Independent truckers praise House aim to trim regulatory burdens

The 2015 Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act passed Thursday by a vote of 260-163.

   An industry group representing independent truckers and small motor carriers praised the U.S. House for passing a bill Thursday that closes loopholes in previous legislation and protects small businesses from additional regulatory burdens.
   The 2015 Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, H.R. 527, passed by a vote of 260-163.
   “For far too long, loopholes have allowed regulations to take a shortcut around a true accounting of regulatory costs and benefits,” said Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, in a statement. “Trucking, which is dominated by small businesses, is probably the greatest example of why this legislation is needed.”
   Congress passed the Regulatory Flexibility Act about 25 years ago, requiring federal agencies to ensure that small businesses are not unduly impacted by regulatory burdens. H.R. 527 amends the act to expand the number of rules covered and requires agencies to perform additional analysis of regulations that affect small businesses. 
   The House bill also provides new authorities to the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy to intervene and support agency rulemaking, and requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the legislation’s implementation.