§90-T. Regulatory Fairness Board

The Regulatory Fairness Board, referred to in this section as "the board," is established within the Department of the Secretary of State to hear testimony and to report to the Legislature and the Governor at least annually on regulatory and statutory changes necessary to enhance the State's business climate.   [PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

1.  Membership.  The board consists of the Secretary of State, who shall serve as the chair of the board and 4 public members who are owners, operators or officers of businesses operating in different regions of the State, appointed as follows:

A. One public member appointed by the President of the Senate;   [PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

B. One public member appointed by the Speaker of the House;   [PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

C. Two public members appointed by the Governor, one of whom represents a business with fewer than 50 employees and one of whom represents a business with fewer than 20 employees.   [PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

The Secretary of State shall inform the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business matters in writing upon the appointment of each member. Except for the Secretary of State, an officer or employee of State Government may not be a member of the board.

[PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

2.  Terms of appointment.  Each member appointed to the board must be appointed to serve a 3-year term. A member may not be appointed for more than 3 consecutive terms.

[PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

3.  Quorum.  A quorum for the purpose of conducting the board's business consists of 3 appointed members of the board.

[PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

4.  Duties of board.  The board shall:

A. Meet at least 3 times a year to review complaints submitted to the special advocate;   [PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

B. Review the status of complaints filed with the special advocate and regulatory impact notices issued by the Secretary of State; and   [PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

C. Report annually by February 1st to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the Legislature having jurisdiction over business matters on actions taken by the special advocate and the Secretary of State to resolve complaints concerning agency enforcement actions against small businesses. The report may also include recommendations for statutory changes that will bring more clarity, consistency and transparency in rules affecting the small business community.   [PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

[PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

5.  Compensation.  Board members are entitled to compensation only for expenses pursuant to section 12004-I, subsection 2-G.

[PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

6.  Staff.  The special advocate shall staff the board.

[PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2011, c. 304, Pt. D, §2 (NEW).