Texas House Bill HB1565

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the consideration of ownership interests of certain persons with disabilities in determining whether a business is a historically underutilized business for purposes of state contracting.

Impact

If enacted, HB1565 will impact the definitions and criteria used by the Texas comptroller when assessing what constitutes a historically underutilized business. By modifying existing sections of the Government Code, the bill aims to broaden the scope of economically disadvantaged individuals, thereby allowing more businesses owned by people with disabilities to qualify for state contracts. This change is expected to enhance economic opportunities for individuals with disabilities and promote their participation in the state's contracting processes.

Summary

House Bill 1565 relates to the inclusion of ownership interests of individuals with disabilities in the classification of businesses as historically underutilized for state contracting purposes. The bill seeks to amend the Government Code to redefine the criteria for what qualifies as an economically disadvantaged person by explicitly incorporating those with disabilities. This is a significant move aimed at promoting inclusivity and ensuring that individuals with disabilities can benefit from state contracting opportunities that may have been previously overlooked.

Contention

While the bill is intended to promote inclusivity and economic empowerment for individuals with disabilities, it may face scrutiny regarding its impact on existing classifications of historically underutilized businesses. Critics could argue that by expanding these definitions, there might be concerns over the dilution of resources or preferences originally intended for other categorized groups. Nonetheless, advocates for disability rights are likely to support the legislation as a vital step towards achieving equality in business opportunities.