Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01), co-sponsor of H.R. 2542 the “Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act of 2013,” announces the passage of the bill through

the Small Business Committee. This bill will subject all federal agency rulemaking to scrutiny from small business review panels to study both direct and indirect costs of new regulations on small businesses.

According to the Heritage Foundation, during President Obama’s first term in office, the annual regulatory burden on the economy increased by $70 billion. In 2012 alone, the President’s team put forward 2,605 new rules. Of those new rules 69 cost more than $100 million, but only two rules actually decreased regulations.

“When Washington bureaucrats hand down a regulation telling a magician he needs to have a disaster response plan for his rabbit, it is clear that the federal government has some explaining to do. That is why I co-sponsored H.R. 2542. Small businesses deserve to know how government agencies, like the EPA, make regulatory decisions that impact them, and they should be given that information in a timely manner,” said Congressman Huelskamp.

Congressman Huelskamp proposed an amendment to increase transparency in the rulemaking process. The Huelskamp amendment gives small businesses the ability to access all of the information used in evaluating small business costs. The amendment passed easily through the Small Business Committee by voice vote.

Huelskamp continued: “Washington has long been known for its secrecy and this bill will begin to open the doors for more transparency. This legislation will send a message to Executive branch agencies that they better be prepared to disclose what they took under consideration when deciding to propose a regulation, and how they arrived at their decision. Small businesses are vital to Kansas, and this bill will help them in their struggle with Washington over regulation.”