It is the policy of the Department to encourage the use of Historically Underutilized Businesses ("HUB") in the Department's procurement processes. The purpose of the HUB program is to promote full and equal business opportunities for all businesses in an effort to remedy disparity in state procurement and contracting in accordance with the HUB goals specified in the 2009 State of Texas Disparity Study. As required by Tex. Gov't Code §2161.003, the Department adopts the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts ("Comptroller") HUB Program rules at 34 TAC §§20.281 - 20.298 (relating to Historically Underutilized Business Program, and as may be amended by the Comptroller so far as the amendments are implementing Tex. Gov't Code §2161.003), which describe the minimum steps and requirements to be undertaken by the Comptroller and state agencies to fulfill the state's HUB policy, and attain aspirational goals identified in the Texas Disparity Study.