Latest Action: 05/15/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.

5/15/2008--Introduced.

Extends through March 20, 2009, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through May 23, 2008, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Latest Action: 05/23/2008 - Presented to President.

Bill Text
A bill to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.

5/23/2008--Public Law.    (There are 3 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Extends through March 20, 2009, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through May 23, 2008, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Latest Action: 01/23/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

Bill Text
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a pilot project on the use of educational assistance under programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs to defray training costs associated with the purchase of certain franchise enterprises.

12/19/2007--Introduced.

Veterans Self-Employment Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a five-year pilot project to test the feasibility and advisability of the use of educational assistance under certain programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay for training costs associated with the purchase of a franchise enterprise. Prohibits the use of such assistance unless: (1) training is required and provided in connection with the purchase and operation of a franchise; and (2) such training, and the training entity, are approved by the Secretary. Provides training and entity approval requirements.

Latest Action: 02/05/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.

Bill Text
To promote youth financial education. 12/6/2007--Introduced. Amends title VI (Flexibility and Accountability) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to create a new Part D: Promoting Youth Financial Literacy. Allows the Secretary of Education to provide grants to states to: (1) assist local educational agencies and public schools provide financial education programs to students in kindergarten through grade 12; and (2) implement financial education professional development programs for teachers and administrators. Requires a specified amount of the grant funds to be awarded competitively each fiscal year, with the remainder provided to each state on the basis of its share of students in kindergarten through grade 12. Directs the Secretary to make a grant to or contract with an institution of higher education or nonprofit organization that has substantial financial education experience to establish and operate a national clearinghouse of [...]

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Latest Action: 12/14/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
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.

12/14/2007--Public Law.    (There is 1 other summary)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Extends through May 23, 2008, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through December 15, 2007, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Latest Action: 02/14/2008 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
To improve and expand small business assistance programs for veterans of the armed forces and military reservists, and for other purposes. 2/14/2008--Public Law.    (There is 1 other summary) Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2008 - Title I: Veterans Business Development - (Sec. 101) Increases funding (with an offset), for FY2008-FY2009, for the Office of Veterans Business Development of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Expresses the sense of Congress that excess amounts for such Office should be used to support veterans business outreach centers. (Sec. 102) Amends the Small Business Act to direct the President to establish an interagency task force to coordinate federal efforts to improve capital and business development opportunities for, and ensure achievement of the pre-established federal contracting goals for, small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans [...]

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Latest Action: 11/07/2007 - Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Bill Text
A bill to improve the Small Business Act, and for other purposes. 11/1/2007--Introduced. Small Business Contracting Revitalization Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to provide federal review and oversight of the practice of contract bundling (the consolidation of two or more procurement contracts into a solicitation for a single prime contract that is unlikely, because of its size or complexity, to be suitable for award to a small business). Revises or adds federal provisions or requirements concerning: (1) increased small business participation in federal procurement subcontracts, including a pilot program to provide contractual incentives to prime contractors that exceed their small business subcontracting goals; (2) Small Business Administration (SBA) certification of small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, women, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; (3) historically underutilized business zones (HUBZones) [...]

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Latest Action: 01/22/2008 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
To reauthorize certain programs under the Small Business Act for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009. 11/6/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Small Business Programs Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to reauthorize for FY2008-FY2009 certain small business assistance programs of the Small Business Administration (SBA) authorized under the Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, including: (1) a disaster mitigation pilot program; (2) general and start-up small business loans; (3) certified development company (CDC) financing; (4) disaster loans; (5) the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE); and (6) grants to microloan program intermediaries and technical assistance providers. Reauthorizes for such fiscal years: (1) the businessLINC grants program; (2) the small business development center (SBDC) program; (3) the women's business center program; (4) the HUBZone (heavily underutilized business [...]

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Latest Action: 11/01/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
To update and expand the procurement programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 10/30/2007--Passed House amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act - Title I: Ensuring Government Contract Opportunities for Small Business Concerns Owned and Controlled by Service-Disabled Veterans - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to: (1) permit agencies to enter into contracts with a small business owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran without first ensuring that there is only one company can perform a contract; and (2) allow contracting officers to decide whether or not to set aside contracts where at least two underutilized business zone (HUBZone) qualified companies could compete for the contract. (Sec. 102) Provides for the assessment of civil penalties against any company that misrepresents itself as a small business owned and controlled by service-disabled [...]

