text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``National Women's High-Growth 
  Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012''.
  
  SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
  
      In this Act--
              (1) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean 
          the Small Business Administration and the Administrator 
          thereof, respectively;
              (2) the term ``Task Force'' means the National Women's 
          High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force established under 
          section 3; and
              (3) the term ``small business concern owned and controlled 
          by women'' has the meaning given that term in section 3(n) of 
          the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(n)).
  
  SEC. 3. NATIONAL WOMEN'S HIGH-GROWTH BUSINESS BIPARTISAN TASK FORCE.
  
      (a) Establishment.--There is established the National Women's High-
  Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force, which shall serve as an 
  independent source of advice, research, and policy recommendations to--
              (1) the Administrator;
              (2) the Assistant Administrator of the Office of Women's 
          Business Ownership of the Administration;
              (3) Congress;
              (4) the President; and
              (5) other Federal departments and agencies.
      (b) Membership.--
              (1) Number of members.--The Task Force shall be composed of 
          15 members, of which--
                      (A) 8 shall be individuals who own small business 
                  concerns owned and controlled by women, including not 
                  fewer than 2 individuals who own small business 
                  concerns owned and controlled by women in industries in 
                  which women are traditionally underrepresented;
                      (B) 2 shall be individuals having expertise 
                  conducting research on women's business, women's 
                  entrepreneurship, new business development by women, 
                  and high-growth business development; and
                      (C) 5 shall be individuals who represent women's 
                  business organizations, including women's business 
                  centers and women's business advocacy groups.
              (2) Appointment of members.--
                      (A) Owners of small business concerns owned and 
                  controlled by women.--Of the members of the Task Force 
                  described in paragraph (1)(A)--
                              (i) 2 shall be appointed by the Chairperson 
                          of the Committee on Small Business and 
                          Entrepreneurship of the Senate;
                              (ii) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking 
                          Member of the Committee on Small Business and 
                          Entrepreneurship of the Senate;
                              (iii) 2 shall be appointed by the 
                          Chairperson of the Committee on Small Business 
                          of the House of Representatives; and
                              (iv) 2 shall be appointed by the Ranking 
                          Member of the Committee on Small Business of 
                          the House of Representatives.
                      (B) Other members.--The members of the Task Force 
                  described in subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (1) 
                  shall be appointed by the Administrator.
                      (C) Initial appointments.--The individuals 
                  described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall appoint 
                  the initial members of the Task Force not later than 90 
                  days after the date of enactment of this Act.
                      (D) Geographic considerations.--In making an 
                  appointment under this paragraph, the individuals 
                  described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall give 
                  consideration to the geographic areas of the United 
                  States in which the members of the Task Force live and 
                  work, particularly to ensure that rural areas are 
                  represented on the Task Force.
                      (E) Political affiliation.--Not more than 8 members 
                  of the Task Force may be members of the same political 
                  party.
              (3) Chairperson.--
                      (A) Election of chairperson.--The members of the 
                  Task Force shall elect 1 member of the Task Force as 
                  Chairperson of the Task Force.
                      (B) Vacancies.--Any vacancy in the position of 
                  Chairperson of the Task Force shall be filled by the 
                  Task Force at the first meeting of the Task Force after 
                  the date on which the vacancy occurs.
              (4) Term of service.--
                      (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                  (B), the term of service of each member of the Task 
                  Force shall be 3 years.
                      (B) Terms of initial appointees.--Of the members of 
                  the Task Force first appointed after the date of 
                  enactment of this Act--
                              (i) 6 shall be appointed for a term of 4 
                          years, including--
                                      (I) 1 member appointed by the 
                                  individuals described in each of 
                                  clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of 
                                  paragraph (2)(A); and
                                      (II) 2 members appointed by the 
                                  Administrator; and
                              (ii) 5 shall be appointed for a term of 5 
                          years, including--
                                      (I) 1 member appointed by the 
                                  individuals described in each of 
                                  clauses (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv) of 
                                  paragraph (2)(A); and
                                      (II) 1 member appointed by the 
                                  Administrator.
              (5) Vacancies.--A vacancy on the Task Force shall be filled 
          not later than 30 days after the date on which the vacancy 
          occurs, in the manner in which the original appointment was 
          made, and shall be subject to any conditions that applied to 
          the original appointment. An individual chosen to fill a 
          vacancy shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member 
          replaced.
              (6) Prohibition on federal employment.--
                      (A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph 
                  (B), no member of the Task Force may serve as an 
                  officer or employee of the United States.
                      (B) Exception.--A member of the Task Force who 
                  accepts a position as an officer or employee of the 
                  United States after appointment to the Task Force may 
                  continue to serve on the Task Force for not more than 
                  30 days after the date of such acceptance.
              (7) Compensation and expenses.--
                      (A) No compensation.--Each member of the Task Force 
                  shall serve without compensation.
                      (B) Expenses.--The Administrator shall reimburse 
                  the members of the Task Force for travel and 
                  subsistence expenses in accordance with section 5703 of 
                  title 5, United States Code.
      (c) Duties.--The Task Force shall--
              (1) review and monitor plans and programs developed in the 
          public and private sectors that affect the ability of small 
          business concerns owned and controlled by women to obtain 
          capital and credit and to access markets, and provide advice on 
          improving coordination between such plans and programs;
              (2) monitor and promote the plans, programs, and operations 
          of the Federal departments and agencies that contribute to the 
          formation and development of small business concerns owned and 
          controlled by women, and make recommendations to Federal 
          departments and agencies concerning the coordination of such 
          plans, programs, and operations;
              (3) develop and promote initiatives, policies, programs, 
