Bill Text: NY A10388 | 2011-2012 | General Assembly | Amended


Bill Title: Relates to participation by service-connected disabled veterans and veterans with respect to state contracts.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-06-18 - reported referred to ways and means [A10388 Detail]

Download: New_York-2011-A10388-Amended.html
                           S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
       ________________________________________________________________________
                                       10388--A
                                 I N  A S S E M B L Y
                                     May 24, 2012
                                      ___________
       Introduced  by  M.  of  A. RAMOS, ENGLEBRIGHT, ORTIZ, McENENY, LAVINE --
         Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. NOLAN -- read once and referred to  the
         Committee  on  Governmental Operations -- reported and referred to the
         Committee on Codes --  committee  discharged,  bill  amended,  ordered
         reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
       AN  ACT  to  amend  the  executive  law, in relation to participation by
         service-connected disabled veterans and veterans with respect to state
         contracts
         THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND  ASSEM-
       BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
    1    Section  1.  The executive law is amended by adding a new article 17-A
    2  to read as follows:
    3                                 ARTICLE 17-A
    4          PARTICIPATION BY SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETERANS AND
    5                  VETERANS WITH RESPECT TO STATE CONTRACTS
    6  SECTION 369.   DEFINITIONS.
    7          369-A. OPPORTUNITIES FOR  CERTIFIED  SERVICE-CONNECTED  DISABLED
    8                   VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
    9          369-B. OPPORTUNITIES FOR CERTIFIED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTER-
   10                   PRISES.
   11          369-C. SEVERABILITY.
   12    S 369. DEFINITIONS. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FOLLOWING TERMS SHALL
   13  HAVE THE FOLLOWING MEANINGS:
   14    1.  "AGENCY"  OR  "AGENCIES" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED IN
   15  SUBDIVISION NINE OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED SIXTY OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW.
   16    2. "PERIOD OF WAR" MEANS THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR; THE MEXICAN  BORDER
   17  PERIOD;  WORLD  WAR I; WORLD WAR II; THE HOSTILITIES KNOWN AS THE KOREAN
   18  WAR, WHICH COMMENCED JUNE TWENTY-SEVENTH,  NINETEEN  HUNDRED  FIFTY  AND
   19  TERMINATED  ON  JANUARY  THIRTY-FIRST,  NINETEEN HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE; THE
   20  HOSTILITIES KNOWN AS THE VIETNAM WAR, WHICH COMMENCED ON FEBRUARY  TWEN-
   21  TY-EIGHTH,  NINETEEN  HUNDRED  SIXTY-ONE  AND TERMINATED ON MAY SEVENTH,
   22  NINETEEN HUNDRED SEVENTY-FIVE; AND THE HOSTILITIES KNOWN AS THE  PERSIAN
   23  GULF CONFLICT, WHICH COMMENCED AUGUST SECOND, NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY TO
   24  THE  END OF SUCH CONFLICT INCLUDING MILITARY SERVICE IN OPERATION ENDUR-
   25  ING FREEDOM, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM OR OPERATION NEW DAWN AND  WAS  THE
   26  RECIPIENT OF THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL OR THE IRAQ
   27  CAMPAIGN MEDAL OR THE AFGHANISTAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL.
        EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
                             [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                                  LBD15990-06-2
       A. 10388--A                         2
    1    3. "SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN" MEANS A VETERAN WHO RECEIVED A
