108^th Congress Small Business Legislation Status Report

Small Business Committee Chairs -

The House Committee on Small Business

Chair - Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL)

Ranking Democrat is Nydia Velazquez. (D-NY)

House Small Business Committee

2361 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20515

Phone: (202) 225-5821

Fax: (202) 225-3587

E-Mail: smbiz@mail.house.gov

The Senate Committee on Small Business

Chair – Olympia Snow, (R-Maine)

Ranking Democrat is Sen. John Kerry (D- Mass)

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
428A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
(202) 224-4086
(202) 228-1128 (Fax)

Bill Summary & Status for the 108th Congress – Approximately 65 bills were reported thus far addressing small business issues in the Congress. None have been enacted to date.

S.818
Title: A bill to ensure the independence and nonpartisan operation of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration.
Sponsor: Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] (introduced 4/8/2003) Cosponsors: 17
Latest Major Action: 4/8/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

H.R.5583

Sponsor: Rep Evans, Lane(introduced 10/9/2002)
Latest Major Action: 10/9/2002 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to establish a Government-wide procurement goal for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, to establish a presumption that service-disabled veterans and other handicapped individuals are eligible for benefits under the Small Business Development Program, and for other purposes.

(NO FURTHER ACTION)

S.1994
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F.(introduced 3/6/2002)
Latest Major Action: 10/1/2002 Senate preparation for floor. Status: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 624.
Title: A bill to establish a priority preference among certain small business concerns for purposes of Federal contracts, and for other purposes.

H.R.4231
Sponsor: Rep Manzullo, Donald A.(introduced 4/16/2002)
Latest Major Action: 7/8/2002 Senate preparation for floor. Status: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 485.
Title: To improve small business advocacy, and for other purposes.

S.2753
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F.(introduced 7/18/2002)
Related Bills: H.R.5314
Latest Major Action: 9/3/2002 Senate preparation for floor. Status: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 561.
Title: A bill to provide for a Small and Disadvantaged Business Ombudsman for Procurement in the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

H.R.5314
Sponsor: Rep Wynn, Albert Russell(introduced 7/26/2002)
Related Bills: S.2753
Latest Major Action: 7/26/2002 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Title: To provide for a Small and Disadvantaged Business Ombudsman for Procurement in the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

H.R.5347
Sponsor: Rep Baird, Brian(introduced 9/9/2002)
Latest Major Action: 9/9/2002 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to allow certain small business concerns that have employee stock ownership plans to qualify as HUBZone small business concerns.

H.R.5766
Sponsor: Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C.(introduced 11/22/2002)
Latest Major Action: 11/22/2002 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Title: To create Federal advertising procurement opportunities for minority business concerns, and for other purposes.

H.R.3645
Sponsor: Rep Evans, Lane(introduced 1/29/2002)
Latest Major Action: 7/23/2002 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to provide for improved procurement practices by the Department of Veterans Affairs in procuring health-care items.

S.2466
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F.(introduced 5/7/2002)
Latest Major Action: 10/8/2002 Senate preparation for floor. Status: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 694.
Title: A bill to modify the contract consolidation requirements in the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.

S.3076
Sponsor: Sen Warner, John W.(introduced 10/8/2002)
Latest Major Action: 10/8/2002 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Title: A bill to provide risk sharing and indemnification for government contractors supplying anti-terrorism technology and services, and for other purposes.

H.R.4629
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Tom(introduced 5/1/2002)
Latest Major Action: 5/1/2002 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Title: To amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to establish a program to encourage and support carrying out innovative proposals to enhance homeland security, and for other purposes.

S.2463
Sponsor: Sen Collins, Susan M.(introduced 5/7/2002)
Latest Major Action: 5/7/2002 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
Title: A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to restrict bundling of Department of Defense contract requirements that unreasonably disadvantages small businesses, and for other purposes.

