U.S. Rep. Kerry Bentivolio Introduces First Bill

Congressman Kerry Bentivolio (MI-11) last week introduced his first bill, The Protect Small Business Jobs Act (H.R. 746), according to a news release from Bentivolio's office. This legislation offers small business owners a six-month grace period to correct a violation of federal regulations as long as the violation does not pose an imminent threat to life.

"Small businesses are America's job creators," Bentivolio said in the news release, "and the massive regulatory state grows so quickly that they often have a tough time keeping up. This comes at the expense of jobs and economic growth. The Protect Small Business Jobs Act encourages the great American tradition of entrepreneurship and competition in an age when most Americans see that government favors the large business at the expense of the small business."

This legislation aims to offer a middle ground between ensuring safe work and environmental procedures are in place while allowing small businesses to compete without being burdened by regulations, the news release indicated.

Under the Protect Small Business Jobs Act, a business found in violation of a federal regulation would have six months to comply without facing fines. After the six-month grace period, the small business can obtain a three-month extension if it is determined to be making a good faith effort to fix the problem. If they correct the problem within the grace period, the fines would be waived. By allowing only one grace period per rule, this legislation does not permit any businesses to ignore any regulations on an ongoing basis, the news release indicated.

Twelve members of Congress signed on to the bill as original co-sponsors:

• Rep. Dan Benishek (MI-1)
• Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-7)
• Rep. Michelle Bachmann (MN-6)
• Rep. Paul Broun (GA-10)
• Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-1)
• Rep. Trent Franks (AZ-8)
• Rep. Louie Gohmert (TX-1)
• Rep. Ralph Hall (TX-4)
• Rep. Randy Hultgren (IL-14)
• Rep. Robert Pittenger (NC-9)
• Rep. Peter Roskam (IL-6)
• Rep. David Valadao (CA-21)

Congressman Kerry Bentivolio, a small business owner from Milford, introduced H.R. 746 on Feb. 15. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.