    2  COMPENSATION  RATING  FROM  THE  UNITED  STATES  DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS'
    3  AFFAIRS OR FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF  DEFENSE  BECAUSE  OF  A
    4  SERVICE-CONNECTED  DISABILITY INCURRED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN THE ACTIVE
    5  MILITARY, NAVAL OR AIR SERVICE.
    6    4. "CERTIFIED SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTER-
    7  PRISE"  SHALL  MEAN  A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE, INCLUDING A SOLE PROPRIETOR-
    8  SHIP, PARTNERSHIP, OR CORPORATION THAT IS:
    9    (A) AT LEAST FIFTY-ONE PERCENT OWNED BY ONE OR MORE  SERVICE-CONNECTED
   10  DISABLED VETERANS;
   11    (B)  AN  ENTERPRISE  IN  WHICH SUCH SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN
   12  OWNERSHIP IS REAL, SUBSTANTIAL, AND CONTINUING;
   13    (C) AN ENTERPRISE IN WHICH  SUCH  SERVICE-CONNECTED  DISABLED  VETERAN
   14  OWNERSHIP  HAS  AND EXERCISES THE AUTHORITY TO CONTROL INDEPENDENTLY THE
   15  DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS DECISIONS OF THE ENTERPRISE;
   16    (D) AN ENTERPRISE AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE AND IS INDE-
   17  PENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED;
   18    (E) AN ENTERPRISE OWNED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS, WHOSE  OWNER-
   19  SHIP,  CONTROL  AND  OPERATION ARE RELIED UPON FOR CERTIFICATION, WITH A
   20  PERSONAL NET WORTH THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOU-
   21  SAND DOLLARS, AS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY FOR INFLATION
   22  ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR;
   23    (F) AN ENTERPRISE THAT IS A SMALL  BUSINESS  PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION
   24  FIVE OF THIS SECTION; AND
   25    (G)  IS  CERTIFIED  PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF SECTION THREE
   26  HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE-A OF THIS ARTICLE.
   27    5. "SMALL BUSINESS" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS DEFINED IN  SECTION
   28  ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-ONE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW.
   29    6.  "VETERAN"  SHALL  MEAN A PERSON WHO SERVED IN THE ACTIVE MILITARY,
   30  NAVAL, OR AIR SERVICE DURING A PERIOD OF WAR, OR WAS A RECIPIENT OF  THE
   31  ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, NAVY EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, MARINE CORPS
   32  EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, OR GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM EXPEDITIONARY MEDAL, AND
   33  WAS  DISCHARGED  OR  RELEASED  THEREFROM  UNDER  OTHER THAN DISHONORABLE
   34  DISCHARGE.
   35    7. "CERTIFIED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES" SHALL MEAN  A  BUSI-
   36  NESS ENTERPRISE, INCLUDING A SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP, PARTNERSHIP, OR CORPO-
   37  RATION THAT IS:
   38    (A) AT LEAST FIFTY-ONE PERCENT OWNED BY ONE OR MORE VETERAN;
