Prove It Act of 2024

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. FINSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bipartisan legislation, the Prove It Act, which gives small businesses a seat at the table during the regulatory process and shields them from the most heavyhanded, one- size-fits-all regulations.

Government red tape has made it harder and more costly for Americans to start a business. For many, this hinders their opportunity to achieve the American Dream. For too long, D.C. bureaucrats have abused their power, trampling over the small businesses, which are the backbone of our communities.

Simply put, the Prove It Act gives teeth to the already-existing law, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, which is often ignored by Federal agencies in pursuit of their own political agenda.

Under RFA, agencies are required to complete an initial and final analysis of their regulations and certify that they will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities. Unfortunately, in many cases, agencies have failed to meet the standards set out by the RFA and, in turn, have left our small business owners with the short end of the stick.

Throughout the last 4 years, the Biden-Harris administration has improperly certified dozens of regulations as not having a significant impact on a substantial number of small businesses.

Moreover, according to the American Action Forum, since 2009, Federal regulations have cost American taxpayers and businessowners $2.3 trillion to comply with them and have added 985 million hours of paperwork for our small businesses to shoulder. The Biden administration alone has accounted for $1.8 trillion of these costs and over 340 million paperwork hours.

With these compliance costs and paperwork hours skyrocketing, the Prove It Act is more important now than ever. Specifically, the Prove It Act will require Federal agencies to analyze both the direct and indirect costs their regulations would have on our small entities, create a way for small businesses to petition their chief advocate in government to review agencies' work and to make them prove that they are fully compliant with already-existing laws. If agencies fail to comply with the review process, small businesses would be exempt from the regulations in question.

Moreover, the bill ensures that small businesses can easily access preexisting guidance documents via regulations.gov. If agencies failed to perform an already-required 10-year retrospective review, the regulations would be nullified, giving teeth to this requirement that currently is in statute.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of support from the National Federation of Independent Business; Job Creators Network; National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association; National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors; a coalition letter on Regulatory Flexibility Act reform signed by over 45 national associations; and a May 21, 2024, letter from numerous Chambers of Commerce. NFIB, Washington, DC, February 1, 2024. Hon. Brad Finstad, U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Finstad: On behalf of NFIB, the nation's leading small business advocacy organization, I write in support of the Prove It Act. This legislation would strengthen the requirements for agencies to analyze the impact of regulations on small businesses and increase small business engagement in the regulatory process.

NFIB members annually rate ``unreasonable government regulation'' as one of the top concerns facing small businesses. Unfortunately, the red tape and compliance burdens of small businesses continue to grow exponentially. According to a recent analysis, the total cost of federal regulations in 2022 was $3.079 trillion. The study found that the average U.S. company pays roughly $13,000 per employee to comply with federal regulations.

The pace of regulation has significantly increased over the last three years. As of January 26, 2024, President Biden had imposed more than $454 billion of final rule costs and 279 million paperwork hours. These regulatory costs are massive. However, they pale in comparison to the proposed $616 billion of regulatory costs and 191 million paperwork hours that are under development by the administration.

Small businesses often do not have compliance officers or lawyers to help navigate these massive new regulatory burdens. And existing laws like the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) were enacted to minimize the disproportionate impact that federal regulations have on small businesses. However, as NFIB's 2023 found, agencies use loopholes in the RFA to underreport, minimize, or ignore the impact of regulations on small businesses.

This circumvention of the RFA is unacceptable and small businesses ultimately pay the regulatory price in forgone growth and opportunity. That is why legislation like the Prove It Act is so important. The Prove It Act seeks to address the loopholes in the RFA by increasing small business input in the regulatory process and strengthening the requirements for agencies to examine the impacts of regulations on small businesses.

