§2062. Louisiana Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel

A. There is hereby established and created a statewide advisory panel to be known as the Louisiana Small Business Compliance Advisory Panel. The panel shall be a body politic and corporate constituting a public instrumentality of the state established and created for the performance of an essential public and governmental function. The panel shall be a function and responsibility of the Department of Environmental Quality.

B. The panel shall have the power to:

(1) Render advisory opinions to the Department of Environmental Quality on the effectiveness of the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program, with regard to any difficulties encountered, and the degree and severity of enforcement, including the effectiveness of the small business ombudsman, and any rules and regulations adopted by the department that may affect small business.

(2) Prepare periodic reports to the Environmental Protection Agency on the compliance status of the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Assistance Program following the intent of the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, and the Equal Access to Justice Act.

(3) Review information for small business stationary sources to assure such information is understandable to the layperson.

(4) Have the Small Business Stationary Source Technical and Environmental Compliance Program serve as the secretariat for the development and dissemination of such reports and advisory opinions.

C. The panel shall be comprised of eight members, seven of whom shall be selected as follows:

(1) Two members who are not owners or representatives of owners of small business stationary sources to represent the general public, to be designated by the governor.

(2) One member representing the Department of Environmental Quality, to be designated by the secretary thereof.

(3) Two members who are owners or representatives of owners of small business stationary sources, to be designated by the speaker of the House of Representatives.

(4) Two members who are owners or representatives of owners of small business stationary sources, to be designated by the president of the Senate.

(5) The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, ex officio, shall serve in a nonvoting capacity.

D. Each appointment shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation and shall serve for a term of no more than four years, to run concurrently with that of the governor.

E. For purposes of conducting business of the panel, four members shall be a quorum.

F. All meetings of the panel shall be held in accordance with R.S. 42:11 et seq.

G. The panel shall continue until its existence shall be ended by law. Upon the termination of the existence of the panel, all of its rights and properties shall pass to and vest in the state.

Acts 1992, No. 1037, §1.