NEWSRELEASE
For Release:
December 4, 2003
Contact: John McDowell (202) 205-6941
SBA Number: 03-50 ADVO
john.mcdowell@sba.gov
New Web Tool Helps State Lawmakers Create Business Friendly Climate
Advocacys
New Web Page Offers A One-Stop For Proposed Legislation,
Current State Laws, Statistics, And Information
WASHINGTON, D.C. State legislators, small business owners, and activists in the fight for economic development now have a new web tool in their arsenal. Launched today, the Office of Advocacys web page on its initiative for state regulatory policy offers a wealth of information on current state laws, proposed legislation, statistics, information and much more.
The new web tool, located at www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_modeleg.html, is the latest step in Advocacys promotion of small business friendly regulatory policy at the state level. In December 2002, Advocacy presented draft model regulatory flexibility legislation to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for consideration by state legislators. ALEC endorsed the model legislation earlier this year.
Since then many states have taken steps to encourage small business friendly regulations. North Dakota and Colorado both enacted new legislation and Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney signed an Executive Order giving small businesses a voice in his states regulatory process.
The legislation, modeled after the federal Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), would require state agencies to consider their impact on small business before imposing regulatory mandates. By listening to small businesses, state agencies can ensure that small business resources that would have been spent on over burdensome new regulations are instead available for hiring new employees and making new investments. At the same time, agencies still meet their regulatory goals such as higher environmental quality, greater travel safety, better workplace conditions, and increased family financial security.
Currently, states offer a patchwork of laws that protect small business owners and their employees from excessive regulatory mandates. Some states offer protections similar to the RFA that mirror the role of the Office of Advocacy. Other states offer little or no protection from the one-size-fits-all regulatory mentality.
For more information on small business friendly regulation for states, visit the new Office of Advocacy web page at www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_modeleg.html.
###
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.