NFIB supports the Prove It Act and urges Congress to promptly enact this legislation. Small businesses appreciate your continued leadership to reduce onerous regulatory burdens and red tape. Sincerely, Josh McLeod, Director, Federal Government Relations NFIB. ____ JCN, Addison, TX, March 20, 2024. Hon. Jim Jordan, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Jerrold Nadler, Ranking Member, Committee on the Judiciary, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Jordan, Ranking Member Nadler, and Members of the Committee: In advance of the Judiciary Committee's markup tomorrow, the Job Creators Network expresses its strong support for the ``Prove it Act of 2024.'' JCN urges the Committee to pass this bipartisan legislation that would ensure federal agencies conduct meaningful reviews of the burden proposed rules would have on small business and hold them accountable if they do not.

JCN is a nonpartisan organization founded by entrepreneurs who believe that many government policies are getting in the way of the economic freedom that helped make this country prosperous.

JCN provides business leaders and entrepreneurs with the tools to become the voice of free enterprise in the media, in Congress, in state capitals, in their communities, and their workplaces--allowing them to hold politicians accountable to job creators and their employees.

The ``Prove it Act of 2024'' would help shield small businesses from executive overreach and provide Main Street with important tools to help contend with government overregulation.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy small businesses employ almost half--46.4 percent--of America's employees. Truly America's job creators, small businesses accounted for 62.7 percent of net new jobs from 1995 to 2021.

Despite their significant contributions to our nation's economy, small business owners get the short end of the stick when it comes to regulation--one size does not fit all.

It is well-documented that small business owners are disproportionately negatively impacted by regulation as compared to big businesses.

When it comes to regulation, it is important to remember that seventy-nine percent of small businesses have fewer than ten employees. Firms with fewer than ten employees do not employ attorneys, accountants, or human resource professionals. If they are lucky, they have someone to manage sales. As a practical matter that means that it is the small business owner who is tasked with those duties, many of which involve regulatory compliance.

Moreover, it is well-documented that small business owners spend more on regulation than larger businesses. Businesses with fewer than fifty employees pay $14,700 per employee, as compared to $13,890 per employee for medium-sized businesses, and $12,200 per employee for large businesses.

Despite these realities, increasingly we see federal regulators view their legal obligation to assess small business impact of new regulations as nothing more than a ``check the box'' exercise. According to an investigation conducted by the House Committee on Small Business, many government agencies in Washington are ``failing to properly implement'' statutes intended to shield small businesses from overburdensome regulations.

For example, the Army Corps of Engineers has twice certified as not significantly impacting small businesses its proposal to redefine ``waters of the United States'' in a way that would require millions of landowners to get a federal permit before doing things as simple as moving mulch. Similarly, the Department of Labor had the audacity to certify its recent regulation that effectively converts most independent contractors into employees as a mandate with little impact on small business. These are just two of many examples where federal bureaucrats are not following the letter and spirit of the Regulatory Flexibility Act when it comes to protecting small businesses from one-size-fits-all regulation.

The ``Prove it Act of 2024'' fulfills a key pillar of the Job Creators Network's American Small Business Prosperity Plan--an eight-point policy blueprint--by reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses.

The ``Prove it Act of 2024'' would bolster existing law that federal agencies have been side-stepping at the expense of small businesses. It would hold agencies accountable by providing a meaningful opportunity for small businesses to challenge an agency certification that a proposed regulation would not impact a substantial number of small entities. And small businesses would be exempt from any rule in which an agency fails to follow the law.

Small business regulatory protections are in dire need of restoration. Passage of the ``Prove it Act of 2024'' would be a step in the right direction. We commend the Committee for marking up this important legislation and urge its passage. It is time for our elected leaders in Washington to prioritize Main Street. Alfredo Ortiz, CEO, Job Creators Network. ____ NSSGA, Alexandria, VA, February 29, 2024. Hon. Brian Finstad, U.S. Congressman, Washington, DC. Hon. Yadira Caraveo, U.S. Congresswoman, Washington, DC. Hon. Nathaniel Moran, U.S. Congressman, Washington, DC.

Dear Congressman Finstad, Congresswoman Caraveo, and Congressman Moran: I am writing on behalf of the over 400 members of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA), to express our strong support for the bipartisan Prove It Act that you recently introduced. The aggregates industry, like many others, has faced considerable challenges due to the increasing complexity and scope of federal regulations. These regulations often impose substantial direct and indirect costs on small businesses, which unlike larger entities, lack the resources to navigate these regulatory burdens effectively.

