I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 1392 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 6, 2011 Mr. Fitzpatrick introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform A BILL To provide assistance to veterans and veteran-owned businesses with respect to contract opportunities, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Fairness to Veterans Act of 2011.

2.

Assistance for veterans and veteran-owned businesses

(a)

Federal Government contract opportunities

In evaluating any bid or proposal received in response to a solicitation relating to a Federal contract, the head of a Federal department or agency shall provide to a veteran or veteran-owned business any preference that any individual or business is eligible to receive with respect to that contract, if that preference takes into consideration race or gender, without regard to whether the veteran or veteran-owned business would otherwise qualify for that preference. (b)

State and local government contract opportunities

As a condition of receiving Federal funding, in evaluating any bid or proposal received in response to a solicitation relating to a State or local contract that involves the use of Federal funding, the head of a State or local government shall provide to a veteran or veteran-owned business any preference that any individual or business is eligible to receive with respect to that contract, if that preference takes into consideration race or gender, without regard to whether the veteran or veteran-owned business would otherwise qualify for that preference. (c)

Definitions

In this Act, the following definitions apply: (1)

Veteran

The term veteran has the meaning given that term in section 101(2) of title 38, United States Code. (2)

Veteran-owned business

The term veteran-owned business means a business— (A)not less than 51 percent of which is owned by one or more veterans or, in the case of any publicly owned business, not less than 51 percent of the stock of which is owned by one or more veterans; and (B)the management and daily business operations of which are controlled by one or more veterans.