PRINTER'S NO. 1417
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1209
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY SOLOMON, CHARLTON, CALTAGIRONE, DRISCOLL, RYAN,
SIMS, WARD, V. BROWN, BARRAR, BULLOCK, HELM, MILLARD,
SCHLOSSBERG, READSHAW, DAVIS, MURT, MEHAFFIE, ROZZI, MADDEN,
DOWLING AND ROEBUCK, APRIL 12, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, APRIL 12, 2017
AN ACT
Amending the act of June 27, 1996 (P.L.403, No.58), entitled "An
act to enhance community and economic development in this
Commonwealth by restructuring certain administrative
functions and entities; changing the name of the Department
of Commerce to the Department of Community and Economic
Development; transferring functions of the Department of
Community Affairs into the Department of Community and
Economic Development and other agencies; providing for a
Deputy Secretary for Community Affairs and Development in the
Department of Community and Economic Development;
establishing the Center for Local Government Services and the
Local Government Advisory Committee; establishing the Small
Business Advocacy Council; conferring powers and duties on
the Legislative Reference Bureau; and making repeals,"
establishing the Bureau of Business Assistance and providing
for its powers and duties.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of June 27, 1996 (P.L.403, No.58), known
as the Community and Economic Development Enhancement Act, is
amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 17
BUREAU OF BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Section 1701. Definitions.
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The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Bureau." The Bureau of Business Assistance established
under section 1702.
"Business liaison." An employee of the bureau who serves as
a single point of contact between the Commonwealth and a
business or a person seeking to start a business in this
Commonwealth.
Section 1702. Bureau of Business Assistance.
(a) Establishment.--The Bureau of Business Assistance is
established in the department to provide guidance and resources
regarding doing business in this Commonwealth to all of the
following:
(1) A business located in this Commonwealth.
(2) A person seeking to start a business in this
Commonwealth.
(3) A business seeking to relocate to this Commonwealth.
(b) Offices.--The bureau shall consist of the following
offices:
(1) The Office of Small Business Assistance, which shall
assist businesses with 100 or fewer employees.
(2) The Office of Large Business Assistance, which shall
assist businesses with over 100 employees.
Section 1703. Business liaisons.
(a) General rule.--Within the Office of Small Business
Assistance and the Office of Large Business Assistance, the
bureau shall employ business liaisons.
(b) Powers and duties.--A business liaison shall have the
following powers and duties:
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(1) Assist a business in applying for and navigating a
tax credit, grant, rebate or other assistance program
established by the department.
(2) Assist a business in complying with a State law or
regulation.
(3) Assist a business in paying an appropriate tax or
fee.
(4) Work with a Commonwealth agency, commission or
political subdivision to assist a business.
Section 1704. Report.
The bureau shall submit a report on January 1 of each year to
the Senate and the House of Representatives on the following:
(1) The number of businesses served by the bureau over
the past year, including a breakdown of small businesses
versus large businesses.
(2) The types of businesses assisted.
(3) The types of assistance provided.
(4) An estimate of the number of new jobs created by
businesses that used the bureau's services.
(5) Recommendations, if any, to increase cooperation
among Commonwealth agencies and political subdivisions on
business assistance matters.
(6) Findings on why businesses opted not to relocate to
this Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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