BILL NUMBER: S5377
SPONSOR: ASHBY
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the veterans' services law, the cannabis law, the labor
law, the state finance law and the state technology law, in relation to
participation by veterans with respect to state contracts
 
PURPOSE:
This bill expands the service-disabled veteran-owned certified small
business program to include all veteran small business owners.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill would allow eligible Veteran small business owners to be
certified as a New York State Veteran-Owned Business. The goal of the
bill is to encourage and support eligible veterans who own small busi-
nesses to play a greater role in the state's economy by increasing their
participation in New York State's contracting opportunities.
The bill would change the name of the current Division under the Office
of General Services to the "Division of Veterans' Business Development.
It would continue to be responsible for certifying eligible veteran
small business owners, and assisting and promoting their participation
in the state's procurement activities.
It sets the statewide goal for participation on state contracts by
veteran-owned business enterprises to 6%. It establishes that certif-
ications are valid for 5 years.
*The business must be independently owned and operated and have a
significant business presence in New York State.
*One or more veterans must own at least 51% of the business. *Veteran
ownership must be real, substantial, and continuing.
*The eligible veteran owner(s) must have (and exercise) authority to
independently control the day-to-day business decisions.
*The business must qualify as a small business under the New York State
program.
*The business must be located in New York State or have a significant
business presence* in New York State.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
In 2014, New York State established a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned
Business program. It quickly became the premier program in the nation
for its positive impact in the State and national veteran community. It
was established to promote and encourage the participation of Service-
Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses in the State's public procurements of
public works, commodities, services, and technology to foster and
advance economic development in New York State.
This bill piggybacks on the great success of this program by opening it
to all veteran-owned small businesses. New York State owes our veterans
tremendous gratitude for their service and their sacrifices. By expand-
ing the program to all veterans, the State is not only honoring our
veterans but also offering them great opportunities to grow their busi-
nesses.
 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2023-24 S.6161, referred to Veterans.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately.

Statutes affected:
S5377: 35 cannabis law, 35(3) cannabis law, 224-d labor law, 224-d(6) labor law, 143 state finance law, 143(1) state finance law, 103-a state technology law, 103-a(3) state technology law