SEARCH SITE

VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL

SEARCHABLE DATABASES

ACROSS SESSIONS

Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.

2002 SESSION

026404432
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 62
Offered January 9, 2002
Prefiled January 8, 2002
Establishing a joint subcommittee to study the elimination of duplicative effort and requirements in the minority certification program.
----------
Patron-- Hanger
----------
Referred to Committee on Rules
----------

WHEREAS, the Department of Minority Business Enterprise (DMBE) has an integral role in carrying out the state’s policies regarding both the development of minority-owned businesses and the participation of such businesses in state procurement; and

WHEREAS, as a part of that function, DMBE is responsible for certifying businesses to participate in the Commonwealth’s minority business program and distributing a list of “certified minority enterprises” to all state agencies on an annual basis; and

WHEREAS, state agencies are required to include in solicitations businesses selected from the list made available by DMBE and must also submit annual progress reports on minority business procurement to DMBE; and

WHEREAS, in addition to DMBE, several other state agencies are making efforts to increase the participation of minority enterprises; and

WHEREAS, these efforts may duplicate the work that DMBE does in carrying out its statutory charge; and

WHEREAS, as a result of this duplication, all parties involved in the process spend valuable time and resources completing the paperwork required for certification more than once and duplicating other actions; and

WHEREAS, elimination of duplication in the minority certification program will help to increase the success of the state's efforts to facilitate the development of minority-owned businesses and the participation of such businesses in state procurement; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That a joint subcommittee be established to study the elimination of the duplicative effort and requirements within the minority certification program. The joint subcommittee shall be composed of six members as follows: four members of the Senate, to be appointed by the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections; and two members of the House of Delegates, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House, in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates.

In conducting its study, the joint subcommittee shall (i) review the minority certification process administered by the Department of Minority Business Enterprise, (ii) review efforts taken by other state agencies relating to the minority certification process, and (iii) determine whether there is unnecessary duplication of effort in the process.

The direct costs of this study shall not exceed $6,000.

The Division of Legislative Services shall provide staff support for the study. Technical assistance shall be provided by the Department of Minority Business Enterprise. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the joint subcommittee, upon request.

The joint subcommittee shall complete its work by November 30, 2002, and shall submit its written findings and recommendations to the Governor and the 2003 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.

Implementation of this resolution is subject to subsequent approval and certification by the Joint Rules Committee. The Committee may withhold expenditures or delay the period for the conduct of the study.