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Latest Action: 10/17/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
A bill to promote the development of Native American small business concerns, and for other purposes. 10/17/2007--Introduced. Native American Small Business Development Act of 2007 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish within the Small Business Administration (SBA) the Office of Native American Affairs, headed by an Assistant Administrator, to implement SBA programs for the development of business enterprises by Native Americans (American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians). Requires the Office to assist Native American entrepreneurs to: (1) start, operate, and grow small businesses; (2) develop management and technical skills; (3) seek federal procurement opportunities; (4) increase Native American employment opportunities; and (5) increase Native American access to capital markets. Requires the Administrator of the SBA to provide financial assistance to tribal governments, tribal colleges, Native Hawaiian organizations, and Alaska Native corporations [...]

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Latest Action: 10/04/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Bill Text
To amend and extend the Higher Education Act of 1965. 10/4/2007--Introduced. College Access and Opportunity Act of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise and reauthorize appropriations for HEA programs. Establishes a single definition of institutions of higher education (IHEs) for purposes of their participation in all HEA programs, including title IV student aid programs. Allows IHEs to enroll students who are also enrolled in secondary school. Revises higher education consumer information and public accountability requirements. Imposes educational loan disclosure requirements on lenders and IHEs. Replaces the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants for States and Partnerships program under title II with a new Teacher Quality Partnership grant program for partnerships of high-need local educational agencies (LEAs), high-need schools, IHEs, and public or private educational organizations. Repeals part B (Preparing Tomorrow's [...]

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Latest Action: 08/01/2007 - Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee

Bill Text
To authorize assistance to small- and medium-sized businesses to promote exports to the People's Republic of China, and for other purposes. 8/1/2007--Introduced. United States-China Market Engagement and Export Promotion Act - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to: (1) provide grants to states to establish and operate state offices in the People's Republic of China (PRC) to promote U.S. exports to PRC; (2) establish a program to create China market advocate positions in United States Export Assistance Centers in order to provide assistance to small- and medium-sized U.S. businesses in the export U.S. goods to PRC, including assistance for business-related expenses for trade missions to PRC; and (3) submit to Congress a plan to consolidate fees for Gold Key matching services provided to such U.S. businesses that export U.S. goods or services to more than one market in PRC. Amends the Small Business Act to require the Office of International Trade of the Small Business [...]

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Latest Action: 08/08/2007 - Signed by President.

Bill Text
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.

8/8/2007--Public Law.    (There are 2 other summaries)

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Extends through December 15, 2007, under the same terms and conditions, the authorization for any program, authority, or provision, including any pilot program, that is currently authorized through July 31, 2007, under the Small Business Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Latest Action: 12/19/2007 - Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Bill Text
A bill to amend the Small Business Act to improve programs for veterans, and for other purposes. 7/12/2007--Introduced. Military Reservist and Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 2007 - Increases funding, for each of FY2008-FY2010, for the Office of Veterans Business Development of the Small Business Administration (SBA), with the excess funds to be used to support veterans business outreach centers. Amends the Small Business Act to direct the President to establish an interagency task force to coordinate federal efforts to increase capital and business development opportunities for, and the award of federal contracts and subcontracts to, small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans and veterans. Extends permanently the SBA's Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs. National Reservist Enterprise Transition and Sustainability Act of 2007 - Directs the SBA Administrator to establish a program to provide [...]

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Latest Action: 09/05/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Bill Text
To amend the Small Business Act to improve trade programs, and for other purposes. 9/4/2007--Passed House amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 4, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007 - Title I: Small Business Trade Policy - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to require the director of the Office of International Trade (Office) within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to: (1) present recommendations regarding small business exporters to trade negotiators; (2) develop trade policies that support small businesses in domestic and foreign markets; (3) implement trade policies through relationships developed with federal trade policymakers and transnational organizations; (4) establish programs to boost exports of entrepreneurs and encourage transnational organizations to support and publicize [...]

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Latest Action: 09/26/2007 - Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Kerry with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-185.