   39    (B)  AN  ENTERPRISE  IN WHICH SUCH VETERAN OWNERSHIP IS REAL, SUBSTAN-
   40  TIAL, AND CONTINUING;
   41    (C) AN ENTERPRISE IN WHICH SUCH VETERAN OWNERSHIP  HAS  AND  EXERCISES
   42  THE AUTHORITY TO CONTROL INDEPENDENTLY THE DAY-TO-DAY BUSINESS DECISIONS
   43  OF THE ENTERPRISE;
   44    (D)  AN  ENTERPRISE  AUTHORIZED TO DO BUSINESS IN THIS STATE AND INDE-
   45  PENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED;
   46    (E) AN ENTERPRISE OWNED BY AN INDIVIDUAL OR INDIVIDUALS, WHOSE  OWNER-
   47  SHIP,  CONTROL  AND OPERATION WERE RELIED UPON FOR CERTIFICATION, WITH A
   48  PERSONAL NET WORTH THAT DOES NOT EXCEED THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOU-
   49  SAND DOLLARS, AS ADJUSTED ANNUALLY ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY FOR INFLATION
   50  ACCORDING TO THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX OF THE PREVIOUS YEAR;
   51    (F) AN ENTERPRISE THAT IS A SMALL  BUSINESS  PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION
   52  FIVE OF THIS SECTION; AND
   53    (G)  IS  CERTIFIED  PURSUANT  TO  SUBDIVISION  THREE  OF SECTION THREE
   54  HUNDRED SIXTY-NINE-B OF THIS ARTICLE.
   55    S 369-A. OPPORTUNITIES FOR CERTIFIED SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETER-
   56  AN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
       A. 10388--A                         3
    1    1. CONTRACT PREFERENCES. EACH AGENCY SHALL PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR
    2  CERTIFIED SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS  ENTERPRISES
    3  TO MAXIMIZE THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF STATE CONTRACTS. A
    4  BID  BY  A  SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
    5  SHALL  BE  TREATED  AS  THE  LOWEST  BID  IN A COMPETITIVE PROCESS FOR A
    6  COMMODITY IF IT COST NO MORE THAN FIFTEEN PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE LOWEST
    7  BID AND FOR SERVICES, IF THE COST COMPONENT  IS  NO  MORE  THAN  FIFTEEN
    8  PERCENT HIGHER THAN THE COST COMPONENT OF THE HIGHEST SCORING BID, THESE
    9  COMPONENTS  SHALL  BE TREATED AS EQUAL FOR PURPOSES OF COMPETITIVE SCOR-
   10  ING.
   11    2. DUTIES OF AGENCIES. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS AND POLICY
   12  ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, AGENCIES SHALL:
   13    (A) DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS AND  POLICY  ESTAB-
   14  LISHED  IN  SUBDIVISION  ONE OF THIS SECTION; AND SHALL PUBLICLY PUBLISH
   15  SUCH STRATEGY;
   16    (B) MAKE THE AGENCY'S STRATEGY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, POST SUCH  STRATEGY
   17  UPON  THE  WEBSITE  OF SUCH AGENCY, AND REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE GOVERNOR,
   18  THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND THE SPEAKER OF THE  ASSEMBLY,
   19  ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGENCY'S STRATEGY;
   20    (C)  DESIGNATE A SENIOR-LEVEL OFFICIAL WITHIN SUCH AGENCY WHO SHALL BE
   21  RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THE AGENCY'S STRATEGY; AND
   22    (D) INCLUDE IN THE AGENCY'S STRATEGY PLANS FOR:
