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TITLE VIII--ACQUISITION POLICY, ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT, AND RELATED MATTERS

Subtitle F — Small Business Matters

P. L. 115-

House Conference Report. 115-874

(a) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) The term “intermediary” has the meaning given that term in section 7(m)(11) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)(11)).

(2) The term “microloan program” means the program established under section 7(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)).

(b) Microloan Intermediary Lending Limit Increased.—Section 7(m)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(m)(3)(C)) is amended by striking “$5,000,000” and inserting “$6,000,000”.

(c) SBA Study Of Microenterprise Participation.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall conduct a study and submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report on—

(1) the operations (including services provided, structure, size, and area of operation) of a representative sample of—

(A) intermediaries that are eligible to participate in the microloan program and that do participate; and

(B) intermediaries that are eligible to participate in the microloan program and that do not participate;

(2) the reasons why eligible intermediaries described in paragraph (1)(B) choose not to participate in the microloan program;

(3) recommendations on how to encourage increased participation in the microloan program by eligible intermediaries described in paragraph (1)(B); and

(4) recommendations on how to decrease the costs associated with participation in the microloan program for eligible intermediaries.

(d) GAO Study On Microloan Intermediary Practices.—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report evaluating—

(1) oversight of the microloan program by the Small Business Administration, including oversight of intermediaries participating in the microloan program; and

(2) the specific processes used by the Small Business Administration to ensure—

(A) compliance by intermediaries participating in the microloan program; and

(B) the overall performance of the microloan program.

The House bill contained a provision (sec. 853) that would amend section 636(m) of title 15, United States Code, by increasing the total limit on outstanding loans from $5.0 million to $6.0 million, and modifying the ratio from 25/75 to 50/50. It would also require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to report on rates among microlenders, and for the Comptroller General of the United States to assess SBA oversight of the microloan program.

The Senate amendment contained no similar provision.

The Senate recedes with technical conforming amendments to reflect the passage of certain sections in other Acts.