Business Information Center (language only)

Item 92 #1h

Language
Page 62, line 8, before "It" insert "A."
Page 62, after line 21, insert:
"B.1.  The Secretary of Commerce and Trade shall coordinate a study on the development of a web-based system to provide Virginians and Virginia small businesses with information of interest to small businesses on state services, incentives, regulations, and taxation.  The study shall involve the Secretaries of Finance, Natural Resources, and Technology; the Departments of Business Assistance, Minority Business Enterprise, Technology Planning, Environmental Quality, General Services, and Taxation; the Virginia Employment Commission; and other state agencies designated by the Secretary of Commerce and Trade.
2.  The study's scope shall include, but not be limited to, (1) identifying existing web sites and databases that are of interest to small and minority-owned businesses; (2) identifying appropriate links to other nonstate web sites, including federal and local government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities; (3) developing the necessary protocols to ensure that each participating agency regularly updates its databases and that the most current information is available to this system; and (4) determining the costs, in terms of equipment, staff, software, and other nonpersonal services, necessary to develop and maintain the web-based system.  The study shall examine and evaluate the experience of other states with similar systems.
3.  The operating principle of this web-based system is that it provides access to information by linking users with the state and nonstate entities responsible for developing the information, providing the service, or implementing the regulation.  The web-based system shall not serve as a research service or as an ombudsman for small businesses.
4.  Funding of $150,000 for the study is appropriated to the Departments of Business Assistance and Minority Business Enterprise.  An interim report shall be provided to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees prior to the 2001 Session of the General Assembly."

Explanation
(This amendment directs the Secretary of Commerce and Trade to coordinate a study of the development of a web-based system to address the information needs of small businesses, specifically on issues of services to business, incentives, regulations, and taxation. An interim report to the General Assembly is due before the 2001 Session. $150,000 appropriation is provided in companion amendments to the Departments of Business Assistance and Minority Business Enterprise to pay for the study.)