S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________ 2176 2013-2014 Regular Sessions I N A S S E M B L Y (PREFILED) January 9, 2013 ___________ Introduced by M. of A. ESPINAL -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Small Business AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to establishing the office for small business; to amend the public authorities law, the environmental conservation law, the state finance law and the execu- tive law, in relation to making technical amendments thereto; and to repeal article 4-B of the economic development law relating to the division for small-business THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: 1 Section 1. Article 4-B of the economic development law is REPEALED. 2 S 1-a. Section 666 of the executive law is renumbered section 655. 3 S 2. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 24-A to read 4 as follows: 5 ARTICLE 24-A 6 OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS 7 SECTION 660. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND OBJECTIVES. 8 661. DEFINITIONS. 9 662. OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS; DIRECTOR; EMPLOYEES. 10 663. SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD; CREATION. 11 664. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS. 12 665. ASSISTANCE OF OTHER AGENCIES. 13 666. RULES AND REGULATIONS. 14 667. SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAM. 15 668. SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM. 16 669. ABOLITION OF DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS. 17 670. TRANSFER OF POWERS OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS. 18 671. TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES. 19 672. CONTINUITY OF AUTHORITY. EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD01260-02-3 A. 2176 2 1 673. TRANSFER OF RECORDS. 2 674. COMPLETION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS. 3 675. TERMS OCCURRING IN LAWS, CONTRACTS OR OTHER DOCUMENTS. 4 676. EXISTING RIGHTS AND REMEDIES PRESERVED. 5 677. PENDING ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS. 6 678. CONTINUANCE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS. 7 679. TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS MADE TO THE DIVISION FOR SMALL 8 BUSINESS. 9 S 660. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND OBJECTIVES. THE LEGISLATURE HEREBY 10 FINDS AND DECLARES THAT: 11 1. SMALL BUSINESS HAS BEEN A MAJOR POSITIVE FACTOR IN THE POLITICAL, 12 ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE STATE; 13 2. THE FUTURE WELFARE OF THE STATE DEPENDS ON THE CONTINUED DEVELOP- 14 MENT OF SMALL BUSINESS; 15 3. THE STATE HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO ASSIST IN SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOP- 16 MENT IN FURTHERANCE OF THE GENERAL WELFARE. 17 S 661. DEFINITIONS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE: 18 1. "OFFICE" SHALL MEAN THE OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS. 19 2. "SMALL BUSINESS" SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE ONE WHICH IS RESIDENT IN 20 THIS STATE, INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED, NOT DOMINANT IN ITS FIELD 21 AND EMPLOYS ONE HUNDRED OR LESS PERSONS. 22 3. "ADVISORY BOARD" SHALL MEAN THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD 23 CREATED BY SECTION SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE. 24 4. "DIRECTOR" SHALL MEAN THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSI- 25 NESS. 26 S 662. OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS; DIRECTOR; EMPLOYEES. 1. THERE IS 27 HEREBY CREATED WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT AN OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSI- 28 NESS TO HAVE AND EXERCISE THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES PROVIDED BY 29 THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE AND ANY OTHER PROVISION OF LAW. THE 30 OFFICE SHALL PERFORM THESE POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES IN CONSULTATION 31 WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD ESTABLISHED BY SECTION SIX 32 HUNDRED SIXTY-THREE OF THIS ARTICLE. 33 2. THE HEAD OF THE OFFICE SHALL BE THE DIRECTOR, WHO SHALL BE 34 APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, BY AND WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE 35 SENATE, AND SHALL HOLD OFFICE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR BY WHOM HE 36 OR SHE WAS APPOINTED OR UNTIL HIS OR HER SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED AND HAS 37 QUALIFIED. 