Bill > S00766

This bill aims to increase participation by certified minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) in state contracts and subcontracts. Key provisions include: - Requiring contracting agencies to provide more detailed quarterly reporting on MWBE participation, including the number of contracts awarded, maximum dollar amounts obligated, and total expenditures. Agencies that fail to report could face an independent audit. - Expanding the director's powers to encourage and assist agencies in increasing MWBE participation, including by creating an online registry and requiring agencies to list their MWBE outreach events. - Mandating that contractors submit MWBE utilization plans when bids are submitted, rather than after contract award, and requiring agencies to review and post these plans. - Establishing penalties and fines for violations, such as misrepresenting MWBE participation or failing to provide MWBE subcontractors with necessary information. - Adjusting the thresholds at which state agencies can waive performance and payment bond requirements for contracts under $150,000 (up from $100,000) and $300,000 (up from $200,000) to account for construction cost increases. The overall goal is to strengthen oversight and enforcement mechanisms to improve MWBE inclusion in state-funded projects.