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Assembly Actions -
Lowercase Senate Actions - UPPERCASE |
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| Jan 08, 2020 |
referred to finance |
| May 17, 2019 |
referred to finance |
Senate Bill S6141
2019-2020 Legislative Session
Reauthorizes the minority and women-owned business enterprise program, creates the minority and women-owned business enterprise fund, and establishes the workforce diversity program
download bill text pdfSponsored By
(D) 10th Senate District
Archive: Last Bill Status - In Senate Committee Finance Committee
- Introduced
-
- In Committee Assembly
- In Committee Senate
-
- On Floor Calendar Assembly
- On Floor Calendar Senate
-
- Passed Assembly
- Passed Senate
- Delivered to Governor
- Signed By Governor
Actions
2019-S6141 (ACTIVE) - Details
- See Assembly Version of this Bill:
- A7814
- Current Committee:
- Senate Finance
- Law Section:
- Executive Law
- Laws Affected:
- Amd §§310, 311, 311-a, 312-a, 313, 314, 315 & 316-a, add Art 28 §§821 - 826, 312-b & 312-c, Exec L; amd §163, St Fin L; amd §2879, Pub Auth L; amd §121, Chap 261 of 1988
2019-S6141 (ACTIVE) - Summary
Reauthorizes the minority and women-owned business enterprise program, creates the minority and women-owned business enterprise fund, establishes the workforce diversity program, and provides for the repeal of certain provisions upon expiration thereof; and amends provisions of the state finance law and other laws relating to the New York state infrastructure fund, in relation to the effectiveness thereof.
2019-S6141 (ACTIVE) - Sponsor Memo
BILL NUMBER: S6141
SPONSOR: SANDERS
TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the executive law, the state finance
law, and the public authorities law, in relation to the reauthorization
of the minority and women-owned business enterprise program, to create
the minority and women-owned business enterprise fund, and to establish
the workforce diversity program; to amend chapter 261 of the laws of
1988, amending the state finance law and other laws relating to the New
York state infrastructure fund, in relation to the effectiveness of
certain provisions thereof; and providing for the repeal of certain
provisions upon expiration thereof
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
Reauthorizes the minority and women-owned business enterprise program,
creates the minority and women-owned business enterprise fund, and
establishes the workforce diversity program.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
2019-S6141 (ACTIVE) - Bill Text download pdf
S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6141
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N S E N A T E
May 17, 2019
___________
Introduced by Sen. SANDERS -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Finance
AN ACT to amend the executive law, the state finance law, and the public
authorities law, in relation to the reauthorization of the minority
and women-owned business enterprise program, to create the minority
and women-owned business enterprise fund, and to establish the work-
force diversity program; to amend chapter 261 of the laws of 1988,
amending the state finance law and other laws relating to the New York
state infrastructure fund, in relation to the effectiveness of certain
provisions thereof; and providing for the repeal of certain provisions
upon expiration thereof
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subdivisions 2, 7, 8, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of
section 310 of the executive law, subdivisions 2 and 8 as added by chap-
ter 261 of the laws of 1988, subdivisions 7 and 15 as amended by chapter
22 of the laws of 2014, subdivision 13 as amended by chapter 506 of the
laws of 2009, subdivision 16 as amended by section 3 of part BB of chap-
ter 59 of the laws of 2006, subdivisions 19, 20, 21 and 22 as added by
chapter 175 of the laws of 2010, are amended and a new subdivision 24 is
added to read as follows:
2. "Contracting agency" shall mean a state agency OR STATE-FUNDED
ENTITY which is a party or a proposed party to a state contract or, in
the case of a state contract described in paragraph (c) of subdivision
thirteen of this section, shall mean the New York state housing finance
agency, housing trust fund corporation or affordable housing corpo-
ration, whichever has made or proposes to make the grant or loan for the
state assisted housing project.
7. "Minority-owned business enterprise" shall mean a business enter-
prise, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability
company or corporation that is:
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11392-01-9
S. 6141 2
(a) at least fifty-one percent owned by one or more minority group
members;
(b) an enterprise in which such minority ownership is real, substan-
tial and continuing;
(c) an enterprise in which such minority ownership has and exercises
the authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions
of the enterprise;
(d) an enterprise authorized to do business in this state and inde-
pendently owned and operated WOULD NOT QUALIFY IF IT EXCEEDS SIXTY
MILLION DOLLARS IN CONTRACTS OVER THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS OR EXCEEDS THE
THRESHOLD OF THE FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION STANDARDS OF WHAT
CONSTITUTES A SMALL BUSINESS; AND
(e) [an enterprise owned by an individual or individuals, whose owner-
ship, control and operation are relied upon for certification, with a
personal net worth that does not exceed three million five hundred thou-
sand dollars, as adjusted annually on the first of January for inflation
according to the consumer price index of the previous year; and
(f)] an enterprise that is a small business pursuant to subdivision
twenty of this section.
8. "Minority group member" shall mean a United States citizen or
permanent resident alien who is and can demonstrate membership in one of
the following groups:
(a) Black persons having origins in any of the Black African racial
groups;
(b) [Hispanic] HISPANIC/LATINO persons of Mexican, Puerto Rican,
Dominican, Cuban, Central or South American of either Indian or Hispanic
origin, regardless of race;
(c) Native American or Alaskan native persons having origins in any of
the original peoples of North America.
(d) Asian and Pacific Islander persons having origins in any of the
Far East countries, South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent or the
Pacific Islands.
13. "State contract" shall mean: (a) a written agreement or purchase
order instrument, providing for a total expenditure in excess of twen-
ty-five thousand dollars, whereby a contracting agency is committed to
expend or does expend funds in return for labor, services including but
not limited to legal, financial and other professional services,
supplies, equipment, materials or any combination of the foregoing, to
be performed for, or rendered or furnished to the contracting agency;
(b) a written agreement in excess of one hundred thousand dollars where-
by a contracting agency is committed to expend or does expend funds for
the acquisition, construction, demolition, replacement, major repair or
renovation of real property and improvements thereon; [and] (c) a writ-
ten agreement in excess of one hundred thousand dollars whereby the
owner of a state assisted housing project is committed to expend or does
expend funds for the acquisition, construction, demolition, replacement,
major repair or renovation of real property and improvements thereon for
such project; AND (D) A WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE ORDER INSTRUMENT,
PROVIDING FOR A TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN EXCESS OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS, WHEREBY THE MAJORITY OF THE FUNDS A STATE-FUNDED ENTITY IS
COMMITTED TO EXPEND OR DOES EXPEND ARE PAID TO THE STATE-FUNDED ENTITY
BY THE STATE OF NEW YORK, INCLUDING THOSE PAID TO THE STATE-FUNDED ENTI-
TY PURSUANT TO AN APPROPRIATION, FOR ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE. THE STATE
UTILIZATION GOAL SHALL NOT APPLY TO MUNICIPALITIES THAT CURRENTLY HAVE A
MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM. THE STATE SHALL
S. 6141 3
PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO MUNICIPALITIES REGARDING MINORITY AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS.
15. "Women-owned business enterprise" shall mean a business enter-
prise, including a sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability
company or corporation that is:
(a) at least fifty-one percent owned by one or more United States
citizens or permanent resident aliens who are women;
(b) an enterprise in which the ownership interest of such women is
real, substantial and continuing;
(c) an enterprise in which such women ownership has and exercises the
authority to control independently the day-to-day business decisions of
the enterprise;
(d) an enterprise authorized to do business in this state and inde-
pendently owned and operated; AND
(e) [an enterprise owned by an individual or individuals, whose owner-
ship, control and operation are relied upon for certification, with a
personal net worth that does not exceed three million five hundred thou-
sand dollars, as adjusted annually on the first of January for inflation
according to the consumer price index of the previous year; and
(f)] an enterprise that is a small business pursuant to subdivision
twenty of this section.
A firm owned by a minority group member who is also a woman may be
certified as a minority-owned business enterprise, a women-owned busi-
ness enterprise, or both, and may be counted towards either a minority-
owned business enterprise goal or a women-owned business enterprise
goal, in regard to any contract or any goal, set by an agency or author-
ity, but such participation may not be counted towards both such goals.
Such an enterprise's participation in a contract may not be divided
between the minority-owned business enterprise goal and the women-owned
business enterprise goal.
16. "Statewide advocate" shall mean the person appointed by the
[commissioner] DIRECTOR to serve in the capacity of the minority and
women-owned business enterprise statewide advocate.
[19. "Personal net worth" shall mean the aggregate adjusted net value
of the assets of an individual remaining after total liabilities are
deducted. Personal net worth includes the individual's share of assets
held jointly with said individual's spouse and does not include the
individual's ownership interest in the certified minority and women-
owned business enterprise, the individual's equity in his or her primary
residence, or up to five hundred thousand dollars of the present cash
value of any qualified retirement savings plan or individual retirement
account held by the individual less any penalties for early withdrawal.]
20. "Small business" as used in this section, unless otherwise indi-
cated, shall mean a business which has a significant business presence
in the state, is independently owned and operated, not dominant in its
field and employs, based on its industry, a certain number of persons as
determined by the director[, but not to exceed three hundred], taking
into consideration factors which include, but are not limited to, feder-
al small business administration standards pursuant to 13 CFR part 121
and any amendments thereto. The director may issue regulations on the
construction of the terms in this definition.
21. "The [2010] disparity study" shall refer to the MOST RECENT
disparity study commissioned by the [empire state development corpo-
ration] DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, pursuant to section three
hundred twelve-a of this article, and published on [April twenty-nine,
two thousand ten] JUNE THIRTIETH, TWO THOUSAND SEVENTEEN.
S. 6141 4
22. "Diversity practices" shall mean the contractor's practices and
policies with respect to:
(a) utilizing OR MENTORING certified minority and women-owned business
enterprises in contracts awarded by a state agency or other public
corporation, as subcontractors and suppliers; and
(b) entering into partnerships, joint ventures or other similar
arrangements with certified minority and women-owned business enter-
prises as defined in this article or other applicable statute or regu-
lation governing an entity's utilization of minority or women-owned
business enterprises.
