Bill > HR421

This bill aims to improve the Regulatory Flexibility Act by expanding and strengthening protections for small businesses when federal agencies create new regulations. The bill requires agencies to provide more detailed and comprehensive analyses of how proposed rules might impact small entities, including both direct and indirect economic effects. It expands the definition of "small organizations" and requires agencies to consider both adverse and beneficial economic impacts when creating rules. The bill gives the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration more power to review and intervene in regulatory processes, mandates periodic reviews of existing rules, and requires agencies to conduct outreach to small businesses when developing regulations. Additionally, the bill establishes new procedures for gathering comments from small entities, creates more transparent reporting requirements, and allows for judicial review of compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The legislation also includes a provision to waive fines for first-time paperwork violations by small businesses, provided certain conditions are met, with exceptions for serious violations that could harm public health, safety, or involve criminal activity.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/421/all-info