H-2050              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1153

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives B. Williams, Sanders, Schoon, Ferguson, Vekich, Amondson, Beck, Basich and Wineberry

Read first time 3/2/87 and referred to Committee on Trade & Economic Development.

AN ACT Relating to state policy on small business; and amending RCW 43.31.085.

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

        Sec. 1.  Section 11, chapter 466, Laws of 1985 and RCW 43.31.085 are each amended to read as follows:

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

          (((1))) (a) Serve as an advocate for the development and conservation of small businesses and coordinate the delivery of state programs to assist small businesses.

          (((2))) (b) 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.

(2) The department through the office of small business shall provide a focus for state agencies and programs concerned with the promotion of and assistance to small business in the state.  The department shall be guided in its efforts by the following policy concerns:

(a) Creating new employment opportunities for the residents of the state.

(b) Increasing the rate of survival of new small businesses in the state.

(c) Increasing the retention of existing businesses in the state, consistent with a respect for the processes of market competition.

(d) Increasing the rate of small business creation and incubation in the state as a means of increasing the vitality of the state economy.

(e) Maintaining a concern for the health of small business in all geographic areas of the state.

(f) Promoting state policies in regard to small business which minimize unnecessary regulation and paperwork.

(g) Promoting state regulatory policies which are service-oriented in their interaction with small businesses.