S-757                 _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 5530

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senator Fleming

Read first time 2/3/87 and referred to Committee on Governmental Operations.

AN ACT Relating to small business; amending RCW 43.31.085; adding new sections to chapter 43.31 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The Washington state legislature finds that small business is an integral part of the state's economy which promotes economic development and is a primary source of employment opportunities for the state's citizens.  The legislature further recognizes the ability of state government to assist small businesses by coordinating existing small business programs and expanding effective small business services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     There is established within the department an office of small  business.  The director shall appoint an assistant director to administer the duties of the office.

        Sec. 3.  Section 11, chapter 466, Laws of 1985 and RCW 43.31.085 are each amended to read as follows:

          ((The department shall create an office of small business and through)) The office of small business shall:

          (1) Serve as ((an)) the state's lead agency and advocate for the development and conservation of small businesses ((and)).

(2) Coordinate the delivery of state programs to assist small businesses.

          (((2))) (3) Provide comprehensive referral services to small businesses requiring government assistance.

(4) Serve as the small business ombudsman within state government and advise the governor and the legislature of the need for new legislation to improve the effectiveness of state programs to assist small businesses.

(5) Aggressively promote business awareness of the state's small business programs and distribute information on the services available to small businesses.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     The office shall report to the  governor and the legislature annually outlining the office's activities; staffing levels and program expenditures; the office's effectiveness and accomplishments; the degree of coordination between the office and other state programs assisting small businesses; and recommendations on expanding or improving the office's services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     Sections 2 and 4 of this act are each added to chapter 43.31 RCW.