HB 1974 Summary

• Establishes a five-year small business assistance initiative within the state procurement office to help small businesses participate in state contracting opportunities, with focus on veteran-owned, Native Hawaiian-owned, and women-owned businesses.

• Creates the position of small business procurement coordinator (exempt from civil service) responsible for maintaining a statewide small business database, registration and certification processes, and producing annual reports on small business participation metrics.

• Establishes a small business office to be operated by contract with a Hawaii-based small business advocacy group (preferably owned by a veteran, Native Hawaiian, or woman) to provide training, outreach, workshops, and vendor support services.

• Appropriates $366,000 for fiscal year 2022-2023, allocated as $115,000 for database completion, $126,000 for the procurement coordinator position, and $125,000 for small business office operations and marketing over the five-year term.

• Takes effect upon approval, with the appropriation effective July 1, 2022.