24. "STATE-FUNDED ENTITY" SHALL MEAN ANY UNIT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A COUNTY, CITY, TOWN, VILLAGE, OR SCHOOL
DISTRICT THAT IS PAID PURSUANT TO AN APPROPRIATION IN ANY STATE FISCAL
YEAR PROVIDED, HOWEVER, A STATE-FUNDED ENTITY SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY UNIT
OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT THAT, PURSUANT TO LOCAL LAW, HAS A MINORITY AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM.
§ 1-a. Paragraphs (h) and (i) of subdivision 3 of section 311 of the
executive law, paragraph (h) as amended and paragraph (i) as added by
section 1 of part BB of chapter 59 of the laws of 2006, are amended to
read as follows:
(h) notwithstanding the provisions of section two hundred ninety-six
of this chapter, to file a complaint pursuant to the provisions of
section two hundred ninety-seven of this chapter where the director has
knowledge that a contractor may have violated the provisions of para-
graph (a), (b) or (c) of subdivision one of section two hundred ninety-
six of this chapter where such violation is unrelated, separate or
distinct from the state contract as expressed by its terms; [and]
(i) to streamline the state certification process to accept federal
and municipal corporation certifications; AND
(J) TO KEEP A RECORD OF PARTIAL AND TOTAL WAIVERS OF COMPLIANCE
REPORTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (B) OF SUBDIVISION SIX OF SECTION THREE
HUNDRED THIRTEEN OF THIS ARTICLE AND TO MAKE SUCH RECORD PUBLICLY AVAIL-
ABLE ON THE DIVISION'S WEBSITE. THE RECORD SHALL PROVIDE, AT A MINIMUM:
(I) INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE CONTRACT, INCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE
CONTRACT; (II) INFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE CONTRACTING AGENCY; (III) THE
NAME OF THE CONTRACTOR RECEIVING THE WAIVER; AND (IV) THE DATE OF THE
WAIVER.
§ 2. Subdivision 4 of section 311 of the executive law, as amended by
chapter 361 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as follows:
4. The director [may] SHALL provide assistance to, and facilitate
access to programs serving [certified businesses as well as applicants]
MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES to ensure that such busi-
nesses benefit, as needed, from technical, managerial and financial, and
general business assistance; training; marketing; organization and
personnel skill development; project management assistance; technology
assistance; bond and insurance education assistance; and other business
development assistance. In addition, the director may, either independ-
ently or in conjunction with other state agencies:
(a) develop a clearinghouse of information on programs and services
provided by entities that may assist such businesses;
(b) review bonding and paperwork requirements imposed by contracting
agencies that may unnecessarily impede the ability of such businesses to
compete; and
(c) seek to maximize utilization by minority and women-owned business
enterprises of available federal resources including but not limited to
federal grants, loans, loan guarantees, surety bonding guarantees, tech-
S. 6141 5
nical assistance, and programs and services of the federal small busi-
ness administration.
§ 3. Subdivisions 1 and 2 of section 311-a of the executive law, as
added by section 4 of part BB of chapter 59 of the laws of 2006, are
amended to read as follows:
1. There is hereby established within the [department of economic]
DIVISION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS development [an office of the
minority and women-owned business enterprise] A statewide advocate. The
statewide advocate shall be appointed by the commissioner with the
advice of the small business advisory board as established in section
one hundred thirty-three of the economic development law and shall serve
in the unclassified service of the director. [The statewide advocate
shall be located in the Albany empire state development office.]
2. The advocate shall act as a liaison for minority and women-owned
business enterprises (MWBEs) to assist them in obtaining technical,
managerial, financial and other business assistance for certified busi-
nesses and applicants. The advocate shall RECEIVE AND investigate
complaints brought by or on behalf of MWBEs concerning certification
delays and instances of violations of [law] THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS
ARTICLE by CONTRACTORS AND state agencies. The statewide advocate shall
assist certified businesses and applicants in the certification process.
Other functions of the statewide advocate shall be directed by the
commissioner. The advocate may request and the director may appoint
staff and employees of the division of minority and women business
development to support the administration of the office of the statewide
advocate.
§ 4. Section 312-a of the executive law, as amended by section 1 of
part Q of chapter 58 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
§ 312-a. Study of minority and women-owned business [enterprise
programs] ENTERPRISES. 1. The director of the division of minority and
[women-owned] WOMEN'S business development [in the department of econom-
ic development] is authorized and directed to recommission a statewide
disparity study regarding the participation of minority and women-owned
business enterprises in state contracts since the amendment of this
article to be delivered to the governor and legislature no later than
August fifteenth, [two thousand sixteen] TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-THREE. The
study shall be prepared by an entity independent of the department and
selected through a request for proposal process. The purpose of such
study is:
(a) to determine whether there is a disparity between the number of
qualified minority and women-owned businesses ready, willing and able to
perform state contracts for commodities, services and construction, and
the number of such contractors actually engaged to perform such
contracts, and to determine what changes, if any, should be made to
state policies affecting minority and women-owned business enterprises;
and (b) to determine whether there is a disparity between the number of
qualified minorities and women ready, willing and able, with respect to
labor markets, qualifications and other relevant factors, to participate
in contractor employment, management level bodies, including boards of
directors, and as senior executive officers within contracting entities
and the number of such group members actually employed or affiliated
with state contractors in the aforementioned capacities, and to deter-
mine what changes, if any, should be made to state policies affecting
minority and women group populations with regard to state contractors'
employment and appointment practices relative to diverse group members.
Such study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the
S. 6141 6
history of minority and women-owned business enterprise programs and
their effectiveness as a means of securing and ensuring participation by
minorities and women, and a disparity analysis by market area and region
of the state. Such study shall distinguish between minority males,
minority females and non-minority females in the statistical analysis.
2. The director of the division of minority and [women-owned] WOMEN'S
business development is directed to transmit the disparity study to the
governor and the legislature [not later than August fifteenth, two thou-
sand sixteen], and to post the study on the website of the department of
economic development.
§ 5. Section 313 of the executive law, as amended by chapter 175 of
the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
§ 313. Opportunities for minority and women-owned business enter-
prises. 1. Goals and requirements for agencies and contractors. Each
agency shall structure procurement procedures for contracts made direct-
ly or indirectly to minority and women-owned business enterprises, in
accordance with the findings of the [two thousand ten] disparity study,
consistent with the purposes of this article, to attempt to achieve [the
following] THE RECOMMENDED results with regard to [total] annual state-
wide procurement FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:
(a) construction industry for certified minority-owned business enter-
prises[: fourteen and thirty-four hundredths percent];
(b) construction industry for certified women-owned business enter-
prises[: eight and forty-one hundredths percent];
(c) construction related professional services industry for certified
minority-owned business enterprises[: thirteen and twenty-one hundredths
percent];
(d) construction related professional services industry for certified
women-owned business enterprises[: eleven and thirty-two hundredths
percent];
(e) non-construction related services industry for certified minori-
ty-owned business enterprises[: nineteen and sixty hundredths percent];
(f) non-construction related services industry for certified women-
owned business enterprises[: seventeen and forty-four hundredths
percent];
(g) commodities industry for certified minority-owned business enter-
prises[: sixteen and eleven hundredths percent];
(h) commodities industry for certified women-owned business enter-
prises[: ten and ninety-three hundredths percent];
(i) overall agency total dollar value of procurement for certified
minority-owned business enterprises[: sixteen and fifty-three hundredths
percent];
(j) overall agency total dollar value of procurement for certified
women-owned business enterprises[: twelve and thirty-nine hundredths
percent]; and
(k) overall agency total dollar value of procurement for certified
minority, women-owned business enterprises[: twenty-eight and ninety-two
hundredths percent].
1-a. The director shall ensure that each state agency has been
provided with a copy of the [two thousand ten] MOST RECENT disparity
study.
1-b. Each agency shall develop and adopt agency-specific goals based
on the findings of the [two thousand ten] MOST RECENT disparity study.
1-C. THE GOALS SET PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION SHALL
BE CONSISTENT WITH THE FINDINGS OF THE MOST RECENT DISPARITY STUDY.
S. 6141 7
EVERY DIVISION OF A CONTRACT SHALL ATTEMPT TO MEET A GOAL OF THIRTY
PERCENT.
2. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations pursuant to the
goals established in subdivision one of this section that provide meas-
ures and procedures to ensure that certified minority and women-owned
businesses shall be given the opportunity for maximum feasible partic-
ipation in the performance of state contracts and to assist in the agen-
cy's identification of those state contracts for which minority and
women-owned certified businesses may best bid to actively and affirma-
tively promote and assist their participation in the performance of
state contracts so as to facilitate the agency's achievement of the
maximum feasible portion of the goals for state contracts to such busi-
nesses.
2-a. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations that will
accomplish the following:
(a) provide for the certification and decertification of minority and
women-owned business enterprises for all agencies through a single proc-
ess that meets applicable requirements;
(b) require that each contract solicitation document accompanying each
solicitation set forth the expected degree of minority and women-owned
business enterprise participation based, in part, on:
(i) the potential subcontract opportunities available in the prime
procurement contract; [and]
(ii) the availability, as contained within the study, of certified
minority and women-owned business enterprises to respond competitively
to the potential subcontract opportunities, AS REFLECTED IN THE DIVI-
SION'S DIRECTORY OF CERTIFIED MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTER-
PRISES; AND
(III) THE FINDINGS OF THE DISPARITY STUDY.
(c) require that each agency provide a current list of certified
minority business enterprises to each prospective contractor;
(d) allow a contractor that is a certified minority-owned or women-
owned business enterprise to use the work it performs to meet require-
ments for use of certified minority-owned or women-owned business enter-
prises as subcontractors;
(e) provide for joint ventures, which a bidder may count toward meet-
ing its minority and women-owned business enterprise participation;
(f) consistent with subdivision six of this section, provide for
circumstances under which an agency OR STATE-FUNDED ENTITY may waive
obligations of the contractor relating to minority and women-owned busi-
ness enterprise participation;
(g) require that an agency OR STATE-FUNDED ENTITY verify that minority
and women-owned business enterprises listed in a successful bid are
actually participating to the extent listed in the project for which the
bid was submitted;
(h) provide for the collection of statistical data by each agency
concerning actual minority and women-owned business enterprise partic-
ipation; [and]
(i) require each agency to consult the most current disparity study
when calculating [agency-wide and contract specific] CONTRACT-SPECIFIC
participation goals pursuant to this article; AND
(J) PROVIDE FOR THE PERIODIC COLLECTION OF REPORTS FROM STATE-FUNDED
ENTITIES IN SUCH FORM AND AT SUCH TIME AS THE DIRECTOR SHALL REQUIRE.
