{
  "id": "R45071",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "R",
  "number": "R45071",
  "active": true,
  "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov, EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "retrieved": "2022-05-25T04:03:52.634305",
      "id": "R45071_18_2022-04-19",
      "formats": [
        {
          "filename": "files/2022-04-19_R45071_d4b4ffa3c4c6d8bc1c12152d51909d34387db678.pdf",
          "format": "PDF",
          "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45071/18",
          "sha1": "d4b4ffa3c4c6d8bc1c12152d51909d34387db678"
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/2022-04-19_R45071_d4b4ffa3c4c6d8bc1c12152d51909d34387db678.html"
        }
      ],
      "date": "2022-04-19",
      "summary": null,
      "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov",
      "typeId": "R",
      "active": true,
      "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R45071",
      "type": "CRS Report"
    },
    {
      "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "retrieved": "2022-05-25T04:03:52.633813",
      "id": "R45071_17_2021-07-02",
      "formats": [
        {
          "filename": "files/2021-07-02_R45071_fc79ea0c6192a2fe3b94e92ba7c85746c5e234b5.pdf",
          "format": "PDF",
          "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45071/17",
          "sha1": "fc79ea0c6192a2fe3b94e92ba7c85746c5e234b5"
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/2021-07-02_R45071_fc79ea0c6192a2fe3b94e92ba7c85746c5e234b5.html"
        }
      ],
      "date": "2021-07-02",
      "summary": null,
      "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov",
      "typeId": "R",
      "active": true,
      "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R45071",
      "type": "CRS Report"
    },
    {
      "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "retrieved": "2022-05-25T04:03:52.632568",
      "id": "R45071_15_2021-03-04",
      "formats": [
        {
          "filename": "files/2021-03-04_R45071_f426b4268875d93c2fa333d65724ee3f5727116a.pdf",
          "format": "PDF",
          "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45071/15",
          "sha1": "f426b4268875d93c2fa333d65724ee3f5727116a"
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/2021-03-04_R45071_f426b4268875d93c2fa333d65724ee3f5727116a.html"
        }
      ],
      "date": "2021-03-04",
      "summary": null,
      "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov",
      "typeId": "R",
      "active": true,
      "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R45071",
      "type": "CRS Report"
    },
    {
      "source_dir": "crsreports.congress.gov",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "retrieved": "2022-05-25T04:03:52.631859",
      "id": "R45071_14_2020-06-19",
      "formats": [
        {
          "filename": "files/2020-06-19_R45071_1c9b7a4382ae34499b673cea2528f4b2d3075192.pdf",
          "format": "PDF",
          "url": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45071/14",
          "sha1": "1c9b7a4382ae34499b673cea2528f4b2d3075192"
        },
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "filename": "files/2020-06-19_R45071_1c9b7a4382ae34499b673cea2528f4b2d3075192.html"
        }
      ],
      "date": "2020-06-19",
      "summary": null,
      "source": "CRSReports.Congress.gov",
      "typeId": "R",
      "active": true,
      "sourceLink": "https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/details?prodcode=R45071",
      "type": "CRS Report"
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 608273,
      "date": "2019-11-20",
      "retrieved": "2019-12-13T15:19:56.737621",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "summary": "The Office of the National Ombudsman was created in 1996 as part of P.L. 104-121, the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Title II, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [SBREFA]). Housed within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the office\u2019s primary purpose is to provide small businesses, small government entities (those serving populations of less than 50,000), and small nonprofit organizations that believe they have experienced unfair or excessive regulatory compliance or enforcement actions (such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation by federal agencies) a means to comment about such actions.\nThe Office of the National Ombudsman is an impartial liaison that reports small business regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for review and works across government to address those concerns and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. \nSBREFA also created 10 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards, one in each of the SBA\u2019s 10 regions, to advise the National Ombudsman on matters related to federal regulatory enforcement activities affecting small businesses.