BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  AB 1960
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          Date of Hearing:   April 10, 2012

              ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND CONSUMER 
                                     PROTECTION
                                 Mary Hayashi, Chair
                  AB 1960 (Dickinson) - As Amended:  March 27, 2012
           
          SUBJECT  :   State contracts: reports: lesbian, gay, bisexual, and 
          transgender businesses.

           SUMMARY  :   Requires the Department of General Services (DGS) to 
          report on business participation levels by lesbian, gay, 
          bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) owners in contracts, as 
          specified, beginning January 1, 2013.  Specifically,  this bill  :  


          1)Requires DGS to report on the participation levels of LGBT 
            businesses in state contracts that has been voluntarily 
            reported as of January 1, 2013, for the following categories:
             
             a)   Construction;
                
             b)   Purchases of materials, supplies, or equipment; and, 

             c)   Professional services. 

          2)Makes technical and clarifying changes. 

           EXISTING LAW  requires DGS to report on business participation 
          levels by race, ethnicity, and gender of the owner, in specified 
          contracts. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  :   Unknown 

           COMMENTS  :   

           Purpose of this bill  .  According to the author's office, 
          "Currently, the level of participation of business enterprises 
          by race, gender, and ethnicity of a contractor is collected by 
          DGS and annually reported.  AB 1960 would add LGBT-owned 
          businesses to the list?  This is information that has the 
          ability to show the extent to which this essential segment of 
          society drives the state economy. " 

           Background  .  Current law requires DGS to report the 








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          participation levels of small businesses that include the 
          owner's race, ethnicity, and gender information in statewide 
          contracts.

           Support  .  According to the American Federation of State, County 
          and Municipal Employees, "This bill represents a small, but 
          crucial step toward breaking down discriminatory barriers that 
          marginalize a key segment of our population.  LGBT-owned 
          businesses are a crucial part of our economy, and AB 1960 would 
          help provide recognition for this invaluable role.  This bill 
          does not significantly change any laws, but instead adds an 
          integral part of the California economy and community to the 
          existing reporting requirements."

           REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION  :   

           Support 
           
          1st American Dream Team  
          2M Architecture 
          American Airlines, Inc. 
          American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees 
          Aviva Spectrum
          City Lites Neon, Inc.
          Consulting Alliance, Inc.  
          Echelon Magazine 
          Golden Gate Business Association
          Greater San Diego Business Association 
          Honorable Betty T. Yee, Member, Board of Equalization
          Landis Communications, Inc. 
          Liberty & Church Communication Design 
          Mortgage Lender Services, Inc. 
          National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce 
          New American Dimensions, LLC 
          OutSmart Office Solutions, Inc. 
          OutThink Partners 
          Riviera Advisors, Inc. 
          Sacramento Rainbow Chamber of Commerce
          The Healing Touch Chiropractic
          Van Dorn Enterprises, LLC
          WriteAway Communications Services

           Opposition 
           
          None on file. 








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          Analysis Prepared by  :    Joanna Gin / B.,P. & C.P. / (916) 
          319-3301