House Bill 128, which address the challenges that small businesses’ experience in the state procurement process, was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp, last week.
The bill focuses on minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses.
The bill, sponsored by Representative Soo Hong and co-sponsored by Representatives Steven Sainz, Josh Bonner, Reynaldo Martinez, Al Williams, and David Huddleston and carried in the Senate by Senator Mike Hodges, received overwhelming, bipartisan support in both chambers of the General Assembly.
Among other improvements, the bill streamlines the state certification process, expands opportunity for minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses within the state procurement process, and gives DOAS the authority to verify and accept certifications from other certifying organizations.
“I want to thank Commissioner Rebecca Sullivan and her team at the Department of Administrative Services; my floor leaders, Representative Soo Hong and Senator Mike Hodges; and the members of the Georgia General Assembly for their great work in getting this crucial bill to my desk for signature,” said Kemp. “This legislation is not only good for our minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, but also good for our entire state. By cutting red tape and ensuring that these businesses are well-equipped to compete for state contracts, we are further building on the promise to keep Georgia the best state to find opportunity.”