I
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 2109
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 22, 2013
Mr. Lewis introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To amend title XX of the Social Security Act to provide grants to support job creation initiatives, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Back to Basics Job Creation Act of 2013
.
Back to Basics Job Creation grant program
Subtitle A of title XX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
Back to Basics Job Creation grant program
Grants
In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Commerce, shall make grants to eligible entities to assist low-income individuals and individuals who have been unemployed for at least 3 months in developing self-employment opportunities.
Timing of grant awards
Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary shall obligate not less than half of any funds appropriated for grants under this section.
Preference
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities—
that serve communities that have experienced high levels of poverty and unemployment and low levels of reemployment, as determined by the Secretary using data reported by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics;
that demonstrate an ability to administer activities using the grant funds without acquiring new administrative structures or resources, such as staffing, technology, evaluation activities, training, research, and programming; and
that have established partnerships with other government agencies, community based organizations, financial institutions, educational institutions, or business organizations.
Use of funds
In general
An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section shall use the grant—
to provide education and training for business and financial literacy, certification, small business plan development, entrepreneurship, and patent and copyright processes; and
to provide funding for new small businesses that pay employees at a living wage.
Limitations
An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section may not use the grant—
to subsidize private or public employment; or
for any activity in violation of Federal, State, or local law.
Administrative expenses
An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section may use not more than 10 percent of the grant funds for administrative expenses, except that none of the funds may be used for salaries.
Deadline on use of grant funds
An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section shall expend the grant funds before December 31, 2015, except that the Secretary may provide an extension.
No effect on means-Tested benefits
For purposes of determining eligibility and benefit amounts under any means-tested assistance program, any assistance funded by a grant under this section shall be disregarded.
Reporting requirements
The Secretary shall submit a report on the implementation of this section to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate whenever either committee shall so request.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated for grants under this section $5,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2014. The amounts appropriated under this section are authorized to remain available through December 31, 2014.
Definitions
For purposes of this section—
the term eligible entity
means a State, an Indian tribe, or a local government;
the term Indian tribe
has the meaning given such term by section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 450b); and
the term means-tested assistance program
means a benefit program for which eligibility is based on income.
.