Section 1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Women’s Business Centers Improvement Act of 2026.

Sec. 2. Amendments to Women’s Business Center Program

Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656) is amended to read as follows:

29. Women’s Business Center Program

(a) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Assistant Administrator

The term Assistant Administrator means the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women’s Business Ownership established under subsection (k).

(2) Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—

(A)

an organization described in section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code;

(B)

a State, regional, or local economic development organization, if the organization certifies that grant funds received under this section will not be commingled with other funds;

(C)

an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965), unless such institution has received a grant under section 21;

(D)

a development, credit, or finance corporation chartered by a State, if such corporation certifies that grant funds received under this section will not be commingled with other funds; or

(E)

an entity that is a combination of entities listed in subparagraphs (A) through (D).

(3) Resource partners

The term resource partners means small business development centers, chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (established under section 8(b)(1)(B)), and Veteran Business Outreach Centers (described under section 32).

(4) Small business concern owned and controlled by women

The term small business concern owned and controlled by women has the meaning given under section 3(n).

(5) State

The term State means each State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.

(6) Women’s business center

The term women’s business center means an entity operated by an eligible entity that provides entrepreneurial counseling and training to small business concerns owned and controlled by women and to women entrepreneurs.

(7) Women’s Business Center Association

The term Women’s Business Center Association means a membership organization formed by women’s business centers to pursue matters of common concern.

(b) Authority

(1) Establishment

There is established a program to be known as the Women’s Business Center Program under which the Administrator may enter into a cooperative agreement with an eligible entity to provide a grant to such eligible entity to operate one or more women’s business centers.

(2) Women’s business center requirements

A women’s business center established using funds made available under this section shall be designed to provide entrepreneurial counseling and training that meets the particular needs of small business concerns owned and controlled by women, especially such concerns owned and controlled by women who are socially and economically disadvantaged, and of women entrepreneurs, and shall provide—

(A)

counseling and training on how to form and develop a business;

(B)

financial assistance, including counseling and training on how to—

(i)

apply for and secure business credit and investment capital;

(ii)

prepare and present financial statements; and

(iii)

manage cash flow and other financial operations of a small business concern;

(C)

management assistance, including counseling and training on how to plan, organize, staff, direct, and control each major activity and function of a small business concern;

(D)

marketing assistance, including counseling and training on how to—

(i)

identify and segment domestic and international market opportunities;

(ii)

prepare and execute marketing plans;

(iii)

develop pricing strategies;

(iv)

locate contract opportunities;

(v)

negotiate contracts; and

(vi)

use various public relations and advertising techniques; and

(E)

other services, as determined by the Administrator.

(3) Types of grants

(A) Initial grant

The amount of an initial grant, which shall be for a 5-year term, provided under this subsection to an eligible entity shall be not more than $300,000 annually (as such amount is annually adjusted by the Administrator to reflect the change in inflation).

(B) Continuation grants

The Administrator may award a continuation grant, which shall be for a 5-year term beginning on the day after the last date of the initial grant term, of not more than $300,000 annually (as such amount is annually adjusted by the Administrator to reflect the change in inflation) to an eligible entity that received an initial grant under subparagraph (A). There shall be no limitation on the number of continuation grants an eligible entity may receive under this section.

(c) Application

(1) Initial grants and continuation grants

To receive an initial grant or continuation grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Administrator in such form, in such manner, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including—

(A)

a certification that the eligible entity—

(i)

has designated an executive director or program manager, who may be compensated using grant funds awarded under this section or other sources, to manage each women’s business center for which a grant under subsection (b) is sought; and

(ii)

meets accounting and reporting requirements established by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget;

(B)

information demonstrating the experience and effectiveness of the eligible entity in—

(i)

providing entrepreneurial counseling and training described under subsection (b)(2);

(ii)

providing training and services to a representative number of women who are socially and economically disadvantaged; and

(iii)

working with resource partners, offices of the Administration, and other entities; and

(C)

a 5-year plan that—

(i)

includes information relating to the assistance to be provided by each women’s business center in the area in which each such center is located;

(ii)

describes the ability of the eligible entity to meet the needs of the market to be served by a women’s business center;

(iii)

describes the ability of the eligible entity to obtain the matching funds required under subsection (e); and

(iv)

describes the ability of the eligible entity to provide entrepreneurial counseling and training described under subsection (b)(2), including to a representative number of women who are socially and economically disadvantaged.

(2) Record retention

(A) In general

The Administrator shall maintain a copy of each application submitted under this subsection for not less than 5 years.

(B) Paperwork reduction

The Administrator shall take steps to reduce, to the maximum extent practicable, the paperwork burden associated with carrying out subparagraph (A).

