NEWSRELEASE
For Release: September 1,
2005
Contact: Connie Marshall, (206) 553-5231
connie.marshall@sba.gov
SBA Number: 05-42 ADVO
Press Kit
Oregon Increases Protections For Small Business
Gives Small Business A Voice In The State Regulatory Process
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oregons small businesses may experience a friendlier regulatory environment, thanks to a new law that gives Oregon small businesses a voice in the states regulatory process.
Upon signing the regulatory flexibility bill Governor Ted Kulongoski said, Im pleased that our collaboration with the SBA and others has delivered this model legislation for Oregon. These changes will help us continue to strengthen Oregons business climate while maintaining our high standards and quality of life.
House Bill 3238 implements key elements of regulatory flexibility model legislation drafted by the Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Similar to the federal Regulatory Flexibility Act, the model legislation encourages entrepreneurial success by requiring state agencies to consider the impact of their policies on small business before they issue final regulations.
Specifically, the new law enhances Oregon's administrative procedure laws by including a requirement that state agencies analyze the economic impact of a proposed regulation on small business before they regulate. It also requires state agencies to conduct a review of existing rules every five years to ensure the rule has had its intended effect and that there is a continued need for a rule. The addition of HB 3238 to Oregons existing regulatory flexibility laws completes a good regulatory framework for small businesses in that state.
This bill enacts a long-sought reform: that when state agencies make a rule, they should consider its impact on small businesses, said House Speaker Karen Minnis.
The bills primary sponsor Representative Kim Thatcher said, Small companies are the backbone of our states economy and should not have to shoulder disproportionate regulatory costs and burdens. Not only does the new law require agencies to understand the economic impact of their actions on small business before they regulate, but it also requires agencies to review existing regulations which may unduly burden small business.
The bill received support from Oregon small business stakeholders, including the Oregon National Federation of Independent Business and the Office of Regulatory Streamlining, Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services.
For more information, visit the Small Business Friendly Regulation, Model Legislation for States section of the Office of Advocacy website at www.sba.gov/advo/laws/law_modeleg.html.
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The Office of Advocacy of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is an independent voice for small business within the federal government. The presidentially appointed Chief Counsel for Advocacy advances the views, concerns, interests of small business before Congress, the White House, federal agencies, federal courts, and state policy makers. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/advo, or call (202) 205-6533.