Summary:
Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2014 - Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Office of Women's Business Ownership within the Small Business Administration (SBA) to address issues concerning specified disciplines required for starting, operating, and increasing a small business.

Authorizes the SBA Administrator to provide annual training for women's business ownership representatives.

Authorizes the Administrator to provide financial assistance to qualifying entities to conduct projects designed to provide training and counseling meeting the needs of women business owners, especially socially and economically disadvantaged women business owners. Specifies assistance amounts of up to $250,000 per project year.

Directs the Administrator to seek advice, input, and recommendations for policy changes from any association of women's business centers to develop: (1) a training program for the staff of such centers, and (2) recommendations to improve the policies and procedures for governing the general operations and administration of the women's business center program.

Authorizes the Administrator, upon request by a recipient organization, to waive for a fiscal year (but not more than two consecutive fiscal years) the requirement to obtain matching non-federal funds for the organization's technical assistance and counseling activities carried out using financial assistance under the women's business center program.

Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to study: (1) the unique economic issues facing women's business centers located in predominately rural, urban, or insular areas; and (2) SBA oversight of women's business centers.

Authorizes a contracting officer to award a sole source contract under this Act to small businesses owned and controlled by women if each of the businesses is at least 51% owned by one or more women who are economically disadvantaged (and such ownership is determined without regard to any community property law), and meets specified additional criteria.

Authorizes a contracting officer to award a sole source contract to a small business owned and controlled by women meeting the same criteria in an industry in which such businesses are substantially underrepresented if the small business also meets specified certification requirements.

 Extends indefinitely the SBA Intermediary Lending Program (ILP).

 Replaces requirements governing ILP loan limits, including maximum amounts, with requirements that limit to: (1) $1 million a single loan to an eligible intermediary, (2) $5 million the total amount outstanding and committed to the intermediary by the Administrator under the ILP, and (3) $20 million the total amount of all ILP loans during each of FY2015-FY2017.

Revises requirements for the SBA microloan program (direct loans to eligible intermediaries for making fixed interest rate microloans to startup, newly established, or growing small businesses).

 Increases the ILP's aggregate loan limit for intermediaries after their first year of participation from $5 million to $7 million. Eliminates limitations on an intermediary's use of funds from an accompanying marketing, management, and technical assistance grant to provide information and technical assistance to small businesses that are prospective borrowers.

Prohibits the Administrator from collecting the guarantee fee on a guaranteed loan unless amounts are made available to subsidize the cost of guaranteeing such loans for FY2016.

Expresses the sense of the Senate on access to capital for small businesses owned and controlled by women.

amends small business act direct small_business_administration sba address issues concerning specified disciplines required starting operating increasing small business authorizes sba administrator provide annual training women business ownership representatives authorizes administrator provide financial assistance qualifying entities conduct projects designed provide training counseling meeting needs women business owners especially socially economically disadvantaged women business owners specifies assistance amounts project year directs administrator seek advice input recommendations policy changes association women business centers develop training program staff centers recommendations improve policies procedures governing general operations administration women business center program authorizes administrator request recipient organization waive fiscal year consecutive fiscal years requirement obtain matching non federal funds organization technical assistance counseling activities carried financial assistance women business center program directs comptroller general gao study unique economic issues facing women business centers located predominately rural urban insular areas sba oversight women business centers authorizes contracting officer award sole source contract act small businesses owned controlled women businesses owned women economically disadvantaged ownership determined regard community property law meets specified additional criteria authorizes contracting officer award sole source contract small business owned controlled women meeting criteria industry businesses substantially underrepresented small business meets specified certification requirements extends indefinitely replaces requirements governing loan limits including maximum amounts requirements limit million single loan eligible intermediary million total outstanding committed intermediary administrator million total loans fy2015 fy2017 revises requirements sba microloan program direct loans eligible intermediaries making fixed interest rate microloans startup newly established growing small businesses increases aggregate loan limit intermediaries year participation million million eliminates limitations intermediary use funds accompanying marketing management technical assistance grant provide information technical assistance small businesses prospective borrowers prohibits administrator collecting guarantee fee guaranteed loan amounts available subsidize cost guaranteeing loans fy2016 expresses sense senate access capital small businesses owned controlled women


Summary:
Incentivize Growth Now In Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt small business start-up accounts to allow businesses that employ 50 or fewer full-time employees to make distributions for operating capital, the purchase of equipment or facilities, marketing, training, incorporation, and accounting fees. Allows a tax deduction from gross income for contributions to such accounts, limited by the taxpayer's adjusted gross income. Limits the annual amount that may be contributed to such accounts to the lesser of $10,000, or the compensation that is includible in the taxpayer's gross income.

Sets forth reporting requirements for the trustee of a small business start-up account.

Makes the tax penalties for prohibited transactions and excess contributions applicable to such accounts.

tomorrow entrepreneurs act amends internal revenue code establish tax exempt small business start accounts allow businesses employ fewer time employees distributions operating capital purchase equipment facilities marketing training incorporation accounting fees allows tax deduction gross income contributions accounts limited taxpayer adjusted gross income limits annual contributed accounts lesser compensation includible taxpayer gross income sets forth reporting requirements trustee small business start account makes tax penalties prohibited transactions excess contributions applicable accounts


Summary:
Small Business Regulatory Sunset Act of 2014 - Requires each federal agency to establish a plan for the periodic review (every nine years) of: (1) its rules that have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, and (2) any small entity compliance guide required to be published by an agency. Sets forth criteria for review of a rule, including the continued need for the rule, the complexity of the rule, and the economic impact of the rule on small entities. Requires: (1) each agency to publish in the Federal Register and on the agency website a list of the rules and small entity compliance guides to be reviewed under the plan, and (2) the agency Inspector General to determine whether the agency has conducted the required review.

Provides that each covered rule (i.e., any rule for which an agency is required to prepare a regulatory flexibility analysis and which is a major rule) promulgated by an agency shall cease to have effect seven years after the final version of such rule is published unless renewed by the agency using the notice and comment rulemaking process.

small business regulatory sunset act requires federal agency establish plan periodic review years rules significant economic impact substantial number small entities small entity compliance guide required published agency sets forth criteria review rule including continued need rule complexity rule economic impact rule small entities requires agency publish federal_register agency website list rules small entity compliance guides reviewed plan agency inspector general determine agency conducted required review provides covered rule rule agency required prepare regulatory flexibility analysis major rule promulgated agency shall cease effect seven years final version rule published renewed agency notice comment rulemaking process


Summary:
SBIC Advisers Relief Act of 2014 - Amends the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 to exempt specified advisers of small business investment companies (SBICs) from certain: (1) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration requirements with respect to the provision of investment advice relating to venture capital funds, and (2) SEC registration and reporting requirements with respect to assets under management of private funds.

Provides the same exemption with respect to any state or local law requiring the registration, licensing, or qualifications of investment advisers.

sbic advisers relief act amends investment advisers act exempt specified advisers small business investment companies sbics certain securities_and_exchange_commission sec registration requirements respect provision investment advice relating venture capital funds sec registration reporting requirements respect assets management private funds provides exemption respect state local law requiring registration licensing qualifications investment advisers


Summary:
Startup Opportunity Accelerator Act of 2014 or the SOAR Act - Amends the Small Business Act to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to develop a program to award cash prizes of up to $50,000 to organizations in the United States whose primary purpose is to support new small businesses that have been in operation for five years or less.

Authorizes the use of a prize for construction costs, space acquisition, and programmatic purposes. Prohibits its use for capital or professional services to new small businesses.

Requires a prize recipient to provide assistance to at least 10 new small businesses per year.

startup opportunity accelerator act soar act amends small business act require administrator small_business_administration sba develop program award cash prizes organizations united_states primary purpose support new small businesses operation years authorizes use prize construction costs space acquisition programmatic purposes prohibits use capital professional services new small businesses requires prize recipient provide assistance new small businesses year


Summary:
Developing the Next Generation of Small Businesses Act of 2016

TITLE I--SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IMPROVEMENTS Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2016

 (Sec. 102) This bill amends the Small Business Act with respect to the authority of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to use certain SBA programs, including the small business development center (SBDC) program, to provide grants, financial assistance, loans, export assistance, and subcontracting opportunities on federal contracts to specified small businesses, organizations, state governments, universities, companies, and other entities that assist smaller enterprises.

