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Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999

Became Public Law No: 106-165.

Official summary

Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Nov 2, 1999

Women's Business Centers Sustainability Act of 1999 - Amends the Small Business Act (the Act) to authorize the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financial assistance to private nonprofit organizations (currently, private organizations) to conduct five-year projects for the benefit of small businesses owned and controlled by women.(Sec. 3) Requires each business center established under the Act to provide to the SBA, as part of an annual SBA programmatic and financial examination of such center: (1) an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures; and (2) documentation regarding the amount of matching assistance from non-Federal sources obtained and expended by such center in order to meet matching-funds requirements. Directs the Administrator, after analyzing such information, to determine the programmatic and financial viability of each center. Authorizes the SBA to withhold grant extensions or renewals if the centers do not provide required information, if such information is inadequate, or if examination results are poor. Directs the SBA to report to the small business committees on the effectiveness of all women's business center projects conducted.(Sec. 4) Establishes a four-year pilot program under which the SBA may award grants on a competitive basis for an additional five-year project to any private nonprofit organization that has received financial assistance under the Act and: (1) is in the final year of a five-year project; or (2) has completed a project financed under the Act and continues to provide assistance to women entrepreneurs. Outlines grant application requirements, including: (1) agreeing to a site visit and an annual programmatic and financial examination; (2) providing information demonstrating appropriate experience in providing assistance to women business owners or potential owners; and (3) providing a five-year plan to serve women business owners and to provide training and services to women who are both socially and economically disadvantaged. Requires participating organizations to: (1) collect and maintain information concerning the assistance provided; and (2) agree to obtain matching cash and in-kind contributions from non-Federal sources for each year of additional program participation.Authorizes appropriations for FY 2000 through 2003 for the women's business center program, earmarking specified amounts for: (1) selection panel costs, certain post-award costs, and costs related to program monitoring and oversight; and (2) funding sustainability grants under the program (including provisions for the use of unobligated grant funds).(Sec. 5) Expresses the sense of the Senate that the U.S. Comptroller General should: (1) audit the Federal procurement system regarding Federal contracting involving women-owned small businesses for the preceding three fiscal years; (2) solicit suggestions for increasing the number of Federal contracts awarded to women-owned small businesses; and (3) report to Congress on audit results.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Kerry, John F. [D-MA] · D–MA

Committees

  • Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee
30 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Became Public Law No: 106-165.

  2. Became Public Law No: 106-165.

  3. Signed by President.

  4. Signed by President.

  5. Presented to President.

  6. Presented to President.

  7. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  8. On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR 11/19/99 H12864-12866)

  9. Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR 11/19/99 H12864-12866)

  10. Mrs. Kelly asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.

  11. Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H12864-12866)

  12. Held at the desk.

  13. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  14. Received in the House.

  15. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S14216-14218)

  16. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S14216-14218)

  17. The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.

  18. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S14212-14218; text as reported in Senate: CR S14212-14213)

  19. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 372.

  20. Committee on Small Business. Reported to Senate by Senator Bond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-214.

  21. Committee on Small Business. Reported to Senate by Senator Bond with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 106-214.

  22. Committee on Small Business. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

  23. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business.

  24. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3695-3697)

  25. Introduced in Senate

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