3. Solely for the purpose of providing the opportunity for meaningful
participation by certified businesses in the performance of state
contracts as provided in this section, state contracts shall include
S. 6141 8
leases of real property by a state agency to a lessee where: the terms
of such leases provide for the construction, demolition, replacement,
major repair or renovation of real property and improvements thereon by
such lessee; and the cost of such construction, demolition, replacement,
major repair or renovation of real property and improvements thereon
shall exceed the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. Reports to the
director pursuant to section three hundred fifteen of this article shall
include activities with respect to all such state contracts. Contracting
agencies shall include or require to be included with respect to state
contracts for the acquisition, construction, demolition, replacement,
major repair or renovation of real property and improvements thereon,
such provisions as may be necessary to effectuate the provisions of this
section in every bid specification and state contract, including, but
not limited to: (a) provisions requiring contractors to make a good
faith effort to solicit active participation by enterprises identified
in the directory of certified businesses provided to the contracting
agency by the office; (b) requiring the parties to agree as a condition
of entering into such contract, to be bound by the provisions of section
three hundred sixteen of this article; and (c) requiring the contractor
to include the provisions set forth in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this
subdivision in every subcontract in a manner that the provisions will be
binding upon each subcontractor as to work in connection with such
contract. Provided, however, that no such provisions shall be binding
upon contractors or subcontractors in the performance of work or the
provision of services that are unrelated, separate or distinct from the
state contract as expressed by its terms, and nothing in this section
shall authorize the director or any contracting agency to impose any
requirement on a contractor or subcontractor except with respect to a
state contract.
4. In the implementation of this section, the contracting agency shall
(a) consult the findings contained within the disparity study evidencing
relevant industry specific availability of certified businesses AND
DISPARITIES IN THE UTILIZATION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES
RELATIVE TO THEIR AVAILABILITY;
(b) implement a program that will enable the agency to evaluate each
contract to determine the [appropriateness of the] APPROPRIATE goal
pursuant to subdivision one of this section FOR PARTICIPATION BY MINORI-
TY-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES;
(c) consider where practicable, the severability of construction
projects and other bundled contracts; and
(d) consider compliance with the requirements of any federal law
concerning opportunities for minority and women-owned business enter-
prises which effectuates the purpose of this section. The contracting
agency shall determine whether the imposition of the requirements of any
such law duplicate or conflict with the provisions hereof and if such
duplication or conflict exists, the contracting agency shall waive the
applicability of this section to the extent of such duplication or
conflict.
5. (a) Contracting agencies shall administer the rules and regulations
promulgated by the director in a good faith effort to [meet] ACHIEVE the
maximum feasible portion of the agency's goals adopted pursuant to this
article and the regulations of the director. Such rules and regulations:
shall require a contractor to submit a utilization plan after bids are
opened, when bids are required, but prior to the award of a state
contract; shall require the contracting agency to review the utilization
plan submitted by the contractor and to post the utilization plan and
S. 6141 9
any waivers of compliance issued pursuant to subdivision six of this
section on the website of the contracting agency within a reasonable
period of time as established by the director; shall require the
contracting agency to notify the contractor in writing within a period
of time specified by the director as to any deficiencies contained in
the contractor's utilization plan; shall require remedy thereof within a
period of time specified by the director; shall require the contractor
to submit periodic compliance reports relating to the operation and
implementation of any utilization plan; shall not allow any automatic
waivers but shall allow a contractor to apply for a partial or total
waiver of the minority and women-owned business enterprise participation
requirements pursuant to subdivisions six and seven of this section;
shall allow a contractor to file a complaint with the director pursuant
to subdivision eight of this section in the event a contracting agency
has failed or refused to issue a waiver of the minority and women-owned
business enterprise participation requirements or has denied such
request for a waiver; and shall allow a contracting agency to file a
complaint with the director pursuant to subdivision nine of this section
in the event a contractor is failing or has failed to comply with the
minority and women-owned business enterprise participation requirements
set forth in the state contract where no waiver has been granted.
(b) The rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this subdivision
regarding a utilization plan shall provide that where enterprises have
been identified within a utilization plan, a contractor shall attempt,
in good faith, to utilize such enterprise at least to the extent indi-
cated. A contracting agency may require a contractor to indicate, within
a utilization plan, what measures and procedures he or she intends to
take to comply with the provisions of this article, but may not require,
as a condition of award of, or compliance with, a contract that a
contractor utilize a particular enterprise in performance of the
contract.
(c) Without limiting other grounds for the disqualification of bids or
proposals on the basis of non-responsibility, a contracting agency may
disqualify the bid or proposal of a contractor as being non-responsible
for failure to remedy notified deficiencies contained in the contrac-
tor's utilization plan within a period of time specified in regulations
promulgated by the director after receiving notification of such defi-
ciencies from the contracting agency. Where failure to remedy any noti-
fied deficiency in the utilization plan is a ground for disqualifica-
tion, that issue and all other grounds for disqualification shall be
stated in writing by the contracting agency. Where the contracting agen-
cy states that a failure to remedy any notified deficiency in the utili-
zation plan is a ground for disqualification the contractor shall be
entitled to an administrative hearing, on a record, involving all
grounds stated by the contracting agency. Such hearing shall be
conducted by the appropriate authority of the contracting agency to
review the determination of disqualification. A final administrative
determination made following such hearing shall be reviewable in a
proceeding commenced under article seventy-eight of the civil practice
law and rules, provided that such proceeding is commenced within thirty
days of the notice given by certified mail return receipt requested
rendering such final administrative determination. Such proceeding shall
be commenced in the supreme court, appellate division, third department
and such proceeding shall be preferred over all other civil causes
except election causes, and shall be heard and determined in preference
to all other civil business pending therein, except election matters,
S. 6141 10
irrespective of position on the calendar. Appeals taken to the court of
appeals of the state of New York shall be subject to the same prefer-
ence.
6. (A) Where it appears that a contractor cannot, after a good faith
effort, comply with the minority and women-owned business enterprise
participation requirements set forth in a particular state contract, a
contractor may file a written application with the contracting agency
requesting a partial or total waiver of such requirements setting forth
the reasons for such contractor's inability to meet any or all of the
participation requirements together with an explanation of the efforts
undertaken by the contractor to obtain the required minority and women-
owned business enterprise participation. In implementing the provisions
of this section, the contracting agency shall consider the number and
types of minority and women-owned business enterprises [located] AVAIL-
ABLE TO PROVIDE GOODS OR SERVICES REQUIRED UNDER THE CONTRACT in the
region in which the state contract is to be performed, the total dollar
value of the state contract, the scope of work to be performed and the
project size and term. If, based on such considerations, the contracting
agency determines there is not a reasonable availability of contractors
on the list of certified business to furnish services for the project,
it shall issue a waiver of compliance to the contractor. In making such
determination, the contracting agency shall first consider the avail-
ability of other business enterprises located in the region and shall
thereafter consider the financial ability of minority and women-owned
businesses located outside the region in which the contract is to be
performed to perform the state contract.
(B) WITHIN THIRTY DAYS OF THE ISSUANCE OF A PARTIAL OR TOTAL WAIVER OF
COMPLIANCE AS PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH (A) OF THIS SUBDIVISION, THE
CONTRACTING AGENCY SHALL:
(I) REPORT THE ISSUANCE OF THE WAIVER TO THE DIRECTOR; AND
(II) PUBLISH ON THE CONTRACTING AGENCY'S WEBSITE: (A) INFORMATION
IDENTIFYING THE CONTRACT, INCLUDING THE VALUE OF THE CONTRACT; (B) THE
NAME OF THE CONTRACTOR RECEIVING THE WAIVER; (C) THE DATE OF THE WAIVER;
(D) WHETHER THE WAIVER WAS A TOTAL OR PARTIAL WAIVER; AND (E) THE
SPECIFIC CONTRACT PROVISIONS TO WHICH THE WAIVER APPLIES.
7. For purposes of determining a contractor's good faith effort to
comply with the requirements of this section or to be entitled to a
waiver therefrom the contracting agency shall consider:
(a) whether the contractor has advertised in general circulation
media, trade association publications, and minority-focus and women-fo-
cus media and, in such event, (i) whether or not certified minority or
women-owned businesses which have been solicited by the contractor
exhibited interest in submitting proposals for a particular project by
attending OR HAVING ATTENDED a pre-bid conference, IF ANY, SCHEDULED BY
THE STATE AGENCY AWARDING THE STATE CONTRACT WITH CERTIFIED MINORITY AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES; and
(ii) whether certified businesses which have been solicited by the
contractor have responded in a timely fashion to the contractor's solic-
itations for timely competitive bid quotations prior to the contracting
agency's bid date; and
(b) whether there has been written notification to appropriate certi-
fied businesses that appear in the directory of certified businesses
prepared pursuant to paragraph (f) of subdivision three of section three
hundred eleven of this article; and
S. 6141 11
(c) whether the contractor can reasonably structure the amount of work
to be performed under subcontracts in order to increase the likelihood
of participation by certified businesses.
8. In the event that a contracting agency fails or refuses to issue a
waiver to a contractor as requested within twenty days after having made
application therefor pursuant to subdivision six of this section or if
the contracting agency denies such application, in whole or in part, the
contractor may file a complaint with the director pursuant to section
three hundred sixteen of this article setting forth the facts and
circumstances giving rise to the contractor's complaint together with a
demand for relief. The contractor shall serve a copy of such complaint
upon the contracting agency by personal service or by certified mail,
return receipt requested. The contracting agency shall be afforded an
opportunity to respond to such complaint in writing.
