643.173. Small business technical assistance program established, duties--advisory committee created, members, appointment, terms, compensation, duties.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

643.173. Small business technical assistance program established, duties--advisory committee created, members, appointment, terms, compensation, duties.

Small business technical assistance program established,duties--advisory committee created, members, appointment, terms,compensation, duties.

643.173. 1. There is hereby established within thedepartment of natural resources a "Small Business TechnicalAssistance Program" which shall provide support and assistance tosmall business. To the maximum extent possible, the programshall be functionally separate from the department's airpollution enforcement responsibilities. The program shall adviseregulated small business regarding permit applicationrequirements, applicable provisions of 643.010 to 643.190, andsuch other matters affecting small business as deemed appropriateby the committee. The commission shall establish time frames inwhich specific classes of deficiencies, except those affectingpublic health or the environment, shall be corrected.

2. The small business technical assistance program shall beadvised by a "Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee" whichis hereby created. One member shall be appointed by the directorof the department, two members shall be appointed by the governorto represent the public and four owners of small businessesregulated under this chapter shall be appointed by the generalassembly, one each appointed by the majority and minority leadersof each chamber of the general assembly. No member of the airconservation commission shall serve as a member of the smallbusiness compliance advisory committee. The term of office shallbe four years except that of those first appointed, one memberappointed by the governor, one member appointed by the senate andone member appointed by the house of representatives shall beappointed to two-year terms. Members shall serve until theirsuccessors are duly appointed and qualified and vacancies shallbe filled by appointment for the remaining portion of theunexpired term created by the vacancy. The members shall bereimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in theperformance of their duties while in attendance at committeemeetings.

3. The committee shall:

(1) Receive reports from the ombudsman pursuant to section643.175;

(2) Evaluate the impact of sections 643.010 to 643.190 andthe rules promulgated thereunder on small business;

(3) Review and assess the impact of enforcement policies onsmall business operations in Missouri;

(4) Recommend to the department, the commission and thegeneral assembly, as appropriate, changes in procedure, in rulesor in the law which would facilitate small business compliancewith sections 643.010 to 643.190;

(5) Recommend to the commission rules establishing anexpedited review of modifications for small businesses;

(6) Conduct hearings, determine facts and makeinvestigations consistent with the purposes of this section.