By Solis H.B. No. 2328 77R2154 BDH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to state contracts and enterprise zone opportunities for 1-3 historically underutilized businesses. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 2161, Government Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 2161.067 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 2161.067. HUBZONE CONTRACTING PROGRAM. (a) To the 1-8 extent consistent with this chapter and with the federal HUBZone 1-9 program under 15 U.S.C. Section 657, the commission and each state 1-10 agency may award contracts to historically underutilized businesses 1-11 for the purchase of goods and services and for construction 1-12 projects, provided that the businesses are: 1-13 (1) "qualified" under 15 U.S.C. Section 632(p); and 1-14 (2) located in a "historically underutilized business 1-15 zone," as defined by 15 U.S.C. Section 632(p), in this state. 1-16 (b) The commission and each state agency that contracts for 1-17 the purchase of goods and services or for construction projects 1-18 shall make a good faith effort to increase the number of contract 1-19 awards made to businesses eligible under Subsection (a) to a level 1-20 of at least three percent of the total contracts awarded during 1-21 each fiscal year. 1-22 (c) On request, the Texas Department of Economic Development 1-23 shall assist the commission or any state agency in locating 1-24 businesses eligible under Subsection (a). 2-1 SECTION 2. Section 2303.054, Government Code, is amended by 2-2 adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: 2-3 (d) The department shall investigate the possibility of 2-4 using the United States Small Business Administration's HUBZone 2-5 Empowerment Contracting Program Internet website to provide 2-6 information on enterprise zone opportunities. 2-7 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 2-8 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 2-9 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this 2-10 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 2-11 Act takes effect September 1, 2001.