The state House of Representatives recently passed legislation to restore contracting opportunities for small, veteran-owned businesses.
House Bill 2682 would amend Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to specify that a veteran-owned business will be considered a small diverse business and would not be required to seek separate small business verification.
The change would allow veteran-owned businesses to qualify for certain Department of General Services contracting opportunities.
“Prior to 2015, veteran-owned, small businesses in Pennsylvania enjoyed prime contracting opportunities with the Commonwealth under the Department of General Services’ Small Diverse Business program,” state Rep. David H. Rowe (R-Snyder/Union), who wrote the bill, said.
“However, in September 2015, Gov. Tom Wolf yanked those opportunities away from our veterans without any warning or explanation, leaving in a lurch countless small businesses owned and operated by veterans across Pennsylvania.
“Our veterans have given so much for us and restoring the entrepreneurial benefits they enjoyed prior to Wolf’s executive order would allow them to continue to create jobs that fuel economic growth. It would also allow them to invest in our communities in the same way they’ve invested in protecting and preserving our freedoms with their service.”
If the bill becomes law, it will take effect in 60 days.