WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) released the following statement after the House Committee on Small Business passed the Prove It Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Finstad which would give small businesses a greater voice in the regulatory process:  

"Far too often, small businesses are overwhelmed by the time-consuming paperwork and high compliance costs that come with burdensome federal regulations,” said Rep. Finstad. “As a small business owner myself, I understand how family-owned small businesses need less government, not more. The Prove It Act is commonsense legislation that protects Main Streets by giving small businesses a seat at the table during the regulatory process and requires agencies to assess the impact that new regulations will have on small business owners. I am proud that the Prove It Act passed in the House Committee on Small Business, and I look forward to seeing it through the legislative process.”

“Last Congress, this Committee sounded the alarm on Biden-Harris agencies sidestepping laws put in place to protect small businesses from costly regulations,” said Chairman Williams.  “Thank you to Rep. Finstad for introducing the Prove It Act, which passed out of Committee today. This bill will give small businesses the tools to fight back and make their voices heard in the regulatory process, so they can focus on what they do best: serving their customers.” 

Background:

In February 2024 Congressman Finstad first introduced the Prove It Act. During the 118th Congress, the Prove It Act passed in the House Small Business Committee, House Judiciary Committee, and on the House Floor.

In February 2025, Representative Finstad reintroduced the Prove It Act.

Specifically, the Prove It Act requires federal agencies to analyze the impact of their regulatory action and limit these impacts for small entities by:

• Creating a way for small businesses to raise concerns when regulators do not consider both the direct and indirect costs their regulations place on them;
• Allowing small businesses to ask their chief advocate in government to review agencies’ work and make the government prove they are fully compliant with already existing laws;
• If regulators fail to comply with this review process, then small businesses will be exempt from the agency’s regulations altogether;

Ensuring small businesses can easily access preexisting guidance documents online and create a way for small businesses to directly raise questions or concerns with their regulators