Section 4007.9 - Small Business Ombudsman(a) There is hereby established an Office of Small Business Ombudsman within the Department of Environmental Protection for the purpose of serving as the confidential primary point of contact for small business on issues relating to compliance with this act and the Clean Air Act.(b) The Office of Small Business Ombudsman shall perform all functions necessary to implement the requirements of section 507(a)(3) of the Clean Air Act. The Office of Small Business Ombudsman shall perform all of the following functions to the extent they are consistent with the guidelines developed by the Environmental Protection Agency: (1) Solicit input from small businesses regarding compliance with this act and the Clean Air Act and interact with organizations representing small businesses, including Small Business Development Centers, the Small Business Administration, industry and trade associations and other entities.(2) Provide guidance and recommendations to the department on the development of the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program.(3) Make recommendations to the department regarding the content and operation of the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program.(4) Collect and distribute information and materials on the requirements of this act and the Clean Air Act.(5) Report to the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program on problems and difficulties experienced by small businesses in complying with this act and the Clean Air Act.(6) Serve on the Compliance Advisory Committee established by section 7.8. (7) Conduct independent evaluations of all aspects of the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program.(8) Review and provide comments and recommendations to the Environmental Protection Agency and department regarding the development and implementation of regulations that impact small businesses.(9) Arrange for and assist in the preparation of guidance documents by the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program to ensure that the language is readily understandable by the layperson.(10) Assist small businesses in locating sources of funding for compliance with the requirements of this act and the Clean Air Act.(c) The Office of Small Business Ombudsman shall report annually to the Governor and General Assembly on the effectiveness of the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program and other issues relating to the impact of the Clean Air Act implementation on small businesses in the Commonwealth.(d) For each proposed rulemaking significantly affecting small businesses, the Office of Small Business Ombudsman shall prepare a report which contains a detailed analysis of the economic impact of such proposed rulemaking on small businesses. The economic impact report shall be completed no later than ninety (90) days from the date that the board approves the proposed rulemaking and shall be submitted to the board for consideration prior to approval of the final rulemaking package, provided the report is available within the time period prescribed by this section. The department shall provide the ombudsman with a reasonable opportunity to revise the report to reflect any proposed substantial change in the rulemaking which affects the initial report.(e) The report shall include, but not be limited to:(1) An analysis of the economic impact of the selected control strategies on small business.(2) Data on comparable regulatory programs or plans administered by other states.(3) An assessment of the economic impact of alternative control strategies.(4) All other information that the Office of Small Business Ombudsman considers necessary for the board's review.(f) All equipment, files, records, contracts, agreements and all other materials and supplies which are used, employed or expended by the Office of Small Business Ombudsman shall be transferred to the Department of Environmental Protection.1960, Jan. 8, P.L. (1959) 2119, § 7.9, added 1992, July 9, P.L. 460, No. 95, § 9, imd. effective. Amended 1996, Dec. 18, P.L. 1150, No. 174, § 1, imd. effective.