\nSpecifically, the National Ombudsman\nworks with each federal agency with regulatory authority over small businesses to ensure that small businesses are provided a means to comment on the federal agency\u2019s regulatory compliance and enforcement activities;\nreceives comments from small businesses regarding actions by federal agency employees conducting small business regulatory compliance or enforcement activities;\nrefers comments to the affected federal agency\u2019s inspector general in appropriate circumstances while maintaining the confidentiality of the person or small business making these comments;\nissues an annual report to Congress and affected federal agencies evaluating the agency\u2019s compliance and enforcement activities, including a rating of their responsiveness to small businesses;\nprovides the affected federal agency with an opportunity to comment on the annual report prior to publication and includes in the report a section in which the affected federal agency may comment on issues that are not addressed by the National Ombudsman in revisions to the draft; and\ncoordinates and reports annually on the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards\u2019 activities, findings, and recommendations to the SBA Administrator and the heads of affected federal agencies. \nThis report examines the Office of the National Ombudsman\u2019s origin and history; describes its organizational structure, funding, functions, and current activities; and discusses a recent legislative effort to enhance its authority. During the 115th Congress, S. 1146, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2017, would have, among other provisions, \nexpanded the National Ombudsman\u2019s authority to work with federal agencies on the development of best practices for educating, training, and assisting small entities in understanding and complying with federal regulations; and \nauthorized the National Ombudsman to evaluate federal agency regulatory compliance guides, ensure that those guides are available to small business development centers and other SBA management and training resource partners, conduct small business customer service surveys on an ongoing basis to assess the timeliness and quality of federal agency regulatory activities, and develop an outreach program to promote awareness of the National Ombudsman\u2019s activities.\nThis report also discusses some challenges facing the Office of the National Ombudsman:\nalthough it is generally recognized as an independent, impartial office, it is housed within the much larger SBA and remains subject to its influence;\nthe National Ombudsman has often stayed in the position for a relatively short time. Frequent turnover can lead to continuity problems for the office; \nit does not have the authority to compel federal agencies to undertake specific actions to resolve disputes. As a result, although its annual rating of federal agency responsiveness to small business concerns does provide it a means to exert some influence on federal agency actions, its role in resolving disputes is somewhat constrained; and \nits relatively limited budget and staffing level restrict its ability to engage in outreach activities that could increase small business awareness of its existence and services.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45071",
          "sha1": "5caa54443e72decde7039bd15da3d0026765d003",
          "filename": "files/20191120_R45071_5caa54443e72decde7039bd15da3d0026765d003.html",
          "images": {}
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45071",
          "sha1": "cfc5fdf466f7b4c35f0138aef3eedaf3b3e1d7da",
          "filename": "files/20191120_R45071_cfc5fdf466f7b4c35f0138aef3eedaf3b3e1d7da.pdf",
          "images": {}
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4832,
          "name": "Small Business"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 600371,
      "date": "2019-06-13",
      "retrieved": "2019-07-02T22:16:29.260950",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "summary": "The Office of the National Ombudsman was created in 1996 as part of P.L. 104-121, the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Title II, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [SBREFA]). Housed within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the office\u2019s primary purpose is to provide small businesses, small government entities (those serving populations of less than 50,000), and small nonprofit organizations that believe they have experienced unfair or excessive regulatory compliance or enforcement actions (such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation by federal agencies) a means to comment about such actions.\nThe Office of the National Ombudsman is an impartial liaison that reports small business regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for review and works across government to address those concerns and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. \nSBREFA also created 10 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards, one in each of the SBA\u2019s 10 regions, to advise the National Ombudsman on matters related to federal regulatory enforcement activities affecting small businesses.\nSpecifically, the National Ombudsman\nworks with each federal agency with regulatory authority over small businesses to ensure that small businesses are provided a means to comment on the federal agency\u2019s regulatory compliance and enforcement activities;\nreceives comments from small businesses regarding actions by federal agency employees conducting small business regulatory compliance or enforcement activities;\nrefers comments to the affected federal agency\u2019s inspector general in appropriate circumstances while maintaining the confidentiality of the person or small business making these comments;\nissues an annual report to Congress and affected federal agencies evaluating the agency\u2019s compliance and enforcement activities, including a rating of their responsiveness to small businesses;\nprovides the affected federal agency with an opportunity to comment on the annual report prior to publication and includes in the report a section in which the affected federal agency may