Regulatory fairness board seeks public testimony

The board will hold the hearing 10 a.m.–12 p.m. May 1 at the Harry S. Truman Building, 301 W. High, in Jefferson City. Those interested in the event must register by April 26.

Officials from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Office of Administration Division of Purchasing also will testify at the hearing on their approaches to regulatory fairness.

Following the hearing, the board will include all testimony in its annual report to Gov. Matt Blunt and the legislature that evaluates state agency performance and makes recommendations regarding regulatory fairness.

All oral testimony will be limited to five minutes, and openings will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Walk-in testimony will be allowed if time permits.

To register, fill out a form at the board’s Web site, www.sbrfb.ded.mo.gov, send an e-mail to sbrfb@ded.mo.gov or call (866) 719-1401.

Written testimony should be sent via e-mail or by regular mail to the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Missouri Department of Economic Development, PO Box 118, Jefferson City, MO, 65102, by April 24.

The board was established by the Missouri General Assembly in 2004 and given additional powers and responsibilities in 2005. Its purpose is to ensure that small-business owners have a voice in the development of rules and regulations by state agencies.

Small businesses are defined as companies with 100 or fewer employees.