The SBA shall only use such programs to deliver entrepreneurial development services, entrepreneurial education, support for the development and maintenance of clusters, or business training. Such program requirements shall not apply to services provided to assist small businesses owned by an Indian tribe.

(Sec. 103) The SBA shall not prohibit SBDC grant recipients from marketing and advertising their services to individuals and small business concerns.

(Sec. 104) The SBA shall:

 consult with SBDC associations to develop documents governing data collection activities related to grant recipients; and establish a Data Collection Working Group, consisting of members from entrepreneurial development grant recipients associations and organizations and SBA officials, to study and determine the best way to capture data collection and create or revise existing systems dedicated to data collection. (Sec. 105) Participation in private partnerships and cosponsorships with the SBA shall not limit SBDCs from collecting fees or other income related to the operation of such partnerships and cosponsorships.

(Sec. 106) The portion of certain available funds the SBA may use to pay the expenses of the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board, the information sharing system, and the SBDC association for conducting an SBCD accreditation program shall increase from $500,000 to $600,000. The bill removes a limitation, however, on the amount of funds the SBA may use to pay the examination expenses of the SBDC accreditation program.

(Sec. 107) The bill revises privacy requirements under the program to specify that SBDCs (including consortia and affiliated contractors or agents), subject to existing exceptions, shall not disclose certain identifying information of any individual or small business receiving assistance to any state, local, or federal agency or third party.

(Sec. 108) The SBA may not award grants (including contracts and cooperative agreements) under the SBDC program to any entity other than those that: (1) received them before September 30, 2015, and (2) seek to renew them after that date. The bill exempts not-for-profit institutions of higher education from this prohibition.

TITLE II--WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTERS PROGRAM IMPROVEMENTS

Women's Business Centers Improvements Act of 2016

(Sec. 202) The bill revises the duties of the Office of Women's Business Ownership and declares it is the mission of the Office to assist women entrepreneurs to start, grow, and compete in global markets by providing quality support with access to capital, access to markets, job creation, growth, and counseling.

The SBA shall establish standards for a program to accredit eligible entities receiving a grant to operate one or more women's business centers.

(Sec. 203) The following kinds of organizations shall be eligible to apply for such a grant:

 a tax-exempt charitable organization; a state, regional, or local economic development organization; an institution of higher education; a state-chartered development, credit, or finance corporation; or any combination of these. The amount of any grant shall be a maximum of $185,000 (adjusted annually for inflation), with additional grants of $65,000 available, if certain requirements are met.

 Failure to obtain non-federal funding must be for two consecutive years before an eligible entity shall become ineligible for advance disbursements, or for any other SBA-funded project.

An eligible entity must carry out a women's business center project separately from any other project it carries out.

An SBA employee shall:

 make a prior site visit to any grant applicant to ensure that the applicant has sufficient resources to provide the services for which the grant is being made; and conduct an annual review of the entity's compliance with the grant agreement, including a financial examination. An eligible entity whose review identifies problems shall develop a remedial plan of action for the Office to approve or amend, subject to appeal. The Office shall terminate any grant for failure of compliance with a plan of action.

The bill prescribes requirements for applications for new and continuation grants, their review and selection, as well as public notice for grant opportunities.

(Sec. 204) Upon request by an eligible entity, the SBA may waive, in whole or in part, although not for more than two years, the requirement to obtain non-federal funds for a grant recipient's counseling and training activities.

 TITLE III--SCORE PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION

SCORE for Small Business Act of 2015

 (Sec. 302) This bill amends the Small Business Act to reauthorize the SCORE program (Service Corps of Retired Executives) for FY2017-FY2018.

(Sec. 303) The bill renames the Service Corps of Retired Executives Association program as simply the SCORE program.

The SBA shall award a grant to the SCORE Association (or any successor group) to manage the SCORE program.

Based on business experience and knowledge, a volunteer participating in the SCORE program shall:

 provide at no cost to individuals who own, or aspire to own, small business concerns personal counseling, mentoring, and coaching relating to the process of starting, expanding, managing, buying, and selling a business; and facilitate low-cost education workshops for individuals who own, or aspire to own, small business concerns. The SBA shall ensure that the SCORE program and each of its chapters develop and implement plans and goals to provide services more effectively and efficiently to individuals in rural areas, economically disadvantaged communities, and other traditionally underserved communities, including plans for electronic initiatives, web-based initiatives, chapter expansion, partnerships, and the development of new skills by participating volunteers.

The bill prescribes general privacy requirements for the disclosure of information of businesses assisted under such program.

(Sec. 304) The SCORE Association shall:

 make use of online counseling, including by webinars and an electronic mentoring platform; study the future role of the SCORE program; and develop a strategic plan for how the program will evolve to meet the needs of America's entrepreneurs over the next five years.

developing title small business development centers improvements small business development centers improvement act sec bill amends small_business_act respect authority small_business_administration sba use certain sba programs including small business development center sbdc program provide grants financial assistance loans export assistance subcontracting opportunities federal contracts specified small businesses organizations state governments universities companies entities assist smaller enterprises sba shall use programs deliver entrepreneurial development services entrepreneurial education support development maintenance clusters business training program requirements shall apply services provided assist small businesses owned indian tribe sec sba shall prohibit sbdc grant recipients marketing advertising services individuals small business concerns sec sba shall consult sbdc associations develop documents governing data collection activities related grant recipients establish consisting members entrepreneurial development grant recipients associations organizations sba officials study determine best way capture data collection create revise existing systems dedicated data collection sec participation private partnerships sba shall limit sbdcs collecting fees income related operation partnerships sec portion certain available funds sba use pay expenses information sharing system sbdc association conducting accreditation program shall increase bill removes limitation funds sba use pay examination expenses sbdc accreditation program sec bill revises privacy requirements program specify sbdcs including consortia affiliated contractors agents subject existing exceptions shall disclose certain identifying information individual small business receiving assistance state local federal agency party sec sba award grants including contracts cooperative agreements sbdc program entity received september seek renew date bill exempts profit institutions higher education prohibition title women business centers program improvements sec bill revises duties declares mission office assist women entrepreneurs start grow compete global markets providing quality support access capital access markets job creation growth counseling sba shall establish standards program accredit eligible entities receiving grant operate women business centers sec following kinds organizations shall eligible apply grant tax exempt charitable organization state regional local economic development organization institution higher education state chartered development credit finance corporation combination grant shall maximum adjusted annually inflation additional grants available certain requirements met failure obtain non federal funding consecutive years eligible entity shall ineligible advance disbursements sba funded project eligible entity carry women business center project separately project carries sba employee shall prior site visit grant applicant ensure applicant sufficient resources provide services grant conduct annual review entity compliance grant agreement including financial examination eligible entity review identifies problems shall develop remedial plan action office approve amend subject appeal office shall terminate grant failure compliance plan action bill prescribes requirements applications new continuation grants review selection public notice grant opportunities sec request eligible entity sba waive years requirement obtain non federal funds grant recipient counseling training activities title iii score program reauthorization score small business act sec bill amends small_business_act reauthorize score program service_corps_of_retired_executives sec bill renames program simply score program sba shall award grant successor group manage score program based business experience knowledge volunteer participating score program shall provide cost individuals aspire small business concerns personal counseling mentoring coaching relating process starting expanding managing buying selling business facilitate low cost education workshops individuals aspire small business concerns sba shall ensure score program chapters develop implement plans goals provide services effectively efficiently individuals rural areas economically disadvantaged communities traditionally underserved communities including plans electronic initiatives web based initiatives chapter expansion partnerships development new skills participating volunteers bill prescribes general privacy requirements disclosure information businesses assisted program sec shall use online counseling including electronic mentoring platform study future role score program develop strategic plan program meet needs america entrepreneurs years


Summary:
Incentivize Growth Now In Tomorrow's Entrepreneurs Act of 2015

This bill creates tax-exempt small business start-up accounts to pay for the start-up expenses (defined as expenses for investigating the creation or acquisition of an active trade or business) of a business that does not employ more than 50 full-time employees during a taxable year. Cash contributions to such accounts are allowed up to the lesser of $10,000 or the amount of compensation includible in the taxpayer's gross income for the taxable year.

tomorrow entrepreneurs act bill creates tax exempt small business start accounts pay start expenses defined expenses investigating creation acquisition active trade business business employ time employees taxable year cash contributions accounts allowed lesser compensation includible taxpayer gross income taxable year


Summary:
Creating Jobs From Innovative Small Businesses Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a general business tax credit of 20% of the amount paid to acquire an equity investment in a qualified research intensive small business concern. Defines "qualified research intensive small business concern" as a small business concern that employs an average of fewer than 500 employees during a year and devotes at least 50% of its gross expenditures to research and experimentation.

creating jobs innovative small businesses act amends internal revenue code allow general business tax credit paid acquire equity investment qualified research intensive small business concern defines qualified research intensive small business concern small business concern employs average fewer employees year gross expenditures research experimentation


Summary:
Minority Small Business Enhancement Act of 2015

Amends the Small Business Act to consider an individual with a net worth of less than $1.5 million as eligible for participation in a Small Business Administration (SBA) program providing grants to small businesses owned and controlled by economically disadvantaged individuals. Allows a small business to receive SBA developmental assistance under the program for the entire period of an SBA-guaranteed loan.

