Rhode Island § 42-91-3 - Small Business Advocacy Council

§ 42-91-3. Purpose and duties.

(a) The purpose of the council shall be to develop those specific and comprehensive recommendations for executive and legislative action as may be necessary and proper to maintain and encourage the continued viability of small businesses in the state. To enable it to carry out that purpose, the council shall study the following matters and any others it deems appropriate:

(1) The problems and needs of small businesses.

(2) The role of small businesses in creating jobs, and what will assist small businesses in carrying out that role.

(3) The status of women and minorities as small business owners.

(4) The rules and regulations of the various departments, boards, and agencies of state and local government that affect small businesses.

(5) The policies, practices, and procedures of governmental bodies in dealing with small businesses.

(6) The communication of information concerning state and federal programs that may provide assistance to small businesses.

(7) The promotion of a continuing dialogue between government and small business.

(b) The council is empowered to appoint subcommittees to study specialized areas of concern and to report their findings to the council.

(c) The council is empowered to seek the advice and assistance of the United States Small Business Association, the United States Small Business Development Center, members of local small business associations, and members of small business councils of chambers of commerce.

(d) All departments, boards, and agencies of the state shall cooperate with the council and furnish any advice and information, documentary and otherwise, that may be necessary or desirable to facilitate the purposes of this chapter.

(e) The council shall:

(1) Advise the ombudsman established pursuant to § 42-35.1-5 on matters of concern to small businesses relating to the enforcement activities of agencies;

(2) Report to the ombudsman on substantiated instances of enforcement actions of agencies against small business concerns including any findings or recommendations of the council as to agency enforcement policies or practices;

(3) Prior to publication, provide comment on the annual report of the ombudsman prepared under § 42-35.1-5.