Committee advances veterans-owned business procurement bill after amendment

The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee advanced CB 24-20-26, a bill to create a veterans-owned business enterprise program within Prince George’s County procurement processes, after moving to amend for draft 2 and carrying the motion on a subsequent roll call.

Council Member Adam Stafford, a sponsor, described the measure as a way to expand contracting opportunities for veterans and service-disabled veteran business owners. “Providing procurement opportunities to veterans is essential because it recognizes their service while empowering them to contribute to our economy,” Stafford read into the record from submitted testimony.

A procurement director with federal procurement experience told the committee the amended language aligns with federal and state standards and is implementable; the Office of Law concluded draft 2 is legally sufficient. The Office of Procurement had flagged fiscal-impact concerns that remain under review, and committee members discussed those points during the presentation of the fiscal and policy impacts.

After a clerical correction — a roll call was repeated because the initial mover was not a voting member — the committee recorded a final 5–0 vote to move the amended bill favorably out of committee. Committee members said they intend to continue coordination with the Office of Procurement and the County Executive’s office to refine implementation and reporting requirements.