Minnesota Statutes Administration and Finance (Ch. 16A-16E) § 16C.19. Eligibility; rules

(a) A small business wishing to participate in the programs undersection 16C.16, subdivisions 4to7, must be certified by the commissioner or, if authorized by the commissioner, by a nationally recognized certifying organization. The commissioner may choose to authorize a nationally recognized certifying organization if the certification requirements are substantially the same as those adopted under the rules authorized in this section and the business meets the requirements insection 16C.16, subdivision 2.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt by rule standards and procedures for certifying that small targeted group businesses, small businesses located in economically disadvantaged areas, and veteran-owned small businesses are eligible to participate under the requirements ofsections 16C.16to16C.21. The commissioner shall adopt by rule standards and procedures for hearing appeals and grievances and other rules necessary to carry out the duties set forth insections 16C.16to16C.21.

(c) The commissioner may make rules which exclude or limit the participation of nonmanufacturing business, including third-party lessors, brokers, franchises, jobbers, manufacturers' representatives, and others from eligibility undersections 16C.16to16C.21.

(d) The commissioner may make rules that set time limits and other eligibility limits on business participation in programs undersections 16C.16to16C.21.

(e) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for purposes ofsections 16C.16to16C.21, a veteran-owned small business, the principal place of business of which is in Minnesota, is certified if:

(f) Until rules are adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) for the purpose of certifying veteran-owned small businesses, the provisions ofMinnesota Rules, part 1230.1700, may be read to include veteran-owned small businesses. In addition to the documentation required inMinnesota Rules, part 1230.1700, the veteran owner must have been discharged under honorable conditions from active service, as indicated by the veteran owner's most current United States Department of Defense form DD-214.

(g) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for purposes ofsections 16C.16to16C.21, a minority- or woman-owned small business, the principal place of business of which is in Minnesota, is certified if it has been certified by the Minnesota unified certification program under the provisions ofCode of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 26, and a Tribal-owned small business, the principal place of business of which is in Minnesota, is certified if it has been certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) program under the provisions ofCode of Federal Regulations, title 13, part 124.

(h) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement the programs undersection 16C.16, subdivisions 4to7, using the expedited rulemaking process insection 14.389.