9. If, after the review of a contractor's minority and women owned
business utilization plan or review of a periodic compliance report and
after such contractor has been afforded an opportunity to respond to a
notice of deficiency issued by the contracting agency in connection
therewith, it appears that a contractor is failing or refusing to comply
with the minority and women-owned business participation requirements as
set forth in the state contract and where no waiver from such require-
ments has been granted, the contracting agency may file a written
complaint with the director pursuant to section three hundred sixteen of
this article setting forth the facts and circumstances giving rise to
the contracting agency's complaint together with a demand for relief.
The contracting agency shall serve a copy of such complaint upon the
contractor by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt
requested. The contractor shall be afforded an opportunity to respond to
such complaint in writing.
§ 6. Section 314 of the executive law, as added by chapter 261 of the
laws of 1988, subdivision 2-a as amended by chapter 175 of the laws of
2010, subdivision 2-b as added by chapter 409 of the laws of 2018,
subdivision 4 as amended and subdivision 5 as added by chapter 399 of
the laws of 2014, is amended to read as follows:
§ 314. Statewide certification program. 1. The director shall promul-
gate rules and regulations providing for the establishment of a state-
wide certification program including rules and regulations governing the
approval, denial or revocation of any such certification. Such rules
and regulations shall include, but not be limited to, such matters as
may be required to ensure that the established procedures thereunder
shall at least be in compliance with the code of fair procedure set
forth in section seventy-three of the civil rights law.
2. For the purposes of this article, the office shall be responsible
for verifying businesses as being owned, operated, and controlled by
minority group members or women and for certifying such verified busi-
nesses. The director shall prepare a directory of certified businesses
for use by contracting agencies and contractors in carrying out the
provisions of this article. The director shall periodically update the
directory.
2-a. (a) The director shall establish a procedure enabling the office
to accept New York municipal corporation certification verification for
minority and women-owned business enterprise applicants in lieu of
requiring the applicant to complete the state certification process. The
director shall promulgate rules and regulations to set forth criteria
for the acceptance of municipal corporation certification. All eligible
S. 6141 12
municipal corporation certifications shall require business enterprises
seeking certification to meet the following standards:
(i) have at least fifty-one percent ownership by a minority or a
women-owned enterprise and be owned by United States citizens or perma-
nent resident aliens;
(ii) be an enterprise in which the minority and/or women-ownership
interest is real, substantial and continuing;
(iii) be an enterprise in which the minority and/or women-ownership
has and exercises the authority to control independently the day-to-day
business decisions of the enterprise;
(iv) be an enterprise authorized to do business in this state;
(v) be subject to a physical site inspection to verify the fifty-one
percent ownership requirement; AND
(vi) [be owned by an individual or individuals, whose ownership,
control and operation are relied upon for certification, with a personal
net worth that does not exceed three million five hundred thousand
dollars, as adjusted annually for inflation according to the consumer
price index; and
(vii)] be an enterprise that is a small business pursuant to subdivi-
sion twenty of section three hundred ten of this article.
(b) The director shall work with all municipal corporations that have
a municipal minority and women-owned business enterprise program to
develop standards to accept state certification to meet the municipal
corporation minority and women-owned business enterprise certification
standards.
(c) The director shall establish a procedure enabling the division to
accept federal certification verification for minority and women-owned
business enterprise applicants, provided said standards comport with
those required by the state minority and women-owned business program,
in lieu of requiring the applicant to complete the state certification
process. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations to set
forth criteria for the acceptance of federal certification.
2-b. The director shall establish a procedure enabling an applicant
who was a military service member to prove his or her race or ethnicity,
date of birth, place of birth and verification of address for purposes
of certification of the applicant's business as a minority-owned busi-
ness by submission of the DD Form 214 issued to the applicant by the
United States department of defense upon such applicant's retirement,
separation, or discharge from active duty in the armed forces of the
United States, provided the DD Form 214 contains such information, in
lieu of requiring the applicant to otherwise prove his or her race or
ethnicity. The director shall promulgate rules and regulations to set
forth criteria for the acceptance of the DD Form 214 by the office.
3. Following application for certification pursuant to this section,
the director shall provide the applicant with written notice of the
status of the application, including notice of any outstanding deficien-
cies, within [thirty] FIFTEEN days. Within [sixty] THIRTY days of
submission of a final completed application, the director shall provide
the applicant with written notice of a determination by the office
approving or denying such certification and, in the event of a denial a
statement setting forth the reasons for such denial. Upon a determi-
nation denying or revoking certification, the business enterprise for
which certification has been so denied or revoked shall, upon written
request made within thirty days from receipt of notice of such determi-
nation, be entitled to a hearing before an independent hearing officer
designated for such purpose by the director. In the event that a request
S. 6141 13
for a hearing is not made within such thirty day period, such determi-
nation shall be deemed to be final. The independent hearing officer
shall conduct a hearing and upon the conclusion of such hearing, issue a
written recommendation to the director to affirm, reverse or modify such
determination of the director. Such written recommendation shall be
issued to the parties. The director, within thirty days, by order, must
accept, reject or modify such recommendation of the hearing officer and
set forth in writing the reasons therefor. The director shall serve a
copy of such order and reasons therefor upon the business enterprise by
personal service or by certified mail return receipt requested. The
order of the director shall be subject to review pursuant to article
seventy-eight of the civil practice law and rules.
4. The director may, after performing an availability analysis and
upon a finding that industry-specific factors coupled with personal net
worth or small business eligibility requirements pursuant to [subdivi-
sions nineteen and] SUBDIVISION twenty of section three hundred ten of
this article, respectively, have led to the significant exclusion of
businesses owned by minority group members or women in that industry,
grant provisional MWBE certification status to applicants from that
designated industry, provided, however, that all other eligibility
requirements pursuant to subdivision seven or fifteen of section three
hundred ten of this article, as applicable, are satisfied. Any indus-
try-based determination made under this section by the director shall be
made widely available to the public and posted on the division's
website.
5. With the exception of provisional MWBE certification, as provided
for in subdivision twenty-three of section three hundred ten of this
article, all MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE certifications
shall be valid for a period of [three] FIVE years. THE DIVISION SHALL
PUBLISH ONLINE A CLEAR TIMELINE OF PROCESS WITH THE NUMBER OF DAYS
EXPECTED TO PASS UNTIL CERTIFICATION. HOWEVER, FIRMS MUST RECERTIFY IF
THEY BUY OUT ANOTHER FIRM. THE ONLINE CERTIFICATION PLATFORM SHALL BE
DESIGNED SO THAT THE CERTIFICATION TIMELINE DOES NOT BEGIN UNTIL ALL
DOCUMENTS ARE SUBMITTED.
§ 7. Subdivisions 4, 5 and 7 of section 315 of the executive law, as
added by chapter 175 of the laws of 2010, are amended to read as
follows:
4. The division of minority and women's business development shall
issue an annual report which: (a) summarizes the report submitted by
each contracting agency pursuant to subdivision three of this section;
(b) contains such comparative or other information as the director deems
appropriate, including but not limited to goals compared to actual
participation of minority and women-owned business enterprises in state
contracting, to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities undertaken
by each such contracting agency to promote increased participation by
certified minority or women-owned businesses with respect to state
contracts and subcontracts; (c) contains a summary of all waivers of the
requirements of subdivisions six and seven of section three hundred
thirteen of this article allowed by each contracting agency during the
period covered by the report, including a description of the basis of
the waiver request and the contracting agency's rationale for granting
any such waiver; (d) describes any efforts to create a database or other
information storage and retrieval system containing information relevant
to contracting with minority and women-owned business enterprises; [and]
(e) contains a summary of: (i) all determinations of violations of this
article by a contractor or a contracting agency made during the period
S. 6141 14
covered by the annual report pursuant to section three hundred sixteen-a
of this article; and (ii) the penalties or sanctions, if any, assessed
in connection with such determinations and the rationale for such penal-
ties or sanctions. Copies of the annual report shall be provided to the
commissioner, the governor, the comptroller, the temporary president of
the senate, the speaker of the assembly, the minority leader of the
senate, the minority leader of the assembly and shall also be made wide-
ly available to the public via, among other things, publication on a
website maintained by the division of minority and women's business
development.
5. Each agency shall include in its annual report to the governor and
legislature pursuant to section one hundred sixty-four of [the executive
law] THIS CHAPTER its annual goals for contracts with minority-owned and
women-owned business enterprises, the number of actual contracts issued
to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises; and a summary of
all waivers of the requirements of subdivisions six and seven of section
three hundred thirteen of this article allowed by the reporting agency
during the preceding year, including a description of the basis of the
waiver request and the rationale for granting such waiver. Each agency
shall also include in such annual report whether or not it has been
required to prepare a remedial plan, and, if so, the plan and the extent
to which the agency has complied with each element of the plan.
7. If it is determined by the director that any agency has failed to
act in good faith to implement the remedial action plan, pursuant to
subdivision six of this section within one year, the director shall
provide written notice of such a finding, which shall be publicly avail-
able, and direct implementation of remedial actions to:
(a) assure that sufficient and effective solicitation efforts to women
and minority-owned business enterprises are being made by said agency;
(b) divide contract requirements, when economically feasible, into
quantities that will expand the participation of women and minority-
owned business enterprises;
(c) eliminate extended experience or capitalization requirements, when
programmatically and economically feasible, that will expand partic-
ipation by women and minority-owned business enterprises;
(d) identify specific proposed contracts as particularly attractive or
appropriate for participation by women and minority-owned business
enterprises with such identification to result from and be coupled with
the efforts of paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this subdivision; and
(e) upon a finding by the director that an agency has failed to take
affirmative measures to implement the remedial plan and to follow any of
the remedial actions set forth by the director, and in the absence of
any objective progress towards the agency's goals, require some or all
of the agency's procurement, for a specified period of time, be placed
under the direction and control of another agency or agencies, UNLESS
SUCH AGENCY IS A STATE FUNDED ENTITY.
