Bill > S00872

This bill creates regional minority and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) advocates across New York State to support and monitor MWBE businesses. These regional advocates will be appointed by the statewide advocate and will have specific responsibilities including providing technical, managerial, and financial assistance to certified minority and women-owned businesses, conducting outreach programs every two years, and hosting annual educational seminars for state agencies. The regional advocates will also be responsible for tracking and reporting on certification applications in their respective regions, documenting reasons for any certification denials or delays, and submitting annual reports to the statewide advocate by September 30th. These advocates will serve as local liaisons to help MWBEs navigate certification processes, access competitive grant programs, and ensure that municipal agencies are complying with MWBE-related laws. The bill amends the New York executive law to establish these regional advocate positions within each of the state's regional economic development offices, with the goal of providing more localized support and oversight for minority and women-owned businesses.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S872