Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act

This bill updates how federal agencies make rules that affect small businesses and other small organizations. Agencies would have to look at both direct and likely indirect costs and benefits on small groups. For any rule that could have a big effect, they must explain other options that would reduce harm or increase benefits for small entities. It also adds more actions, like changes to land management plans, to the list that require this kind of review.

Agencies could no longer skip these reviews, and the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy would set rules to make sure agencies follow them. The bill also updates how public comments are gathered, requires regular checkups on existing rules, and changes how courts can review final rules.

• Who is affected: small businesses and other small organizations; federal agencies that issue rules
• What changes: consider indirect impacts; analyze alternatives to reduce harm or boost benefits; expand which actions require review; end waivers; have SBA’s Office of Advocacy set compliance rules; improve public comment process; require regular rule reviews; adjust court review of final rules