S.Amdt. 6169

This amendment, submitted by Mrs. Shaheen, aims to update and add specific requirements to the State Trade Expansion Program within the Small Business Act. Its purpose is to create more transparency, streamline the application process, and improve how the program is managed and reported.

Key changes include:

• Application and Timing: It requires the Associate Administrator to publish application info by March 31 each year, set specific deadlines for submissions, and announce grant recipients by September 30 (or within 210 days if appropriations are delayed). It also calls for a "concise application" to reduce duplicative materials.

• Communication and Feedback: The amendment mandates that the government provide recommendations to unsuccessful applicants and explain funding amounts to successful ones if they differ significantly from the request. It also requires a dedicated website for up-to-date program information.

• Budget and Management: States can revise their budget plans, though revisions reallocating 10 percent or more of funds require approval from the Associate Administrator.

• Accountability and Reporting:

  • The Associate Administrator must conduct an annual survey of grant-receiving States to develop best practices.
  • New performance metrics must be collected, including total export sales, new jobs created, and the number of small businesses accessing new markets, with data disaggregated by women-owned, rural, and socially and economically disadvantaged concerns.
  • Monthly obligation reports must be submitted to specific House and Senate committees.
  • Reimbursement requests must be processed in a timely manner, with notifications sent if processing takes longer than 21 days.

• Program Expansion and Funding: It expands the definition of eligible small business concerns and authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

• Congressional Oversight: The Associate Administrator must submit a report to Congress within one year detailing the processes for reviewing budget plans, selecting grantees, and streamlining reporting.