An "idea becomes a law" with the help of a Northeast Portland businesswoman's tenacity.

Salem, Ore. - June 21, 2007 - State Representative Chip Shields (D-N/NE Portland) along with fellow legislators, business owners and civic leaders witnessed Governor Kulongoski sign into law House Bill 2776-A yesterday after an easy passage in both houses of the Oregon legislature. 

HB 2776-A extends from one year to four years the authority of  disadvantaged, minority, women-owned and emerging small businesses to elect not to file a $30,000 thousand prevailing wage bond on public works projects.  The bill also exempts all contractors and subcontractors from the bond requirement on smaller public works projects -- those worth $100 thousand or less.

"This bill is good for small business," said Shields, "It will give minority, women-owned and emerging small businesses a little more time to secure public works construction contracts before they must throw down considerable money for an insurance bond on wages."

The idea for the bill was brought to Shields by constituent Sharon Maxwell Hendricks, General Manager of Boanerges Construction - a small minority-owned union contractor located in Northeast Portland. 

"It's a great victory and a sense of hope to have more time and at a less cost that otherwise would take away the competitive edge of bidding," stated Hendrix, "The passage of this bill allows myself and other small businesses to know that our voice counts and that we really make a difference in Oregon's economy as a viable business serving our communities." 

The bill became a priority for members of several minority Chambers of Commerce that Shields brought together to collectively develop a minority business agenda for the 2007 legislative session.

For his part, Shields acknowledged the help of his colleague Rep. Paul Holvey (D-Eugene), a union carpenter, in moving the bill through committee with unanimous, bipartisan support.  He also thanked Lydia Muniz of the Governor's office and Raleigh Lewis of the state Office of Minority, Women and Emerging Small Business, as well as  state Senators Margaret Carter (D-Portland), Avel Gordly (I-Portland) and Jackie Winters (R-Salem) for their help in passing the bill.

For more information on HB 2776-A or for more information concerning Rep. Shields' 2007 priority bills , visit his website at www.leg.state.or.us/shieldsc or call his office at (503) 986-1443.