   23    (I)  ENCOURAGING   AND   FACILITATING   PARTICIPATION   BY   CERTIFIED
   24  SERVICE-CONNECTED  DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN COMPE-
   25  TITIONS FOR AWARD OF AGENCY CONTRACTS;
   26    (II) ENCOURAGING AGENCY  CONTRACTORS  TO  SUBCONTRACT  WITH  CERTIFIED
   27  SERVICE-CONNECTED   DISABLED   VETERAN-OWNED  BUSINESS  ENTERPRISES  AND
   28  ACTIVELY MONITORING AND EVALUATING AGENCY CONTRACTOR'S EFFORTS TO DO SO;
   29    (III) TRAINING AGENCY PERSONNEL ON APPLICABLE LAW AND POLICIES  RELAT-
   30  ING   TO   PARTICIPATION   OF   CERTIFIED   SERVICE-CONNECTED   DISABLED
   31  VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN STATE CONTRACTING; AND
   32    (IV) DISSEMINATING INFORMATION TO CERTIFIED SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED
   33  VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES THAT WOULD ASSIST THESE BUSINESSES IN
   34  PARTICIPATING IN AWARDS OF AGENCY CONTRACTS.
   35    3. CERTIFICATION.  (A) THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER RESPONSIBLE FOR HEADING
   36  THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVEL-
   37  OPMENT, AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO OF THE
   38  ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS  PROVID-
   39  ING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM INCLUDING
   40  RULES  AND  REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE APPROVAL, DENIAL, OR REVOCATION OF
   41  ANY SUCH CERTIFICATION. SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS  SHALL  INCLUDE,  BUT
   42  NOT  BE  LIMITED  TO, SUCH MATTERS AS MAY BE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THAT THE
   43  ESTABLISHED PROCEDURES THEREUNDER SHALL AT LEAST BE IN  COMPLIANCE  WITH
   44  THE  CODE  OF  FAIR  PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN SECTION SEVENTY-THREE OF THE
   45  CIVIL RIGHTS LAW.
   46    (B) THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING
   47  BUSINESSES AS BEING OWNED, OPERATED, AND CONTROLLED  BY  A  SERVICE-CON-
   48  NECTED  DISABLED  VETERAN  AND  FOR CERTIFYING SUCH VERIFIED BUSINESSES.
   49  STATUS AS A SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN SHALL BE DOCUMENTED BY  A
   50  COPY  OF  THE  VETERAN'S CERTIFICATE OF RELEASE OR DISCHARGE FROM ACTIVE
   51  DUTY ALSO KNOWN AS A DD-214 FORM OR  AN  HONORABLE  SERVICE  CERTIFICATE
   52  REPORT  OF CAUSALITY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, A LETTER OF CERTIF-
   53  ICATION BY THE UNITED STATES  DEPARTMENT  OF  VETERANS  AFFAIRS  OR  THE
   54  UNITED  STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT
   55  MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS. THE  DEPUTY  COMMIS-
   56  SIONER  OF  THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL PREPARE A DIRECTORY OF
       A. 10388--A                         4
    1  CERTIFIED SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABLED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS  ENTERPRISES
    2  FOR USE BY AGENCIES IN CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. SUCH
    3  DIRECTORY  SHALL  BE  PUBLICLY  POSTED  ON  THE EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT
    4  CORPORATION  WEBSITE.  THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL
    5  BUSINESS SHALL PERIODICALLY UPDATE THE DIRECTORY.
    6    (C) FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THIS  SECTION,
    7  THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL PROVIDE
    8  THE  APPLICANT  WITH  WRITTEN  NOTICE  OF THE STATUS OF THE APPLICATION,
    9  INCLUDING NOTICE OF ANY OUTSTANDING DEFICIENCIES,  WITHIN  THIRTY  DAYS.
   10  WITHIN  SIXTY  DAYS  OF SUBMISSION OF A FINAL COMPLETED APPLICATION, THE
   11  DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL PROVIDE THE
   12  APPLICANT WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF A DETERMINATION BY THE  DEPUTY  COMMIS-
   13  SIONER  OF  THE  DIVISION  FOR  SMALL BUSINESS APPROVING OR DENYING SUCH
   14  CERTIFICATION AND, IN THE EVENT OF A DENIAL, A STATEMENT  SETTING  FORTH
   15  THE  REASONS  FOR  SUCH DENIAL. UPON A DETERMINATION DENYING OR REVOKING
   16  CERTIFICATION, THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE FOR WHICH CERTIFICATION HAS  BEEN
   17  SO DENIED OR REVOKED SHALL, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST MADE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS
   18  FROM  RECEIPT  OF NOTICE OF SUCH DETERMINATION, BE ENTITLED TO A HEARING
   19  BEFORE AN INDEPENDENT HEARING OFFICER DESIGNATED FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE
   20  DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS.   IN  THE  EVENT
   21  THAT  A REQUEST FOR A HEARING IS NOT MADE WITHIN SUCH THIRTY DAY PERIOD,
   22  SUCH DETERMINATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE FINAL. THE INDEPENDENT  HEARING
   23  OFFICER SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING AND UPON THE CONCLUSION OF SUCH HEARING,
   24  ISSUE  A  WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVI-
   25  SION FOR SMALL BUSINESS TO AFFIRM, REVERSE, OR MODIFY SUCH DETERMINATION
   26  OF THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE  DIVISION  FOR  SMALL  BUSINESS.  SUCH
   27  WRITTEN  RECOMMENDATION  SHALL  BE  ISSUED  TO  THE  PARTIES. THE DEPUTY
   28  COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS,  BY
   29  ORDER,  MUST ACCEPT, REJECT OR MODIFY SUCH RECOMMENDATION OF THE HEARING
   30  OFFICER AND SET FORTH IN WRITING THE REASON THEREFOR. THE DEPUTY COMMIS-
   31  SIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL SERVE  A  COPY  OF  SUCH
   32  ORDER  AND  REASONS  THEREFOR  UPON  THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE BY PERSONAL
   33  SERVICE OR BY CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. THE ORDER OF  THE
   34  DEPUTY  COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL BE SUBJECT
   35  TO REVIEW PURSUANT TO ARTICLE SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THE  CIVIL  PRACTICE  LAW
   36  AND RULES.
   37    (D) ALL CERTIFICATIONS SHALL BE VALID FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
   38    4.  DUTIES  OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS.
