Bill Text: NY S04208 | 2013-2014 | General Assembly | Introduced


Bill Title: Creates the "veteran owned business enterprise act" to promote such business enterprises and includes service related veteran owned businesses with minority and women owned businesses.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-08 - REFERRED TO VETERANS, HOMELAND SECURITY AND MILITARY AFFAIRS [S04208 Detail]

Download: New_York-2013-S04208-Introduced.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                         4208
                              2013-2014 Regular Sessions
                                   I N  S E N A T E
                                    March 14, 2013
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  Sen.  GOLDEN -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
         printed to be committed to the Committee on Veterans, Homeland Securi-
         ty and Military Affairs
       AN ACT to amend the executive law, the state finance law, the  arts  and
         cultural  affairs law, the economic development law, the environmental
         conservation law, the public authorities law,  the  general  municipal
         law,  the banking 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
         veteran owned business enterprises
         THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section 1. Short title. This act shall be known and may  be  cited  as
    2  the "veteran owned business enterprise act".
    3    S  2.  The  article  heading  of article 15-A of the executive law, as
    4  added by chapter 261 of the laws of 1988, is amended to read as follows:
    5    PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY  GROUP  MEMBERS,  VETERANS  AND  WOMEN  WITH
    6  RESPECT TO STATE CONTRACTS
    7    S  3.  Subdivisions  1  and  9 of section 310 of the executive law, as
    8  added by chapter 261 of the laws of 1988, are amended and a new subdivi-
    9  sion 23 is added to read as follows:
   10    1. "Certified business" shall mean a business verified as a  minority,
   11  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN or women-owned business enterprise pursuant
   12  to  section three hundred fourteen of this article. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS
   13  SECTION "VETERAN DISCHARGED OR  RELEASED  UNDER  CONDITIONS  OTHER  THAN
   14  DISHONORABLE"  SHALL  MEAN  THOSE CONDITIONS DEFINED BY TITLE 38 CODE OF
   15  FEDERAL REGULATIONS SECTION 3.12.
   16    9. "Utilization plan" shall mean a plan prepared by a  contractor  and
   17  submitted  in connection with a proposed state contract. The utilization
   18  plan shall identify certified minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  or
   19  women-owned  business  enterprises,  if  known,  that  have committed to
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD03196-02-3
       S. 4208                             2
    1  perform work in connection with the proposed state contract as  well  as
    2  any  such  enterprises, if known, which the contractor intends to use in
    3  connection with the  contractor's  performance  of  the  proposed  state
    4  contract.  The  plan  shall  specifically  contain a list, including the
    5  name, address and telephone number, of each  certified  enterprise  with
    6  which the contractor intends to subcontract.
    7    23.  "HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE" SHALL
    8  MEAN A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, INCLUDING A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP
    9  OR CORPORATION THAT IS:
   10    (A) AT LEAST FIFTY-ONE PERCENT OWNED BY  ONE  OR  MORE  UNITED  STATES
   11  CITIZENS  OR  PERMANENT  RESIDENT  ALIENS  WHO  ARE HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   12  VETERANS;
   13    (B) AN ENTERPRISE IN WHICH THE OWNERSHIP INTEREST  OF  SUCH  HONORABLY
   14  DISCHARGED VETERANS IS REAL, SUBSTANTIAL AND CONTINUING;
   15    (C)  AN ENTERPRISE IN WHICH SUCH HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN'S OWNER-
   16  SHIP HAS AND  EXERCISES  THE  AUTHORITY  TO  CONTROL  INDEPENDENTLY  THE
   17  DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS DECISIONS OF THE ENTERPRISE;
   18    (D)  AN  ENTERPRISE  AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE AND INDE-
   19  PENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED.
   20    (E) HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN SHALL MEAN A PERSON WHO SERVED IN THE
   21  ACTIVE MILITARY, NAVAL, OR AIR SERVICE DURING A PERIOD OF WAR AS DEFINED
   22  IN PARAGRAPH (F) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, OR WHO  WAS  A  RECIPIENT  OF  THE
   23  ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, NAVY EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, MARINE CORPS
   24  EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, OR GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, AND
   25  WHO  WAS  DISCHARGED OR RELEASED THEREFROM UNDER OTHER THAN DISHONORABLE
   26  CONDITIONS, AS DOCUMENTED ACCORDING TO  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS  OF  THE
   27  DIVISION OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS.
   28    (F)  FOR  THE  PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, SERVICE DURING TIME OF WAR IS
   29  DEFINED BY SECTION 3.2 OF TITLE 38 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS.
   30    S 4. Subdivision 1 and paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of subdivision
   31  3 of section 311 of the executive law, subdivision 1 and paragraphs  (d)
   32  and  (e)  of  subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 55 of the laws of 1992
   33  and paragraphs (a) and (f) of subdivision 3 as added by chapter  261  of
   34  the laws of 1988, are amended to read as follows:
   35    1.  The head of the division of minority and women's business develop-
   36  ment shall be the director who shall be appointed by  the  governor  and
   37  hold office at the pleasure of the commissioner. It shall be the duty of
   38  the  director  of the division of minority and women's business develop-
   39  ment to assist the governor in the  formulation  and  implementation  of
   40  laws and policies relating to minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and
   41  women-owned business enterprises.
   42    (a)  to  encourage and assist contracting agencies in their efforts to
   43  increase participation by minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and
   44  women-owned  business enterprises on state contracts and subcontracts so
   45  as to facilitate the award of a fair share of such contracts to them;
   46    (d) to review  periodically  the  practices  and  procedures  of  each
   47  contracting  agency  with  respect  to compliance with the provisions of
   48  this article, and to require them to  file  periodic  reports  with  the
   49  division of minority and women's business development as to the level of
   50  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enter-
   51  prises participation in the awarding of agency contracts for  goods  and
   52  services;
   53    (e)  on  January  first  of  each  year report to the governor and the
   54  chairpersons of the senate finance and assembly ways and  means  commit-
   55  tees  on  the level of minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-
   56  owned business enterprises participating in each agency's contracts  for
       S. 4208                             3
    1  goods  and  services  and on activities of the office and effort by each
    2  contracting agency to promote  employment  of  minority  group  members,
    3  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERANS  and  women, and to promote and increase
    4  participation  by  certified  businesses with respect to state contracts
    5  and subcontracts so as to facilitate the award of a fair share of  state
    6  contracts  to such businesses. The comptroller shall assist the division
    7  in collecting information on the participation of certified business for
    8  each contracting agency. Such report may recommend  new  activities  and
    9  programs to effectuate the purposes of this article;
   10    (f) to prepare and update periodically a directory of certified minor-
   11  ity,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises
   12  which shall, wherever practicable, be divided into categories of  labor,
   13  services,  supplies,  equipment,  materials  and recognized construction
   14  trades and which shall indicate areas or locations of  the  state  where
   15  such enterprises are available to perform services;
   16    S  5.  Section  313 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 175 of
   17  the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
   18    S 313. Opportunities for minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and
   19  women-owned business enterprises. 1. Goals and requirements for agencies
   20  and contractors.  Each agency shall structure procurement procedures for
   21  contracts  made directly or indirectly to minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   22  VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises,  in  accordance  with  the
   23  findings  of  the  two thousand ten disparity study, consistent with the
   24  purposes of this article, to attempt to achieve  the  following  results
   25  with regard to total annual statewide procurement:
   26    (a) construction industry for certified minority-owned business enter-
   27  prises: fourteen and thirty-four hundredths percent;
   28    (b)  construction  industry  for certified women-owned business enter-
   29  prises: eight and forty-one hundredths percent;
   30    (c) construction related professional services industry for  certified
   31  minority-owned  business enterprises: thirteen and twenty-one hundredths
   32  percent;
   33    (d) construction related professional services industry for  certified
   34  women-owned  business  enterprises:  eleven  and  thirty-two  hundredths
   35  percent;
   36    (e) non-construction related services industry for  certified  minori-
   37  ty-owned business enterprises: nineteen and sixty hundredths percent;
   38    (f)  non-construction  related  services industry for certified women-
   39  owned business enterprises: seventeen and forty-four hundredths percent;
   40    (g) commodities industry for certified minority-owned business  enter-
   41  prises: sixteen and eleven hundredths percent;
   42    (h)  commodities  industry  for  certified women-owned business enter-
   43  prises:  ten and ninety-three hundredths percent;
   44    (i) overall agency total dollar value  of  procurement  for  certified
   45  minority-owned  business enterprises: sixteen and fifty-three hundredths
   46  percent;
   47    (j) overall agency total dollar value  of  procurement  for  certified
   48  women-owned  business  enterprises:  twelve  and  thirty-nine hundredths
   49  percent; and
   50    (k) overall agency total dollar value  of  procurement  for  certified
   51  minority,  women-owned business enterprises: twenty-eight and ninety-two
   52  hundredths percent.
   53    1-a. The director  shall  ensure  that  each  state  agency  has  been
   54  provided with a copy of the two thousand ten disparity study.
   55    1-b.  Each  agency shall develop and adopt agency-specific goals based
   56  on the findings of the two thousand ten disparity study.
       S. 4208                             4
    1    2. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the
    2  goals established in subdivision one of this section that provide  meas-
    3  ures  and  procedures  to  ensure  that  certified  minority,  HONORABLY
    4  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned businesses shall be given the  oppor-
    5  tunity  for  maximum  feasible participation in the performance of state
    6  contracts and to assist in the agency's identification  of  those  state
    7  contracts  for  which  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-
    8  owned certified businesses may best bid to  actively  and  affirmatively
    9  promote  and  assist  their  participation  in  the performance of state
   10  contracts so as to facilitate the agency's achievement  of  the  maximum
   11  feasible portion of the goals for state contracts to such businesses.
   12    2-a.  The  director  shall  promulgate rules and regulations that will
   13  accomplish the following:
   14    (a) provide for the certification  and  decertification  of  minority,
   15  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and women-owned business enterprises for
   16  all agencies through a single process  that  meets  applicable  require-
   17  ments;
   18    (b) require that each contract solicitation document accompanying each
   19  solicitation  set  forth  the  expected  degree  of  minority, HONORABLY
   20  DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  business  enterprise  participation
   21  based, in part, on:
   22    (i)  the  potential  subcontract  opportunities available in the prime
   23  procurement contract; and
   24    (ii) the availability, as contained within  the  study,  of  certified
   25  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enter-
   26  prises to respond competitively to the  potential  subcontract  opportu-
   27  nities;
   28    (c)  require  that  each  agency  provide  a current list of certified
   29  minority business enterprises to each prospective contractor;
   30    (d) allow a contractor that is a certified  minority-owned,  HONORABLY
   31  DISCHARGED  VETERAN-OWNED  or women-owned business enterprise to use the
   32  work it performs to meet requirements for  use  of  certified  minority-
   33  owned, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED or women-owned business enter-
   34  prises as subcontractors;
   35    (e)  provide for joint ventures, which a bidder may count toward meet-
   36  ing its minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business
   37  enterprise participation;
   38    (f)  consistent  with  subdivision  six  of  this section, provide for
   39  circumstances under  which  an  agency  may  waive  obligations  of  the
   40  contractor  relating  to  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and
   41  women-owned business enterprise participation;
   42    (g) require that an agency verify that minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   43  VETERAN  and women-owned business enterprises listed in a successful bid
   44  are actually participating to the extent listed in the project for which
   45  the bid was submitted;
   46    (h) provide for the collection of  statistical  data  by  each  agency
   47  concerning actual minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned
   48  business enterprise participation; and
   49    (i)  require  each  agency to consult the most current disparity study
   50  when calculating agency-wide and contract specific  participation  goals
   51  pursuant to this article.
   52    3.  Solely for the purpose of providing the opportunity for meaningful
   53  participation by  certified  businesses  in  the  performance  of  state
   54  contracts  as  provided  in  this section, state contracts shall include
   55  leases of real property by a state agency to a lessee where:  the  terms
   56  of  such  leases  provide for the construction, demolition, replacement,
       S. 4208                             5
    1  major repair or renovation of real property and improvements thereon  by
    2  such lessee; and the cost of such construction, demolition, replacement,
    3  major  repair  or  renovation  of real property and improvements thereon
    4  shall  exceed  the  sum  of one hundred thousand dollars. Reports to the
    5  director pursuant to section three hundred fifteen of this article shall
    6  include activities with respect to all such state contracts. Contracting
    7  agencies shall include or require to be included with respect  to  state
    8  contracts  for  the  acquisition, construction, demolition, replacement,
    9  major repair or renovation of real property  and  improvements  thereon,
   10  such provisions as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this
   11  section  in  every  bid specification and state contract, including, but
   12  not limited to: (a) provisions requiring  contractors  to  make  a  good
   13  faith  effort  to solicit active participation by enterprises identified
   14  in the directory of certified businesses  provided  to  the  contracting
   15  agency  by the office; (b) requiring the parties to agree as a condition
   16  of entering into such contract, to be bound by the provisions of section
   17  three hundred sixteen of this article; and (c) requiring the  contractor
   18  to  include  the  provisions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
   19  subdivision in every subcontract in a manner that the provisions will be
   20  binding upon each subcontractor as  to  work  in  connection  with  such
   21  contract.  Provided,  however,  that no such provisions shall be binding
   22  upon contractors or subcontractors in the performance  of  work  or  the
   23  provision  of services that are unrelated, separate or distinct from the
   24  state contract as expressed by its terms, and nothing  in  this  section
   25  shall  authorize  the  director  or any contracting agency to impose any
   26  requirement on a contractor or subcontractor except with  respect  to  a
   27  state contract.
