§ 32-7q — Minority Business Initiative Advisory Board. Duties. Membership.

(a) There is established a Minority Business Initiative Advisory Board, which shall be within the Department of Economic and Community Development. The advisory board shall: (1) Advise the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development with regard to increasing the availability of technical assistance, access to capital and access to state contracts to minority-owned businesses; and (2) develop and administer programs to foster financial literacy, minority employment and entrepreneurship, which may include, but need not be limited to, internship and externship programs, apprenticeship programs, entrepreneurship programs and subsidies to employers for job creation. (b) The advisory board shall consist of the following members: (1) Four appointed by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with members of the minority business community. Each such appointee shall: (A) Have skill, knowledge and experience in business and business development, procurement, and state and federal contracting; (B) have skill, knowledge and experience in developing minority-owned businesses; (C) be a member of or hold an office in a community organization serving minority populations that has economic development, including, but not limited to, business and entrepreneurial development, as part of its mission; (D) have business development education and training expertise; (E) represent a business or organization that primarily engages in business development; or (F) own a business; (2) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (3) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (4) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (5) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; and (6) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee. (c) All appointments to the task force shall be made not later than September 1, 2017. Members shall serve a two-year term and may not serve more than three such terms consecutively, except that each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed. Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority. (d) The commissioner shall schedule the first meeting of the advisory board not later than September 30, 2017. The advisory board shall elect a chairperson from among its members. The advisory board shall meet at such times as the chairperson deems necessary. (e) No member of the advisory board shall receive compensation for such member's services.

Legislative History

(P.A. 17-219, S. 6.) History: P.A. 17-219 effective July 11, 2017.