Regulatory Flexibility Act: Status of Agencies' Compliance (Testimony,
03/08/95, GAO/T-GGD-95-112).

The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires federal agencies to assess the
effects of their proposed rules on small entities. The Small Business
Administration (SBA) is required to monitor and report on agencies'
compliance with the act.  This testimony, which is based on an April
1994 GAO report (GAO/GGD-94-105), discusses the reasons for agencies'
lack of compliance with the act.  GAO recommended several measures that
SBA and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) could take to improve
agency compliance, such as having SBA notify OMB of any concerns about
an agency's compliance.  GAO also noted that Congress might want to
consider clarifying SBA's authority and responsibilities. Although SBA
and OMB are working more closely together, the act still does not spell
out who is responsible for interpreting key statutory language and
issuing related guidance.

--------------------------- Indexing Terms -----------------------------

 REPORTNUM:  T-GGD-95-112
     TITLE:  Regulatory Flexibility Act: Status of Agencies' Compliance
      DATE:  03/08/95
   SUBJECT:  Compliance
             Regulatory agencies
             Reporting requirements
             Federal regulations
             Legislative procedures
             Economic analysis
             Interagency relations
             Monitoring
             Noncompliance
             Small business assistance

             
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