Senate Unanimously Passes Metzger's Bill to Help Small Businesses Access Information and Avoid Costly Penalties

Albany, NY…A package of legislation to boost New York small businesses passed in the Senate this week, including a bill State Senator Jen Metzger introduced (S6800A) that requires Empire State Development (ESD) to issue an annual small business compliance guide explaining any new rules, regulations, and laws affecting small businesses. The legislation, passed unanimously, also requires ESD to conduct a public awareness campaign about any regulatory changes.

“Too often, small businesses are in the dark about regulations that affect them due to inadequate communication from state agencies, and could end up facing penalties that could have been avoided if they were better informed," said Senator Jen Metzger (SD-42). "This legislation will ensure that our small businesses have access to the information they need to comply."

Other bills passed by the Senate to support small businesses, which were co-sponsored by Metzger, include: 

• Small Business Regional Revolving Fund: This bill, S844A, renames the “Regional Revolving Loan Program” to the “Small Business Regional Revolving Fund” and allows the fund to be used for new loans for microenterprises and refinancing of existing loans.
• Small Business Assistance Programs List: This bill, S7350, directs Empire State Development to compile and maintain a list of small business assistance programs and have it available on their website.
• Department of State Confirmation Receipts: This bill, S7355A, requires the Department of State to send confirmation receipts by mail and email, as well as include contact information of relevant regional offices and resources available to support and assist new businesses.
• Small Business Liaison: This bill, S7357, directs five state agencies, (Departments of Agriculture & Markets, Environmental Conservation, Transportation, Labor and Taxation & Finance) to appoint an existing employee as the small business liaison to serve as the primary contact for business looking to interact with the agency.
• Revising On-Bill Recovery Loan Processes: This bill, S6331, allows a revised On-Bill Recovery loan transferability process in the Green Jobs – Green New York Program, eliminating a recording requirement and reducing costs associated with the program.