§ 8. Section 316-a of the executive law, as added by chapter 175 of
the laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
§ 316-a. Prohibitions in contracts; violations. Every contracting
agency shall include a provision in its state contracts expressly
providing that any contractor who willfully and intentionally fails to
comply with the minority and women-owned participation requirements of
this article as set forth in such state contract shall be liable to the
contracting agency for liquidated or other appropriate damages and shall
provide for other appropriate remedies on account of such breach. A
contracting agency that elects to proceed against a contractor for
S. 6141 15
breach of contract as provided in this section shall be precluded from
seeking enforcement pursuant to section three hundred sixteen of this
article; provided however, that the contracting agency shall include a
summary of all enforcement actions undertaken pursuant to this section
in its annual report submitted pursuant to [subdivision three of]
section three hundred fifteen of this article.
§ 9. Subdivision 6 of section 163 of the state finance law, as amended
by chapter 569 of the laws of 2015, is amended to read as follows:
6. Discretionary buying thresholds. Pursuant to guidelines established
by the state procurement council: the commissioner may purchase services
and commodities in an amount not exceeding eighty-five thousand dollars
without a formal competitive process; state agencies may purchase
services and commodities in an amount not exceeding fifty thousand
dollars without a formal competitive process; and state agencies may
purchase commodities or services from small business concerns or those
certified pursuant to articles fifteen-A and seventeen-B of the execu-
tive law, or commodities or technology that are recycled or remanufac-
tured, or commodities that are food, including milk and milk products,
grown, produced or harvested in New York state in an amount not exceed-
ing [two] FOUR hundred thousand dollars without a formal competitive
process.
§ 10. Subparagraph (i) of paragraph (b) of subdivision 3 of section
2879 of the public authorities law, as amended by chapter 174 of the
laws of 2010, is amended to read as follows:
(i) for the selection of such contractors on a competitive basis, and
provisions relating to the circumstances under which the board may by
resolution waive competition, including, notwithstanding any other
provision of law requiring competition, the purchase of goods or
services from small business concerns or those certified as minority or
women-owned business enterprises, or goods or technology that are recy-
cled or remanufactured, in an amount not to exceed [two hundred thou-
sand] ONE MILLION dollars without a formal competitive process;
§ 11. The opening paragraph of subdivision (h) of section 121 of
chapter 261 of the laws of 1988, amending the state finance law and
other laws relating to the New York state infrastructure trust fund, as
amended by section 1 of part OOO of chapter 59 of the laws of 2018, is
amended to read as follows:
The provisions of sections sixty-two through sixty-six of this act
shall expire AND BE DEEMED REPEALED on December thirty-first, two thou-
sand [nineteen] TWENTY-FOUR, except that:
§ 12. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 28 to read
as follows:
ARTICLE 28
WORKFORCE DIVERSITY PROGRAM
SECTION 821. DEFINITIONS.
822. WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOALS.
823. REPORTING.
824. ENFORCEMENT.
825. POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIVISION.
826. SEVERABILITY.
§ 821. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
1. "CONTRACTOR" SHALL MEAN AN INDIVIDUAL, A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE,
INCLUDING A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, A PARTNERSHIP, A CORPORATION, A NOT-
FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION, OR ANY OTHER PARTY TO A STATE CONTRACT, OR A
S. 6141 16
BIDDER IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AWARD OF A STATE CONTRACT OR A PROPOSED
PARTY TO A STATE CONTRACT.
2. "DEPARTMENT" SHALL MEAN THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.
3. "DIRECTOR" SHALL MEAN THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF MINORITY AND
WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
4. "DISPARITY STUDY" SHALL MEAN THE MOST RECENT STUDY OF DISPARITIES
BETWEEN THE UTILIZATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF STATE CONTRACTS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF MINORITY GROUP
MEMBERS AND WOMEN TO PERFORM SUCH WORK BY THE DIRECTOR PURSUANT TO ARTI-
CLE FIFTEEN-A OF THIS CHAPTER.
5. "DIVISION" SHALL MEAN THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT'S
DIVISION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.
6. "LIST OF NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTORS" SHALL MEAN A LIST OF CONTRAC-
TORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS, MAINTAINED BY THE DIVISION AND PUBLISHED ON THE
WEBSITE OF THE DIVISION, THAT ARE INELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE AS CONTRAC-
TORS OR SUBCONTRACTORS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF STATE CONTRACTS FOR A TERM
DETERMINED BY THE DIRECTOR.
7. "MINORITY GROUP MEMBER" SHALL MEAN A UNITED STATES CITIZEN OR
PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIEN WHO IS AND CAN DEMONSTRATE MEMBERSHIP IN ONE OF
THE FOLLOWING GROUPS:
(A) BLACK PERSONS HAVING ORIGINS IN ANY OF THE BLACK AFRICAN RACIAL
GROUPS;
(B) HISPANIC/LATINO PERSONS OF MEXICAN, PUERTO RICAN, DOMINICAN,
CUBAN, CENTRAL OR SOUTH AMERICAN OF EITHER INDIAN OR HISPANIC ORIGIN,
REGARDLESS OF RACE;
(C) NATIVE AMERICAN OR ALASKAN NATIVE PERSONS HAVING ORIGINS IN ANY OF
THE ORIGINAL PEOPLES OF NORTH AMERICA;
(D) ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER PERSONS HAVING ORIGINS IN ANY OF THE
FAR EAST COUNTRIES, SOUTH EAST ASIA, THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT OR THE
PACIFIC ISLANDS.
8. "NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR" SHALL MEAN A CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR
THAT HAS FAILED TO MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO MEET THE WORKFORCE
PARTICIPATION GOAL ESTABLISHED BY A STATE AGENCY ON A STATE CONTRACT,
AND HAS BEEN LISTED BY THE DIVISION ON ITS LIST OF NON-COMPLIANT
CONTRACTORS.
9. "STATE AGENCY" SHALL MEAN (A)(I) ANY STATE DEPARTMENT, OR (II) ANY
DIVISION, BOARD, COMMISSION OR BUREAU OF ANY STATE DEPARTMENT, OR (III)
THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK AND THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK,
INCLUDING ALL THEIR CONSTITUENT UNITS EXCEPT COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND THE
INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS OPERATING STATUTORY OR CONTRACT COLLEGES ON
BEHALF OF THE STATE, OR (IV) A BOARD, A MAJORITY OF WHOSE MEMBERS ARE
APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR OR WHO SERVE BY VIRTUE OF BEING STATE OFFICERS
OR EMPLOYEES AS DEFINED IN SUBPARAGRAPH (I), (II) OR (III) OF PARAGRAPH
(I) OF SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION SEVENTY-THREE OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS
LAW.
(B) A "STATE AUTHORITY," AS DEFINED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF SECTION TWO
OF THE PUBLIC AUTHORITIES LAW, AND THE FOLLOWING:
ALBANY COUNTY AIRPORT AUTHORITY;
ALBANY PORT DISTRICT COMMISSION;
ALFRED, ALMOND, HORNELLSVILLE SEWER AUTHORITY;
BATTERY PARK CITY AUTHORITY;
CAYUGA COUNTY WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY;
(NELSON A. ROCKEFELLER) EMPIRE STATE PLAZA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
CORPORATION;
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBIT AUTHORITY;
LIVINGSTON COUNTY WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY;
S. 6141 17
LONG ISLAND POWER AUTHORITY;
LONG ISLAND RAIL ROAD;
LONG ISLAND MARKET AUTHORITY;
MANHATTAN AND BRONX SURFACE TRANSIT OPERATING AUTHORITY;
METRO-NORTH COMMUTER RAILROAD;
METROPOLITAN SUBURBAN BUS AUTHORITY;
METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY;
NATURAL HERITAGE TRUST;
NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT AUTHORITY;
NEW YORK CONVENTION CENTER OPERATING CORPORATION;
NEW YORK STATE BRIDGE AUTHORITY;
NEW YORK STATE OLYMPIC REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;
NEW YORK STATE THRUWAY AUTHORITY;
NIAGARA FALLS PUBLIC WATER AUTHORITY;
NIAGARA FALLS WATER BOARD;
PORT OF OSWEGO AUTHORITY;
POWER AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK;
ROOSEVELT ISLAND OPERATING CORPORATION;
SCHENECTADY METROPLEX DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;
STATE INSURANCE FUND;
STATEN ISLAND RAPID TRANSIT OPERATING AUTHORITY;
STATE UNIVERSITY CONSTRUCTION FUND;
SYRACUSE REGIONAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY;
TRIBOROUGH BRIDGE AND TUNNEL AUTHORITY;
UPPER MOHAWK VALLEY REGIONAL WATER BOARD;
UPPER MOHAWK VALLEY REGIONAL WATER FINANCE AUTHORITY;
UPPER MOHAWK VALLEY MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM AUTHORITY;
URBAN DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS.
(C) THE FOLLOWING ONLY TO THE EXTENT OF STATE CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO
FOR ITS OWN ACCOUNT OR FOR THE BENEFIT OF A STATE AGENCY AS DEFINED IN
PARAGRAPH (A) OR (B) OF THIS SUBDIVISION:
DORMITORY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK;
FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION;
NEW YORK STATE ENERGY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY;
NEW YORK STATE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION.
10. "STATE CONTRACT" SHALL MEAN: (A) A WRITTEN AGREEMENT OR PURCHASE
ORDER INSTRUMENT, PROVIDING FOR A TOTAL EXPENDITURE IN EXCESS OF TWEN-
TY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS, WHEREBY A STATE AGENCY IS COMMITTED TO EXPEND
OR DOES EXPEND OR GRANT FUNDS IN RETURN FOR LABOR, SERVICES INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO LEGAL, FINANCIAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES,
SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT, MATERIALS OR ANY COMBINATION OF THE FOREGOING, TO
BE PERFORMED ON BEHALF OF, FOR, OR RENDERED OR FURNISHED TO THE STATE
AGENCY; (B) A WRITTEN AGREEMENT IN EXCESS OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS WHEREBY A STATE AGENCY IS COMMITTED TO EXPEND OR DOES EXPEND OR
GRANT FUNDS FOR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLITION, REPLACEMENT,
MAJOR REPAIR OR RENOVATION OF REAL PROPERTY AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON;
AND (C) A WRITTEN AGREEMENT IN EXCESS OF ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS
WHEREBY THE OWNER OF A STATE ASSISTED HOUSING PROJECT IS COMMITTED TO
EXPEND OR DOES EXPEND FUNDS FOR THE ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, DEMOLI-
TION, REPLACEMENT, MAJOR REPAIR OR RENOVATION OF REAL PROPERTY AND
IMPROVEMENTS THEREON FOR SUCH PROJECT.
