Governor Hochul Signs Kaplan's Legislation Supporting New York Small Businesses

CARLE PLACE, NY (December 2, 2021) - Governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of legislation authored by Senator Anna M. Kaplan (D-North Hills) that will help small business owners to cut through red tape and navigate State Government bureaucracy, and ensure that every small business owner is aware of the free resources that are available to them. The first bill, S.33/A.3456, will create a small business liaison within the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Environmental Conservation, Labor, Transportation, and Taxation and Finance to assist and advocate for small businesses. The second bill, S.113a/A.6508a requires New York’s Secretary of State to send a list of helpful resources for small businesses to anyone who files a new business name or new LLC name.

"After helping my mom start a flower shop, I know how much hard work and dedication it takes to operate a small business," Governor Hochul said. "Small businesses have been hit hard over the past two years, and New York must do everything in our power to help them survive - and thrive. This legislative package will ensure State government can continue to be a partner and an advocate for small businesses across New York."

State Senator Anna M. Kaplan, Chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business, said, "Small businesses have it hard enough as it is, so as a government, we need to do as much as we can to make life easier for them, and help them to access all the vital programs and services that are available. By creating small business liaisons within State agencies, and providing every new business with a list of resources available to them, we can help small business owners to better navigate bureaucracy, and have the best chance at success."

The first bill, S.33/A.3456,

• Amends the State Administrative Procedure Act to create a small business liaison within the Departments of Agriculture and Markets, Environmental Conservation, Labor, Transportation, and Taxation and Finance by designating an existing employee to serve in this capacity.
• The liaison will assist small businesses in a variety of ways such as serving as the primary contact for small business, being equipped with basic information on the agency, helping small businesses navigate the agency bureaucracy, hearing and reporting concerns of small business, advocating within the agency on behalf of small businesses, initiating and encouraging small business education and outreach on behalf of the agency, and collaborating with agency staff on any small business regulation.

The second bill, S.113a/A.6508a,

• Amends the Business Corporation Law and the Limited Liability Corporation Law by requiring additional information to be sent by the Secretary of State along with the confirmation receipt that is delivered upon filing of a new business name or new LLC name.
• Included with the confirmation will be information on some of the many small business support programs offered by New York State including but not limited to contact information for the regional NYS Small Business Development Center, regional NYS Entrepreneurship Assistance Center, Business Mentor NY, and NYS Empire State Development. 

Assemblymember John T. McDonald said, "One of the issues that I hear about consistently from small business owners and work to assist them with is cutting through red tape so they can work to keep their business afloat while complying with an ever-changing regulatory landscape. By designating a small business liaison for these state agencies, there is a clear point of contact and person who can assist business owners in navigating the bureaucracy. As an experienced small business owner, I understand the unique challenges that small businesses face and this consistent communication will also benefit the agency in its operations as well. This law will provide a much needed resource to our small business owners to ensure that they know where to go when they are dealing with an issue and allow them to address it in a timely manner, leaving them more time to grow their business which will boost our economy. Thank you to Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this measure into law and for supporting our small businesses."

Assemblymember Al Stirpe said, "The development of new businesses is vital for the state's economy and New York has many remarkable resources available for start-up companies. As the chair of the Assembly Small Business Committee, I know that businesses often need the most support during their first stages. This new law will allow for crucial contact information including but not limited to the regional NYS Small Business Development Center, regional NYS Entrepreneurship Assistance Center, Business Mentor NY, and NYS Empire State Development to be sent directly to new businesses; helping ensure New York's incredible business development programs are utilized to the fullest. I want to thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law."

S.33 takes effect immediately, and S.113 takes effect in sixty days.