Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 113 Part 1.djvu/274

 113 STAT. 250 PUBLIC LAW 106-50—AUG. 17, 1999 U.S.C. 633(b)(1)), relating to nondiscrimination and specisQ considerations for veterans, and take all necessary steps to ensure that its provisions are fxilly and vigorously implemented. SEC. 702. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF ADVOCACY. Section 202 of Public Law 94-305 (15 U.S.C. 634b) is amended— (1) in pgiragraph (10), by striking "suid" at the end; (2) in psu-agraph (11), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and (3) by adding at the end the following: "(12) evaluate the efforts of each department and agency of the United States, and of private industry, to assist small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, as defined in section 3(q) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(q)), and small business concerns owned and controlled by serviceddisabled veterans, as defined in such section 3(q), and to provide statistical information on the utilization of such programs by such small business concerns, and to make appropriate recommendations to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration and to the Congress in order to promote the establishment and growth of those small business concerns.". SEC. 703. STUDY OF FIXED-ASSET SMALL BUSINESS LOANS. (a) IN GENERAL.— The Comptroller (General shall conduct a study on whether there would exist any additional risk or cost to the United States if— (1) up to 10 percent of the loans guaranteed under chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code, were made for the acquisition or construction of fixed assets used in a trade or business rather than for the construction or purchase of residential buildings; and (2) such loams for acquisition or construction of fixed assets were for a term of not more than 10 years and the terms regarding eligibility, IOEUI limits, interest, fees, and down pay- ment were the same as for other loans guaranteed under such chapter. (b) REPORT. — Deadline. (1) IN GENERAL. — Not later them 180 days after the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller Genered shall transmit the report described in subsection (a) to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate. (2) CONTENTS OF REPORT.— The report required by paragraph (1) shall specifically address the following: (A) With respect to the change in the veterans' housing loan program contemplated under subsection (a): (i) The increase or decrease in administrative costs to the Depan;ment of Veterans Affairs. (ii) The increase or decrease in the degree of exposure of the United States as the guarantor of the loans. (iii) The increase or decrease in the Federal subsidy rate that would be possible. (iv) Any increase in the interest rate or fees charged to the borrower or lender that would be required to maintain present program costs.

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