United States 115th Congress Status: In Committee 3 D cosponsors

S 929 — Invest in Rural Small Business Act of 2017

Last action — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 197.

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Summary

Invest in Rural Small Business Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to modify the definition of qualified Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business concern to reduce from 35% to 33% the number of a small firm's employees required to live within a HUBZone. (Sec. 3) The HUBZone program is expanded to include a qualified area located outside of an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or less (covered area) designated by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in response to a petition by the governor of a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory. The SBA may designate, in response to a governor's petition, only a covered area for which the designation is sought that has an average unemployment rate at least 120% of the average U.S. or state unemployment rate, whichever is less. In reviewing such petition, the SBA may consider: the potential for job creation and investment; the demonstrated interest of small business concerns in the covered area to participate in such HUBZone program; and the consideration by state and local government officials of a HUBZone as part of an economic development strategy. The governor: is limited to submitting one petition in a fiscal year unless the SBA determines that an additional petition from the governor's state is appropriate; may not submit a petition for more than 10% of the total number of covered areas in the state; and shall at least annually submit data to the SBA certifying that each covered area designated continues to meet the requirements of this bill. The SBA shall establish procedures to ensure that it accepts petitions from all states each fiscal year and gives an interested governor technical assistance before a petition is filed. (Sec. 4) The SBA must approve or deny, within 60 days upon receipt, a small business concern's application for certification as a qualified HUBZone small business concern.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

21 added · 12 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment includes additional language clarifying that the designation for covered areas must continue to meet the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(A) in relation to the HUBZone program. This change emphasizes the ongoing eligibility criteria for areas designated under the program. As a result, the regulations regarding qualifications for HUBZone designation are reinforced, ensuring that areas must still meet specific unemployment rate criteria based on updated data.

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Latest
929 Introduced in Senate (IS)] <DOC> 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
929 Reported in Senate (RS)] <DOC> Calendar No.
197 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
Shaheen introduced the following bill;
Shaheen (for herself, Mr.
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To improve the HUBZone program.
Brown, and Ms.
Duckworth) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship August 2, 2017 Reported by Mr.
Risch, with amendments [Omit the part struck through and insert the part printed in italic] _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To improve the HUBZone program.
``(2) Designation.--A governor may petition the Administrator to designate one or more covered areas as a HUBZone if the average unemployment rate of each covered area is not less than 120 percent of the average unemployment rate of the United States or of the State in which the covered area is located, whichever is less, based on the most recent data available from the American Community Survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census.
``(2) Designation.--A governor may petition the Administrator to designate one or more covered areas as a HUBZone if the average unemployment rate of each covered area for which the designation is sought is not less than 120 percent of the average unemployment rate of the United States or of the State in which the covered area is located, whichever is less, based on the most recent data available from the American Community Survey conducted by the Bureau of the Census.
``(B) the demonstrated interest of small business concerns in the covered area to participate in the HUBZone program established under section 31;
``(B) the demonstrated interest of small business concerns in the covered area to participate in the HUBZone program established under this section 31;
and ``(C) if the Administrator grants the petition and designates one or more covered areas as a HUBZone, the governor shall, not less frequently than annually, submit data to the Administrator certifying that each covered area continues to meet the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(A).
and ``(C) if the Administrator grants the petition and designates one or more covered areas as a HUBZone, the governor shall, not less frequently than annually, submit data to the Administrator certifying that each covered area designated by the Administrator continues to meet the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(A).
<all>
Calendar No.
197 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S.
929 _______________________________________________________________________ A BILL To improve the HUBZone program.
_______________________________________________________________________ August 2, 2017 Reported with amendments
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How this bill changes current law

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

The bill modifies the HUBZone program to adjust residency requirements and allows for additional geographic areas to be designated as HUBZones.

  • 15 U.S.C. 632(p)(5)(A)(i)(I)

    35 percent → 33 percent

    The percentage threshold for residency in HUBZones is lowered from 35 percent to 33 percent.

  • 15 U.S.C. 632(p)(1)

    (F) another qualified area designated by the Administrator under section 31(d); or

    An additional type of qualified area may be designated under the HUBZone program.

  • 15 U.S.C. 657a

    Other Qualified Areas.-- (1) Definitions.--In this subsection-- (A) the term `covered area' means an area in a State-- (i) that is located outside of an urbanized area, as determined by the Bureau of the Census; and (ii) with a population of not more than 50,000; ... (5) Process.--The Administrator shall establish procedures-- (A) to ensure that the Administration accepts petitions under paragraph (2) from all States each fiscal year; and (B) to provide technical assistance, before the filing of a petition under paragraph (2), to a governor who is interested in filing such a petition.

    Defines 'covered areas' and establishes a process for governors to petition for additional areas to be designated as HUBZones.

  • 15 U.S.C. 632(p)(5)

    (C) Review of applications.--Not later than 60 days after the date on which the Administrator receives an application from a small business concern to be certified as a qualified HUBZone small business concern under subparagraph (A)(i), the Administrator shall approve or deny the application.

    Establishes a timeline for the HUBZone application review process, requiring decisions within 60 days.

Action History

  1. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

  2. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Risch with amendments. Without written report.

  3. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Risch with amendments. Without written report.

  4. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 197.

  5. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-58.

  6. Introduced in Senate

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

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 544 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (2)

Not signed on (544)

544 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

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Frequently asked questions

What does S 929 do?
Invest in Rural Small Business Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the Small Business Act to modify the definition of qualified Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business concern to reduce from 35% to 33% the number of a small firm's employees required to live within a HUBZone. (Sec. 3) The HUBZone program is expanded to include a qualified area located outside of an urbanized area with a population of 50,000 or less (covered area) designated by the Small Business Administration (SBA) in response to a petition by the governor of a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory. The SBA may designate, in response to a governor's petition, only a covered area for which the designation is sought that has an average unemployment rate at least 120% of the average U.S. or state unemployment rate, whichever is less. In reviewing such petition, the SBA may consider: the potential for job creation and investment; the demonstrated interest of small business concerns in the covered area to participate in such HUBZone program; and the consideration by state and local government officials of a HUBZone as part of an economic development strategy. The governor: is limited to submitting one petition in a fiscal year unless the SBA determines that an additional petition from the governor's state is appropriate; may not submit a petition for more than 10% of the total number of covered areas in the state; and shall at least annually submit data to the SBA certifying that each covered area designated continues to meet the requirements of this bill. The SBA shall establish procedures to ensure that it accepts petitions from all states each fiscal year and gives an interested governor technical assistance before a petition is filed. (Sec. 4) The SBA must approve or deny, within 60 days upon receipt, a small business concern's application for certification as a qualified HUBZone small business concern.
Who sponsors S 929?
S 929 is sponsored by Brown, Sherrod (Democratic), Duckworth, Tammy (Democratic), and Shaheen, Jeanne (Democratic).
What is the current status of S 929?
This bill died with 115th Congress. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track S 929?
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