charter-2218_2006-charter_2006-01-09-14-27-02.doc
U.S. SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL OMBUDSMAN
REGIONAL SMALL BUSINESS REGULATORY FAIRNESS BOARDS
MASTER CHARTER
Official Designation: (name of region) Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board (Board.)
Scope and Objectives: The Board reports on matters of concern to small businesses relating to the enforcement and compliance activities of agencies, substantiated instances of excessive enforcement or compliance actions of agencies against small businesses, and any findings or recommendations of the Board regarding agency enforcement policy or practice.
Duration: Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and accompanying GSA regulations, the Board shall terminate not later than two years following the Board’s charter filing date unless, prior to that time, the Board’s charter is renewed by the Administrator.
Reporting Relationship: The Board will share its advice and findings with the SBA Administrator and the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman (National Ombudsman) and will provide comment on the National Ombudsman’s Annual Report to the Congress and the Administration.
Support: All necessary professional and administrative staff services, support, facilities, and expenses will, to the extent permitted by law, be furnished by SBA. Board members serve without pay in the capacity of representatives.
Duties: Consistent with its authority under 15 U.S.C.§657(c), the Board will:
· hold hearings and collect information on matters of concern to small businesses relating to the enforcement activities of agencies;
· report to the Ombudsman on substantiated instances of excessive enforcement actions of agencies against small businesses;
· report to the Ombudsman any findings or recommendations as to agency enforcement policy or practice;
· comment on the annual report of the Ombudsman as prepared under § 30(b) of the Small Business Act;
· advise the Ombudsman on cost-effective methods of informing small businesses of their regulatory fairness rights.
Costs: The estimated annual operating cost for each Board is $20,000 per year with an estimated 2 full time equivalents to support the operations of the Boards.
Meetings: SBA anticipates that each Board will meet at least once a year.
Charter Filing Date: Friday, January 6, 2006.
Official Designations: Region I Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region II Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region III Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region IV Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region V Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region VI Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region VII Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region VIII Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region IX Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board, Region X Small Business Regulatory Fairness Board
