Encourages the participation of minority and women-owned business enterprises in state contracts

Latest action May 5, 2026

Encourages the participation of minority- and women-owned business enterprises in state contracts by avoiding unnecessary and unjustified bundling of contract requirements that preclude minority- and women-owned business participation.

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Where it stands

Out of committee and scheduled for a vote by the full chamber.

Introduced
In committee
Up for a vote
Passed one chamber
Passed
Enacted

New York State Senate

Same as A359, the matching bill in the Assembly.

Amends the Executive Law.

Committee

Governmental Operations · New York State Assembly

Also referred to Procurement And Contracts · New York State Senate.

Purpose, from the sponsor's memo

To encourage the participation of Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises in state contracts by making it more feasible for MWBE's to secure contracts.

Filed with the bill. Read it on nysenate.gov (opens in a new tab)

Cosponsors

Jo Anne Simon, John Zaccaro Jr. and 4 more on Agora

Democratic6

See the full list on nysenate.gov

The sponsor's argument

Why Leroy Comrie says this is needed

In order to afford MWBE's greater opportunity in competing for contracts and funding, we must find ways to unbundle contracts. In a letter in 2002, the Office of Federal Procurement said, "Although contract bundl- ing can serve a useful purpose, the effect of this increase in contract bundling over the past ten years cannot be underestimated. Not only are substantially fewer small business receiving federal contracts, but the federal government is suffering from a reduced supplier base". A similar impact is felt on the state and city level, and it should be avoided whenever possible. While understanding that contracts are often bundled as a means of cost-saving, we have to find ways to identify more capable companies who are able to do the work to improve the lives of New York- ers. Doing so will increase the likelihood of more certification. MWBEs having an opportunity for state procurement and funding.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.

Full history

May 5, 2026
Reported out of committee
REPORTED REFERRED TO WAYS AND MEANS
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
NY Assembly
Jan 7, 2026
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS
NY Senate
Jan 17, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTS
NY Senate
Jan 8, 2025
Referred to committee
REFERRED TO GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS
NY Assembly

About this record

Summary: The summary comes from NY Open Legislation, the New York State Senate's public record. For more, see How we handle summaries.
Cosponsors: The list shows the cosponsors who are on Agora, A to Z. The official record may list more.
Party colors: Parties are shown in the same neutral colors.
Source: From NY Open Legislation, the NY Senate and Assembly, and official rosters. This record was last updated Oct 31, 2026. About our data

Read the record

Read on NY Senate (opens in a new tab) The official record on nysenate.gov.

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