6. Technical assistance. The State Planning Office Small Business Ombudsman established in Title 2, section 151 shall provide technical support to the board.

Sec. 7. Transition. Members serving on the Maine Regulatory Fairness Board on the effective date of this Act continue to serve for the remainder of the terms for which they were appointed.

SUMMARY

This bill establishes the Small Business Ombudsman position within the Governor's office within existing resources to advocate for the small business community with state agencies and to provide technical assistance to the Maine Regulatory Fairness Board. The bill also adds 2 members to the board, one appointed by the President of the Senate and one appointed by the Speaker of the House. It changes the frequency of the board's reports to the Governor and the Legislature from 2 times a year to 6 times a year and requires that the Small Business Ombudsman report certain information to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business and economic development matters and state and local government matters. It also requires the board to meet 6 times a year as opposed to 2 times.