Committee to Hold Hearings on the Implementation of Contracting Reforms and Impact of Occupational Licensing on Entrepreneurship
The House Small Business Committee, chaired by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), today announced the schedule for the week of July 14, 2014:
On Tuesday, July 15, at 1:00 p.m., the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce, under the chairmanship of Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY), will hold a hearing titled, “Action Delayed, Small Business Opportunities Denied: Implementation of Contracting Reforms in the FY 2013 NDAA.” The purpose of this hearing will be to address the sluggish implementation of the numerous small business procurement reforms included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2013. Given that most procurement regulations affecting small businesses must undergo a two-step regulatory process; first being promulgated by the Small Business Administration (SBA), and then promulgated by the Federal Acquisition Council, these delays make it unlikely that the reforms will be fully implemented before the next President takes office in 2017.
"Over 18 months ago, the President signed into law small business contracting reform within the FY2013 NDAA, but little progress has been made on the implementation of these reforms,” Chairman Hanna said. “This is a classic example of a bloated bureaucratic federal government that is wasting taxpayer dollars and dragging its feet on the promulgation of important laws. Rather than creating new, untested entrepreneurial development programs, the SBA should focus on completing its core responsibilities efficiently.”
On Wednesday, July 16, at 1:00 p.m., the Committee will conduct a hearing titled "Barriers to Entrepreneurship: Examining the Anti-Trust Implications of Occupational Licensing." This hearing will examine whether economic opportunity is being denied by onerous state licensure requirements to engage in certain occupations. Specifically, this hearing will focus on the role that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) plays in combating the rise in occupational licensure through the enforcement of federal anti-trust laws.
“While the intent of occupational licensing may be to provide benefits to the public, there also are potential costs associated with erecting broad regulatory barriers to pursuing work and realizing the American dream. These hurdles are disproportionately high for lower and middle class Americans,” said Chairman Graves. “This hearing will take a good look at whether the state licensing boards, which are typically made up of individuals already working in the profession, are creating broad requirements that unfairly restrict competition and examine the role the FTC plays in promoting competition and ensuring compliance with anti-trust laws.”
Watch the hearing live HERE.
Event Details:
Tuesday, July 15, 1:00 p.m. EDT
2360 Rayburn House Office Building
Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce
Action Delayed, Small Business Opportunities Denied: Implementation of Contracting Reforms in the FY 2013 NDAA
Wednesday, July 16, 1:00 p.m. EDT
2360 Rayburn House Office Building
Small Business Committee
Barriers to Entrepreneurship: Examining the Anti-Trust Implications of Occupational Licensing
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