38 3. THE DIRECTOR MAY ESTABLISH DIVISIONS AND BUREAUS, CHANGE THE NAMES 39 OF EXISTING DIVISIONS OR BUREAUS, OR MAY CONSOLIDATE DIVISIONS AND 40 BUREAUS AS HE OR SHE MAY DEEM NECESSARY OR APPROPRIATE TO CARRY OUT THE 41 FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE. SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE AND 42 THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW, AND RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED PURSUANT THERE- 43 TO, THE DIRECTOR MAY APPOINT SUCH OTHER OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS AND 44 CONSULTANTS AS MAY BE NECESSARY, PRESCRIBE THEIR DUTIES, FIX THEIR 45 COMPENSATION AND PROVIDE FOR PAYMENT OF THEIR REASONABLE EXPENSES, ALL 46 WITHIN AMOUNTS AVAILABLE THEREFOR BY APPROPRIATION. THE DIRECTOR MAY 47 TRANSFER OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES FROM THEIR POSITIONS TO OTHER POSITIONS 48 IN THE OFFICE, OR ABOLISH OR CONSOLIDATE SUCH POSITIONS. 49 4. THE DIRECTOR ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE OFFICE SHALL HAVE POWER AND 50 IT SHALL BE HIS OR HER DUTY: 51 (A) TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAMS TRANSFERRED TO THE OFFICE PURSUANT TO 52 THIS ARTICLE OR AN APPROPRIATION OF FUNDS TO THE OFFICE; 53 (B) TO ADMINISTER SUCH OTHER PROGRAMS AS MAY BE DEVOLVED UPON THE 54 OFFICE FROM TIME TO TIME PURSUANT TO LAW; 55 (C) TO COOPERATE WITH AND ASSIST OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS, 56 BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AGENCIES, PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATIONS AND PUBLIC A. 2176 3 1 AUTHORITIES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES AND PROGRAMS WHICH WILL 2 ENCOURAGE THE CREATION OR RETENTION OF SMALL BUSINESS; AND 3 (D) TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH ANY PERSON, FIRM, CORPORATION OR 4 GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY, AND DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT TO CARRY 5 OUT THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND DUTIES EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS ARTI- 6 CLE. 7 S 663. SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD; CREATION. 1. THERE IS HEREBY 8 CREATED IN THE OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS A SMALL BUSINESS ADVISORY 9 BOARD. THE ADVISORY BOARD SHALL CONSIST OF FIFTEEN MEMBERS TO BE 10 APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE ADVICE AND CONSENT OF THE SENATE. 11 THE GOVERNOR SHALL DESIGNATE A CHAIR FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY 12 BOARD, TO SERVE AS SUCH AT THE PLEASURE OF THE GOVERNOR. IN APPOINTING 13 THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD THE GOVERNOR SHALL ENSURE THAT AT 14 LEAST NINE OF THE MEMBERS ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN 15 THE OWNERSHIP AND/OR OPERATION OF A SMALL BUSINESS OR WHO HAVE EXTENSIVE 16 EXPERIENCE IN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERSHIP AND/OR OPERATION. 17 2. ALL MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD SHALL SERVE FOR TERMS OF THREE 18 YEARS, SUCH TERMS TO COMMENCE ON APRIL FIRST, AND EXPIRE ON MARCH THIR- 19 TY-FIRST; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT OF THE NINE MEMBERS FIRST APPOINTED 20 THREE SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON MARCH 21 THIRTY-FIRST OF THE YEAR FOLLOWING THE YEAR IN WHICH THIS ARTICLE SHALL 22 HAVE BECOME A LAW, THREE SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM EXPIRING 23 ON MARCH THIRTY-FIRST OF THE SECOND YEAR FOLLOWING THE YEAR IN WHICH 24 THIS ARTICLE SHALL HAVE BECOME A LAW, AND THREE SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A 25 THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON MARCH THIRTY-FIRST OF THE THIRD YEAR FOLLOW- 26 ING THE YEAR IN WHICH THIS ARTICLE SHALL HAVE BECOME A LAW; AND THAT SIX 27 ADDITIONAL MEMBERS, TWO ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT 28 OF THE SENATE, ONE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE 29 SENATE, TWO ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY AND ONE 30 ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE ASSEMBLY SHALL BE 31 APPOINTED FOR A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON MARCH THIRTY-FIRST OF THE 32 THIRD YEAR FOLLOWING THE YEAR IN WHICH THIS ARTICLE SHALL HAVE BECOME A 33 LAW. 34 3. THE ADVISORY BOARD SHALL MEET REGULARLY AT LEAST FOUR TIMES IN EACH 35 YEAR. SPECIAL MEETINGS MAY BE CALLED BY THE CHAIR AND SHALL BE CALLED BY 36 HIM OR HER AT THE REQUEST OF THE DIRECTOR. 37 4. NO MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY BOARD SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED FROM HOLDING 38 ANY OTHER PUBLIC OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, NOR SHALL HE OR SHE FORFEIT ANY 39 SUCH OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT BY REASON OF HIS OR HER APPOINTMENT HEREUNDER, 40 NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL OR LOCAL LAW, 41 ORDINANCE OR CITY CHARTER. 42 5. THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD SHALL RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR 43 THEIR SERVICES BUT SHALL BE ALLOWED THEIR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES 44 INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES HEREUNDER. 