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HB 3751

Relating to compensation for services performed in connection with a claim for a veteran's benefit; prescribing an effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by James Manning and 3 co-sponsors

Allows DCEO to contract with employment social enterprises and expand Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment to fund, train, and grow opportunities for underserved businesses.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · HB 3751

HB 3751 — DCEO: Employment Social Enterprise / Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment

Status: Enacted (signed by Governor 2025-06-20) — Effective date: September 1, 2025
Introduced: March 4, 2025 (Rep. Kam Buckner; chief Senate sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva). Multiple co-sponsors listed.

Purpose

HB 3751 amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) law to (1) expand and clarify the role of the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment within DCEO and (2) expressly authorize DCEO to enter into contracts (including grants and loans) with “employment social enterprises.” The bill is intended to increase targeted technical assistance, access to funding, certification help, and contracting opportunities for underserved businesses and to leverage employment social enterprises for workforce and economic empowerment programs.

Key provisions

  • Defines two terms:
    • “Eligible not‑for‑profit corporation”: a not‑for‑profit that primarily serves minorities, women, veterans, or persons with a disability.
    • “Employment social enterprise”: a nonprofit or for‑profit entity whose mission is to provide employment and social supports (including on‑the‑job and life‑skills training) to individuals with barriers to employment and that provides services or produces/assembles goods.
  • Creates/clarifies the Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment within DCEO with a mandate to assist minority‑owned, women‑owned, veteran‑owned, disability‑owned businesses, eligible not‑for‑profits, employment social enterprises, and other underserved communities.
  • Enumerates Office activities, including:
    • Outreach to increase access to State and federal funding and loan programs.
    • Workshops and forums to assist businesses in obtaining certification (e.g., Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities) and applying for grants under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act.
    • Business formation and planning assistance (incorporation, marketing, capital access).
    • Administering and coordinating grant programs established by DCEO or the General Assembly targeted to underserved constituencies.
    • Coordinating with other State agencies, creating application/contract forms, and adopting necessary rules.
  • Authorizes the Office and DCEO to use vendors and enter contracts, including engaging employment social enterprises as service providers for workforce development, business training, and economic empowerment programs.
  • Amends Section 605‑55 to explicitly permit DCEO to contract (including grant/loan) with employment social enterprises.

Who is affected

  • Minority-, women-, veteran-, and disability‑owned businesses and eligible not‑for‑profit corporations.
  • Employment social enterprises — now explicitly authorized to contract with DCEO and to serve as vendors/service providers.
  • DCEO and other State agencies (through coordination and rulemaking).
  • Potential vendors and workforce program participants (individuals with barriers to employment).

Implementation & timeline

  • Passed both chambers during Spring 2025; enrolled and transmitted to the Governor.
  • Signed by the Governor: June 20, 2025.
  • Effective: September 1, 2025.
  • No specific appropriation or dollar amounts are provided in the bill; program expansion will depend on existing or future appropriations and contracts made under the authority granted.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Broadens DCEO’s tools to support underserved businesses and to contract with employment social enterprises, potentially increasing workforce training opportunities for persons with employment barriers.
  • The measure enables use of public funds (grants/loans) with social enterprise vendors; actual scale depends on appropriations, program design, and rulemaking.
  • Agencies will need to adopt implementing procedures/forms and may contract with vendors to operationalize activities enumerated in the statute.

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

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