BILL NUMBER: S4597
SPONSOR: RAMOS
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the veterans' services law, in relation to establishing
a searchable database of veteran-owned businesses
 
PURPOSE:
To support veteran-owned businesses, including service-disabled veter-
an-owned businesses, in New York State.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 Amends the executive law to direct the Office of General
Services to assist Veteran Services in creating a searchable database of
veteran-owned businesses, including service-disabled veteran-owned busi-
nesses, to be published on the Office of General Services website.
Section 2 Amends the veterans' services law to require the Department of
Labor and the Office of General Services to include a searchable
centralized state registry on their website that would promote veteran-
owned businesses, including service-disabled veteran-owned businesses,
to the public and state agencies.
Section 3 Sets the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State's small business owners have taken the most significant
hit through the economic collapse we saw during the COVID-19 pandemic
and are still struggling to recover. With veterans facing unique social
and economic challenges, this legislation creates a centralized location
to promote their information to the public. Registering will give
enterprises visibility to prospective buyers, including government agen-
cies and private contractors seeking to purchase goods and services.
Small businesses across the board have faced closures, alongside a
decrease in employment in the fields of restaurant, retail and recre-
ational business since the pandemic.
With a projected number of over 15,000 veteran business owners (VBOs) in
New York City alone, New York State's veteran business enterprises
represent 5.2% of the nation's veteran-owned businesses. To better
support our state's VBOs to thrive in the business industry, this legis-
lation aims to serve this community of business owners through economic
recovery and development.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2024: S8444 (Ramos) - Referred to Veterans, Homeland Security and Mili-
tary Affairs
2023: S1803A (Ramos) - Veto No. 99
 
FISCAL IMPACT:
TBD
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the
date upon which it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the
addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary
for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized
to be made and completed on or before such effective date.