45 6. THE BOARD SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO: 46 (A) ADVISE THE DIRECTOR IN CARRYING OUT THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS AND 47 DUTIES OF THE OFFICE, AS SET FORTH IN THIS ARTICLE; 48 (B) ADVISE THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING RECOMMENDED 49 LEGISLATION NECESSARY TO FOSTER AND PROMOTE THE PROSPERITY, EXPANSION 50 AND DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS WITHIN THE STATE; 51 (C) ADVISE THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING EXISTING LAWS, 52 RULES, REGULATIONS AND PRACTICES OF STATE AGENCIES WHICH ARE 53 COUNTER-PRODUCTIVE OR INIMICAL TO THE PROSPERITY, EXPANSION AND DEVELOP- 54 MENT OF SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS WITHIN THE STATE; 55 (D) ADVISE THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT 56 OF INTER-GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION AMONG AGENCIES OF THE FEDERAL, STATE A. 2176 4 1 AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND COOPERATION BETWEEN PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND 2 GOVERNMENT SO AS TO ASSURE THE OPTIMUM DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS 3 CONCERNS; 4 (E) SERVE AS A CATALYST FOR CREATING AND MAINTAINING A SMALL BUSINESS 5 CONSCIOUSNESS IN NEW YORK STATE; AND 6 (F) ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR MAKING ANNUAL AWARDS TO BE KNOWN AS "NEW 7 YORK STATE SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS". THESE NON-MONETARY AWARDS SHALL BE 8 GIVEN IN RECOGNITION OF UNUSUAL PERFORMANCE BY PERSONS, FIRMS AND ORGAN- 9 IZATIONS WHICH ARE ENGAGED IN THE OPERATION OF NEW YORK STATE SMALL 10 BUSINESSES OR WHICH ARE ENGAGED IN ACTIVITIES TO ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES 11 IN THE STATE. THE BOARD MAY NOMINATE UP TO FIVE AWARD WINNERS ANNUALLY 12 AND FORWARD SUCH NAMES TO THE GOVERNOR FOR HIS OR HER CONSIDERATION. 13 THE GOVERNOR MAY DESIGNATE AWARD WINNERS FROM THESE NOMINEES AT HIS OR 14 HER DISCRETION. CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD ARE NOT ELIGIBLE 15 AS NOMINEES. 16 7. THE DIRECTOR SHALL PROVIDE THE BOARD WITH SUCH STAFF ASSISTANCE AND 17 SUPPORT SERVICES AS NECESSARY FOR THE BOARD TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS 18 REQUIRED OF IT UNDER THIS SECTION. 19 S 664. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE FOR SMALL BUSINESS. THE OFFICE 20 SHALL HAVE THE POWER AND DUTY TO: 21 1. COORDINATE THE ACTIVITIES OF ALL STATE AGENCIES PERFORMING FUNC- 22 TIONS AFFECTING THE OPERATION OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE; 23 2. RECEIVE COMPLAINTS OF OPERATORS OF SMALL BUSINESSES AND REFER THEM 24 TO THE APPROPRIATE FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL AGENCY AUTHORIZED BY LAW FOR 25 APPROPRIATE ACTION ON SUCH COMPLAINTS; 26 3. ADVISE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE GOVERNOR ON MATTERS AFFECT- 27 ING THE SMALL BUSINESSES OF THE STATE AND PROMOTE AND ENCOURAGE THE 28 PROTECTION OF THE LEGITIMATE INTERESTS OF SMALL BUSINESSES WITHIN THE 29 STATE; 30 4. CONDUCT INVESTIGATIONS, RESEARCH, STUDIES AND ANALYSES OF MATTERS 31 AFFECTING THE INTERESTS OF SMALL BUSINESSES; 32 5. REPRESENT THE INTERESTS OF SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE BEFORE 33 FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY AGENCIES; 34 6. STUDY THE OPERATION OF THE LAWS AFFECTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND 35 RECOMMEND TO THE GOVERNOR NEW LAWS AND AMENDMENTS OF LAWS FOR THE BENE- 36 FIT OF SMALL BUSINESSES; 37 7. REVIEW PENDING LEGISLATION AFFECTING SMALL BUSINESSES AND REPORT 38 ITS FINDINGS TO THE GOVERNOR; 39 8. INITIATE AND ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN GENERAL 40 AND TO COORDINATE WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES, 41 AN INFORMATION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTED TOWARD INFORMING SMALL 42 BUSINESSES IN THE STATE OF PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR COMPETING FOR STATE 43 PURCHASES AND TO COORDINATE WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF EVERY STATE AGENCY, 44 DEPARTMENT OR AUTHORITY DESCRIBED IN SECTION ONE HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE-G 45 OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW, PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION ONE 46 HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE-G OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW, AN INFORMATION AND 47 OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTED TOWARD INFORMING SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE 48 OF PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR COMPETING FOR STATE CONTRACTS; AND 49 9. CONDUCT A SURVEY OF ALL BUSINESS INCUBATORS IN THE STATE AND ASSESS 50 THE NEED FOR ADDITIONAL INCUBATOR FACILITIES TO NURTURE THE GROWTH AND 51 DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL BUSINESSES. 