SF 2585

3rd Engrossment - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 04/15/2010 11:59am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; establishing collaborative to recommend improvements
to disadvantaged business enterprise program; proposing coding for new law in
Minnesota Statutes, chapter 174.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin [174.186] DISADVANTAGED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE
COLLABORATIVE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment; purpose. new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of transportation
shall convene regular meetings of the disadvantaged business enterprise program and
workforce inclusion collaborative, as constituted by the commissioner as of January
1, 2010.
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new text begin (b) The collaborative shall review and evaluate the commissioner's implementation
of the disadvantaged business enterprise program, under Code of Federal Regulations, title
49, and recommend changes, including possible legislation, to improve the effectiveness
of the program in this state. At a minimum, the collaborative shall review, evaluate, and
recommend program changes where necessary in the following areas:
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new text begin (1) an on-the-job training program to increase the diversity of the workforce on
projects;
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new text begin (2) on-the-job trainee tracking and retention;
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new text begin (3) a mentor and protégé program for small, disadvantaged business entrepreneurs;
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new text begin (4) requirements for participation of disadvantaged business enterprises at the time
of letting bids for contracts;
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new text begin (5) a coordinated access point to recruit disadvantaged business enterprises and a
diverse workforce;
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new text begin (6) objective measures for good-faith efforts to recruit disadvantaged business
enterprises;
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new text begin (7) a working capital fund for small disadvantaged business enterprises;
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new text begin (8) increased transparency for results in the on-the-job training and disadvantaged
business enterprise programs;
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new text begin (9) civil rights program training;
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new text begin (10) a targeted group business program for state-funded projects; and
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new text begin (11) coding systems and dual goals for women and people of color.
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new text begin (c) The commissioner shall provide staff and administrative support for the
collaborative and shall establish policies and procedures for the collaborative, including
quorum requirements and majority decision making.
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new text begin (d) The representatives of the Department of Transportation with responsibility for
civil rights and contracting shall participate in collaborative meetings and deliberations.
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new text begin (e) Members of the collaborative do not receive compensation or reimbursement of
expenses.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Powers and duties; report. new text end

new text begin (a) The collaborative shall develop
recommendations to the commissioner and to the legislature as provided in paragraph (b)
designed to implement fully the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program in
this state and to improve the effectiveness of the program. These recommendations,
including any draft legislation if the collaborative decides to recommend legislation, may
include, but are not limited to, strategies, policies, and actions focused on:
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new text begin (1) requiring bid proposals to include information on disadvantaged business
enterprise participation;
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new text begin (2) defining and implementing appropriate accountability measures when
disadvantaged business enterprise contract goals are not met in accordance with Code
of Federal Regulations, title 49;
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new text begin (3) sponsoring disadvantaged business enterprise training and development
workshops; and
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new text begin (4) strengthening the content and frequency of department reporting requirements
relating to the disadvantaged business enterprise program.
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new text begin (b) The collaborative shall report its findings and legislative recommendations,
including draft legislation if the collaborative decides to recommend legislation, to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees and divisions with
jurisdiction over transportation policy and finance by February 1, 2011. The report must
be made available electronically and available in print upon request.
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Sec. 2. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
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new text begin This act is effective the day following final enactment.
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