New Small Business
Notification Legislation To Be Implemented
HB 374, a multifaceted pro-business bill emphasizing the
critical importance that state regulations have on businesses throughout the
Commonwealth, was signed into law by Governor Fletcher this past April. Through
the use of a centralized, Web-based notification system, this bill enhances the
opportunity for business owners and professionals to be informed of proposed
regulations, thus affording them more opportunity to be involved in the
regulatory process.
With bipartisan support, HB 374 moved through the Senate and
House with only technical changes. The Commission on Small Business Advocacy
supported this legislation and strongly encouraged its passage on behalf of
Kentucky's small business community. The legislation emphasizes Kentucky's
commitment to small business needs by providing an advocate in each Cabinet
through the new Small Business Ombudsman Program.
The bill revises the regulatory process by:
-
Streamlining the notification process related to new state regulations;
-
Requiring the designation of a Small Business Ombudsman for each of the
Governor's Executive Cabinets, who will submit an Annual Report of small
business inquiries to the Commission on Small Business Advocacy;
-
Expanding the Regulatory Impact Analysis for new and amended regulations to
require issuing agencies to include a cost-benefit analysis; and
-
Requiring a Fiscal Note for all regulations assessing their impact on state or
local governments.
"HB 374 is another way for Kentucky to demonstrate its support
for small businesses, which are a significant portion of Kentucky's economy,"
said Ken Robinson, Executive Director of the Commission on Small Business
Advocacy, within the Cabinet for Economic Development. "Small businesses
account for over 93 percent of all businesses in the Commonwealth. The
enactment of this bill sends a positive message to all businesses in Kentucky
that their concerns do matter especially as it relates to the promulgation of
new regulations."
By late Fourth Quarter 2006, the new Web-based, regulation
notification system will be a reality. Upon release of the new Web site,
businesses will be able to register to be electronically notified of all
regulations promulgated by an administrative agency or only certain regulations
promulgated about a specified area of interest. This centralized registration
system will provide interested companies the opportunity to comment on
promulgated regulations during the administrative regulation timeline as
prescribed by state statute.
Each Cabinet has designated a Small Business Ombudsman and is
required to post the name and contact information on their respective Web
sites. The Small Business Ombudsman for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic
Development is Craig Kelly, Branch Manager of the Business Information
Clearinghouse. He can be reached directly at 502-564-2064
or by email at
craig.kelly@ky.gov. A direct link is also provided on the Cabinet
for Economic Development Web site www.thinkkentucky.com
under "Business Assistance," "Small Business Support" and then scroll down to
"Advocacy."
Companies may also contact the Commission on Small Business Advocacy with any
state regulatory concerns. The 13-member Commission was appointed by the
Governor in August 2005, and has the responsibility of working to improve the
regulatory environment for businesses with 50 or fewer employees throughout the
Commonwealth.
Ken Robinson, Executive Director of the Commission can be reached at 502- 564-2722 or at
ken.robinson@ky.gov. Please feel free to contact him with ideas or concerns related to your particular business needs or to discuss ways of keeping Kentucky a strong supporter of small businesses. |
