PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Aug 2, 1996
National Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Small Business Act to establish a Small Business Regulatory Relief Council. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency, Internal Revenue Service, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (participating agencies) to submit to the Council a five-year plan for the establishment and maintenance of a partnership with small business development centers (SBDCs) for a system of voluntary regulatory compliance (compliance). Outlines plan contents and requires such participating agencies to ensure the nonduplication of efforts. Requires the Council to: (1) within 30 days after a participating agency submits a plan, approve or modify such plan; (2) establish guidelines for the implementation of each plan; and (3) report annually to the President and the congressional small business committees on the types of assistance provided by SBDCs to small businesses participating in the system of compliance, as well as outreach efforts to inform small businesses of such opportunity. Requires each SBDC to: (1) submit annually to the Council a work plan for SBDCs to carry out the system of compliance; (2) report semiannually to the Council and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration on assistance provided to small businesses by SBDCs under this Act; and (3) report annually to the Council and the Administrator on recommendations for improving the regulation of small businesses. Directs the Council to: (1) evaluate annually the system of compliance; (2) determine whether SBDCs are performing in accordance with their compliance work plans; and (3) provide for an independent evaluation of such system after three years of operation. Requires the participating agencies to set aside specified percentages of their annual funding for FY 1997 through 2001 for compliance assistance under this Act.
People & committees
Sen. Hatfield, Mark O. [R-OR] · R–OR
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S9605-9606)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Sep 8, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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