Legislation authored by Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) to award 10 percent of all state and municipal contracts to small businesses has passed out of the Senate Government Oversight Committee and is now headed to the Senate floor for a vote. Under Senate Bill 21, the Department of Administrative Services and local governments are directed to consider small businesses in awarding contracts and procurements. Recognizing that free competition is a vital part of the economic system, SB 21 strives to expand the marketplace and create an accessible environment where small business can thrive.
An advisory council made up of small business representatives appointed by the legislature will meet quarterly to monitor the progress of achieving the legislative intent of the bill, and will deliver an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly.
Small businesses represent over 90 percent of the employers in Georgia. The state is home to over 860,000 small businesses, which were responsible for creating all of the state’s net new jobs between 2004 and 2005. Small businesses eligible under SB 21 are defined as independently owned and operated, with fewer than 100 employees or that generate less than $10 million in gross receipts per year.
In addition to his work as chairman of the Senate Economic Development Committee, Pearson is also working on other measures this session that are vital to the state’s economic growth. This includes jumpstarting Georgia’s housing industry, supporting statewide transportation funding legislation and rewarding the development of other energy resources for the state.
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