Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
“(2) Each Board established under paragraph (1) shall–
“(A) meet at least annually to advise the Ombudsman on matters of concern to small businesses relating to the enforcement activities of agencies;
“(B) report to the Ombudsman on substantiated instances of excessive enforcement actions of agencies against small business concerns including any findings or recommendations of the Board as to agency enforcement policy or practice; and
“(C) prior to publication, provide comment on the annual report of the Ombudsman prepared under subsection (b).
“(3) Each Board shall consist of five members, who are owners, operators, or officers of small business concerns, appointed by the Administrator, after receiving the recommendations of the chair and ranking minority member of the Committees on Small Business of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Not more than three of the Board members shall be of the same political party. No member shall be an officer or employee of the Federal Government, in either the executive branch or the Congress.
“(4) Members of the Board shall serve at the pleasure of the Administrator for terms of three years or less.
“(5) The Administrator shall select a chair from among the members of the Board who shall serve at the pleasure of the Administrator for not more than 1 year as chair.
“(6) A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the conduct of business, but a lesser number may hold hearings.
As Per Master Charter: charter-2218_2006-charter_2006-01-09-14-27-02.doc
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.
