Sec. 28. (a) As used in this section, “ombudsman” refers to the small business ombudsman designated under IC 5-28-17-6.

     (b) The ombudsman:

(1) shall review a proposed rule that imposes requirements or costs on small businesses (as defined in IC 4-22-2.1-4); and

(2) may review a proposed rule that imposes requirements or costs on businesses other than small businesses (as defined in IC 4-22-2.1-4).

After conducting a review under subdivision (1) or (2), the ombudsman may suggest alternatives to reduce any regulatory burden that the proposed rule imposes on small businesses or other businesses. The agency that intends to adopt the proposed rule shall respond in writing to the ombudsman concerning the ombudsman’s comments or suggested alternatives before adopting the proposed rule under section 29 of this chapter.

As added by P.L.31-1985, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.44-1995, SEC.6; P.L.17-1996, SEC.3; P.L.240-2003, SEC.2; P.L.4-2005, SEC.20; P.L.188-2005, SEC.2; P.L.226-2005, SEC.1; P.L.123-2006, SEC.7; P.L.110-2010, SEC.2; P.L.291-2013, SEC.6; P.L.187-2014, SEC.9; P.L.53-2014, SEC.59; P.L.5-2015, SEC.7; P.L.237-2017, SEC.8; P.L.249-2023, SEC.27; P.L.9-2024, SEC.99; P.L.93-2024, SEC.13.