Governor Beshear Signs Legislation Creating One-Stop Electronic Business Portal

Press Release

Gov. Steve Beshear today joined members of the Kentucky General Assembly at the state Capitol to sign SB 8 into law, creating a one-stop shop to conduct business in the Commonwealth.

The bill authorizes the establishment of an electronic portal that will serve as a single, unified entry point for business owners to access information about state services and requirements for operating a business in Kentucky. Additionally, the portal will allow Kentucky companies to submit forms and applications, make payments and complete other required transactions as part of doing business in the state.

"SB 8 sends yet another clear message that Kentucky is open for business and that we want to ease as many burdens as possible on our corporate citizens, both large and small," said Gov. Beshear. "The joint effort on the part of several state agencies will provide a streamlined process for Kentucky companies to do business in the state."

As part of SB 8, an advisory committee was created to oversee the implementation of the one-stop business portal. The committee is comprised of the Secretary of State; secretary of the Governor's Executive Cabinet; secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet; secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development; secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet; secretary of the Public Protection Cabinet; secretary of the Transportation Cabinet; secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet; and the secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet.

A complete assessment and recommendations for the portal are due from the advisory committee by Dec. 31, 2011.

"As a small business owner, I know how important it is to streamline the way Kentucky business work with the Commonwealth," stated Secretary of State Elaine Walker. "I see One Stop as a great opportunity for the Governor and me to create more jobs here in Kentucky."

"The Kentucky Business One-Stop web portal seeks to minimize the reporting burden for Kentucky businesses and maximize government efficiency," said. Sen. David Givens, of Greensburg. "My legislation establishes the portal, targets the effort toward high-use, readily implemented filings and requires that elements of the Internet-based, interactive system be functional before July of 2012. With this digital foundation established, government can nimbly meet the changing needs of business with less administrative cost."

"Secretary of State Elaine Walker knows how to create jobs and how to run a business," said Rep. Ruth Ann Palumbo, of Lexington. "She used her experience to skillfully fine-tune the One-Stop legislation to enable small businesses across Kentucky to save time and money."

To read SB 8 in its entirety visit http://www.lrc.ky.gov/record/11RS/SB8.htm.

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