H.R. 6354: Cut the Burden, Keep the Benefits Act

This bill, known as the "Cut the Burden, Keep the Benefits Act," aims to help small businesses and small organizations by setting up a dedicated hotline and website for them to report government actions that they find burdensome.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of Hotline: The bill requires the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to create a hotline called the "Cut the Burden, Keep the Benefits Hotline." This hotline will allow small businesses, small organizations, and small governments to notify the SBA about government actions that they perceive as burdensome.
• Information Solicitation: The SBA will also solicit information from these entities regarding government actions that may have a significant economic impact on them. This is intended to help minimize regulatory burdens while still achieving the goals of federal agencies.
• Annual Reporting: The Chief Counsel must produce an annual report detailing the notifications received via the hotline. This report will include information about which government actions are most frequently reported, the associated economic impacts, and any steps taken by the SBA to address these issues.
• Definitions: The bill provides definitions for key terms such as "government action," which encompasses rules, regulations, executive orders, and more, as well as definitions for "small business," "small organization," and "small governmental jurisdiction."

Objectives

The primary objective of this bill is to reduce the regulatory burden on small businesses and government organizations while allowing them to retain the benefits of federal regulations. By establishing an easily accessible means for these entities to communicate their concerns, the bill aims to create a more favorable regulatory environment for small entities.

Reporting Requirements

The annual report from the Chief Counsel must include specific information, such as:

• The type and frequency of government actions reported.
• The economic impact (in terms of costs and benefits) associated with the actions.
• A summary of costs imposed, particularly concerning paperwork and fees.
• Recommendations on how to minimize burdens for small entities.

Impact on Regulatory Practices

This initiative, through its reporting and feedback mechanisms, seeks to influence government regulatory practices, leading to more consideration for the needs and challenges faced by smaller organizations in the regulatory process.

Implementation Timeline

The hotline is to be established within 180 days of the enactment of this bill, indicating a relatively swift move toward implementation.

Potential Challenges

The effectiveness of this hotline and the subsequent actions taken by the Chief Counsel will depend on the level of participation from small organizations and the responsiveness of governmental agencies to the feedback received.

Relevant Companies

None found.