White House Conference on Small Business Act

(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #163 (398-5))

=Title I: Authorizations and Miscellaneous Amendments= - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize appropriations for specified programs and expenses of the Small Business Administration. States that all appropriations, whether specifically or generally authorized, shall remain available until expended.

Authorizes the Administration to make disaster loans available to small business concerns affected by a shortage of energy-producing resources caused by a strike, boycott, or embargo unless such strike, boycott or embargo is directly against such small business concern.

Makes specified low-interest loans available under the Small Business Act until October 1, 1982, for the relief of small business concerns affected by disaster occurring on or after October 1, 1978. Provides loans bearing interest at three percent for amounts not exceeding $55,000, for the repair or replacement of a principal residence or personal property. Makes the following disaster loans available under the Small Business Act and the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act: (1) loans bearing interest at three percent on amounts for the repair or replacement of property damaged or destroyed if the applicant is unable to obtain sufficient credit elsewhere; and (2) loans bearing interest at the current average market yield on outstanding marketable obligations of the United States with remaining periods to maturity comparable to the average maturities of such loans, plus not to exceed one percent if the applicant is able to obtain credit elsewhere. Stipulates that the total amount outstanding and committed to any one borrower shall not exceed $500,000 unless the applicant constitutes a major source of employment in a disaster area and is no longer in substantial operation due to the disaster.

States that no provision of this Act shall be construed to adversely affect the interest of an applicant who has had a disaster loan approved prior to the effective date of this Act.

Amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to repeal the authority of the Administration to invest sums from the revolving fund for surety bond guarantees in Treasury bonds, obligations, and other guaranteed debt securities. Authorizes such investments from the revolving fund for qualified contract guarantees.

Places a $500,000 limit on product disaster loan assistance to small business concerns unable to market their products because of disease or toxicity occurring from other than natural causes.

Includes Asian Pacific Americans among the disadvantaged groups entitled to preferences in the performance of contracts let by Federal agencies under the Minority Business Development Program.

=Title II: Small Business Development Centers= - Authorizes the Small Business Administration to make grants to States, State agencies, regional entities, State-chartered development credit corporations, and institutions of higher learning to assist in establishing Small Business Development Centers. Requires such grants to be matched in equal amounts by funds from non-Federal sources. Establishes additional restrictions on such grants for fiscal years 1979 through 1982.

States that Small Business Development Centers shall have a full-time staff, business and technology analysts, information and professional specialists, and access to laboratory and engineering facilities. Requires such Centers to provide small businesses with business and technology counseling, information on government regulations, library services, and comprehensive studies and surveys.

Directs federally funded laboratories and innovation centers to cooperate with the Small Business Development Centers.

Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to appoint, after the end of fiscal year 1979, a Deputy Associate Administrator for Management and Technical Assistance to administer the Small Business Development Center program.

Establishes a National Small Business Development Center Advisory Board consisting of nine civilian members. Sets forth provisions governing the appointment of members, a chairman, meetings, and compensation of the Board.

Directs the Small Business Administration to conduct an evaluation of the Development Center program and to submit a report to the appropriate committees of Congress within three years.

=Title III: White House Conference on Small Business= - White House Conference on Small Business Act- Directs the President to convene a White House Conference on Small Business by June 30, 1980, to identify the problems of small business concerns and to make recommendations for executive and legislative action. Requires the Conference to submit a report to the President and the Congress within one year of the date it convenes.

Requires the Small Business Administration to report to the Congress within three years on the status and implementation of the findings and recommendations of the Conference.

Makes such sums as are appropriated to carry out the provisions of this Act available until expended.

Declares that no provision of this title shall be construed as authorizing additional appropriations for fiscal year 1979.