S 77 — STEP Improvement Act of 2023

Summary

STEP Improvement Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Small Business Administration's (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program, which provides foreign trade assistance to small businesses, and it revises provisions related to the administration of the program. Specifically, the SBA must establish a time frame for, and provide certain information related to, the application process, and it must conduct an annual survey to solicit feedback on the program. The SBA must collect data on certain performance metrics such as the (1) total number of small businesses assisted by the program, (2) total dollar amount of export sales by participating small businesses, and (3) number of small businesses that have created new jobs through their participation in the program. The bill also requires applicants for participation to include a budget plan that outlines their intended use of funds awarded under the program.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html January 25, 2023

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Small Business Act to enhance the State Trade Expansion Program by adding application requirements, survey mandates, performance metrics, and extending the authorization of appropriations.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)

  , including a budget plan for use of funds awarded under this subsection

  This requires applicants to include a budget plan when applying for grants.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)

  Timing.--The Associate Administrator shall-- (I) publish information on how to apply for a grant under this subsection, including specific calculations and other determinations used to award such a grant, not later than March 31 of each year; (II) establish a deadline for the submission of applications that is not earlier than 60 days after the date on which the information is published under subclause (I) and that is not later than May 31; and (III) announce grant recipients not later than August 31 of each year.

  This sets specific timelines for grant application and announcement processes.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)

  Application information.--The Associate Administrator shall clearly communicate to applicants and grant recipients any information about the State Trade Expansion Program, including-- (i) for each unsuccessful applicant for a grant awarded under this subsection, recommendations to improve a subsequent application for such a grant; and (ii) for each successful applicant for such a grant, an explanation for the amount awarded, if different from the amount requested in the application.

  This mandates communication of feedback to both successful and unsuccessful grant applicants.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)(3)

  Budget plan revisions.-- (i) In general.--A State receiving a grant under this subsection may revise the budget plan of the State submitted under subparagraph (D) after the disbursal of grant funds if-- (I) the revision complies with allowable uses of grant funds under this subsection; and (II) such State submits notification of the revision to the Associate Administrator. (ii) Exception.--If a revision under clause (i) reallocates 10 percent or more of the amounts described in the budget plan of the State submitted under subparagraph (D), the State may not implement the revised budget plan without the approval of the Associate Administrator, unless the Associate Administrator fails to approve or deny the revised plan within 20 days after receipt of such revised plan.

  This allows states to revise their budget plans after receiving funds, subject to notification and conditions.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)

  Survey.--The Associate Administrator shall conduct an annual survey of each State that received a grant under this subsection during the preceding year to solicit feedback on the program and develop best practices for grantees.

  This requires an annual survey to gather feedback and best practices from states receiving grants.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)(8)(B)

  The total number of eligible small business concerns assisted by the program → the total number of eligible small business concerns assisted by the program (disaggregated by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by women, and rural small business concerns)

  This change mandates the disaggregation of data on assisted small business concerns by demographic factors.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)(8)(B)

  an analysis of the performance metrics described in clause (iii), including a determination of whether or not any goals relating to such performance metrics were met, and an analysis of the survey described in paragraph (7);

  This requires an annual report to include an analysis of performance metrics and survey results.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)(10)

  fiscal years 2016 through 2020 → fiscal years 2024 through 2028

  This extends the authorization of appropriations for the program to fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

• 15 U.S.C. 649(l)(1)(A)

  clause (iv)

  This removes a clause from the definition of eligible small business concerns.

Action History

1. January 25, 2023

   Introduced in Senate

2. January 25, 2023

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

Sponsors

• Jeanne Shaheen · Primary

Subjects