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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 4/2/12
U.S. Senator Kay R. Hagan (NC), a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced that she is introducing legislation that will reduce paperwork burden on small businesses, freeing them to concentrate on growing the economy and creating jobs. Hagan made the announcement today during the 8th stop on her North Carolina Back to Work Jobs Tour.
"My Small Business Common Application Act will reduce barriers that you, as small businesses, face when applying for federal assistance by establishing a common application that meets your needs," said Hagan at a Regulatory Fairness Forum for Small Business, co-sponsored by Hagan and the Small Business Administration (SBA) in conjunction with the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce.
Bennett Aerospace, Inc. CEO Julia Bennett participated in the Regulatory Fairness Forum and commented on Senator Hagan's bill announcement. "Any legislation that makes the Small Business Administrations job more efficient and effective, such as the legislation proposed by Senator Hagan, is a positive move that will enhance the ability of US small businesses to compete in the world," said Bennett. "Senator Hagan's proposal creates both the potential for an increase in the ability of the SBA to provide service to small businesses and eases the compliance reporting burden on behalf of small businesses."
For our economy to truly recover, we need to create an environment that allows our small businesses to thrive, Hagan stated. "That's why I am excited to announce that I am introducing a commonsense proposal that I believe both sides of the aisle can agree on. This bill helps eliminate mountains of paperwork that small businesses should never have to waste time on and allows them to concentrate on creating jobs."
Hagan appeared at the forum with SBA National Ombudsman Esther H. Vassar where they met with North Carolina small business owners, and community and business leaders who were invited to comment about federal agency compliance issues and other ways the federal government can reduce barriers to small business success.
The legislation aims to aid small businesses that face layers of paperwork when they apply for a grant, seek technical assistance or bid on a contract from the federal government. An SBA study revealed that businesses with less than 20 employees may spend more than $10,500 per employee to comply with federal regulations.
"I believe the federal government should be responsive to the needs of our small businesses, not the other way around," said Hagan.
Small Business Common Application Act Background:
Whether it's applying for a grant, seeking technical assistance, or bidding on a contract, small businesses face a dizzying array of paperwork when interacting with the federal government. Different agencies will often ask for the same information from the same small businesses. Small business owners don't have the time or staff to navigate this intricate maze, and too frequently just avoid the hassle altogether, losing out on potentially significant business opportunities. According to a 2010 study from the SBA Office of Advocacy, it costs small businesses with less than 20 employees more than $10,500 per employee to comply with federal regulations. When compared to their larger counterparts, it costs small firms over $2,800 (or approximately 36%) more for each employee.
The Small Business Common Application Act of 2012 will reduce the resources that small business owners devote to applying for Federal assistance, and increase the Federal resources available to them by creating a common application that meets their needs. Modeled after the common application that allows college applicants to apply to multiple universities with the same application, the small business common application will allow small businesses to apply for all Federal assistance with a single form.
Web Portal
The bill charges the Small Business Administration (SBA) with establishing a small business common application and web portal within one year of enactment of the Act.
Task Force
The bill charges the Economic Development Administration (EDA) in the Department of Commerce - an office with a history of success in coordinating disparate Federal agencies - with leading an interagency Task Force to make recommendations for how best to implement the common application government-wide.
The Task Force will consist of one senior officer appointed by each of:
• The Administrator of the GSA
• The Administrator of the SBA
• The Director of the NIH
• The Director of the NSF
• The Pres. of the Export-Import Bank
• The Secretary of Agriculture
• The Secretary of Defense
• The Secretary of Health & Human Services
• The Secretary of Labor
• The Secretary of State
• The Secretary of the Treasury
• The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
The Task Force will also hold a public meeting to receive comments from small business owners directly. It must report its recommendations within 6 months of enactment to the SBA and other Executive agencies, which will then have 30 days to submit to Congress any recommendations for statutory changes that will be necessary to carry out the common application.
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