State Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele, Jr. (I, D, WF – Sag Harbor) announced the Assembly passed the “Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act” (A.9135). The act, which sets a 6 percent participation goal in the awarding of state contracts to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, has also passed the Senate and will now be delivered to the governor.

“We need to be helping the brave men and women who put their lives in danger to protect our freedom find jobs when they return home,” said Assemblyman Thiele. “By supporting the businesses they own, we can show our respect and gratitude for their selfless service.”

This act will create the Division of Service-Disabled Veterans’ Business Development within the Office of General Services (OGS). To qualify, small businesses must be at least 51 percent owned by a service-disabled veteran who controls day-to-day operations. The businesses will be certified for five years. The director of this division will be tasked with providing and collecting information to help these businesses, developing a directory of certified businesses and promoting service-disabled veteran-owned business services statewide. To help assess the effectiveness of the program, OGS will be required to make public an annual report.

New York is home to more than 900,000 veterans, 72 percent of whom have served during periods of conflict. Approximately 88,000 New Yorkers served in Afghanistan or Iraq. Additionally, the state is home to approximately 30,000 active duty military personnel, as well as 30,000 National Guard and Reserve personnel.¹

In addition, 1 in 7 veterans are self-employed or small-business owners. With passage of the Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Act, New York will join many other states and the federal government in implementing a program to help self-employed service-disabled veterans gain more contracts.²

“This legislation will help spur job creation and offer support to our veterans and their families. It also helps us honor the sacrifices that were made for our country and our State,” Thiele said. “As a result of their service, these men and women have specialized skills and leadership qualities that make them excellent entrepreneurs. This act helps drive business to their doors.”

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1. governor.ny.gov/press/02102014-veterans-contracting-program

2. sba.gov/sites/default/files/Veterans%20fact%20sheet_7_6_12.pdf