The National Restaurant Association has joined more than 150 other organizations in urging members of the U.S. House of Representatives to co-sponsor a bill requiring the federal government to weigh any regulation’s potential effect on small businesses.
The measure, The Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2011, or H.R. 527, also would require that the government look to implement less-onerous alternatives whenever possible.
“The restaurant and foodservice industry is composed predominately of small businesses, the backbone of our nation’s economy,” said Angelo Amador, vice president of Labor and Workforce Policy for the NRA. “Their ability to operate efficiently and free of unnecessary regulatory burdens is critical for our country’s economic recovery.”
The NRA, together with 156 national, state and local associations, sent a letter Wednesday to all House members urging that they co-sponsor the bill.
The measure seeks to strengthen the existing 31-year-old Regulatory Flexibility Act, which proponents say would further shield small businesses.
If enacted, the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act would provide the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy with added oversight authority as federal agencies draft regulations.
It also would necessitate that federal agencies evaluate the indirect impact of regulations on small businesses, which the bill’s supporters say would improve the accuracy of benefit-cost analysis.
In addition, the measure calls for more extensive analysis of the cumulative impact of all regulations on small businesses, which could allow for the repealing or modifying of existing regulations.
Contact Paul Frumkin at [email protected].