S6020

The New York State Senate passed legislation to streamline the certification process for minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) seeking state contracts. Senate Print 6020, sponsored by Sen. Baskin and chair of the Procurement and Contracts Committee, passed on a 61-0 roll call vote. The bill amends Executive Law to give small business owners more time to address application errors and respond to questions from Empire State Development during the MWBE certification process. Baskin argued the current system's lengthy paperwork and tight response deadlines discourage qualified businesses from pursuing certification, as owners lack capacity to manage applications while running their operations. "This bill will give reason for businesses to stick with pursuing certification," Baskin said. She credited Sen. James Sanders, whom she called "the father of MWBE reform," with paving the way for modernizing the state's MWBE program. The bill takes effect immediately.