1. 1. There is created within the office of governor a small business ombudsman who shall:

   1. (1) Monitor the small business technical assistance program established in section 643.173;
   2. (2) Advise and assist small businesses regulated under sections 643.010 to 643.190;
   3. (3) Recommend to the committee and the commission appropriate changes in the rules which would facilitate small business compliance with sections 643.010 to 643.190;
   4. (4) Receive and review complaints about the administration of sections 643.010 to 643.190 as such administration affects small business; and
   5. (5) Issue a report with recommendations to the department within one hundred twenty days of receiving a complaint from a small business. The department shall take action to remedy the complaint and notify the ombudsman of its action within thirty days of receipt or submit a written explanation of its reasons for not complying with the recommendations of the ombudsman.
2. 2. The small business ombudsman shall be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the senate for a term of office which shall be concurrent with that of the governor. The ombudsman may be reappointed. A vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(L. 1992 S.B. 544)