Bill > SB656

This bill strengthens support for small businesses by modifying existing government code provisions related to small business advocacy and liaison roles. The legislation requires all state agencies to designate at least one small business liaison, who will be responsible for receiving and responding to small business complaints, providing technical advice, reporting concerns to agency leadership, and helping to ensure procurement processes meet or exceed a 25% small business participation goal. The bill also introduces a new requirement for these liaisons to annually submit detailed information about their agency's contracts with small businesses to the Small Business Advocate, who will then publish this information online. Additionally, the bill increases participation goals for specific business categories, raising the disabled veteran business enterprise goal from 3% to 5% and expanding the minority business enterprise participation goal to 25% across all state agency contracts. The legislation aims to improve support, transparency, and opportunities for small businesses, including those owned by women, minorities, and LGBTQ entrepreneurs, by creating more structured and accountable mechanisms for engagement with state agencies.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Government Affairs

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billStatusClient.xhtml?bill_id=202520260SB656