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Who cares
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Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Advanced to third reading
- 2nd report cal.
- 1st report cal.411
- Print number 5618b
- Amend and recommit to finance
- Reported and committed to finance
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
- Print number 5618a
- Amend (t) and recommit to commerce, economic development and small business
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Directs the division for small business to maintain a small business portal on the department of economic development's website
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor Joan Christensen
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the economic development law, in relation to directing the division for small business to maintain a small business portal on the department of economic development internet website
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill provides for development and maintenance of a small business web portal to provide existing and prospective small businesses with one-stop online small business assistance.
Summary of specific provisions
Bill §1 adds a new subdivision 12 to Economic Development Law §134 to provide that the Division for Small Business shall maintain (on the Department of Economic Development's website) a web portal offering one-stop small business assistance to existing and prospective owners and operators of small businesses. The portal will Include links to websites with information on services provided to small businesses by state, Federal and local agencies, including assistance with and online applications for permits and permit renewals and assistance with financing, tax exemptions, relocation and property acquisition, locating and training employees, obtaining affordable employee health insurance and other insurance coverage, and environmental compliance, other technical assistance, MWBE, and issues facing veterans and small businesses.
Other amendments are made to §134 to update references to provisions of the State Finance Law.
Bill §2 designates the existing language of Economic Development Law §135 as subdivision 1, and adds a new subdivision 2 providing that other state agencies shall provide assistance, services and data to enable the Division for Small Business to carry out its new responsibilities under §134(12), including design and maintenance of the small business web portal and the provision of links to relevant agency websites.
Bill §3 provides that the Division for Small Business shall periodically assess the extent to which the small business web portal is serving the needs of existing and prospective owners and operators of small businesses, through such measures as user surveys, online feedback and input from the Small Business Advisory Board. The division shall update the services offered through such portal to reflect additional needed services identified through such assessments.
Effects of present law which this bill would alter
There are currently no statutory provisions relating to provision of online services to small businesses.
Justification
States around the country are using, the Internet as an economic development tool to attract new investment and to retain the jobs created by their existing businesses. Larger firms generally use site selection and governmental relations professionals, but entrepre- neurs and other small businesses may tend to rely more on the personal efforts of owners and operators to connect with governmental small business assistance programs. New York State must maximize its use of effective and coordinated online resources if it is to remain competitive with other states in job retention and creation. However, compared to the coordinated and comprehensive web portals of other states, New York's current efforts at providing online services to small businesses appear fragmented and agency-centered.
This bill would provide for a one-stop small business web portal that links prospective and existing business owners and operators with governmental programs that can help them launch or grow their business in New York State. provisions for frequent assessment and updating of the portal will ensure that it continues to attract business interest, and that new services are added that will enhance its value as an economic development tool.
Prior legislative history
New bill.
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
None.
Effective date
120th day after having become law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.