Rep. Finstad's Prove It Act Moves Forward to Shield Small Businesses from Hidden Regulatory Costs
Prove It Act
The Prove It Act has been approved by its committees and is now waiting for further action on the House floor. It is currently placed on the Union Calendar, which means it is ready for the full House of Representatives to consider. The bill is actively moving through the legislative process.
The bill has strong support in the House and has cleared key committees, but it may face a difficult path in the Senate where some worry it could slow down important safety rules.
Federal employees at regulatory agencies would face new procedural requirements when writing rules, including analyzing indirect costs to small businesses, responding to petitions, attending review meetings with the SBA, and conducting mandatory 10-year reviews of existing rules. Since the bill authorizes no new funding, these additional duties would need to be handled with existing staff and resources, increasing workloads for rulemaking personnel.
“No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.”
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 552.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 119-108, Part II.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 14 - 12.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-108, Part I.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
The Prove It Act (HR 1163) would require federal agencies to analyze the impact of their regulatory action on small businesses. It creates a way for small businesses to raise concerns when regulators don't properly consider costs and allows them to ask for a review of the agency's work.
A coalition of over 70 agriculture and business groups urged Congress to pass the Prove It Act of 2025. The bill would strengthen the Regulatory Flexibility Act by requiring agencies to assess both direct and indirect costs of proposed regulations before they are finalized.
The House passed the Prove It Act (HR 7198), which expands requirements for federal agency rulemaking. Agencies must include reasonably foreseeable indirect costs and allow small entities to petition the SBA to review certifications that a rule won't have a significant impact.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Prove It Act
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