52 S 665. ASSISTANCE OF OTHER AGENCIES. TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF 53 THIS ARTICLE, THE DIRECTOR MAY REQUEST FROM ANY DEPARTMENT, DIVISION, 54 BOARD, BUREAU, COMMISSION OR OTHER AGENCY OF THE STATE OR FROM ANY 55 PUBLIC CORPORATION OR DISTRICT, AND THE SAME ARE AUTHORIZED TO PROVIDE, 56 SUCH ASSISTANCE, SERVICES AND DATA AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY THE OFFICE IN A. 2176 5 1 CARRYING OUT ITS FUNCTIONS, POWERS, DUTIES AND PURPOSES UNDER THIS ARTI- 2 CLE. 3 S 666. RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE DIRECTOR SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGU- 4 LATIONS TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE. THE ADVISORY BOARD 5 SHALL RECOMMEND TO HIM OR HER CRITERIA FOR INCLUSION THEREIN. 6 S 667. SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAM. THE DIRECTOR AND THE COMMIS- 7 SIONERS OF AGRICULTURE AND MARKETS AND THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES 8 SHALL INITIATE AND ENCOURAGE SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND COOR- 9 DINATE WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE OF GENERAL SERVICES AN INFORMA- 10 TION AND OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTED TOWARD INFORMING ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES 11 IN THE STATE OF PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR COMPETING FOR PURCHASES OF FOOD 12 PRODUCTS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION EIGHT-A OF SECTION ONE HUNDRED THREE OF 13 THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW, AND TO COORDINATE WITH THE FUNCTIONS OF EVERY 14 STATE AGENCY OR DEPARTMENT DESCRIBED IN SUBDIVISION (B) OF SECTION ONE 15 HUNDRED THIRTY-NINE-G OF THE STATE FINANCE LAW, AN INFORMATION AND 16 OUTREACH PROGRAM DIRECTED TOWARD INFORMING ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES IN THE 17 STATE OF PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR COMPETING FOR CONTRACTS FOR THE 18 PURCHASE OF FOOD PRODUCTS PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION EIGHT-A OF SECTION ONE 19 HUNDRED THREE OF THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW. 20 S 668. SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM. 1. THERE 21 IS HEREBY ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE OFFICE A SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY 22 SOURCE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE SMALL BUSINESS 23 STATIONARY SOURCE OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM IS TO REPRESENT SMALL BUSINESS 24 STATIONARY SOURCES ON ISSUES RELATING TO COMPLIANCE WITH THE FEDERAL 25 CLEAN AIR ACT, 42 U.S.C. SECTION 7401 ET SEQ. AS AMENDED BY PUBLIC LAW 26 101-549, NOVEMBER FIFTEENTH, NINETEEN HUNDRED NINETY, HEREINAFTER 27 REFERRED TO AS THE "ACT", AND TO REFER SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES 28 TO APPROPRIATE ENTITIES FOR ASSISTANCE IN COMPLIANCE WITH ARTICLE NINE- 29 TEEN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW AND THE ACT. FOR PURPOSES OF 30 THIS SECTION A SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCE SHALL HAVE THE SAME 31 MEANING AS IN SECTION 19-0313 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW. 32 2. THE OFFICE SHALL, THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCE 33 OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM, PERFORM ALL FUNCTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE 34 REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 7661F OF THE ACT INCLUDING: 35 (A) SOLICITING INPUT FROM SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES REGARDING 36 COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT AND ARTICLE NINETEEN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL 37 CONSERVATION LAW, INCLUDING INTERACTING WITH ORGANIZATIONS REPRESENTING 38 SMALL BUSINESSES SUCH AS TRADE ASSOCIATIONS OR OTHER ENTITIES; 39 (B) PARTICIPATING IN, AND FACILITATING AND PROMOTING THE PARTICIPATION 40 OF SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTA- 41 TION OF RULES AND REGULATIONS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO ARTICLE NINETEEN OF 42 THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW; 43 (C) PARTICIPATING IN, AND SPONSORING MEETINGS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF 44 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, LOCAL AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AGENCIES, INDUS- 45 TRY GROUPS AND SMALL BUSINESS REPRESENTATIVES; 46 (D) PROVIDING GUIDANCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVI- 47 RONMENTAL CONSERVATION ON THE DEVELOPMENT, CONTENT AND OPERATION OF THE 