Small Business and Supplier Diversity, Department of; community groups and universities.

Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity; community groups and universities. Requires the Department ofSmall Business and Supplier Diversity to maintain a list of communitygroups, state and local governments, Community Development FinancialInstitutions, business and trade associations, and universities tobe consulted in exercising the powers and fulfilling the duties ofthe Department. All community groups and universities maintainedon the list shall be notified of all actions taken by the agencyand provided an opportunity to comment prior to any permanent action taking place, such as the promulgation of regulations. The bill requiresthe Department to continue to work with such groups maintained onthe list to develop targeted outreach and programming to build businesscapacity and encourage businesses to obtain appropriate certifications.The bill adds Community Development Financial Institutions, definedin the bill, to the lists of groups for which the Department shallpromote the mobilization of activities and resources and that theDepartment is required to maintain on the list of community groups.