PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - Veteran-owned companies could get preferential treatment in seeking Rhode Island state contracts under a bill being considered again in the state Senate.
The Senate is scheduled to vote on the legislation Tuesday. Senators passed a similar bill last year, but it stalled in the state House of Representatives.
The proposal would give small veteran-owned businesses a preference in the state purchasing process, not unlike the benefit awarded to women-owned and minority-owned companies.
It would also set a goal for the state to award at least 3 percent of all contracts to veteran-owned firms.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Marc Cote, a Woonsocket Democrat. He’s introduced similar bills for several years. Cranston Republican Rep. Robert Lancia has introduced companion legislation in the House.
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