‘‘(B) One from a list of individuals nomi-
nated by the chairman of the Committee on
Small Business of the Senate.
‘‘(C) One from a list of individuals nomi-
nated by the ranking minority member of the
Committee on Small Business of the House of
Representatives.
‘‘(D) One from a list of individuals nomi-
nated by the ranking minority members of the
Committee on Small Business of the Senate.
‘‘(E) One from a list of individuals nomi-
nated by the chairman of the Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representa-
tives.
‘‘(F) One from a list of individuals nomi-
nated by the chairman of the Committee on
Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate.
‘‘(G) One from a list of individuals nomi-
nated by the ranking minority member of the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of
Representatives.
‘‘(H) One from a list of individuals nomi-
nated the ranking minority member of the
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs of the Senate.
‘‘(I) One of the President’s own choosing.
‘‘(3) EX
OFFICIO
MEMBERS.—The Adminis-
trator of the Small Business Administration, the
Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs shall serve as the nonvoting ex officio mem-
bers of the Board of Directors.
‘‘(4) CHAIRPERSON.—The members of the
Board of Directors appointed under paragraph (2)
shall elect one such member to serve as chairperson
of the Board of Directors for a term of 2 years.
‘‘(5) TERMS OF APPOINTED MEMBERS.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Each member of the
Board of Directors appointed under paragraph
(2) shall serve a term of 6 years, except as pro-
vided in subparagraph (B).
‘‘(B) TERMS OF INITIAL APPOINTEES.—As
designated by the President at the time of ap-
pointment, of the members first appointed—
‘‘(i) three shall be for a term of 2
years; and
‘‘(ii) three shall be for a term of 4
years.
‘‘(C) UNEXPIRED TERMS.—Any member of
the Board of Directors appointed to fill a va-
cancy occurring before the expiration of the
term for which the member’s predecessor was
appointed shall be appointed only for the re-
mainder of the term. A member may serve after
the expiration of that member’s term until a
successor has taken office.
‘‘(6) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy on the Board
of Directors shall be filled in the manner in which
the original appointment was made. In the case of
a vacancy in the office of the Administrator of the
Small Business Administration or the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs, and pending the appointment of a
successor, an acting appointee for such vacancy may
serve as an ex officio member.
‘‘(7) INELIGIBILITY FOR OTHER OFFICES.—No
voting member of the Board of Directors may be an
officer or employee of the United States while serv-
ing as a member of the Board of Directors or during
the 2-year period preceding such service.
‘‘(8) 
IMPARTIALITY
AND
NONDISCRIMINA-
TION.—The Board of Directors shall administer the
affairs of the Corporation fairly and impartially and
without discrimination.
‘‘(9) 
OBLIGATIONS
AND
EXPENSES.—The
Board of Directors shall prescribe the manner in
which the obligations of the Corporation may be in-
curred and in which its expenses shall be allowed
and paid.
‘‘(10) QUORUM.—Five voting members of the
Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum, but a
lesser number may hold hearings.
‘‘(d) CORPORATE POWERS.—On October 1, 1999, the
Corporation shall become a body corporate and as such
shall have the authority to do the following:
‘‘(1) To adopt and use a corporate seal.
‘‘(2) To have succession until dissolved by an
Act of Congress.
‘‘(3) To make contracts or grants.
‘‘(4) To sue and be sued, and to file and defend
against lawsuits in State or Federal court.
‘‘(5) To appoint, through the actions of its
Board of Directors, officers and employees of the
Corporation, to define their duties and responsibil-
ities, fix their compensations, and to dismiss at will
such officers or employees.
‘‘(6) To prescribe, through the actions of its
Board of Directors, bylaws not inconsistent with
Federal law and the law of the State of incorpora-
tion, regulating the manner in which its general
business may be conducted and the manner in which
the privileges granted to it by law may be exercised.
‘‘(7) To exercise, through the actions of its
Board of Directors or duly authorized officers, all
powers specifically granted by the provisions of this
section, and such incidental powers as shall be nec-
essary.
‘‘(8) To solicit, receive, and disburse funds from
private, Federal, State and local organizations.
‘‘(9) To accept and employ or dispose of in fur-
therance of the purposes of this section any money
or property, real, personal, or mixed, tangible or in-
tangible, received by gift, devise, bequest, or other-
wise.
‘‘(10) To accept voluntary and uncompensated
services.
‘‘(e) CORPORATE FUNDS.—
‘‘(1) DEPOSIT OF FUNDS.—The Board of Di-
rectors shall deposit all funds of the Corporation in
federally chartered and insured depository institu-
tions until such funds are disbursed under para-
graph (2).
‘‘(2) DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS.—Funds of the
Corporation may be disbursed only for purposes that
are—
‘‘(A) approved by the Board of Directors
by a recorded vote with a quorum present; and
‘‘(B) in accordance with the purposes of
the Corporation as specified in subsection (b).
‘‘(f) NETWORK OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE
CENTERS.—In carrying out the purpose described in sub-
section (b), the Corporation shall establish and maintain
a network of information and assistance centers for use
by veterans and the public.
‘‘(g) ANNUAL REPORT.—On or before October 1 of
each year, the Board of Directors shall transmit a report
to the President and the Congress describing the activities
and accomplishments of the Corporation for the preceding
year and the Corporation’s findings regarding the efforts
of Federal, State and private organizations to assist vet-
erans in the formation and expansion of small business
concerns.
‘‘(h) ASSUMPTION OF DUTIES OF ADVISORY COM-
MITTEE.—On October 1, 2004, the Corporation estab-
lished under this section shall assume the duties, respon-
sibilities, and authority of the Advisory Committee on Vet-
erans Affairs established under section 203 of this Act.
‘‘(i) USE OF MAILS.—The Corporation may use the
United States mails in the same manner and under the
same conditions as the departments and agencies of the
United States.
‘‘(j) 
PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFICATION
ADVISORY
BOARD.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Acting through the Board
of Directors, the Corporation shall establish a Pro-
fessional Certification Advisory Board to create uni-
form guidelines and standards for the professional
certification of members of the Armed Services to
aid in their efficient and orderly transition to civilian
occupations and professions and to remove potential
barriers in the areas of licensure and certification.
‘‘(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The members of the Advi-
sory Board shall serve without compensation, shall
meet in the District of Columbia no less than quar-
terly, and shall be appointed by the Board of Direc-
tors as follows:
‘‘(A) PRIVATE
SECTOR
MEMBERS.—The
Corporation shall appoint not less than seven
members for terms of 2 years to represent pri-
vate sector organizations and associations, in-
cluding the American Association of Community
Colleges, the Society for Human Resource Man-
agers, the Coalition for Professional Certifi-
cation, the Council on Licensure and Enforce-
ment, and the American Legion.
‘‘(B) PUBLIC
SECTOR
MEMBERS.—The
Corporation shall invite public sector members
to serve at the discretion of their departments
or agencies and shall—
‘‘(i) encourage the participation of the
Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel
and Readiness;
‘‘(ii) encourage the participation of
two officers from each branch of the
Armed Forces to represent the Training
Commands of their branch; and
‘‘(iii) seek the participation and guid-
ance of the Assistant Secretary of Labor
for Veterans’ Employment and Training.
‘‘(k) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be
appropriated to the Corporation to carry out this
section the following amounts:
‘‘(A) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
‘‘(B) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
‘‘(C) $4,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; and
‘‘(D) $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2003.
‘‘(2) PRIVATIZATION.—The Corporation shall
institute and implement a plan to raise private funds
and become a self-sustaining corporation.’’.
