§474-3 General functions; powers and duties. The center shall have the following functions, powers, and duties:

(1) Accept permit and license applications and associated fees on behalf of participating agencies in accordance with agreements reached with these agencies;

(2) Provide comprehensive information on permits and licenses required for business activities in the State;

(3) Facilitate contacts between the applicant and state agencies with permit and license functions;

(4) Research, compile, and maintain a file of state and federal laws and rules and county ordinances and rules applicable to the various business activities for which permits and licenses are required, including but not limited to laws relating to employer requirements in such areas as state taxes, workers' compensation, and unemployment insurance;

(5) Research, compile, and maintain a file of various financial assistance programs available for business activities in the State;

(6) Encourage and facilitate the cooperation and participation of federal and county government agencies in permit and license coordination;

(7) Promote and publicize the center's services to the public, and provide information on its services for inclusion in any public informational material for permits and licenses provided by a state agency;

(8) Make recommendations to state agencies for eliminating, consolidating, simplifying, expediting, or otherwise improving permit and license procedures affecting business activities;

(9) Adopt rules, procedures, instructions, and forms as are necessary to carry out the functions, powers, and duties of the center; and

(10) Accept credit card payments and facsimile or digitized signatures for business permit, license, or registration filing fees, as authorized by the issuing agency. [L 2005, c 62, pt of §2]