Summary
The Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act would modify how federal agencies evaluate the impact of new rules on small businesses. Currently, agencies must consider whether regulations will have a significant economic impact on small entities, but this bill would expand that requirement to include both direct and reasonably foreseeable indirect economic effects. When agencies determine a rule would significantly impact small businesses, they would need to provide detailed descriptions of alternative approaches that could minimize harm or maximize benefits to small entities.
The bill would also remove agencies' ability to waive regulatory flexibility analysis requirements and would give the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy authority to issue rules ensuring compliance. Additionally, it would expand the types of agency actions subject to regulatory impact analysis and modify procedures for gathering public comments, reviewing existing rules, and allowing courts to review final regulations. If enacted, these changes could mean small businesses receive more advance notice of how regulations might affect them and have greater opportunity to influence agency decisions before rules take effect.
The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the House, though it has not yet been enacted into law.
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Lifecycle of the Bill
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 12.
Jun 10, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Jun 10, 2025 · 14:00
H.R. 589, the FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025; H.R. 3492, the Protect Children’s Innocence Act of 2025; H.R. 59, the Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025; H.R. 98, the End Endless Criminal Statutes Act; H.R. 2159, the Count the Crimes to Cut Act of 2025; and H.R. 421, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act
Summary
On June 10, 2025, the House Judiciary Committee held a markup session examining six bills spanning criminal justice reform, healthcare regulation, and small business policy. The bills advanced with varying levels of committee support. H.R. 589, the FACE Act Repeal Act, would repeal federal law prohibiting interference with access to reproductive health services and religious worship. H.R. 3492, the Protect Children's Innocence Act, establishes federal criminal offenses for providing gender-affirming care to minors. H.R. 59, the Mens Rea Reform Act, establishes default mental state requirements for federal criminal offenses lacking explicit standards. H.R. 98, the End Endless Criminal Statutes Act, repeals rarely enforced federal misdemeanors such as writing a check for less than one dollar. H.R. 2159, the Count the Crimes to Cut Act, requires the Department of Justice and federal agencies to report on all federal criminal statutes and regulations with criminal penalties. H.R. 421, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, modifies rulemaking requirements to better analyze economic impacts on small entities. The committee reported all six bills favorably with amendments. H.R. 589 passed 13-10, H.R. 3492 passed 17-10, H.R. 59 passed 15-13, H.R. 98 passed 16-14, H.R. 2159 passed by voice vote, and H.R. 421 passed 13-12. The bills now advance to the full House for consideration, though passage in committee does not guarantee further legislative action.
Video
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jun 10, 2025
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 13 - 12.
Jun 10, 2025
HearingHouseMarkup
Jun 10, 2025 · 14:00
H.R. 589, the FACE Act Repeal Act of 2025; H.R. 3492, the Protect Children’s Innocence Act of 2025; H.R. 59, the Mens Rea Reform Act of 2025; H.R. 98, the End Endless Criminal Statutes Act; H.R. 2159, the Count the Crimes to Cut Act of 2025; and H.R. 421, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act
Summary
On June 10, 2025, the House Judiciary Committee held a markup session examining six bills spanning criminal justice reform, healthcare regulation, and small business policy. The bills advanced with varying levels of committee support. H.R. 589, the FACE Act Repeal Act, would repeal federal law prohibiting interference with access to reproductive health services and religious worship. H.R. 3492, the Protect Children's Innocence Act, establishes federal criminal offenses for providing gender-affirming care to minors. H.R. 59, the Mens Rea Reform Act, establishes default mental state requirements for federal criminal offenses lacking explicit standards. H.R. 98, the End Endless Criminal Statutes Act, repeals rarely enforced federal misdemeanors such as writing a check for less than one dollar. H.R. 2159, the Count the Crimes to Cut Act, requires the Department of Justice and federal agencies to report on all federal criminal statutes and regulations with criminal penalties. H.R. 421, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, modifies rulemaking requirements to better analyze economic impacts on small entities. The committee reported all six bills favorably with amendments. H.R. 589 passed 13-10, H.R. 3492 passed 17-10, H.R. 59 passed 15-13, H.R. 98 passed 16-14, H.R. 2159 passed by voice vote, and H.R. 421 passed 13-12. The bills now advance to the full House for consideration, though passage in committee does not guarantee further legislative action.