   28    4. In the implementation of this section, the contracting agency shall
   29  (a) consult the findings contained within the disparity study evidencing
   30  relevant industry specific availability of certified businesses;
   31    (b)  implement  a program that will enable the agency to evaluate each
   32  contract to determine the appropriateness of the goal pursuant to subdi-
   33  vision one of this section;
   34    (c) consider  where  practicable,  the  severability  of  construction
   35  projects and other bundled contracts; and
   36    (d)  consider  compliance  with  the  requirements  of any federal law
   37  concerning opportunities for minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  and
   38  women-owned  business  enterprises which effectuates the purpose of this
   39  section. The contracting agency shall determine whether  the  imposition
   40  of  the  requirements  of  any  such  law duplicate or conflict with the
   41  provisions hereof and  if  such  duplication  or  conflict  exists,  the
   42  contracting  agency shall waive the applicability of this section to the
   43  extent of such duplication or conflict.
   44    5. (a) Contracting agencies shall administer the rules and regulations
   45  promulgated by the director in a good faith effort to meet  the  maximum
   46  feasible  portion of the agency's goals adopted pursuant to this article
   47  and the regulations of the director. Such rules and  regulations:  shall
   48  require a contractor to submit a utilization plan after bids are opened,
   49  when  bids  are  required,  but  prior to the award of a state contract;
   50  shall require the contracting agency  to  review  the  utilization  plan
   51  submitted  by  the  contractor  and to post the utilization plan and any
   52  waivers of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision six of this section
   53  on the website of the contracting agency within a reasonable  period  of
   54  time as established by the director; shall require the contracting agen-
   55  cy to notify the contractor in writing within a period of time specified
   56  by  the  director  as  to any deficiencies contained in the contractor's
       S. 4208                             6
    1  utilization plan; shall require remedy thereof within a period  of  time
    2  specified  by the director; shall require the contractor to submit peri-
    3  odic compliance reports relating to the operation and implementation  of
    4  any  utilization  plan;  shall not allow any automatic waivers but shall
    5  allow a contractor to apply for a partial or total waiver of the minori-
    6  ty, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  enterprise
    7  participation  requirements  pursuant  to  subdivisions six and seven of
    8  this section; shall allow a contractor to  file  a  complaint  with  the
    9  director  pursuant  to  subdivision eight of this section in the event a
   10  contracting agency has failed or refused to issue a waiver of the minor-
   11  ity, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  business  enterprise
   12  participation  requirements or has denied such request for a waiver; and
   13  shall allow a contracting agency to file a complaint with  the  director
   14  pursuant  to  subdivision nine of this section in the event a contractor
   15  is failing  or  has  failed  to  comply  with  the  minority,  HONORABLY
   16  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business enterprise participation
   17  requirements set forth in the state contract where no  waiver  has  been
   18  granted.
   19    (b) The rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this subdivision
   20  regarding  a  utilization plan shall provide that where enterprises have
   21  been identified within a utilization plan, a contractor  shall  attempt,
   22  in  good  faith, to utilize such enterprise at least to the extent indi-
   23  cated. A contracting agency may require a contractor to indicate, within
   24  a utilization plan, what measures and procedures he or  she  intends  to
   25  take to comply with the provisions of this article, but may not require,
   26  as  a  condition  of  award  of,  or  compliance with, a contract that a
   27  contractor  utilize  a  particular  enterprise  in  performance  of  the
   28  contract.
   29    (c) Without limiting other grounds for the disqualification of bids or
   30  proposals  on  the basis of non-responsibility, a contracting agency may
   31  disqualify the bid or proposal of a contractor as being  non-responsible
   32  for  failure  to  remedy notified deficiencies contained in the contrac-
   33  tor's utilization plan within a period of time specified in  regulations
   34  promulgated  by  the director after receiving notification of such defi-
   35  ciencies from the contracting agency. Where failure to remedy any  noti-
   36  fied  deficiency  in  the utilization plan is a ground for disqualifica-
   37  tion, that issue and all other grounds  for  disqualification  shall  be
   38  stated in writing by the contracting agency. Where the contracting agen-
   39  cy states that a failure to remedy any notified deficiency in the utili-
   40  zation  plan  is  a  ground for disqualification the contractor shall be
   41  entitled to an  administrative  hearing,  on  a  record,  involving  all
   42  grounds  stated  by  the  contracting  agency.  Such  hearing  shall  be
   43  conducted by the appropriate authority  of  the  contracting  agency  to
   44  review  the  determination  of  disqualification. A final administrative
   45  determination made following such  hearing  shall  be  reviewable  in  a
   46  proceeding  commenced  under article seventy-eight of the civil practice
   47  law and rules, provided that such proceeding is commenced within  thirty
   48  days  of  the  notice  given  by certified mail return receipt requested
   49  rendering such final administrative determination. Such proceeding shall
   50  be commenced in the supreme court, appellate division, third  department
   51  and  such  proceeding  shall  be  preferred  over all other civil causes
   52  except election causes, and shall be heard and determined in  preference
   53  to  all  other  civil business pending therein, except election matters,
   54  irrespective of position on the calendar. Appeals taken to the court  of
   55  appeals  of  the  state of New York shall be subject to the same prefer-
   56  ence.
       S. 4208                             7
    1    6. Where it appears that a  contractor  cannot,  after  a  good  faith
    2  effort,  comply  with  the  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and
    3  women-owned business enterprise participation requirements set forth  in
    4  a particular state contract, a contractor may file a written application
    5  with the contracting agency requesting a partial or total waiver of such
    6  requirements  setting  forth the reasons for such contractor's inability
    7  to meet any or all of the participation requirements  together  with  an
    8  explanation  of  the  efforts undertaken by the contractor to obtain the
    9  required minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business
   10  enterprise  participation.  In  implementing  the  provisions  of   this
   11  section,  the  contracting agency shall consider the number and types of
   12  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enter-
   13  prises  located  in  the  region  in  which  the state contract is to be
   14  performed, the total dollar value of the state contract,  the  scope  of
   15  work  to  be  performed and the project size and term. If, based on such
   16  considerations, the contracting agency determines there is not a reason-
   17  able availability of contractors on the list of  certified  business  to
   18  furnish  services for the project, it shall issue a waiver of compliance
   19  to the contractor. In making such determination, the contracting  agency
   20  shall  first  consider  the  availability  of other business enterprises
   21  located in the region and shall thereafter consider the financial abili-
   22  ty of minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  businesses
   23  located  outside  the region in which the contract is to be performed to
   24  perform the state contract.
   25    7. For purposes of determining a contractor's  good  faith  effort  to
   26  comply  with  the  requirements  of  this section or to be entitled to a
   27  waiver therefrom the contracting agency shall consider:
   28    (a) whether the  contractor  has  advertised  in  general  circulation
   29  media, trade association publications, and minority-focus, VETERAN-FOCUS
   30  and  women-focus  media and, in such event, (i) whether or not certified
   31  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN or women-owned  businesses  which
   32  have  been  solicited by the contractor exhibited interest in submitting
   33  proposals for a particular project by attending  a  pre-bid  conference;
   34  and
   35    (ii)  whether  certified  businesses  which have been solicited by the
   36  contractor have responded in a timely fashion to the contractor's solic-
   37  itations for timely competitive bid quotations prior to the  contracting
   38  agency's bid date; and
   39    (b)  whether there has been written notification to appropriate certi-
   40  fied businesses that appear in the  directory  of  certified  businesses
   41  prepared pursuant to paragraph (f) of subdivision three of section three
   42  hundred eleven of this article; and
   43    (c) whether the contractor can reasonably structure the amount of work
   44  to  be  performed under subcontracts in order to increase the likelihood
   45  of participation by certified businesses.
   46    8. In the event that a contracting agency fails or refuses to issue  a
   47  waiver to a contractor as requested within twenty days after having made
   48  application  therefor  pursuant to subdivision six of this section or if
   49  the contracting agency denies such application, in whole or in part, the
   50  contractor may file a complaint with the director  pursuant  to  section
   51  three  hundred  sixteen  of  this  article  setting  forth the facts and
   52  circumstances giving rise to the contractor's complaint together with  a
   53  demand  for  relief. The contractor shall serve a copy of such complaint
   54  upon the contracting agency by personal service or  by  certified  mail,
   55  return  receipt  requested.  The contracting agency shall be afforded an
   56  opportunity to respond to such complaint in writing.
       S. 4208                             8
    1    9.  If,  after  the  review  of  a  contractor's  minority,  HONORABLY
    2  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and women owned business utilization plan or review
    3  of a periodic compliance report  and  after  such  contractor  has  been
    4  afforded  an  opportunity to respond to a notice of deficiency issued by
    5  the  contracting  agency  in  connection  therewith,  it  appears that a
    6  contractor is failing or refusing to comply with the minority, HONORABLY
    7  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business  participation  requirements
    8  as  set  forth  in  the  state  contract  and  where no waiver from such
    9  requirements has been granted, the contracting agency may file a written
   10  complaint with the director pursuant to section three hundred sixteen of
   11  this article setting forth the facts and circumstances  giving  rise  to
   12  the  contracting  agency's  complaint together with a demand for relief.
   13  The contracting agency shall serve a copy of  such  complaint  upon  the
   14  contractor  by  personal  service  or  by certified mail, return receipt
   15  requested. The contractor shall be afforded an opportunity to respond to
   16  such complaint in writing.
   17    S 6. Section 317 of the executive law, as added by chapter 261 of  the
   18  laws of 1988, is amended to read as follows:
   19    S  317.  Superseding  effect of article with respect to state law. The
   20  provisions of this article shall supersede any other provision of  state
   21  law, which expressly implements or mandates an equal employment opportu-
   22  nity program or a program for securing participation by minority, HONOR-
   23  ABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises, concerning
   24  action  to  be  taken  by  any  party  to a state contract, to which the
   25  provisions of this article apply; provided, however, that the provisions
   26  of any state law, not as hereinabove superseded, which expressly  imple-
   27  ment  or mandate such programs shall remain unimpaired by the provisions
   28  of this article, except that the provisions of any  such  law  shall  be
   29  construed  as  if  the  provisions  of subdivisions five, six, seven and
   30  eight of section  three  hundred  thirteen  and  section  three  hundred
   31  sixteen of this article were fully set forth therein and made applicable
   32  only  to complaints of violations under such provisions of law occurring
   33  on or after September first, nineteen  hundred  eighty-eight;  provided,
   34  further,  that  nothing  contained in this article shall be construed to
   35  limit, impair, or otherwise restrict any  state  agency's  authority  or
   36  discretionary  power in effect prior to the enactment of this article to
   37  establish or continue, by  rule,  regulation  or  resolution,  an  equal
   38  opportunity program or a program for securing participation of minority,
   39  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises with
   40  regard to banking relationships, the issuance of insurance  policies  or
   41  contracts  for  the  sale  of  bonds,  notes  or  other securities; and,
   42  provided further, that nothing contained in  the  immediately  preceding
   43  proviso  shall  be  construed  to  create, impair, alter, limit, modify,
   44  enlarge, abrogate or restrict any agency's  authority  or  discretionary
   45  power  with  respect  to  an  equal opportunity program or a program for
   46  securing participation of minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and
   47  women-owned enterprises.
   48    S  7.  Section 136-b of the state finance law, as added by chapter 261
   49  of the laws of 1988, is amended to read as follows:
   50    S 136-b. Selection of underwriters by state agencies. Whenever a state
   51  agency, as defined in article fifteen-A of the executive law, sells  its
   52  bonds,  notes or other securities at a private sale, in selecting one or
   53  more underwriters to purchase such securities  the  state  agency  shall
   54  consider,  among  other  things,  the  participation  of firms certified
   55  pursuant to such article as minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  or
   56  women-owned  firms and the ability of other firms under consideration to
       S. 4208                             9
    1  work with minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  busi-
    2  ness  enterprises  so  as  to  promote  and assist participation by such
    3  enterprises.
    4    S  8.  Paragraphs (b) and (d) of subdivision 2 of section 139-i of the
    5  state finance law, as amended by chapter 531 of the laws  of  1993,  are
    6  amended to read as follows:
    7    (b)  include  in  all  bid  documents  provided to potential bidders a
    8  statement that information concerning the availability of New York state
    9  subcontractors and suppliers  is  available  from  the  New  York  state
   10  department of economic development, which shall include the directory of
   11  certified  minority  and women-owned businesses, and it is the policy of
   12  New York state to encourage the use of New York state subcontractors and
   13  suppliers, and to  promote  the  participation  of  minority,  HONORABLY
   14  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned businesses, where possible, in the
   15  procurement of goods and services.
