Bridging the Gap Committee

The goal of this committee is to support the GBC Bridging the Gap initiative and to provide Minority and Women Business Enterprises (MWBEs) with a voice in highlighting the issues that are of importance. The committee provides assistance by identifying and instituting appropriate development programs, addressing public policy issues, providing networking opportunities and serving as a resource guide for minority and women entrepreneurs who are currently members of the Greater Baltimore Committee.

2010 Legislative Session Wrap Up

Bills that passed this legislative session that positively affect small and minority businesses:

HB 66 Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) - Neighborhood Business Development Program - Microenterprise Loans Signed by Governor

This departmental bill establishes a new initiative within the DHCD's Neighborhood Business Development Program to authorize DHCD to partner with intermediary organizations to facilitate better access to capital by microenterprises within designated neighborhoods. Financial assistance provided to microenterprises may be used for development costs, working capital, or business expenses.

HB 68 - Department of the Environment - Grants - Small Business and Certified Minority Business Enterprises (Chair, Environmental Matters Committee by Request - Departmental - Environment)
Supported - Return Passed

Requires a grantee who receives financial assistance of over $500,000 from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Nonpoint Source Fund to demonstrate that steps were taken to include small businesses and MBEs; requires the Department of the Environment to consider the availability to grantees of specified small businesses and certified MBEs; and authorizes the Department of the Environment to withhold financial assistance for a project if these steps were not taken.

HB 222/SB 2 - Task Force on the Minority Business Enterprise Program and Equity Investment Capital
(Delegate Vaughn/ Senator Conway & Peters) - Supported - Return Passed

This bill establishes a Task Force on the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program and Equity Investment Capital, jointly staffed by the Department of General Services (DGS) and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), to study how to facilitate the acquisition of investment equity capital by MBEs. The Task Force will report its recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly and develop draft legislation by December 1, 2010.

HB 250/SB 130 - Procurement - Minority Business Enterprises - Certification Process
(Delegates Morhaim et al./ Senator Pugh et al.) - Supported - Signed by Governor

Requires regulations to promote and facilitate certification of MBE's certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration or a county that uses a substantially similar certification process to MDOT. Also requires the Board to keep records and submit an annual report on the number and identity of MBEs certified through that process.

HB 251/SB 131 - State Procurement - Minority Business Enterprises - Electronic Certification Process
(Delegates Morhaim et al./ Senator Pugh et al.) - Supported - Signed by Governor

Requires the Board of Public Works to promote and facilitate the submission of applications for certification as a minority business enterprise through an electronic process.

HB484 Property Tax - Semiannual Payment Schedule - Small Business Property
(Delegate Elliott et al) Signed by Governor

This bill requires county and municipal governments to establish a semiannual payment schedule for State, county, municipal, and special taxing district property taxes for small business property with a property tax bill of $50,000 or less.

HB 923/SB 546 - Procurement - Minority Business Enterprises - Review of Application for Certification and Notice to Applicant
(Delegates Levi et al./ Senator Peters et al.) Return Passed/Passed Enrolled

Requires the Board of Public Works to require the agency designated to certify MBEs to complete its review and provide notice of its decision to the applicant within 90 days of receiving a completed application; and authorizing the agency to extend the notification requirement for a period of 60 days if the agency provides the applicant with written notice and explanation.

SB 54 - Business and Economic Development - Maryland Economic Adjustment Fund
(Chair Finance Committee- by request Department Business and Economic Development)
Supported - Signed by Governor

The bill makes changes to the Maryland Economic Adjustment Fund (MEAF) making it easier for businesses to secure funding by altering eligibility requirements allowing any company with 50 or fewer employees to be eligible to receive loans. It eliminates the MEAF committee, leaving authority to provide funding under the program to the Secretary of Business and Economic Development.

SB 71 - Procurement - Small Business Reserve Program - Sunset Extension
(Chair Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee by request - Department - General Services) - Supported - Signed by Governor

Currently, the Small Business Reserve Program, which requires State operated departments to procure a minimum 10% of its goods, contracts, services etc. from small businesses was slated to terminate in September of 2010. This bill extends the authorization of the program until September 2016.

SB 849 - Procurement - Minority Business Enterprise Program - Directory and Report
(Senator Harrington) - Passed Enrolled

Requires MDOT's MBE directory to include a list and description of contracts, the amount of the award obtained by MBEs and whether the MBE participated as the prime contractor or subcontractor on procurement contracts.

Additional Budget Allocations
• Maryland Small Business Financing Authority- $17.4 million
• Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority Fund- $12 million