Overview
Title
To amend the Small Business Act to require the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman to publish guidance documents for certain rules, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The POST IT Act of 2025 wants to help small businesses by making sure important rules are easy to find online, while still keeping secrets safe and not using extra money to do it.
Summary AI
H.R. 822 aims to amend the Small Business Act by requiring the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman to make guidance documents available online for certain rules. This initiative, called the "POST IT Act of 2025," ensures that, whenever possible, hyperlinks to policy guidance related to statutory, regulatory, or technical issues are published online for rules accompanied by a small entity compliance guide. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that confidential information not subject to public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act remains protected. Additionally, no extra funding will be allocated to implement this Act or its amendments.
Published
Keywords AI
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AnalysisAI
The bill titled "Providing Opportunities to Show Transparency via Information Technology Act of 2025," or the "POST IT Act of 2025," introduces amendments to the Small Business Act. Its primary goal is to ensure that the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman provides guidance documents for certain regulatory rules on its website. The bill emphasizes transparency while maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.
General Summary of the Bill
The bill seeks to make it easier for small businesses to navigate complex regulations by requiring the Ombudsman to publish guidance documents online. These documents are intended to help small business owners understand the ramifications of various rules and regulations. Additionally, the bill mandates that any information exempt under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) remains undisclosed, safeguarding confidential information. Notably, the bill specifies that no new funds will be allocated for these initiatives, aligning it with existing budget constraints.
Significant Issues
One key issue is the ambiguity in the phrase "to the extent practicable," which could lead to inconsistencies in how the bill is implemented. This vagueness leaves room for interpretation, which might complicate adherence and enforcement. Additionally, references to specific legal provisions, such as the FOIA and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996, are not thoroughly explained, possibly causing confusion for those unfamiliar with these laws. Lastly, the decision not to allocate additional funding raises concerns about whether current resources are sufficient to carry out these new responsibilities effectively.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, particularly small business owners, this bill could provide increased access to crucial regulatory information, potentially reducing the burden of compliance with government regulations. By facilitating access to guidance, it could help small businesses avoid inadvertent violations and penalties. However, without additional funding, there might be limitations in the effectiveness of delivering these resources.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Small Business Owners: The bill stands to benefit small business owners by offering them clearer paths to understanding government regulations. However, if the implementation falls short due to resource constraints, the anticipated benefits might not be fully realized.
Government Agencies and Ombudsman Office: For the agencies and the Ombudsman, the bill imposes new responsibilities without additional financial resources. This could strain existing resources and might affect the quality or availability of the guidance documents.
While the POST IT Act of 2025 aims to enhance transparency and ease the regulatory burden on small businesses, the lack of funding and potential for ambiguous interpretations could impact its effectiveness. Addressing these issues could aid in delivering the full benefits envisioned by the bill.
Issues
The language in Section 2 regarding 'to the extent practicable' could lead to ambiguity and varying interpretations of what is considered 'practicable'. This could cause inconsistency in the application of the Act and possibly weaken its enforcement. Clarification would be beneficial.
Section 2 refers to 'information that is exempt from public disclosure under section 552(b) of title 5, United States Code', commonly known as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This might be unclear to those not familiar with U.S. Code or legal terms, potentially leading to misunderstandings regarding which information remains confidential.
Section 3 states that no additional funds are authorized for this Act or its amendments. While this is in compliance with CUTGO, it raises questions about whether existing resources are sufficient for the Ombudsman to effectively implement these new requirements without additional allocation of funds.
The bill in Section 2 refers to the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 without elaborating on it, which might lead to confusion for those who are not acquainted with this legislation. A brief explanation would facilitate better understanding for the general public and stakeholders.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section provides the official short title of the Act, which can be referred to as the “Providing Opportunities to Show Transparency via Information Technology Act of 2025” or simply the “POST IT Act of 2025”.
2. Inclusion of guidance on Ombudsman website Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Small Business Act to require the inclusion of hyperlinks for guidance documents on the Ombudsman website that help small businesses understand rules and regulations. However, it ensures that confidential information exempt under the Freedom of Information Act remains private.
3. Compliance with CUTGO Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section states that no extra funds are approved for spending to implement this Act or its amendments.