HOUSE BILL 955

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Sheryl Williams Stapleton

AN ACT

RELATING TO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT; CREATING A PROGRAM TO MENTOR AND ASSIST SMALL, MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES IN DEVELOPING THE BUSINESS PRACTICES, TECHNICAL COMPETENCE AND EXPERTISE IN BUSINESS ETHICS, ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES AND GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO COMPETE IN A MODERN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT; ENACTING THE MINORITY BUSINESS ASSISTANCE ACT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     Section 1. SHORT TITLE.--This act may be cited as the "Minority Business Assistance Act".

     Section 2. FINDINGS.--The legislature finds that:

          A. small businesses have proven to be the birthplace of the new innovations that have propelled the country's economy;

          B. the growth of small businesses is in the best interest of consumers, the state and the country;

          C. there are many small, minority-owned businesses that have goods and services available for consumers and governmental entities at competitive prices but do not yet have the special business knowledge, experience or technical expertise required to compete in the marketplace;

          D. there are many individuals within larger, well-established businesses, as well as retirees and other persons, with the knowledge and the desire to assist small minority businesses; and

          E. New Mexico needs a mentorship and a business skills development program to bring experienced businessmen and business women together with small minority businesses in order for the minority businesses to acquire the expertise needed to grow as profitable, competitive businesses.

     Section 3. DEFINITIONS.--As used in the Minority Business Assistance Act:

          A. "department" means the labor department; and

          B. "minority business" means a business, with its principal place of business in New Mexico:

                (1) the majority ownership of which is held by individuals who are residents of New Mexico and African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans or Native Americans; and

                (2) that employs twenty or fewer people.

     Section 4. MINORITY BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM--DEPARTMENT DUTIES AND POWERS.--

          A. The department shall develop and implement a minority business assistance program to facilitate the entrance of minority businesses, located throughout the state, into the marketplace. As part of the development and implementation of the program, the department shall:

                (1) develop a process to define and identify minority businesses that may benefit from additional assistance and training in the areas of general business practices, accounting principles, business ethics, technical expertise, marketing and government procurement;

                (2) develop a registry of well-established businesses, individuals within those businesses, retirees and other persons that have the expertise and skills that may be needed by minority businesses and that have expressed a desire to volunteer as a mentor or otherwise to assist minority businesses;

                (3) develop an outreach and marketing program so that minority businesses may become aware of the assistance available and so that needed, experienced individuals are aware of the opportunity to mentor and assist minority businesses;

                (4) develop training materials and in-house training expertise; and

                (5) create a mentorship program in which employees or agents of the department or volunteers with business experience will visit minority businesses for the purpose of training, mentoring, advising and otherwise assisting the minority businesses in the development or improvement of general business practices, accounting principles, business ethics, technical expertise, marketing and government procurement.

          B. In performing its duties under the Minority Business Assistance Act, the department may:

                (1) to the extent money has been appropriated for such purposes, develop a grant program for minority businesses to acquire the expertise necessary to compete effectively; and

                (2) do all other things necessary and proper to effectuate the purpose of the Minority Business Assistance Act.

          C. All state agencies shall cooperate with the department in carrying out the provisions of the Minority Business Assistance Act and shall, as the opportunity arises, assist minority businesses and encourage other businesses and individuals to register as volunteers under that act.

     Section 5. EFFECTIVE DATE.--The effective date of the provisions of this act is July 1, 2007.

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