SB 64 — An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in veteran-owned small businesses, providing for veteran-owned business logotype; and imposing a penalty.

PRIORHOUSE AMENDED P985R PRINTER'S NOS.

25, 509, 917917, PRINTER'S NO.

9851693 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA SENATE BILL Session of 2025 No.

64 2025 INTRODUCED BY BARTOLOTTA, PENNYCUICK, SCHWANK, BROWN, PHILLIPS- HILL, COSTA, MASTRIANO, DUSH AND KANE, JANUARY 22, 2025 SENATORAS MARTIN,REPORTED APPROPRIATIONS,FROM RE-REPORTEDCOMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNEMAY 24,6, 20252026 AN ACT Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in military leave of absence, further providing for military family relief assistance;

in veteran- <-- owned small businesses, providing for veteran-owned business logotype;

Section 7319(g) of Title 51 of the Pennsylvania <-- Consolidated Statutes is amended to read:

* * * (g) Use of fund money.--The moneys contained in the fund are hereby appropriated on a continuing basis to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for the exclusive use of carrying out the purposes of this section and for making payments under section 9622(l)9622(j) 9622(J) (relating to veteran-owned business <-- logotype).

SECTION 1.

CHAPTER 96 OF TITLE 51 OF THE PENNSYLVANIA <-- CONSOLIDATED STATUTES IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBCHAPTER TO READ:

§9623. 9621.

VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS COORDINATOR.

<-- § 9621.

"Military Family Relief Assistance Fund." The Military <-- Family Relief Assistance Fund established under section 7319 (relating to military family relief assistance).

20250SB0064PN1693 - 2 - (b) Application.--No later than 90 days after the effective date of this subsection, the department shall develop an application for which a veteran-owned business may apply to use the logotype under subsection (a).

The application shall be made 20250SB0064PN0985 - 2 - available on the department's publicly accessible Internet website.

(d) Contributions.--The department may provide a space on the application where an applicant may voluntarily make a contribution of any amount to be deposited into the Military <-- Family Relief Assistance Fund.

(e)VETERANS' PublicTRUST notice.--WithinFUND. 90 days of the creation of a logotype under this section, the department shall post on the department's publicly accessible Internet website a notice that:

<-- (e) Public notice.--Within 90 days of the creation of a logotype under this section, the department shall post on the department's publicly accessible Internet website a notice that:

(f) Notice of decision.--Within 60 days of receiving an application under this subchapter, the department shall decide 20250SB0064PN1693 - 3 - and notify the applicant of whether the applicant is approved to use and display the logotype.

(g) Coordination with other departments.--The department shall collaborate with other Commonwealth agencies to integrate the veteran-owned business logo into programs that support 20250SB0064PN0985 - 3 - veteran-owned businesses.

(i)(I) Penalty.--ADMINISTRATOR.--THE (1)DEPARTMENT InSHALL additionEMPLOY toAN any<-- otherADMINISTRATOR penaltyTO prescribedOVERSEE byTHE law,CERTIFICATION, anSUPPORT individualAND commitsPROMOTION aOF misdemeanorTHE ofLOGOTYPE theAND thirdENSURE degreeCOMPLIANCE ifWITH theELIGIBILITY individualREQUIREMENTS. fraudulently holds the individual out to be a veteran for the purpose of using a logotype under this subchapter.

(i) (J) Penalty.-- <-- (1) In addition to any other penalty prescribed by law, an individual commits a misdemeanor of the third degree if the individual fraudulently holds the individual out to be a veteran for the purpose of using a logotype under this subchapter.

<-- (j) Costs.--The department shall use money in the Military Family Relief Assistance Fund to pay costs related to the:

(k)VETERANS' Report.--ByTRUST MarchFUND. 31 of each year, the department shall prepare an annual report on the number of veteran-owned businesses approved to use the logotype and the number of applications received.

<-- (k) Report.--By March 31 1 of each year, the department <-- shall prepare an annual report on the number of veteran-owned businesses approved to use the logotype and the number of 20250SB0064PN1693 - 4 - applications received.

Section§ 3.9623.

TheVETERAN-OWNED DepartmentSMALL ofBUSINESS MilitaryCOORDINATOR. and Veterans Affairs may issue a policy statement to implement and administer the addition of 51 Pa.C.S.

<-- THE DEPARTMENT SHALL EMPLOY A VETERAN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS COORDINATOR TO ASSIST VETERANS WHO OWN, OPERATE OR SEEK TO OWN OR OPERATE A BUSINESS.

A TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO CONTACT THE COORDINATOR SHALL BE POSTED ON THE DEPARTMENT'S AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITES.

Section 3 2.

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs <-- may issue a policy statement to implement and administer the addition of 51 Pa.C.S.

This act shall take effect September 1, 2026, or <-- immediately, whichever is later.

20250SB0064PN0985SECTION -3. 4 -

THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT SEPTEMBER 1, 2027.

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