Pennsylvania House Bill HB1190

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/15/25
• Refer: 4/15/25

Caption

In veteran-owned small businesses, providing for small diverse business.

Summary

HB1190 amends Pennsylvania’s Military Affairs title to create a new statutory rule for veteran-owned businesses. Under the bill, any veteran-owned business is automatically treated as a “small diverse business.” The measure also states that a veteran-owned business does not have to obtain separate small diverse business verification in order to receive that status. The bill is narrow in scope and does not create a new certification program or change the underlying definition of veteran-owned business. Instead, it links veteran-owned business status directly to small diverse business status for purposes of state law. The act would take effect 60 days after enactment.

Impact

HB1190 would add a new section to Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, specifically within the chapter on veteran-owned small businesses. Its practical effect is to expand the legal recognition of veteran-owned businesses by automatically classifying them as small diverse businesses, which may affect eligibility or treatment under state procurement, contracting, or diversity-related programs that rely on that designation. It removes the need for a separate verification process for this category, reducing administrative burden for veteran-owned firms and for the state entities that would otherwise review such applications.

Sentiment

The available record shows no committee transcript, recorded vote, or formal opposition, so there is no documented debate in the materials provided. Based on the bill text and sponsorship, the measure appears to be framed positively as a business-support and recognition bill for veterans. The absence of recorded controversy suggests the proposal was, at least in the available materials, a straightforward and likely favorable adjustment to existing law.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the provided materials. Potential areas of concern, if raised in future debate, could include whether automatic small diverse business status should be granted without separate verification, and whether the designation could affect the administration of diversity or procurement programs. However, no legislator, committee member, or stakeholder is identified in the record as opposing or supporting those issues.