Sen. Steve Knight

The House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that will alter the way federal agencies create and enforce regulations on small businesses.

The bill, HR 527 – the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act – requires agencies to analyze the economic impact that regulations would have on small businesses before they go into effect.  Additionally, it gives small businesses more opportunities to offer input in the rulemaking process and requires agencies to periodically review and reduce existing regulations.

“Americans want to work,” said Rep. Steve Knight, R-Antelope Valley, in a speech on the floor. “The best way Congress can help is cutting burdensome red tape and letting job creators do what they do best.”

HR 527, sponsored by House Committee on Small Business Chairman Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, was the first piece of legislation Knight has signed onto since he started his term in Congress in January. Knight is the only co-sponsor of the bill from California, which according the Small Business Association, has more small businesses and small business employees than any other state.

“Instead of making small businesses spend thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours trying to understand and comply with regulations, we should let them focus on putting Americans back to work,” continued Knight.

HR 527 passed the House floor by a vote of 260-163. The bill will now go to the Senate for consideration.

Knight represents California’s 25th Congressional District, which includes communities in the Antelope, Santa Clarita and Simi Valleys.