Ohio legislation to simplify diverse business certification

OH News - Published Mar 08, 2022

The Ohio legislature has passed a new bill, Senate Bill 105, which would allow minority business enterprises (MBEs), women-owned business enterprises (WBEs), and veteran-friendly business enterprises (VBEs), if certified at the state level in Ohio, to also be considered as certified for any political subdivisions of Ohio. The bill has been signed by Governor Mike DeWine and is effective June 1, 2022.

Under the new legislation, any business certified as an MBE, WBE, or VBE at the state level will thus be able to be counted as such for the purposes of any municipal programs with procurement goals for such businesses. The bill thus eliminates the necessity to go through a process of submitting multiple applications for many various local government entities.

"This legislation will make it easier for minority-owned businesses to access more opportunities, make doing business more efficient and boost the overall business climate in Ohio," said Sen. Sykes in a press release.

Read a press release from the office of Sen. Vernon Sykes at https://www.ohiosenate.gov/senators/sykes/news/sykes-schuring-applaud-signing-of-business-certification-reciprocity-bill.

Read the bill at https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA134-SB-105.