48 SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCE TECHNICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 49 ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AS CREATED BY SECTION 19-0313 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL 50 CONSERVATION LAW; 51 (E) DISTRIBUTING TO SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES INFORMATION AND 52 MATERIALS ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE ACT AND ARTICLE NINETEEN OF THE 53 ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW; 54 (F) REPORTING TO THE SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCE COMPLIANCE ADVI- 55 SORY PANEL AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 19-0315 OF THE ENVIRON- 56 MENTAL CONSERVATION LAW ON ANY PROBLEMS OR DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED BY A. 2176 6 1 SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES IN COMPLYING WITH ARTICLE NINETEEN OF 2 THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW AND THE ACT, INCLUDING THE DEGREE AND 3 SEVERITY OF ENFORCEMENT; 4 (G) AIDING IN THE INVESTIGATION AND RESOLUTION OF COMPLAINTS AND 5 DISPUTES FROM SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES AGAINST THE DEPARTMENT 6 OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION AND LOCAL AIR POLLUTION CONTROL AUTHORI- 7 TIES; 8 (H) CONDUCTING PERIODIC EVALUATIONS OF ALL ASPECTS OF THE SMALL BUSI- 9 NESS STATIONARY SOURCE TECHNICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE 10 PROGRAM AS IDENTIFIED UNDER SECTION 19-0313 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSER- 11 VATION LAW INCLUDING REVIEWING THE WORK AND SERVICES OF THE PROGRAM WITH 12 TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND REPRESENTATIVES OF SMALL BUSINESS; 13 (I) REVIEWING AND PROVIDING COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE UNITED 14 STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRON- 15 MENTAL CONSERVATION REGARDING THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF 16 REGULATIONS THAT IMPACT SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES; 17 (J) ARRANGING FOR AND ASSISTING IN THE PREPARATION OF GUIDANCE DOCU- 18 MENTS BY THE SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCE TECHNICAL AND ENVIRON- 19 MENTAL COMPLIANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 20 19-0313 OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW TO ENSURE THAT THE 21 LANGUAGE IS READILY UNDERSTANDABLE BY THE LAY PERSON; 22 (K) REFERRING SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES TO SPECIALISTS FOR 23 INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE ON AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES, PROC- 24 ESS CHANGES, PRODUCTS AND OPERATIONAL METHODS TO HELP REDUCE AIR 25 POLLUTION; 26 (L) PROVIDING INFORMATION TO SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES ON 27 STATE-SPONSORED PROGRAMS OFFERING FINANCIAL AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, 28 AND IN LOCATING SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS 29 OF ARTICLE NINETEEN OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW AND THE ACT; 30 AND 31 (M) ESTABLISHING PROCEDURES FOR ASSURING THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFOR- 32 MATION RECEIVED FROM SMALL BUSINESS STATIONARY SOURCES. 33 3. THE PROVISIONS OF ARTICLE SIX OF THE PUBLIC OFFICERS LAW SHALL NOT 34 APPLY TO RECORDS CONTAINING INFORMATION SUPPLIED BY SMALL BUSINESS 35 STATIONARY SOURCES PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION. 36 S 669. ABOLITION OF DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS. UPON THE TRANSFER 37 PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND POWERS POSSESSED BY AND 38 ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS AS 39 ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOP- 40 MENT LAW TO THE OFFICE, THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL BE ABOL- 41 ISHED. 42 S 670. TRANSFER OF POWERS OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS. EXCEPT 43 AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED IN THIS ARTICLE, THE FUNCTIONS AND POWERS 44 POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION FOR 45 SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B OF THE 46 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW SHALL BE TRANSFERRED AND ASSIGNED TO, ASSUMED 47 BY AND DEVOLVED UPON THE OFFICE. SUCH TRANSFER SHALL OCCUR NO LATER THAN 48 JANUARY THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT, IN 49 THE EVENT THAT IT IS IMPRACTICAL TO EFFECTUATE SUCH TRANSFER ON OR 50 BEFORE JANUARY THIRTY-FIRST, TWO THOUSAND FIFTEEN, THE DIRECTOR MAY UPON 51 NOTIFICATION TO THE GOVERNOR, TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, AND 52 SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY ON OR BEFORE JANUARY FIFTEENTH, TWO THOUSAND 53 FIFTEEN, EXECUTE A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO GOVERN THE EXPEDITIOUS 54 TRANSFER REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. 