   16    (d) adopt policies to promote the  participation  by  New  York  state
   17  business  enterprises  and  New  York  state  residents  in  procurement
   18  contracts, with the cooperation of the department of  economic  develop-
   19  ment  and  the  community  services  division of the department of labor
   20  including, but not limited to,  providing  through  cooperative  efforts
   21  with  contractors for the notification of New York state business enter-
   22  prises of opportunities to participate as subcontractors  and  suppliers
   23  on procurement contracts in an amount estimated to be equal to or great-
   24  er  than  one million dollars and for the notification of New York state
   25  residents of employment opportunities arising in New York state  out  of
   26  procurement  contracts  in an amount estimated to be equal to or greater
   27  than one million dollars; and promulgating procedures which will  assure
   28  compliance  by  contractors  with  such notification.   Once awarded the
   29  contract, such contractors shall document their efforts to encourage the
   30  participation of New York state business enterprises  as  suppliers  and
   31  subcontractors  on  procurement  contracts  equal to or greater than one
   32  million dollars. Documented efforts by  a  successful  contractor  shall
   33  consist  of and be limited to showing that such contractor has [(a)] (I)
   34  solicited bids, in a timely and adequate manner,  from  New  York  state
   35  business  enterprises including certified minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   36  VETERAN and women-owned business, or [(b)] (II) contacted the  New  York
   37  state  department of economic development to obtain listings of New York
   38  state business enterprises, or [(c)] (III) placed  notices  for  subcon-
   39  tractors  and suppliers in newspapers, journals and other trade publica-
   40  tions distributed in New York  state,  or  [(d)]  (IV)  participated  in
   41  bidder  outreach conferences. If the contractor determines that New York
   42  state business enterprises are  not  available  to  participate  on  the
   43  contract  as subcontractors or suppliers, the contractor shall provide a
   44  statement indicating the method by which such determination was made. If
   45  the contractor does not intend to use subcontractors  on  the  contract,
   46  the  contractor  shall  provide a statement verifying such intent.  Such
   47  contractors shall also provide notification to New York state  residents
   48  of  employment opportunities through listing any such positions with the
   49  community services division, or providing for such notification in  such
   50  manner as is consistent with existing collective bargaining contracts or
   51  agreements.  On or before the effective date of this section, each state
   52  agency or department shall submit such policies to the division  of  the
   53  budget  and  copies  thereof to the department of audit and control, the
   54  department of economic development, the senate finance committee and the
   55  assembly ways and means committee.
       S. 4208                            10
    1    S 9. Subdivision 5, paragraph (e) of subdivision 11, paragraph (e)  of
    2  subdivision 12 and paragraph (a) of subdivision 16 of section 213 of the
    3  state  finance  law,  subdivision 5, paragraph (e) of subdivision 11 and
    4  paragraph (e) of subdivision 12 as added by chapter 705 of the  laws  of
    5  1993  and  paragraph  (a) of subdivision 16 as amended by chapter 424 of
    6  the laws of 2009, are amended to read as follows:
    7    5. "Certified [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  or
    8  women-owned   business"   means   any  [minority-]  MINORITY,  HONORABLY
    9  DISCHARGED VETERAN or women-owned  business  enterprise  as  defined  in
   10  section three hundred ten of the executive law and certified pursuant to
   11  section three hundred fourteen of the executive law.
   12    (e)  any  certified [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN
   13  or women-owned business seeking  financing  necessary  to  carry  out  a
   14  procurement  contract with an agency or authority or other entity of the
   15  state or federal government; or
   16    (e) for certified [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN
   17  and  women-owned  businesses, projects to provide financing necessary to
   18  carry out a procurement contract with an agency or  authority  or  other
   19  entity of the state or federal government.
   20    (a)  for  a  linked deposit made in connection with a linked loan to a
   21  certified business in an empire zone or to an eligible business  located
   22  in  a  highly distressed area or to an eligible business that is defined
   23  in paragraph (b-1) of subdivision eleven of this section that is located
   24  in a renewal community or defined in paragraph (b-2) of such subdivision
   25  that is located in an empowerment zone or defined in paragraph (b-3)  of
   26  such subdivision that is located in an enterprise community, respective-
   27  ly  for eligible projects defined in paragraph (c) of subdivision twelve
   28  of  this  section  or  a  certified  [minority-]   MINORITY,   HONORABLY
   29  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  or  women-owned business enterprise for an eligible
   30  project defined in paragraph (e) of subdivision twelve of  this  section
   31  or to a defense industry manufacturer for a project defined in paragraph
   32  (d)  of  subdivision  twelve  of  this section, a fixed rate of interest
   33  which is three hundred basis points below the lender's posted four  year
   34  certificate of deposit rate or, if the lender does not offer a four year
   35  certificate  of deposit, is three hundred basis points below the average
   36  statewide rate for four year certificates of deposit  as  determined  by
   37  the commissioner of economic development;
   38    S  10.  Subdivision  1  of  section  218  of the state finance law, as
   39  amended by section 1 of part U of chapter 58 of the  laws  of  2012,  is
   40  amended to read as follows:
   41    1.  Linked  loans  made  to certified businesses in empire zones or to
   42  eligible businesses in highly distressed areas or to eligible businesses
   43  that are defined in paragraph (b-1) of subdivision eleven of section two
   44  hundred thirteen of this article that are located in a renewal community
   45  or defined in paragraph (b-2) of such subdivision that are located in an
   46  empowerment zone or defined in paragraph (b-3) of such subdivision  that
   47  are  located  in  an  enterprise  community,  respectively  for eligible
   48  projects defined in paragraph (c) of subdivision twelve of  section  two
   49  hundred  thirteen  of this article or to [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY
   50  DISCHARGED VETERAN or women-owned business enterprises for  an  eligible
   51  project  defined  in  paragraph (e) of subdivision twelve of section two
   52  hundred thirteen of this article or to a defense  industry  manufacturer
   53  for  a project defined in paragraph (d) of subdivision twelve of section
   54  two hundred thirteen of this article or to an eligible business pursuant
   55  to paragraph (a) of subdivision eleven of section two  hundred  thirteen
   56  of  this  article  that  produces products defined in subdivision two of
       S. 4208                            11
    1  section three hundred one of the agriculture  and  markets  law  for  an
    2  eligible  project  as  defined in paragraph (b) of subdivision twelve of
    3  section two hundred thirteen of this article shall bear  interest  at  a
    4  fixed  rate  equal  to  three percentage points below the fixed interest
    5  rate the lender would have charged for the loan  in  the  absence  of  a
    6  linked  deposit  based  on  its usual credit considerations.   All other
    7  linked loans shall bear interest at a fixed rate equal to two percentage
    8  points below the fixed interest rate the lender would have  charged  for
    9  the  loan  in  the absence of a linked deposit based on its usual credit
   10  considerations. Lenders shall certify to the  commissioner  of  economic
   11  development that the rate to be charged on a linked loan is two percent-
   12  age  points  or  three  percentage points, as the case may be, below the
   13  interest rate the lender would have charged for the loan in the  absence
   14  of a linked deposit.
   15    S  11. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 12 of section 3.07 of the arts and
   16  cultural affairs law, as amended by chapter 255 of the laws of 1988,  is
   17  amended to read as follows:
   18    (c)  (i)  In  the  performance  of  projects pursuant to this section,
   19  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enter-
   20  prises  shall be given the opportunity for meaningful participation. For
   21  purposes hereof, minority business enterprise shall  mean  any  business
   22  enterprise  which  is  at least fifty-one per centum owned by, or in the
   23  case of a publicly owned business, at least fifty-one per centum of  the
   24  stock  or  other voting interest is owned by citizens or permanent resi-
   25  dent aliens who are Black, Hispanic,  Asian,  American  Indian,  Pacific
   26  Islander,  or  Alaskan  native,  and  such  ownership  interest is real,
   27  substantial and  continuing  and  has  the  authority  to  independently
   28  control the day to day business decisions of the entity for at least one
   29  year;  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE SHALL MEAN
   30  THE SAME AS  PROVIDED  IN  SUBDIVISION  TWENTY-THREE  OF  SECTION  THREE
   31  HUNDRED  TEN  OF  THE EXECUTIVE LAW; and women-owned business enterprise
   32  shall mean any business enterprise  which  is  at  least  fifty-one  per
   33  centum  owned  by, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least
   34  fifty-one per centum of the stock to other voting interests of which  is
   35  owned  by  citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women, and such
   36  ownership interest is real,  substantial  and  continuing  and  has  the
   37  authority  to independently control the day to day business decisions of
   38  the entity for at least one year.
   39    The provisions of this subdivision shall not be construed to limit the
   40  ability of any minority business enterprise to bid on any contract.
   41    (ii) In order to implement the requirements  and  objectives  of  this
   42  section,  the  council  shall request, as appropriate, the assistance of
   43  other  state  agencies  to  monitor  the  contractors'  compliance  with
   44  provisions  hereof,  provide assistance in obtaining competing qualified
   45  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enter-
   46  prises  to  perform  contracts  proposed  to  be awarded, and take other
   47  appropriate measures  to  improve  the  access  of  minority,  HONORABLY
   48  DISCHARGED   VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  enterprises  to  these
   49  contracts.
   50    S 12. Subdivision 2 of section 115 of the economic development law, as
   51  added by chapter 55 of the laws of 1992, is amended to read as follows:
   52    2. "Technical assistance" shall mean assistance and services  designed
   53  to  improve  the  efficiency, effectiveness and viability of a minority,
   54  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN or women-owned business enterprise, includ-
   55  ing, but not limited to, management  assistance,  problem  solving,  the
   56  development  of business and marketing plans, market analysis, financial
       S. 4208                            12
    1  planning, regulatory compliance, safety and  security  measures,  export
    2  assistance,   procurement   assistance,  application  assistance,  state
    3  program assistance, referral to private and  public  financing  sources,
    4  contracting  assistance, and other forms of assistance which the commis-
    5  sioner deems necessary and appropriate.
    6    S 13. Section 118 of the economic development law, as added by chapter
    7  55 of the laws of 1992 and subdivision 7 as further amended  by  section
    8  15  of  part GG of chapter 63 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as
    9  follows:
   10    S 118. Power and duties. In addition to the power and duties conferred
   11  by section one hundred sixteen of this article, the division shall  have
   12  the additional power and duty to:
   13    1.  Coordinate  with all state agencies performing functions affecting
   14  the operations of minority business  enterprises,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   15  VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES and women-owned business enterprises,
   16  as such terms are defined in section two hundred ten of this chapter;
   17    2.  Receive  complaints and inquiries of operators of minority, HONOR-
   18  ABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises  and  refer
   19  them  to  the appropriate federal, state or local agency for appropriate
   20  action on such complaints;
   21    3. Solicit recommendations from the operators of  minority,  HONORABLY
   22  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned business enterprises for improving
   23  existing state programs and refer such recommendations to the  governor,
   24  the legislature and appropriate state agencies or authorities;
   25    4.  Advise and make recommendations to the commissioner and the legis-
   26  lature on matters affecting the minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN
   27  and  women-owned  business  enterprises  of  the  state  and promote and
   28  encourage the protection of the legitimate interests of minority, HONOR-
   29  ABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises within  the
   30  state;
   31    5.  Conduct  investigations, research, studies and analyses of matters
   32  affecting the interests of minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and
   33  women-owned business enterprises;
   34    6.  Study the implementation of the laws affecting minority, HONORABLY
   35  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises and recommend to
   36  the commissioner new laws and amendments of  laws  for  the  benefit  of
   37  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enter-
   38  prises; and review pending  legislation  affecting  minority,  HONORABLY
   39  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and women-owned business enterprises and report its
   40  findings to the commissioner;
   41    7. Provide technical assistance and information to minority, HONORABLY
   42  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises in the state  on
   43  economic development programs administered by the department, including,
   44  but  not limited to:  (a) the empire zones program, established pursuant
   45  to article eighteen-B of the general municipal law, (b)  the  industrial
   46  effectiveness  program,  established  pursuant  to article seven of this
   47  chapter, (c) the economic development skills  training  program,  estab-
   48  lished  pursuant to article eight of this chapter, and (d) the entrepre-
   49  neurial assistance program, established pursuant to article nine of this
   50  chapter;
   51    8. Provide technical assistance and information to minority, HONORABLY
   52  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises in the state  on
   53  economic  development  programs  administered by agencies other than the
   54  department, including, but not limited to programs administered  by  the
   55  urban  development  corporation,  the  job development authority and the
   56  science and technology foundation;
       S. 4208                            13
    1    9. Be responsible for conducting minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETER-
    2  AN and women-owned business enterprise assistance programs and for coor-
    3  dinating the activities of all other state agencies  acting  within  the
    4  scope of this section; and
    5    10.  Carry  out  the  activities  to implement the minority, HONORABLY
    6  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  enterprise   assistance
    7  programs,  to the extent practicable, within amounts appropriated there-
    8  for by[;]:
    9    (a)  collecting  and  maintaining  information  identifying  certified
   10  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enter-
   11  prises within New York state;
   12    (b) collecting, maintaining, and providing  information  to  potential
   13  users  identifying  existing  contracting  and procurement opportunities
   14  within and outside New York state;
   15    (c) maintaining, providing and marketing  a  compilation  of  existing
   16  programs providing assistance for minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN
   17  and women-owned business enterprises;
   18    (d)  identifying special needs and problems facing minority, HONORABLY
   19  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises within New  York
   20  state;
   21    (e)  contacting institutions, organizations and commercial enterprises
   22  that are potential consumers of minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN
   23  and  women-owned  business  products and services; urging their expanded
   24  consumption of such goods and services;
   25    (f) facilitating the establishment of minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   26  VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises; and
   27    (g)  providing information concerning local and regional opportunities
   28  for minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business
   29  enterprises.
