Graves Adds Four New Regulations to Small Biz Reg Watch

Press Release

House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) today announced that four new proposed rules have been added to the Committee's new digital resource, "Small Biz Reg Watch," including one from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), two from the Department of Transportation (DOT), and one from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Small Biz Reg Watch is a new initiative of the Committee, launched in January, to help small businesses participate in the development of federal regulations. This online resource regularly highlights proposed regulations that could impact small companies and instructs business owners on how they can submit comments to the federal agency considering the said regulation.

"It is important that small businesses participate in the regulatory development process, especially since they may have to comply with those rules," said Chairman Graves. "These regulations from the EPA, DOT, and VA must be considered with measured thought and adequate input from small businesses, because they could have a major impact on the public and the economy."

The EPA Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards proposed rule would establish more stringent vehicle emissions standards and reduce the sulfur content of gasoline beginning in 2017. The rule could affect small businesses such as gasoline refiners, motor vehicle manufacturers, and alternative fuel converters, among others. This comment period ends July 1.

The DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is reviewing its existing hazardous material regulations in an effort to identify requirements that are unduly burdensome for small businesses. The agency is seeking comments on hazardous materials regulations dealing with registration of cargo tank vehicle manufacturers, the approval process for persons seeking to establish independent inspection agencies, and enforcement penalties. This comment period ends July 8.

The DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposal would require certified medical examiners performing physical examinations on drivers of commercial motor vehicles to use a new medical examination report for submitting results, and notify FMCSA of the results by the close of business on the same day as the examination. FMCSA estimates this proposed rule would add 25,000 additional data entry burden hours, and affect 40,000 healthcare professionals listed in the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners, all of which are considered small. This comment period ends July 9.

The VA's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization is currently reviewing the regulations governing its Veteran-Owned Small Business Verification Program. These regulations include the criteria which determine whether a business is eligible to participate in VA's Veterans First Contracting Program, which provides set-asides and sole source contracting opportunities. This comment period ends July 12.

Through the Small Biz Reg Watch initiative, the Committee regularly communicates with small businesses via email, social media, and through district events around America when new comment periods begin for select proposed rules that have a significant impact on a wide array of small businesses. The website URL is: www.smallbusiness.house.gov/RegWatch

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