55 S 671. TRANSFER OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES. UPON THE TRANSFER PURSUANT 56 TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND A. 2176 7 1 POWERS POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVI- 2 SION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B 3 OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW TO THE OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION 4 SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE ALL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES OF THE 5 DIVISION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS ARE HEREBY TRANSFERRED TO AND ASSUMED BY THE 6 OFFICE. 7 S 672. CONTINUITY OF AUTHORITY. UPON THE TRANSFER PURSUANT TO SECTION 8 SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND POWERS 9 POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION FOR 10 SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B OF THE 11 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW TO THE OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION SIX 12 HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE, FOR THE PURPOSE OF SUCCESSION TO ALL 13 FUNCTIONS, POWERS, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL-BU- 14 SINESS, THE OFFICE SHALL BE DEEMED AND HELD TO CONSTITUTE THE CONTINUA- 15 TION OF SUCH AUTHORITY AND NOT A DIFFERENT AGENCY OR AUTHORITY. 16 S 673. TRANSFER OF RECORDS. UPON THE TRANSFER PURSUANT TO SECTION SIX 17 HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND POWERS POSSESSED BY 18 AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS 19 AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B OF THE ECONOMIC DEVEL- 20 OPMENT LAW TO THE OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF 21 THIS ARTICLE, ALL BOOKS, PAPERS, RECORDS AND PROPERTY PERTAINING TO THE 22 DIVISION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO AND MAINTAINED BY 23 THE OFFICE. 24 S 674. COMPLETION OF UNFINISHED BUSINESS. UPON THE TRANSFER PURSUANT 25 TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND 26 POWERS POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVI- 27 SION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B 28 OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW TO THE OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION 29 SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE, ANY BUSINESS OR OTHER MATTER UNDER- 30 TAKEN OR COMMENCED BY THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS PERTAINING TO OR 31 CONNECTED WITH THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS, OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES SO TRANS- 32 FERRED AND ASSIGNED TO THE OFFICE MAY BE CONDUCTED OR COMPLETED BY THE 33 DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE. 34 S 675. TERMS OCCURRING IN LAWS, CONTRACTS OR OTHER DOCUMENTS. UPON THE 35 TRANSFER PURSUANT TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE 36 FUNCTIONS AND POWERS POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES 37 OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER 38 ARTICLE FOUR-B OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW TO THE OFFICE AS 39 PRESCRIBED BY SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE WHENEVER THE 40 DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND THE COMMISSIONER THEREOF, THE FUNCTIONS, 41 POWERS, OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF WHICH ARE TRANSFERRED TO THE OFFICE 42 ARE REFERRED TO OR DESIGNATED IN ANY LAW, CONTRACT OR DOCUMENT PERTAIN- 43 ING TO THE FUNCTIONS, POWERS, OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES TRANSFERRED AND 44 ASSIGNED PURSUANT TO THIS ARTICLE, SUCH REFERENCE OR DESIGNATION SHALL 45 BE DEEMED TO REFER TO THE OFFICE AND ITS DIRECTOR. 46 S 676. EXISTING RIGHTS AND REMEDIES PRESERVED. UPON THE TRANSFER 47 PURSUANT TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS 48 AND POWERS POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE 49 DIVISION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE 50 FOUR-B OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW TO THE OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY 51 SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE NO EXISTING RIGHT OR REMEDY 52 OF THE STATE, INCLUDING THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS SHALL BE LOST, 53 IMPAIRED OR AFFECTED BY REASON OF THIS ARTICLE. 