HB991 extends the Minority Business Enterprise Program’s termination date to July 1, 2026, applying to public-private partnerships, offshore wind projects, video lottery terminals, and sports wagering licensees, while postponing deadlines for reports evaluating "compliance with federal and constitutional" requirements, and mandating "race and gender-neutral” approaches to support minority and women-owned businesses.
The Maryland State Senate passed HB991 on April 2, 2025, by a vote of 47 to 0. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation expands government authority and perpetuates race and gender-based discrimination, violating equal protection principles. This legislation prioritizes certain groups over others, and mandates discriminatory practices in state procurement processes.
