(a) The comptroller shall design a mentor-protege program to foster long-term relationships between prime contractors and historically underutilized businesses and to increase the ability of historically underutilized businesses to contract with the state or to receive subcontracts under a state contract. Each state agency with a biennial appropriation that exceeds $10 million shall implement the program designed by the comptroller.
(b) Participation in the program must be voluntary for both the contractor and the historically underutilized business subcontractor.