Small Biz Reg Watch vol 1, Issue 5

Dear Neighbor,

Below are this week's featured regulations.  Remember, you can always check out the ARRC website for a more comprehensive list of rules and regulations from both the fedeal and state government.

As a small business owner, I know firsthand how the miles of red tape can strangle the life out of any business.  The goal of the small business regulatory watch is to make our state and federal government more transparent and business friendly.  I encourage you to speak out against any of the proposed rules and regulations you see that may adversely impact your individual business or field.

If I or my staff can ever be of help please do not hesitate to contact us.

Wishing you the best,

Dr. Terrence P. Murphy

This Week's Featured Regulations

Federal Register, Volume 80, Issue 64, April 3, 2015:

• Allocation of Controlled Group Research
  • The Internal Revenus Service (IRS) is issuing temporary regulations providing guidance to taxpayers that claim the controlled group research credit.
  • These temporary regulations pertain to the allocation of the credit for increasing research activities to coroporations and trades or business under common control.
  • This proposal will also affect the railroad track maintenance credit and the election for a reduced research credit.
  • If requested, the IRS will schedule ap ublic hearing regarding this rule change.
  • Please send comments to Internal Revenue Service, PO Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington DC 20044 or electronically www.regulations.gov. 

Federal Register, Volume 80, Issue 67, April 8, 2015:

• Petition Requesting Rulemaking to Amend the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles
  • The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is requesting pubilc comments regarding a petition that it received, to amend the test procedure in the Standard for the Flammability of Clothing Textiles, 16 CFR Part 1610.
  • The International Association of Users of Artificial and Synthetic Filament Yarns and of Natural Silk has petitioned for changes to “pre-test conditioning requirements” for flammability testing of textiles.
  • The petitioner claims that current requirements are inappropriate and unrealistic of silk fabics and has requested that the standard for all textile samples, including silk, be changed to a lower temperature at a higher level of humidity.
  • Public comments must be submitted to June 8, 2015.
  • For further information, or to submit a comment, reference Docket No. CPSC-2015-0007 and contact Rocky Hammond, Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; (301) 504-6833; email rhammond@cpsc.gov.  Comments may be submitted electronically atwww.regulations.gov.

Federal Register, Volume 80, Issue 68, April 9, 2015:

• Amendments to Registration of Food Facilities.
  • The rule will implement certain provisions that relate to registration of food facilities.
  • This rule will also amend and update FDA’s registration regulations to further enhance FDA’s capabilities with respect to responding to food-related emergencies and provide information to focus and better utilize limited inspection resources.
  • Comments will be received for 60 days, or up to June 8, 2015.
  • Commercial Learner's Permits and Commercial Driver's Licenses
  • Written comments should be sent to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA-305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852.

Federal Register, Volume 80, Issue 68, April 9, 2015:

• Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Program
  • The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is proposing a rule change to implement Section 82 of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
  • Under the 2015 NDAA, Federal contracting officers will be authorized to restrict competition to Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs), or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Businesses (EDWOSBs) within certain industries.
  • Contracts may be awarded on a sole source basis to qualified WOSB and EDWOSB firms, as long as the value of the contract does not exceed $4 million, or $6.5 million for manufacturing contracts.
  • According to the SBA, there are approximately 34,000 WOSBs and EDWOSBs under the Federal WOSB Program.
  • The SBA will accept public comments up to June 30, 2015.
  • For further information, or to submit a public comment, reference RIN: 3245-AG72, or docket number SBA-2015-0004 and contact Brenda Fernandez, U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Policy, Planning & Liaison, 409 Third Street SW., 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20416; (202) 205-7337; brenda.fernandez@sba.gov.  Public comments can be submitted at http://www.regulations.gov, but comments will not be accepted by email.