(b) It is hereby declared to be the policy of the State Treasurer to promote and encourage the use of businesses owned by or under the control of qualified veterans of the armed forces of the United States, qualified service-disabled veterans, minority persons, women, or persons with a disability in the area of goods and services. Furthermore, the State Treasurer shall utilize such businesses to the greatest extent feasible within the bounds of financial and fiduciary prudence, and take affirmative steps to remove any barriers to the full participation of such firms in the procurement and contracting opportunities afforded.
(c) It shall be an aspirational goal of the State Treasurer to use businesses owned by or under the control of qualified veterans of the armed forces of the United States, qualified service-disabled veterans, minority persons, women, or persons with a disability for not less than 25% of the total dollar amount of funds under management, purchases of investment securities, and other contracts, including, but not limited to, the use of broker-dealers. The State Treasurer is authorized to establish additional aspirational goals.
(d) When the State Treasurer procures goods and services, whether through a request for proposal or otherwise, he or she is authorized to incorporate preferences in the scoring process for: (1) a minority-owned business, a women-owned business, a business owned by a person with a disability, a qualified veteran-owned small business, or a qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small business; and (2) businesses having a record of support for increasing diversity and inclusion in board membership, management, employment, philanthropy, and supplier diversity, including investment professionals and investment sourcing.
When the State Treasurer utilizes a financial institution or determines the eligibility of a financial institution to participate in a banking contract, investment contract, investment activity, or other financial program of the State Treasurer, he or she shall review the financial institution's Community Reinvestment Act rating, record, and current level of financial commitment to the community prior to making a decision to utilize or determine the eligibility of such financial institution.
(e) Beginning with fiscal year 2019, and at least annually thereafter, the State Treasurer shall report on his or her utilization of minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, businesses owned by a person with a disability, qualified veteran-owned small businesses, or qualified service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. The report shall be published on the State Treasurer's official website.
(f) The provisions of this Section take precedence over any goals established under the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act.
(Source: P.A. 102-297, eff. 8-6-21.)
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