Bill Text
A bill to reauthorize and improve the entrepreneurial development programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes. 9/26/2007--Reported to Senate amended.    (There is 1 other summary) Entrepreneurial Development Act of 2007 - Title I: Reauthorization - (Sec. 101) Amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize for FY2008-FY2010 the following small business assistance programs administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA): (1) the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program; (2) the small business development center (SBDC) program; and (3) the Paul D. Coverdell drug-free workplace program. Title II: Women's Small Business Ownership Programs - (Sec. 201) Requires the SBA's Assistant Administrator for Women's Business Ownership to: (1) address issues for women-owned businesses concerning management, operations, manufacturing, technology, finance, retail and product sales, international trade, and other [...]

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Latest Action: 06/19/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7897-7898)

Bill Text
A bill to establish a small business energy efficiency program, and for other purposes. 6/19/2007--Introduced. Small Business Energy Efficiency Act of 2007 - Sets a deadline for final rules establishing a small business education and assistance program regarding energy efficiency. Creates in the Small Business Administration (SBA) the position of Assistant Administrator for Small Business Energy Policy. Establishes a Small Business Energy Efficiency Pilot Program to provide energy efficiency assistance to small businesses through small business development centers. Makes centers selected for the program eligible for grants. Creates a pilot program to provide information regarding telecommuting to small businesses and to encourage the businesses to offer telecommuting options to employees, including outreach regarding individuals with disabilities. Amends the Small Business Act to require the SBA Administrator, in carrying out duties related to Small Business [...]

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Latest Action: 11/15/2007 - By Senator Kennedy from Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions filed written report. Report No. 110-231.

Bill Text
A bill to extend the authorization of programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965, and for other purposes. 7/24/2007--Passed Senate amended.    (There are 2 other summaries) Higher Education Amendments of 2007 - Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to revise HEA programs and to extend the authorization of appropriations for them through FY2013. Title I: General Provisions - (Sec. 101) Adds definitions of a critical foreign language, distance education, and poverty line. Provides that critical foreign languages are those contained on the list designated by the Secretary of Education in the Federal Register on August 5, 1985, but allows the Secretary to set language priorities according to the purposes of a specific program and national security, economic competitiveness, and educational needs. States that poverty line refers to the poverty line applicable to a family of the size involved. (Sec. 102) Revises [...]

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Latest Action: 05/24/2007 - Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Bill Text
To enhance the section 8(a) program of the Small Business Act. 5/24/2007--Introduced. Minority-Owned Venture Empowerment Act of 2007 - Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program, to be known as the Pre-8(a) Program, to provide technical assistance to small businesses with respect to the receipt and performance of federal procurement contracts. Prohibits a participating small business from being awarded a contract under the Program which is awarded using procedures other than competitive procedures under section 8(a) of the Small Business Act (wherein the SBA provides for the performance of federal procurement contracts by small, disadvantaged, and minority-owned businesses). Limits to $750,000 the maximum net worth of a small business Program participant. Modifies the 8(a) program under the Small Business Act to require small businesses to complete the Pre-8(a) Program before participating in the 8(a) program. Limits [...]

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Latest Action: 05/22/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6477-6478)

Bill Text
A bill to authorize appropriations for the Housing Assistance Council.

5/22/2007--Introduced.

Housing Assistance Council Authorization Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide financial assistance to the Housing Assistance Council to develop the capacity of community-based housing development organizations to undertake community development and affordable housing projects and programs in rural areas.

Authorizes the Council to use such assistance for rural community-based housing development organizations to acquire: (1) technical assistance, training, support, and advice to develop business and administrative capabilities; and (2) loans, grants, or other financial assistance to carry out community development and affordable housing activities for low- and moderate-income families.

Latest Action: 07/17/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.

Bill Text
To provide job creation and assistance, and for other purposes. 5/22/2007--Introduced. Rural America Job Assistance and Creation Act - Directs the Secretary of Labor to make matching grants to regional consortia meeting specified criteria to improve the job skills necessary for employment in specific industries. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to make grants to establish and support entities that provide business incubator services (necessary to initiate and sustain operations of a newly established business, including legal, intellectual property, and technology services and planning) for small- and medium-sized businesses. Directs the Comptroller General to study how rural infrastructure, venture capital, and federal programs can enhance rural areas. Amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to require employer notification of federal and state elected officials (as well as local ones) before dislocation of workers. Amends the Immigration [...]

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