Section 324.5704 - Office of ombudsman; responsibilities and dutiesThe office of the ombudsman is responsible for assessing and ensuring that the goals of the program are being met and in addition shall coordinate or do all of the following:
(a) Conduct independent evaluations of all aspects of the program.(b) Review and provide comments and recommendations to the United States environmental protection agency and state and local air pollution control authorities regarding the development and implementation of requirements that impact small businesses.(c) Facilitate and promote the participation of small businesses in the development of rules that impact small businesses.(d) Assist in providing reports to the governor and legislature and the public regarding the applicability of the requirements of this part, part 55, and the clean air act to small business.(e) Aid in the dissemination of information, including, but not limited to, air pollution requirements and control technologies, to small businesses and other interested parties.(f) Participate in or sponsor meetings and conferences with state and local regulatory officials, industry groups, and small business representatives.(g) Aid in investigating and resolving complaints and disputes from small businesses against the state or local air pollution control authorities, or both.(h) Periodically review the work and services provided by the program with trade associations and representatives of small business.(i) Refer small businesses to the appropriate specialist in the program where they may obtain information and assistance on affordable alternative technologies, process changes, and products and operational methods to help reduce air pollution and accidental releases.(j) Arrange for and assist in the preparation of guideline documents by the program and ensure that the language is readily understandable by laypersons.(k) Work with trade associations and small businesses to bring about voluntary compliance with the clean air act and part 55.(l) Work with regional and state offices of the small business administration, the United States department of commerce and state department of commerce, and other federal and state agencies that may have programs to financially assist small businesses in need of funds to comply with environmental requirements.(m) Work with private sector financial institutions to assist small businesses in locating sources of funds to comply with state and local air pollution control requirements.(n) Conduct studies to evaluate the impacts of the clean air act and part 55 on the state's economy, local economies, and small businesses.(o) Work with other states to establish a network for sharing information on small businesses and their efforts to comply with the clean air act and the pertinent air pollution act for their state.(p) Make recommendations to the department and the legislature concerning the reduction of any fee required under the clean air act or part 55 to take into account the financial resources of small businesses.1994, Act 451, Eff. 3/30/1995 .