* Regulatory Fairness Hearing (Presented by Office of the National Ombudsman)

Monday, May 16, 2016 | Portland, Maine

A forum for members of the small business community to present testimony
on federal regulations impacting small businesses.

National Ombudsman Earl L Gay will convene a regional regulatory fairness hearing to hear testimony from small business owners, representatives of trade associations, and other members of the small business community regarding federal regulations and enforcement and compliance actions impacting America’s small businesses.
SBA Region 1 Regulatory Fairness Board Members are: Gary Ezovski, Charles Largay, Kevin Maloney, Juliette Mayers and Deborah Osgood.
The National Ombudsman convenes regulatory fairness hearings and roundtables across the country to give small business owners a means to comment on unfair enforcement actions, government audits, and excessive fines, penalties or regulations. It is anticipated that during this hearing small business stakeholders will testify on a number of wide-ranging issues. Issues reported by participants undergo a high-level fairness review at the appropriate federal agency, and the Office of the National Ombudsman works with its federal agency partners to address those concerns, reduce regulatory burdens, and help small businesses grow.


WHERE: The University of South Maine
Abromson Center
Room 213
88 Bedford Street
Portland, Maine 04103
WHEN: Monday, May 16, 2016
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. EST – Registration
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST – Hearing


Members of the small business community, trade organizations and media are encouraged to attend. RSVPs should be made to Elahe Zahirieh, Case Management Specialist, Office of the National Ombudsman at (202) 205-6499 or by email at ombudsman@sba.gov by May 12, 2016. Those wishing to testify must register and provide written statements in advance. Anyone desiring confidentiality may request that his or her name not be released and may submit written testimony in lieu of a public appearance at the hearing. Those wishing to put testimony on the record on a confidential basis may do so by offering it in writing in advance.
For additional information about the Office of the National Ombudsman, visit our website at www.sba.gov/ombudsman.
The SBA’s programs and services are provided to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Reasonable arrangements for persons with disabilities will be made when requested 1 week in advance. Contact: elahe.zahirieh@sba.gov or call (202) 205-6918.