H.R.3638
Sponsor: Rep Wynn, Albert Russell(introduced 1/25/2002)
Latest Major Action: 1/25/2002 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to increase the minimum Government-wide goal for procurement contracts awarded to small business concerns.

H.R.3832
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Tom(introduced 3/4/2002)
Latest Major Action: 4/5/2002 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Executive Comment Requested from DOD.
Title: To make improvements with respect to the procurement of services for the Federal Government, and for other purposes.

S.3098
Sponsor: Sen Graham, Bob(introduced 10/10/2002)
Latest Major Action: 10/10/2002 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Title: A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a program for the competitive acquisition of items and services under the medicare program.

H.R.3921
Sponsor: Rep Burton, Dan(introduced 3/11/2002)
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2002 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.
Title: To amend the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 to extend until January 1, 2005, a program applying simplified procedures to the acquisition of certain commercial items, and to require the Comptroller General to submit to Congress a report regarding the effectiveness of such program.

H.R.1166
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to expand and improve the assistance provided by Small Business Development Centers to Indian tribe members, Native Alaskans, and Native Hawaiians.
Sponsor: Rep Udall, Tom [NM-3] (introduced 3/6/2003)
Latest Major Action: 3/6/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

H.RES.138
Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that small business concerns should continue to play an active role in assisting the United States military, Federal intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and State and local police forces by designing and developing innovative products to combat terrorism, and that Federal, State, and local governments should aggressively seek out and purchase innovative technologies and services from small business concerns to improve homeland defense and aid in the fight against terrorism.
Sponsor: Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] (introduced 3/11/2003)
Latest Major Action: 3/11/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

H.R.1216
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to increase the minimum Government-wide goal for procurement contracts awarded to small business concerns.
Sponsor: Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] (introduced 3/11/2003)
Latest Major Action: 3/11/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

S.633
Title: A bill to modify the contract consolidation requirements in the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 3/17/2003)
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

H.R.1217
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to provide a penalty for the failure by a Federal contractor to subcontract with small businesses as described in its subcontracting plan, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] (introduced 3/11/2003)
Latest Major Action: 3/11/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business

H.R.1215
Title: To amend title 31, United States Code, to require the provision of a written prompt payment policy to each subcontractor under a Federal contract and to require a clause in each subcontract under a Federal contract that outlines the provisions of the prompt payment statute and other related information.
Sponsor: Rep Wynn, Albert Russell [MD-4] (introduced 3/11/2003)
Latest Major Action: 3/11/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

H.R.1346
Title: To amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to provide an additional function of the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy relating to encouraging Federal procurement policies that enhance energy efficiency.
Sponsor: Rep Turner, Michael R. [OH-3] (introduced 3/19/2003)
Latest Major Action: 3/19/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

S.346
Title: A bill to amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to establish a government wide policy requiring competition in certain executive agency procurements. This bill specifically addresses the Federal Prison Industries. The Bill seeks
Sponsor: Sen. Levin, Carl [MI] (introduced 2/11/2003) Cosponsors: 2
Latest Major Action: 2/11/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

Angela Styles, Administrator of OFPP believes there is a need to balance providing work to prisoners and business opportunities for corporate America.

H.R.1712
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to establish a development program for small business concerns owned and controlled by qualified service-disabled veterans, to reauthorize the programs of the National Veterans Business Development Corporation, to establish a Government-wide procurement goal for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Evans, Lane [IL-17] (introduced 4/10/2003)

Cosponsors: 3
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Cosponsors: 25
Latest Major Action: 4/1/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

H.R.1460
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to permit the use of education benefits under such title for certain entrepreneurship courses, to permit veterans enrolled in a vocational rehabilitation program under chapter 31 of such title to have self-employment as a vocational goal, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Renzi, Rick [AZ-1] (introduced 3/27/2003)

Cosponsors: 6
Latest Major Action: 3/27/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.RES.145
Title: Providing amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Small Business in the One Hundred Eighth Congress.
Sponsor: Rep Manzullo, Donald A. [IL-16] (introduced 3/17/2003)

Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

H.R.1829
Title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to require Federal Prison Industries to compete for its contracts minimizing its unfair competition with private sector firms and their non-inmate workers and empowering Federal agencies to get the best value for taxpayers' dollars, to provide a five-year period during which Federal Prison Industries adjusts to obtaining inmate work opportunities through other than its mandatory source status, to enhance inmate access to remedial and vocational opportunities and other rehabilitative opportunities to better prepare inmates for a successful return to society, to authorize alternative inmate work opportunities in support of non-profit organizations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hoekstra, Peter [MI-2] (introduced 4/12/2003) Cosponsors: 103
Latest Major Action: 4/12/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Cosponsors: 3
Latest Major Action: 4/10/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Cosponsors: 25
Latest Major Action: 4/1/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

H.RES.145
Title: Providing amounts for the expenses of the Committee on Small Business in the One Hundred Eighth Congress.
Sponsor: Rep Manzullo, Donald A. [IL-16] (introduced 3/17/2003)

Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.

H.RES.214
Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that small and minority-owned businesses in the United States should be involved in rebuilding Iraq.
Sponsor: Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] (introduced 5/1/2003) Cosponsors: 8
Latest Major Action: 5/1/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on International Relations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.1837
Title: To improve the Federal acquisition workforce and the process for the acquisition of services by the Federal Government, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Tom [VA-11] (introduced 4/29/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 5/8/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

S.981
Title: A bill to limit the period for which the Federal Government may procure property or services using noncompetitive procedures during emergency and urgent situations.
Sponsor: Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] (introduced 5/1/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 5/1/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

H.R.1829
Title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to require Federal Prison Industries to compete for its contracts minimizing its unfair competition with private sector firms and their non-inmate workers and empowering Federal agencies to get the best value for taxpayers' dollars, to provide a five-year period during which Federal Prison Industries adjusts to obtaining inmate work opportunities through other than its mandatory source status, to enhance inmate access to remedial and vocational opportunities and other rehabilitative opportunities to better prepare inmates for a successful return to society, to authorize alternative inmate work opportunities in support of non-profit organizations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hoekstra, Peter [MI-2] (introduced 4/12/2003) Cosponsors: 103
Latest Major Action: 5/5/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

H.R.1888
Title: To require public disclosure of noncompetitive contracting for the reconstruction of the infrastructure of Iraq, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kleczka, Gerald D. [WI-4] (introduced 4/30/2003) Cosponsors: 6
Latest Major Action: 4/30/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

H.R.1982
Title: To amend title III of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to provide to contracting officers of the civilian agencies the same authorities available to Department of Defense contracting officers to competitively evaluate products offered by Federal Prison Industries, Inc., to assure that such products represent the best value for the taxpayer dollars being expended, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] (introduced 5/6/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 5/6/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

H.R.1772
Title: To improve small business advocacy, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Akin, W. Todd [MO-2] (introduced 4/11/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

S.1126
Title: A bill to establish the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, to create the Native American Small Business Development Program, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Johnson, Tim [SD] (introduced 5/22/2003) Cosponsors: 11
Latest Major Action: 5/22/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

H.R.1460
Title: To amend title 38, United States Code, to improve education and entrepreneurship benefits, housing benefits, and certain other benefits for veterans.
Sponsor: Rep Renzi, Rick [AZ-1] (introduced 3/27/2003) Cosponsors: 15
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

H.R.2374
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to allow more joint ventures, leader-follow arrangements, and teaming arrangements under the section 8(a) minority business development program.
Sponsor: Rep Millender-McDonald, Juanita [CA-37] (introduced 6/5/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 6/5/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

S.1154
Title: A bill to provide for the reauthorization of programs administered by the Small Business Administration that assist small business concerns owned and controlled by women, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] (introduced 5/23/2003) Cosponsors: 2
Latest Major Action: 5/23/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

H.R.1837
Title: To improve the Federal acquisition workforce and the process for the acquisition of services by the Federal Government, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Tom [VA-11] (introduced 4/29/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.

