Contact:
Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608/267-9661
MADISON – Small businesses owners with concerns regarding proposed state administrative rules or existing state administrative rules should attend the Governor’s Small Business Regulatory Review Board public meeting on Feb. 23, 2006 from 1:00-4:00 pm in Room 400 SE of the State Capitol.
“Governor Jim Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin Agenda 2005 calls for helping small business owners thrive in Wisconsin’s marketplace,” said Department of Commerce Secretary Mary P. Burke. “The Small Business Regulatory Review Board requires state agencies to consider how their rules will affect small businesses. Wisconsin small business owners now have a seat at the table when regulatory decisions are made.”
The Governor’s Small Business Regulatory Review Board has been given statutory authority to see that administrative rules imposed by state agencies comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act requirements. A small business is defined as a business entity, including its affiliates, that is independently owned and operated and employs 25 or fewer full-time employees or has gross annual sales of less than $5,000,000. The board reviews new rules that may adversely affect small businesses and suggests less restrictive alternatives and/or creative, flexible means for businesses to comply with the agencies whenever possible. The board may also review existing rules and can prepare a report to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules if the rules are found to be unnecessarily burdensome to small business.
The purpose of this public meeting is to receive testimony on the economic impact of either a proposed administrative rule or existing administrative rules. Members of the public may provide oral or written testimony. Those wishing to present oral testimony must register no later than Feb. 17, 2006 by contacting Carol Dunn, Department of Commerce (Commerce) Small Business Ombudsman, at 608/267-0297 or cdunn@commerce.state.wi.us. Written testimony must be received by noon on Feb. 20, 2006. Email written testimony or send it to:
Small Business Regulatory Review Board
Attn: Carol Dunn
Wisconsin Department of Commerce
P.O. Box 7907
Madison, WI 53707
