Bills of Congress by U.S. Congress

Small Business Relief Act

Summary

The Small Business Relief Act amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. It excludes qualified institutional buyers and institutional accredited investors from the calculation of security holders for mandatory registration thresholds. This aims to reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses.

Expected Effects

The Act will likely decrease the number of companies required to register with the SEC. This could lead to reduced compliance costs for some small businesses. It may also increase the availability of capital for these businesses.

Potential Benefits

  • Reduced compliance costs for small businesses.
  • Increased access to capital for small businesses.
  • Simplification of regulatory requirements.
  • Potentially encourages more companies to remain private for longer.
  • May foster innovation by reducing regulatory hurdles.

Potential Disadvantages

  • Reduced transparency for some investors.
  • Potential for increased risk due to decreased regulatory oversight.
  • May disproportionately benefit larger, more established small businesses.
  • Could lead to a decrease in investor protection.
  • Possible increase in market manipulation due to less stringent registration requirements.

Constitutional Alignment

The bill appears to align with the Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8), granting Congress the power to regulate commerce. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which this bill amends, is rooted in this clause. There are no apparent infringements on individual rights or liberties as defined in the Bill of Rights.

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).