Chapter 677 Oregon Laws 2011

AN ACT

HB 3247

Relating to the Secretary of State’s business registry functions; creating new provisions; amending ORS 56.180; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 56.180 is amended to read:

56.180. (1) A Business Registration Information Center is established within the Office of the Secretary of State.

(2) The primary functions of the center are:

(a) To develop a system within the center by which accurate and easily understandable information with respect to the business registration requirements of participating state agencies may be made available to persons undertaking a new business or operating an existing business; [and]

(b) To establish a business portal as provided in subsection (3) of this section; and

[(b)] (c) To advertise and make the business portal described in subsection (3) of this section and information described in this subsection available to all persons who request the information.

(3)(a) The center shall establish, maintain and update a business portal called the “One Stop Shop for Oregon Business” that is accessible through the Internet and that provides information, services and resources for:

(A) Starting, expanding and operating a business in Oregon or relocating a business within or to Oregon;

(B) Understanding state and local government rules, ordinances and policies that apply to business;

(C) Understanding how to classify a business for registration purposes;

(D) Registering, licensing and obtaining needed permits for a business;

(E) Obtaining information about financing and tax credits available to businesses;

(F) Understanding business taxes and rules and policies concerning taxation that apply to businesses;

(G) Obtaining information about and assistance with exporting;

(H) Obtaining information about and resources for hiring workers in Oregon;

(I) Obtaining information about public contracting;

(J) Obtaining information about and resources for business relocation;

(K) Obtaining information about and assistance with training for businesses; and

(L) Obtaining other information, services and resources related to business in Oregon.

(b) All agencies of state government, as defined in ORS 174.111, and local government, as defined in ORS 174.116, that have functions related to business registration, licensing, permitting or taxation or that otherwise can provide information for or assist with establishing, expanding, operating or relocating a business are directed to cooperate with and assist the center in performing the center’s duties under subsection (3) of this section.

(4) The Secretary of State may adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions of subsection (3) of this section.

SECTION 2. (1) The amendments to ORS 56.180 by section 1 of this 2011 Act become operative on January 1, 2012.

(2) The Secretary of State may take any action before the operative date specified in subsection (1) of this section that is necessary to enable the Secretary of State to exercise, on and after the operative date specified in subsection (1) of this section, all of the duties, functions and powers conferred on the Secretary of State by the amendments to ORS 56.180 by section 1 of this 2011 Act.

SECTION 3. This 2011 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2011 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor August 2, 2011

Filed in the office of Secretary of State August 2, 2011

Effective date August 2, 2011

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