Bill Text: TX HB379 | 2017 | 85th Legislature 1st Special Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to assistance for small businesses, the dissemination of information about historically underutilized businesses, and the expansion of the small business development center network.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-08-07 - Referred to Economic & Small Business Development [HB379 Detail]

Download: Texas-2017-HB379-Introduced.html

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85S11853 EES-D
By: Reynolds H.B. No. 379

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to assistance for small businesses, the dissemination of
information about historically underutilized businesses, and the
expansion of the small business development center network.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 61.8235, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
(b-1) In developing the career and technical education
program of study curricula under Subsection (b), the board shall
ensure that the curricula include information about historically
underutilized businesses and the certification procedure for and
the assistance available to historically underutilized businesses
under Chapter 2161, Government Code.
SECTION 2. Section 481.0068(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The Office of Small Business Assistance shall:
(1) examine the role of small and historically
underutilized businesses in the state's economy and the
contribution of small and historically underutilized businesses in
generating economic activity, expanding employment opportunities,
promoting exports, stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship,
and bringing new and untested products and services to the
marketplace;
(2) serve as the principal focal point in the state for
small and historically underutilized businesses by:
(A) providing to the legislature information on
the effects of proposed policies or actions;
(B) assisting state agencies in determining the
impact proposed rules have on small businesses as required by
Section 2006.002; and
(C) assisting the agencies in reducing the
adverse effect that rules have on small businesses, if appropriate;
(3) evaluate the effectiveness of efforts of state
agencies and other entities to assist small and historically
underutilized businesses and make appropriate recommendations to
the legislature and state agencies to assist the development and
strengthening of small and historically underutilized businesses;
(4) identify regulations that inhibit small and
historically underutilized business development and to the extent
possible identify conflicting state policy goals;
(5) determine the availability of financial and other
resources to small and historically underutilized businesses and
recommend methods for:
(A) increasing the availability of equity
capital and other forms of financial assistance to small and
historically underutilized businesses;
(B) generating markets for the goods and services
of small and historically underutilized businesses;
(C) providing more effective education,
training, and management and technical assistance to small and
historically underutilized businesses; and
(D) providing assistance to small and
historically underutilized businesses in complying with federal,
state, and local laws;
(6) identify the reasons for small and historically
underutilized business successes and failures, ascertain the
related factors that are particularly important in this state, and
recommend actions for increasing the success rate of small and
historically underutilized businesses;
(7) serve as a focal point for receiving comments and
suggestions concerning state government policies and activities
that affect small and historically underutilized businesses;
(8) develop and suggest proposals for changes in state
policies and activities that adversely affect small and
historically underutilized businesses;
(9) provide to state agencies information on the
effects of proposed policies or actions that affect small and
historically underutilized businesses;
(10) provide information and assistance relating to
establishing, operating, or expanding small and historically
underutilized businesses;
(11) assist small and historically underutilized
businesses by:
(A) identifying:
(i) sources of financial assistance for
those businesses; and
(ii) financial barriers to those
businesses;
(B) working with relevant organizations to
identify financing programs that aid small businesses in overcoming
financial barriers;
(C) matching those businesses with sources of
financial assistance and credit enhancement; and
(D) assisting those businesses with the
preparation of applications for government loans, loan guarantees,
and credit enhancement programs;
(12) sponsor meetings, to the extent practicable in
cooperation with public and private educational institutions, to
provide training and disseminate information beneficial to small
and historically underutilized businesses;
(13) assist small and historically underutilized
businesses in their dealings with federal, state, and local
governmental agencies and provide information regarding
governmental requirements affecting small and historically
underutilized businesses;
(14) perform research, studies, and analyses of
matters affecting the interests of small and historically
underutilized businesses;
(15) use available resources within the state, such as
small business development centers, educational institutions, and
nonprofit associations, to coordinate the provision of management
and technical assistance to small and historically underutilized
businesses in a systematic manner;
(16) publish newsletters, brochures, and other
documents containing information useful to small and historically
underutilized businesses;
(17) identify successful small and historically
underutilized business assistance programs provided by other
states and determine the feasibility of adapting those programs for
implementation in this state;
(18) establish an outreach program to make the
existence of the office known to small and historically
underutilized businesses and potential clients throughout the
state;
(19) enlist the cooperation and assistance of public
and private agencies, businesses, and other organizations in
disseminating information about the programs and services provided
by the state that benefit small businesses and how small businesses
can participate in or make use of those programs and services;
(20) defer to the small business compliance assistance
program as defined by Section 5.135, Water Code, on advocacy and
technical assistance related to environmental programs that
regulate small businesses;
(21) develop a "one-stop" approach for all small
business needs, including competitive activity with state agencies
and political subdivisions, using the services of the Prairie View
A&M Cooperative Extension Program and a limited liability company
whose primary mission includes training and empowering
historically underutilized businesses, monitoring state
procurement expenditures, advising state agencies, and monitoring
the state's historically underutilized business program; [and]
(22) promote the establishment of small business
development centers at accessible locations, including community
centers, park facilities, and public libraries, in areas of the
state with the fewest number of certified historically
underutilized businesses; and
(23) perform any other functions necessary to carry
out the purposes of this section.
SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 2161, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 2161.067 to read as follows:
Sec. 2161.067. PUBLICITY. The comptroller shall publicize,
including through social media, the certification procedure for
historically underutilized businesses under this chapter and
opportunities for historically underutilized businesses to obtain
assistance and guidance, including through economic opportunity
forums.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect December 1, 2017.