Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9052)

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 23, 2003

Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003 - Amends the Small Business Act to add specified responsibilities of the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's Business Ownership (Office), including the development of programs and services for women-owned businesses that provide goods or services in the areas of manufacturing, technology, professional services, travel and tourism, international trade, and Federal Government contract business development.

Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to award Women's Business Center grants for three-year projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by women. Sets forth provisions concerning: (1) contract authority; (2) a matching funds requirement; and (3) application requirements, including submission of a three-year plan for grant use.

Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to authorize the National Women's Business Council to enter into cosponsorship agreements with public and private entities to carry out its duties. Establishes within the Council the Committee on: (1) Manufacturing, Technology, and Professional Services; (2) Travel, Tourism, and International Trade; and (3) Federal Procurement and Contracting. Establishes subcommittees with the same names within the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise, as well as a Policy Advisory Group.Requires the Deputy SBA Administrator to serve during vacancies in the position of chairperson of the Interagency Committee.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Snowe, Olympia J. [R-ME] · R–ME

Committees

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jul 8, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9052)
May 23, 2003
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7150-7152)
May 23, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7149-7150)
May 23, 2003
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · May 23, 2003 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Discuss S.1154, 108th Congress: Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1154

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-05-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1154/BILLS-108s1154is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:08:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.1154 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.1154, 108th Congress: Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1154

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-05-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1154/BILLS-108s1154is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:08:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1154 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.1154, 108th Congress: Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1154

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-05-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1154/BILLS-108s1154is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:08:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

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Discuss S.1154, 108th Congress: Women's Small Business Programs Improvement Act of 2003

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/senate-bill/1154

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2003-05-23.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/108/bills/s1154/BILLS-108s1154is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2026-09-08T18:08:47Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.1154 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.