NSSGA represents the aggregates industry, including thousands of quarries, sand and gravel operations, and other related businesses nationwide. NSSGA members conduct over 9,000 operations and employ over 100,000 citizens to create 2.5 billion tons of aggregates each year. These raw materials are essential to rebuild and repair our country's aging infrastructure and assist our nation's goals in lowering the overall energy cost for families.

The Prove It Act represents a significant step forward in ensuring that small businesses, including those within the aggregates sector, are not unduly burdened by regulations that can stifle innovation, reduce job creation, and hamper economic growth. By requiring federal agencies to analyze the impact of their regulations on small entities and limit these impacts, the legislation aligns with our longstanding commitment to sensible, balanced regulatory frameworks that protect the environment and public safety without imposing unnecessary costs on businesses.

Moreover, the Act's provisions for creating mechanisms for small businesses to raise concerns and request reviews are especially important. These measures provide a vital avenue for our members to ensure that regulations are fair, transparent, and consider the unique challenges faced by small businesses. Ensuring easy access to guidance documents and direct communication channels with regulators will also greatly benefit small businesses by reducing compliance uncertainty and fostering a more cooperative regulatory environment.

We thank you for your leadership and commitment to protecting small businesses from overbearing regulations. The Prove It Act will help ensure that federal agencies fully consider the impact of their actions on small entities, promoting a healthier business environment and supporting the vital contributions of small businesses to our national economy.

We look forward to the passage of this important legislation and stand ready to support its implementation to ensure that it delivers meaningful benefits to the aggregates industry and all small businesses across the country. Sincerely, Michele Stanley, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer. ____ NAIFA, Arlington, VA, February 5, 2024. Hon. Brad Finstad, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Representative Finstad: On behalf of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (``NAIFA''), I write in support of the Prove It Act. This legislation would strengthen the requirements for agencies to analyze the impact of regulations on insurance producers, registered representatives of broker-dealers, and financial advisors.

Founded in 1890 as The National Association of Life Underwriters, NAIFA is the oldest, largest, and most prestigious association representing the interests of financial professionals from every Congressional district in the United States. Our mission--empowering financial professionals and consumers with world-class advocacy and education--is the reason NAIFA has consistently and resoundingly stood up for agents and called upon members to grow their knowledge while following the highest ethical standards in the industry.

NAIFA members are Main Street financial professionals. NAIFA members--comprised primarily of insurance agents, many of whom are also registered Broker-Dealer representatives-- serve primarily middle-market clients, including individuals and small businesses. Nine out of ten NAIFA members report serving middle-income individuals and families and 67 percent work with small businesses. A typical client's annual household income falls below $150,000 for 69 percent of NAIFA members. In some cases, our members are the only financial advisor across multiple counties.

NAIFA members are also small business owners. Many of our members work in small firms--sometimes firms of one--with little administrative or back-office support. Often, their business practices are dictated by the broker-dealer with whom they work, including the format and provision of client forms and disclosures. They are also subject to transaction- level oversight and review by the broker-dealer.

The Prove It Act would require federal agencies to consider reasonably foreseeable indirect future costs of their proposed federal regulations as part of their Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis, where feasible. The proposed legislation also creates a process whereby small businesses and organizations representing small business can ask the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy to formally review a federal agency's certification that a proposed regulatory rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). This ensures small businesses will be able to raise concerns that a rule was improperly certified and have a third-party review and determine whether certification was proper.

The Prove It Act would also require that, for any guidance document or other relevant documents clarifying or interpreting any rule found by agencies to likely have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, agencies shall publish said documents, as determined by the agency, to Regulations.gov or similar website and allow for comments to ensure small businesses can both easily access the resources and provide feedback or request additional clarity where needed.

The regulatory burden on insurance producers, registered representatives of broker-dealers, and financial advisors is often put in place without proper discussion or concern for the negative impact on the ability to conduct business or properly serve clients and consumers. Additionally, federal regulators often work to circumnavigate the RFA, which leads to a loss of growth and opportunity for these small businesses that represent Main Street America and make up an integral part of the community in which they work. That is why legislation like the Prove It Act is so important. The Prove It Act seeks to address the loopholes in the RFA by increasing small business input in the regulatory process and strengthening the requirements for agencies to examine the impacts of regulations on small businesses.

