(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.