85R12010 EES-D
 
  By: Reynolds H.B. No. 3740
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the dissemination of information about historically
  underutilized businesses and the expansion of the small business
  development center network.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 61.8235, Education Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:
         (b-1)  In developing the career and technical education
  program of study curricula under Subsection (b), the board shall
  ensure that the curricula include information about historically
  underutilized businesses and the certification procedure for and
  the assistance available to historically underutilized businesses
  under Chapter 2161, Government Code.
         SECTION 2.  Section 481.0068(b), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (b)  The Office of Small Business Assistance shall:
               (1)  examine the role of small and historically
  underutilized businesses in the state's economy and the
  contribution of small and historically underutilized businesses in
  generating economic activity, expanding employment opportunities,
  promoting exports, stimulating innovation and entrepreneurship,
  and bringing new and untested products and services to the
  marketplace;
               (2)  serve as the principal focal point in the state for
  small and historically underutilized businesses by:
                     (A)  providing to the legislature information on
  the effects of proposed policies or actions;
                     (B)  assisting state agencies in determining the
  impact proposed rules have on small businesses as required by
  Section 2006.002; and
                     (C)  assisting the agencies in reducing the
  adverse effect that rules have on small businesses, if appropriate;
               (3)  evaluate the effectiveness of efforts of state
  agencies and other entities to assist small and historically
  underutilized businesses and make appropriate recommendations to
  the legislature and state agencies to assist the development and
  strengthening of small and historically underutilized businesses;
               (4)  identify regulations that inhibit small and
  historically underutilized business development and to the extent
  possible identify conflicting state policy goals;
               (5)  determine the availability of financial and other
  resources to small and historically underutilized businesses and
  recommend methods for:
                     (A)  increasing the availability of equity
  capital and other forms of financial assistance to small and
  historically underutilized businesses;
                     (B)  generating markets for the goods and services
  of small and historically underutilized businesses;
                     (C)  providing more effective education,
  training, and management and technical assistance to small and
  historically underutilized businesses; and
                     (D)  providing assistance to small and
  historically underutilized businesses in complying with federal,
  state, and local laws;
               (6)  identify the reasons for small and historically
  underutilized business successes and failures, ascertain the
  related factors that are particularly important in this state, and
  recommend actions for increasing the success rate of small and
  historically underutilized businesses;
               (7)  serve as a focal point for receiving comments and
  suggestions concerning state government policies and activities
  that affect small and historically underutilized businesses;
               (8)  develop and suggest proposals for changes in state
  policies and activities that adversely affect small and
  historically underutilized businesses;
               (9)  provide to state agencies information on the
  effects of proposed policies or actions that affect small and
  historically underutilized businesses;
               (10)  provide information and assistance relating to
  establishing, operating, or expanding small and historically
  underutilized businesses;
               (11)  assist small and historically underutilized
  businesses by:
                     (A)  identifying:
                           (i)  sources of financial assistance for
  those businesses; and
                           (ii)  financial barriers to those
  businesses;
                     (B)  working with relevant organizations to
  identify financing programs that aid small businesses in overcoming
  financial barriers;
                     (C)  matching those businesses with sources of
  financial assistance and credit enhancement; and
                     (D)  assisting those businesses with the
  preparation of applications for government loans, loan guarantees,
  and credit enhancement programs;
               (12)  sponsor meetings, to the extent practicable in
  cooperation with public and private educational institutions, to
  provide training and disseminate information beneficial to small
  and historically underutilized businesses;
               (13)  assist small and historically underutilized
  businesses in their dealings with federal, state, and local
  governmental agencies and provide information regarding
  governmental requirements affecting small and historically
  underutilized businesses;
               (14)  perform research, studies, and analyses of
  matters affecting the interests of small and historically
  underutilized businesses;
               (15)  use available resources within the state, such as
  small business development centers, educational institutions, and
  nonprofit associations, to coordinate the provision of management
  and technical assistance to small and historically underutilized
  businesses in a systematic manner;
               (16)  publish newsletters, brochures, and other
  documents containing information useful to small and historically
  underutilized businesses;
               (17)  identify successful small and historically
  underutilized business assistance programs provided by other
  states and determine the feasibility of adapting those programs for
  implementation in this state;
               (18)  establish an outreach program to make the
  existence of the office known to small and historically
  underutilized businesses and potential clients throughout the
  state;
               (19)  enlist the cooperation and assistance of public
  and private agencies, businesses, and other organizations in
  disseminating information about the programs and services provided
  by the state that benefit small businesses and how small businesses
  can participate in or make use of those programs and services;
               (20)  defer to the small business compliance assistance
  program as defined by Section 5.135, Water Code, on advocacy and
  technical assistance related to environmental programs that
  regulate small businesses;
               (21)  develop a "one-stop" approach for all small
  business needs, including competitive activity with state agencies
  and political subdivisions; [and]
               (22)  promote the establishment of small business
  development centers at accessible locations, including community
  centers, park facilities, and public libraries, in areas of the
  state with the fewest number of certified historically
  underutilized businesses; and 
               (23)  perform any other functions necessary to carry
  out the purposes of this section.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter B, Chapter 2161, Government Code, is
  amended by adding Section 2161.067 to read as follows:
         Sec. 2161.067.  PUBLICITY. The comptroller shall publicize,
  including through social media, the certification procedure for
  historically underutilized businesses under this chapter and
  opportunities for historically underutilized businesses to obtain
  assistance and guidance, including through economic opportunity
  forums.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.