In addition to other responsibilities under this article, the advocate shall do the following:

(a) Be prepared for designation by the Office of Emergency Services to serve as an official liaison between small businesses impacted by a state-declared state of emergency and other government and nonprofit service providers.

(b) Assist in the state emergency recovery, response, and preparedness efforts related to small businesses, including microenterprises. The advocate’s efforts shall be coordinated and consistent with the Office of Emergency Services, the California Emergency Services Act, and the State of California Emergency Plan.

(c) Conduct at least one public meeting every year, in coordination with the appropriate state agencies, to share best practices for small business disaster preparedness. The meetings shall be held in consultation with regional and statewide small business organizations and shall take place in different locations throughout the state.

(Amended by Stats. 2021, Ch. 50, Sec. 32. (AB 378) Effective January 1, 2022.)