(d) Selection of eligible entities

In selecting recipients of initial grants, the Administrator shall consider—

(1)

the experience of the applicant in providing entrepreneurial counseling and training;

(2)

the amount of time needed for the applicant to commence operation of a women’s business center (if applicable);

(3)

the capacity of the applicant to meet the accreditation standards established under subsection (k)(4) in a timely manner;

(4)

the ability of the applicant to sustain operations, including the applicant’s ability to obtain matching funds under subsection (e), for the 5-year period of such initial grant;

(5)

the location of a women’s business center to be operated by the applicant and the location’s proximity to resource partners;

(6)

the population density of the area to be served by the women’s business center operated by the applicant; and

(7)

areas with a lack of services for small business concerns owned and controlled by women who are socially and economically disadvantaged.

(e) Matching requirements

(1) In general

Subject to paragraph (6), upon approval of an application submitted under subsection (c), the eligible entity shall agree to obtain contributions from non-Federal sources—

(A)

in the first and second year of the term of an initial grant, if applicable, 1 non-Federal dollar for every 2 Federal dollars; and

(B)

in each subsequent year of the term of an initial grant, if applicable, or for the term of a continuation grant, 1 non-Federal dollar for each Federal dollar.

(2) Form of matching funds

Not more than one-half of non-Federal matching funds described under paragraph (1) may be in the form of in-kind contributions that are budget line items only, including office equipment and office space.

(3) Solicitation

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an eligible entity may—

(A)

solicit cash and in-kind contributions from private individuals and entities to be used to operate a women’s business center; and

(B)

use amounts made available by the Administrator under this section for the cost of such solicitation and management of the contributions received.

(4) Advance disbursement of funds

The Administrator may disburse an amount not greater than 25 percent of the total amount of a grant awarded to an eligible entity before such eligible entity obtains the matching funds described under paragraph (1).

(5) Additional requirements

(A) Initial grants

If an eligible entity fails to obtain the required matching funds described under paragraph (1), the eligible entity may not be eligible to receive advance disbursements pursuant to paragraph (4) during the remainder of the term, if applicable, of an initial grant awarded under this section.

(B) Continuation grants

Before approving such eligible entity for a continuation grant under this section, the Administrator shall make a written determination, including the reasons for such determination, of whether the Administrator believes that the eligible entity will be able to obtain the requisite matching funding under paragraph (1) for such continuation grant.

(6) Waiver of non-Federal share

(A) In general

Upon request by an eligible entity and in accordance with this paragraph, the Administrator may waive, in whole or in part, the requirement to obtain matching funds under paragraph (1) for a grant awarded under this section for the eligible entity for a 1-year term of the grant.

(B) Considerations

In determining whether to issue a waiver under this paragraph, the Administrator shall consider—

(i)

the economic conditions affecting the eligible entity;

(ii)

the demonstrated ability of the eligible entity to obtain non-Federal funds; and

(iii)

the performance of the eligible entity under the initial grant.

(C) Limitation

The Administrator may not issue a waiver under this paragraph if the Administrator determines that granting the waiver would undermine the credibility of the Women’s Business Center Program.

(7) Excess non-Federal dollars

The amount of non-Federal dollars obtained by an eligible entity that is greater than the amount that is required to be obtained by the eligible entity under this subsection shall not be subject to the requirements of part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto, if such amount of non-Federal dollars—

(A)

is not used as matching funds for purposes of implementing the Women’s Business Center Program; and

(B)

was not obtained by using funds granted under the Women’s Business Center Program.

(8) Carryover

An eligible entity may use excess non-Federal dollars described in paragraph (7) to satisfy the matching funds requirement under paragraph (1) for a subsequent 1-year grant term, if applicable, except that such excess non-Federal dollars shall be subject to the requirements of part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto.

(f) Other requirements

(1) Separation of funds

An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall—

(A)

operate a women’s business center under this section separately from other projects, if any, of the eligible entity; and

(B)

separately maintain and account for any grant funds received under this section.

(2) Examination of eligible entities

(A) Required site visit

Before receiving an initial grant under this section, each applicant shall have a site visit by an employee of the Administration, in order to ensure that the applicant has sufficient resources to provide the services for which the grant is being provided.

(B) Annual review

An employee of the Administration shall—

(i)

conduct an annual programmatic and financial examination of each eligible entity, as described in subsection (g); and

(ii)

provide the results of such examination to the eligible entity.

(3) Remediation of problems

(A) Plan of action

If an examination of an eligible entity conducted under paragraph (2)(B) identifies any problems, the eligible entity shall, within 45 calendar days of receiving a copy of the results of such examination, provide the Assistant Administrator with a plan of action, including specific milestones, for correcting such problems.

