NFIB Applauds Passage of Regulatory Reform Package by PA House

Date: May 03, 2018

Bills would help small businesses grow by eliminating red tape

HARRISBURG (May 2, 2018) – The Pennsylvania House voted in favor of a series of regulatory reform bills that will help eliminate red tape for thousands of Pennsylvania small businesses. NFIB, which represents small and independent companies in the state, applauded the Representatives that voted in favor of those five bills yesterday. The organization is especially grateful to Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) for shepherding the bills through committee and a successful vote in the full House vote.

“Small businesses frequently say they could grow bigger and hire more workers if only the government didn’t get in the way with costly, time-consuming regulations that don’t seem to have much to do with safety and health,” said Kevin Shivers, executive state director of NFIB. “We have seen the Trump Administration in Washington get rid of many burdensome, unnecessary regulations, and it has created a surge in business growth. If these state bills pass, Pennsylvania is bound to see similar results.”

The bills would give the General Assembly the duty to approve any new regulations that cost the state more than $1-million (HB 1237), and the ability to repeal a current regulation with the approval of the governor (HB 1792). Another bill would create an Office of the Repealer to recommend repeal, modification, or revision of current regulations, and require two regulations be repealed for every new regulation proposed (HB 209).

The fourth bill would require state agencies to have a Regulatory Compliance Officer work collaboratively with the regulated community, issue advisory opinions on how to comply with regulations, and allow a business that follows that advice not to be penalized (HB1960). The final bill in the package (HB 1959) requires agencies to post permit information online so the public could track progress, final approval, and the reason for rejection. Delays of more than 30 days would have to be outsourced to third-party review.

“Pennsylvania’s economic growth is woefully anemic, and the most recent state unemployment rate is at 4.8-percent, but the national rate is lower at 4.1-percent,” said NFIB Executive State Director Kevin Shivers.  “Small businesses are buried under an avalanche of regulations, and this legislative effort should help. We encourage the Senate to pass this regulatory reform package.”

NFIB thanked the House sponsors including Rep. Kristin Phillips Hill, Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, Rep. Brian Ellis, Rep. Dawn Keefer and Rep. Greg Rothman.

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