Creates the service connected disabled veteran owned business enterprise act to promote such business enterprises

BILL NUMBER:S4205

Title of bill

An act to amend the executive law, the state finance law, the arts and cultural affairs law, the economic development law, the energy law, the environmental conservation law, the labor law, the public authorities law, the general municipal law, the banking law, the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, the facilities development corporation act, the New York state medical care facilities finance agency act and the New York state urban development corporation act, in relation to promoting service connected disabled veteran owned business enterprises

Purpose

To extend state benefits now offered to minority and women-owned business enterprises to service connected disabled veterans.

Summary of provisions

Section 1 consists of the short title.

Section 2 amends subdivisions 1, 5, 6 and 7 of section 4-a of the executive law.

Section 3 amends the heading of Article 15-A of the executive law to include and define the term "service connected disabled veterans".

Sections 4 through 45 make amendments to the sections of law outlined in the title of the bill. Section 46 establishes the effective date.

Justification

Significant numbers of American service men and women are now returning from military operations connected with the Global War on Terror, both in Iraq and other locations around the globe. Unfortunately, many of these service members have suffered significant injuries during the course of these operations, and mans of these injuries have or will in the future cause permanent disabilities to these brave men and women that will last the rest of their lives. It is essential that government do what we can to provide every opportunity for our disabled veterans to go on to lead rewarding and productive lives.

One of the ways that New York State can meet this moral obligation is to assist disabled veterans in the creation and establishment of their own businesses. This will not only assist the veterans in question but also help New York's economy by generating more of the economic activity that leads to prosperity and jobs. Article 15-A of the Executive Law created the Division of Minority and Women's Business Development within Empire state Development in 1988, to promote the participation of minority and women owned businesses in the state contracting and procurement process. This law was designed to help enterprises owned by members of groups previously unfairly discriminated against receive their fair share of state business, and assist the owners of these businesses with state procurement law compliance. It is more reasonable that disabled veterans be afforded the same considerations and assistance.

The addition of service connected disabled veterans to the act creates no new government program or expenditure, but simply changes definitions in the current law to make service connected disabled

veterans eligible for all of the same benefits now available to businesses owned by women or members of identified minority groups through the Division of Minority and Women's. Business Development. It does not reduce in any way the assistance afforded to women or minorities, but rather extends those same benefits to these very deserving New Yorkers.

Legislative history

S6818, passed Senate.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

Immediately.