Regulatory Hit-List Finalized
by Matthew Madia, 2/28/2008
Today, the Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy announced its final list of regulations under its regulatory review and reform initiative. Ultimately, this list tees up 10 rules the Bush administration may attempt to rollback in its final year in office.
Last year, the Office of Advocacy solicited nominations for rules it could then push federal agencies to modify. Business owners, industry lobbyists, and anti-regulatory think tanks nominated more than 80 such rules.
The final list shows a bias against public health and safety standards. Four of the rules the Office of Advocacy will target are EPA rules: dry cleaner air monitoring; drinking water systems; solid waste recycling; and oil spill prevention.
Two other rules are occupational health standards. One is an OSHA rule protecting lab and medical workers from exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Another is Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) rule regulating the use of explosives in mines.
Another rule places restriction on flights around the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued the rule as an interim rule in the wake of the September 11 attacks and plans to finalize it, according to the Office of Advocacy.
Of the remaining three rules, one is an IRS rule regarding home office deductions, and the other two relate to federal procurement and contracting.
