H.R.822 - Providing Opportunities to Show Transparency via Information Technology Act of 2025; POST IT Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 822, also known as the POST IT Act of 2025, aims to amend the Small Business Act. The amendment requires the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman to publish guidance documents, including hyperlinks, for certain rules on its website. This is intended to improve transparency and accessibility of information for small businesses regarding regulatory compliance.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill will be to increase the availability of guidance documents related to small business regulations. Small businesses should find it easier to understand and comply with relevant rules. The bill also includes a provision to protect confidential information from public disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in regulatory compliance for small businesses.
- Easier access to guidance documents through hyperlinks on the Ombudsman's website.
- Improved understanding of regulations, potentially reducing compliance costs.
- Protection of confidential business information from public disclosure.
- No additional appropriations are authorized, potentially minimizing costs.
Potential Disadvantages
- The bill's impact may be limited if agencies do not prioritize creating comprehensive guidance documents.
- The effectiveness depends on the quality and clarity of the guidance provided.
- Small businesses may still require additional assistance beyond the provided guidance.
- The bill does not address the underlying complexity of the regulations themselves.
- The "to the extent practicable" clause may allow agencies to avoid providing guidance in some cases.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the spirit of the Constitution by promoting transparency and providing information to citizens (small business owners) about government regulations. While the Constitution does not explicitly address regulatory transparency for businesses, the concept of an informed citizenry is generally considered consistent with democratic principles. There are no apparent conflicts with specific articles or amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).