   39  THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL:
   40    (A) DESIGNATE AN APPROPRIATE ENTITY  WITHIN  THE  DIVISION  FOR  SMALL
   41  BUSINESS  THAT  SHALL,  IN  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE DIVISION OF VETERANS
   42  AFFAIRS, PROVIDE TO CERTIFIED SERVICE-CONNECTED  DISABLED  VETERAN-OWNED
   43  BUSINESS ENTERPRISES INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE CONCERNING PARTICIPATION
   44  IN STATE CONTRACTING;
   45    (B)  ADVISE AND ASSIST AGENCIES IN THEIR IMPLEMENTATION OF SUBDIVISION
   46  ONE OF THIS SECTION; AND
   47    (C)   MAKE   AVAILABLE   TO   CERTIFIED   SERVICE-CONNECTED   DISABLED
   48  VETERAN-OWNED  BUSINESS  ENTERPRISES  TRAINING IN STATE CONTRACTING LAW,
   49  PROCEDURES, AND PRACTICES THAT WOULD ASSIST SUCH BUSINESSES  IN  PARTIC-
   50  IPATING  IN  STATE  CONTRACTING  AND MAKE THIS TRAINING AVAILABLE ONLINE
   51  THROUGH A CONTINUOUS LEARNING PROGRAM.
   52    S 369-B. OPPORTUNITIES FOR  CERTIFIED  VETERAN-OWNED  BUSINESS  ENTER-
   53  PRISES.  1. CONTRACT PREFERENCES. EACH AGENCY SHALL PROVIDE THE OPPORTU-
   54  NITY  FOR CERTIFIED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TO MAXIMIZE THEIR
   55  PARTICIPATION IN THE PERFORMANCE OF STATE CONTRACTS. A BID BY  A  VETER-
   56  AN-OWNED  BUSINESS  ENTERPRISE  SHALL  BE TREATED AS THE LOWEST BID IN A
       A. 10388--A                         5
    1  COMPETITIVE PROCESS FOR A COMMODITY IF IT COST NO MORE THAN TEN  PERCENT
    2  HIGHER THAN THE LOWEST BID AND FOR SERVICES, IF THE COST COMPONENT IS NO
    3  MORE  THAN  TEN  PERCENT  HIGHER  THAN THE COST COMPONENT OF THE HIGHEST
    4  SCORING  BID, THESE COMPONENTS SHALL BE TREATED AS EQUAL FOR PURPOSES OF
    5  COMPETITIVE SCORING.
    6    2. DUTIES OF AGENCIES. IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS AND POLICY
    7  ESTABLISHED IN SUBDIVISION ONE OF THIS SECTION, AGENCIES SHALL:
    8    (A) DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO IMPLEMENT THE PROVISIONS AND  POLICY  ESTAB-
    9  LISHED  IN  SUBDIVISION  ONE OF THIS SECTION; AND SHALL PUBLICLY PUBLISH
   10  SUCH STRATEGY;
   11    (B) MAKE THE AGENCY'S STRATEGY PUBLICLY AVAILABLE, HAVE SUCH  STRATEGY
   12  POSTED  UPON  THE  WEBSITE  OF  SUCH  AGENCY, AND REPORT ANNUALLY TO THE
   13  GOVERNOR, THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND THE SPEAKER OF  THE
   14  ASSEMBLY ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGENCY'S STRATEGY;
   15    (C)  DESIGNATE A SENIOR-LEVEL OFFICIAL WITHIN SUCH AGENCY WHO SHALL BE
   16  RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING THE AGENCY'S STRATEGY; AND
   17    (D) INCLUDE IN THE AGENCY'S STRATEGY PLANS FOR:
