What's happening
This bill requires each state agency to appoint a small business liaison to assist, advocate for, and communicate with small businesses.
Why it matters
Creates a clear, accessible point of contact. for small businesses within each state agency, potentially reducing confusion and delays for business owners seeking help or answers about regulations.
Empowers the liaison to advocate and report directly. to agency leadership about small business concerns, meaning small business issues may receive more attention at high decision-making levels.
Mandates proactive outreach and education efforts. by the liaison, which could help small businesses better understand and comply with complex regulations—potentially reducing accidental violations and improving compliance.
Requires annual review of workload and staffing. , so if small businesses are reaching out in significant numbers, the agency must consider dedicating a full-time staff member and request funding, which may lead to more robust support over time.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Assign Small Business Liaisons
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
3 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to commerce, economic development and small business
- Reported and committed to finance
- 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.
Require Small Business Liaisons
In Assembly Committee · Ways And Means · Sponsor John T. McDonald III
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
325
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 9, 2019
Introduced by Sen. AKSHAR -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business
AN ACT to amend the state administrative procedure act, in relation to each agency designating a small business liaison
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The state administrative procedure act is amended by adding a new section 102-b to read as follows:
§ 102-b. Small business liaison. Each agency shall designate an existing employee to serve as its liaison to small businesses regulated by such agency. The direct contact information of the small business liaison shall be prominently posted and easily accessible on the agency website. The small business liaison shall:
(a) serve as an initial primary contact for small businesses to contact with any inquiries;
(b) be equipped to provide small businesses with basic information on the agency and its regulations;
(c) help small businesses navigate the agency bureaucracy to identify and contact the appropriate staff person within the agency, either at the state or regional level, for more specific information pertaining to the small business;
(d) hear the concerns of small businesses, report those concerns to appropriate agency staff and offer possible solutions to such concerns;
(e) advocate within the agency on behalf of small businesses, and make recommendations to the agency head on matters affecting small businesses;
(f) initiate and encourage small business education and outreach programs on behalf of the agency, as appropriate;
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD05581-01-9
S. 325 2
(g) collaborate with the appropriate agency staff on any small business regulation guide pursuant to section one hundred two-a and any small business regulatory flexibility analysis pursuant to section two hundred two-b of this chapter; and
(h) coordinate his or her activities with the division for small business within the department of economic development, and the small business development center.
§ 2. On or before January 1, 2020, the small business liaison shall report to the agency head the number of inquiries he or she has received from small businesses in 2019, and the agency head shall determine whether a separate full-time employee will be needed for such position going forward and make any appropriate budget request to the governor and legislature for the ensuing fiscal year.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the state administrative procedure act, in relation to each agency designating a small business liaison
Purpose or general idea of bill
To designate a small business liaison in each agency to act as a resource, advocate, educator, and navigator between small businesses and agency bureaucracy.
Summary of provisions
Section one of this bill amends the state administrative procedure act by adding a new section 102-b that designates an existing employee in each agency to serve as its liaison to small businesses, to be regulated by such agency.
The small business liaison will serve as the primary contact for small businesses to reach out with any inquiries, provides small businesses with basic information and education about agency regulations, helps businesses navigate agency bureaucracy, and acts as an advocate on their behalf.
Section 2 states that on or before January 1, 2020, the small business liaison shall report to the agency head the number of inquiries he or she has received from small businesses in 2017. The Agency head shall determine whether a separate full-time employee shall be needed for such position going forward to make an appropriate budget request to the governor and legislature for the next fiscal year.
Section three of this bill lists the effective date.
Justification
The New York State Workers' Compensation Board successfully implemented an "Advocate for Business" - a liaison between New York State business owners and the complex workers' compensation system. This advocate has provided small businesses assistance with their workers' compensation inquiries as well as help with general questions about agency regu- lations.
Much like the successful "Advocate for Business", the "Small Business Liaison" will create a liaison in each state agency. The small business liaison will be an existing agency employee and provide businesses with a reliable contact. The liaison will give important regulatory informa- tion, hear the businesses concerns and advocate on behalf of the busi- ness within the agency.
Small businesses throughout the state of New York have to contend with countless regulations and state agencies. The creation of a small busi- ness liaison will open up communication between state agencies and the businesses that contribute to grow our economy and provide New Yorkers with good jobs.
Prior legislative history
2018 - S.9069: Referred to Rules
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.