Title 14. Miscellaneous Provisions — Subtitle 1. Broadened Ownership Act

The State:

The General Assembly finds that employee stock ownership plans, as defined in the Internal Revenue Code, make an important contribution toward the broadening of capital ownership, increase the income and financial security of the residents of the State, assure the residents of the State greater control of their economic futures, improve productivity and labor–management relations, contribute to the national effort to combat inflation, strengthen the free enterprise system, and put Maryland in the forefront of contemporary economic trends.

The Department shall attempt to use to the greatest extent feasible minority business enterprises to provide brokerage and investment management services for any fund established under this article consistent with minority business purchasing standards applicable to units of State government under the State Finance and Procurement Article and consistent with the fiduciary duties of the Department.

For purposes of this subsection, brokerage and investment management services shall include services relating to all allocated asset classes.

In conjunction with the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, the Department shall develop guidelines to assist it in identifying and evaluating qualified minority business enterprises in order to help it achieve the objective for greater use of minority business enterprises for brokerage and investment management services under this article.

On or before September 1 each year, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs and, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on: