PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor

Ch. 635

(c)     (1) [Beginning with the 1997 Regular Session of the General Assembly, an]
AN economic impact analysis rating and an economic impact analysis, as appropriate,
shall be prepared by the Department of [ Fiscal] LEGISLATIVE Services for each bill that
is introduced by a member of the General Assembly.

(2) A copy of the economic impact analysis rating and the economic impact
analysis required under this subsection shall be submitted by the Department of [Fiscal]
LEGISLATIVE Services:

(i) to the primary sponsor of the bill; and

(ii) to the committee to which the bill is referred prior to the hearing
on the bill.

(d)     (1) If the appropriate Executive Branch agency or the Department of
[Fiscal] LEGISLATIVE Services determines that a bill will have minimal or no economic
impact on small businesses, the agency or Department [of Fiscal Services] shall indicate
that determination by a brief written statement.

(2)     If the appropriate Executive Branch agency or the Department of
[Fiscal] LEGISLATIVE Services determines that a bill will have a meaningful economic
impact on small businesses, the agency or Department [of Fiscal Services] shall develop
a complete written economic impact analysis.

(3)     (i) If the appropriate Executive Branch agency or the Department of
[Fiscal] LEGISLATIVE Services determines that a bill will have a meaningful economic
impact on small businesses and is unable to provide a complete written economic impact
analysis, the agency or Department [of Fiscal Services] shall provide a written
explanation of why the agency determined that the bill will have a meaningful economic
impact.

(ii) The explanation may identify the impact in general terms and need
not quantify the specific economic impact.

(f) (1) The Executive Branch agency or the Department of [Fiscal]
LEGISLATIVE Services preparing the economic impact analysis rating and the economic
impact analysis required under this section shall consult with, as appropriate:

(i) other units of State government;

(ii) units of local government; and

(iii) business, trade, consumer, labor, and other groups impacted by or
having an interest in the legislation.

(2) On request of the EXECUTIVE Director of the Department of [Fiscal]
LEGISLATIVE Services, a unit of the State or a local government shall provide the
Department [of Fiscal Services] with assistance or information in the preparation of an
economic impact analysis rating and economic impact analysis.

- 3573 -