Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB29

Introduced
1/10/25  

Caption

In diverse and disadvantaged businesses, further providing for definitions and for woman-owned business, minority-owned business or veteran-owned business and establishing the HUB Zone Business Procurement Program.

Impact

The introduction of HB 29 is expected to significantly impact procurement practices within Pennsylvania by enforcing contract-specific goals for HUB zone businesses. It mandates that executive and independent agencies create specific participation percentages for HUB zone businesses when engaging in contracts, thereby facilitating greater economic opportunities for these historically underserved sectors. The bill is designed to help rectify disparities in access to state contracts while aligning procurement practices with broader economic inclusion objectives.

Summary

House Bill 29 seeks to amend Title 62 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes by enhancing the definitions related to diverse and disadvantaged businesses, including woman-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned businesses, while establishing the HUB Zone Business Procurement Program. This program intends to prioritize procurement contracts for businesses located in historically underutilized business zones (HUB zones), thereby promoting economic equity and inclusion within the state.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 29 appears to be generally positive among proponents of economic inclusion and minority business advocates. Supporters believe that the bill is a necessary step toward leveling the playing field for minority and disadvantaged businesses in Pennsylvania's procurement landscape. However, there may be challenges from some sectors that express concerns about the implications on procurement equity and potential administrative burdens that could arise from monitoring and compliance requirements.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the feasibility of implementing the HUB Zone Business Procurement Program, particularly about defining and monitoring HUB Zone businesses effectively. Critics may argue that while the goals of the bill are essentially sound, there may be challenges in ensuring compliance without imposing excessive oversight. Additionally, there could be concerns about how this bill might impact non-HUB zone businesses seeking state contracts.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1317

In diverse and disadvantaged businesses, further providing for definitions and for woman-owned business, minority-owned business or veteran-owned business and establishing the HUB Zone Business Procurement Program.

PA HB2267

In diverse and disadvantaged businesses, further providing for definitions and for woman-owned business, minority-owned business or veteran-owned business and establishing the HUB Zone Business Procurement Program.

PA SB884

In veteran-owned small businesses, providing for small diverse business.

PA HB92

In veteran-owned small businesses, providing for small diverse business.

PA SB438

In veteran-owned small businesses, providing for veteran-owned business logotype and imposing a penalty.

PA HB2256

In veteran-owned small businesses, further providing for definitions, for regulations, for participation goal, for duties of Department of General Services and for bonding and progress payments, providing for request for full or partial waiver and good faith efforts, further providing for reports and providing for disparity study; in small and disadvantaged businesses, further providing for policy and for definitions, providing for Small and Midsize Diverse Business Program and for nonapplicability, further providing for regulations and for duties of department, providing for request for full or partial waiver and good faith efforts, further providing for bonding and progress payments and for report to General Assembly and providing for aspirational target, for disparity study and for program review and expiration; providing for Program for Construction and Design Professional Services; and making editorial changes.

PA HB2637

In veteran-owned small businesses, further providing for definitions, for regulations, for participation goal, for duties of Department of General Services and for bonding and progress payments, providing for request for full or partial waiver of contract-specific goal, further providing for reports and providing for disparity study; in small and disadvantaged businesses, further providing for policy and for definitions, providing for Small Diverse Business Program and for nonapplicability, further providing for regulations and for duties of department, providing for request for full or partial waiver of contract-specific goal, further providing for bonding and progress payments and for report to General Assembly and providing for aspirational target, for disparity study and for program expiration; providing for Participation Program for Construction and Design Professional Services; and making editorial changes.

PA SB961

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; and, in keystone opportunity zones, further providing for qualified businesses.

PA SB248

In Commonwealth Financing Authority, establishing the Veteran-owned Business Loan Guarantee Program.

PA HB2472

Establishing the Pennsylvania SBIR/STTR Matching Funds Program to provide technology grants to small businesses.

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