BIGPP Act

Introduction​

The entrepreneurially spirited citizens of Los Santos have been abandoned and ignored for too long. Having waited patiently for the direction, tools and support they desperately need to kickstart the rebuild of the Los Santos County Business Sector, today through the BIGPP act the foundation will be established for a bright and sustainable future for business in this county.

Purpose Statement​

The purpose of this act is to reimagine a broken, mismanaged and misguided business registration, licensing and operation system implemented by past administrations. The act will establish a clear process for applying for a business, and formally establish expectations and service standards in terms of response to applications, application decision appeals, as well as pre- and post-application support aiding entrepreneurs from cradle-to-grave.

Constitutional Justification​

The San Andreas Constitution under Article II, Section 3 empowers the Mayor of Los Santos County with legislative authority over its jurisdiction and responsibility for the governance and local laws of Los Santos County.

Details​

This legislation establishes the path for entrepreneurially-minded citizens to establish a licensed business in Los Santos County. The regulations herein applies to all citizens of Los Santos County, including but not limited to those owning, and/or operating a business within Los Santos County or employed in Los Santos County.

1: Applicant Support and Application Submission

All businesses operating within the confines of Los Santos county are required to have a business license, issued upon approval by the Los Santos County Mayor’s Office.

(a) Entrepreneurs interested in applying for a business license can, and are encouraged to, contact a member of the Chamber of Commerce for support in completing their application, receiving a pre-submission review, and feedback to bolster their application.

(b) Applicants can submit applications through the Business App available on their tablet. Applications will require the submitter to provide the following information:

i. The Name of the Business

ii. A link to an image, or cloud library containing at minimum one (1) logo, and three (3) marketing assets which can include but are not limited to graphic advertisements, videos (including gifs), business cards, flyers, or other typical advertising media

iii. An image of the address which the business will operate from.

iv. Proof of ownership of the property, or alternatively, a copy of a rental or lease agreement between the submitter and property owner proving that the business is authorized to operate from the intended location.

v. A basic business plan either as an attachment to the application, or described in conversation to an extend deemed satisfactory by a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the establishes the following:

• The mission and vision of the business
• The products and/or services offered by the business.
• The expected startup cost of the business
• The number of staff expected to be hired by the business upon opening.
• The expected weekly revenue of the business.
• The structure of the organization (e.g. an organizational chart)
• A competitive analysis that at minimum introduces any other existing businesses offering the same or similar services in Los Santos County, and where that/those business(es) is located.
• Applicants must provide a copy of the document structure or forms they intend to use for sales and accounting recordkeeping.

(c). Submitted applications are to be reviewed and responded to within 72 business hours by a member of the mayor’s office.

2. Business Licenses and Associated Costs

(a) Beginning 9/12/2024 all businesses operating without a license will be deemed non-compliant, and unlawful and subject to penalty. This grace period is being offered in order to ensure sufficient time is provided to existing businesses to achieve compliance with this legislation. This date is subject to change.

(b) Approved business applications will result in the applicant receiving a business license.

(c) The business license authorizes the applicant to lawfully operate only the business they have applied and been approved to operate.

(d) Subsequent business applications will result in subsequent business licenses specific to those additional businesses.

(e) Each license will cost a one time fee of $50,000, following approval, the proceeds of which are to be deposited into the Los Santos County Bank Account. As with all state revenue, funds gathered through the licensing of business will be reinvested into the account to support citizens wages, local events, and other activities that improve the standard of living for the citizens of Los Santos County.

3. Business Zoning Requirements

(a) Businesses are required to operate out of commercial or industrial (e.g. warehouse) locations.

i. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis. Applicants are required to explain in detail the reason for the exception upon applying for their business license.

(b) Members of the chamber of commerce will work with business owners to schedule site visits to ensure licensed businesses are operating lawfully, from their intended location, offering the intended products or services, and within the scope of the BIGPP act.

(c) Businesses and operations (e.g., agricultural, manufacturing, storage, or otherwise) operating out of commercial spaces without a license will be subject to fines and potentially forfeiture of the property as outlined in Section 5: Enforcement and Section 6: Penalties

4. Accounting and Taxation

1. Taxation relevant to all licensed and registered businesses can be found in the Los Santos Tax Code as defined by the Los Santos County Statutory Taxation Act on Business

5. Enforcement:

(a) Enforcement of the rules, protocols, and regulations established by the BIGPP Act is to be handed by members of the Los Santos County Cabinet, and/or Chamber of Commerce.

(b) Depending on the nature of violations, members of the County Cabinet are to engage the Los Santos County Police Department if the violations involve possible criminal offenses.

(c) Businesses showing little or no revenue in multiple concurrent terms will be subject to closure.

6. Penalties​

(a) Penalties for violating the requirements established by the BIGPP Act may result in warnings, fines, loss of licenses.

(b) Crimes committed by the business are subject to the charges relevant to the crime committed, which may include fines, prison time, or otherwise.

7. Ownership Requirements​

(a) Owners must be in good financial standing and able to prove that they have the start-up capital required to commence business operation following approval.

(b) Owners are subject to site visits from members of the Chamber of Commerce, with notice.

(c) A criminal record does not disqualify an individual from owning or operating a business, or otherwise being employed by a licensed and registered business owner.

(i) The Chamber of Commerce and/or the Los Santos County Cabinet may restrict individuals from owning and operating businesses in specific sectors and industries, based on their criminal history, on a case by case basis. As an example, an individual with a history of weapon’s trafficking, arms dealing, and/or other violent felonies may be restricted from owning or operating a business that participates in the manufacturing, or sale of weapons and firearms. This determination will be made on a case by case basis by the approving body of the business license.

8. Existing Businesses​

(a) Businesses approved and operating prior to the implementation of the BIGPP Act will have until 9/12/2024 to ensure they are in compliance with The Act. Compliance will be confirmed through scheduled site visit(s) between the business owner(s) and the Chamber of Commerce.

9. Vendor Permits

The Los Santos Mayor’s Office may issue vending permits that serve as temporary business licenses. These permits allow individuals to engage in commercial activities without the need for a fully established business or an associated business license. By obtaining a vending permit, entrepreneurs can legally operate small-scale ventures, test market demand, or conduct seasonal sales without the complexities and commitments associated with running a full-fledged business entity.

The Los Santos Mayor’s Office will maintain a list of all active licenses and will be made available via FOIA when needed.

10. Implementation Plan​

The Chamber of Commerce is tasked with the implementation of the tools and systems deemed necessary to enact this legislation, beginning with developing and releasing a new Business Application.

Upon council approval of the implementation, public announcements will occur, thereby notifying the public that business applications are open for submission.

Timeline for Enactment​

Effective immediately.

Signatures​

Nino Chavez

Los Santos Mayor’s Office

August 10, 2024

Underwriter: LSCMO, Michael Razzel 08/12/2024

Signatories: LSCMO, Archibald McRae 08/12/2024

Amended 12/1/2024 – Vendor Permits added