SIGMA Act of 2015

SBE Council continues to advocate for tax system reform and making temporary and extended measures permanent. In addition to broad regulatory reform that includes cost-benefit analysis, small business input, and greater transparency and accountability, SBE Council continues to weigh in on specific regulatory proposals and actions at various agencies (for example, various EPA proposals). SBE Council has continued to push for trade agreements and TPA for the President. Specific bills on a wide range of issues, supported by SBE Council over the past three months, include the following: Tax Reform and Relief: S. 860 and H.R. 1105 Death Tax Repeal Act, support both bills, and supported House passage of H.R. 1105. H.R. 880, American Research and Competitiveness Act, support. H.R. 160, Protect Medical Innovation Act of 2015, supported House passage. S.149, Medical Device Access and Innovation Protection Act of 2015 (medical device tax repeal), support. Continue to support Tax Reform and work of Senate Finance Committee working groups in crafting tax reform to ensure rate reduction and parity for small business taxpayers. Affordable Health Coverage and Health Care Reform: S. 141 & H.R. 1190, Protect Seniors Access to Medicare Act (IPAB Repeal), support and supported House passage. H.R. 2505, Medicare Advantage Coverage Transparency Act, support. H.R. 1624 and S. 1099, Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees Act, support. H.R. 2400 and S. 1368, Special Inspector General for Monitoring the Affordable Care Act, support. H.R. 1190, Repeal of Independent Payment Advisory Board, supported House passage. Continue to advocate for various changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including repeal of employer mandate, changes to the 30 hour rule to 40 hours, and allowing employers to contribute to employees' health care expenses. Trade: Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), supported House and Senate passage of Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act (legislation giving the president TPA). H.R. 2587, State Trade Coordination Act, support. H.R. 2586, Export Coordination Act, support. Energy: S.1312, Energy Supply and Distribution Act of 2015 (repeals crude oil export ban), support. H.R. 1734, Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulatory Act of 2015, support. H.R. 2042, Ratepayer Protection Act of 2015, supported House passage. Continue to voice support for LNG exports, and taxes and new regulations that would impose barriers and costs on U.S. energy development and production. Entrepreneurship, Innovation and the Internet, Telecommunications: H.R. 962, Startup Act of 2015, support. H.R. 805, DOTCOM Act, supported House passage. Continue to express concern about FCC Title II regulation to Congress and the need for reform legislation that pulls back on the commissions open internet rules. Regulation, Regulatory Reform and Transparency: Senate Resolution: Regulation Sensibility Through Oversight Regulation, support. H.R. 1732, Regulatory Integrity and Protection Act, supported House passage. H.R. 1195, Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection Advisory Boards Act, supported House passage. H.R. 1759, All Economic Regulations are Transparent Act, support. H.R. 1155, Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome (SCRUB) Act, support. S.554, The Secret Science Reform Act, support. H.R. 1732, Regulatory Integrity and Protection Act, supported House passage. H.R. 1265, The Bureau Advisory Commission Transparency Act, support. Regulatory Comments: Department of Labors New Proposed Definition of Fiduciary: Comment period extension request. Continue to educate about, and advocate against, EPAs proposed ozone rule, power plant rules, and the need to repeal the U.S. Waters rule. Also continue to advocate for a more open and inclusive regulatory process at the EPA. Transportation: Modernizing truck and freight regulations to allow for longer trucks, support action by the Congress as included in the House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill. Government Reform: H.R. 1295, Improves the Process for 501c4 Organizations, supported House passage. H.R. 709, Prevent Targeting at the IRS, supported House passage. H.R. 1026, Taxpayer Knowledge of IRS Investigation Act of 2015, supported House passage. H.R. 1562 & 1563, Contracting and Tax Accountability Act, and Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act, supported House passage. H.R. 1314, Appeals process for organizations denied tax-exempt status, support.