          and plans designed to encourage the formation of startups and 
          high-growth small business concerns owned and controlled by 
          women;
              (4) advise the Administrator on the development and 
          implementation of an annual comprehensive plan for joint 
          efforts by the public and private sectors to facilitate the 
          formation and development of startups and high-growth small 
          business concerns owned and controlled by women; and
              (5) examine the link between women who own small business 
          concerns and intellectual property, including--
                      (A) the number of patents, trademarks, and 
                  copyrights granted to women; and
                      (B) the challenges faced by high-growth small 
                  business concerns owned and controlled by women in 
                  obtaining and enforcing intellectual property rights.
      (d) Powers.--
              (1) Hearings.--The Task Force may hold such hearings, sit 
          and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and 
          receive such evidence as the Task Force considers advisable to 
          carry out its duties.
              (2) Task groups.--The Task Force may, from time to time, 
          establish temporary task groups, as necessary to carry out the 
          duties of the Task Force.
              (3) Information from federal agencies.--Upon request of the 
          Chairperson of the Task Force, the head of any Federal 
          department or agency shall furnish such information to the Task 
          Force as the Task Force considers necessary to carry out its 
          duties.
              (4) Use of mails.--The Task Force may use the United States 
          mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as 
          Federal departments and agencies.
              (5) Gifts.--The Task Force may accept, use, and dispose of 
          gifts or donations of services or property.
      (e) Meetings.--
              (1) In general.--The Task Force shall meet--
                      (A) not less than 3 times each year;
                      (B) at the call of the Chairperson; and
                      (C) upon the request of--
                              (i) the Administrator;
                              (ii) the Chairperson and Ranking Member of 
                          the Committee on Small Business and 
                          Entrepreneurship of the Senate; or
                              (iii) the Chairperson and Ranking Member of 
                          the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
                          Representatives.
              (2) Participation of federal agencies.--
                      (A) Participation encouraged.--The Task Force shall 
                  allow and encourage participation in meetings by 
                  representatives from Federal agencies.
                      (B) Functions of representatives of federal 
                  agencies.--A representative from a Federal agency--
                              (i) may be used as a resource; and
                              (ii) may not vote or otherwise act as a 
                          member of the Task Force.
              (3) Location.--Each meeting of the full Task Force shall be 
          held at the headquarters of the Administration, unless, not 
          later than 1 month before the meeting, a majority of the 
          members of the Task Force agree to meet at another location.
              (4) Support by administrator.--The Administrator shall 
          provide suitable meeting facilities and such administrative 
          support as may be necessary for each full meeting of the Task 
          Force.
      (f) Reports.--
              (1) Reports by task force.--
                      (A) Reports required.--Not later than 30 days after 
                  the end of each fiscal year, the Task Force shall 
                  submit to the President and to the Committee on Small 
                  Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the 
                  Committee on Small Business of the House of 
                  Representatives, a report containing--
                              (i) a detailed description of the 
                          activities of the Task Force, including a 
                          report on how the Task Force has carried out 
                          the duties described in subsection (c);
                              (ii) the findings and recommendations of 
                          the Task Force; and
                              (iii) the recommendations of the Task Force 
                          for--
                                      (I) promoting intellectual property 
                                  rights for high-growth small business 
                                  concerns owned and controlled by women; 
                                  and
                                      (II) such legislative and 
                                  administrative actions as the Task 
                                  Force considers appropriate to promote 
                                  the formation and development of small 
                                  business concerns owned and controlled 
                                  by women.
                      (B) Form of reports.--The report required under 
                  subparagraph (A) shall include--
                              (i) any concurring or dissenting views of 
                          the Administrator; and
                              (ii) the minutes of each meeting of the 
                          Task Force.
              (2) Reports by chief counsel for advocacy.--
                      (A) Studies.--
                              (i) In general.--Not less frequently than 
                          twice each year, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy 
                          of the Small Business Administration, in 
                          consultation with the Task Force, shall conduct 
                          a study of an issue that is important to small 
                          business concerns owned and controlled by 
                          women.
                              (ii) Topics.--The topic of a study under 
                          clause (i) shall--
                                      (I) be an issue that the Task Force 
                                  determines is critical to furthering 
                                  the interests of small business 
                                  concerns owned and controlled by women; 
                                  and
                                      (II) relate to--
                                              (aa) Federal prime 
                                          contracts and subcontracts 
                                          awarded to small business 
                                          concerns owned and controlled 
                                          by women;
                                              (bb) access to credit and 
                                          investment capital by women 
                                          entrepreneurs;
                                              (cc) acquiring and 
                                          enforcing intellectual property 
                                          rights; or
                                              (dd) any other issue 
                                          relating to small business 
                                          concerns owned and controlled 
                                          by women that the Task Force 
                                          determines is appropriate.
                              (iii) Contracting.--In conducting a study 
                          under this subparagraph, the Chief Counsel may 
                          contract with a public or private entity.
                      (B) Report.--The Chief Counsel for Advocacy shall--
                              (i) submit a report containing the results 
                          of each study under subparagraph (A) to the 
                          Task Force, the Committee on Small Business and 
                          Entrepreneurship of the Senate, and the 
                          Committee on Small Business of the House of 
                          Representatives; and
                              (ii) make each report submitted under 
                          clause (i) available to the public online.
      (g) Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Section 14 of the Federal 
  Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Task 
  Force.
  