(B) Plan of action review by the Assistant Administrator

The Assistant Administrator shall review each plan of action submitted under subparagraph (A) within 30 calendar days after receipt of such plan. If the Assistant Administrator determines that such plan—

(i)

will bring the eligible entity into compliance with all the terms of a cooperative agreement described in subsection (b), the Assistant Administrator shall approve such plan; or

(ii)

is inadequate to remedy the problems identified in the annual examination to which the plan of action relates, the Assistant Administrator shall set forth such reasons in writing and provide such determination to the eligible entity within 15 calendar days of such determination.

(C) Amendment to plan of action

An eligible entity receiving a determination under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall have 30 calendar days from the receipt of the determination to amend the plan of action to remedy the problems identified by the Assistant Administrator and resubmit such plan to the Assistant Administrator.

(D) Amended plan review by the Assistant Administrator

Within 15 calendar days of the receipt of an amended plan of action under subparagraph (C), the Assistant Administrator shall either approve or reject such plan and provide such approval or rejection in writing to the eligible entity.

(E) Appeal of Assistant Administrator determination

(i) In general

If the Assistant Administrator rejects an amended plan under subparagraph (D), the eligible entity shall have the opportunity to appeal such decision to the Administrator, who may delegate such appeal to an appropriate officer of the Administration.

(ii) Opportunity for explanation

Any appeal described under clause (i) shall provide an opportunity for the eligible entity to provide, in writing, an explanation of why the eligible entity’s amended plan remedies the problems identified in the annual examination conducted under paragraph (2)(B).

(iii) Notice of determination

The Administrator shall provide to the eligible entity a determination of the appeal, in writing, not later than 15 calendar days after the eligible entity files an appeal under this subparagraph.

(iv) Effect of failure to act

If the Administrator fails to act on an appeal made under this subparagraph within the 15-day period specified under clause (iii), the eligible entity’s amended plan of action submitted under subparagraph (C) shall be deemed to be approved.

(4) Termination of grant

(A) In general

The Administrator shall terminate a grant to an eligible entity under this section if the eligible entity fails to comply with—

(i)

a plan of action approved by the Assistant Administrator under paragraph (3)(B)(i); or

(ii)

an amended plan of action approved by the Assistant Administrator under paragraph (3)(D) or approved on appeal under paragraph (3)(E).

(B) Appeal of termination

An eligible entity shall have the opportunity to challenge the termination of a grant under subparagraph (A) on the record and after an opportunity for a hearing.

(C) Final agency action

A determination made pursuant to subparagraph (B) shall be considered final agency action for the purposes of chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code.

(5) Consultation with majority Women’s Business Center Association

If on the date of the enactment of this subsection, a majority of women’s business centers that are operating pursuant to agreements with the Administration are members of an individual Women’s Business Center Association, the Administrator shall—

(A)

recognize the existence and activities of such Association; and

(B)

consult with the Association on the development of documents with respect to—

(i)

announcing the annual scope of activities pursuant to this section;

(ii)

requesting proposals to deliver assistance as provided in this section; and

(iii)

governing the general operations and administration of women’s business centers, specifically including the development of regulations and a uniform negotiated cooperative agreement for use on an annual basis when entering into individual cooperative agreements with women’s business centers.

(6) Enforcement

(A) Grants

The Assistant Administrator shall develop policies and procedures to minimize the possibility of awarding a grant to an eligible entity that will operate a women’s business center that likely will not remain in compliance with program and financial requirements.

(B) Individual cooperative agreements

The Assistant Administrator shall enforce the terms of any individual cooperative agreement described in paragraph (5)(B)(iii).

(g) Program examination

(1) In general

The Administrator shall—

(A)

develop and implement an annual programmatic and financial examination of each eligible entity receiving a grant under this section, under which each such eligible entity shall provide to the Administration—

(i)

an itemized cost breakdown of actual expenditures for costs incurred during the preceding year relating to activities funded by a grant under this section; and

(ii)

documentation regarding the amount of matching assistance from non-Federal sources obtained and expended by the eligible entity during the preceding year in order to meet the requirements of subsection (e) and, with respect to any in-kind contributions described in subsection (e)(2) that were used to satisfy the requirements of subsection (e), verification of the existence and valuation of those contributions; and

(B)

analyze the results of each such examination and, based on that analysis, make a determination regarding the programmatic and financial viability of each women’s business center operated by the eligible entity.