   30    S  14.    Section  210  of  the economic development law is amended by
   31  adding a new subdivision 6 to read as follows:
   32    6. "HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE" MEANS  THE
   33  SAME AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-THREE OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED TEN
   34  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
   35    S  15.  Paragraphs  (b) and (i) of subdivision 1 of section 231 of the
   36  economic development law, as amended by chapter 352 of the laws of 2009,
   37  are amended to read as follows:
   38    (b) to provide outreach to businesses, with  attention  to  small  and
   39  medium-sized businesses, including minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETER-
   40  AN  and  women-owned  business  enterprises, for financial and technical
   41  assistance offered by state economic development agencies,  authorities,
   42  or other economic entities;
   43    (i)  to  provide  information  and  assistance in the certification of
   44  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enter-
   45  prises;
   46    S  16. Section 52-0113 of the environmental conservation law, as added
   47  by chapter 512 of the laws of 1986, is amended to read as follows:
   48  S 52-0113. Minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  busi-
   49               ness enterprise program.
   50    1.  a.  In  the  performance  of  projects  pursuant  to  this article
   51  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enter-
   52  prises  shall be given the opportunity for meaningful participation. The
   53  department or the office shall  establish  measures  and  procedures  to
   54  secure  meaningful  participation and identify those contracts and items
   55  of work for which minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned
   56  business enterprises may best bid to actively and affirmatively  promote
       S. 4208                            14
    1  and  assist their participation in the projects, so as to facilitate the
    2  award of a fair share of contracts to such enterprises; provided, howev-
    3  er, that nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the ability
    4  of the department or office to assure that qualified minority, HONORABLY
    5  DISCHARGED  VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises may participate
    6  in the program.
    7    For purposes [hereof] OF THIS ARTICLE,  minority  business  enterprise
    8  shall  mean  any  business  enterprise  which  is at least fifty-one per
    9  centum owned by, or in the case of a publicly owned business,  at  least
   10  fifty-one  per  centum  of  the  stock  of which is owned by citizens or
   11  permanent resident aliens who are Black,  Hispanic,  Asian  or  American
   12  Indian,  Pacific Islander or Alaskan natives and such ownership interest
   13  is real, substantial and continuing and have the authority to  independ-
   14  ently  control  the  day  to day business decisions of the entity for at
   15  least one year; HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN OWNED  BUSINESS  ENTERPRISE
   16  SHALL  MEAN  THE  SAME AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-THREE OF SECTION
   17  THREE HUNDRED TEN OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; and women-owned business  enter-
   18  prise shall mean any business enterprise which is at least fifty-one per
   19  centum  owned  by, or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least
   20  fifty-one per centum of the stock of  which  is  owned  by  citizens  or
   21  permanent  resident aliens who are women, and such ownership interest is
   22  real, substantial and continuing and have the authority to independently
   23  control the day to day business decisions of the entity for at least one
   24  year. The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed  to  limit
   25  the ability of any minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN or women-owned
   26  business enterprise to bid on any contract.
   27    b. In the implementation of this section, the department or the office
   28  shall consider compliance by any contractor with the requirements of any
   29  federal,  state,  or local law concerning minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   30  VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises, which may  effectuate  the
   31  requirements of this section. If the department or the office determines
   32  that by virtue of the imposition of the requirements of any such law, in
   33  respect  to  capital project contracts, the provisions thereof duplicate
   34  or conflict with such law, the department may waive the applicability of
   35  this section to the extent of such duplication or conflict.
   36    c. Nothing in this section shall be deemed  to  require  that  overall
   37  state  and federal requirements for participation of minority, HONORABLY
   38  DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  business  enterprises  in  programs
   39  authorized under this article be applied without regard to local circum-
   40  stances to all projects or in all communities.
   41    2.  In  order  to  implement  the  requirements and objectives of this
   42  section, the department and the office  shall  establish  procedures  to
   43  monitor  the  contractors'  compliance  with  provisions hereof, provide
   44  assistance  in  obtaining  competing   qualified   minority,   HONORABLY
   45  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  enterprises  to perform
   46  contracts proposed to be awarded, and take other appropriate measures to
   47  improve the access of minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-
   48  owned business enterprises to these contracts.
   49    S  17.  Subparagraph  (i)  of  paragraph (b), the opening paragraph of
   50  paragraph (c), paragraphs (i) and (j) and subparagraphs (ii)  and  (iii)
   51  of paragraph (n) of subdivision 3 of section 2879 of the public authori-
   52  ties  law,  subparagraph (i) of paragraph (b) as amended, paragraphs (i)
   53  and (j) as added, and subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of paragraph  (n)  as
   54  relettered  by chapter 174 of the laws of 2010 and the opening paragraph
   55  of paragraph (c) as amended by chapter 564 of  the  laws  of  1988,  are
   56  amended and a new paragraph (e-1) is added to read as follows:
       S. 4208                            15
    1    (i)  for the selection of such contractors on a competitive basis, and
    2  provisions relating to the circumstances under which the  board  may  by
    3  resolution  waive  competition,  including,  notwithstanding  any  other
    4  provision of  law  requiring  competition,  the  purchase  of  goods  or
    5  services  from  small  business concerns or those certified as minority,
    6  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN or  women-owned  business  enterprises,  or
    7  goods  or  technology  that are recycled or remanufactured, in an amount
    8  not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars without a formal  competitive
    9  process;
   10    An  identification  of  those  areas  or  types of contracts for which
   11  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN or  women-owned  business  enter-
   12  prises  may  best  bid so as to promote and assist participation by such
   13  enterprises and facilitate a fair share of the awarding of contracts  to
   14  such  enterprises. For the purposes of this section, a minority business
   15  enterprise means any business enterprise, including a  sole  proprietor-
   16  ship, partnership or corporation that is:
   17    (i) The establishment of appropriate goals for participation by minor-
   18  ity, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN or women-owned business enterprises in
   19  procurement contracts awarded by the corporation and for the utilization
   20  of minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned enterprises as
   21  subcontractors  and  suppliers  by entities having procurement contracts
   22  with the corporation. Statewide  numerical  participation  target  goals
   23  shall  be established by each authority based on the findings of the two
   24  thousand ten disparity study.
   25    (j) Requirements to conduct procurements in a manner that will  enable
   26  the  corporation  to  achieve  the maximum feasible portion of the goals
   27  established pursuant to paragraph (i) of this subdivision and that elim-
   28  inates barriers  to  participation  by  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   29  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  enterprises  in  the  corporation's
   30  procurements. Such procurement requirements shall include the following:
   31    (A) Measures and procedures to ensure that certified businesses  shall
   32  be  given  the  opportunity  for  maximum  feasible participation in the
   33  performance of state contracts and to assist in the corporation's  iden-
   34  tification  of  those state contracts for which certified businesses may
   35  best bid to actively and affirmatively promote and assist their  partic-
   36  ipation  in  the  performance of state contracts so as to facilitate the
   37  corporation's achievement of the maximum feasible portion of  the  goals
   38  for state contracts to such businesses;
   39    (B)   Provisions  designating  the  division  of  minority,  HONORABLY
   40  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business development to  certify  and
   41  decertify  minority,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned busi-
   42  ness enterprises for all corporations  through  a  single  process  that
   43  meets applicable state and federal requirements;
   44    (C)  A requirement that each contract solicitation document accompany-
   45  ing each solicitation set forth the expected degree of minority,  HONOR-
   46  ABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business enterprise partic-
   47  ipation based, in part, on:
   48    I. the potential subcontract  opportunities  available  in  the  prime
   49  procurement contract; and
   50    II.  the  availability  of  certified  minority,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   51  VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises to respond competitively to
   52  the potential subcontract opportunities;
   53    (D) A requirement that each corporation  provide  a  current  list  of
   54  certified minority business enterprises to each prospective contractor;
   55    (E)  Provisions  relating  to joint ventures, under which a bidder may
   56  count toward meeting  its  minority  business  enterprise  participation
       S. 4208                            16
    1  goal,  the  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned busi-
    2  ness enterprise portion of the joint venture;
    3    (F)  Provisions  under  which the corporation may waive obligations of
    4  the contractor relating to minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and
    5  women-owned  business  enterprise  participation after a showing of good
    6  faith efforts to comply with the requirements of this  act  pursuant  to
    7  the  waiver  provisions  contained  in  subdivision six of section three
    8  hundred thirteen of the executive law;
    9    (G) A requirement that the corporation verify that minority, HONORABLY
   10  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enterprises  listed  in  a
   11  successful  bid  are  actually participating to the extent listed in the
   12  project for which the bid was submitted;
   13    (H) In the implementation of this section, the contracting corporation
   14  shall:
   15    I. consider,  where  practicable,  the  severability  of  construction
   16  projects and other bundled contracts;
   17    II.  implement  a program that will enable the corporation to evaluate
   18  each contract to determine the appropriateness of the goal  pursuant  to
   19  paragraph (i) of this subdivision;
   20    III.  consider  compliance  with  the  requirements of any federal law
   21  concerning opportunities for minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  and
   22  women-owned  business  enterprises which effectuates the purpose of this
   23  section; and
   24    IV. consult the  most  recent  disparity  study  pursuant  to  article
   25  fifteen-A of the executive law.
   26    (ii)  with  the  cooperation of the department of economic development
   27  and through cooperative efforts  with  contractors,  providing  for  the
   28  notification  of New York state business enterprises of opportunities to
   29  participate as subcontractors and suppliers on procurement contracts let
   30  by the corporation in an amount estimated to be equal to or greater than
   31  one million  dollars  and  promulgating  procedures  which  will  assure
   32  compliance  by  contractors  with  such  notification.  Once awarded the
   33  contract such contractors shall document their efforts to encourage  the
   34  participation  of  New  York state business enterprises as suppliers and
   35  subcontractors on procurement contracts equal to  or  greater  than  one
   36  million  dollars.  Documented  efforts  by a successful contractor shall
   37  consist of and be limited to showing that such contractor has (a) solic-
   38  ited bids, in a timely and adequate manner, from New York state business
   39  enterprises including certified minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN
   40  and women-owned business, or (b) contacted the New York state department
   41  of  economic  development  to obtain listings of New York state business
   42  enterprises, or (c) placed notices for subcontractors and  suppliers  in
   43  newspapers,  journals  and  other  trade publications distributed in New
   44  York state, or (d) participated in bidder outreach conferences.  If  the
   45  contractor  determines  that New York state business enterprises are not
   46  available to participate on the contract as subcontractors or suppliers,
   47  the contractor shall provide a statement indicating the method by  which
   48  such  determination  was  made. If the contractor does not intend to use
   49  subcontractors on the contract, the contractor shall provide a statement
   50  verifying such intent; and
   51    (iii) except for procurement contracts for which the corporation would
   52  be expending funds received from another state,  the  corporation  shall
   53  include  in  all bid documents provided to potential bidders a statement
   54  that information concerning the availability of New York  state  subcon-
   55  tractors  and  suppliers is available from the New York state department
   56  of economic development, which shall include the directory of  certified
       S. 4208                            17
    1  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned businesses, and
    2  it is the policy of New York state to encourage  the  use  of  New  York
    3  state  subcontractors and suppliers, and to promote the participation of
    4  minority,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned businesses where
    5  possible, in the procurement of goods and services; and
    6    (E-1) FOR PURPOSES OF  THIS  SECTION,  "HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN
    7  OWNED  BUSINESS  ENTERPRISE"  MEANS  THE  SAME AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION
    8  TWENTY-THREE OF SECTION THREE HUNDRED TEN OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
    9    S 18. Section 957 of the general municipal law is amended by adding  a
   10  new subdivision (u) to read as follows:
   11    (U)  "HONORABLY  DISCHARGED   VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE" SHALL
