By Mr. Gomez, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 179) of Adam Gomez for legislation to prioritize underserved businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance. Community Development and Small Businesses.
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Date
Branch
Action
1/15/2026
Senate
1/15/2026 SenateBill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
6/25/2025
Joint
6/25/2025 JointHearing rescheduled to 06/26/2025 from 10:00 AM-02:00 PM in B-1
6/23/2025
Joint
6/23/2025 JointHearing scheduled for 06/26/2025 from 10:00 AM-02:00 PM in A-1
2/27/2025
House
2/27/2025 HouseHouse concurred
2/27/2025
Senate
2/27/2025 SenateReferred to the committee on Community Development and Small Businesses
Section 16G of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
(o) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the secretary of economic development and all divisions within the executive office of economic development shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.
▸SECTION 2
Section 3 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
(36) to prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance
▸SECTION 3
Chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
▸SECTION 50
: Prioritizing Underserved Microbusinesses and Small Businesses
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the agency shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.
▸SECTION 4
Subsection (b) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “prioritize participation in projects” the following:-
with socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital and
▸SECTION 5
Subsection (c) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as inserted by section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out the word “may” and inserting in place thereof the following:-
shall prioritize and
▸SECTION 6
Subsection (c) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as inserted by section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby further amended by striking out the the words “or women-owned contractors” and inserting place thereof the following:-
women-owned contractors, worker-owned contractors and disadvantaged business enterprises
▸SECTION 7
Chapter 23A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
▸SECTION 70
: Prioritizing Underserved Microbusinesses and Small Businesses
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the Massachusetts office of business development shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses, that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.
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SECTION 1. Section 16G of chapter 6A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
(o) Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the secretary of economic development and all divisions within the executive office of economic development shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.
SECTION 2. Section 3 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by adding the following subsection:-
(36) to prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance
SECTION 3. Chapter 23G of the General Laws, as so appearing is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 50: Prioritizing Underserved Microbusinesses and Small Businesses
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the agency shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned, or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.
SECTION 4. Subsection (b) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the words “prioritize participation in projects” the following:-
with socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, worker-owned or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital and
SECTION 5. Subsection (c) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as inserted by section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby amended by striking out the word “may” and inserting in place thereof the following:-
shall prioritize and
SECTION 6. Subsection (c) of section 48 of chapter 23G of the General Laws, as inserted by section 58 of chapter 238 of the acts of 2024, is hereby further amended by striking out the the words “or women-owned contractors” and inserting place thereof the following:-
women-owned contractors, worker-owned contractors and disadvantaged business enterprises
SECTION 7. Chapter 23A of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2022 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following section:-
Section 70: Prioritizing Underserved Microbusinesses and Small Businesses
Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, unless otherwise specified, and whenever possible, the Massachusetts office of business development shall prioritize socially or economically disadvantaged businesses, which may include, but shall not be limited to, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned or immigrant-owned microbusinesses and small businesses, that have historically faced obstacles to accessing capital in the awarding of all grants, loans, and other assistance.