Bill > HB991

This bill extends and modifies several provisions related to Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program, primarily by pushing back the termination date for various program components from July 1, 2025 to July 1, 2026. The bill expands the MBE Program's scope to include public-private partnerships, requiring the Board of Public Works to establish reasonable minority business participation goals for such projects in consultation with state agencies. It mandates several important studies and reports, including an analysis of the MBE Program's compliance with federal and constitutional requirements, an evaluation of race-neutral alternatives for supporting minority businesses, and a report on establishing minority business enterprise subgoals for capital projects. The bill also requires the Governor's Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to develop approaches for supporting minority and women-owned businesses in the brokerage and investment management services industry. Additionally, the legislation requires the establishment of policies and guidelines for implementation by July 1, 2026, and sets deadlines for various reports to be submitted to the Legislative Policy Committee, with most reports now due by September 30, 2025, or December 31, 2026, to ensure comprehensive review of the MBE Program's effectiveness and compliance.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/HB0991?ys=2025RS