   12  MEAN THE SAME AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION TWENTY-THREE  OF  SECTION  THREE
   13  HUNDRED TEN OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW.
   14    S 19. Subdivisions (g) and (t) of section 959 of the general municipal
   15  law,  as  amended  by section 3 of part S-1 of chapter 57 of the laws of
   16  2009, are amended to read as follows:
   17    (g) Coordinate, with the local empire zone  administrative  board  and
   18  state  agencies  and  authorities, the provision of business development
   19  programs and services for each empire zone in  order  to  stimulate  the
   20  creation  and  development  of new small businesses, including new small
   21  minority-owned, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED and women-owned busi-
   22  ness enterprises, and may request and shall receive from any department,
   23  division, board, bureau, commission, agency or public authority  of  the
   24  state such assistance as may be necessary;
   25    (t)  Coordinate with the urban development corporation the creation of
   26  a special category of assistance for zones within the regional  economic
   27  development  partnership  program,  which  will  make available economic
   28  development assistance grants for zone programs and activities,  includ-
   29  ing,  but  not  limited  to,  planning,  service coordination, and local
   30  institutional capacity building for human resource development necessary
   31  for economic revitalization; planning and development of small  business
   32  incubators; job placement and preparedness programs for zones residents;
   33  education and training programs for zone businesses; child care programs
   34  and  projects  supportive  of business development; technical assistance
   35  for minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business
   36  development;  training for zone officials; business and tourism develop-
   37  ment and marketing programs; and other innovative  programs  and  activ-
   38  ities in support of economic and community development within the zones;
   39    S  20.  Paragraph (x) of subdivision (b) of section 961 of the general
   40  municipal law, as added by chapter 708 of the laws of 1993,  is  amended
   41  to read as follows:
   42    (x) identify financial commitments the applicant will make to the zone
   43  for activities, including, but not limited to, marketing of the zone for
   44  business  development,  human  resource  services for zone residents and
   45  businesses, and services for small [and], minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   46  VETERAN and women-owned businesses;
   47    S 21. Subdivision (j) of section 962 of the general municipal law,  as
   48  amended  by  chapter  624  of the laws of 1990 and as further amended by
   49  section 15 of part GG of chapter 63 of the laws of 2000, is  amended  to
   50  read as follows:
   51    (j)  a  description  of  activities  designed to ensure the meaningful
   52  participation of minority-owned, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED  and
   53  women-owned business enterprises in empire zone development activities;
   54    S  22. Paragraphs (iii) and (xii) of subdivision (a) of section 963 of
   55  the general municipal law, as amended by chapter  708  of  the  laws  of
   56  1993,  as  further amended by section 15 of part GG of chapter 63 of the
       S. 4208                            18
    1  laws of 2000 and such subdivision as relettered by section 7 of part S-1
    2  of chapter 57 of the laws of 2009, are amended to read as follows:
    3    (iii)  undertake efforts to ensure meaningful participation by minori-
    4  ty-owned, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED  and  women-owned  business
    5  enterprises in empire zone activities;
    6    (xii)  provide  within  the  zone,  or contract with a new or existing
    7  community-based local development  corporation  or  entity  to  provide,
    8  strategic  economic  development  planning  for  the zone, marketing and
    9  promotion of the zone, assistance to companies in applying for available
   10  benefits, preparation of applications for financing assistance and other
   11  technical assistance services; coordination of the delivery of state and
   12  local programs within the zones; and operation of  such  other  economic
   13  development assistance programs in furtherance of the empire zone devel-
   14  opment  plan as may be appropriate. Provided, however, within the amount
   15  appropriated therefor and allocated by the director of the  budget,  the
   16  commissioner,  through  annual  administrative  contracts, shall, to the
   17  maximum extent  feasible,  make  equally  available  financial  support,
   18  through  contracts  or  other  means,  to assist with the administrative
   19  expenses of the local  zone  administrative  bodies  or  community-based
   20  development  organizations.  No  funds  shall be made available for this
   21  purpose unless the amount to be provided has been matched by private  or
   22  governmental  sources,  other  than  state  sources, in amounts at least
   23  equalling that to be provided by the state. Such matching funds shall be
   24  earmarked and used exclusively for the local administration of the  zone
   25  program or for activities of the zone program. At least fifty percent of
   26  such matching funds shall be in cash, provided that the commissioner may
   27  waive  this  requirement for communities with populations of twenty-five
   28  thousand or less, and provided, further, that any  amounts  appropriated
   29  for  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and women-owned business
   30  development within the zones shall be distributed  by  the  commissioner
   31  pursuant to a competitive proposal solicitation process.
   32    S  23. Subdivision (c) of section 964 of the general municipal law, as
   33  amended by chapter 708 of the laws of 1993 and  as  further  amended  by
   34  section  15  of part GG of chapter 63 of the laws of 2000, is amended to
   35  read as follows:
   36    (c) Each empire zone capital corporation shall, to the maximum  extent
   37  feasible, undertake measures and procedures to ensure meaningful partic-
   38  ipation   by  minority-owned,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN-OWNED  and
   39  women-owned business enterprises in the activities  and  investments  of
   40  such corporation. Each such corporation shall additionally, to the maxi-
   41  mum  extent  feasible, undertake measures and procedures to ensure mean-
   42  ingful participation by locally owned business enterprises in the activ-
   43  ities and investments of such corporation.
   44    S 24. Subparagraph 7 of paragraph f of subdivision 3 of section  970-r
   45  of the general municipal law, as amended by section 1 of part F of chap-
   46  ter 577 of the laws of 2004, is amended to read as follows:
   47    (7)  the  financial  commitments the applicant will make to the brown-
   48  field opportunity area for activities including,  but  not  limited  to,
   49  marketing  of the area for business development, human resource services
   50  for residents and businesses in the  brownfield  opportunity  area,  and
   51  services  for  small  [and],  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and
   52  women-owned businesses.
   53    S 25. Subdivision 33 of section 454 of the banking law, as amended  by
   54  chapter 679 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
   55    33. Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contra-
   56  ry,  to  participate  in the [minority -] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
       S. 4208                            19
    1  VETERAN and women-owned business development  and  lending  program,  as
    2  established  in  section 16-c of section 1 of chapter 174 of the laws of
    3  1968, constituting the urban development corporation act, to the  extent
    4  that such program allows participation by credit unions.
    5    S  26.  Section  9-b  of section 1 of chapter 359 of the laws of 1968,
    6  constituting the facilities development corporation  act,  as  added  by
    7  chapter 58 of the laws of 1987, is amended to read as follows:
    8    S 9-b. Minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business
    9  enterprise  program.  1.  (a) Minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and
   10  women-owned business enterprises shall  be  given  the  opportunity  for
   11  meaningful  participation  in  all contracts executed by the corporation
   12  pursuant to the provisions of this act other than contracts the cost  of
   13  which  is  borne  solely by a municipality or municipalities. The corpo-
   14  ration shall establish measures  and  procedures  to  secure  meaningful
   15  participation  and  identify those contracts and items of work for which
   16  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enter-
   17  prises  may  best  bid  to actively and affirmatively promote and assist
   18  their participation in the projects, so as to facilitate the award of  a
   19  fair  share  of  contracts  to such enterprises; provided, however, that
   20  nothing in this act shall be construed  to  limit  the  ability  of  the
   21  corporation  to  assure  that  qualified  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   22  VETERAN and women-owned business  enterprises  may  participate  in  the
   23  program.  For  purposes  hereof, minority business enterprise shall mean
   24  any business enterprise which is at least fifty-one per centum owned by,
   25  or in the case of a publicly owned  business,  at  least  fifty-one  per
   26  centum  of the stock of which is owned by citizens or permanent resident
   27  aliens who are Black, Hispanic, Asian or American Indian, Pacific Islan-
   28  der or Alaskan natives and such ownership interest is real,  substantial
   29  and  continuing  and have the authority to independently control the day
   30  to day business decisions of the entity for at least one year; HONORABLY
   31  DISCHARGED VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE SHALL MEAN THE SAME AS DEFINED IN
   32  SUBDIVISION 23 OF SECTION 310 OF  THE  EXECUTIVE  LAW;  and  women-owned
   33  business enterprise shall mean any business enterprise which is at least
   34  fifty-one  per centum owned by, or in the case of a publicly owned busi-
   35  ness, at least fifty-one per centum of the stock of which  is  owned  by
   36  citizens  or permanent resident aliens who are women, and such ownership
   37  interest is real, substantial and continuing and have the  authority  to
   38  independently  control  the  day to day business decisions of the entity
   39  for at least one year.
   40    The provisions of this paragraph shall not be construed to  limit  the
   41  ability  of  any  minority,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN or women-owned
   42  business enterprise to bid on any contract.
   43    (b) In the implementation  of  this  section,  the  corporation  shall
   44  consider  compliance  by  any  contractor  with  the requirements of any
   45  federal, state, or local law concerning minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   46  VETERAN  and  women-owned business enterprises, which may effectuate the
   47  requirements of this section. If  the  corporation  determines  that  by
   48  virtue of the imposition of the requirements of any such law, in respect
   49  to  contracts,  the  provisions  thereof duplicate or conflict with this
   50  section, the corporation may waive the applicability of this section  to
   51  the extent of such duplication or conflict.
   52    (c)  Nothing  in  this section shall be deemed to require that overall
   53  state and federal requirements for participation of minority,  HONORABLY
   54  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  enterprises in programs
   55  authorized under this act be applied without  regard  to  local  circum-
   56  stances to all projects or in all communities.
       S. 4208                            20
    1    2.  In  order  to  implement  the  requirements and objectives of this
    2  section, the corporation  shall  establish  procedures  to  monitor  the
    3  contractors'  compliance  with  provisions hereof, provide assistance in
    4  obtaining competing qualified minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and
    5  women-owned  business  enterprises  to  perform contracts proposed to be
    6  awarded, and take other appropriate measures to improve  the  access  of
    7  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enter-
    8  prises to these contracts.
    9    S 27. Section 16-b of section 1 of chapter 392 of the  laws  of  1973,
   10  constituting  the  New York state medical care facilities finance agency
   11  act, as added by chapter 58 of the laws of 1987, is amended to  read  as
   12  follows:
   13    S  16-b.  Minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned busi-
   14  ness enterprise program. 1. a. In the performance of  projects  pursuant
   15  to this act minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned busi-
   16  ness  enterprises  shall be given the opportunity for meaningful partic-
   17  ipation. The agency shall establish measures and  procedures  to  secure
   18  meaningful  participation and identify those contracts and items of work
   19  for which minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  busi-
   20  ness  enterprises may best bid to actively and affirmatively promote and
   21  assist their participation in the projects,  so  as  to  facilitate  the
   22  award of a fair share of contracts to such enterprises; provided, howev-
   23  er,  that nothing in this act shall be construed to limit the ability of
   24  the agency to  assure  that  qualified  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   25  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  enterprises  may participate in the
   26  program. For purposes hereof, minority business  enterprise  shall  mean
   27  any business enterprise which is at least fifty-one per centum owned by,
   28  or  in  the  case  of  a publicly owned business, at least fifty-one per
   29  centum of the stock of which is owned by citizens or permanent  resident
   30  aliens who are Black, Hispanic, Asian or American Indian, Pacific Islan-
   31  der  or Alaskan natives and such ownership interest is real, substantial
   32  and continuing and have the authority to independently control  the  day
   33  to day business decisions of the entity for at least one year; HONORABLY
   34  DISCHARGED VETERAN BUSINESS ENTERPRISE SHALL MEAN THE SAME AS DEFINED IN
   35  SUBDIVISION  23  OF  SECTION  310  OF THE EXECUTIVE LAW; and women-owned
   36  business enterprise shall mean any business enterprise which is at least
   37  fifty-one per centum owned by, or in the case of a publicly owned  busi-
   38  ness,  at  least  fifty-one per centum of the stock of which is owned by
   39  citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women, and such  ownership
   40  interest  is  real, substantial and continuing and have the authority to
   41  independently control the day to day business decisions  of  the  entity
   42  for at least one year.
   43    The  provisions  of this paragraph shall not be construed to limit the
   44  ability of any minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  or  women-owned
   45  business enterprise to bid on any contract.
   46    b.  In  the  implementation of this section, the agency shall consider
   47  compliance by any contractor  with  the  requirements  of  any  federal,
   48  state,  or  local  law concerning minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN
   49  and women-owned business enterprises, which may effectuate the  require-
   50  ments  of  this section. If the department or the office determines that
   51  by virtue of the imposition of the requirements  of  any  such  law,  in
   52  respect  to contracts, the provisions thereof duplicate or conflict with
   53  this act, the agency may waive the applicability of this section to  the
   54  extent of such duplication or conflict.
   55    c.  Nothing  in  this  section shall be deemed to require that overall
   56  state and federal requirements for participation of minority,  HONORABLY
       S. 4208                            21
    1  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  enterprises in programs
    2  authorized under this act be applied without  regard  to  local  circum-
    3  stances to all projects or in all communities.
    4    2.  In  order  to  implement  the  requirements and objectives of this
    5  section, the agency shall establish procedures to monitor  the  contrac-
    6  tors' compliance with provisions hereof, provide assistance in obtaining
    7  competing  qualified  minority,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-
    8  owned business enterprises to perform contracts proposed to be  awarded,
    9  and  take  other appropriate measures to improve the access of minority,
   10  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  business  enterprises  to
   11  these contracts.
