CHAPTER 142
S.P. 515 - L.D. 1634
An Act to Amend the Laws Pertaining to the Maine Small Business Commission
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 5 MRSA §13032, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 875, Pt. L, §§2 and 4, is amended to read:
§13032. Maine Small Business Commission established
The Maine Small Business Commission is established as an independent commission within the department to evaluate and coordinate small business and entrepreneurial programs, contract with the administrative unit and exercise other powers and responsibilities as provided in this chapter.
Sec. 2. 5 MRSA §13033, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 875, Pt. L, §§2 and 4, is amended to read:
The commission consists of 3 7 members: the State Auditor, the Chief Executive Officer of the Finance Authority of Maine and; the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development; the District Director of the United States Small Business Administration's Maine District Office; and a designee from the administrative unit and 3 public members with expertise and knowledge in small business and entrepreneurship, appointed by the commissioner.
Sec. 3. 5 MRSA §13034, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 875, Pt. L, §§2 and 4, is amended to read:
The commission has the power to:
1. Negotiate and approve contract. Negotiate, approve and enforce the contract with the administrative unit by which state funds are provided by the administrative unit to the small business development centers throughout the State. Approval of the contract requires the approval of at least 2 4 members of the commission;
2. Evaluate small business programs. Evaluate the and make recommendations to coordinate small business and entrepreneurial programs statewide, including those administered or overseen by the department;
3. Issue reports and recommendations. Issue reports and recommendations to the commissioner, the Governor and the Legislature in regard to programs that support or promote small business assistance programs and entrepreneurship; and
4. Hire professional staff. Hire professional staff who are not subject to the Civil Service Law and who serve at the pleasure of the commission.
A. Funding of professional staff must be provided by the department from resources made available to the Office of Business Development for personal services.
B. The department shall provide clerical support as required by the commission.
Sec. 4. 5 MRSA §13035, first ¶, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 875, Pt. L, §§2 and 4, is amended to read:
The commission is responsible for overseeing the Small Business Development Center Program, enforcing the contract between the Finance Authority of Maine department and the administrative unit, and providing funds to the program, and advising the commissioner on strengthening the support infrastructure for entrepreneurship in the State. The commission has the following duties.
Sec. 5. 5 MRSA §13035, sub-§§2 and 3, as enacted by PL 1989, c. 875, Pt. L, §§2 and 4, are amended to read:
2. Review, evaluate and make recommendations to coordinate programs. The commission shall review and, evaluate the and make recommendations to coordinate small business assistance and entrepreneurial programs of the department as provided in section 13058, subsection 5 statewide. The commission shall issue a report that meets the standards defined in section 13058, subsection 5. The commission shall advise the commissioner to help develop and implement statewide strategies and policies as they relate to encouraging economic development by developing and growing entrepreneurial businesses around the State.
3. Advise and make recommendations. The commission shall advise the commissioner, the Governor and the Legislature with respect to the results of its evaluation of small business and entrepreneurial programs and its oversight and enforcement of the contract with the administrative unit.
Effective September 21, 2001, unless otherwise indicated.
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