Redefines the term "bundled contract" to mean a contract or order entered into to meet procurement requirements that are consolidated in a bundling of contract requirements, without regard to its designation by the procuring agency or whether a study of the effects of the solicitation on civilian or military personnel has been made, subject to exceptions. Expands the definition of "bundling of contract requirements." Makes the revised and expanded definitions inapplicable to contracts for construction services under $65 million or under $5 million for all other types of contracts.

Increases from: (1) 23% to 25% the government-wide small business procurement contract goal, and (2) 5% to 10% the government-wide procurement goal for small disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses. Limits the number of categories for which a small business may qualify under such goals.

Requires a report from the Comptroller General to Congress on disparities in the awarding of federal contracts to small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, small businesses, and other businesses.

amends small business act consider individual net worth million eligible participation small_business_administration sba program providing grants small businesses owned controlled economically disadvantaged individuals allows small business receive sba developmental assistance program entire period sba guaranteed loan redefines term bundled contract mean contract order entered meet procurement requirements consolidated bundling contract requirements regard designation procuring agency study effects solicitation civilian military personnel subject exceptions expands definition bundling contract requirements makes revised expanded definitions inapplicable contracts construction services million million types contracts increases government wide small business procurement contract goal government wide procurement goal small disadvantaged businesses women owned businesses limits number categories small business qualify goals requires report comptroller_general congress disparities awarding federal contracts small businesses owned controlled socially economically disadvantaged individuals small businesses businesses


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Small Business Investment Company Capital Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase from $225 million to $350 million the maximum amount of outstanding leverage to be made available by the Small Business Administration to two or more commonly controlled small business investment companies not under capital impairment.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated act sec amends small_business_investment_act increase million million maximum outstanding leverage available small_business_administration commonly controlled small business investment companies capital impairment


Summary:
Small Entrepreneur Subcontracting Opportunities Act of 2015 or the SESO Act

The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 is amended with respect to the requirement that federal agency heads ensure that senior executive personnel responsible for acquisition assume responsibility for that agency's success in achieving small business contracting goals and percentages.

Such personnel are also responsible for the agency's success in achieving small business prime contracting and subcontracting goals and percentages.

small entrepreneur subcontracting opportunities act act national defense authorization act fiscal year amended respect requirement federal agency heads ensure senior executive personnel responsible acquisition assume responsibility agency success achieving small business contracting goals percentages personnel responsible agency success achieving small business prime contracting subcontracting goals percentages


Summary:
Small Business Joint Venturing Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Act to revise requirements with respect to solicitation of offers for bundled contracts issued by the head of a federal agency that allows a small business to submit an offer (bid) that provides for the use of a particular team of subcontractors for the performance of the contract.

The small business is also permitted to bid on a bundled or consolidated contract that provides for the use of a joint venture of small businesses.

small business joint act bill amends small_business_act revise requirements respect solicitation offers bundled contracts issued head federal agency allows small business submit offer bid provides use particular team subcontractors performance contract small business permitted bid bundled consolidated contract provides use joint venture small businesses


Summary:
This bill amends the Small Business Act with respect to the plan developed by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to improve the quality of data reported on bundled and consolidated contracts in the federal procurement data system.

By the first day of FY2017 the Administrator must implement this plan and, if not, then until it is implemented the Administrator may not exercise the authority to award limited SBA guaranteed loans for any fiscal year as part of certain SBA-administered pilot programs.

By the first day of FY2018 the Comptroller General must initiate a study on the plan's effectiveness, assessing whether contracts were accurately labeled as bundled or consolidated.

bill amends small_business_act respect plan developed administrator small_business_administration sba improve quality data reported bundled consolidated contracts federal procurement data system day fy2017 administrator implement plan implemented administrator exercise authority award limited sba guaranteed loans fiscal year certain sba administered pilot programs day initiate study plan effectiveness assessing contracts accurately labeled bundled consolidated


Summary:
Stronger Voice for Small Business Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Act to authorize a person to file with the Office of Hearings and Appeals a petition or reconsideration of a size standard revised, modified, or established by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

bill amends small_business_act authorize person file petition reconsideration size standard revised modified established administrator small_business_administration


Summary:
Commonsense Contracting Act of 2015

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that, when used appropriately, with respect to federal agency procurement, an auction between a group of offerors who compete against each other by submitting offers for a contract or task or delivery order with the ability to submit revised offers with lower prices throughout the course of the auction (reverse auction) may improve the federal government's procurement of commercially available commodities by increasing competition, reducing prices, and improving opportunities for small businesses.

The Small Business Act is amended to prohibit the use of reverse auction methods for certain Small Business Administration federal procurement contracts for:

 design and construction services; goods purchased to protect federal employees, members of the Armed Forces, or civilians from bodily harm; or goods or services other than these: (1) to be awarded based on factors other than price and technical responsibility, or (2) if awarding the contract requires the contracting officer to conduct discussions with the offerors about their offer.

commonsense contracting act bill expresses sense congress appropriately respect federal agency procurement auction group offerors compete submitting offers contract task delivery order ability submit revised offers lower prices course auction reverse auction improve federal government procurement commercially available commodities increasing competition reducing prices improving opportunities small businesses small business act amended prohibit use reverse auction methods certain small_business_administration federal procurement contracts design construction services goods purchased protect federal employees members armed_forces civilians bodily harm goods services awarded based factors price technical responsibility awarding contract requires contracting officer conduct discussions offerors offer


Summary:
(Much of H.R. 1481, ordered to be reported on March 25, 2015, but not actually reported till April 19, 2016, was already incorporated in November 2015 into two Public Laws: P. L. 114-88, the Recovery Improvements for Small Entities After Disaster Act of 2015 or the RISE After Disaster Act of 2015; and P.L. 114-92, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. The following summary reflects changes to the original bill that were ordered to be reported on March 25, 2015.)

Small Contractors Improve Competition Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 to require federal agency heads to ensure that specified executive personnel assume responsibility for the agency's success in achieving small business subcontracting goals and percentages.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall study whether the systems of an agency or department accurately record the data necessary for compliance with any requirements related to subcontracting at any tier under the Small Business Act.

In addition, the GAO shall conduct a study to: (1) assess whether federal agencies are accurately identifying the size status of business concerns awarded contracts in the Federal Procurement Data System as small business concerns, and (2) identify the impact of incorrect size status designations on meeting specified requirements related to procurement contracts.

(Sec. 3) The Small Business Administration (SBA) must implement a specified plan for improving the quality of data reported on bundled or consolidated contracts in the federal procurement data system.

The SBA must annually certify to Congress the accuracy and completeness of data reported on bundled and consolidated contracts.

The GAO shall study the effectiveness of the data quality improvement plan to assess whether contracts are accurately labeled as bundled or consolidated.

(Sec. 4) The bill addresses federal agency decisions about consolidation of its contract requirements made with a view to providing small business concerns with appropriate opportunities to participate in agency procurements as prime contractors and subcontractors.

After making a determination that an acquisition strategy involving a consolidation of contract requirements is necessary and justified, the senior procurement executive or Chief Acquisition Officer of an executive agency (other than the Department of Defense) shall publish a notice, with the justification, on a public website that the determination has been made. Any procurement solicitation related to that acquisition strategy may not be published before seven days after the notice is published.

The same notice deadlines shall apply to any solicitation for a procurement involving a substantial bundling of contract requirements. The justification accompanying the solicitation shall, in addition to current criteria, identify any alternative contracting approaches that would involve a lesser degree of bundling of contract requirements.

