CONCEPT DRAFT

SUMMARY

This bill is a concept draft pursuant to Joint Rule 208.

This bill proposes to establish the Office of the Small Business Ombudsman in the Department of Economic and Community Development. The responsibilities of the ombudsman would be to:

1. Assist businesses in obtaining permits and licenses and meeting other state requirements for the business;

2. Analyze the permitting process and recommend changes to streamline that process;

3. Review proposed legislation to determine the impact of that legislation on small business in the State;

4. Report all recommendations regarding changes to the permitting process and determinations regarding the impact of proposed legislation to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over the subject matter of the recommended changes or legislation; and

5. Report annually to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business, research and economic development matters.