H.R.1588
Title: To authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2004 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes. (Acquisition and personnel reforms)
Sponsor: Rep Hunter, Duncan [CA-52] (by request) (introduced 4/3/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Related Bills: H.RES.245, H.RES.247, S.1047, S.1050
Latest Major Action: 6/4/2003 Resolving differences / Conference -- Senate actions. Status: Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Warner; McCain; Inhofe; Roberts; Allard; Sessions; Collins; Ensign; Talent; Chambliss; Graham SC; Dole; Cornyn; Levin; Kennedy; Byrd; Lieberman; Reed; Akaka; Nelson FL; Nelson NE; Dayton; Bayh; Clinton; Pryor.

S.1375
Title: A bill to provide for the reauthorization of programs administered by the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Snowe, Olympia J. [ME] (introduced 7/8/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 7/10/2003 Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

Major Provisions in Federal Contracting

– Broaden definition of Contract Bundling to include consolidations.

– Require PCR’s at every major federal center and no less than one PCR in each state.

– Non-payment of subcontractors will become a material breach of contract resulting in non-payment by the Federal Government to the Prime.

– Require a study by GAO to identify industries in which small women-owned businesses are underrepresented in getting federal contracts.

– Bill restates the statutory requirement that OSDBU directors report to the head of the agency.

H.R.2607
Title: To modify the contract consolidation requirements in the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Case, Ed [HI-2] (introduced 6/26/2003) Cosponsors: 3
Latest Major Action: 6/26/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Small Business Federal Contractor Safeguard Act (Introduced in House)

S.633
Title: A bill to modify the contract consolidation requirements in the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 3/17/2003) Cosponsors: 4
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

H.R.2922
Title: To amend the Small Business Act to provide additional grants to small business development centers located in high unemployment districts.
Sponsor: Rep Acevedo-Vila, Anibal [PR] (introduced 7/25/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

Companion bill to H.R. 2804 - Highlights of the Act

Major Provisions in Federal Contracting

– Broaden definition of Contract Bundling to include consolidations.

– Require PCR’s at every major federal center and no less than one PCR in each state.

– Non-payment of subcontractors will become a material breach of contract resulting in non-payment by the Federal Government to the Prime.

– Require a study by GAO to identify industries in which small women-owned businesses are underrepresented in getting federal contracts.

– Bill restates the statutory requirement that OSDBU directors report to the head of the agency.

H.R.2658
Title: Making appropriations for the Department of Defense for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Lewis, Jerry [CA-41] (introduced 7/2/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Related Bills: S.1382
Latest Major Action: 7/17/2003 Resolving differences / Conference -- Senate actions. Status: Senate insists on its amendment, asks for a conference, appoints conferees Stevens; Cochran; Specter; Domenici; Bond; McConnell; Shelby; Gregg; Hutchison; Burns; Inouye; Hollings; Byrd; Leahy; Harkin; Dorgan; Durbin; Reid; Feinstein. bba

Note – this bill will waive the requirement for the Secretary of the Department of Defense to comply with certain Personnel Laws and Procurement Laws in the interest of management efficiencies within DOD Agencies.

S.346
Title: A bill to amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to establish a governmentwide policy requiring competition in certain executive agency procurements.
Sponsor: Sen Levin, Carl [MI] (introduced 2/11/2003) Cosponsors: 6
Latest Major Action: 2/11/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

H.R.1346
Title: To amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to provide an additional function of the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy relating to encouraging Federal procurement policies that enhance energy efficiency.
Sponsor: Rep Turner, Michael R. [OH-3] (introduced 3/19/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 6/2/2003 House preparation for floor. Status: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 70.

