[§201M-4]  Advisory committee on
small business; consultation process for proposed rules.  (a)  There may be
established within and administratively attached to every department of the
State or county whose rules affect small business activities, an advisory
committee on small business.  The advisory committee shall consist of three or
more odd number of members appointed by the department and may advise more than
one department.  The department shall have the authority to appoint members to
the advisory committee and to fill any vacancies.  The members shall serve on a
volunteer basis and have experience or knowledge of the effect of regulation by
those departments on the formation, operation, or expansion of a small
business.  No person shall serve on the small business regulatory review board
and an advisory committee on small business concurrently.  The advisory
committees shall not be subject to the requirements of chapter 91.



(b)  When the agency is proposing rules that
affect small business, the agency may consult with the administratively
attached departmental advisory committee on small business regarding any matter
related to the proposed rules prior to complying with the rulemaking
requirements provided in chapter 91.  Each agency shall develop its own
internal management procedures for soliciting comments during the drafting of
proposed rules from affected small businesses.  The agency may develop creative
procedures for the solicitation of comments from affected small businesses
during the drafting or development of proposed rules.



(c)  If necessary, any group or members of
affected small businesses may also be consulted by the agency to formulate the
relevant language, develop criteria, and provide any other expertise to ensure
that the proposed rules will be drafted in a manner that will protect the
public health, welfare, and safety without placing an undue and significant
burden upon small business. [L 1998, c 168, pt of §2, §5; am L 2002, c 202, §5]