(1) Statement of Policy. The South Carolina General Assembly declares that business firms owned and operated by minority persons have been historically restricted from full participation in our free enterprise system to a degree disproportionate to other businesses. The General Assembly believes that it is in the state's best interest to assist minority-owned businesses to develop fully as a part of the state's policies and programs which are designed to promote balanced economic and community growth throughout the State. The General Assembly, therefore, wishes to ensure that those businesses owned and operated by minorities are afforded the opportunity to fully participate in the overall procurement process of the State. The General Assembly, therefore, takes this leadership role in setting procedures that will result in awarding contracts and subcontracts to minority business firms in order to enhance minority capital ownership, overall state economic development and reduce dependency on the part of minorities.
(2) Implementation. Chief procurement officers shall implement the policy set forth in subsection (1) of this section in accordance with the provisions of Section 11-35-5220.
HISTORY: 1981 Act No. 148, Section 1; 1997 Act No. 153, Section 1.