JEFFERSON CITY -- Small businesses will have a greater voice in state regulation as a result of legislation passed Wednesday by the Missouri General Assembly. Senate Bill 69, sponsored by Sen. Anita Yeckel, R-Sunset Hills, will create a Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board that will provide small business owners with more influence on the creation of new regulations.

"Cooperation among government and business will lead to better rules and regulations," said Sen. Yeckel. "I believe this legislation will turn the tide and begin to create jobs in this state instead of lose them."

Nearly 120,000 small businesses are expected to benefit from the creation of this board.

"Small business owners feel overwhelmed by the impact of state regulations on their business operations," Sen. Yeckel said. "This board will tip the scales in favor of small businesses by offering them a greater opportunity to change a burdensome system."

This new board will 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.

In addition, the committee will conduct hearings and solicit input from small businesses regarding enforcement of regulations by state agencies. The identity of small businesses providing any such input will be kept confidential upon the request of the business.

"I view this bill as economic development legislation," said Sen. Yeckel. "This board will promote the growth of existing small businesses and will foster the start of new businesses."

The board will be made up of two members appointed by the governor, one member appointed by the lieutenant governor, one member who is chair of the minority business advocacy commission, two members appointed by the House of Representatives, two members appointed by the Senate, one member appointed by speaker of the House and one member appointed by the president pro tem of the Senate.

"Small business owners often feel overwhelmed by the impact of state regulations on their business operations," said Sen. Yeckel. "This board will tip the scales in favor of small businesses by offering them a greater voice."

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 business employees was retail trade.

Proprietors' income - a partial measure of small business income - totaled $12.2 billion in 2001, an increase of 3.6 percent over 2000.

"A vibrant and growing small business sector is critical to jump-starting Missouri's sagging economy," Sen. Yeckel said.

Having been passed by the General Assembly, SB 69 has been sent to the governor for his signature.