Bill Summary: A3056 - "OORAH! An Act Opening Opportunities, Resources and Access for Heroes"

• Expands New York's minority and women-owned business enterprise (MWBE) programs to include veteran-owned business enterprises (VBEs) by creating a formal definition and certification process for businesses at least 51% owned and controlled by honorably discharged veterans

• Renames the Division of Minority and Women's Business Development to the Division of Minority, Women's and Veterans' Business Development and requires disparity studies to determine appropriate contracting participation goals for veteran-owned businesses in state procurement

• Requires state agencies and public authorities to establish veteran-owned business participation goals in procurement contracts across construction, professional services, standard services, and commodities categories, with specific percentages to be determined by disparity studies

• Extends veteran-owned business participation requirements and protections to New York City procurement, the urban development corporation, facilities development corporation, medical care facilities finance agency, and other economic development programs

• Makes conforming amendments throughout state law to include veterans in affirmative action programs, technical assistance initiatives, lending programs, bonding guarantees, and small business development initiatives