Makes provisions relating to assisting small businesses

Title of bill

An act to amend the economic development law, the New York state urban development corporation act, the executive law and the state administrative procedure act, in relation to assisting small businesses in this state

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to assist small businesses in this state.

Summary of specific provisions

Section one provides for consideration for micro-enterprise within the Division for Small Business within the Department of Economic Development.

Section two establishes the Math Street Center Grant Program.

Section three provides for online publication of the state register.

Section four provides a copy of the any rule making information to be sent to leaders of the New York State Legislature.

Justification

The New York State economy depends in large part on the health of the State's small businesses. Nearly 98 percent of all businesses in New York are small businesses, and nearly 52 percent of working New Yorkers are employed by small businesses. Starting a new business is also an extremely risky proposition. Given that so much of our future prosperity is dependent upon new small businesses, it is important that as many of these new enterprises succeed as is possible.

This bill would also amend the Economic Development Law to assist microenterprises consisting of fewer than five employees by initiating and encouraging small business education programs and informing eligible businesses on ways to compete for contracts. The bill also introduces a new program to revitalize downtown business districts known as the Main Street Center Grants Program. This statewide program will allow grants to be used for facade renovation and interior rehabilitation in addition to developing guidelines to assist localities in ensuring that the facade renovations are done in a manner that respects the architecture of the building and helps to enhance the historic integrity of the main street district.

In addition, the bill would also direct the state to more fully utilize the Internet to make sure that regulatory and rule making decisions are widely available to all, and especially to those businesses that will be most affected by these decisions.

Finally, the bill amends the State Administrate Procedure Act to provide that a copy of the rule making information to be made available to the Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the Assembly.

Prior legislative history

2015: Referred to Small Business 2014: Reported and Referred to Ways and Means 2012: Reported Referred to Ways and Means 2011: Referred to Small Business 2010: Reported Referred to Assembly Ways and Means 2009: A2260 - Passed Assembly 2008: A8947a - Passed Assembly 2007: A8947a - Passed Assembly

Fiscal implications

Undetermined.

Effective date

Immediately.