Bill > S2343

This bill expands the duties of the small business ombudsman, a position established to help small businesses navigate regulatory and enforcement activities with state agencies, by also having this ombudsman serve as the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's small business advocate, meaning the same individual will now be responsible for both roles, assisting small businesses with regulations, providing a channel for feedback, and making recommendations for improvement, as well as advocating for them within the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, which is a state agency focused on economic development. The bill also clarifies that residents and businesses can petition agencies to adopt, change, or repeal rules, policies, or procedures, and that agencies must respond to these petitions within thirty days, either by denying them with justification or initiating a rulemaking process, with any resulting policy changes needing to be published online.

Business and Industry

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