NAIFA offers its full support to the Prove It Act and urges Congress to promptly enact this legislation. Insurance Producers, the registered representatives of broker-dealers, and financial advisors appreciate your continued leadership to reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens and to allow these vital insurance professionals to continue to serve the best interest of their clients. Sincerely, Michael W. Hedge, Jr.

Senior Director, Government Relations, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. September 5, 2024. Hon. Roger Williams, Chairman, Committee on Small Business, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Hon. Nydia Velazquez, Ranking Member, Committee on Small Business, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Williams and Ranking Member Velazquez: On behalf of millions of small businesses across the country, we write to thank you for prioritizing legislation to provide regulatory relief and reduce red tape for small businesses. We urge the Committee to advance legislation to strengthen the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) and ensure the intent of the law is fulfilled.

Small businesses are concerned with the unprecedented pace of regulations coming from Washington. Over the last three and a half years, more than $1.6 trillion in new regulatory costs and almost 300 million new paperwork hours have been imposed on the private sector. These new burdens fall disproportionately on small businesses that do not have lawyers and compliance officers to navigate complex regulatory issues.

In 1980, President Carter and Congress recognized the disproportionate impact of federal regulations on small businesses and unanimously approved the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA). The RFA sought to minimize the burdens on small businesses. However, in the 40-plus years since the RFA became law, agencies have found ways to disregard or avoid many of the requirements. In 2023, NFIB analyzed the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Advocacy's comment letters to federal agencies from January 2021 to January 2023 and found significant noncompliance with the RFA. Advocacy highlighted 28 instances where agencies failed to adequately examine the economic costs of regulations. Advocacy noted that agencies often improperly certify that rules will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. By doing so, agencies disregard the intent of the RFA, leaving small businesses subject to the one-size-fits-all regulatory environment the RFA sought to remedy.

The House Committee on Small Business recently issued a staff report examining agency compliance with the RFA. The Committee found that most agencies are failing to properly comply with the RFAs requirements and live up to the spirit of the law. These findings mirror the conclusions of NFIB's 2023 White Paper and highlight the need to close loopholes to ensure the intent of the RFA is fulfilled.

In response to these findings, the Committee has prioritized several legislative proposals to strengthen the RFA. One proposal, the bipartisan Prove It Act, would increase small business input in the regulatory process and ensure agencies are fully accounting for the impact of regulations on small businesses. Other proposals would increase the transparency and accountability of the regulatory process for small businesses.

On behalf of millions of small businesses, thank you for your attention to the disproportionate impact of regulations on small entities. We appreciate the Committee's focus on ensuring the intent of the RFA is fulfilled through legislation like H.R. 7198, the Prove It Act. We urge Congress to take swift action to reduce red tape for small businesses. Sincerely,

Alliance for Chemical Distribution, American Bakers Association, American Bankers Association, American Chemistry Council, American Craft Spirits Association, American Exploration & Mining Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Road & Transportation Builders Association, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, American Waterways Operators, Associated Builders and Contractors, Associated Equipment Distributors, Associated General Contractors of America, Can Manufacturers Institute, Energy Workforce & Technology Council, Independent Community Bankers of America, International Franchise Association, International Wood Products Association, Job Creators Network, National Asphalt Pavement Association.

National Association of Convenience Stores, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, National Association of Manufacturers, National Association of Realtors, National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, National Federation of Independent Business, National Fisheries Institute, National Funeral Directors Association, National Grocers Association, National Lumber & Building Material Dealers Association, National Mining Association, National Pork Producers Council, National Propane Gas Association, National Retail Federation, National Roofing Contractors Association, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, National Small Business Association, National Stone Sand & Gravel Association, North American Association of Food Equipment Manufacturers, Owner- Operator Independent Drivers Association, Plumbing-Heating- Cooling Contractors--National Association, Precision Machined Products Association, PRINTING United Alliance, The Meat Institute, The Toy Association, Treated Wood Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, USA Rice. ____ May 21, 2024.