   18    (I)  ENCOURAGING   AND   FACILITATING   PARTICIPATION   BY   CERTIFIED
   19  VETERAN-OWNED  BUSINESS  ENTERPRISES IN COMPETITIONS FOR AWARD OF AGENCY
   20  CONTRACTS;
   21    (II) ENCOURAGING AGENCY  CONTRACTORS  TO  SUBCONTRACT  WITH  CERTIFIED
   22  VETERAN-OWNED  BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND ACTIVELY MONITORING AND EVALUAT-
   23  ING AGENCY CONTRACTOR'S EFFORTS TO DO SO;
   24    (III) TRAINING AGENCY PERSONNEL ON APPLICABLE LAW AND POLICIES  RELAT-
   25  ING  TO PARTICIPATION OF CERTIFIED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES IN
   26  STATE CONTRACTING; AND
   27    (IV) DISSEMINATING INFORMATION  TO  CERTIFIED  VETERAN-OWNED  BUSINESS
   28  ENTERPRISES  THAT  WOULD  ASSIST  THESE  BUSINESSES  IN PARTICIPATING IN
   29  AWARDS OF AGENCY CONTRACTS.
   30    3. CERTIFICATION. (A) THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER RESPONSIBLE FOR  HEADING
   31  THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVEL-
   32  OPMENT, AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-TWO OF THE
   33  ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT LAW SHALL PROMULGATE RULES AND REGULATIONS PROVID-
   34  ING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM INCLUDING
   35  RULES AND REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE APPROVAL, DENIAL, OR  REVOCATION  OF
   36  ANY  SUCH  CERTIFICATION.  SUCH RULES AND REGULATIONS SHALL INCLUDE, BUT
   37  NOT BE LIMITED TO, SUCH MATTERS AS MAY BE REQUIRED TO  ENSURE  THAT  THE
   38  ESTABLISHED  PROCEDURES  THEREUNDER SHALL AT LEAST BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH
   39  THE CODE OF FAIR PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN  SECTION  SEVENTY-THREE  OF  THE
   40  CIVIL RIGHTS LAW.
   41    (B) THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR VERIFYING
   42  BUSINESSES AS BEING OWNED, OPERATED, AND CONTROLLED BY A VETERAN AND FOR
   43  CERTIFYING  SUCH VERIFIED BUSINESSES. STATUS AS A VETERAN SHALL BE DOCU-
   44  MENTED BY A COPY OF THE VETERAN'S CERTIFICATE OF  RELEASE  OR  DISCHARGE
   45  FROM  ACTIVE  DUTY  ALSO  KNOWN AS A DD-214 FORM OR AN HONORABLE SERVICE
   46  CERTIFICATE REPORT OF CAUSALITY FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, A LETTER
   47  OF CERTIFICATION BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS  OR
   48  THE  UNITED  STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
   49  THAT MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE DIVISION  FOR  SMALL  BUSINESS.  THE  DEPUTY
   50  COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL PREPARE A DIRECTO-
   51  RY  OF  CERTIFIED VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES FOR USE BY AGENCIES
   52  IN CARRYING OUT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION.  SUCH DIRECTORY SHALL BE
   53  PUBLICLY POSTED ON THE EMPIRE STATE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WEBSITE. THE
   54  DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR  SMALL  BUSINESS  SHALL  PERIOD-
   55  ICALLY UPDATE THE DIRECTORY.
       A. 10388--A                         6
    1    (C)  FOLLOWING APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION,
    2  THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL PROVIDE
    3  THE APPLICANT WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF  THE  STATUS  OF  THE  APPLICATION,
    4  INCLUDING  NOTICE  OF  ANY OUTSTANDING DEFICIENCIES, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS.
    5  WITHIN  SIXTY  DAYS  OF SUBMISSION OF A FINAL COMPLETED APPLICATION, THE
    6  DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL PROVIDE THE
    7  APPLICANT WITH WRITTEN NOTICE OF A DETERMINATION BY THE  DEPUTY  COMMIS-
    8  SIONER  OF  THE  DIVISION  FOR  SMALL BUSINESS APPROVING OR DENYING SUCH