   12    S  28. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 10 of section 16-a of section 1 of
   13  chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, constituting the New York  state  urban
   14  development  corporation  act,  as amended by chapter 477 of the laws of
   15  2002, is amended to read as follows:
   16    (c) of minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  or  women-owned  enter-
   17  prises  or  enterprises  owned  by  dislocated  workers, such workers as
   18  defined in the Workforce Investment Act (P.L. 105-220); and
   19    S 29. Section 16-c of section 1 of chapter 174 of the  laws  of  1968,
   20  constituting  the  New  York state urban development corporation act, as
   21  added by chapter 169 of the laws of 1994, subparagraphs (i) and (ii)  of
   22  paragraph  (a) of subdivision 2 as further amended by section 15 of part
   23  GG of chapter 63 of the laws of 2000, is amended to read as follows:
   24    S 16-c. [Minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-
   25  owned business development and lending program.
   26    (1)  [Minority-]    MINORITY,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-
   27  owned business development and lending program.   (a)  There  is  hereby
   28  created  a [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-
   29  owned business development  and  lending  program  for  the  purpose  of
   30  providing  financial  and  technical  assistance  to minority, HONORABLY
   31  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-entrepreneurs.
   32    (b) For the purposes of this section  the  following  words  or  terms
   33  shall mean as follows:
   34    (i)  "minority-owned business enterprise" or "minority-owned business"
   35  shall mean the same as "minority  business  enterprise"  as  defined  in
   36  subdivision  [three]  3 of section [two hundred ten] 210 of the economic
   37  development law.
   38    (ii) "women-owned business enterprise" or "women-owned business" shall
   39  mean the same as "women-owned business enterprise" as defined in  subdi-
   40  vision  [five] 5 of section [two hundred ten] 210 of the economic devel-
   41  opment law.
   42    (iii) "HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN BUSINESS  ENTERPRISE"  SHALL  MEAN
   43  THE  SAME  AS  DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION 23 OF SECTION 310 OF THE EXECUTIVE
   44  LAW.
   45    (IV) "incubator" shall mean a facility providing low-cost space, tech-
   46  nical assistance and support services, including, but  not  limited  to,
   47  central  services  shared  by  tenants  of  the facility, to [minority-]
   48  MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enter-
   49  prises.
   50    (c) Assistance shall not be provided under this section for:
   51    (i)  the  purchase  or rehabilitation of real property for speculative
   52  purposes;
   53    (ii) payment of any tax or employee benefit arrearage;
   54    (iii)   residential   construction,    renovation    or    development
   55  construction,  except  for  assistance to minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   56  VETERAN and women contractors under subdivision four of this section;
       S. 4208                            22
    1    (iv) educational institutions and proprietary education firms,  except
    2  licensed child care facilities;
    3    (v) hospitals or residential health care facilities;
    4    (vi) overnight lodging facilities;
    5    (vii)  refinancing  of  debt  or  equity  invested in an enterprise or
    6  project.
    7    (d) The corporation is authorized to:
    8    (i) establish programs in  conjunction  with  locally,  and  community
    9  based  entities  to  decentralize  lending  for small loans and loans to
   10  start up [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  and  women-
   11  owned businesses;
   12    (ii)   establish  a  comprehensive  program  for  minority,  HONORABLY
   13  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women contractors, which may  include  assistance
   14  through loans, bonding assistance and technical assistance;
   15    (iii)  establish a program to provide loans to established [minority-]
   16  MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  businesses  and
   17  for  [minority-]  MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned
   18  businesses, including loans to such businesses  seeking  to  acquire  or
   19  expand a franchise;
   20    (iv) provide loan guarantees to financial institutions and make linked
   21  deposits  into  federally  and  state  chartered  credit  unions for the
   22  purpose of encouraging private financial institutions to make  loans  to
   23  [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned busi-
   24  nesses;
   25    (v)  establish a program to create incubators to assist small and high
   26  risk [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned
   27  businesses to grow and prosper;
   28    (vi)  promote  equity  investment  in  [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY
   29  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned businesses; and
   30    (vii) establish a comprehensive technical assistance program in  coop-
   31  eration  with  the department of economic development to assist [minori-
   32  ty-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  businesses
   33  and  potential  minority,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-entre-
   34  preneurs.
   35    (2) Minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women  revolving  loan
   36  trust fund. For the purpose of establishing programs in conjunction with
   37  locally  and  community based entities to decentralize lending for small
   38  loans and loans to start up [minority-] MINORITY,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   39  VETERAN  and  women-owned  businesses,  the  corporation shall establish
   40  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women  revolving  loan  trust
   41  fund accounts and related administrative expenses trust fund accounts.
   42    (a)  Each  minority,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women revolving
   43  loan trust fund account shall be administered by  one  or  more  of  the
   44  following  types  of  entities  that provide services to community busi-
   45  nesses and have as one  of  their  primary  purposes  the  provision  of
   46  services  and  assistance  to [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   47  VETERAN and women-owned businesses:
   48    (i) empire zone capital corporations established pursuant  to  section
   49  [nine hundred sixty-four] 964 of the general municipal law;
   50    (ii)  community-based  local  development  corporations  or industrial
   51  development agencies that serve a municipality in which an  empire  zone
   52  has been established pursuant to article [eighteen-B] 18-B of the gener-
   53  al municipal law and have as their primary purpose assistance to [minor-
   54  ity-]  MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned businesses
   55  located or to be located in such empire zone; or
       S. 4208                            23
    1    (iii) local and community development corporations, industrial  devel-
    2  opment agencies, or other not-for-profit entities, representative of the
    3  community.
    4    (b)  To  be  eligible  to  administer a minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
    5  VETERAN and women revolving loan trust fund  account,  the  entity  must
    6  also:  (i)  have staff with sufficient expertise to analyze applications
    7  for financial assistance, to regularly monitor financial  assistance  to
    8  clients,  and  to provide management or technical assistance to clients;
    9  and (ii) have established a loan  committee  composed  of  six  or  more
   10  persons experienced in business management, commercial lending or in the
   11  operation  of  a for-profit business, at least one-half of whom shall be
   12  experienced in commercial lending, at least one-third of whom  shall  be
   13  minority  persons  and  at  least one-third of whom shall be women. Such
   14  loan committee shall review every application, determine the feasibility
   15  of the proposed project and the likelihood of repayment of the requested
   16  financing and shall recommend to the governing body of the  entity  such
   17  action  on  the application as the loan committee deems appropriate. The
   18  corporation shall identify entities  eligible  to  administer  minority,
   19  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women  revolving  loan  trust  fund
   20  accounts through a competitive statewide request for proposal process.
   21    (c) Any entity selected to administer a minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   22  VETERAN and women revolving loan trust fund account shall be eligible to
   23  draw funds from the account as needed to provide the following types  of
   24  financial  assistance  to  [minority-]  MINORITY,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   25  VETERAN and women-owned businesses upon certification to and  acceptance
   26  by  the  corporation  that such assistance complies with rules and regu-
   27  lations promulgated by  the  corporation:  (i)  working  capital  loans,
   28  provided  that  the amount of the loan does not exceed thirty-five thou-
   29  sand dollars and the term of the loan does not exceed  five  years;  and
   30  (ii)  loans  for the acquisition and/or improvement of real property and
   31  for the acquisition of machinery and equipment provided that the  amount
   32  of  the  loan does not exceed fifty thousand dollars and the term of the
   33  loan does not exceed the useful life of the equipment or property.
   34    (d) (i) Notwithstanding any provision of  law  to  the  contrary,  the
   35  corporation  may establish an administrative expenses trust fund account
   36  for the benefit of each entity selected to administer a minority, HONOR-
   37  ABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women revolving loan trust fund account. The
   38  initial deposit of  funds  to  an  administrative  expenses  trust  fund
   39  account  shall  be an amount determined by the corporation but shall not
   40  exceed twenty-five thousand dollars.
   41    (ii) An entity selected to administer a minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   42  VETERAN and women revolving loan trust fund account may use the funds in
   43  the administrative expenses trust fund account for costs incurred by  it
   44  in  the  start up and administration of the financial assistance program
   45  authorized pursuant to this subdivision.
   46    (iii) The corporation shall deposit into each administrative  expenses
   47  trust fund account:
   48    (A)  all income earned from the moneys on deposit in the corresponding
   49  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women  revolving  loan  trust
   50  fund  account  during  the  first year of the entity's administration of
   51  said account; and
   52    (B) beginning with its second year in administering a minority, HONOR-
   53  ABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women revolving  loan  trust  fund  account,
   54  said amounts may be used for costs incurred by the entity in administer-
   55  ing  the minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women revolving loan
   56  trust fund account; and
       S. 4208                            24
    1    (C) repayments of interest on loans made from the corresponding minor-
    2  ity, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women revolving  loan  trust  fund
    3  account.
    4    (iv)  Funds from the administrative expenses trust fund account may be
    5  used for costs incurred at any time by an administering  entity  in  its
    6  administration  of  a  minority,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women
    7  revolving loan trust fund account pursuant to this section.
    8    (v) Funds deposited in an administrative expenses trust  fund  account
    9  shall be disbursed by the corporation to the entity that administers the
   10  corresponding minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women revolving
   11  loan trust fund account on a periodic basis and shall be expended by the
   12  entity  in  accordance  with  an  annual budget and any updates of same,
   13  approved by the corporation.
   14    (e) Any entity selected to administer a minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   15  VETERAN and women revolving loan trust fund account  shall  pay  to  the
   16  corporation  for  deposit  any  repayments  received  in connection with
   17  financial assistance provided from its account. Payments  consisting  of
   18  the  repayment  of  the principal amount of a loan shall be deposited by
   19  the corporation into the  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and
   20  women  revolving  loan  trust fund account from which the loan was made.
   21  The interest earned by the corporation from the investment of moneys  in
   22  each  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN and women revolving loan
   23  trust fund account during and after the second year of a selected  enti-
   24  ty's  administration  of  said  account shall be deposited by the corpo-
   25  ration into the corresponding minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and
   26  women revolving loan trust fund account and used to provide  the  finan-
   27  cial  assistance  to  [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN
   28  and women-owned businesses as authorized pursuant to this section.
   29    (f) The provisions of subdivisions eight, nine, and  fourteen  through
   30  nineteen  of  section  sixteen-a  of this act pertaining to the regional
   31  revolving loan trust fund shall also  be  applicable  to  the  minority,
   32  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women  revolving  loan  trust fund,
   33  provided that: where the term "regional corporation" appears therein  it
   34  shall  be  interpreted  to  mean  an  entity  selected  to  administer a
   35  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women  revolving  loan  trust
   36  fund  account,  and  "regional  revolving [loans] LOAN trust fund" shall
   37  mean a minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women  revolving  loan
   38  trust  fund,  and where the term "this section" appears therein it shall
   39  mean this section sixteen-c.
   40    (g) The corporation may provide funds from an  appropriation  for  the
   41  [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned busi-
   42  ness  development and lending program to any entity selected to adminis-
   43  ter a minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women  revolving  loan
   44  trust fund for the purposes of recapitalizing such account and the enti-
   45  ty's  corresponding administrative expenses trust fund account following
   46  an evaluation by the corporation of the entity's administration and  use
   47  of such accounts.
   48    (h)  Notwithstanding  any provision of law to the contrary, the corpo-
   49  ration shall establish a  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and
   50  women  revolving  loan  trust fund to pay into such fund any moneys made
   51  available to the corporation for such fund from  any  source,  including
   52  moneys  appropriated by the state and any income earned by, or increment
   53  to, the account due to the  investment  thereof,  or  any  repayment  of
   54  moneys  advanced from the fund.  The corporation shall not commingle the
   55  moneys of such fund with any moneys held in trust  by  the  corporation,
   56  except for investment purposes.
       S. 4208                            25
    1    (3)  Micro-loan  program.  (a)  For  the  purposes of this subdivision
    2  "micro-loan" shall mean a loan of  under  seven  thousand  five  hundred
    3  dollars.
    4    (b)  The  corporation shall, pursuant to requests for proposals, enter
    5  into agreements for other types  of  locally,  community  or  regionally
    6  administered  loan  programs  than those set forth in subdivision two of
    7  this section, including micro-loan programs to be administered by  local
    8  development  corporations,  local  industrial development organizations,
    9  municipalities and not-for-profit organizations, to provide  micro-loans
   10  to small and high risk [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETER-
   11  AN  and  women-owned  businesses located within their respective service
   12  areas, provided that loan review  committees  are  established  by  such
   13  administering  entity, including women, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and
   14  minority persons experienced in business management,  business  develop-
   15  ment,  commercial  lending,  entrepreneurship,  or in the operation of a
   16  for-profit business.
