State Procurement and Recipients of State Funding - Electric Vehicle Charging Equipment - Minority Business Enterprise Participation

HB 1416 requires state government agencies and recipients of state funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment to set specific minority business enterprise participation targets for contracts involving EV charging equipment supply and installation. It modifies Maryland’s procurement code to mandate that for these contracts, agencies must establish a participation goal equivalent to their overall minority business target, rather than applying a general rate. The bill also directs the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, and Women Business Affairs to create goals and procedures for this specific program, with recipients required to submit reports on compliance. This applies directly to state agencies and entities receiving state funds for EV infrastructure projects, aiming to increase minority-owned business involvement in a growing sector.