11. "SUBCONTRACTOR" SHALL MEAN ANY INDIVIDUAL OR BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
THAT PROVIDES GOODS OR SERVICES TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR BUSINESS FOR USE IN
THE PERFORMANCE OF A STATE CONTRACT, WHETHER OR NOT SUCH GOODS OR
SERVICES ARE PROVIDED TO A PARTY TO A STATE CONTRACT.
S. 6141 18
§ 822. WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOALS. 1. THE DIRECTOR, IN CONSULTA-
TION WITH THE DEPARTMENT, SHALL DEVELOP ASPIRATIONAL GOALS FOR THE
UTILIZATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION TRADE,
PROFESSION, AND OCCUPATION. THE MINIMUM FOR EACH GOAL SHALL BE THIRTY
PERCENT.
(A) ASPIRATIONAL GOALS FOR THE UTILIZATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS
AND WOMEN MUST SET FORTH THE EXPECTED PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY GROUP
MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN EACH CONSTRUCTION TRADE, PROFESSION, AND OCCUPA-
TION, AND SHALL BE EXPRESSED AS A PERCENTAGE OF THE TOTAL HOURS OF WORK
TO BE PERFORMED BY EACH TRADE, PROFESSION, AND OCCUPATION BASED ON THE
AVAILABILITY OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN WITHIN EACH TRADE,
PROFESSION, AND OCCUPATION.
(I) THE ASPIRATIONAL GOALS SHALL SET FORTH SEPARATE LEVELS OF EXPECTED
PARTICIPATION BY MEN AND WOMEN FOR EACH MINORITY GROUP, AND FOR CAUCA-
SIAN WOMEN, IN EACH CONSTRUCTION TRADE, PROFESSION, AND OCCUPATION.
(II) ASPIRATIONAL GOALS FOR THE EXPECTED PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY
GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN SHALL BE ESTABLISHED FOR EACH COUNTY OF THE
STATE. THE DIRECTOR MAY ESTABLISH ASPIRATIONAL GOALS FOR THE EXPECTED
PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN FOR MUNICIPALITIES
WHERE THE DIRECTOR DEEMS FEASIBLE AND APPROPRIATE.
(III) THE DIRECTOR SHALL, IN ESTABLISHING THE ASPIRATIONAL GOALS,
CONSIDER THE FINDINGS OF THE MOST RECENT DISPARITY STUDY AND ANY RELE-
VANT DATA PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU.
(B) THE DIRECTOR SHALL UPDATE THE ASPIRATIONAL GOALS ON A PERIODIC
BASIS, NO LESS THAN ANNUALLY.
2. STATE AGENCIES SHALL, FOR EACH INVITATION FOR BIDS, REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS, OR OTHER SOLICITATION THAT WILL RESULT IN THE AWARD OF A
STATE CONTRACT, SET FORTH THE EXPECTED DEGREE OF WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION
BY MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN.
(A) EACH WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL ESTABLISHED BY A STATE AGENCY
SHALL SET FORTH THE EXPECTED LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY GROUP
MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF EACH TRADE, PROFESSION, AND
OCCUPATION REQUIRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CONTRACT.
(B) GOALS FOR THE PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN
SHALL SET FORTH SEPARATE GOALS FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS IN EACH
TRADE, PROFESSION, AND OCCUPATION:
(I) BLACK MEN;
(II) BLACK WOMEN;
(III) HISPANIC/LATINO MEN;
(IV) HISPANIC/LATINO WOMEN;
(V) NATIVE AMERICAN MEN;
(VI) NATIVE AMERICAN WOMEN;
(VII) ASIAN MEN;
(VIII) ASIAN WOMEN;
(IX) CAUCASIAN WOMEN.
(C) IN ESTABLISHING WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOALS, STATE AGENCIES
SHALL CONSIDER FACTORS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
(I) THE FINDINGS OF THE MOST RECENT DISPARITY STUDY;
(II) ANY RELEVANT DATA PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU;
AND
(III) IF APPLICABLE, ANY ASPIRATIONAL GOAL ESTABLISHED BY THE DIVI-
SION.
(D) IN ANY CASE WHERE A STATE AGENCY ESTABLISHES A WORKFORCE PARTIC-
IPATION GOAL ON AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, OR OTHER
SOLICITATION THAT WILL RESULT IN THE AWARD OF A STATE CONTRACT FOR
CONSTRUCTION THAT DEVIATES FROM THE ASPIRATIONAL GOAL FOR CONSTRUCTION
S. 6141 19
WORK IN THE COUNTY OR MUNICIPALITY IN WHICH THE WORK WILL BE PERFORMED,
THE STATE AGENCY SHALL DOCUMENT NUMERICAL EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATING THAT
THE APPLICATION OF THE ASPIRATIONAL GOAL WOULD NOT BE PRACTICAL, FEASI-
BLE, OR APPROPRIATE.
3. EVERY CONTRACTOR RESPONDING TO AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS, OR OTHER SOLICITATION THAT WILL RESULT IN THE AWARD OF A
STATE CONTRACT SUBJECT TO WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOALS PURSUANT TO THIS
SECTION SHALL AGREE TO MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO ACHIEVE SUCH WORK-
FORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL OR REQUEST A WAIVER OF SUCH GOAL.
(A) A CONTRACTOR THAT CERTIFIES THAT IT WILL MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT
TO ACHIEVE A WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL SHALL PROVIDE WITH ITS
RESPONSE TO THE APPLICABLE INVITATION FOR BIDS, REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS,
OR OTHER SOLICITATION:
(I) A CERTIFICATION STATING THAT THE CONTRACTOR WILL MAKE A GOOD FAITH
EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE APPLICABLE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL AND WILL
CONTRACTUALLY REQUIRE ANY SUBCONTRACTORS TO THE CONTRACTOR TO MAKE A
GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE APPLICABLE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL
IN ANY SUBCONTRACTED WORK, WHICH CERTIFICATION SHALL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT
FAILURE BY THE CONTRACTOR OR ANY OF ITS SUBCONTRACTORS TO MAKE A GOOD
FAITH EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE APPLICABLE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL MAY
RESULT IN A DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING STATE AGENCY THAT THE
CONTRACTOR OR ITS SUBCONTRACTOR IS A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR;
(II) THE LEVEL OF ANTICIPATED PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS
AND WOMEN AS EMPLOYEES TO THE CONTRACTOR, OR, IF THE STATE AGENCY HAS
SPECIFICALLY INDICATED THAT SUCH DOCUMENTATION IS NOT REQUIRED AS PART
OF THE RESPONSE TO THE INVITATION FOR BIDS, REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, OR
OTHER SOLICITATION, A DATE CERTAIN FOR THE SUBMISSION OF SUCH DOCUMENTA-
TION AFTER THE AWARD OF THE STATE CONTRACT;
(III) A LIST OF ALL SUBCONTRACTORS ANTICIPATED TO PERFORM WORK ON THE
STATE CONTRACT AND THE LEVEL OF ANTICIPATED PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY
GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN AS EMPLOYEES TO EACH SUBCONTRACTOR, OR, IF THE
STATE AGENCY HAS SPECIFICALLY INDICATED THAT SUCH DOCUMENTATION IS NOT
REQUIRED AS PART OF THE RESPONSE TO THE INVITATION FOR BIDS, REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS, OR OTHER SOLICITATION, A DATE CERTAIN FOR THE SUBMISSION OF
SUCH DOCUMENTATION AFTER THE AWARD OF THE STATE CONTRACT; AND
(IV) SUCH OTHER INFORMATION AS THE CONTRACTING STATE AGENCY SHALL
REQUIRE.
(B) A CONTRACTOR THAT REQUESTS A WAIVER OF A WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION
GOAL SHALL PROVIDE WITH ITS RESPONSE TO THE APPLICABLE INVITATION FOR
BIDS, REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, OR OTHER SOLICITATION:
(I) NUMERICAL EVIDENCE SETTING FORTH WHY THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE WORK-
FORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL IS NOT PRACTICAL, FEASIBLE, OR APPROPRIATE IN
LIGHT OF THE TRADES, PROFESSIONS, AND OCCUPATIONS REQUIRED TO PERFORM
THE WORK OF THE STATE CONTRACT;
(II) DOCUMENTATION OF THE CONTRACTOR'S EFFORTS, AND ANY EFFORTS BY
SUBCONTRACTORS TO THE CONTRACTOR, TO PROMOTE THE INCLUSION OF MINORITY
GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN TRADES, PROFESSIONS, AND OCCUPATIONS REQUIRED
IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE STATE CONTRACT;
(III) THE MAXIMUM FEASIBLE LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY GROUP
MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN EACH OF THE TRADES, PROFESSIONS, AND OCCUPATIONS
REQUIRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK OF THE STATE CONTRACT;
(IV) THE LEVEL OF ANTICIPATED PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS
AND WOMEN AS EMPLOYEES TO THE CONTRACTOR;
(V) A LIST OF ALL SUBCONTRACTORS ANTICIPATED TO PERFORM WORK ON THE
STATE CONTRACT AND THE LEVEL OF ANTICIPATED PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY
GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN AS EMPLOYEES TO EACH SUBCONTRACTOR; AND
S. 6141 20
(VI) ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION EVIDENCING THAT THE CONTRACTOR'S
ACHIEVEMENT OF THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL WOULD NOT BE PRACTICAL,
FEASIBLE, OR APPROPRIATE.
