BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3740

By: Reynolds

Economic & Small Business Development

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties report that there is a general lack of awareness of the historically underutilized business program, which the parties assert has resulted in less program participation and fewer contracts between state agencies and historically underutilized businesses. H.B. 3740 seeks to promote awareness of these businesses.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3740 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in developing the career and technical education program of study curricula, to ensure that the curricula include information about historically underutilized businesses and the certification procedure for and the assistance available to historically underutilized businesses under state law.

H.B. 3740 amends the Government Code to require the Office of Small Business Assistance to promote the establishment of small business development centers at accessible locations in areas of Texas with the fewest number of certified historically underutilized businesses. The bill requires the comptroller of public accounts to publicize, including through social media, the certification procedure for historically underutilized businesses and opportunities for those businesses to obtain assistance and guidance.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.