(2) Conditions for continued funding

In determining whether to award a continuation grant to an eligible entity, the Administrator—

(A)

shall consider the results of the most recent examination of the eligible entity under paragraph (1);

(B)

shall determine if—

(i)

the eligible entity has failed to provide, or provided inadequate, information under paragraph (1)(A); or

(ii)

the eligible entity has failed to provide any information required to be provided for purposes of the report required under subsection (m)(1), or the information provided is inadequate; and

(C)

shall consider the accreditation status as described in subsection (k)(4).

(3) Accreditation requirement

After the end of the 2-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Administration may not award a continuation grant under this section unless the applicable eligible entity has been approved under the accreditation program conducted pursuant to subsection (k), except that the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership may waive such accreditation requirement upon a showing that the eligible entity is making a good faith effort to obtain accreditation.

(4) Additional oversight

The Assistant Administrator shall work with the Women’s Business Center Association recognized under subsection (f)(5) (as applicable) to develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures for conducting financial examinations under this subsection and to maintain internal controls that ensure that such financial examinations are conducted properly.

(h) Rulemaking

(1) In general

The Administrator may only make a change to the rules or standards of the Women’s Business Center Program, including such rules or standards relating to how an eligible entity obtains or maintains grants under this section, the standards for accreditation, or any other requirement for the operation of a women’s business center, if the Administrator first provides notice and the opportunity for public comment, as set forth in section 553(b) of title 5, United States Code, without regard to any exceptions provided for under such section.

(2) Rule of construction

Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to prohibit the Administrator from modifying the rules or standards of the Women’s Business Center Program, after providing an opportunity for notice and comment, as such rules and standards apply to an opportunity under the Women’s Business Center Program that the Administrator has not yet publicly announced pursuant to subsection (l)(1).

(i) Additional requirements

(1) Eligibility for other Federal awards

An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section may enter into a contract with a Federal department or agency to provide specific assistance to small business concerns owned and controlled by women, if performance of such a contract does not hinder the ability of the eligible entity to carry out the terms of a grant received under this section.

(2) Written notice

The Administrator shall not suspend, terminate, or fail to renew or extend any cooperative agreement entered into under this section unless the Administrator provides the applicant with written notification setting forth the reasons therefore and affords the applicant an opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or other administrative proceeding under chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code.

(j) Privacy requirements

(1) In general

A women’s business center or an eligible entity may not disclose the name, address, telephone number, or email address of any individual or small business concern receiving assistance under this section, or the nature of content of such assistance, to any State, local, or Federal agency, or to any third party, without the consent of such individual or small business concern, unless—

(A)

the Administrator orders such disclosure after the Administrator is ordered to make such a disclosure by a court in any civil or criminal enforcement action initiated by a Federal or State agency; or

(B)

the Administrator considers such a disclosure to be necessary for the purpose of conducting a financial audit of a women’s business center, except that such a disclosure shall be limited to the information necessary for such audit.

(2) Administration use of information

This subsection shall not—

(A)

restrict Administration access to deidentified data on women’s business centers; or

(B)

prevent the Administration from using information about individuals who, or concerns that, use women’s business centers to conduct surveys of such individuals or concerns.

(k) Office of Women’s Business Ownership

(1) Establishment

There is established within the Administration an Office of Women’s Business Ownership, which shall be responsible for the administration of the Administration’s programs for the development of women’s business enterprises (as defined in section 408 of the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988). The Office of Women’s Business Ownership shall be administered by an Assistant Administrator, who shall be appointed by the Administrator.

(2) Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women’s Business Ownership

(A) Qualification

The position of Assistant Administrator shall be a Senior Executive Service position under section 3132(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code. The Assistant Administrator shall serve as a noncareer appointee (as defined in section 3132(a)(7) of that title).

(B) Duties

The Assistant Administrator shall administer the programs and services of the Office of Women’s Business Ownership and perform the following functions:

(i)

Recommend the annual administrative and program budgets of the Office and eligible entities receiving a grant under the Women’s Business Center Program.

(ii)

Review the annual budgets submitted by each eligible entity receiving a grant under the Women’s Business Center Program, as required under standard operating procedures of the Administration.

(iii)

Collaborate with other Federal departments and agencies, State and local governments, not-for-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations to maximize utilization of taxpayer dollars and reduce (or eliminate) any duplication among the programs administered by the Office of Women’s Business Ownership and those of other entities that provide similar services to women entrepreneurs.

(iv)

Maintain a clearinghouse to provide for the dissemination and exchange of information between women’s business centers.

(v)

Serve as the vice chairperson of the Interagency Committee on Women’s Business Enterprise and as the liaison for the National Women’s Business Council.

