In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Governor’s Subcabinet” means the Governor’s Subcabinet on Socioeconomic Procurement Participation. “Minority person” means: an individual who has been deprived of the opportunity to develop and keep a competitive position in the economy because of a social or economic disadvantage that arises from cultural, racial, or other similar causes; or a sheltered workshop for individuals with disabilities. “Minority person” includes: an Aleut; an American Indian; a Black; an Eskimo; a Hispanic; an Oriental; a Puerto Rican; or a woman. “Office” means the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs. “Special Secretary” means the Special Secretary for the Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs.

There is a Governor’s Subcabinet on Socioeconomic Procurement Participation. The Governor’s Subcabinet is composed of: the Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs, who shall serve as chair of the Subcabinet; the Secretary of Budget and Management, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Commerce, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of General Services, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Health, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Housing and Community Development, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Human Services, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Information Technology, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary’s designee; the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families, or the Secretary’s designee; the Chief Procurement Officer for the State, or the Chief Procurement Officer’s designee; the Minority Business Enterprise Ombudsman, or the Ombudsman’s designee; and any other head of a department or agency that is accountable to the Governor, as deemed necessary by the Governor. The Governor’s Subcabinet shall: meet: a minimum of once each quarter; and at a frequency deemed appropriate by the chair; study socioeconomic procurement programs in other states to identify successes and best practices; develop accountability measures for procurement forecasts, strategic plans, Procurement Review Group processes, and liaison officer accountability; work with the Office of State Procurement to implement process improvements that directly impact socioeconomic procurement businesses’ ability to fairly compete for and understand State contracting opportunities; identify and recommend statutory and regulatory reforms to strengthen and improve the State’s socioeconomic procurement programs; and recommend actions to make improvements to the Small Business Reserve Program, the Minority Business Enterprise Program, and the Veteran Small Business Enterprise Program. On or before December 31, 2025, and each December 1 thereafter, the Governor’s Subcabinet shall report to the Governor on the Governor’s Subcabinet’s activities, progress, and recommendations.