Press Releases

Rep. Ben Cline Introduces Legislation to Help Reduce Burdensome Regulations on Small Businesses

Washington, DC, September 22, 2022

Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) introduced the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act  (H.R. 8933), legislation that would require federal regulators to assess the full economic effects of proposed regulations on small businesses and consider alternative measures to reduce burdens before they act. The bill is co-sponsored by Representative Young Kim (CA-39).

“Too often, Washington bureaucrats impose new regulations that only make it harder for America’s small business owners to thrive,” Cline said. “The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act is a commonsense solution to the rulemaking process by requiring federal agencies to no longer ignore the economic impacts that proposed regulations might have on small businesses. This legislation will help protect small businesses from the burdensome costs and uncertainty of unnecessary regulations.”

According to the National Federation of Independent Business’ Small Business Problems and Priorities, “unreasonable government regulations” ranks as the second largest problem for small businesses. Because of limited resources, small businesses often face disproportionate challenges when complying with new federal regulations. In addition, according to the American Action Forum, a 10 percent increase in cumulative regulatory costs can result in a five to six percent fall in the number of businesses with fewer than 20 workers.

Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act

  • This bill would require agencies to adequately analyze proposed rules for their potential impacts on small businesses and closes loopholes used by agencies to avoid compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA).  
  • The bill also amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make small business size-standard determinations for all purposes other than for the purposes of such Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.

Read a one-pager on the bill here.

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

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