Small Business Development Center Improvement Act of 1984

(Conference report filed in House, H. Rept. 98-955) Small Business Development Center Improvement Act of 1984 - Amends the Small Business Act to require that the term for grants under the Small Business Development Center program be based upon a calendar year or coincide with the Federal fiscal year. Provides that such program, pursuant to a negotiated cooperative agreement between the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the applicant, shall deliver assistance to the small business community under the management and oversight of the SBA. Requires as a condition to the award of any grant to assist in the establishment of small business development centers, that a matching amount equal to the grant amount be provided by non-Federal sources and be comprised of not less than 50 percent cash and not more than 50 percent of indirect costs and in-kind contributions. Provides for the continuation of financial assistance to establish small business development centers under the Small Business Development Center program. Requires the facilities and staff of each small business development center to be located in such places as to provide maximum accessibility and benefits to small businesses. Requires such centers to have a full-time director who shall have the authority to make expenditures under the center's budget. Authorizes and directs the National Science Foundation to cooperate with the SBA and with small business development centers in developing and establishing programs to support such centers. Requires the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board to meet at least semiannually and at the call of the Chairman of the Board. (Currently, the Board is required to meet quarterly.) Requires each small business development center to establish an advisory board. Requires the SBA, within six months of the date of enactment of this Act, to develop and implement a program for onsite evaluation of each small business development center. Requires such evaluation to be conducted at least once every two years (currently, such evaluations are conducted annually) and to provide for the participation of a representative of at least one other small business development center on a cost-reimbursement basis. Authorizes appropriations for FY 1985 and 1986 and every year thereafter for: (1) the small business development center program; (2) expenses of the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board; and (3) reimbursement to small business development centers for participation in the evaluations of such centers. Extends the Small Business Development Center program through October 1, 1990. Prohibits the SBA from funding any small business development center except as authorized by this Act.

(Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 5334) Small Business Development Center Improvement Act of 1984 - Amends the Small Business Act to require that the term for grants under the Small Business Development Center program be based upon a calendar year or coincide with the Federal fiscal year. Provides that, with respect to the requirement that indirect costs or in-kind contributions paid for by a Federal program shall not be included in any matching non-Federal additional amount, salaries paid by a grant applicant shall not be treated as other than in-kind contributions unless paid to full-time employees or to other than full-time employees if such amount does not exceed the aggregate amount paid to full-time employees. Provides for the continuation of financial assistance to establish small business development centers under the Small Business Development Center program. Repeals the requirement that an applicant to assist small businesses obtain approval of an area plan by the Small Business Administration (SBA) when applying for assistance under the program. Provides that such applicants must consult with the SBA when providing assistance to small businesses. Requires that each small business development intake center and intake subcenter: (1) have a full-time staff; and (2) to the extent practicable be located in an easily accessible facility in order to provide maximum benefits to small businesses. Requires the SBA to develop a program for a biannual onsite evaluation measuring the effectiveness of each small business development center. (Under current law such evaluations are conducted annually.) Requires the SBA's program proposal to be submitted to the Committee on Small Business of both Houses by January 31, 1985. Provides that, in lieu of the current contract, the SBA may study the development of an in-house computer system to provide a management information system for the Small Business Development Center program. Requires that any such change shall not occur prior to October 1, 1986, nor until such time as the SBA evaluates the cost effectiveness and need of such change and reports to the appropriate congressional committees. Authorizes appropriations for: (1) the Small Business Development Center program, but not to exceed specified annual levels; (2) expenses of the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board; (3) the data base for the Small Business Development Center program; and (4) cost reimbursement to small business development centers for participation in program evaluations. Extends the Small Business Development Center program through October 1, 1988.

(Measure passed Senate, amended) Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to establish small business development centers and for small business development and research programs. (Under current law, the SBA is authorized to make grants to assist in the establishment of such centers.) Requires as a condition to the award of such a grant that a matching amount equal to the grant amount be provided by non-Federal sources and be comprised of not less than 50 percent cash and not more than 50 percent of indirect costs and in-kind contributions. Eliminates the time restrictions on the prohibition on the provision of financial assistance to any applicant where the approval of such assistance would be inconsistent with the plan, approved under the small business development center program, for the State involved. (Under current law, such prohibition applies during FY 1981, 1982, and 1983.) Requires that the facilities and staff of each small business development center be located so as to provide maximum accessibility and benefits to the small businesses which the center is intended to serve. Requires a small business development center to have a staff director whose sole responsibilities are to manage the program activities and provide services to the program. Directs the National Science Foundation to cooperate with the SBA in developing and establishing programs to support small business development centers. Requires the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board to meet at least semiannually. (Under current law the Board must meet at least quarterly.) Requires each small business development center to establish an advisory board. (Under current law, each such center may establish such a board.) Eliminates the requirement that the SBA establish a plan for the evaluation of the small business development center program. Authorizes appropriations for the small business development center program for FY 1985 through 1987.

(Reported to Senate from the Committee on Small Business with amendment, S. Rept. 98-309) Amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to establish small business development centers and for small business development and research programs. (Under current law, the SBA is authorized to make grants to assist in the establishment of such centers.) Requires as a condition to the award of such a grant that a matching amount equal to the grant amount be provided by non-Federal sources and be comprised of not less than 50 percent cash and not more than 50 percent of indirect costs and in-kind contributions. Eliminates the time restrictions on the prohibition on the provision of financial assistance to any applicant where the approval of such assistance would be inconsistent with the plan, approved under the small business development center program, for the State involved. (Under current law, such prohibition applies during FY 1981, 1982, and 1983.) Requires that the facilities and staff of each small business development center be located so as to provide maximum accessibility and benefits to the small businesses which the center is intended to serve. Requires a small business development center to have a staff director whose sole responsibilities are to manage the program activities and provide services to the program. Directs the National Science Foundation to cooperate with the SBA in developing and establishing programs to support small business development centers. Requires the National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board to meet at least semiannually. (Under current law the Board must meet at least quarterly.) Requires each small business development center to establish an advisory board. (Under current law, each such center may establish such a board.) Eliminates the requirement that the SBA establish a plan for the evaluation of the small business development center program. Authorizes appropriations for the small business development center program for FY 1984 through 1987.

Amends the Small Business Act to provide for the continuation of financial assistance to establish small business development centers under the Small Business Development Center program.