(Sec. 5) The bill revises requirements for the evaluation of offers for bundled or consolidated contracts involving subcontractor teams or joint ventures.

When evaluating a small business prime contractor's offer that includes a proposed team of small business contractors for any multiple award contract above the federal agency's substantial bundling threshold, the agency shall consider the capabilities and past performance of each first tier subcontractor that is part of the team as the capabilities and past performance of the offeror.

For certain contracts awarded to either a small business team or a joint venture of small business concerns, the contracting officer must certify annually to the SBA that the small business status of each member of the team or joint venture remains unchanged from when the contract was awarded.  This requirement shall not apply, however, with respect to a contract awarded to a joint venture of small business concerns that is a protege under an approved mentor-protege program.

(Sec. 6) The bill prohibits the use of reverse auction methods for covered contracts involving:

 purchase of office and related supplies; procurements from women-owned small business concerns; goods and services with an anticipated value between $2,500 and $100,000 which are reserved for small business concerns; HUBZone small businesses (which operate in historically underutilized business zones); small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans; A "reverse auction" is, with respect to procurement, an auction in which offerors compete against each other to submit revised offers with lower prices throughout the course of the auction.

Covered contracts are certain SBA federal procurement contracts for:

 design and construction services; goods purchased to protect federal employees, members of the Armed Forces, or civilians from bodily harm; or other goods or services if the contract is to be awarded based on factors other than price and technical responsibility, or requires the contracting officer to conduct discussions with the offerors about their offer. In the case of the award of a contract that is not a covered contract, an agency may use reverse auction methods pursuant to certain limitations.

Only a contracting officer who has received specified training related to reverse auction methods may supervise or use such methods in a procurement for a contract.

(Sec. 7) The permission to submit an offer for a procurement contract, even though the offeror is not the actual manufacturer or processor of the product in question (nonmanufacturer rule), shall be extended to:

 women-owned small businesses; HUBZone small businesses; and small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. This permission shall not apply, however, to a contract that has as its principal purpose the acquisition of services or construction.

Under current law, with respect to a contract for supplies from a regular dealer in such supplies, a covered small business concern is generally required to supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or processor. The bill revises this requirement so that it applies only to a contract that is principally for supplies and not principally for services or construction.

The SBA must publish a list of waivers to the nonmanufacturer rule granted for a class of products.

(Sec. 8) The bill revises exceptions to the requirement for Procurement Center Representatives to obtain a Level III Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting. Any person serving in such a position on or before January 3, 2013, may continue to serve for another five years. Andy person hired after that date, however, may take up to one calendar to obtain that certification.

(Sec. 9) The same requirements and exceptions, with respect however to a Level I Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting, shall also apply to Business Opportunity Specialists and Commercial Market Representatives.

ordered reported march actually reported till april incorporated november public laws disaster act rise disaster act national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year following summary reflects changes original bill ordered reported march small contractors improve competition act sec bill amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year require federal agency heads ensure specified executive personnel assume responsibility agency success achieving small business subcontracting goals percentages government_accountability_office gao shall study systems agency department accurately record data necessary compliance requirements related subcontracting tier small business act addition gao shall conduct study assess federal agencies accurately identifying size status business concerns awarded contracts small business concerns identify impact incorrect size status designations meeting specified requirements related procurement contracts sec small_business_administration sba implement specified plan improving quality data reported bundled consolidated contracts federal procurement data system sba annually certify congress accuracy completeness data reported bundled consolidated contracts gao shall study effectiveness data quality improvement plan assess contracts accurately labeled bundled consolidated sec bill addresses federal agency decisions consolidation contract requirements view providing small business concerns appropriate opportunities participate agency procurements prime contractors subcontractors making determination acquisition strategy involving consolidation contract requirements necessary justified senior procurement executive chief acquisition officer executive agency department_of_defense shall publish notice justification public website determination procurement solicitation related acquisition strategy published seven days notice published notice deadlines shall apply solicitation procurement involving substantial bundling contract requirements justification accompanying solicitation shall addition current criteria identify alternative contracting approaches involve lesser degree bundling contract requirements sec bill revises requirements evaluation offers bundled consolidated contracts involving subcontractor teams joint ventures evaluating small business prime contractor offer includes proposed team small business contractors multiple award contract federal agency substantial bundling threshold agency shall consider capabilities past performance tier subcontractor team capabilities past performance offeror certain contracts awarded small business team joint venture small business concerns contracting officer certify annually sba small business status member team joint venture remains contract awarded requirement shall apply respect contract awarded joint venture small business concerns protege approved mentor protege program sec bill prohibits use reverse auction methods covered contracts involving purchase office related supplies procurements women owned small business concerns goods services anticipated value reserved small business concerns hubzone small businesses operate historically underutilized business zones small businesses owned controlled service disabled veterans reverse auction respect procurement auction offerors compete submit revised offers lower prices course auction covered contracts certain sba federal procurement contracts design construction services goods purchased protect federal employees members armed_forces civilians bodily harm goods services contract awarded based factors price technical responsibility requires contracting officer conduct discussions offerors offer case award contract covered contract agency use reverse auction methods pursuant certain limitations contracting officer received specified training related reverse auction methods supervise use methods procurement contract sec permission submit offer procurement contract offeror actual manufacturer processor product question rule shall extended women owned small businesses hubzone small businesses small businesses owned controlled service disabled veterans permission shall apply contract principal purpose acquisition services construction current law respect contract supplies regular dealer supplies covered small business concern generally required supply product domestic small business manufacturer processor bill revises requirement applies contract principally supplies principally services construction sba publish list waivers rule granted class products sec bill revises exceptions requirement obtain contracting person serving position january continue serve years person hired date calendar obtain certification sec requirements exceptions respect contracting shall apply


Summary:
Small Business Contractor's Clarification Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Act to revise the federal procurement requirements of the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) with respect to small business contracts for articles, equipment, supplies, services or materials, or to perform construction work for the government.

The permission to submit an offer for a procurement contract, even though the offeror is not the actual manufacturer or processor of the product in question, is extended to additional kinds of small businesses, including:

 women-owned small businesses; HUBZone small businesses, and small businesses owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans. Contracts whose principal purpose is acquisition of services or construction are exempt from this Act.

Limitations on SBA subcontracting are revised to require contracts that are principally for supplies from a regular dealer in such supplies, and that are not contracts principally for services or construction, to supply the product of a domestic small business manufacturer or processor, unless a waiver is granted by the Administrator under specified conditions.

clarification act bill amends small_business_act revise federal procurement requirements administrator small_business_administration sba respect small business contracts articles equipment supplies services materials perform construction work government permission submit offer procurement contract offeror actual manufacturer processor product question extended additional kinds small businesses including women owned small businesses hubzone small businesses small businesses owned controlled service disabled veterans contracts principal purpose acquisition services construction exempt act limitations sba subcontracting revised require contracts principally supplies regular dealer supplies contracts principally services construction supply product domestic small business manufacturer processor waiver granted administrator specified conditions


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

Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act of 2015

 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) to revise the requirement that 10% of the award of contracts for federal-aid highway, federal public transportation, and highway safety research and development programs be set-aside for small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. This set-aside must include veteran-owned small businesses.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated fairness veterans infrastructure investment act sec bill amends 21st century act revise requirement award contracts federal aid highway federal public transportation highway safety research development programs set aside small businesses owned controlled socially economically disadvantaged individuals set aside include veteran owned small businesses


Summary:
Right to Lend Act of 2015

 Repeals provisions of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, as amended by Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, that require financial institutions to: (1) inquire whether businesses applying for credit for a women-owned, minority-owned, or small business are such a business; and (2) submit annually to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, in a manner to be made available to the public, a record of the responses to such inquiry, including census tract information and disclosures as to the race, sex, and ethnicity of the principal owners of such businesses.

right repeals provisions equal_credit_opportunity_act amended dodd-frank_wall_street_reform consumer protection act require financial institutions inquire businesses applying credit women owned minority owned small business business submit annually consumer_financial_protection_bureau manner available public record responses inquiry including census tract information disclosures race sex ethnicity principal owners businesses


Summary:
Small Business Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act of 2015

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow businesses with average annual gross receipts of not more than $50 million that prevail in an administrative or court proceeding involving the determination, collection, or refund of tax, interest, or penalty to recover their costs incurred in such proceedings; (2) increase the amount of civil damages against Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officers or employees for reckless, intentional, or negligent disregard of internal revenue laws and extend from two to five years the period for bringing a claim for damages; (3) increase the penalties against federal officers or employees for unlawful acts in connection with internal revenue laws and for unauthorized disclosures or inspections of tax returns; and (4) allow a taxpayer whose interest abatement claim does not exceed $50,000 to elect to bring a small tax case petition in U.S. Tax Court.

