In a bipartisan effort, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-3) and the House Small Business Committee marked-up and passed out of committee the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act which would help ensure that agencies complete a more thorough analysis of regulatory impacts on small businesses.

“I am a proud co-sponsor of this bill because Washington continues to burden our small businesses with unneccessary, costly regulations with little to no analysis of who the regulations impact and how much of a strain they will have on our job creators,” Luetkemeyer said. “As vice chairman of the Small Business Committee, and a former small business owner, I know how necessary this bill is to small business owners to bring more accountability and transparency to the regulatory process.”

Missouri small business owner Jeff Edwards at AvSafe said he wants relief from the burdensome federal regulations that have been placed on his company.

“Our company is looking at reducing its workforce in order to remain viable,” Edwards said. “Regulatory change is happening at a faster and faster pace and its effect on small businesses- the engine of our economy is stifling. My advice to Congress is to cut the regulatory and tax burdens and free the American entrepreneurs in all of us.”

The Regulatory Flexibility Act started in 1980 and requires federal agencies to assess the impact of their regulations on small businesses. Because agencies have avoided compliance, the Regulatory Flexbility Improvements Act would strengthen requirements on federal agencies to complete a more thorough analysis of regulations and consider rules to minimize their impact on small businesses.