Rule-Making Responsibility
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s Small Business Ombudsman has several duties described in Indiana Code (IC) 5-28-17-6 to benefit both state agencies and small businesses that are regulated by state law. When state agencies move to change or update a rule, including changing a temporary to a permanent rule, the Ombudsman is responsible to review the rule change and give a recommendation based on the impact on Indiana small businesses.
For more information about rulemaking, please visit: https://www.in.gov/omb/management-circulars/rule-approval-process/
Coordination Between Agencies and Businesses
The Ombudsman is responsible for coordinating common sense first-time exemptions to violations of state rules, mediating between small businesses and the relevant state agency. Also, the Ombudsman is a resource for small businesses to connect to state agencies. Some of the specific examples of support are as follows:
1. Work with state agencies to permit increased enforcement flexibility and the ability to grant common sense exemptions for first time offenders of state rules and policies, including, notwithstanding any other law, policies for the compromise of interest and penalties related to a listed tax (as defined in IC 6-8.1-1-1) and other taxes and fees collected or administered by a state agency.
2. Work with state agencies to seek ways to consolidate forms and eliminate the duplication of paperwork, harmonize data, and coordinate due dates.
3. Work with state agencies to monitor any outdated, ineffective, or overly burdensome information requests from state agencies to small businesses.
4. Investigate and attempt to resolve any matter regarding compliance by a small business with a law, rule, or policy administered by a state agency, either as a party to a proceeding or as a mediator.
Please contact the Small Business Ombudsman with questions on the rulemaking process or maintaining compliance with the laws and regulations of the state of Indiana.
IEDC Small Business Ombudsman
IEDCOmbudsman@iedc.in.gov