AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY COUNCIL

This bill updates the membership structure of Rhode Island's Small Business Advocacy Council to ensure broader representation of small business owners and nonprofit leaders. It increases the total number of public members from ten to twenty-one, requiring that all public members be officers, partners, or proprietors of small businesses or nonprofits as defined by federal standards. The legislation also adjusts appointment terms and processes, specifying that members serve three-year terms starting in June and detailing which state officials appoint specific representatives. Additionally, the bill clarifies that council members receive no compensation for their service while allowing the council to request necessary administrative support.