Section 1 [Eligibility; Rules] establishes an alternative procedure for a business to be certified as a veteran-owned small business.  The procedure required under current law is a federal verification through the Department of Administration.  The new procedure is a state verification. Under current law, a veteran-owned small business is entitled to certain benefits, including bid preferences in state, county, and city contracting, and eligibility for certain interest-free loans.

Section 2 [Definitions] and Section 3 [Policy; Purpose; Director] permits counties to establish a bid preference program for veteran-owned small businesses for capital projects that are paid for in whole or in part by state general obligation bonds.

Section 4 [Veteran Preference] permits the city of Rochester to award a six-percent bid preference to veteran-owned small businesses on public infrastructure projects under the Destination Medical Center development plan funded with city-issued general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, or other obligations.

Section 5 [Veteran-Owned Small Business Contracts] permits local governments to implement a bid preference for veteran-owned small businesses for projects funded with state general obligation bonds.

Section 6 [Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification] appropriates $100,000 in fiscal year 2016 from the general fund to develop and implement a certification program for veteran-owned small businesses.