RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that small businesses are the backbone of the State’s economy; and

WHEREAS, in recent years, small businesses have increased their efforts to create a more business-friendly environment in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, the Governor and the state departments envision Hawaii as a friendly place to do business; and

WHEREAS, a "Small Business Bill of Rights" would articulate the various concerns that small businesses believe should be recognized and addressed by state agencies; and

WHEREAS, the provisions of a "Small Business Bill of Rights" might address such areas as permitting, resolution of regulatory deficiencies, redress for compliance conformity, due process, the creation and role of a small business defender, submittal of information to government agencies for the purpose of obtaining governmental contacts, interfacing with regulatory departments, insurance requirements to meet licensing or permitting provisions, and a small business set aside program; and

WHEREAS, although the Legislature has passed such initiatives as the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act and permit information and facilitation legislation to ease the burdens placed on small businesses, there is need for state agencies that come in contact with small businesses to be more sensitive to their concerns; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-Second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Governor is requested to direct the Hawaii Small Business Regulatory Review Board to develop and formulate a "Small Business Bill of Rights" as an official declaration of the expectations of small businesses when dealing with state government; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor is urged to request all state departments and agencies to identify appropriate operational changes to make their respective agency more sensitive to the concerns of small businesses, beginning with their own internal policies and procedures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Small Business Regulatory Review Board is requested to submit a proposed "Small Business Bill of Rights" in a form suitable for legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2004 Regular Session, which will embrace the methods and procedures by which the various state departments and agencies will create a business environment that will position the State as the most small business friendly in the nation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, each state executive department head, and the Hawaii Small Business Regulatory Review Board.

Report Title:

Small Business Bill of Rights