Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-5010.3: Office of Minority and Disadvantaged Business

Enterprise - Creation - Powers and duties - Reports.

A. There is hereby created within the Oklahoma Department of

Commerce, the Office for Minority and Disadvantaged Business

Enterprises. The Director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce

shall appoint a director for the Office for Minority and

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. The appointed director shall

employ such persons as are necessary to implement the powers and

duties of the Office.

B. In performing the services set out in subsection A of this

section, the Office shall:

1. Promote the establishment of minority and disadvantaged

businesses with technical assistance;

2. Serve as a focal point and ombudsman in state government for

minority and disadvantaged business entrepreneurs and coordinate

efforts by state agencies, business development organizations, and

the private sector as they relate to the development of minority and

disadvantaged business enterprises;

3. Serve as an information clearinghouse and disseminator of

data for minority and disadvantaged businessmen by:

a. compiling and keeping updated a listing of all

minority and disadvantaged businesses in the State of Oklahoma,

b. furnishing to all minority and disadvantaged

business enterprises that request it information relating to the

state procurement system, state-supported construction, and state-

supported subcontracting opportunities, and

c. upon request by such a businessman, reviewing

the licensure process, regulations, and administrative procedures of

state agencies relating to private enterprise;

4. Encourage development of capital resources for minority and

disadvantaged business entrepreneurs;

5. Strengthen the communication link between minority and

disadvantaged businessmen and the Governor's office;

6. Assist business development organizations and activities

which require the cooperation of state agencies;

7. Provide assistance to minority and disadvantaged businesses

by advising and counseling on all phases of procurement policies, by

obtaining information concerning prime contractors in letting

subcontracts and by encouraging subcontracting by prime contractors

to minority and disadvantaged businesses;

8. Receive funding from sources other than the state to

further this assistance;

9. Make studies and conduct workshops, conferences and

seminars with owners and employees of minority and disadvantaged

businesses to enhance their understanding of business management,

bidding, licensing procedures, procurement procedures and any other

activities incident to their positions in business;

10. Develop training and educational programs in cooperation

with institutions, associations and other state, local and federal

agencies, and coordinate the training efforts of the various

organizations presently providing technical assistance to minority

and disadvantaged businesses;

11. Encourage and provide the direction and coordination to

secure franchises and dealerships from private firms for minority

and disadvantaged businesses;

12. Continually evaluate the progress of minority and

disadvantaged businesses through monitoring and techniques of

evaluations such as surveys and feasibility studies; and

13. Review and evaluate pertinent legislation and determine

its effect upon minority and disadvantaged businesses and make

appropriate recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature.

C. The Office shall submit an annual report to the Governor,

the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro

Tempore of the Senate prior to January 1 of each year. The report

shall describe the Office's activities on behalf of minority and

disadvantaged businesses, including but not limited to research and

development, technical assistance and dissemination of data and

ure.

C. The Office shall submit an annual report to the Governor,

the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro

Tempore of the Senate prior to January 1 of each year. The report

shall describe the Office's activities on behalf of minority and

disadvantaged businesses, including but not limited to research and

development, technical assistance and dissemination of data and

information; furthermore, such report shall make recommendations for

strengthening or improving the business climate for minority and

disadvantaged businesses in this state through legislation or other

means. Additionally, the report shall list all businesses to which

assistance was rendered during the period covered by the report and

the nature of such assistance.