H.B. 149

VETOES

(5)     The existing business shall have its principal place of business in
Maryland; and

(6)     The existing business shall have a strong customer base.

(F)     IF THE APPLICANT ENTERPRISE IS AN INDIVIDUAL, THE APPLICANT
SHALL SATISFY THE AUTHORITY THAT:

(1)      THE APPLICANT IS OF GOOD MORAL CHARACTER;

(2)      AS DETERMINED FROM CREDITORS, EMPLOYERS, AND OTHER
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF THE APPLICANT, THE
APPLICANT HAS A REPUTATION FOR FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY;

(3)      THE APPLICANT IS A RESIDENT OF MARYLAND OR THE APPLICANT'S
PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS IS IN MARYLAND; AND

(4)      THE APPLICANT IS UNABLE TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE BUSINESS
FINANCING ON REASONABLE TERMS THROUGH NORMAL LENDING CHANNELS
BECAUSE THE APPLICANT:

(I)       BELONGS TO A GROUP THAT HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN
DEPRIVED OF ACCESS TO NORMAL ECONOMIC OR FINANCIAL RESOURCES BECAUSE
OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, SEX, RELIGION, OR NATIONAL ORIGIN;

(II)     HAS AN IDENTIFIABLE PHYSICAL HANDICAP THAT SEVERELY
LIMITS THE ABILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO OBTAIN FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, BUT
DOES NOT LIMIT THE ABILITY OF THE APPLICANT TO PERFORM THE CONTRACT OR
OTHER ACTIVITY FOR WHICH THE APPLICANT WOULD BE RECEIVING FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE; OR

(III)    HAS ANY OTHER SOCIAL OR ECONOMIC IMPEDIMENT THAT IS
BEYOND THE PERSONAL CONTROL OF THE APPLICANT, SUCH AS LACK OF FORMAL
EDUCATION OR FINANCIAL CAPACITY OR GEOGRAPHICAL OR REGIONAL
ECONOMIC DISTRESS BUT THAT DOES NOT LIMIT THE ABILITY OF THE APPLICANT
TO PERFORM THE CONTRACT OR OTHER ACTIVITY FOR WHICH THE APPLICANT
WOULD BE RECEIVING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

(G)     IF THE APPLICANT ENTERPRISE IS OTHER THAN A SOLE
PROPRIETORSHIP, AT LEAST 51 PERCENT OF THE ENTERPRISE SHALL BE OWNED BY
INDIVIDUALS WHO MEET THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPLICANTS UNDER
SUBSECTION (F) OF THIS SECTION.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take effect
October 1, 1997.

May 22, 1997

The Honorable Casper R. Taylor, Jr.
Speaker of the House
State House
Annapolis MD 21401

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