ARTICLE 29. EXPEDITIOUS ISSUANCE OF LICENSES BY REGULATORY AGENCIES.

§5-29-1. Purpose of article.

The purpose of this article is to provide for more expeditious and efficient issuance of permits, licenses or certificates by state regulatory agencies to business entities that are in good standing in the payment of taxes and other obligations to the state. For the purposes of this article, a business entity in good standing is one that:

(1) Has conducted commercial activities in this state for at least two years;

(2) Has paid any business tax, workers' compensation or unemployment compensation premiums due in the preceding two years; and

(3) Has not engaged in activities for which any claim of a substantial violation of any statute or rule has occurred in the previous two years.

§5-29-2. Regulatory agencies to study expedited permits, licenses and certificates; reports to the Legislature.

(a) The following regulatory agencies shall study, review and develop a plan for expediting the issuance and renewal of permits, licenses and certificates for business entities in good standing:

(1) Division of labor;

(2) The office of miners' health, safety and training;

(3) The Division of Forestry;

(4) The Office of Health Facilities Licensure and Certification; and

(5) The Department of Environmental Protection excepting the oil and gas inspectors' examining board.

(b) On or before December 1, 2004, each agency to which this article applies shall file a report with the joint standing committee on government organization, setting forth the findings of its study, its plan to expedite the issuance and renewal of permits, licenses and certificates to business entities in good standing, and its recommendations for any legislation required to meet the purposes of this article.