To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to improve the results and accountability of microenterprise development assistance programs, and for other purposes.
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on November 20, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal existing microenterprise development grant authority and reestablish and revise it as a separate title, title VI - Microenterprise Development Assistance.
Authorizes microenterprise development grant assistance in developing countries for: (1) expanding credit, savings, and other financial services; (2) training, technical assistance, and business development services; (3) capacity-building; and (4) policy and regulatory programs at the country level that improve the environment for microenterprise institutions serving the poor and very poor.
Establishes the Office of Microenterprise Development within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to be headed by a Director capable in both microenterprise development leadership and technical expertise. Requires assistance to emphasize the use of implementing partner organizations meeting high standards of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability and that especially provide the greatest possible resources to the poor and very poor. Requires the Office, in order to ensure that grant assistance is distributed effectively and efficiently, to also seek to implement a program of central funding under which assistance is administered directly by the Office.
Targets 50 percent of microenterprise assistance for very poor clients (individuals living in the bottom 50 percent below a country's poverty level).
Requires the assistance monitoring system to meet certain performance standards.
Directs USAID, by April 1, 2005, to develop and certify for use at least two poverty measurement methods for partner organization use, which shall be used by such organizations no later than October 1, 2006.
(Sec. 4) Transfers to this title authority for the: (1) microenterprise and small enterprise development credit program; and (2) United States Microfinance Loan Facility.
(Sec. 6) Directs the Administrator to report annually on implementation of this title.
Defines specified terms.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 108-459.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on International Relations. H. Rept. 108-459.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 262.
Mr. Smith (NJ) asked unanimous consent to discharge the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union and consider.
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H10211-10217; text of measure as reported in House: CR H10211-10214)
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
On passage Passed without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate, read twice.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S12018)
Enacted as Public Law 108-484
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Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12018)
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 108-484.
Became Public Law No: 108-484.