71st OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2001 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 1775
 
                           A-Engrossed
 
                         House Bill 2858
                  Ordered by the House March 20
            Including House Amendments dated March 20
 
Sponsored by COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, LABOR, AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure.
 
  Establishes Office of Small Business in Economic and Community
Development Department.
   { +  Establishes Small Business Council. + }
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to small business development; and appropriating money.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1.  { + There is established the Office of Small
Business within the Economic and Community Development Department
for the purpose of evaluating and addressing the needs of small
businesses in Oregon. The Office of Small Business shall:
  (1) Serve small businesses by continuously evaluating the needs
of small businesses and working with public and private entities
to ensure that small businesses have opportunities to meet their
needs.
  (2) Enhance access, marketing and coordination of services for
small businesses by:
  (a) Fostering coordination among state agencies and other
public and private providers of business support services for
more cost-effective delivery of business support services and
increasing awareness of the availability of the services among
small businesses; and
  (b) Improving the ability of small businesses to access
services.
  (3) Increase the competitiveness of small businesses by:
  (a) Improving access to and availability of capital for small
businesses;
  (b) Improving the ability of small businesses to find qualified
workers and to offer competitive compensation packages;
  (c) Improving the ability of small businesses to form networks
and partnerships that increase their competitiveness; and
  (d) Improving the ability of small businesses to enter and
compete in new markets.
  (4) Advocate for an improved business climate for small
business development by recommending:
  (a) The modification of the tax system to foster capital
investment in small businesses;
 
  (b) Changes to public policies and regulatory practices to
ensure that small businesses do not incur a disproportionate
regulatory burden;
  (c) The creation of appropriate incentives for small business
development; and
  (d) Changes to enhance the ability of small businesses to
compete for and receive government purchasing contracts. + }
  SECTION 2.  { + (1) There is established the Small Business
Council consisting of 12 members appointed by the Governor. The
Governor shall appoint members who represent small businesses or
public and private providers of business support services. When
appointing members, the Governor shall consider geographic and
community diversity and representation of businesses owned by
minorities and women.
  (2) The term of office of each member is four years, but a
member serves at the pleasure of the Governor. Before the
expiration of the term of a member, the Governor shall appoint a
successor whose term begins on July 1 next following. A member is
eligible for reappointment. If there is a vacancy for any cause,
the Governor shall make an appointment to become immediately
effective for the unexpired term.
  (3) Members may receive payment for actual and necessary travel
and other expenses while engaged in the performance of their
official duties as provided in ORS 285A.060.
  (4) The Economic and Community Development Department shall
provide the council with staff support.
  (5) The council may appoint work groups and task forces as the
council considers appropriate to assist the council in carrying
out the functions of the council. Members of a work group or task
force need not be members of the council.
  (6) The council shall:
  (a) Advise the Oregon Economic and Community Development
Commission and the Office of Small Business on issues, policies
and regulations relating to or affecting small businesses; and
  (b) Identify and evaluate regulations that may unreasonably
constrain small businesses. + }
  SECTION 3.  { + Notwithstanding the term of office specified in
section 2 of this 2001 Act, of the members first appointed to the
Small Business Council:
  (1) Three shall serve for a term ending June 30, 2003.
  (2) Three shall serve for a term ending June 30, 2004.
  (3) Three shall serve for a term ending June 30, 2005.
  (4) Three shall serve for a term ending June 30, 2006. + }
  SECTION 4.  { + There is appropriated to the Economic and
Community Development Department, for the biennium beginning July
1, 2001, out of the General Fund, the amount of $___ for the
purpose of carrying out the provisions of section 1 of this 2001
Act. + }
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