[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 2]
[House]
[Page 2257]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               INCENTIVES

  (Mr. KUCINICH asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KUCINICH. Madam Speaker, today we will be considering H.R. 391, 
the Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments. This bill is 
strongly opposed by the administration, and four department heads will 
recommend a veto if the bill is passed in its current form.
  The concern stems from a provision that bars agencies from assessing 
civil penalties for most first-time paperwork violations. This 
provision allows businesses one free violation, even when the violation 
is intentional. This sets up a bizarre circumstance where bad-faith 
actors would have little or no incentive to comply with paperwork 
requirements. They would know that once caught, they could not be 
fined.
  When bad-faith actors do not file paperwork, it is extremely 
difficult for the government to detect illegal activity. The government 
would not be able to identify businesses that are putting workers, 
consumers, and seniors in jeopardy.
  I will be offering an amendment that will provide penalty relief for 
first-time violators without giving an across-the-board waiver to those 
who intentionally violate the law. If my amendment is adopted, the veto 
threat will likely be dropped and the bill can become law. I urge 
Members' support for my amendment to H.R. 391.

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