AUSTIN — Texas has dramatically changed its Historically Underutilized Business program, removing thousands of businesses from eligibility as the state redirects the initiative toward service-disabled veterans. The HUB program is intended to broaden competition for state purchasing and contracting, including opportunities funded by taxpayer dollars. For years, minority- and women-owned businesses have relied on the program to gain certification and compete for work with state agencies. The overhaul changes who can qualify, potentially reshaping competition for billions of dollars in state contracts. Businesses that previously held HUB status may no longer be eligible under the revised rules, leaving owners to determine whether they can continue participating or must pursue contracts without the program’s support. The shift has also raised questions about whether smaller companies will have a fair opportunity to compete against larger firms with more resources and established government-contracting operations. Losing certification can affect a business’s visibility to state agencies and its ability to participate in contracting programs designed to increase access for historically excluded companies. A court has temporarily blocked the changes, adding uncertainty for businesses and state officials. Texas must now determine what comes next for the program while the legal and policy questions remain unresolved. The dispute comes amid a broader debate over how governments should address unequal access to public contracting. Supporters of the changes emphasize opportunities for service-disabled veterans, while critics are concerned that the new approach could erase avenues that helped minority- and women-owned businesses compete for public work. For Austin-area companies and other small businesses across Texas, the outcome could determine who is eligible for certification, which firms can compete for state contracts and whether public spending continues to reach a broad range of local employers.