Cut the Burden, Keep the Benefits Act
Summary
The "Cut the Burden, Keep the Benefits Act" aims to reduce the burden of government actions on small businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions. It directs the Small Business Administration's Chief Counsel for Advocacy to establish a hotline for receiving notifications of burdensome government actions. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress on the hotline's activities and recommendations for minimizing burdens.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase communication between small entities and the government regarding regulatory burdens. It could lead to regulatory changes that reduce the impact of government actions on these entities. The hotline and subsequent reports could provide valuable data for policymakers.
Potential Benefits
- Provides a direct channel for small businesses to report burdensome government actions.
- Mandates consideration of regulatory alternatives to minimize burdens.
- Increases transparency through annual reports to Congress.
- Focuses on identifying and addressing the most frequently reported burdensome actions.
- Could lead to more efficient and less burdensome regulations for small entities.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- The effectiveness depends on the responsiveness of the Chief Counsel and the willingness of agencies to implement recommendations.
- The hotline may create additional administrative burden for the Small Business Administration.
- There is no guarantee that reported burdens will be addressed or resolved.
- The reporting requirements could become a bureaucratic exercise without meaningful impact.
- The focus on small entities might overshadow broader economic or social considerations.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the principle of promoting the general welfare. By seeking to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses, it aims to foster economic activity and prosperity. The First Amendment right to petition the government for a redress of grievances is also relevant, as the hotline provides a mechanism for small businesses to voice their concerns.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).