Bill > HB1070

This bill: - Amends the definitions of "veteran-owned small business" and "service-disabled veteran-owned small business" to instead use the term "veteran business enterprise," which includes both veteran-owned small businesses and service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. - Establishes an aspirational target for veteran business enterprise participation, to be reviewed and adjusted every five years based on a disparity study. - Expands the duties of the Department of General Services to include verifying certifications, setting contract-specific goals, reviewing utilization schedules, and monitoring compliance related to veteran business enterprises. - Renames the "Small and Disadvantaged Businesses" chapter of Title 62 to "Small and Diverse Businesses" and establishes a Small Diverse Business Program within the Department of General Services. - Requires the Department of General Services to conduct disparity studies every five years to set aspirational targets for small diverse business participation. - Provides for requests for waivers of contract-specific goals, based on a showing of good faith efforts, and requires the Department of General Services to review such requests. - Requires the Department of General Services to report annually to the General Assembly on the awarding of contracts to small diverse businesses. - Includes provisions for a similar program related to construction and design professional services procurements. The overall goal of the bill is to increase participation of veteran-owned and other diverse small businesses in Commonwealth procurement.