H.R.2607
Title: To modify the contract consolidation requirements in the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Case, Ed [HI-2] (introduced 6/26/2003) Cosponsors: 4
Related Bills: S.633
Latest Major Action: 6/26/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

S.633
Title: A bill to modify the contract consolidation requirements in the Small Business Act, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] (introduced 3/17/2003) Cosponsors: 4
Related Bills: H.R.2607
Latest Major Action: 3/17/2003 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Title: To amend the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act to provide an additional function of the Administrator for Federal Procurement Policy relating to encouraging Federal procurement policies that enhance energy efficiency.
Sponsor: Rep Turner, Michael R. [OH-3] (introduced 3/19/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Latest Major Action: 6/2/2003 House preparation for floor. Status: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 70.

H.R.132
Title: To create Federal advertising procurement opportunities for minority business concerns, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Kilpatrick, Carolyn C. [MI-13] (introduced 1/7/2003) Cosponsors: 10
Latest Major Action: 1/7/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

H.R.1829
Title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to require Federal Prison Industries to compete for its contracts minimizing its unfair competition with private sector firms and their non-inmate workers and empowering Federal agencies to get the best value for taxpayers' dollars, to provide a five-year period during which Federal Prison Industries adjusts to obtaining inmate work opportunities through other than its mandatory source status, to enhance inmate access to remedial and vocational opportunities and other rehabilitative opportunities to better prepare inmates for a successful return to society, to authorize alternative inmate work opportunities in support of non-profit organizations, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Hoekstra, Peter [MI-2] (introduced 4/12/2003) Cosponsors: 138
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

H.R.2767
Title: To improve Federal agency oversight of contracts and assistance and to strengthen accountability of the governmentwide debarment and suspension system.
Sponsor: Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] (introduced 7/17/2003) Cosponsors: 8
Latest Major Action: 7/17/2003 Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

H.R.2802
Title: To reauthorize the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Manzullo, Donald A. [IL-16] (introduced 7/21/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 7/24/2003 House committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

H.R.1837
Title: To improve the Federal acquisition workforce and the process for the acquisition of services by the Federal Government, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Davis, Tom [VA-11] (introduced 4/29/2003) Cosponsors: 1
Latest Major Action: 7/25/2003 House preparation for floor. Status: House Committee on Judiciary Granted an extension for further consideration ending not later than Sept. 3, 2003.

H.R.2204
Title: To amend the provisions of titles 5 and 28, United States Code, relating to equal access to justice, award of reasonable costs and fees, and administrative settlement offers, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep Manzullo, Donald A. [IL-16] (introduced 5/22/2003) Cosponsors: (none)
Related Bills: H.R.2282
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2003 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

SUMMARY AS OF:
5/22/2003--Introduced.

Equal Access to Justice Reform Act of 2003 - Modifies Federal provisions regarding the functions and duties of the Office of Advocacy to include ensuring that the justice system remains accessible to small businesses for the resolution of disputes with the Federal Government. Directs the Office to advise, cooperate with, and consult with the President and Attorney General regarding provisions concerning the awarding of Federal contracts to small businesses and minority-, female-, and veteran-owned businesses.

Requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to report to specified congressional committees on the effectiveness of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) in achieving its purpose to ease the burden upon small businesses engaging in dispute resolution with the Federal Government, and on the variations in the frequency and amounts of fee awards paid by specific Federal agencies and within specific Federal circuits and districts.

Eliminates the EAJA's: (1) "substantial justification defense" whereby the Government can deny attorney's fees recovery to prevailing parties if the adjudicative officer of the agency finds that the agency's position was substantially justified; and (2) rate cap of $125 per hour on attorney's fees.

Sets forth provisions regarding settlement offers, declaration of intent to seek a fee award, payment from agency appropriations, and taxpayer eligibility for fee awards.

Defines "prevailing party" to include a party whose pursuit of a non-frivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought.

SUMMARY AS OF:
5/23/2003--Introduced.

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

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

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