   17    (c) Agreements entered into pursuant to paragraph (b) of this subdivi-
   18  sion shall be governed by paragraphs (d) through (h) of subdivision  two
   19  of  this  section,  and minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women
   20  revolving loan trust fund accounts  and  administrative  expenses  trust
   21  fund  accounts  shall  be  established in a similar fashion for entities
   22  selected to administer micro-loan funds pursuant to this subdivision.
   23    (4) Minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women  contracting
   24  program.  For  the  purpose  of  establishing a comprehensive program to
   25  assist minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women contractors, the
   26  corporation may provide loans, loan guarantees, technical assistance and
   27  bonding assistance, the corporation may enter  into  cooperative  agree-
   28  ments  with  cities,  counties,  municipalities,  authorities, agencies,
   29  federally and state chartered credit unions in New York state and feder-
   30  ally insured banking organizations and financial institutions  for  such
   31  purposes.
   32    (a)  To  be  eligible  for  a  contractor loan, the borrower must have
   33  either (i) a construction contract with, or a contract to provide  goods
   34  or  services  to, a governmental entity or authority, (ii) a subcontract
   35  on a government-sponsored construction contract,  (iii)  a  contract  or
   36  subcontract on a [government sponsored] GOVERNMENT-SPONSORED residential
   37  project,  or  (iv)  a  contract or subcontract on a construction project
   38  previously approved by the corporation pursuant to section ten  of  this
   39  act.
   40    (b)  The  corporation  shall provide technical assistance specifically
   41  oriented to  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned
   42  government contractors as part of its comprehensive technical assistance
   43  program.
   44    (c)  The  corporation  is authorized to provide assistance through the
   45  creation of, or assistance to, a minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED  VETERAN
   46  and  women  bonding  guarantee  program  to  enable  minority, HONORABLY
   47  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women  contractors  and  subcontractors  to  meet
   48  payment or performance bonding requirements.
   49    (i)  Through  such  program, assistance in the form of working capital
   50  loans and loan guarantees pursuant to subdivision six  of  this  section
   51  may also be provided to minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women
   52  contractors and subcontractors who have secured contracts by participat-
   53  ing in the program.
   54    (ii)  The  corporation shall either establish criteria for the bonding
   55  guarantee program and for any required escrow funds which shall  include
   56  detailed  provisions for eligibility; or if the corporation is providing
       S. 4208                            26
    1  assistance to a program other than one established by  the  corporation,
    2  review and approve the criteria established for such other program.
    3    (5)  Direct  financial  assistance for [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY
    4  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned businesses. For the purpose of estab-
    5  lishing a program to provide direct financial assistance to  [minority-]
    6  MINORITY,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned businesses, the
    7  corporation is authorized to provide assistance in the form of:
    8    (a) Business development loans and loan guarantees pursuant to  subdi-
    9  vision  six  of this section to eligible enterprises for the acquisition
   10  or improvement of real property, machinery, equipment or  working  capi-
   11  tal,  provided  that to be eligible for a business development loan, the
   12  borrowers must have been in  business  for  at  least  three  years  and
   13  provided  that  the  loans must be in an amount equal to or in excess of
   14  fifty thousand dollars;
   15    (b) Franchise loans to eligible  enterprises  seeking  to  acquire  or
   16  expand  franchises  of nationally recognized corporations, provided that
   17  disbursements by the corporation of such loans shall be  conditioned  on
   18  obtaining such franchises;
   19    (c)  Equity  assistance  for  eligible  minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   20  VETERAN and women-owned enterprises to  match  equity  contributions  to
   21  such  enterprises  by  financial  institutions and community development
   22  equity capital funds, provided, however, that such assistance  shall  be
   23  targeted  to  start-up and early stage enterprises in the manufacturing,
   24  retail and service sectors located in economically distressed areas.
   25    (6) Deposits and loan  guarantees.  For  the  purpose  of  encouraging
   26  private  financial  institutions  to  make loans to eligible enterprises
   27  pursuant to this section for any of the eligible  projects  pursuant  to
   28  subdivisions  four  and five of this section, the corporation is author-
   29  ized to:
   30    (a) Make linked deposits of funds into federally and  state  chartered
   31  credit  unions  in  New York state, in order to encourage such organiza-
   32  tions to make small loans to minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  and
   33  women-owned businesses; and
   34    (b)  Provide  loan  guarantees  to  private financial institutions for
   35  loans made to eligible [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETER-
   36  AN and women-owned businesses pursuant to this subdivision for  eligible
   37  projects,  provided  that  the guarantee shall be at least fifty percent
   38  backed by funds of the corporation. Any  such  loan  guaranteed  by  the
   39  corporation  shall  be made to borrowers that are approved by the corpo-
   40  ration and substantially meet the underwriting criteria the credit union
   41  or financial institution customarily applies to  similar  borrowers  for
   42  similar  loans  supported  by similar guarantees, and no guaranteed loan
   43  funds shall be disbursed until the corporation  has  received,  reviewed
   44  and  concurred,  in writing, with the recommendation of the credit union
   45  or banking or financial institution to make a loan.
   46    (7) Minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women  small  business
   47  incubator program.
   48    (a)  The  corporation shall establish a minority and women small busi-
   49  ness incubator program for the purpose of  providing  financial  support
   50  for the creation of incubators to nurture minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   51  VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises with growth potential.
   52    (b)  Under  this  subdivision the corporation is authorized to provide
   53  low-interest loans and grants for construction financing  and  permanent
   54  financing of up to seventy-five percent of project costs up to a maximum
   55  of  six  hundred  fifty  thousand dollars per project, provided that the
   56  total amount of grant assistance provided  pursuant  to  this  paragraph
       S. 4208                            27
    1  shall  not  exceed  twenty  percent of an appropriation provided for the
    2  purposes of this section.
    3    (c)  Incubator projects eligible for such assistance shall involve the
    4  renovation or reconstruction of existing facilities or  the  acquisition
    5  of  equipment,  except  that construction shall be allowable in cases in
    6  which an applicant can demonstrate to the  satisfaction  of  the  corpo-
    7  ration that an existing facility is unavailable in the area to be served
    8  by the new incubator facility.
    9    (d)  Incubator  projects  are  not  eligible  to receive loans for the
   10  purpose of covering  operating  costs  or  supplying  incubator  support
   11  services, except that incubators in their first eighteen months of oper-
   12  ation  may receive one-time grants not to exceed forty thousand dollars,
   13  which costs may include administrative costs  of  employing  a  resident
   14  administrator/advisor  to  the  incubator, provided that the corporation
   15  shall not expend a sum greater than two hundred fifty  thousand  dollars
   16  in  any  one state fiscal year, or so much as may be specifically appro-
   17  priated for this purpose.
   18    (e) Eligible incubator projects shall be required  to  demonstrate  to
   19  the corporation's satisfaction:
   20    (i)  public  or private support and involvement sufficient to complete
   21  the renovation of existing facilities or the construction of new facili-
   22  ties and the acquisition of equipment;
   23    (ii) significant community support for the project;
   24    (iii) the existence of prospective tenants for such incubator space;
   25    (iv) demand for such incubator space, which may  include  evidence  of
   26  the  unavailability  of suitable space for prospective tenants at appro-
   27  priate rental or lease costs in the community in which such  prospective
   28  tenants are located; and
   29    (v) the inability of the project to occur without financial assistance
   30  from the corporation.
   31    (f) The corporation shall establish criteria for eligibility for fund-
   32  ing for incubator projects, including but not limited to the following:
   33    (i) the project must be designed to provide low-cost space and support
   34  services  to  incubator  tenants,  coordination  with  other  sources of
   35  assistance and flexible leasing arrangements for tenants;
   36    (ii) the project sponsors must provide a management plan and  a  busi-
   37  ness  plan  for operating the incubator satisfactory to the corporation;
   38  and
   39    (iii) the project gives preference for incubator space and  assistance
   40  to  [minority-]  MINORITY,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned
   41  businesses which currently receive, or have  received,  assistance  from
   42  the  corporation  pursuant  to  this  section  and to incubator projects
   43  proposed to be located in economically distressed areas.
   44    (8) [Minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned
   45  business technical assistance program. (a) The corporation shall  estab-
   46  lish  a  comprehensive technical assistance program within the minority,
   47  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women business development  office,  in
   48  cooperation  with  the  department of economic development's division of
   49  [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-business
   50  development established pursuant to article [four-A] 4-A of the economic
   51  development  law, to provide technical assistance to [minority-] MINORI-
   52  TY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  business  enterprises
   53  and  to  prospective  [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN
   54  and women-business entrepreneurs through third party service  providers,
   55  which assistance shall include, but not be limited to:
       S. 4208                            28
    1    (i)  technical  assistance  in  development  and execution of business
    2  plans, including the formation of, acquisition  of,  management  of,  or
    3  diversification  of a [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN
    4  or women-owned business enterprise;
    5    (ii)  technical  assistance with applications for obtaining funds from
    6  public and private financing sources;
    7    (iii) technical assistance in the development  of  a  working  capital
    8  budget;
    9    (iv)  referrals to other providers of technical assistance to [minori-
   10  ty-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and  women-owned  businesses
   11  and  minority,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and women entrepreneurs,
   12  where appropriate,  including  the  entrepreneurial  assistance  program
   13  established  pursuant  to  article  [nine] 9 of the economic development
   14  law; and
   15    (v) technical assistance through education programs directed primarily
   16  at women, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and minority entrepreneurs.
   17    (b) Technical assistance may  be  provided  through  direct  corporate
   18  support,  through  grants  to  or  contracts  with  service providers or
   19  governmental entities, and [minority-]  MINORITY,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   20  VETERAN and women-owned business enterprises and individuals.
   21    (9)  Priorities.  The  corporation shall give priority to applications
   22  for assistance pursuant to this section in which  the  business  seeking
   23  such  assistance indicates a commitment to first consider persons eligi-
   24  ble to participate in federal job training partnership act (P.L. 97-300)
   25  programs.
   26    (10) Non-application of certain provisions. The provisions of  section
   27  ten  and  subdivision two of section sixteen of this act shall not apply
   28  to assistance or projects authorized pursuant to this section.
   29    (11) Rules and regulations. The corporation  shall,  assisted  by  the
   30  commissioner  of  economic  development  and  in  consultation  with the
   31  department of economic development, promulgate rules and regulations  in
   32  accordance  with  the state administrative procedure act. Such rules and
   33  regulations shall be consistent with the program plan required by subdi-
   34  vision [nineteen] 19 of section [one hundred] 100 of the economic devel-
   35  opment law. No funds shall be disbursed under this  program  until  such
   36  rules  and  regulations  have  been  reviewed and approved by the corpo-
   37  ration. All assistance and projects funded under this program  shall  be
   38  funded  in  accordance  with  the rules and regulations in effect on the
   39  date the completed application for such assistance shall be received  by
   40  the corporation.
   41    (12)  Minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women business devel-
   42  opment and lending account.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the
   43  contrary, the corporation shall establish within  the  treasury  of  the
   44  corporation  a minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women business
   45  development and lending account, and shall pay  into  such  account  any
   46  moneys  which  may be made available to the corporation for this purpose
   47  from any source including, but not limited to,  moneys  appropriated  by
   48  the  state  and any repayment of principal and interest on loans made by
   49  the  corporation  pursuant  to  the  [minority-]   MINORITY,   HONORABLY
   50  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned  business  development and lending
   51  program. Funds in the minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  and  women
   52  business  development  and  lending  account,  including  funds from the
   53  repayment of principal and interest on loans made  by  the  corporation,
   54  may be used for any form of assistance authorized hereunder. The amounts
   55  deposited  in the minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women busi-
   56  ness development and lending account may not be  interchanged  with  any
       S. 4208                            29
    1  other  account, but may be commingled with any other account for invest-
    2  ment purposes. All loans disbursed by the corporation  shall  be  repaid
    3  into  the  account. The corporation shall enter into a written agreement
    4  with  the director of the budget for repayment, to the state comptroller
    5  to the credit of the capital projects fund, of all moneys in the account
    6  after a period of time to be  determined  by  the  corporation  and  the
    7  director of the budget.  The corporation shall transfer to the minority,
    8  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women business development and lending
    9  account: all moneys appropriated or reappropriated by New York state for
   10  the minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women  revolving  loan
   11  trust  fund  that have not been committed prior to the effective date of
   12  the appropriation for the program in the current fiscal year, or  become
   13  uncommitted  subsequent to the effective date of the program's appropri-
   14  ation for the current fiscal year; and all repayments of  principal  and
   15  interest on loans made by the corporation which are currently on deposit
   16  in,  or payable to, the minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women
   17  business development and lending account.
   18    (13) Standardization. The corporation shall streamline the review  and
   19  approval  process  for  projects  and  wherever possible standardize all
   20  relevant attendant documentation and legal documents.
   21    (14) Approval cycle. The corporation shall approve eligible  loans  or
   22  grants  on at least a four-month cycle and shall give priority consider-
   23  ation to the comparative degree of economic distress within the areas in
   24  which the project is located. Other factors  to  be  considered  by  the
   25  corporation  shall  include  the impact of the project on the employment
   26  and economic condition of the community and the financial feasibility of
   27  the project.
