JEFFERSON CITY -- The Senate Financial and Governmental Organization, Veterans' Affairs and Elections Committee today approved economic development legislation sponsored by Sen. Anita Yeckel, R-Sunset Hills, which would give small businesses a greater voice in state regulations.

Senate Bill 69 would create a Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board within the Department of Economic Development. This board would provide state agencies with input on proposed small business rules, consider requests from small business owners for review of agency rules, and make recommendations to state agencies and the General Assembly regarding the need for a rule or legislation.

"This bill holds government accountable for the rules it makes for small business," said Sen. Yeckel. "Nearly 120,000 small businesses would benefit from the creation of this board."

Modeled after an existing federal panel, the state fairness board would review regulations before agencies implement them in order to ensure proposed rules serve a necessary purpose without imposing an unfair burden on business.

The board would consist of nine members, all of whom would be current or former business owners. The governor and the chairman of the House and Senate small business committees would each name two members. The lieutenant governor, Senate president pro tem and House speaker would pick one member each. Board members would not be paid, would meet at least twice a year to review regulations and recommend changes to agencies.

"Small businesses often feel overwhelmed by the impact of state regulations on their business operations," Sen. Yeckel said. "This board would even the playing field."

The board would also conduct public hearings that would provide small businesses with a greater voice in the creation of new regulations.

"It's critical that Missouri maintain a thriving small business community," said Sen. Yeckel. "This legislation will do that."

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, small businesses employed 1,164,560 or 49.5 percent of Missouri's 2,350,965 employees (non-farm private sector) in 1999. The industry with the most small businesses was retail trade.

SB 69 will now be sent to the Senate floor for debate.