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

(a) A small business wishing to participate in the programs under section 16C.16, subdivisions 4 to 7, must be certified by the commissioner. 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 of sections 16C.16 to 16C.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 in sections 16C.16 to 16C.21.

(b) 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 under sections 16C.16 to 16C.21.

(c) The commissioner may make rules that set time limits and other eligibility limits on business participation in programs under sections 16C.16 to 16C.21.

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

(e) Until rules are adopted pursuant to paragraph (a) for the purpose of certifying veteran-owned small businesses, the provisions of Minnesota Rules, part 1230.1700, may be read to include veteran-owned small businesses. In addition to the documentation required in Minnesota 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.

(f) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for purposes of sections 16C.16 to 16C.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 of Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, part 26.

(g) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement the programs under section 16C.16, subdivisions 4 to 7, using the expedited rulemaking process in section 14.389.