Subcommittee advances HB 2337 to create small‑business procurement preferences

The Transportation Economic Development Subcommittee of the Ways and Means Committee on June 11 adopted an amendment and voted to send House Bill 2337 to the full committee with a due‑pass recommendation. The measure would direct the Oregon Business Development Department to create a certification program and grant procurement preferences to qualified small business enterprises.

The bill matters because it would change how state procurement can favor certified small businesses and requires the Business Development Department to report program participation, the number and value of contracts awarded and assistance delivered. The Legislative Fiscal Office reported an administrative fiscal impact of $233,373 in lottery funds and 0.75 full‑time‑equivalent position for the 2025–27 biennium; the LFO recommended adoption of the bill’s A3 amendment, which provides lottery funding for those administrative expenses.

Under HB 2337, the Oregon Business Development Department would develop a certification program for “small…