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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2072 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 179
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
_________________
PRESENTED BY:
Adam Gomez
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:
An Act prioritizing underserved businesses.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Adam GomezHampden 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2072 FILED ON: 1/17/2025
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 179
By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 179) of Adam Gomez for legislation
to prioritize underserved businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in
the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance. Community Development and Small
Businesses.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
(2025-2026)
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An Act prioritizing underserved businesses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority
of the same, as follows:
1 SECTION 1. Section 16G of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022
2Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
3 (o) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise
4specified, and whenever possible, the secretary of economic development and all divisions
5within the executive office of economic development shall prioritize socially or economically
6disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned,
7women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small
8businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants,
9loans, and other assistance.
10 SECTION 2. Section 3 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby
11amended by adding the following subsection:- 2 of 3
12 (36) to prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include,
13but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or
14immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to
15accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance
16 SECTION 3. Chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by
17adding the following section:-
18 Section 50: Prioritizing Underserved Microbusinesses and Small Businesses
19 Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified,
20and whenever possible, the agency shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged
21businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned,
22veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that
23have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and
24other assistance.
25 SECTION 4. Subsection (b) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as
26appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “prioritize
27participation in projects” the following:-
28 with socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not
29be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned or immigrant-
30owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing
31capital and 3 of 3
32 SECTION 5. Subsection (c) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as
33inserted by section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out the
34word “may” and inserting in place thereof the following:-
35 shall prioritize and
36 SECTION 6. Subsection (c) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as
37inserted by section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby further amended by striking
38out the the words “or women-owned contractors” and inserting place thereof the following:-
39 women-owned contractors, worker-owned contractors and disadvantaged business
40enterprises
41 SECTION 7. Chapter 23A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official
42Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
43 Section 70: Prioritizing Underserved Microbusinesses and Small Businesses
44 Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified,
45and whenever possible, the Massachusetts office of business development shall prioritize socially
46or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to,
47minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small
48businesses, that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all
49grants, loans, and other assistance.