Senator James Sanders Jr. Legislation to Support Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran Businesses was Signed into Law by Governor Kathy Hochul

New York, NY  -  Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill into law, introduced by Senator James Sanders Jr. and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn (S.8082-A/SANDERS Same as A 8562 Bichotte Hermelyn), that increases the New York State agencies' contract threshold amount for minority and women-owned businesses (MWBEs) and service-disabled veteran businesses to $750,000 from the current $500,000. 

This increase in the discretionary spending threshold by state agencies allows minority and women-owned businesses expands the opportunities to bid on contracts without the financial and laborious burdens that come with following a formal bidding process. 
 

Senator James Sanders Jr, Chair of the Senate Majority MWBE (Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise) Task Force, said, “Today is a good day for MWBEs in New York State. I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this bill into law and my colleague Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn for introducing this bill in the Assembly. This bill will help grow MWBEs by increasing their opportunities to win state contracts.” 

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Chair of the Subcommittee on Oversight of MWBEs said, "Minority, Women-Owned and Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses have been playing a slow catch up after decades of disenfranchisement, and we are leveling the playing field through legislation that alleviates the burdens of a formal bidding process, so our communities get their fair share of the economic pie. By increasing discretionary thresholds for certain New York City contracts to $750,000, we are unlocking access to billions of dollars in opportunities for M/WBEs and SDVOBs. We are breaking down barriers for New Yorkers from diverse backgrounds — allowing us to build towards a more just and equitable future. I thank Senator James Sanders, Jr. for sponsoring S8082/A8562 in the NYS Senate, all our colleagues supporting this vital legislation, and Governor Kathy Hochul for signing it into law."  
 

Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “As a proud member of the Select Majority Task Force on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises, I am always excited for opportunities to uplift our MWBE and service-disabled veteran entrepreneurs. Today’s announcement will mean more options and more resources to allow our business owners to succeed and thrive.” 

Michael Garner, Chief Business Diversity Officer, City-Wide, New York City Mayor’s Office of MWBEs said, “Governor Hochul's signing of this bill into law is a great win for our partner NYS State agencies who work just as hard as we do to address the racial and ethnic disparities in our respective government procurement environments within NYS” said NYC Chief Business Diversity Officer, Michael J. Garner.  “Agency discretionary authority to award M/WBEs contracts is an effective strategy in creating jobs in communities of color, homeownership, better educational opportunities, and healthcare options. I applaud NY State Senator James Sanders Jr. and Assemblymember Rodneyse Hermelyn-Bichotte for this meaningful achievement, and for continuing support in driving equity within communities of color who are often excluded.”