H-2144              _______________________________________________

                                          SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL NO. 1062

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By House Committee on Trade & Economic Development (originally sponsored by Representatives Rayburn, Valle, L. Smith, Baugher, Kremen, Tanner, Fisch, K. Wilson, Ebersole, Armstrong, Todd and Wang)

Read first time 3/4/85 and referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

AN ACT Relating to the creation of a small business ombudsman; adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW; providing an expiration date; and making an appropriation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that small businesses often have difficulty in obtaining assistance in a timely fashion and that it is in the public interest for government to assist small businesses cope with government regulations, find opportunities to sell their products and services, and find suitable sites for their locations.  Determining efficient means through government regulations, finding procurement opportunities, and locating government small business programs is an important responsibility of government to help small businesses grow.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     As used in sections 1 through 3 of this act:

          (1) "Department" means the department of commerce and economic development.

          (2) "Small business advocate" means the small business advocate within the department.

          (3) "Small business" has the definition given in RCW 43.31.920.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     There is established within the department the small business advocate.  The advocate shall:

          (1) Establish a coordinated process to disseminate information to small business on all state and federal programs available to them, including television and radio advertising and the possibility of a toll-free hotline;

          (2) Provide information and assistance to small businesses requesting help in compliance with state regulations and licensing;

          (3) Ensure that information is available to small businesses on procurement opportunities available to small businesses from state and federal government;

          (4) Monitor the implementation of the regulatory fairness act as established in chapter 19.85 RCW; and

          (5) Assist the governor and legislature in determining policies and programs which will reduce the regulatory burdens on small businesses and promote the long-term success of small businesses across the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     Sections 1 through 3 of this act expire June 30, 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     There is appropriated from the general fund to the department of commerce and economic development for the biennium ending June 30, 1987, the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6.     Sections 1 through 3 of this act are each added to chapter 43.31 RCW.