Missouri committee hears bill to give honorably discharged veterans three-point contracting preference

Representative Dave Griffith, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans and Armed Forces, introduced House Bill 714 during a March public hearing, saying the measure would give honorably discharged veteran-owned businesses a three-point preference when competing for state contracts.

Griffith, who represents the 60th District in Jefferson City, told the committee the change fills a gap in current law. "This bill requires agencies and departments and institutions of, and other entities of the state, of each political subdivision to provide a 3 point bonus preference to honorably discharged veteran-owned enterprises," he said. He noted that service-disabled veteran-owned businesses already receive a three-point preference under existing statute and said HB 714 would expressly add honorably discharged veteran-owned businesses while preventing a business from "double dipping" (receiving both preferences).

The bill’s sponsor described how preference points work in procurement. Rich Aubushon, a witness representing SAFER St. Louis, said preference points can decide a contract when price, service and evaluation scores are otherwise equal. "When all things are created equal on a bid, the preference points make a difference," Aubushon told the committee.

Committee members asked several procedural and policy questions. Representative Bromley raised concerns about potential gaming of preference programs and whether applicants could manipulate ownership records. Aubushon responded that applicants would have to provide certification of honorable discharge and that federal certification processes make gaming less likely. Representative Poushey asked whether preference points are applied only after ties are identified; Aubushon answered that in his experience preference points are applied at the point when they would affect the outcome.

Griffith said the bill’s language distinguishes between service-disabled veterans and veterans and that a veteran could choose the single applicable three-point preference but could not combine multiple preference categories for a total greater than three points under this measure. He also previewed a potential future bill that could raise the preference to six points but said that is not part of HB 714.

No witnesses registered formal opposition, and the committee concluded the public hearing after invited testimony and questions.

Why it matters: State procurement preferences can affect which businesses win state contracts when bids are otherwise comparable. Supporters argued the three-point preference would favor veterans in tie scenarios; opponents in questioning sought safeguards against improper certification or circumvention.

What’s next: HB 714 received a public hearing; committee members asked questions but did not take a roll-call vote during this session. The bill remains in committee for further consideration.