Section 40448 Of Article 4. General Powers And Duties From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 26. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 5.5. >> Article 4.
40448
. (a) The south coast district shall maintain an office of
public advisor and small business assistance to provide
administrative and technical services and information to small
businesses and the public. The executive officer shall appoint the
public advisor.
(b) The office shall facilitate and encourage compliance by small
businesses with the rules and regulations of the south coast
district, assist small businesses in applying for permits and
variances, and facilitate the participation of small businesses in
the development of rules and regulations and in other proceedings of
the south coast district. The office shall provide information on the
economic impact of the rules and regulations of the south coast
district on small businesses in the south coast district. The office
shall make available to small businesses information regarding
alternative processes, cleaner fuels and solvents, and low-cost
financing for air pollution control equipment. Upon receiving
findings and recommendations from the public advisor, the south coast
district board shall endeavor to coordinate compliance schedules
with the availability to small businesses of financing for pollution
control equipment and other measures to reduce emissions.
(c) The office shall assure effective communication with
interested groups and the public through means such as maintaining a
staffing level adequate to respond to requests for its services and
providing toll-free telephone lines. The office shall facilitate
effective participation by all interested groups and the public in
the development of rules and regulations and the plan and in the
discharge of other responsibilities of the south coast district by
assuring that, consistent with the express requirements of this
chapter, Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 40725), Chapter 8
(commencing with Section 40800), and Chapter 10 (commencing with
Section 40910), timely and complete notice of all proceedings of the
south coast district board and the hearing board is disseminated to
all interested groups and the public. Upon request, the office shall
advise interested groups and the public as to effective ways of
participating in these proceedings, provide more extensive
information on any item on an agenda, and make referrals to sources
of expert advice and assistance on the district staff and elsewhere.
Upon request, the office shall obtain and make available the public
record of any aspect of, or particular action taken at, these
proceedings. The office shall recommend to the south coast district
board and the hearing board additional measures to assure open
consideration and public participation in all proceedings.
(d) As used in this section:
(1) "Public" has the same meaning as "person," as defined in
Section 39047.
(2) "Proceedings" means any hearing, workshop, conference, or
meeting which is held or conducted by the south coast district board,
the hearing board, any committee of either board, or district staff,
at which attendance by the public is allowed or required.