Bill > S02006

This bill aims to increase participation by certified minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) in state contracts and subcontracts. The key provisions include: 1. Requiring state contracting agencies to file quarterly reports on the level of MWBE participation, including the number of contracts awarded to MWBEs, the maximum dollar amounts obligated, and the total expenditures made. The director of the Division of Minority and Women's Business Development must list non-compliant agencies in the division's annual report. 2. Empowering the director to take enforcement actions, including imposing sanctions, penalties, or fines on individuals or entities that violate the law three or more times within five years. 3. Allowing contracting agencies to recommend that the director take appropriate action against contractors for non-compliance with equal employment opportunity requirements. 4. Encouraging joint ventures, partnerships, and mentor-protege relationships between prime contractors and MWBEs. 5. Modifying the performance and payment bond requirements for state contracts, allowing them to be waived for small business concerns or MWBEs with contracts under $500,000. 6. Expanding the reporting requirements to include "state assisted project contracts" for certain projects receiving state financing or grants. Overall, the bill aims to promote greater MWBE participation in state procurement and improve accountability for contracting agencies and contractors.