S.B. 810                                                  VETOES

(e)     (1) The Secretary shall appoint a board of 17 members to advise the
Secretary.

(2)     The board shall consist of the following representatives and represent all
regions under subsection (a) of this section:

(i) 3 representatives of the Department;

(ii) 1 representative from the Maryland Chamber of Commerce who
owns a small business, as defined under this subtitle;

(iii) 1 representative of the National Federation of Independent
Business, who shall reside in Maryland and who shall own a small business;

(iv) 1 representative of the federal Small Business Administration;

(v) 1 representative from a local chamber of commerce in each region,
who owns a small business;

(vi) 3 owners of small businesses from the State at large who shall
reside in Maryland; and

(vii) 2 representatives of local government.

(3)     The Secretary shall designate a chairperson from among the members.

(4)     The advisory board shall:

(i) Identify issues and concerns of small businesses;

(ii) Advise the Department AND THE COMMISSION on problems
affecting small businesses;

(iii) Serve as a general advocate for small businesses; and

(iv) Review the progress and effectiveness of each center's program
and make recommendations on the criteria and selection of contractors.

(5)     Each member of the advisory board shall serve without compensation
but shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel
Regulations.

(f)      The Department shall provide assistance to small businesses, including:

(1) Operation of an information exchange covering current and new
technical information and data concerning business investment and marketing trends in
this State, management techniques, technological assistance, administrative methods,
production techniques, product developments, federal . and State legislation and
regulations affecting small business, and any other news or information helpful to small
businesses; and

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