows through Under
and inserting the following:
Number of participants.—Under
; and
by striking subparagraph (B);
in paragraph (8), by striking such intermediaries
and all the follows through the period at the end and inserting the following: intermediaries that serve a diversity of geographic areas in the United States to ensure
appropriate availability of loans for small business concerns in all
industries that are located in metropolitan, nonmetropolitan, and rural
areas.
; and
in paragraph (11)(B), by striking short-term,
.
Guarantee fee waiver
During fiscal year 2016, the Administrator may not collect a guarantee fee under section 7(a)(18)(A)(i) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(18)(A)(i) ) with respect to a loan guaranteed under section 7(a) of such Act, unless amounts are made available to the Administrator to subsidize the cost of guaranteeing such loans for fiscal year 2016.
Annual report
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, and every year thereafter, the Office of Capital Access 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 a report on assistance provided by the Administration under—
section 7(a) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(a) );
the microloan program;
part A of title III of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 ( 15 U.S.C. 681 et seq. ); and
section 502 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 ( 15 U.S.C. 696 ).
Requirement
Each report required under paragraph (1) shall include, for the year preceding the date on which the report is submitted—
for each type of assistance described under subparagraphs (A), (B), and (D) of paragraph (1)—
the number of loans made by the Administration;
the total amount of loans made by the Administration;
the percentage of the number and total amount of loans made by the Administration to—
rural small business concerns;
small business concerns owned and controlled by individuals with a disability;
small business concerns owned and controlled by low-income individuals, broken down by each racial or ethnic minority group of which those individuals are members;
small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans;
small business concerns owned and controlled by women; and
small business concerns owned and controlled by members of a racial or ethnic minority group, broken down by each such racial or ethnic minority group; and
the number of jobs created and retained by borrowers as a result of such assistance; and
for assistance described under subparagraph (C) of paragraph (1)—
the number of investments made by small business investment companies;
the total amount of equity capital provided and loans made by small business investment companies;
the percentage of the number of investments and loans made and total amount of equity capital provided by small business investment companies to—
rural small business concerns;
small business concerns owned and controlled by individuals with a disability;
small business concerns owned and controlled by low-income individuals, broken down by each racial or ethnic minority group of which those individuals are members;
small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans;
small business concerns owned and controlled by women; and
small business concerns owned and controlled by members of a racial or ethnic minority group, broken down by each such racial or ethnic minority group;
the number of jobs created and retained by small business concerns as a result of investments made by small business investment companies; and
the number of licenses issued by the Administration under section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act ( 15 U.S.C. 681(c) ), including the percentage of licenses issued to entities headed by a woman or a member of a racial or ethnic minority, respectively.
Sense of the Senate
It is the sense of the Senate that—
access to capital for small business concerns owned and controlled by women comes from a variety of sources, including important contributions and early investments from angel capital and other venture capital investors; and
those investors should continue to work to develop small business concerns owned and controlled by women to expand the rate at which those women receive venture investment.
