BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor

3011

A House Joint Resolution concerning

Study Commission on Permits and Licenses

FOR the purpose of requesting the Acting Governor to appoint
a commission to study permits, licenses and
registrations required from Maryland businesses and
make recommendations for consolidation and
simplification.

WHEREAS, There is continuing concern with the number,
complexity and overlap of registrations, permits and
licenses required for various types of business activity, a
problem which is particularly onerous for small business;
and

WHEREAS, Business persons attending the most recent
conference on economic development sponsored by the
Department of Economic and Community Development identified
this problem as an impediment to business growth; and

WHEREAS, As far as State and local government are
concerned, the problem is partially within the control of
the General Assembly; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the
Acting Governor is requested to appoint a Study Commission
on Permits and Licenses to consist of three members of the
Senate, three members of the House of Delegates, one
representative of the Maryland State Chamber of Commerce,
one representative of labor organizations, one consumer
representative, and two members from the public at large,
and, as ex officio, nonvoting members, the Secretaries or
their designees of the Departments of Licensing and
Regulation, Natural Resources, Health and Mental Hygiene,
and Economic and Community Development; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission study required
registrations, permits, and licenses for new businesses,
existing businesses, and expansion of business activities;
consider the feasibility of legislative proposals such as
that in the State of Washington to simplify and consolidate
registration and licensing requirements; review current
State forms and applications required of business with a
view to their reduction and simplificaton; review the
operations of the consolidated permit procedures provided by
Article 78A, Sections 56 through 66, with a view to its
improvement and more effective utilization; and study the
use of multi—service centers as a means to simplify the
burden on small business of compliance with State and local
requirements; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Commission shall issue a report of
its findings, together with any legislative recommendations,
by February 1, 1979; and be it further