The Senate Small Business Committee canceled a markup scheduled for...

D-La., would amend the Small Business Act. The broadband coordinator would be required to have telecom policy experience, in or out of government. The official would identify best practices and coordinate SBA programs helping small businesses link with other federal agencies involved with broadband, including the FCC and the Commerce and Agriculture departments. And the coordinator would provide training to SBA employees so they can counsel small businesses on broadband matters. The Landrieu bill would authorize appropriations of “such sums as are necessary to carry out” the provisions. The coordinator would have to deliver to Congress every two years a report on the SBA’s broadband activities, and a report within a year of the bill’s enactment listing federal programs that help small businesses with broadband and emerging IT. The bill separately would require the SBA administrator to submit a report on “ways to assist with the development of broadband and wireless technology that would benefit small business concerns.” That report, due 45 days after enactment, would describe SBA participation in the National Antenna Program, as well as agreements between the SBA and General Services Administration related to broadband and wireless deployment in SBA offices. It would also contain recommendations “on opportunities for the [SBA] to improve broadband or wireless technology in offices of the Administration that are in areas currently underserved or unserved by broadband service providers.” The markup hasn’t been rescheduled for this year, a Small Business Committee spokesman said. “Hopefully something can be worked out for the new Congress."