Oklahoma House Bill HB3876

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22
• Refer: 2/21/22

Caption

State purchasing; historically underutilized business; determining size standards; providing for certification; effective date.

Impact

By implementing this bill, state laws related to procurement will reflect a stronger emphasis on inclusion and support for historically underutilized businesses. The legislation aims to address historical inequalities in state procurement by providing structured guidance on how agencies can achieve purchasing goals. It also includes penalties for non-compliance and sets up a monitoring framework to ensure businesses are encouraged and able to participate in state contracts effectively.

Summary

House Bill 3876 introduces a comprehensive framework aimed at increasing the participation of historically underutilized businesses in state purchasing processes. The bill establishes definitions for key terms and sets forth rules and objectives that state agencies must follow to enhance the procurement of goods and services from these businesses. It mandates the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to set up standards for what qualifies as a historically underutilized business and to manage certification processes that aid eligible entities in bidding for state contracts.

Contention

As this bill moves forward, possible points of contention may arise around the effectiveness of the proposed measures to genuinely uplift historically underutilized businesses versus merely creating bureaucratic hurdles. Some stakeholders may argue that while the bill's intent is commendable, it could lead to additional regulations that complicate procurement processes without guaranteeing actual improvements in participation rates for disadvantaged businesses.