    9  CERTIFICATION AND, IN THE EVENT OF A DENIAL, A STATEMENT  SETTING  FORTH
   10  THE  REASONS  FOR  SUCH DENIAL. UPON A DETERMINATION DENYING OR REVOKING
   11  CERTIFICATION, THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE FOR WHICH CERTIFICATION HAS  BEEN
   12  SO DENIED OR REVOKED SHALL, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST MADE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS
   13  FROM  RECEIPT  OF NOTICE OF SUCH DETERMINATION, BE ENTITLED TO A HEARING
   14  BEFORE AN INDEPENDENT HEARING OFFICER DESIGNATED FOR SUCH PURPOSE BY THE
   15  DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL  BUSINESS.  IN  THE  EVENT
   16  THAT  A REQUEST FOR A HEARING IS NOT MADE WITHIN SUCH THIRTY DAY PERIOD,
   17  SUCH DETERMINATION SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE FINAL.  THE INDEPENDENT HEARING
   18  OFFICER SHALL CONDUCT A HEARING AND UPON THE CONCLUSION OF SUCH HEARING,
   19  ISSUE A WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION TO THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF  THE  DIVI-
   20  SION FOR SMALL BUSINESS TO AFFIRM, REVERSE, OR MODIFY SUCH DETERMINATION
   21  OF  THE  DEPUTY  COMMISSIONER  OF  THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS. SUCH
   22  WRITTEN RECOMMENDATION SHALL  BE  ISSUED  TO  THE  PARTIES.  THE  DEPUTY
   23  COMMISSIONER  OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS, WITHIN THIRTY DAYS, BY
   24  ORDER, MUST ACCEPT, REJECT OR MODIFY SUCH RECOMMENDATION OF THE  HEARING
   25  OFFICER  AND  SET  FORTH  IN  WRITING  THE  REASONS THEREFOR. THE DEPUTY
   26  COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL SERVE  A  COPY  OF
   27  SUCH ORDER AND REASONS THEREFOR UPON THE BUSINESS ENTERPRISE BY PERSONAL
   28  SERVICE  OR BY CERTIFIED MAIL RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED. THE ORDER OF THE
   29  DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL BE  SUBJECT
   30  TO  REVIEW  PURSUANT  TO ARTICLE SEVENTY-EIGHT OF THE CIVIL PRACTICE LAW
   31  AND RULES.
   32    (D) ALL CERTIFICATIONS SHALL BE VALID FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS.
   33    4. DUTIES OF DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR  SMALL  BUSINESS.
   34  THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL:
   35    (A)  DESIGNATE  AN  APPROPRIATE  ENTITY  WITHIN THE DIVISION FOR SMALL
   36  BUSINESS THAT SHALL, IN  CONSULTATION  WITH  THE  DIVISION  OF  VETERANS
   37  AFFAIRS,  PROVIDE  TO VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES INFORMATION AND
   38  ASSISTANCE CONCERNING PARTICIPATION IN STATE CONTRACTING;
   39    (B) ADVISE AND ASSIST AGENCIES IN THEIR IMPLEMENTATION OF  SUBDIVISION
   40  ONE OF THIS SECTION; AND
   41    (C)  MAKE  AVAILABLE TO VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES TRAINING IN
   42  STATE CONTRACTING LAW, PROCEDURES, AND PRACTICES THAT WOULD ASSIST  SUCH
   43  BUSINESSES  IN PARTICIPATING IN STATE CONTRACTING AND MAKE THIS TRAINING
   44  AVAILABLE ONLINE THROUGH A CONTINUOUS LEARNING PROGRAM.
   45    S 369-C. SEVERABILITY. IF ANY CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION  OR
   46  PART  OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL BE ADJUDGED BY ANY COURT OF COMPETENT JURIS-
   47  DICTION TO BE INVALID, THE JUDGMENT SHALL NOT AFFECT, IMPAIR OR  INVALI-
   48  DATE  THE  REMAINDER  THEREOF, BUT SHALL BE CONFINED IN ITS OPERATION TO
   49  THE CLAUSE, SENTENCE, PARAGRAPH, SECTION OR PART OF THIS ARTICLE DIRECT-
   50  LY INVOLVED IN THE CONTROVERSY IN WHICH THE  JUDGMENT  SHALL  HAVE  BEEN
   51  RENDERED.
   52    S 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after
   53  it shall have become a law.
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