Prohibits ex parte communications between officers in the IRS Office of Appeals and other IRS employees with respect to matters pending before such officers and employees.

Authorizes new alternative dispute resolution procedures for taxpayer disputes with the IRS.

Extends to three years: (1) the period in which taxpayer property that has been wrongfully levied upon may be returned, and (2) the period for bringing suit against the United States for a wrongful tax levy.

Authorizes the waiver of the fee for establishing an installment agreement for payment of tax for certain low-income taxpayers who agree to make electronic debit payments.

 Allows a taxpayer seeking review of a claim for innocent spouse relief or of a collection case in U.S. Tax Court a 60-day suspension of the period for filing a petition for such review when the U.S. Bankruptcy Court has issued an automatic stay in a bankruptcy case involving the taxpayer's claim.

Allows de novo review in U.S. Tax Court of any determination by the IRS with respect to a claim for equitable innocent spouse relief.

Prohibits the IRS Office of Appeals from considering or deciding any new issue in an internal appeal that is not within the scope of the initial determination made in a taxpayer's case.

Prohibits the imposition of a tax lien against a taxpayer's principal residence unless a written determination is made that all other property of the taxpayer, if sold, is insufficient to pay the tax liability and the lien will not create an economic hardship for the taxpayer.

Requires the termination of an IRS employee for disproportionate scrutiny of an organization applying for tax-exempt status based on the ideology expressed in the name or purpose of the organization.

Authorizes a court to issue a declaratory judgment with respect to the initial or continuing classification of a tax-exempt social welfare organization.

Requires the Inspector General for Tax Administration of the Department of the Treasury to: (1) review any IRS criteria for selection of tax returns for examination or audit, assessment or collection of deficiencies, criminal investigation or referral, refunds for amounts paid, or any heightened scrutiny or review to determine whether such criteria discriminates against taxpayers on the basis of race, religion, or political ideology; and (2) consult with the IRS on recommended amendments to such criteria.

small business taxpayer bill rights act amends internal revenue code allow businesses average annual gross receipts million prevail administrative court proceeding involving determination collection refund tax interest penalty recover costs incurred proceedings increase civil damages internal_revenue_service irs officers employees reckless intentional negligent disregard internal revenue laws extend years period bringing claim damages increase penalties federal officers employees unlawful acts connection internal revenue laws unauthorized disclosures inspections tax returns allow taxpayer interest abatement claim exceed elect bring small tax case petition prohibits parte communications officers irs_office_of_appeals irs employees respect matters pending officers employees authorizes new alternative dispute resolution procedures taxpayer disputes irs extends years period taxpayer property wrongfully levied returned period bringing suit united_states wrongful tax levy authorizes waiver fee establishing installment agreement payment tax certain low income taxpayers agree electronic debit payments allows taxpayer seeking review claim innocent spouse relief collection case day suspension period filing petition review issued automatic stay bankruptcy case involving taxpayer claim novo review determination irs respect claim equitable innocent spouse relief prohibits irs_office_of_appeals considering deciding new issue internal appeal scope initial determination taxpayer case prohibits imposition tax lien taxpayer principal residence written determination property taxpayer sold insufficient pay tax liability lien create economic hardship taxpayer requires termination irs employee disproportionate scrutiny organization applying tax exempt status based ideology expressed purpose organization authorizes court issue declaratory judgment respect initial continuing classification tax exempt social welfare organization requires inspector general tax administration department treasury review irs criteria selection tax returns examination audit assessment collection deficiencies criminal investigation referral refunds amounts paid heightened scrutiny review determine criteria discriminates taxpayers basis race religion political ideology consult irs recommended amendments criteria


Summary:
Partnerships to Advance Revolutionary Technology and Novel Entrepreneurial Research Act or the PARTNER Act

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the definition of "passive activity," for purposes of the passive loss tax rules, any qualified research activity carried on by a high technology research small business pass-thru entity.

Defines "high technology research small business pass-thru entity" as any domestic pass-thru entity if: (1) more than 75% of the entity's expenditures are paid or incurred in connection with qualified research, or (2) more than 50% of the entity's expenditures constitute qualified research expenses. Designates a high technology research entity as a small business if such entity has 250 or fewer full-time employees and does not have aggregate gross assets in excess of $150 million.

partnerships partner act amends internal revenue code exempt definition passive activity purposes passive loss tax rules qualified research activity carried high technology research small business pass entity defines high technology research small business pass entity domestic pass entity entity expenditures paid incurred connection qualified research entity expenditures constitute qualified research expenses designates high technology research entity small business entity fewer time employees aggregate gross assets excess million


Summary:
Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2015

Amends the Small Business Act to require the interagency task force that is responsible for coordinating federal efforts to improve the business development and federal contracting opportunities available to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans to coordinate administrative and regulatory activities and develop proposals to provide access to, and manage the distribution of, excess or surplus U.S. property to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with the appropriate state agency for surplus property.

amends small business act require interagency task force responsible coordinating federal efforts improve business development federal contracting opportunities available small business concerns owned controlled veterans coordinate administrative regulatory activities develop proposals provide access manage distribution excess surplus property small business concerns owned controlled veterans pursuant memorandum understanding appropriate state agency surplus property


Summary:
Emerging Business Encouragement Act of 2015

 Amends the Small Business Act to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), for each industry category for which the Administrator established a size standard, to establish procedures, by rule, for designating a small business in that industry category as an emerging business enterprise (EBE).

Requires the designation to expire when the small business is no longer in compliance with the criteria, except that:

 in the case of an EBE which existed as a business entity before its EBE designation, the designation shall not expire until five years after it was made; and if the EBE exceeds the required size limitation its designation shall expire only if the size is 50% or more of the maximum size of a small business within that industry category. Directs the Administrator to establish specified criteria for designation of an EBE.

Requires the head of each federal agency to establish goals for participation by the designated EBEs in at least 5% of all contracts, including prime contracts and subcontracts, for each fiscal year.

Authorizes the Administrator to make a loan to a designated EBE under the SBA Express Loan Program, but only in accordance with specified terms.

Requires the Administrator, by rule, to establish a process for initial self-certification of EBEs for purposes of participation in federal contracts and eligibility for the Express Loans.

emerging business encouragement act amends small_business_act direct administrator small_business_administration sba industry category administrator established size standard establish procedures rule designating small business industry category emerging business enterprise requires designation expire small business longer compliance criteria case existed business entity designation designation shall expire years exceeds required size limitation designation shall expire size maximum size small business industry category directs administrator establish specified criteria designation requires head federal agency establish goals participation designated contracts including prime contracts subcontracts fiscal year authorizes administrator loan designated accordance specified terms requires administrator rule establish process initial self certification purposes participation federal contracts eligibility


Summary:
Commercial Real Estate and Economic Development Act of 2015 or the CREED Act of 2015

 Reinstates for a five-year period beginning after enactment of this Act the authority for Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest refinancing of small business debt not involving business expansion under the SBA's local development business loan program.

Repeals a provision of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 that terminated such authority as of September 26, 2012. Restores and revives any provision of law struck by the provision, and any regulations promulgated pursuant to it as they were in effect on that date.

commercial real estate economic development act creed act reinstates year period beginning enactment act authority small_business_administration sba low interest refinancing small business debt involving business expansion sba local development business loan program repeals provision small_business_jobs_act terminated authority september restores revives provision law provision regulations promulgated pursuant effect date


Summary:
Helping Our Middle-Class Entrepreneurs Act or the HOME Act

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a taxpayer who uses a residence to conduct a trade or business a standard tax deduction equal to the lesser of $1,500 or the taxpayer's gross trade or business income derived from the business use of such residence. Provides for an inflation adjustment to the standard deduction amount in calendar years beginning after 2015.

helping middle class entrepreneurs act home act amends internal revenue code allow taxpayer uses residence conduct trade business standard tax deduction equal lesser taxpayer gross trade business income derived business use residence provides inflation adjustment standard deduction calendar years beginning


Summary:
Main Street Revival Act

 Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a specified small business to pay its first-year employment taxes in four annual installments. Defines "specified small business" as any HUBZone business (a business operating in a historically underutilized business zone as defined by the Small Business Act) that is not reasonably expected to employ more than 25 full-time employees in its first year of operation.

amends internal revenue code allow specified small business pay year employment taxes annual installments defines specified small business hubzone business business operating historically underutilized business zone defined small_business_act reasonably expected employ time employees year operation


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on July 23, 2015. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Small Business Administration (SBA) from collecting a guarantee fee in connection with a loan made under the SBA Express Program to a veteran or the spouse of a veteran on or after October 1, 2015, except during any upcoming fiscal year for which the President's budget, submitted to Congress, includes a cost for the Program that is above zero.