To the Members of the United States House of Representatives: The undersigned chambers of commerce strongly support H.R. 7198, the Prove It Act of 2024, and urge the House to consider this important legislation.

This bipartisan bill was introduced by Representatives Brad Finstad, Nathaniel Moran, and Yadira Caraveo and is co- sponsored by Representatives Mike Gallagher, Harriett Hageman, Maria Salazar, David Valadao, and Carol Miller. H.R. 7198 was reported by the Judiciary Committee in March and would be a major step forward for small businesses that are harmed by excessive federal regulations.

American small business owners are job creators and innovators. While their contributions to their communities and to the American economy are enormous, they bear an unreasonably heavy burden when it comes to regulatory costs. The annual cost of complying with federal regulations has risen by $465 billion since 2012 and now totals over $3 trillion (12 percent of U.S. GDP). The per employee cost of $12,800 for small businesses is 20 percent greater than the cost per employee at their larger competitors.

The Regulatory Flexibility Act--passed 44-years ago--was intended to correct the lopsided burden on small business and require that regulators tailor rules to meet government objectives while minimizing the burden on small businesses. Unfortunately, federal agencies too often exploit loopholes in the law to hide costs imposed on Main Street businesses and to ignore their feedback.

The Prove it Act of 2024 would close those loopholes and bring more transparency to the true costs of red tape on America's innovators, job creators, and community builders. The bill would also prevent agencies from ignoring small business input in their rush to finalize new federal regulations.

We urge expeditious House consideration of H.R. 7198, the Prove it Act. Sincerely,

Alabama:

Chandler Chamber of Commerce, Coastal Alabama Business Chamber, Enterprise Chamber of Commerce, Mobile Chamber, Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, SouthWest Mobile County Chamber of Commerce.

Alaska:

Alaska Chamber, Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce.

Arizona:

Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce, Carefree Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, Greater Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Chamber, Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Nogales Santa Cruz County Chamber of Commerce, Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, Peoria Chamber of Commerce, Prescott Valley Chamber of Commerce, Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce, Southwest Valley Chamber, Springerville- Eagar Regional Chamber of Commerce, Tucson Metro Chamber, West Valley Chamber of Commerce Alliance, Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce, Yuma County Chamber of Commerce.

Arkansas:

AR State Chamber/AIA, Holiday Island Chamber of Commerce, Little Rock Regional Chamber, Rogers-Lowell Chamber of Commerce.

California

Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, Brea Chamber of Commerce, California Chamber of Commerce, Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, Chatsworth Porter Ranch Chamber of Commerce, Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce, Colusa County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Bakersfield Chamber, Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce, Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce, Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce, Lodi District Chamber of Commerce, Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce, Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce, North San Diego Business Chamber, Oceanside Chamber of Commerce, Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce, Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Rancho Cordova Area Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce, Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, Santee Chamber of Commerce, South Bay Association of Chambers of Commerce, Tracy Chamber of Commerce, West Ventura County Business Alliance, Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce.

Colorado:

Vail Valley Partnership.

Florida:

Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, Lakeland Chamber of Commerce, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, Visitor Information Center, The Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, Venice Area Chamber of Commerce.

Georgia: Barrow County Chamber of Commerce, Inc., Cobb County Chamber of Commerce, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Habersham County Chamber of Commerce, Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce, Murray County Chamber of Commerce, Newton Chamber of Commerce.

Hawaii:

Chamber of Commerce Hawaii, Kapolei Chamber of Commerce, Kauai Filipino Chamber of Commerce.

Idaho:

Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce.

Illinois:

Chamber630, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce, GLMV Chamber of Commerce, Illinois Chamber of Commerce, Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce, Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, RiverBend Growth Association, Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce.

Indiana:

Greater Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, South Bend Regional Chamber of Commerce, Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce.

Iowa:

Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Iowa Association of Business and Industry.

Kansas:

Goddard Chamber of Commerce, Greater Topeka Chamber, Parsons Chamber of Commerce.

