Rules Committee forwards narrow change to Small Business Commission duties to full board

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors Rules Committee voted unanimously April 10 to send to the full board an amendment to Administrative Code section 2.8.24 changing the Small Business Commission's duty during Small Business Month from "recognize outstanding contributions by small businesses" to coordinating activities that encourage the public to support small businesses in San Francisco.

Board President Aaron Peskin, who introduced the item, described it as "a relatively small change to section 2 8.24 of the administrative code as it relates to the powers and duties of the Small Business Commission," and said the revision was done in coordination with Katie Tang, director of the Office of Small Business. Peskin said the amendment broadens the commission's role so the city can better promote small-business support during Small Business Month.

Victor Young, the committee clerk, read the ordinance to the committee and outlined that the proposed language replaces the more prescriptive, event-application requirement with a directive for the department to coordinate supportive activities. Committee members had no substantive questions and there was no public comment on the item.

Chair Supervisor Matt Dorsey moved to forward the item to the full board with a positive recommendation; the motion passed unanimously on voice/roll call votes by Vice Chair Shimon Walton, Supervisor Asha Safai and Chair Dorsey. The item will proceed to the Board of Supervisors for further consideration.

The measure revises how the city directs the Small Business Commission to support Small Business Month but does not itself create a specific program or funding; the committee record indicates staff from the Office of Small Business will be available to work with the board on implementation details.