Hawaii House Bill HCR57

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/24
• Refer: 3/8/24

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism To Commission A Statewide Disparity Study Regarding The Participation Of Woman- And Minority-owned Businesses In State Contracting Derived From Federal Sources Of Funding.

Impact

The resolution outlines several objectives for the disparity study, including an analysis of the funding allocated to the state for federal projects, the total number of contracts delivered, and the methods of procurement utilized. It also calls for a comparative analysis of the availability of woman and minority-owned businesses against the number engaged in state contracts. This investigation is set to pave the way for potential policy changes that would enhance access to state contracts for underrepresented business groups, promoting broader economic equity.

Summary

HCR57, or House Concurrent Resolution 57, is a legislative measure requesting the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a statewide disparity study. This study aims to evaluate the participation rates of woman and minority-owned businesses in state contracts, particularly those funded by federal sources like the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and the CHIPS Act of 2022. By identifying any existing disparities, the resolution seeks to ensure that these businesses have equitable opportunities within state contracting processes.

Contention

Notably, the resolution emphasizes the importance of utilizing independent entities for the study, ensuring transparency and credibility in findings. Furthermore, upon completing the study, it mandates the Department to create actionable goals to rectify any identified disparities in participation among woman and minority-owned businesses in state contracts. Thus, the resolution lays the groundwork for ongoing assessments and adjustments of state policies to foster a more inclusive contracting environment.