Senate Passes Small Business Regulatory Impact Measure

The Senate unanimously approved legislation April 30 requiring state agencies to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the small business impact of proposed regulations.

SB 1402, which originated in the Commerce Committee, requires state agencies’ existing regulatory flexibility analysis to include whether small businesses may be required to retain records for a period of time, change or provide an additional employee benefit, or change a product or packaging. 

In addition, agencies must include these analyses in any fiscal note prepared to estimate the proposed regulation’s fiscal impact on the state, municipalities, and small businesses.

CBIA, the Connecticut Manufacturers’ Collaborative, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, and regional chambers of commerce testified in support of the bill at a committee public hearing earlier this session. 

The CMC, made up of seven manufacturing associations representing thousands of manufacturers across the state, submitted testimony in support of the bill.

“SB 1402 will help further shine a spotlight on Connecticut’s regulatory process.”

NFIB’s Andy Markowski

“State agencies do not always understand how their actions impact private sector businesses,” the testimony noted.

“SB 1402 is a critical update that will educate our state agencies about what regulatory requirements are potentially burdensome to small businesses in our state.”

NFIB state director Andy Markowski said the bill “will help further shine a spotlight on Connecticut’s regulatory process.”

“More importantly, it will result in a better understanding and thorough analysis of the impact regulatory policymaking will specifically have on small businesses in Connecticut.”

As businesses continue to navigate an unpredictable regulatory environment, SB 1402 promises greater transparency and clarity when it comes to complying with new and modified regulations.

The bill now awaits action by the state House.

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For more information, contact CBIA’s Paul Amarone (860.244.1978).