BILL NUMBER: S9594A
SPONSOR: MARTINEZ
 
PURPOSE:
To increase the state's service-disabled veteran-owned business enter-
prises procurement goal to eight percent.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1. Increases the state's service-disabled veteran-owned business
enterprises procurement goal from six percent to eight percent.
Section 2. Is the enactment clause.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
New York State is home to more than 600,000 veterans, one of the largest
veteran populations in the United States. Thus, New York State estab-
lished the Service -Disabled Veteran Owned Business Enterprise in 2014
to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans who returned from the mili-
tary with disabilities, and to provide them with equitable economic
opportunity. While the program signaled a meaningful step forward, the
current six percent procurement goal has remained for over a decade and
no longer reflects the level of opportunity that should be given to our
veterans. Despite the creation of the program, actual utilization
remains below four percent. As a result, service-disabled veterans are
significantly underrepresented in state contracting opportunities. Many
service-disabled veterans face barriers when transitioning into civilian
careers, including difficulty accessing capital, and competing for large
scale procurement contracts.
This legislation raises the statewide Service-Disabled Veteran Owned
Business procurement goal from six percent to eight percent. A eight
percent goal creates incentive for state agencies to expand outreach to
service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, and ensure that these entre-
preneurs are given a fair opportunity to compete for state contracts.
New York has already demonstrated that stronger participation goals can
successfully expand access to state contracting through other supplier
diversity programs. New York State's Minority and Women Owned Business
Enterprise currently maintains a thirty percent participation goal.
By raising the Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Business procurement goal
to eight percent, this legislation will expand economic opportunitiesfor
our service -disabled veteran entrepreneurs, strengthen small businesses
across the state, and promote economic growth across communities. Veter-
an owned businesses frequently employ fellow veterans and reinvest in
their communities, creating long-term economic benefits throughout New
York. This legislation recognizes the sacrifices made by service-disa-
bled veterans and ensures they receive a fair and meaningful share of
the economic opportunities in the State of New York.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
To be determined.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately