§652 Central European Enterprise Development Commission

Summary

Creates a Central European Small Business Enterprise Development Commission to build self-supporting systems that give management and technical help to small business owners in Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary. The Commission has one representative each from the Small Business Administration, the Association of American Universities, and the Association of Small Business Development Centers. Within 90 days after November 5, 1990, and working with the Agency for International Development, the Commission must hire one or more groups to find small business needs, review suitable Small Business Development Center–type programs to copy, and check which local schools can run such programs. Within 18 months after November 5, 1990, the Commission must use those findings to set up and contract for a three-year demonstration program. To join, a local educational institution must have government approval, promise some cost-sharing in years two and three, and bring in private businesses to help. The Commission must meet and organize within 30 days after November 5, 1990. Commission members serve without pay but can be reimbursed for travel and necessary expenses. Two members make a quorum. The members elect a chair who calls meetings. The Commission cannot hire staff, but federal agencies may loan employees and the General Services Administration must provide administrative support, all on a reimbursable basis. The Commission must report to Congress by December 1, 1991, and every year after. The law authorizes appropriations to the SBA of $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1991; $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1992; $2,000,000 for each of fiscal years 1993 and 1994; and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1995. Funds are paid by the SBA as the Commission requests and may remain available until spent. Any contract or spending depends on money provided in advance by appropriation Acts.