In a hearing before the House Finance Committee, NFIB State Director Michael Smith testified in opposition to HB 1001, which, as introduced, would significantly increase the regulatory burden on employers.

CLICK HERE to listen to Smith’s testimony (beginning at ~2:42:50).

During his testimony, Smith noted that most small business owners abide by the law and go out of their way to pay their employees before themselves.

“I’m here to express our opposition to the bill as introduced. Generally, I do recognize there are bad actors. But the vast majority of small business owners abide by the law and typically find a way to pay their employees before themselves. Administrative burdens are some of the biggest challenges for honest and hard-working small business owners, as they typically don’t have compliance departments and legal teams to keep up with compliance provisions that are brought down by the state.”

Smith went on to list specific objections to the bill, including the provision to publish the names of businesses with a violation.

“The provision to publish the names of businesses with a violation, as well as to notify other state agencies, is viewed by our members as an unfriendly business practice.”

CLICK HERE to listen to Smith’s testimony (beginning at ~2:42:50).