Kentucky:

Greater Louisville, Inc., Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce.

Louisiana:

Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce, Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce.

Maine:

Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce.

Maryland:

Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Massachusetts:

Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, Metro South Chamber of Commerce, Peabody Area Chamber of Commerce, United Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Michigan:

Barry County Chamber and Economic Development Alliance, Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Regional Chamber, Grand Rapids Chamber, Hartland Area Chamber of Commerce, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce, North Oakland Regional Chambers Association, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber of Commerce, Three Rivers Area Chamber of Commerce.

Minnesota:

Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Cannon Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, FORWARD Worthington, Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Mankato Growth, Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce, 1-94 West Chamber of Commerce, Lonsdale Area Chamber of Commerce. Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, Minnesota Chamber of Commerce, Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism, Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Shakopee Area Chamber of Commerce, SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce, St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce, Tracy Area Chamber, Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, Windom Area Chamber of Commerce, Winona Area Chamber of Commerce.

Mississippi:

Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

Montana:

Billings Chamber of Commerce, Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture, Inc., Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, Montana Chamber of Commerce.

Nebraska:

Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, North Platte Area Chamber & Development Corporation, Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Nevada:

Carson City Chamber of Commerce, Henderson Chamber of Commerce, Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce Vegas Chamber, White Pine Chamber of Commerce.

New Hampshire:

Business & Industry Association New Hampshire.

New Jersey:

New Jersey State Chamber of Commerce, The African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.

New York:

Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, North Country Chamber of Commerce, Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce, The Business Council of NYS, Inc.

North Carolina:

Alamance Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Greater Mount Airy Chamber of Commerce, Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce, Moore County Chamber of commerce NC Chamber, The Caldwell Chamber.

North Dakota:

Greater North Dakota Chamber, The Chamber Grand Forks-East Grand Forks, Williston Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ohio:

Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce, Huber Heights Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Troy Area Chamber of Commerce, Zanesville-Muskingum County Chamber of Commerce.

Oklahoma:

State Chamber of Oklahoma, Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Oregon:

Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Bend Chamber of Commerce, Canby Area Chamber of Commerce, Gresham Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Oregon Business & Industry, Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce, Salem Area Chamber of Commerce, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Chamber of Commerce.

Pennsylvania:

Alle Kiski Strong Chamber, Blair County Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce, Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce, Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce, Indian Valley Chamber of Commerce, Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, Somerset County Chamber of Commerce, Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, TriCounty Area Chamber of Commerce, Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, York County Economic Alliance.

Rhode Island:

Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce.

South Carolina:

Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce, Berkeley Chamber of Commerce, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce, Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Chamber of Commerce, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

South Dakota:

South Dakota Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Tennessee:

Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Texas:

Cedar Park Chamber of Commerce, Cuero Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture & Visitors Center, Denison Area Chamber of Commerce, Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Waco Chamber, Kaufman Chamber of Commerce, Kilgore Area Chamber of Commerce, Longview TX Chamber of Commerce, Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce, Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, North Texas Commission, Rowlett Chamber of Commerce, Texas Association of Business, United Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce.

Utah:

Cedar City Chamber of Commerce, ChamberWest Chamber of Commerce, Davis Chamber of Commerce, Salt Lake Chamber, South Valley Chamber of Commerce, Utah Pacific IsLander Chamber. Virginia:

Central Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, Hampton Roads Chamber, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Washington:

Burlington Chamber of Commerce, Covington Chamber of Commerce, Economic Alliance Snohomish County, Greater Lake Stevens Chamber of Commerce, Mercer Island Chamber of Commerce, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce.

Wisconsin:

Beaver Dam Area Chamber of Commerce, Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, Rice Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.

Wyoming:

Campbell County Chamber of Commerce, Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, Lander Chamber of Commerce, Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce, Wyoming State Chamber of Commerce.

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Mr. FINSTAD. Mr. Speaker, the Prove It Act gives the hardworking American small businesses a voice in the regulatory process. It is time that we strengthen and empower our small business community rather than force them to comply with unnecessary and burdensome regulations.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Caraveo and Representative Moran for partnering with me on this important legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of the Prove It Act.

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