(Sec. 3) Requires the SBA to assess for Congress the level of outreach to and consultation with female veterans regarding access to capital by women's business centers and Veterans Business Outreach Centers.

(Sec. 4) Amends the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 to increase the limit from $18.75 billion to $23.5 billion for FY2015 commitments for general business loans for a combination of amortizing term loans and the aggregated maximum line of credit provided by revolving loans.

Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the SBA, starting October 1, 2015, from guaranteeing a loan if:

 the lender determines that the borrower is unable to obtain credit elsewhere solely because the lender's liquidity depends upon the guaranteed portion of the loan being sold on the secondary market, or the sole purpose for requesting the guarantee is to allow the lender to exceed its legal lending limit.

measure amended passed senate july summary version repeated veterans entrepreneurship act sec amends small business act prohibit small_business_administration sba collecting guarantee fee connection loan veteran spouse veteran october upcoming fiscal year president budget submitted congress includes cost program zero sec requires sba assess congress level outreach consultation female veterans access capital women business centers sec amends consolidated continuing appropriations act increase limit billion billion fy2015 commitments general business loans combination amortizing term loans aggregated maximum line credit provided revolving loans amends small business act prohibit sba starting october guaranteeing loan lender determines borrower unable obtain credit solely lender liquidity guaranteed portion loan sold secondary market sole purpose requesting guarantee allow lender exceed legal lending limit


Summary:
Support Our Start-Ups Act

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the tax deduction for new business expenditures to organizational expenditures, generally defined as expenditures incident to the creation of a corporation or a partnership.

The bill also increases the maximum deduction amount for start-up and organizational expenditures from $5,000 to $20,000 and increases from $50,000 to $120,000 the threshold amount after which the maximum deduction amount for such expenditures is reduced.

support start act bill amends internal_revenue_code extend tax deduction new business expenditures organizational expenditures generally defined expenditures incident creation corporation partnership bill increases maximum deduction start organizational expenditures increases threshold maximum deduction expenditures reduced


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Microloan Modernization Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act with respect to the rule under the Small Business Administration (SBA) Microloan Program (assisting low-income individuals to start and operate a small business) that permits SBA-designated microloan intermediary lenders to expend up to 25% of the grant funds they receive from the SBA to provide information and technical assistance to small businesses that are their prospective borrowers.

The SBA must establish a process by which these microloan intermediaries may apply for, and the SBA may grant, a waiver of this 25/75 allocation.

This rule shall require any waiver applicant to:

 specify how it will use the additional technical assistance, and make assurances that the intermediary will have sufficient funds to provide technical assistance to all of the intermediary's borrowers. (Sec. 3) The total amount of loans outstanding and committed to any particular intermediary (excluding outstanding grants) from the SBA business loan and investment fund is increased from $5 million to $6 million for the remaining years of the intermediary's participation in the program.

(Sec. 4) The SBA may not impose limitations on the repayment term of a loan by an intermediary to a small business or entrepreneur. This repayment term, however, may not exceed:

 6 years for a loan of $10,000 or less, or 10 years for a loan greater than $10,000. (Sec. 5) An eligible intermediary may include lines of credit among the short-term, fixed rate loans it makes to startup, newly established, and growing small businesses from SBA funds made available to the intermediary for working capital and the acquisition of materials, supplies, furniture, fixtures, and equipment.

(Sec. 6) The Government Accountability Office shall:

 compare the operations of a representative sample of eligible intermediaries that participate in the microloan program and of eligible intermediaries that do not, study the reasons why the latter do not participate, recommend how to encourage increased participation by intermediaries in the microloan program, and recommend how to decrease the associated costs for intermediary participation. (Sec. 7) The SBA Office of Advocacy shall report to Congress on the economic impact of a mandatory savings requirement on businesses eligible to participate in the microloan program, including on the benefits and costs of such a requirement, and make implementing recommendations.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated microloan modernization act sec bill amends small_business_act respect rule small_business_administration sba assisting low income individuals start operate small business permits sba designated microloan intermediary lenders expend grant funds receive sba provide information technical assistance small businesses prospective borrowers sba establish process microloan intermediaries apply sba grant waiver allocation rule shall require waiver applicant specify use additional technical assistance assurances intermediary sufficient funds provide technical assistance intermediary borrowers sec total loans outstanding committed particular intermediary excluding outstanding grants sba business loan investment fund increased million million remaining years intermediary participation program sec sba impose limitations repayment term loan intermediary small business entrepreneur repayment term exceed years loan years loan greater sec eligible intermediary include lines credit short term fixed rate loans makes startup newly established growing small businesses sba funds available intermediary working capital acquisition materials supplies furniture fixtures equipment sec government_accountability_office shall compare operations representative sample eligible intermediaries participate microloan program eligible intermediaries study reasons participate recommend encourage increased participation intermediaries microloan program recommend decrease associated costs intermediary participation sec advocacy shall report congress economic impact mandatory savings requirement businesses eligible participate microloan program including benefits costs requirement implementing recommendations


Summary:
Small Business Contracting Clarity Act of 2015

This bill expresses the sense of Congress that it is in the best interests of the United States to consistently promote and assist Native Hawaiian Organizations, which are deemed to be economically disadvantaged for purposes of Small Business Administration (SBA) procurement contract requirements.

 The Small Business Act is amended to designate these Organizations as HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) small businesses for purposes of SBA assistance.

small business contracting clarity act bill expresses sense congress best interests united_states consistently promote assist deemed economically disadvantaged purposes small_business_administration sba procurement contract requirements small_business_act amended designate organizations hubzone historically underutilized business zone small businesses purposes sba assistance


Summary:
Innovators Job Creation Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a qualified small business to elect to use a portion of its tax credit for increasing research expenditures as an offset against its payroll tax liability under the Federal Insurance Contributions Act.

Defines "qualified small business" as a corporation, a partnership, or a person other than a tax-exempt organization that had gross receipts of less than $5 million for the taxable year and that did not have gross receipts for any period preceding the five-taxable-year period ending with such taxable year.

Limits: (1) the number of years a taxpayer may elect to offset payroll taxes under this Act to five, and (2) the annual amount of such offset to $250,000.

Allows an offset of research tax credit amounts against alternative minimum tax liability.

innovators job creation act amends internal revenue code allow qualified small business elect use portion tax credit increasing research expenditures offset payroll tax liability federal_insurance_contributions_act defines qualified small business corporation partnership person tax exempt organization gross receipts million taxable year gross receipts period preceding taxable year period ending taxable year limits number years taxpayer elect offset payroll taxes act annual offset allows offset research tax credit amounts alternative minimum tax liability


Summary: This bill amends the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 to increase the limit from $18.75 billion to $23.5 billion for FY2015 commitments for general business loans authorized under the Small Business Act for a combination of amortizing term loans and the aggregated maximum line of credit provided by revolving loans.

bill amends consolidated continuing appropriations act increase limit billion billion fy2015 commitments general business loans authorized small business act combination amortizing term loans aggregated maximum line credit provided revolving loans


Summary:
Assuring Contracting Equity Act of 2015

This bill increases from: (1) 23% to 25% the government-wide small business procurement contract goal, (2) 5% to 10% the government-wide procurement goal for small disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses, and (3) 3% to 6% the government-wide procurement goal for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses and HUBZONE (historically underutilized business zone) small businesses. The number of categories is limited for which a small business may qualify under such goals.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) must include in its annual report to the President and Congress on these goals the percentage of participation by small businesses for the total value of all prime contracts and subcontracts awards for a fiscal year, including the value of each contract awarded.

