The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to prohibit preferences in government contracting based on race or ethnicity, specifically stating that awarding bodies cannot give preference to vendors on these bases. It introduces new language in section 287.05701, which explicitly prohibits awarding bodies from considering a vendor's race or ethnicity when determining responsibility or awarding contracts. Additionally, the bill repeals several existing statutes related to minority business enterprise participation and reporting requirements, including sections 24.113, 255.101, and 255.102, which previously mandated certain considerations for minority businesses in government contracts. The overall effect of the bill is to eliminate race and ethnicity as factors in government contracting, thereby streamlining the procurement process while removing previous mandates aimed at promoting minority business participation.

Furthermore, the bill revises reporting requirements for the Chief Financial Officer to align with these changes, ensuring that disbursements to small businesses are reported without the previous emphasis on minority business enterprises. It also amends various sections to conform to the new prohibitions and repeals, including adjustments to definitions and responsibilities related to the Office of Supplier Diversity. The bill emphasizes the importance of avoiding conflicts of interest in contract awards and requires agencies to establish oversight teams for contracts of $5 million or more. Overall, the legislation reflects a commitment to enhancing accountability, transparency, and efficiency in state procurement practices while fostering economic development through support for small business enterprises in Florida.

Statutes affected:
S 1694 Filed: 287.05701, 17.11, 24.113, 255.101, 255.102, 255.20, 287.059, 287.093, 287.094, 288.7031, 288.706, 348.754, 373.1135, 373.607, 376.84, 1001.706, 1013.46, 43.16, 110.116, 212.096, 215.971, 282.201, 282.709, 286.101, 287.0571, 288.0001, 295.187, 320.63, 376.3072, 394.47865, 408.045, 570.07, 627.351