   28    (15) Repayment. Notwithstanding the provisions  of  section  [forty-a]
   29  40-A  of  the state finance law and any other general or special law, no
   30  written agreement under this program shall require repayment at any time
   31  or on any terms inconsistent with the provisions of this act or the  New
   32  York  state project finance agency act; except, however, that the corpo-
   33  ration may make grants to projects using  funds  appropriated  for  this
   34  purpose and that the repayment provision may not apply to such grants.
   35    (16)  Reports.  The  chairman  of  the corporation shall submit to the
   36  director of the budget, the speaker of the assembly  and  the  temporary
   37  president  of  the  senate  an  evaluation  of  the effectiveness of the
   38  program prepared by an entity independent of the corporation. The corpo-
   39  ration shall select the program evaluator through a request for proposal
   40  process. Such evaluation shall determine whether the assistance provided
   41  has enhanced the economic condition of assisted  companies  or  communi-
   42  ties,  and  shall  make recommendation for improvements which would make
   43  the program more  effective.  Such  evaluation  shall  be  submitted  by
   44  September  first, nineteen hundred ninety-five and September first every
   45  two years thereafter.
   46    S 30. Subparagraphs (viii) and (x) of paragraph (e) of  subdivision  7
   47  of section 16-d of section 1 of chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, consti-
   48  tuting the New York state urban development corporation act, as added by
   49  chapter 169 of the laws of 1994, are amended to read as follows:
   50    (viii) export, marketing, procurement and subcontracting assistance to
   51  small and medium-sized industrial firms, including [minority-] MINORITY,
   52  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned businesses, and to flexible
   53  manufacturing networks, and programs to assist regional and multi-county
   54  business marketing and procurement programs;
   55    (x)  business  planning,  management  assistance  and  counseling, and
   56  financial packaging assistance  to  small  and  medium-sized  industrial
       S. 4208                            30
    1  firms,  including [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and
    2  women-owned businesses, flexible manufacturing networks, and new  enter-
    3  prises  and  small  businesses, including the establishment of neighbor-
    4  hood-based  business  service  centers designed to deliver comprehensive
    5  technical assistance to new and small businesses in specific communities
    6  and neighborhoods;
    7    S 31. Clause (B) of subparagraph (i) of paragraph (h) of subdivision 8
    8  of section 16-d of section 1 of chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, consti-
    9  tuting the New York state urban development corporation act, as added by
   10  chapter 169 of the laws of 1994 and as further amended by section 15  of
   11  part  GG  of  chapter  63  of  the  laws  of 2000, is amended to read as
   12  follows:
   13    (B) community based local development corporations, industrial  devel-
   14  opment  agencies, or other not-for-profit entities which serve a munici-
   15  pality in which an empire zone has been established and which, as one of
   16  their primary purposes, provide  services  and  assistance  to  business
   17  enterprises  located  or  to  be  located in such empire zone, including
   18  [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned busi-
   19  nesses;
   20    S 32. Subparagraph (vi) of paragraph (c) of subdivision 10 of  section
   21  16-e  of  section 1 of chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, constituting the
   22  New York state urban development corporation act, as  added  by  chapter
   23  169 of the laws of 1994, is amended to read as follows:
   24    (vi)  management and procurement assistance to small business, includ-
   25  ing [minority-] MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN  and  women-owned
   26  businesses;
   27    S  33. Paragraph (d) of subdivision 18 of section 16-e of section 1 of
   28  chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, constituting the New York  state  urban
   29  development  corporation  act,  as  added  by chapter 169 of the laws of
   30  1994, is amended to read as follows:
   31    (d) The participation of [minority-]  MINORITY,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   32  VETERAN and women-owned businesses;
   33    S  34.  The opening paragraph, paragraph (a) and the opening paragraph
   34  and subparagraph (iv) of paragraph (b) of subdivision 1 of section  16-f
   35  of  section  1  of chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, constituting the New
   36  York state urban development corporation act, as added by chapter 169 of
   37  the laws of 1994, are amended to read as follows:
   38    There is hereby created a state bonding guarantee  assistance  program
   39  to  enable  small businesses, [and] minority-owned, HONORABLY DISCHARGED
   40  VETERAN-OWNED and  women-owned  business  enterprises,  certified  as  a
   41  minority-owned,  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED or women-owned busi-
   42  ness enterprise pursuant to article [fifteen-A] 15-A  of  the  executive
   43  law,  to meet payment and/or performance bonding requirements by provid-
   44  ing additional financial backing needed to induce a  surety  company  to
   45  issue  a  bond  for construction projects, including but not limited to,
   46  government sponsored, transportation related construction projects.  For
   47  purposes  of  this  section, the term small business shall have the same
   48  meaning as defined in  section  [one  hundred  thirty-one]  131  of  the
   49  economic  development law. Such program shall give preference to minori-
   50  ty-owned, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED  and  women-owned  business
   51  enterprises and shall:
   52    (a)  Make available funds to surety companies providing bonds to small
   53  businesses [and minority- owned], MINORITY-OWNED,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED
   54  VETERAN-OWNED  or women-owned business enterprises in an amount equal to
   55  a percentage not to exceed fifty percent of  the  face  value  of  bonds
   56  issued by the surety.
       S. 4208                            31
    1    Provide  technical  assistance  in completing bonding applications for
    2  small   businesses   [and],   minority-owned,    HONORABLY    DISCHARGED
    3  VETERAN-OWNED  or  women-owned  business  enterprises  seeking to become
    4  eligible  for  bonding  in  preparation  for  bidding  on   construction
    5  projects,  including  transportation  related  projects. The corporation
    6  shall provide and may refer such businesses to the department of econom-
    7  ic development for technical assistance as  such  businesses  may  need,
    8  including but not limited to:
    9    (iv) assistance from the regional offices of the department of econom-
   10  ic development, pursuant to article [eleven] 11 of the economic develop-
   11  ment  law, and the entrepreneurial assistance program, pursuant to arti-
   12  cle [nine] 9 of such law, and any other  such  program  receiving  state
   13  funds  from  this  act  or the department of economic development or any
   14  other state agency that is intended to provide technical  assistance  to
   15  small    businesses    [and],   minority-owned,   HONORABLY   DISCHARGED
   16  VETERAN-OWNED and women-owned small business enterprises.
   17    S 35. Paragraph (g) of subdivision 1 of section 16-i of section  1  of
   18  chapter  174  of the laws of 1968, constituting the New York state urban
   19  development corporation act, as amended by chapter 471 of  the  laws  of
   20  2001, is amended to read as follows:
   21    (g)  Assistance  to  local  or  regional  organizations  to facilitate
   22  financing for small- and medium-sized  business,  including  [minority-]
   23  MINORITY,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned business enter-
   24  prises through flexible financing programs, including, but  not  limited
   25  to,  loan  loss  reserve  and  revolving  loan programs, working capital
   26  loans, working capital loan  guarantees,  or  other  flexible  financing
   27  programs that leverage traditional financing;
   28    S  36.  Subparagraph  (i) of paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 of section
   29  16-k of section 1 of chapter 174 of the laws of 1968,  constituting  the
   30  New  York state urban development corporation act, as amended by chapter
   31  103 of the laws of 2011, is amended to read as follows:
   32    (i) provide a plan to the corporation or its agent for  the  marketing
   33  of  the  capital  access program to small businesses, including those in
   34  highly  distressed  areas  and  to   [minority-]   MINORITY,   HONORABLY
   35  DISCHARGED  VETERAN and women-owned businesses, with appropriate lending
   36  objectives identified by the financial institution for  such  areas  and
   37  businesses;
   38    S  37.  Paragraph (g) of subdivision 1 of section 16-m of section 1 of
   39  chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, constituting the New York  state  urban
   40  development  corporation act, as added by section 1 of part N of chapter
   41  84 of the laws of 2002, is amended to read as follows:
   42    (g) Assistance  to  local  or  regional  organizations  to  facilitate
   43  financing  for  small-  and medium-sized business, including [minority-]
   44  MINORITY, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business  enter-
   45  prises  through  flexible financing programs, including, but not limited
   46  to, loan loss reserve  and  revolving  loan  programs,  working  capital
   47  loans,  working  capital  loan  guarantees,  or other flexible financing
   48  programs that leverage traditional financing;
   49    S 38. Paragraph 1 of subdivision (c) of section 30  of  section  1  of
   50  chapter  174  of the laws of 1968, constituting the New York state urban
   51  development corporation act, as amended by chapter 732 of  the  laws  of
   52  1990, is amended to read as follows:
   53    (1) In addition to any other requirements imposed by the act or other-
   54  wise  regarding evaluations of programs administered by the corporation,
   55  each evaluation shall include an analysis of the job creation effect  of
   56  such  program,  the number of small businesses that received assistance,
       S. 4208                            32
    1  the number of minority, HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN  and  women-owned
    2  firms  that  received  assistance,  the number of projects undertaken in
    3  distressed and highly distressed communities, and,  if  applicable,  the
    4  repayment experience of borrowers of funds from the corporation.
    5    S  39.  Paragraph 2 of subdivision (e) of section 30-a of section 1 of
    6  chapter 174 of the laws of 1968, constituting the New York  state  urban
    7  development corporation act, as added by section 2 of part M1 of chapter
    8  62 of the laws of 2003, is amended to read as follows:
    9    (2)  require  projects to be financed out of the empire state economic
   10  development fund be approved generally in amounts which are proportional
   11  to amounts appropriated for the urban and community development program,
   12  and the minority, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN and women-owned  business
   13  development and lending program;
   14    S 40. The section heading, the opening paragraph of subdivision 1, the
   15  opening  paragraph  of subdivision 2, paragraph (a) of subdivision 3 and
   16  subdivisions 4 and 5 of section 38 of section 1 of chapter  174  of  the
   17  laws  of  1968, constituting the New York state urban development corpo-
   18  ration act, as amended by chapter 169 of the laws of 1994,  are  amended
   19  to read as follows:
   20    Small    business    [and],   minority-owned,   HONORABLY   DISCHARGED
   21  VETERAN-OWNED and women-owned business enterprises transportation  capi-
   22  tal assistance and guaranteed loan program.
   23    To  provide  financial  assistance  to small business [and], minority-
   24  owned,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN-OWNED  and  women-owned  business
   25  enterprises  engaged  in  government  sponsored,  transportation related
   26  construction projects, the corporation shall establish a small  business
   27  [and],  minority-owned,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN-OWNED and women-
   28  owned business enterprise transportation  capital  assistance  revolving
   29  loan fund which shall provide loans or loan guarantees to small business
   30  [and],  minority-owned,  HONORABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN-OWNED and women-
   31  owned business enterprises.  For purposes of this section:
   32    Such loans, or loan guarantees for loans made by federally  and  state
   33  chartered  credit  institutions,  financial  institutions, and federally
   34  insured banking organizations to small business  [and],  minority-owned,
   35  HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED and women-owned business enterprises,
   36  shall be used to:
   37    (a)  To  be eligible for such loans or loan guarantees (i) a minority-
   38  owned, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED or women-owned business enter-
   39  prise must be certified as a minority-owned, HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETER-
   40  AN-OWNED or women-owned business enterprise pursuant to article 15-A  of
   41  the executive law; and (ii) a small business or a minority-owned, HONOR-
   42  ABLY  DISCHARGED  VETERAN-OWNED or women-owned business enterprise shall
   43  have a contract or sub-contract to provide goods or services related  to
   44  a government sponsored, transportation related construction project.
   45    4.  The corporation shall give preference to minority-owned, HONORABLY
   46  DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED and women-owned business enterprises in  making
   47  such  loans  and loan guarantees and shall establish such other criteria
   48  as it may deem necessary for this program and for  any  required  amount
   49  that  shall  be  held  in  reserve  for  any  guarantees made under this
   50  program.
   51    5. Notwithstanding any inconsistent provision of law, general, special
   52  or local, including pursuant to capital projects  budget  appropriations
   53  or reappropriations, where applicable, the corporation is hereby author-
   54  ized to enter into such agreements as may be necessary for the operation
   55  and  administration of a small business [and], minority-owned, HONORABLY
       S. 4208                            33
    1  DISCHARGED VETERAN-OWNED and women-owned business enterprises  transpor-
    2  tation capital assistance and guaranteed loan program.
    3    S  41. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however, that
    4  the amendments to article 15-A of the executive law made by sections two
    5  through six of this act shall not affect the expiration of such  article
    6  and  shall be deemed to expire therewith; and provided, further that the
    7  amendments to section 136-b of the state finance  law  made  by  section
    8  seven  of  this  act shall not affect the expiration of such section and
    9  shall be deemed to expire  therewith;  and  provided  further  that  the
   10  amendments  to sections 16-i and 16-m of section 1 of chapter 174 of the
   11  laws of 1968, constituting the New York state urban  development  corpo-
   12  ration act, made by sections thirty-five and thirty-seven, respectively,
   13  of  this act shall not affect the expirations of such sections and shall
   14  be deemed to expire therewith.
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