Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), a member of the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee and co-founder of the Future of Transportation Caucus, was joined by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA), and the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), to introduce the Giving Disadvantaged Businesses Opportunities for Success Act, federal legislation that would strengthen opportunities for Latino, Black and other Minority/Women businesses enterprises (MWBE). The legislation proposes comprehensive reforms to the United States Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program and the Small Business Administration’s 8(a) business development program to increase the opportunities for and capacity of women-and-minority owned businesses in the transportation and infrastructure and construction sectors.

Highlights of the Bill

• Increases the personal net worth-caps annually to account for inflation; the current net worth cap of $1.32 million has not been adjusted since 2011.

• Conforms the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) DBE Size Standard with the Small Business Administration Standards (SBA) for small businesses.

• Broadens the type of assets excluded from the personal net worth so as to not penalize business owners from making important investments in their communities.

• Creates universal recognition of DBE certifications. That means DBE certifications would be recognized across states instead of the current patchwork system. This means that DBE owners can grow their businesses in multiple states much more easily.