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Committee advances HB128 to streamline state certification for minority-, women- and veteran‑owned businesses
Summary
State Planning & Community Affairs recommended 'due pass' on HB128, a bill to move state certification for supplier diversity to the Department of Administrative Services and to accept established third‑party certifications to reduce duplicative vetting; DOAS counsel said the department will accept certifications from recognized national certifiers to avoid added red tape.
Representative Hong told the State Planning & Community Affairs committee that House Bill 128 would move state certification for supplier diversity out of the federal DBE process and into the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS), while also adding women‑owned and veteran‑owned businesses to state certification eligibility. "We're basically taking away the MBE from the DBE," Hong said, and described a 2022 supplier‑diversity report used to justify the change.
Autumn Cole, identified in testimony as general counsel and introduced by the sponsor, told the committee DOAS plans to accept certifications from established certifying organizations (for example, SBA programs, Women Owned Small Business, Department of Veterans Affairs verifications and Minority Supplier Development Councils) so the state does not duplicate national vetting. Cole said the policy will list the acceptable certifiers and that the aim is to reduce burdens on small businesses. Representative Bentley moved a motion of 'due pass' and Representative Reese recommended due pass; the committee approved the motion by voice vote.
