Small business owners can now take advantage of free legal advice and regulatory information through a new government Web site -- BusinessLaw.gov.( http://www.businesslaw.gov/)

As one of the 22 core projects of the Bush Administration's e-government strategy, SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto said of the Web resource, "Because it provides interagency and intergovernmental information arranged by subject, BusinesssLaw.gov will simplify the way government at all levels interacts with small businesses."

The Web site consolidates and indexes, in one central location, links to credible sources of information on 39 areas of general interest ranging from the most basic topics such as licenses and permits, to highly specialized topics, such as e-commerce and exporting. The site also offers information specific to each state and territory including sections on "Hiring Employees," "Paying Taxes" and "Selecting a Location." To serve a variety of user preferences, it features interactive tools, searchable frequently asked questions and answers, downloadable forms and publications, electronic regulatory compliance guides and portal capability. Here are just a few of the valuable resources found on BusinesssLaw.gov.

• Plain English Guides: Starting a Business and Handling Finances (Navigate these guides using the pointers in the left-most column of the page.)
• Legal forms for businesses
• Nolo's Shark Talk Legal Dictionary
• Guides to state and federal laws
• Nolo's guide to legal research

BusinessLaw.gov takes Web technology to the next level by helping end-users identify and solve their problems. It uses searchable "frequently asked questions" and interactive digital guides – "business wizards" – like Size Standards for Small Businesses.