In the House of Representatives, 245 members recently voted in support of small businesses everywhere by passing H.R. 4078, the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act. The bill is a comprehensive regulatory reform bill that streamlines the time consuming rulemaking and permitting process, brings transparency to rules issued by federal agencies, and prohibits agencies from issuing a cascade of regulations when a change in administrations occurs. The bill would also create a process to give the public the meaningful voice it is supposed to have in the rulemaking process. Thirteen Democrats joined House Republicans in supporting H.R. 4078 in the July 26 floor vote.

MRAA believes this is the first step on our road to making government more transparent and to simplify the rulemaking system that has been growing more complicated at a rapid rate for many years. H.R. 4078 is the first attempt by Congress to pass regulatory reform to reduce the crushing burden on small businesses for many years. MRAA also believes it is a positive step to help jump start our economy.

As a reminder, MRAA submitted testimony in July before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations on “Sinking the Marine Industry: How Regulations Are Affecting Todays Maritime Businesses.” MRAA has been told marine retailers, including marina operators and boat dealers, spend about $48,000 per year of unbillable time at current labor rates complying with federal regulations. This represents about 500 hours. Most of the time is spent on inspections, record keeping and outside consultant fees. Federal paperwork reduction is one of the highest priority topics on MRAA’s legislative agenda.

MRAA asks the Senate to swiftly follow the House lead on this bill and pass a companion bill before the end of the year.