Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Labor Committee Chair Catherine Nolan today announced Assembly passage of legislation giving state procurement preference to apparel businesses negatively impacted by the attacks on the World Trade Center.

"It is evident that businesses throughout the state, but in particular those in Lower Manhattan, have been hurt by the events of last September," said Silver. "In an effort to provide assistance to our apparel industry and the thousands of workers it employs, this bill puts the considerable weight and buying power of the state into struggling companies."

"The state spends a considerable amount of money on apparel," said Nolan, sponsor of the bill. "By enacting this legislation, we are taking the affirmative step of helping out the apparel industry, while ensuring that state money is well spent and that those getting contracts adhere to fair labor practices."

The legislation has been agreed to by the Senate and governor, according to Silver, who represents the Lower Manhattan community surrounding the World Trade Center site and a large number of apparel manufacturers.

Under the bill (A.11831A), the Department of Labor would establish a registry of apparel manufacturers and contractors adversely impacted by the September 11 World Trade Center attacks. The legislation defines "adversely impacted" as companies that were forced to shut production because of their location, the loss of access to employees, production equipment, utilities or other factors associated with the aftermath of the attacks. Companies would face penalties for providing false information to get on the registry.

Registry companies would be the preferred source of apparel for all state entities, including agencies, departments, authorities, SUNY and CUNY. Items for purchase encompass athletic apparel and uniforms for various state occupations, including state police and correction officers, lab workers and maintenance workers.

According to Nolan, manufacturers and contractors on the registry would have to adhere to fair labor standards and provide bids within 15 percent of the next lowest bidder. Nolan also noted that the measure has no impact on the current preferences offered to companies employing disabled workers.