The SBA must consult with the heads of other federal agencies to develop and implement standards for procurement officers to take into consideration the past compliance of potential contractors with small business subcontracting goals when making contract awards.

assuring contracting equity act bill increases government wide small business procurement contract goal government wide procurement goal small disadvantaged businesses women owned businesses government wide procurement goal service disabled veteran owned small businesses hubzone historically underutilized business zone small businesses number categories limited small business qualify goals small_business_administration sba include annual report president congress goals percentage participation small businesses total value prime contracts subcontracts awards fiscal year including value contract awarded sba consult heads federal agencies develop implement standards procurement officers consideration past compliance potential contractors small business subcontracting goals making contract awards


Summary:
Small Business Administration Franchise Loan Transparency Act of 2015

This bill requires a franchisor, except one with a franchise in the lodging industry, to disclose in the required Federal Trade Commission disclosure document:

 the average first-year revenue of each specific location of the franchise for each of the preceding five years of operation; the number of franchise locations that went out of business or were sold by the franchisee during the first year of operation for each such period; and the average revenues for all locations of the franchise for each such period, aggregated to show the top 25%, middle 50%, and the bottom 25% of revenue. Any financial information relating to the performance of any franchise's location provided by the franchisor, or its representatives, to the lender for the purpose of qualifying the loan, must be disclosed to the prospective franchisee borrower.

transparency act bill requires franchisor franchise lodging industry disclose required federal_trade_commission disclosure document average year revenue specific location franchise preceding years operation number franchise locations went business sold franchisee year operation period average revenues locations franchise period aggregated middle revenue financial information relating performance franchise location provided franchisor representatives lender purpose qualifying loan disclosed prospective franchisee borrower


Summary:
Fair Franchise Act of 2015

 This bill prohibits any franchise seller, in connection with any disclosure document, notice, or report required by any federal, state, or local law, from making an untrue statement of material fact or failing to state a material fact or any other fact that would render any required statement or disclosure either untrue or misleading.

A franchise seller is also prohibited from failing to furnish any prospective franchisee with:

 all information required to be disclosed by law; a written statement on whether the franchise agreement involved contains a right to renew it; and certain historical financial performance data in the disclosure document. Nor may a franchise seller make any oral or written claim or representation to a prospective franchisee that is inconsistent with, or that contradicts, the disclosure document.

 A franchisor or subfranchisor, in connection with the performance, enforcement, renewal, or termination of any franchise agreement, must not:

 engage in any act or pattern of conduct that operates as a fraud upon any person; hinder, prohibit, or penalize the free association of franchisees for any lawful purpose; discriminate against a franchisee by imposing requirements not imposed on other similarly situated franchisees or otherwise retaliate against any franchisee for membership or participation in a franchisee association; charge excessive and unreasonable renewal fees; enforce a provision in a franchise agreement requiring the parties to submit to arbitration unless certain conditions are met; terminate, cancel, or fail to renew a franchise for failure or refusal of the franchisee because it failed or refused to perform specified activities; restrict a franchisee from associating with other franchisees or from joining, leading, or otherwise participating in a trade or other association; require or prohibit any change in management of any franchise except for good cause; or impose on a franchisee a standard of conduct or performance unless the franchisor sustains the burden of proving the standard to be reasonable, necessary, and uniformly enforced. This bill specifies requirements concerning minimum standards of conduct (good faith and due care) for each party to a franchise agreement. It also prohibits:

 requiring inclusion in a franchise agreement of a term or condition which violates this Act or relieves a person from a duty or liability under it, or any waiver of compliance with this Act. A franchisee may assign a franchise interest to a transferee, provided the transferee satisfies reasonable qualifications applied by the franchisor in the offer and sale of franchises.

The bill also:

 requires specified renewal, termination, and transfer protection for franchisees; specifies requirements concerning legal actions brought by franchisees injured or damaged by violations of this Act; and authorizes legal actions by state attorneys general on behalf of state residents for alleged violation of this Act.

fair franchise act bill prohibits franchise seller connection disclosure document notice report required federal state local law making untrue statement material fact failing state material fact fact render required statement disclosure untrue misleading franchise seller prohibited failing furnish prospective franchisee information required disclosed law written statement franchise agreement involved contains right renew certain historical financial performance data disclosure document franchise seller oral written claim representation prospective franchisee inconsistent disclosure document franchisor connection performance enforcement renewal termination franchise agreement engage act pattern conduct operates fraud person hinder prohibit penalize free association lawful purpose discriminate franchisee imposing requirements imposed similarly situated retaliate franchisee membership participation franchisee association charge excessive unreasonable renewal fees enforce provision franchise agreement requiring parties submit arbitration certain conditions met terminate cancel fail renew franchise failure refusal franchisee failed refused perform specified activities restrict franchisee joining leading participating trade association require prohibit change management franchise good cause impose franchisee standard conduct performance franchisor burden proving standard reasonable necessary uniformly enforced bill specifies requirements concerning minimum standards conduct good faith care party franchise agreement prohibits requiring inclusion franchise agreement term condition violates act relieves person duty liability waiver compliance act franchisee assign franchise interest transferee provided transferee satisfies reasonable qualifications applied franchisor offer sale franchises bill requires specified renewal termination transfer protection specifies requirements concerning legal actions brought injured damaged violations act authorizes legal actions state attorneys general behalf state residents alleged violation act


Summary:
Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Act of 2015 or the VET Act of 2015

This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of making grants to eligible veterans to start or acquire a qualifying business enterprise.

vet act bill amends small_business_act direct small_business_administration carry pilot program assess feasibility advisability making grants eligible veterans start acquire qualifying business enterprise


Summary:
Paycheck Relief Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax rates on wage income and corresponding tax rates on self-employment income.

bill amends internal_revenue_code reduce federal_insurance_contributions_act fica tax rates wage income corresponding tax rates self employment income


Summary:
Small Business Administration Franchise Loan Transparency Act of 2015

This bill requires a franchisor, except one with a franchise in the lodging industry, to disclose in the required Federal Trade Commission disclosure document:

 the average first-year revenue for all franchise locations for each of the preceding five years of operation; the number of franchise locations that went out of business or were sold by the franchisee during the first year of operation for each such period; and the average revenues for all locations of the franchise for each such period, aggregated to show the top 25%, middle 50%, and the bottom 25% of revenue. Any financial information relating to the performance of any franchise's location provided by the franchisor, or its representatives, to the lender for the purpose of qualifying the loan, must be disclosed to the prospective franchisee borrower.

transparency act bill requires franchisor franchise lodging industry disclose required federal_trade_commission disclosure document average year revenue franchise locations preceding years operation number franchise locations went business sold franchisee year operation period average revenues locations franchise period aggregated middle revenue financial information relating performance franchise location provided franchisor representatives lender purpose qualifying loan disclosed prospective franchisee borrower


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

Small Agriculture Producer Size Standards Improvements Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to specify that the agricultural enterprises it covers are small business concerns.

(Sec. 3) The Act shall cover any small farm regardless of whether its annual receipts, including those of any affiliates, exceed $750,000.

(Sec. 4) The Small Business Administration shall, by rule, establish size standards for agricultural enterprises, which shall be subject to rolling review procedures under the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated small agriculture producer size standards improvements act sec bill amends small_business_act specify agricultural enterprises covers small business concerns sec act shall cover small farm regardless annual receipts including affiliates exceed sec small_business_administration shall rule establish size standards agricultural enterprises shall subject rolling review procedures small_business_jobs_act


Summary:
Improving Opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Small Business Act to expand the definition of "small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans" for purposes of federal agencies awarding small business contracts pursuant to Small Business Administration (SBA) programs to include:

 a small business concern not less than 51% of which is owned by one or more veterans with service-connected disabilities that are permanent and total who are unable to manage the daily business operations of such concern; or in the case of a publicly owned business, a small business concern not less than 51% of the stock of which is owned by one or more such veterans. (Currently, such veterans with permanent and total disabilities are provided for in a separate small business program under veterans' benefits laws carried out by the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA].) The VA definition of "small business concern owned and controlled by veterans" is revised to be the same as the SBA definition of such term, thereby making the eligibility requirements for participation in veteran-owned small business contracting programs consistent for both SBA programs and VA programs.

 The VA, when listing small businesses in the database of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans and the veteran owners of such business concerns, must use SBA regulations with respect to a concern's small business status and the ownership and control of it.

