NEWSRELEASE
For Release: March 26, 2003
Contact: John McDowell (202) 205-6941
john.mcdowell@sba.gov
SBA Number: 03-15 ADVO
Rhode Island Small Business To Benefit From Proposed Legislation
Bill To Create Small Business Friendly Regulation Lauded In Testimony
WASHINGTON, D.C. Over 30,000 small businesses in Rhode Island will benefit from small business friendly regulation, according to Thomas M. Sullivan, Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Sullivan testified today before the Rhode Island Senate Financial Services, Technology, and Regulatory Issues Committee.
While testifying Sullivan said that, "There is no question that small business is the backbone of the economy here in Rhode Island just as it is throughout the country. Sometimes, because small businesses are small, it is easy to overlook their aggregate importance to the economyand it is easy to overlook how the mass of federal and state mandates is crushing them. The intent of this legislation is to have state agencies consider the consequences on small business BEFORE they regulate."
Sullivan also said that he applauds "Small business leaders in Rhode Island, like Senator Leo Blais, whose experiences with state regulations motivated him to bring this issue before the state legislature."
Sullivan testified on behalf of SB 0198 sponsored by Senator Leo Blais. The bill ensures that the voice of small business will be heard early in Rhode Islands regulatory process. It also requires state agencies to consider alternatives to proposed regulations that will minimize adverse impacts on small business while still meeting regulatory objectives.
In addition, the legislation calls for state agencies to prepare economic impact statements prior to adoption of proposed regulations that adversely affect small businesses. Agencies must also review existing regulations to determine if regulatory objectives can be met with revised rules, which will have less of an impact on small business.
For more information, visit the Office of Advocacy website at www.sba.gov/advo.
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Created by Congress in 1976, the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy directs the office. The Chief Counsel advances the views, concerns, and interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. Economic research, policy analyses, and small business outreach help identify issues of concern. Regional Advocates and an office in Washington, DC, support the Chief Counsels efforts. For more information on the Office of Advocacy, visit www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.