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HB 1046

State educational institution supplier diversity.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by John Bartlett and 1 co-sponsor

Indiana educational institutions must establish supplier diversity programs prioritizing procurement from minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses with tracking requirements.

Representative Olthoff added as coauthor
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Bill Summary · HB 1046

Legislative bill overview

HB 1046 requires Indiana state educational institutions to implement supplier diversity programs that promote procurement from minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses. The bill establishes standards and reporting requirements for state universities and colleges to track and increase their spending with diverse suppliers.

Why is this important

Educational institutions control substantial procurement budgets that significantly impact local economies. Supplier diversity programs can help reduce wealth and opportunity gaps by directing institutional spending toward historically underrepresented business owners, while potentially improving competition and service quality in the vendor marketplace.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Institutions may argue that identifying, vetting, and managing diverse suppliers requires administrative resources and could increase procurement expenses
  • Definition disputes: Disagreement may arise over which businesses qualify as "minority-owned," "women-owned," or "disadvantaged," and whether certification requirements are burdensome
  • Mandate versus flexibility: Institutions may resist prescriptive requirements, preferring voluntary approaches or flexible goals that account for regional supplier availability and institutional needs

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

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