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SB 829

Modifying classes of state of preparedness declared by Governor or Legislature

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Patricia Rucker

Extends Maryland's MBE program to P3s, offshore wind, sports wagering, and VLT procurement through July 1, 2026, and delays key disparity studies and reports.

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Bill Summary · SB 829

SB 829 — State Procurement: Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program — Extension and Reports

Chapter 621 (2025 Session) — Approved by the Governor (May 20, 2025). Effective July 1, 2025.

Main purpose

Extend and temporarily re‑apply Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program requirements to additional procurement categories, and push back several statutory deadlines for required studies, analyses, policies, and reports related to the MBE program.

Key provisions and changes

  • Extends the MBE program’s statutory termination/abrogation dates by one year:

    • Provisions under Title 14, Subtitle 3 (MBE program) and related regulations remain in force through July 1, 2026 (previously July 1, 2025).
    • Related statutory expirations tied to specific programs are aligned to 2026 (e.g., certain capital project and procurement provisions).

  • Restores and clarifies application of MBE requirements to:

    • Public–private partnerships (P3s): adds Art. – State Finance & Procurement §10A‑404, incorporating the findings that support continuation of the MBE program and directing that, to the extent practicable and constitutional, MBE requirements apply to P3s.
    • The Board of Public Works may not approve a P3 agreement until the reporting agency — in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs (GOSBA), the Attorney General, and the private entity (if permissible) — establishes reasonable and appropriate MBE participation goals and procedures for the project.
    • Offshore wind projects, sports wagering licensees, and video lottery terminal (VLT) procurements: statutory application of MBE participation goals and related reporting is restored/extended through July 1, 2026.

  • Extends and re‑schedules multiple deadlines:

    • Disparity study / analyses: the final disparity study and follow‑up analyses (including analyses for offshore wind applicability) are to be reported by September 30, 2025 (moved one year).
    • GOSBA policies/guidelines for MBE capital subgoals: due by July 1, 2026 (previously July 1, 2025).
    • GOSBA report to the General Assembly on capital project MBE subgoals: due December 31, 2026 (previously Dec. 31, 2025).
    • Studies and reports under Chapter 641 of 2022 (brokerage and investment services / race‑ and gender‑neutral approaches): deadlines extended to December 31, 2026.

  • Directs the certification agency (designated by the Board of Public Works) to analyze the disparity study for applicability to P3s and offshore wind work and report findings to the Legislative Policy Committee.

Who is affected

  • Minority business enterprises and potential subcontractors statewide.
  • State purchasing entities, reporting agencies, and authorities overseeing P3s and major procurements (Board of Public Works, MDOT, GOSBA, certification agency).
  • Private entities participating in P3s, offshore wind developers, sports wagering and VLT licensees, and vendors on affected capital projects.
  • Legislature and oversight committees reviewing disparity study results and program reports.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • Maryland Department of Legislative Services: bill is primarily procedural and has no estimated fiscal impact on State or local finances.
  • Enactment: became Chapter 621 upon the Governor’s approval (May 20, 2025). Many operative changes take effect immediately for notice and reporting purposes, with the substantive extension of MBE provisions running through July 1, 2026.

Overall effect

SB 829 preserves MBE program requirements for an additional year, restores their application to certain high‑profile procurement categories (P3s, offshore wind, sports wagering, VLTs), and delays key studies and reporting deadlines to allow continued evaluation and legislative review of MBE goals, compliance, and constitutionality.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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