INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

INDEPENDENT AGENCIES General Services Administration real property activities federal buildings fund construction and acquisition For an additional amount to be deposited in the Federal Buildings Fund, $182,000,000, exclusive of permitted escalation, is authorized and available for the Administrator to proceed with 122 STAT. 3591 necessary site acquisition, design, and construction for the new courthouse project in Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Provided, That the foregoing limits of costs on new construction projects may be exceeded to the extent that savings are effected in other such projects, but not to exceed 10 percent of the amounts provided unless advance approval is obtained from the Committees on Appropriations of a greater amount: Provided further, That all funds for direct construction projects shall expire on September 30, 2009 and remain in the Federal Buildings Fund except for funds for projects to which funds for design or other funds have been obligated in whole or in part prior to such date. Small Business Administration salaries and expenses For an additional amount for “Salaries and Expenses”, $10,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2009, for grants under section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) to small business development centers to provide technical assistance to small business concerns affected by recent hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters in calendar year 2008: Provided, That the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall waive the matching requirement under section 21(a)(4)(A) of such Act for any grant made using funds made available under this heading. office of inspector general For an additional amount for “Office of Inspector General” for necessary expenses related to the consequences of recent hurricanes and other natural disasters in calendar year 2008, $3,000,000, to remain available until expended. disaster loans program account For an additional amount for the “Disaster Loans Program Account” for the cost of direct loans authorized by section 7(b) of the Small Business Act, for necessary expenses related to recent hurricanes and other natural disasters, $498,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program authorized by section 7(b) in response to recent hurricanes and other natural disasters, including onsite assistance to disaster victims, increased staff at call centers, processing centers, and field inspections teams, and attorneys to assist in loan closings, $288,000,000 to remain available until expended; of which $279,000,000 is for direct administrative expenses of loan making and servicing to carry out the direct loan program, which may be paid to appropriations for Salaries and Expenses; and of which $9,000,000 is for indirect administrative expenses, which may be paid to appropriations for Salaries and Expenses.122 STAT. 3592