 If the VA does not verify a concern for inclusion in its database based on its status as a small business or its ownership or control, the concern may appeal the denial to the SBA Office of Hearings and Appeals, whose decision shall be considered a final agency action.

 The VA shall reimburse the SBA for fiscal year costs incurred by the Office of Hearings and Appeals for actions taken pursuant to this Act.

bill amends small_business_act expand definition small business concern owned controlled service disabled veterans purposes federal agencies awarding small business contracts pursuant small_business_administration sba programs include small business concern owned veterans service connected disabilities permanent total unable manage daily business operations concern case publicly owned business small business concern stock owned veterans currently veterans permanent total disabilities provided separate small business program veterans benefits laws carried department_of_veterans_affairs definition small business concern owned controlled veterans revised sba definition term making eligibility requirements participation veteran owned small business contracting programs consistent sba programs programs listing small businesses database small business concerns owned controlled veterans veteran owners business concerns use sba regulations respect concern small business status ownership control verify concern inclusion database based status small business ownership control concern appeal denial decision shall considered final agency action shall reimburse sba fiscal year costs incurred actions taken pursuant act


Summary:
Veteran Small Business Tax Credit Act of 2015

This bill allows a new business-related tax credit for the start-up expenses of a veteran-owned small business. The allowable amount of such credit is 15% of start-up expenditures that do not exceed $80,000. The credit is allowed to any individual (or the surviving spouse of such individual) who: (1) has served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, (2) was stationed outside the United States, and (3) was not discharged or released under dishonorable conditions.

veteran small business tax credit act bill allows new business related tax credit start expenses veteran owned small business allowable credit start expenditures exceed credit allowed individual surviving spouse individual served active duty stationed outside united_states discharged released dishonorable conditions


Summary:
Women's Small Business Ownership Act of 2015

 This bill amends the Small Business Act to direct the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Women's Business Ownership to address issues concerning specified disciplines required for starting, operating, and increasing a small business.

The Office must work with SBA officials and collaborate with non-SBA entities to ensure that the work of the women's business center program:

 maximizes taxpayer dollars, and coordinates effectively with and is not duplicative of other federal and private sector programs. The mission of the Office is to assist women entrepreneurs in starting, growing, and competing in global markets by providing quality support with access to capital, access to markets, job creation, growth, counseling, and training in a specified manner.

The SBA must:

 provide annual programmatic and financial examination training for women's business center representatives, award grants or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements related to the training, and develop plans for a professional development training program for women's business centers and for a women's business center accreditation program. The SBA may provide up to $250,000 per project year of financial assistance to eligible entities to conduct projects designed to provide training and counseling meeting the needs of women, especially socially and economically disadvantaged women.

The SBA, upon request by a recipient organization, may waive for a fiscal year (but no more than two consecutive fiscal years) the requirement to obtain matching non-federal funds for the organization's technical assistance and counseling activities carried out using financial assistance under the program.

bill amends small_business_act direct small_business_administration sba address issues concerning specified disciplines required starting operating increasing small business office work sba officials collaborate entities ensure work women business center program maximizes taxpayer dollars coordinates effectively duplicative federal private sector programs mission office assist women entrepreneurs starting growing competing global markets providing quality support access capital access markets job creation growth counseling training specified manner sba provide annual programmatic financial examination training women business center representatives award grants enter contracts cooperative agreements related training develop plans professional development training program women business centers women business center accreditation program sba provide project year financial assistance eligible entities conduct projects designed provide training counseling meeting needs women especially socially economically disadvantaged women sba request recipient organization waive fiscal year consecutive fiscal years requirement obtain matching non federal funds organization technical assistance counseling activities carried financial assistance program


Summary:
Veteran Small Business Tax Credit Act of 2015

This bill allows a new business-related tax credit for the start-up expenses of a veteran-owned small business. The allowable amount of such credit is 15% of start-up expenditures that do not exceed $80,000. The credit is allowed to any individual (or the surviving spouse of such individual) who: (1) has served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, and (2) has not been discharged or released from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions.

veteran small business tax credit act bill allows new business related tax credit start expenses veteran owned small business allowable credit start expenditures exceed credit allowed individual surviving spouse individual served active duty discharged released armed_forces dishonorable conditions


Summary:
Promote Startups Act of 2015

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the maximum tax deduction for business start-up expenditures from $5,000 to $15,000 and to increase the deduction for the organizational expenditures of corporations from $5,000 to $10,000. The bill also increases the ceilings for such expenditures over which the amount of the tax deduction is reduced.

promote startups act bill amends internal_revenue_code increase maximum tax deduction business start expenditures increase deduction organizational expenditures corporations bill increases ceilings expenditures tax deduction reduced


Summary:
HUBZone Equity Act

This bill amends the Small Business Act to redefine "Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business concern" as a small business concern that is at least 51% owned and controlled by U.S. citizens (as under current law) or lawful permanent residents of the United States.

hubzone equity act bill amends small_business_act redefine historically underutilized business zone hubzone small business concern small business concern owned controlled citizens current law lawful permanent residents united_states


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

Small Business Capital Formation Enhancement Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Investment Incentive Act of 1980 with respect to the annual government-business forum of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to review the current status of problems and programs relating to small business capital formation.

The SEC shall review each of the forum's findings and recommendations and issue a public statement promptly assessing it and disclosing the action, if any, the SEC intends to take with respect to it.

measure amended introduced summary expanded action occurred measure enhancement act sec bill amends respect annual government business forum securities_and_exchange_commission sec review current status problems programs relating small business capital formation sec shall review forum findings recommendations issue public statement promptly assessing disclosing action sec intends respect


Summary:
Commercial Market Representatives Clarification Act

This bill amends the Small Business Act to specify the principal duties of Commercial Market Representatives, government contracting staff stationed at area Small Business Administration (SBA) offices and reporting to specified senior SBA officers.

 Such duties shall include:

 helping prime federal government contractors to find small business concerns capable of performing subcontracts; counseling such contractors on their responsibility to maximize subcontracting opportunities for small business concerns; instructing such contractors on methods and tools to identify potential subcontractors that are small business concerns; assisting such constractors to increase awards to small business subcontractors through visits, training, and reviews of past performance; giving counseling on how a small business concern may promote its capacity to such contractors; and conducting periodic reviews of such contractors to assess compliance with required subcontracting plans regarding small business subcontractors.

bill amends small_business_act specify principal duties government contracting staff stationed area small_business_administration sba offices reporting specified senior sba officers duties shall include helping prime federal government contractors find small business concerns capable performing subcontracts counseling contractors responsibility maximize subcontracting opportunities small business concerns instructing contractors methods tools identify potential subcontractors small business concerns assisting increase awards small business subcontractors visits training reviews past performance giving counseling small business concern promote capacity contractors conducting periodic reviews contractors assess compliance required subcontracting plans small business subcontractors


Summary:
Promoting Reliable Subcontractors Act of 2016 or the PROS Act of 2016

This bill amends the Small Business Act with respect to small businesses performing as first tier subcontractors under federal contracts whose prime contractor must develop a subcontracting plan.

The Small Business Administration shall establish a pilot program for such a small business to request a past performance rating in the system used by the federal government to monitor and record contractor past performance.

promoting reliable subcontractors act act bill amends small_business_act respect small businesses performing tier subcontractors federal contracts prime contractor develop subcontracting plan small_business_administration shall establish pilot program small business request past performance rating system federal government monitor record contractor past performance


Summary:
Mentor-Protege Cooperation Reform Act of 2016

This bill amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1991 to revise the no-affiliation requirement in the eligibility criteria under the Mentor-Protege Program of the Department of Defense (DOD) for a mentor firm to receive the award of a federal contract and enter into an agreement with one or more protege firms to provide them certain assistance.

The bill establishes procedures for the Small Business Administration (SBA) or DOD to determine that no affiliation between mentor and protege exists.

The bill amends the Small Business Act to bar DOD from carrying out a Mentor-Protege Program for a small business unless: (1) it submits a plan to the SBA, and (2) the SBA approves that plan.

bill amends national_defense_authorization_act fiscal year revise affiliation requirement eligibility criteria dod mentor firm receive award federal contract enter agreement protege firms provide certain assistance bill establishes procedures small_business_administration sba dod determine affiliation mentor protege exists bill amends small_business_act bar dod carrying small business submits plan sba sba approves plan