4. A STATE AGENCY SHALL NOT AWARD A STATE CONTRACT TO A CONTRACTOR
UNLESS THE CONTRACTOR HAS (I) CERTIFIED THAT IT WILL MAKE A GOOD FAITH
EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE APPLICABLE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL AND
PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION OF THE WORKFORCE ANTICIPATED TO PERFORM THE WORK
OF THE STATE CONTRACT OR (II) SUBMITTED A WAIVER REQUEST WHICH THE STATE
AGENCY DEEMS TO REFLECT THE MAXIMUM FEASIBLE PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY
GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN EACH OF THE TRADES, PROFESSIONS, AND OCCUPA-
TIONS REQUIRED IN PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK OF THE STATE CONTRACT.
(A) IN THE EVENT THAT A CONTRACTOR SUBMITS A CERTIFICATION OR WAIVER
REQUEST THAT IS ACCEPTED BY THE STATE AGENCY, THE STATE AGENCY SHALL
ESTABLISH IN THE STATE CONTRACT THE EXPECTED LEVEL OF PARTICIPATION BY
MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN EACH OF THE TRADES, PROFESSIONS, AND
OCCUPATIONS REQUIRED IN PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK OF THE STATE CONTRACT,
REQUIRE THAT THE CONTRACTOR MAKE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE SUCH
WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOALS, REQUIRE THAT THE CONTRACTOR REQUIRE ANY
SUBCONTRACTORS TO MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE APPLICABLE
WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL IN ANY SUBCONTRACTED WORK, AND INDICATE
THAT THE FAILURE OF THE CONTRACTOR OR ANY OF ITS SUBCONTRACTORS TO MAKE
A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL MAY
RESULT IN THE CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR BEING DEEMED A NON-COMPLIANT
CONTRACTOR.
(B) IN THE EVENT THAT A CONTRACTOR FAILS TO SUBMIT A CERTIFICATION,
WAIVER REQUEST, OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED BY THE STATE AGENCY,
OR THE STATE AGENCY DETERMINES THAT A CONTRACTOR'S WAIVER REQUEST DOES
NOT DEMONSTRATE THAT THE APPLICABLE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL IS
IMPRACTICAL, UNFEASIBLE, OR INAPPROPRIATE, THE STATE AGENCY SHALL NOTIFY
THE CONTRACTOR OF THE DEFICIENCY IN WRITING AND PROVIDE THE CONTRACTOR
TEN BUSINESS DAYS TO REMEDY THE NOTICED DEFICIENCY. A STATE AGENCY SHALL
REJECT ANY BID OR PROPOSAL OF A CONTRACTOR THAT FAILS TO TIMELY RESPOND
TO A NOTICE OF DEFICIENCY OR TO PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION REMEDYING THE
DEFICIENCY TO THE SATISFACTION OF THE STATE AGENCY.
(I) WHERE FAILURE TO REMEDY ANY NOTIFIED DEFICIENCY IN THE WORKFORCE
UTILIZATION PLAN IS A GROUND FOR DISQUALIFICATION, THAT ISSUE AND ALL
OTHER GROUNDS FOR DISQUALIFICATION SHALL BE STATED IN WRITING BY THE
CONTRACTING STATE AGENCY. THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE ENTITLED TO AN ADMIN-
ISTRATIVE HEARING, ON A RECORD, INVOLVING ALL GROUNDS STATED BY THE
CONTRACTING STATE AGENCY IN ITS NOTICE OF THE CONTRACTOR'S DISQUALIFICA-
TION. SUCH HEARING SHALL BE CONDUCTED BY THE DIVISION TO REVIEW THE
DETERMINATION OF DISQUALIFICATION. CONTRACTORS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO
SUCH HEARING SHALL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD. A FINAL ADMINISTRA-
TIVE DETERMINATION MADE FOLLOWING SUCH HEARING SHALL BE REVIEWABLE IN A
PROCEEDING COMMENCED UNDER ARTICLE SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE
LAW AND RULES, PROVIDED THAT SUCH PROCEEDING IS COMMENCED WITHIN ONE
HUNDRED TWENTY DAYS OF THE NOTICE GIVEN BY CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT
REQUESTED RENDERING SUCH FINAL ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION. SUCH
PROCEEDING SHALL BE COMMENCED IN THE SUPREME COURT AND SUCH PROCEEDING
SHALL BE PREFERRED OVER ALL OTHER CIVIL CAUSES EXCEPT ELECTION CAUSES,
AND SHALL BE HEARD AND DETERMINED IN PREFERENCE TO ALL OTHER CIVIL BUSI-
NESS PENDING THEREIN, EXCEPT ELECTION MATTERS, IRRESPECTIVE OF POSITION
ON THE CALENDAR. APPEALS TAKEN TO THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK SHALL BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME PREFERENCE.
§ 823. REPORTING. 1. STATE CONTRACTS SHALL REQUIRE CONTRACTORS TO
SUBMIT, AND TO REQUIRE ANY SUBCONTRACTORS TO SUBMIT, TO THE CONTRACTING
S. 6141 21
STATE AGENCY REPORTS DOCUMENTING THE HOURS WORKED BY EMPLOYEES OF THE
CONTRACTOR AND ANY SUBCONTRACTORS IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK OF THE
STATE CONTRACT. SUCH REPORTS SHALL BE SUBMITTED NO LESS FREQUENTLY THAN
MONTHLY FOR STATE CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND QUARTERLY FOR ALL OTHER
STATE CONTRACTS. SUCH REPORTS SHALL IDENTIFY THE RACE, ETHNICITY,
GENDER, AND TRADE, PROFESSION, AND OCCUPATION OF EACH EMPLOYEE PERFORM-
ING WORK ON A STATE CONTRACT.
2. STATE AGENCIES SHALL SUBMIT PERIODIC REPORTS TO THE DIRECTOR, OR
THE DESIGNEE OF THE DIRECTOR, CONCERNING THE PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY
GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN STATE CONTRACTS LET BY SUCH AGENCIES AND SUCH
STATE AGENCIES' COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE. SUCH REPORTS SHALL BE
SUBMITTED AT SUCH TIME, AND INCLUDE SUCH INFORMATION, AS THE DIRECTOR
SHALL REQUIRE IN REGULATIONS. STATE AGENCIES SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE THEIR
FACILITIES, BOOKS, AND RECORDS FOR INSPECTION, UPON REASONABLE NOTICE,
BY THE DIRECTOR OR THE DIRECTOR'S DESIGNEE.
3. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE SUCH ASSISTANCE AS THE DIRECTOR SHALL
REQUIRE IN CARRYING OUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
§ 824. ENFORCEMENT. 1. WHERE IT APPEARS THAT A CONTRACTOR CANNOT,
AFTER A GOOD FAITH EFFORT, MEET THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOALS SET
FORTH IN A PARTICULAR STATE CONTRACT, A CONTRACTOR MAY FILE A WRITTEN
APPLICATION WITH THE CONTRACTING STATE AGENCY REQUESTING A PARTIAL OR
TOTAL WAIVER OF SUCH REQUIREMENTS. SUCH REQUEST SHALL SET FORTH THE
REASONS FOR SUCH CONTRACTOR'S INABILITY TO MEET THE WORKFORCE PARTIC-
IPATION GOAL, SPECIFICALLY DESCRIBE THE REASONS FOR ANY DEVIATIONS FROM
THE ANTICIPATED WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION SET FORTH IN THE CONTRACTOR'S
BID OR PROPOSAL LEADING TO THE AWARD OF THE STATE CONTRACT, AND DESCRIBE
THE EFFORTS BY THE CONTRACTOR AND ANY SUBCONTRACTORS TO ACHIEVE THE
MAXIMUM FEASIBLE PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK OF THE STATE CONTRACT. WHERE THE CONTRAC-
TOR'S INABILITY TO ACHIEVE THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL ON A STATE
CONTRACT IS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE SUBCONTRACTORS TO
MAKE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM FEASIBLE PARTICIPATION OF
MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE WORK OF THE
STATE CONTRACT, THE CONTRACTOR SHALL IDENTIFY SUCH SUBCONTRACTOR OR
SUBCONTRACTORS TO THE CONTRACTING STATE AGENCY.
2. A STATE AGENCY SHALL GRANT A REQUEST FOR A WAIVER OF WORKFORCE
PARTICIPATION GOALS ON A STATE CONTRACT WHERE:
(A) THE CONTRACTOR DEMONSTRATES THAT THE CONTRACTOR AND ITS SUBCON-
TRACTORS MADE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION
GOAL ON THE STATE CONTRACT, AND THAT INSUFFICIENT MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS
OR WOMEN WERE AVAILABLE IN THE TRADES, PROFESSIONS, AND OCCUPATIONS
REQUIRED TO PERFORM THE WORK OF THE STATE CONTRACT; OR,
(B) THE CONTRACTOR CONTRACTUALLY REQUIRED EACH OF ITS SUBCONTRACTORS
TO MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE MAXIMUM FEASIBLE PARTIC-
IPATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE
SUBCONTRACTED WORK, PERIODICALLY MONITORED SUCH SUBCONTRACTORS' DEPLOY-
MENT OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THE
SUBCONTRACTED WORK, PROVIDED NOTICE TO SUCH SUBCONTRACTORS OF ANY DEFI-
CIENCIES IN THEIR DEPLOYMENT OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF SUCH SUBCONTRACTED WORK, AND COULD NOT ACHIEVE THE WORK-
FORCE PARTICIPATION GOAL FOR ONE OR MORE TRADES, PROFESSIONS, OR OCCUPA-
TIONS WITHOUT THE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS OF SUCH SUBCONTRACTORS.
3. WHERE A STATE AGENCY DENIES A CONTRACTOR'S REQUEST FOR A WAIVER OF
WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION GOALS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION, THE STATE AGENCY
MAY RECOMMEND TO THE DIRECTOR AND THE DEPARTMENT THAT THE CONTRACTOR BE
DEEMED A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR.