(3) Mission

The mission of the Office of Women’s Business Ownership shall be to assist women entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses and compete in global markets by providing quality support with access to capital, access to markets, job creation, growth, and counseling by—

(A)

fostering participation of women entrepreneurs in the economy by overseeing a network of women’s business centers throughout the States;

(B)

creating public-private partnerships to support women entrepreneurs and conduct outreach and education to small business concerns owned and controlled by women; and

(C)

working with other programs of the Administration to—

(i)

ensure women are well-represented in those programs and being served by those programs; and

(ii)

identify gaps where participation by women in those programs could be increased.

(4) Accreditation program

(A) Establishment

Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Assistant Administrator for the Office of Women’s Business Ownership shall publish standards for a program to accredit eligible entities that receive a grant under this section.

(B) Public comment; transition

Before publishing the standards under subparagraph (A), the Assistant Administrator—

(i)

shall provide a period of not less than 60 days for public comment on such standards; and

(ii)

may not terminate a grant under this section absent evidence of fraud or other criminal misconduct by the recipient.

(C) Contracting authority

The Assistant Administrator may provide financial support, by contract or otherwise, to a Women’s Business Center Association to provide assistance in establishing the standards required under subparagraph (A) or for carrying out an accreditation program pursuant to such standards.

(l) Notification requirements under the Women’s Business Center Program

The Administrator shall provide the following:

(1)

A public announcement of any opportunity for the award of a grant under this section, to include the selection criteria under subsection (d) and any applicable rules or standards.

(2)

To any applicant for a grant under this section that failed to obtain such a grant, an opportunity to debrief with the Administrator to review the reasons for the applicant’s failure.

(3)

To an eligible entity that receives an initial grant under this section, if a site visit under subsection (f)(2) or review of the eligible entity is carried out by an officer or employee of the Administration (other than the Inspector General), a copy of the site visit report or evaluation, as applicable, within 30 calendar days of the completion of such visit or evaluation.

(m) Annual management report

(1) In general

The Administrator shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate an annual report on the effectiveness of women’s business centers operated through a grant awarded under this section.

(2) Contents

Each report submitted under paragraph (1) shall include—

(A)

information concerning, with respect to each women’s business center established pursuant to a grant awarded under this section, the most recent analysis of the annual programmatic and financial examination of the applicable women’s business center, as required under subsection (g)(1)(B), and the subsequent determination made by the Administration under that subsection;

(B)

the number of persons counseled and trained through the Women’s Business Center Program (referred to in this paragraph as participants);

(C)

the total number of hours of counseling and training provided through such Program;

(D)

the demographics of participants of such Program, including the gender, race, and age of each such participant;

(E)

the number of such participants who are veterans;

(F)

the number of new businesses started by such participants;

(G)

to the extent practicable, the number of jobs created or retained with assistance from women’s business centers;

(H)

the amount of capital, including loans and equity investments, secured by each women’s business center to carry out the requirements of this section;

(I)

the number of participants in the Program receiving financial assistance, including the type and dollar amount, under the loan programs of the Administration;

(J)

an estimate of gross receipts, including to the extent practicable a description of any change in revenue of small business concerns assisted through the Program;

(K)

to the maximum extent practicable, increases or decreases in revenues for the assisted small business concerns;

(L)

the number of referrals made to resource partners;

(M)

the results of satisfaction surveys of participants, including a summary of any comments received from such participants; and

(N)

any recommendations by the Administrator to improve the delivery of services by women’s business centers.

(n) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Administration to carry out this section, to remain available until expended, $31,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029.

(2) Use of amounts

(A) In general

Except as provided in subparagraph (B), amounts made available under this subsection for fiscal year 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, may only be used for grant awards and may not be used for costs incurred by the Administration in connection with the management and administration of the program under this section.

(B) Exceptions

Of the amount made available under this subsection for a fiscal year, the following amounts shall be available for costs incurred by the Administration in connection with the management and administration of the program under this section:

(i)

For the first fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, 2.65 percent.

(ii)

For the second fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph and each fiscal year thereafter through fiscal year 2029, 2.5 percent.

(3) Expedited acquisition

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Administrator may use such expedited acquisition methods as the Administrator determines to be appropriate to carry out this section, except that the Administrator shall ensure that all small business concerns are provided a reasonable opportunity to submit proposals.

(4) Accreditation and annual conference

Not less than $500,000 of the amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) for a fiscal year shall be available for purposes of carrying out subsection (k).

Sec. 3. Effect on existing grants

Sec. 4. Regulations

Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall issue such rules as are necessary to carry out section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656), as amended by this Act, and ensure that a period of public comment for such rules is not less than 60 days.