SEC. 203. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON VETERANS BUSINESS
AFFAIRS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established an advisory
committee to be known as the ‘‘Advisory Committee on
Veterans Business Affairs’’ (in this section referred to as
the ‘‘Committee’’), which shall serve as an independent
source of advice and policy recommendations to—
(1) the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration (in this section referred to as the
‘‘Administrator’’);
(2) the Associate Administrator for Veterans
Business Development of the Small Business Admin-
istration;
(3) the Congress;
(4) the President; and
(5) other United States policymakers.
(b) MEMBERSHIP.—
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Committee shall be
composed of 15 members, of whom—
(A) eight shall be veterans who are owners
of small business concerns (within the meaning
of the term under section 3 of the Small Busi-
ness Act (15 U.S.C. 632)); and
(B) seven shall be representatives of vet-
erans organizations.
(2) APPOINTMENT.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The members of the
Committee shall be appointed by the Adminis-
trator in accordance with this section.
(B) INITIAL
APPOINTMENTS.—Not later
than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Administrator shall appoint the
initial members of the Committee.
(3) POLITICAL AFFILIATION.—Not more than
eight members of the Committee shall be of the
same political party as the President.
(4) 
PROHIBITION
ON
FEDERAL
EMPLOY-
MENT.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in
subsection (B), no member of the Committee
may serve as an officer or employee of the
United States.
(B) EXCEPTION.—A member of the Com-
mittee who accepts a position as an officer or
employee of the United States after the date of
the member’s appointment to the Committee
may continue to serve on the Committee for not
more than 30 days after such acceptance.
(5) TERM OF SERVICE.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—Subject to subpara-
graph (B), the term of service of each member
of the Committee shall be 3 years.
(B) TERMS OF INITIAL APPOINTEES.—As
designated by the Administrator at the time of
appointment, of the members first appointed—
(i) six shall be appointed for a term of
4 years; and
(ii) five shall be appointed for a term
of 5 years.
(6) VACANCIES.—The Administrator shall fill
any vacancies on the membership of the Committee
not later than 30 days after the date on which such
vacancy occurs.
(7) CHAIRPERSON.—
(A) IN
GENERAL.—The members of the
Committee shall elect one of the members to be
Chairperson of the Committee.
(B) VACANCIES
IN
OFFICE
OF
CHAIR-
PERSON.—Any vacancy in the office of the
Chairperson of the Committee shall be filled by
the Committee at the first meeting of the Com-
mittee following the date on which the vacancy
occurs.
(d) POWERS.—
(1) HEARINGS.—Subject to subsection (e), the
Committee may hold such hearings, sit and act at
such times and places, take such testimony, and re-
ceive such evidence as the Committee considers ad-
visable to carry out its duties.
(2) INFORMATION FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.—
Upon request of the Chairperson of the Committee,
the head of any department or agency of the United
States shall furnish such information to the Com-
mittee as the Committee considers to be necessary to
carry out its duties.
(3) USE OF MAILS.—The Committee may use
the United States mails in the same manner and
under the same conditions as other departments and
agencies of the United States.
(4) GIFTS.—The Committee may accept, use,
and dispose of gifts or donations of services or prop-
erty.
(e) MEETINGS.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Committee shall meet,
not less than three times per year, at the call of the
Chairperson or at the request of the Administrator.
(2) LOCATION.—Each meeting of the full Com-
mittee shall be held at the headquarters of the Small
Business Administration located in Washington, Dis-
trict of Columbia. The Administrator shall provide
suitable meeting facilities and such administrative
support as may be necessary for each full meeting
of the Committee.
(3) TASK GROUPS.—The Committee may, from
time to time, establish temporary task groups as
may be necessary in order to carry out its duties.
(f) COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES.—
(1) NO COMPENSATION.—Members of the Com-
mittee shall serve without compensation for their
service to the Committee.
(2) EXPENSES.—The members of the Com-
mittee shall be reimbursed for travel and subsistence
expenses in accordance with section 5703 of title 5,
United States Code.