  SEC. 4. REPEAL.
  
      (a) Final Reports.--Not later than 90 days after the date of 
  enactment of this Act--
              (1) the Interagency Committee on Women's Business 
          Enterprise shall submit to the President and the Committee on 
          Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the 
          Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives a 
          report containing the information described in paragraphs (1), 
          (2), and (3) of section 404 of the Women's Business Ownership 
          Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 7104), as in effect on the day before 
          the date of enactment of this Act; and
              (2) the National Women's Business Council shall submit to 
          the President and the Committee on Small Business and 
          Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
          Business of the House of Representatives a report containing 
          the information described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of 
          section 406(d)(6) of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 
          (15 U.S.C. 7106), as in effect on the day before the date of 
          enactment of this Act.
      (b) Repeal.--The Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 
  631 note) is amended by striking title IV (15 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.).
      (c) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Small Business Act 
  (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
              (1) in section 8(b)(1)(G) (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1)(G)), by 
          striking ``and to carry out the activities authorized by title 
          IV of the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988''; and
              (2) in section 29(g) (15 U.S.C. 656(g))--
                      (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``women's 
                  business enterprises (as defined in section 408 of the 
                  Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C. 631 
                  note))'' and inserting ``small business concerns owned 
                  and controlled by women''; and
                      (B) in paragraph (2)(B)(ii)--
                              (i) in subclause (VI), by adding ``and'' at 
                          the end;
                              (ii) in subclause (VII), by striking the 
                          semicolon at the end and inserting a period; 
                          and
                              (iii) by striking subclauses (VIII), (IX), 
                          and (X).
      (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsections (b) and (c) 
  shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
target: National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force Act of 2012 - Establishes the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force to provide women-owned, start-up and high-growth business advice, research, and policy recommendations to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Assistant Administrator of the SBA's Office of Women's Business Ownership, Congress, the President, and other federal departments and agencies.
  
  Directs the Task Force, among other things, to review, monitor, and advise on plans and programs developed in the public and private sectors that affect the ability of small businesses owned and controlled by women to obtain capital and credit and to access markets. Requires the Task Force to report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the activities of the Task Force.
  
  Directs the SBA's Chief Counsel to: (1) semiannually conduct a study of an issue of importance to small businesses owned and controlled by women, and (2) submit each study's results to the Task Force and the small business committees.
  
  Amends the Women's Business Ownership Act of 1988 to repeal provisions establishing the Interagency Committee on Women's Business Enterprise.
feat_title: A bill to establish the National Women's High-Growth Business Bipartisan Task Force, and for other purposes.