54 S 677. PENDING ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS. UPON THE TRANSFER PURSUANT TO 55 SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND POWERS 56 POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION FOR A. 2176 8 1 SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B OF THE 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW TO THE OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION SIX 3 HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE NO ACTION OR PROCEEDING PENDING ON THE 4 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ARTICLE, BROUGHT BY OR AGAINST THE DIVISION FOR 5 SMALL BUSINESS OR COMMISSIONER THEREOF SHALL BE AFFECTED BY ANY 6 PROVISION OF THIS ARTICLE, BUT THE SAME MAY BE PROSECUTED OR DEFENDED IN 7 THE NAME OF THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE. IN ALL SUCH ACTIONS AND 8 PROCEEDINGS, THE OFFICE, UPON APPLICATION TO THE COURT, SHALL BE SUBSTI- 9 TUTED AS A PARTY. 10 S 678. CONTINUANCE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS. UPON THE TRANSFER PURSU- 11 ANT TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND 12 POWERS POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLIGATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVI- 13 SION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B 14 OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW TO THE OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION 15 SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE, ALL RULES, REGULATIONS, ACTS, 16 DETERMINATIONS AND DECISIONS OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSINESS, 17 PERTAINING TO THE FUNCTIONS TRANSFERRED AND ASSIGNED BY THIS ARTICLE TO 18 THE OFFICE IN FORCE AT THE TIME OF SUCH TRANSFER, ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION 19 OR DEVOLUTION SHALL CONTINUE IN FORCE AND EFFECT AS RULES, REGULATIONS, 20 ACTS, DETERMINATIONS AND DECISIONS OF THE OFFICE UNTIL DULY MODIFIED OR 21 REPEALED. 22 S 679. TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS MADE TO THE DIVISION FOR SMALL BUSI- 23 NESS. UPON THE TRANSFER PURSUANT TO SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS 24 ARTICLE OF THE FUNCTIONS AND POWERS POSSESSED BY AND ALL OF THE OBLI- 25 GATIONS AND DUTIES OF THE DIVISION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS AS ESTABLISHED 26 PURSUANT TO FORMER ARTICLE FOUR-B OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LAW TO THE 27 OFFICE AS PRESCRIBED BY SECTION SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY OF THIS ARTICLE, ALL 28 APPROPRIATIONS AND REAPPROPRIATIONS WHICH SHALL HAVE BEEN MADE AVAILABLE 29 AS OF THE DATE OF SUCH TRANSFER TO THE DIVISION FOR SMALL-BUSINESS OR 30 SEGREGATED PURSUANT TO LAW, TO THE EXTENT OF REMAINING UNEXPENDED OR 31 UNENCUMBERED BALANCES THEREOF, WHETHER ALLOCATED OR UNALLOCATED AND 32 WHETHER OBLIGATED OR UNOBLIGATED, SHALL BE TRANSFERRED TO AND MADE 33 AVAILABLE FOR USE AND EXPENDITURE BY THE OFFICE FOR THE SAME PURPOSES 34 FOR WHICH ORIGINALLY APPROPRIATED OR REAPPROPRIATED AND SHALL BE PAYABLE 35 ON VOUCHERS CERTIFIED OR APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF TAXATION AND 36 FINANCE, ON AUDIT AND WARRANT OF THE COMPTROLLER. PAYMENTS OF LIABIL- 37 ITIES FOR EXPENSES OF PERSONAL SERVICE, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION WHICH 38 SHALL HAVE BEEN INCURRED AS OF THE DATE OF SUCH TRANSFER BY THE DIVISION 39 FOR SMALL BUSINESS, AND FOR LIABILITIES INCURRED AND TO BE INCURRED IN 40 COMPLETING ITS AFFAIRS SHALL ALSO BE MADE ON VOUCHERS CERTIFIED OR 41 APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE, ON AUDIT AND WARRANT OF THE 42 COMPTROLLER. 43 S 3. The opening paragraph of subdivision 1 of section 1838 of the 44 public authorities law, as added by chapter 56 of the laws of 1993, is 45 amended to read as follows: 46 There is hereby created a state bonding guarantee assistance program 47 to enable small businesses, and minority-owned and women-owned business 48 enterprises, certified as a minority-owned or women-owned business 49 enterprise pursuant to article fifteen-A of the executive law, to meet 50 payment and/or performance bonding requirements by providing additional 51 financial backing needed to induce a surety company to issue a bond for 52 construction projects, including but not limited to, government spon- 53 sored, transportation related construction projects. For purposes of 54 this section, the term small business shall have the same meaning as 55 defined in section [one hundred thirty-one] SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-ONE of the A. 2176 9 1 [economic development] EXECUTIVE law. Such program shall give preference 2 to minority-owned and women-owned business enterprises and shall: 3 S 4. The opening paragraph and paragraph g of subdivision 1 and subdi- 4 vision 3 of section 19-0313 of the environmental conservation law, as 5 added by chapter 608 of the laws of 1993, are amended to read as 6 follows: 7 The commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to establish, 8 develop and implement a small business stationary source technical and 9 environmental compliance assistance program for those categories of 10 sources of