(g) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the end
of each fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment
of this section, the Committee shall transmit to the Con-
gress and the President a report describing the activities
of the Committee and any recommendations developed by
the Committee for the promotion of small business con-
cerns owned and controlled by veterans.
(h) TERMINATION.—The Committee shall terminate
its business on September 30, 2004.
TITLE III—TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE
SEC. 301. SCORE PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Small
Business Administration shall enter into a memorandum
of understanding with the Service Core of Retired Execu-
tives (described in section 8(b)(1)(B) of the Small Busi-
ness Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(B)) and in this section re-
ferred to as ‘‘SCORE’’) to provide for the following:
(1) The appointment by SCORE in its national
office of an individual to act as National Veterans
Business Coordinator, whose duties shall relate ex-
clusively to veterans business matters, and who shall
be responsible for the establishment and administra-
tion of a program to coordinate counseling and
training regarding entrepreneurship to veterans
through the chapters of SCORE throughout the
United States.
(2) The assistance of SCORE in the estab-
lishing and maintaining a toll-free telephone number
and an Internet website to provide access for vet-
erans to information about the counseling and train-
ing regarding entrepreneurship available to veterans
through SCORE.
(3) The collection of statistics concerning serv-
ices provided by SCORE to veterans, including serv-
ice-disabled veterans, for inclusion in each annual
report published by the Administrator under section
4(b)(2)(B) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
633(b)(2)(B)).
(b) RESOURCES.—The Administrator shall provide to
SCORE such resources as the Administrator determines
necessary for SCORE to carry out the requirements of the
memorandum of understanding specified in paragraph (1).
SEC. 302. ENTREPRENEURIAL ASSISTANCE.
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment
of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Admin-
istrator of the Small Business Administration, and the
head of the association formed pursuant to section
21(a)(3)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
648(a)(3)(A)) shall enter into a memorandum of under-
standing with respect to entrepreneurial assistance to vet-
erans, including service-disabled veterans, through Small
Business Development Centers (described in section 21 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648)) and facilities of
the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such assistance shall
include the following:
(1) Conducting of studies and research, and the
distribution of information generated by such studies
and research, on the formation, management, fi-
nancing, marketing, and operation of small business
concerns by veterans.
(2) Provision of training and counseling to vet-
erans concerning the formation, management, fi-
nancing, marketing, and operation of small business
concerns.
(3) Provision of management and technical as-
sistance to the owners and operators of small busi-
ness concerns regarding international markets, the
promotion of exports, and the transfer of technology.
(4) Provision of assistance and information to
veterans regarding procurement opportunities with
Federal, State, and local agencies, especially such
agencies funded in whole or in part with Federal
funds.
(5) Establishment of an information clearing-
house to collect and distribute information, including
by electronic means, on the assistance programs of
Federal, State, and local governments, and of the
private sector, including information on office loca-
tions, key personnel, telephone numbers, mail and
electronic addresses, and contracting and subcon-
tracting opportunities.
(6) Provision of Internet or other distance
learning academic instruction for veterans in busi-
ness subjects, including accounting, marketing, and
business fundamentals.
(7) Compilation of a list of small business con-
cerns owned and controlled by service-disabled vet-
erans that provide products or services that could be
procured by the United States and delivery of such
list to each department and agency of the United
States. Such list shall be delivered in hard copy and
electronic form and shall include the name and ad-
dress of each such small business concern and the
products or services that it provides.
SEC. 303. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT AS-
SISTANCE 
FOR 
MILITARY 
RESERVISTS’
SMALL BUSINESSES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 8 of the Small Business
Act (15 U.S.C. 637) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
‘‘(l) MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSI-
NESSES AFFECTED BY MILITARY OPERATIONS.—The Ad-
ministration shall utilize, as appropriate, its entrepre-
neurial development and management assistance pro-
grams, including programs involving State or private sec-
tor partners, to provide business counseling and training