SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2072        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 179

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Adam Gómez

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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:

SENATE DOCKET, NO. 2072        FILED ON: 1/17/2025

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 179

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:
 

SECTION 1. Section 16G of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(o) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the secretary of economic development and all divisions within the executive office of economic development shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.

SECTION 2. Section 3 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-

(36) to prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance

SECTION 3. Chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 50: Prioritizing Underserved Microbusinesses and Small Businesses

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the agency shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.

SECTION 4. Subsection (b) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “prioritize participation in projects” the following:-

with socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital and

SECTION 5. Subsection (c) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as inserted by section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out the word “may” and inserting in place thereof the following:-

shall prioritize and

SECTION 6. Subsection (c) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as inserted by section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024,  is hereby further amended by striking out the the words “or women-owned contractors” and inserting place thereof  the following:-

women-owned contractors, worker-owned contractors and disadvantaged business enterprises

SECTION 7. Chapter 23A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition,  is hereby amended by adding the following section:-

Section 70: Prioritizing Underserved Microbusinesses and Small Businesses

Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the Massachusetts office of business development shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses, that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.