air contamination identified in section 7661f(c) of the Act 11 or any other category of source the commissioner deems appropriate. The 12 commissioner, after consultation with the administrator of the United 13 States environmental protection agency, the administrator of the United 14 States small business administration, the small business stationary 15 source compliance advisory panel and the small business stationary 16 source ombudsman created pursuant to section [one hundred thirty-seven] 17 SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT of the [economic development] EXECUTIVE law, and 18 after providing notice and opportunity for public hearing, may exclude 19 from the program any category or subcategory of sources identified in 20 section 7661f(c) of the Act that the commissioner determines to have 21 sufficient technical and financial capabilities to meet the requirements 22 of the Act without such assistance. The department may designate eligi- 23 bility for assistance based on whether the stationary source has suffi- 24 cient technical and financial capabilities to comply with federal and 25 state law without such assistance. Such program shall include: 26 g. procedures for soliciting input from and exchanging information 27 with the small business stationary source ombudsman created pursuant to 28 section [one hundred thirty-seven] SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT of the 29 [economic development] EXECUTIVE law, regarding compliance requirements 30 for small business stationary sources; 31 3. In developing and implementing the small business stationary source 32 technical and environmental compliance assistance program as required 33 pursuant to subdivision one of this section, the department shall 34 consult with the small business stationary source compliance advisory 35 panel as created pursuant to section 19-0315 of this title and the small 36 business stationary source ombudsman as created pursuant to section [one 37 hundred thirty-seven] SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT of the [economic develop- 38 ment] EXECUTIVE law. 39 S 5. Paragraph i of subdivision 3 of section 97-oo of the state 40 finance law, as added by chapter 608 of the laws of 1993, is amended to 41 read as follows: 42 i. developing and implementing the small business stationary source 43 ombudsman program established pursuant to section [one hundred thirty- 44 seven] SIX HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT of the [economic development] EXECUTIVE 45 law; and 46 S 6. Paragraph f of subdivision 2 and subdivision 3 of section 28-0109 47 of the environmental conservation law, as added by chapter 654 of the 48 laws of 2005, are amended to read as follows: 49 f. procedures for soliciting input [from and exchanging information 50 with the small business pollution prevention and environmental compli- 51 ance ombudsman program created pursuant to section 138 of the economic 52 development law,] regarding pollution prevention opportunities and 53 compliance requirements for small businesses; 54 3. In developing and implementing the small business pollution 55 prevention and environmental compliance assistance program, the depart- 56 ment shall consult with the pollution prevention and environmental A. 2176 10 1 compliance coordinating council as created pursuant to section 28-0111 2 of this article, the environmental facilities corporation[, the small 3 business pollution prevention and environmental compliance ombudsman 4 program as created pursuant to section 138 of the economic development 5 law] and the office of waste prevention services as created pursuant to 6 article 14 of the economic development law. 7 S 7. Subdivision 1 of section 311-a of the executive law, as added by 8 section 4 of part BB of chapter 59 of the laws of 2006, is amended to 9 read as follows: 10 1. There is hereby established within the department of economic 11 development an office of the minority and women-owned business enter- 12 prise statewide advocate. The statewide advocate shall be appointed by 13 the commissioner with the advice of the small business advisory board as 14 established in section [one hundred thirty-three] SIX HUNDRED 15 SIXTY-THREE of the [economic development] EXECUTIVE law and shall serve 16 in the unclassified service of the director. The statewide advocate 17 shall be located in the Albany empire state development office. 18 S 8. This act shall take effect immediately; provided that the renum- 19 bering of section 655 of the executive law made by section two of this 20 act shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed 21 repealed therewith; and provided, further, that the amendments to 22 section 311-a of the executive law made by section seven of this act 23 shall not affect the expiration of such section and shall be deemed 24 repealed therewith.