S. 6141 22
4. WHERE A STATE AGENCY GRANTS A REQUEST FOR A WAIVER OF WORKFORCE
PARTICIPATION GOALS PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION BASED ON ONE OR MORE
SUBCONTRACTORS' FAILURE TO MAKE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE THE MAXI-
MUM FEASIBLE PARTICIPATION OF MINORITY GROUP MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN THE
PERFORMANCE OF THE SUBCONTRACTED WORK, THE STATE AGENCY MAY RECOMMEND TO
THE DIRECTOR AND THE DEPARTMENT THAT THE SUBCONTRACTOR BE DEEMED A NON-
COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR.
5. UPON RECEIPT OF A RECOMMENDATION FROM A STATE AGENCY THAT A
CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR SHOULD BE DEEMED A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR,
THE DIRECTOR SHALL, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE DEPARTMENT, REVIEW THE
FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES FORMING THE BASIS OF THE RECOMMENDATION AND
ISSUE A DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRAC-
TOR SHOULD BE DEEMED A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR AND, IF SO, THE DURATION
OF SUCH STATUS AS A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR. SUCH STATUS SHALL LAST FOR
A MAXIMUM OF FOUR YEARS IN DURATION. IN DETERMINING THE DURATION OF A
CONTRACTOR'S OR SUBCONTRACTOR'S STATUS AS A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR,
THE DIRECTOR SHALL CONSIDER:
(I) WHETHER THE CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR HAS PREVIOUSLY BEEN DEEMED
A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR;
(II) THE NUMBER OF HOURS OF EXPECTED PARTICIPATION BY MINORITY GROUP
MEMBERS AND WOMEN LOST AS A RESULT OF THE CONTRACTOR'S OR SUBCONTRAC-
TOR'S FAILURE TO MAKE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS TO INCLUDE MINORITY GROUP
MEMBERS OR WOMEN IN THE PERFORMANCE OF ONE OR MORE STATE CONTRACTS; AND
(III) WHETHER THE CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR HAS OFFERED TO PROVIDE
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES, TRAINING, OR OTHER REMEDIAL BENEFITS TO MINOR-
ITY GROUP MEMBERS OR WOMEN IN RELEVANT TRADES, PROFESSIONS, OR OCCUPA-
TIONS.
6. A CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR DEEMED A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR BY
THE DIRECTOR MAY REQUEST AN ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING BEFORE AN INDEPENDENT
HEARING OFFICER TO APPEAL THE DETERMINATION OF THE DIRECTOR. THE DECI-
SION OF THE HEARING OFFICER SHALL BE FINAL AND MAY ONLY BE VACATED OR
MODIFIED AS PROVIDED IN ARTICLE SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW
AND RULES UPON AN APPLICATION MADE WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY SUCH
ARTICLE.
7. UPON A FINAL DETERMINATION THAT A CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR IS A
NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR, THE DIRECTOR SHALL LIST THE CONTRACTOR OR
SUBCONTRACTOR AS SUCH ON ITS WEBSITE AND INDICATE THE TERM OF SUCH
CONTRACTOR'S OR SUBCONTRACTOR'S STATUS AS A NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR. A
NON-COMPLIANT CONTRACTOR SHALL BE INELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE AS A
CONTRACTOR OR SUBCONTRACTOR ON ANY STATE CONTRACT.
§ 825. POWERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIVISION. 1. THE DIRECTOR
SHALL POST TO THE WEBSITE OF THE DIVISION ON OR BEFORE APRIL FIRST OF
EACH YEAR THE ASPIRATIONAL GOALS FOR THE UTILIZATION OF MINORITY GROUP
MEMBERS AND WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION EIGHT
HUNDRED TWENTY-TWO OF THIS ARTICLE.
2. THE DIRECTOR SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR THE IMPLE-
MENTATION OF THIS ARTICLE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCEDURES FOR
THE SUBMISSION OF CERTIFICATIONS AND WORKFORCE UTILIZATION PLANS BY
CONTRACTORS, CRITERIA FOR GRANTING WAIVERS OF WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION
GOALS, AND THE CONTENTS OF REPORTS BY STATE AGENCIES CONCERNING THEIR
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE.
3. THE DIVISION SHALL, FROM TIME TO TIME, REVIEW THE FACILITIES,
BOOKS, AND RECORDS OF STATE AGENCIES TO ASCERTAIN THE ACCURACY OF THEIR
REPORTS AND THEIR COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS ARTICLE. THE
DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE SUCH ASSISTANCE AS THE DIRECTOR SHALL REQUIRE
IN CARRYING OUT THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
S. 6141 23
§ 826. SEVERABILITY. IF ANY CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR
PART OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE ADJUDGED BY ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURIS-
DICTION TO BE INVALID, THE JUDGMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT, IMPAIR OR INVALI-
DATE THE REMAINDER THEREOF, BUT SHALL BE CONFINED IN ITS OPERATION TO
THE CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR PART OF THIS ARTICLE DIRECT-
LY INVOLVED IN THE CONTROVERSY IN WHICH THE JUDGMENT SHALL HAVE BEEN
RENDERED.
§ 13. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 312-b to
read as follows:
§ 312-B. STUDY OF THE FEASIBILITY OF A MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSI-
NESS ENTERPRISE CAPACITY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM. 1. THE EMPIRE STATE DEVEL-
OPMENT CORPORATION SHALL CONDUCT A STUDY TO EXPLORE THE FEASIBILITY OF A
MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CAPACITY MENTORSHIP
PROGRAM. THE STUDY SHOULD FOCUS ON WHICH AGENCIES AND INDUSTRIES WOULD
BENEFIT MOST FROM SUCH PROGRAM, THE UTILIZATION OF ANY EXISTING MINORITY
AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS, AND ANY FISCAL
IMPLICATIONS. THE STUDY SHALL SPECIFICALLY FOCUS ON:
(A) WHICH STATE AGENCIES WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM SUCH PROGRAM CONCEN-
TRATING IN CONSTRUCTION;
(B) WHICH STATE AGENCIES WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM SUCH PROGRAM CONCEN-
TRATING IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES;
(C) WHICH STATE AGENCIES WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM SUCH PROGRAM CONCEN-
TRATING IN NON-PROFESSIONAL SERVICES;
(D) WHICH STATE AGENCIES WOULD BENEFIT MOST FROM SUCH PROGRAM CONCEN-
TRATING IN PURCHASES OF COMMODITIES;
(E) THE DURATION OF TIME MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES
SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN EACH PROGRAM CONCENTRATION DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPHS
(A) THROUGH (D) OF THIS SUBDIVISION;
(F) THE FEASIBILITY THAT SUCH SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF SUCH PROGRAM
COULD BE USED AS A FACTOR FOR PREQUALIFYING PARTICIPATING MINORITY AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES; AND
(G) HOW SUCH PROGRAM CAN BE TAILORED TO BETTER PREPARE MINORITY AND
WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES FOR BIDDING ON CONTRACTS WITH SUCH
AGENCIES UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE PROGRAM.
2. WITHIN TWELVE MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE
EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SHALL ISSUE A REPORT OF ITS FIND-
INGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY. SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE, BUT
NOT BE LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
(A) ACTIONS THAT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED TO ESTABLISH SUCH CAPACITY MENTOR-
SHIP PROGRAM, A PLAN OF ACTION FOR SUCH IMPLEMENTATION, AND THE ESTI-
MATED COST OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDING ANY ADDITIONAL DIVISION PERSONNEL
THAT MAY BE REQUIRED;
(B) ANY REGULATORY ACTIONS REQUIRED BY ANY AGENCY IN ORDER TO IMPLE-
MENT SUCH PROGRAM, A PLAN OF ACTION FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH ACTIONS, AND
THE ESTIMATED COST OF SUCH IMPLEMENTATION;
(C) ACTIONS THAT REQUIRE STATUTORY CHANGES IN ORDER TO BE IMPLEMENTED
AND THE ESTIMATED COST OF SUCH IMPLEMENTATION; AND
(D) THE EXTENT TO WHICH ANY EXISTING MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS
ENTERPRISE MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, INCLUDING PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE HUNDRED
FORTY-SEVEN OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW, HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED, AND THE
RELATIVE SUCCESS OF SUCH PROGRAMS.
3. WITHIN TWENTY-FOUR MONTHS OF THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION,
THE EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SHALL ISSUE A REPORT DETAILING
THE ACTIONS TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF SUCH STUDY TO THE
GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE
S. 6141 24
ASSEMBLY. SUCH REPORT SHALL INCLUDE A FULL EXAMINATION OF ALL ASPECTS
OF A MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CAPACITY MENTORSHIP
PROGRAM, THE BENEFITS OF SUCH PROGRAM, A PROPOSED PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE
PERMANENT ESTABLISHMENT OF SUCH PROGRAM AND THE ESTIMATED COST OF SUCH
PROGRAM.
§ 14. The executive law is amended by adding a new section 312-c to
read as follows:
§ 312-C. MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE MENTORSHIP
PROGRAM. THE EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION SHALL ESTABLISH MINOR-
ITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE CAPACITY MENTORSHIP PROGRAM,
FUNDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATIONS. THE PROGRAM SHALL BE TAILORED TO
BETTER PREPARE MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES FOR BIDDING
ON CONTRACTS WITH SUCH AGENCIES UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE
PROGRAM, ENSURE THAT MENTOR AND MENTEE ARE CONNECTED BASED ON A COMMER-
CIALLY USEFUL FUNCTION, AND ALLOW MENTEES TO BORROW UNDER THE PROGRAM.
§ 15. The empire state development corporation shall establish minori-
ty and women-owned business enterprise regional councils as divisions of
regional economic development councils.
§ 16. The division of minority and women's business development shall
allow the option for minority and women-owned business enterprise firms
to submit invoices online. Allow the vendor and the public to track the
invoice process. Subject to appropriations.
§ 17. This act shall take effect July 1, 2019; provided, however,
that:
(a) the amendments to article 15-A of the executive law, made by
sections one, one-a, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, thirteen
and fourteen of this act, shall not affect the expiration and repeal of
such article and shall expire and be deemed repealed therewith;
(b) the amendments to section 163 of the state finance law, made by
section nine of this act, shall not affect the expiration and repeal of
such section, and shall expire and be deemed repealed therewith; and
(c) section twelve of this act shall expire and be deemed repealed
December 31, 2024.
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