There may be an inestimable cost to small businesses as a result of this proposed rule.
The fiscal note for SB 27 (2024), which enacted the commission, captured the originally anticipated fiscal impacts of commission implementation.
Through SB 27 (2024), funding from the state was authorized to pay a per diem to anyone who serves on the commission or one of its committees.
Therefore, any small business that has an employee who spends work hours at commission or committee meetings may submit an invoice for the per diem payments, potentially rendering a reimbursement for applicable salary costs that could render these costs a net zero.
However, other potential costs to small businesses related to this proposed rule may include loss of productivity and travel for employees of the small business who serve on the commission or a committee.
The state cannot further estimate productivity and billable hour cost because of the large variability of individuals who could participate in the commission or on a committee, the potential job discretions that could include a caseload or number of individuals the individual could serve if not attending a meeting, and the costs of the services that could otherwise be offered during that time.
Additionally, the state cannot estimate travel costs because each commission or committee member may be traveling from a different location or through a different means of transportation.
Most small businesses have not requested a per diem over the past two years, but reimbursement is available if they choose that course of action.
Aside from the reimbursement accounted for through SB 27's (2024) fiscal note, there are no anticipated savings.
