1. (a) If an agency intends to adopt a rule under IC 4-22-2 that will impose requirements or costs on small businesses, the agency shall prepare a statement that describes the annual economic impact of a rule on all small businesses after the rule is fully implemented. The statement required by this section must include the following:

   1. (1) An estimate of the number of small businesses, classified by industry sector, that will be subject to the proposed rule.
   2. (2) An estimate of the average annual reporting, record keeping, and other administrative costs that small businesses will incur to comply with the proposed rule.
   3. (3) An estimate of the total annual economic impact that compliance with the proposed rule will have on all small businesses subject to the rule.

   4. (4) A statement justifying any requirement or cost that is:

      1. (A) imposed on small businesses by the rule; and

      2. (B) not expressly required by:

         1. (i) the statute authorizing the agency to adopt the rule; or

         2. (ii) any other state or federal law.

            The statement required by this subdivision must include a reference to any data, studies, or analyses relied upon by the agency in determining that the imposition of the requirement or cost is necessary.

   5. (5) A regulatory flexibility analysis that considers any less intrusive or less costly alternative methods of achieving the purpose of the proposed rule. The analysis under this subdivision must consider the following methods of minimizing the economic impact of the proposed rule on small businesses:

      1. (A) The establishment of less stringent compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses.
      2. (B) The establishment of less stringent schedules or deadlines for compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses.
      3. (C) The consolidation or simplification of compliance or reporting requirements for small businesses.
      4. (D) The establishment of performance standards for small businesses instead of design or operational standards imposed on other regulated entities by the rule.

      5. (E) The exemption of small businesses from part or all of the requirements or costs imposed by the rule.

         If the agency has made a preliminary determination not to implement one (1) or more of the alternative methods considered, the agency shall include a statement explaining the agency's reasons for the determination, including a reference to any data, studies, or analyses relied upon by the agency in making the determination.

2. (b) The agency shall submit a copy of the notice of the first public comment period and regulatory analysis published under IC 4-22-2-23 to the small business ombudsman not later than the publication of the notice of the first public comment period.

As added by P.L.188-2005, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.1-2006, SEC.75; P.L.123-2006, SEC.17; P.L.110-2010, SEC.5; P.L.187-2014, SEC.11; P.L.109-2015, SEC.16; P.L.249-2023, SEC.40; P.L.93-2024, SEC.18.