Disabled veterans who own small businesses would be advised of state contracts under legislation before the state Senate. The measure, sponsored by Owensboro Representative DJ Johnson, passed out of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee last week.
“When there’s a small purchase contract bid going out, the agencies will be requested, or actually required, to have at least one disabled veteran small business owner bid on that contract, if there’s one available.”
Johnson is an Army veteran who served for 11 years. He said it's a challenge for many veterans to transition back into the civilian world. The western Kentucky lawmaker believes offering these business opportunities for disabled veterans can make a difference.
“If we can help them transition by opening up a door for them and then letting them do the work they need to do to go through that door, I think that’s a good way to go,” he said.
Johnson said state agencies would be required to reach out to disabled veterans to explain procurement processes. The effort would pertain primarily to small contracts of less than $20,000. ?
