SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB119 SFLR Page 1
(Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
SENATE FLOOR VERSION
March 1, 2023
SENATE BILL NO. 119 By: Bergstrom
[ economic development - Office of Entrepreneurship -
report - business development - contracts - fees -
codification - effective date ]
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5003.16 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
This act shall be known and may be cited as the “Right-to-Start
Act”.
SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5003.16.1 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as foll ows:
A. There is hereby created within the Oklahoma Department of
Commerce the Office of Entrepreneurship.
B. The Office of Entr epreneurship shall em ploy personnel to
strengthen policies and programs supporting the growth of
entrepreneurship in the s tate including, but not limited to, across
demographic segments and g eographic areas. The Offi ce shall work
SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB119 SFLR Page 2
(Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
with stakeholders and organizations supporting entrepreneursh ip to
enhance learning and skills, provide technical support, and expand
access to resources for entrepreneurs across this state. The Office
shall serve as a point of contact to assist businesses operating for
five (5) years or less in their interactions with state government.
C. No later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the
Office shall prepare an annual report detailing the extent to which
state legislation that has been si gned by the Governor in the prior
legislative session or year supports, hinder s, or otherwise affects
businesses operating for five (5) years or less.
D. The Office shall support and advise the Executive Director
of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce with preparing the report
pursuant to Section 3 of this act.
SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Stat utes as Section 5003.16.2 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A. No later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the
Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce shall file
a report with the Legislature that includes, but is not limited to:
1. The number and total dollar amount of state contracts
awarded to businesses t hat have been in operation for less than five
(5) years, including a breakdown by demographic segments and
geographic areas throughout the state;
SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB119 SFLR Page 3
(Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
2. The percentage of the number of state contracts awarded to
businesses that have been in operation for less than five (5) years
compared to the total number of contracts awarded; and
3. The percentage of the total dollar amount of state contracts
awarded to businesses that have been in operation for less t han five
(5) years compared to the total dollar amount of contracts awarded .
B. The Director shall produc e and file a report with the
Legislature making recommendations on improving access to state
contracts for businesses that have been in operation for less than
five (5) years, including those businesses in statistically
underrepresented demographic segments and geographic areas of the
state.
SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5003.16.3 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
After the effective date of this act, the Legislature shall
encourage five percent (5%) of the total number of state contracts
to be awarded to businesses that have been in operation for less
than five (5) years and whose principal place of business is in the
state.
SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5003.16.4 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering , reads as follows:
SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB119 SFLR Page 4
(Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
No later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the
Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce shall file
a report with the Legislature that includes, but is not limited to:
1. The percentage of workforce developmen t funding, including
funding allocated by Workforce Development Boards across the state,
supporting organizations or programs for individuals starting new
businesses or to those organizations or programs that provide
services to businesses established within the previous five (5)
years and whose principal place of business is in th is state; and
2. The total dollar amount of workforce dev elopment funding,
including funding allocated by Workforce Development Boards across
the state, supporting organizations a nd programs for individuals
starting new businesses, or to those organizations or programs that
provide services to businesses established within the previous five
(5) years and whose principal place of business is in this state.
SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5003.16.5 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
After the effective date of this act, the Legislature shall
encourage five percent ( 5%) of workforce development funding,
including funding allocate d by Workforce Development Boards across
the state, towards supporting organizations and programs for
individuals starting new businesses or to those organizations or
programs that provide services to businesses established within the
SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB119 SFLR Page 5
(Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
previous five (5) years and whose principal place of business is in
this state.
SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5003.16.6 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
No later than January 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the
Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commer ce shall file
a report with the Le gislature that includes , but is not limited to:
1. The percentage of economic development funding, including
Community Developmen t Block Grants, supporting organizations or
programs for individuals starting new businesses or to those
organizations or programs that provide services to businesses
established within the previous five (5) years and whose principal
place of business is in this state; and
2. The total dollar amount of economic development funding,
including Community Development Block Grants, supporting
organizations or programs for individuals starting new b usinesses or
to those organizations or programs that provide ser vices to
businesses established within the previous five (5) years and whose
principal place of busi ness is in this state.
SECTION 8. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5003.16.7 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB119 SFLR Page 6
(Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
After the effective date of this act, the Legislature shall
encourage five percent ( 5%) of funding budgeted for economic
development programs, including Community Development Block Grants,
to be allocated to supporting organizations and programs for
individuals starting new busine sses or to those organizations or
programs that provide services to businesses established within the
previous five (5) years and whose principal place of business is in
this state.
SECTION 9. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified
in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 5003.16.8 of Title 74, unless
there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
After the effective date of this act, the Legisl ature shall
encourage the elimination of all first-year business fees relating
to any license or registration , for any new business or a person
establishing a new business, including home-based businesses, whose
principal place of business is in this state .
SECTION 10. This act shall become effective Nove mber 1, 2023.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
March 1, 2023 - DO PASS