comment on issues that are not addressed by the National Ombudsman in revisions to the draft; and\ncoordinates and reports annually on the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards\u2019 activities, findings, and recommendations to the SBA Administrator and the heads of affected federal agencies. \nThis report examines the Office of the National Ombudsman\u2019s origin and history; describes its organizational structure, funding, functions, and current activities; and discusses a recent legislative effort to enhance its authority. During the 115th Congress, S. 1146, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2017, would have, among other provisions, \nexpanded the National Ombudsman\u2019s authority to work with federal agencies on the development of best practices for educating, training, and assisting small entities in understanding and complying with federal regulations; and \nauthorized the National Ombudsman to evaluate federal agency regulatory compliance guides, ensure that those guides are available to small business development centers and other SBA management and training resource partners, conduct small business customer service surveys on an ongoing basis to assess the timeliness and quality of federal agency regulatory activities, and develop an outreach program to promote awareness of the National Ombudsman\u2019s activities.\nThis report also discusses some challenges facing the Office of the National Ombudsman:\nalthough it is generally recognized as an independent, impartial office, it is housed within the much larger SBA and remains subject to its influence;\nthe National Ombudsman has often stayed in the position for a relatively short time. Frequent turnover can lead to continuity problems for the office; \nit does not have the authority to compel federal agencies to undertake specific actions to resolve disputes. As a result, although its annual rating of federal agency responsiveness to small business concerns does provide it a means to exert some influence on federal agency actions, its role in resolving disputes is somewhat constrained; and \nits relatively limited budget and staffing level restrict its ability to engage in outreach activities that could increase small business awareness of its existence and services.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45071",
          "sha1": "4350aa23dc30de6468edaa71b098e0276ff9b765",
          "filename": "files/20190613_R45071_4350aa23dc30de6468edaa71b098e0276ff9b765.html",
          "images": {}
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45071",
          "sha1": "be04435f8b7ef827a4eff20c475c24a6000909fb",
          "filename": "files/20190613_R45071_be04435f8b7ef827a4eff20c475c24a6000909fb.pdf",
          "images": {}
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4832,
          "name": "Small Business"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 595654,
      "date": "2019-04-04",
      "retrieved": "2019-04-17T13:47:27.890055",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "summary": "The Office of the National Ombudsman was created in 1996 as part of P.L. 104-121, the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Title II, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [SBREFA]). Housed within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the office\u2019s primary purpose is to provide small businesses, small government entities (those serving populations of less than 50,000), and small nonprofit organizations that believe they have experienced unfair or excessive regulatory compliance or enforcement actions (such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation by federal agencies) a means to comment about such actions.\nThe Office of the National Ombudsman is an impartial liaison that reports small business regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for review and works across government to address those concerns and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. \nSBREFA also created 10 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards, one in each of the SBA\u2019s 10 regions, to advise the National Ombudsman on matters related to federal regulatory enforcement activities affecting small businesses.\nSpecifically, the National Ombudsman\nworks with each federal agency with regulatory authority over small businesses to ensure that small businesses are provided a means to comment on the federal agency\u2019s regulatory compliance and enforcement activities;\nreceives comments from small businesses regarding actions by federal agency employees conducting small business regulatory compliance or enforcement activities;\nrefers comments to the affected federal agency\u2019s inspector general in appropriate circumstances while maintaining the confidentiality of the person or small business making these comments;\nissues an annual report to Congress and affected federal agencies evaluating the agency\u2019s compliance and enforcement activities, including a rating of their responsiveness to small businesses;\nprovides the affected federal agency with an opportunity to comment on the annual report prior to publication and includes in the report a section in which the affected federal agency may comment on issues that are not addressed by the National Ombudsman in revisions to the draft; and\ncoordinates and reports annually on the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards\u2019 activities, findings, and recommendations to the SBA Administrator and the heads of affected federal agencies. \nThis report examines the Office of the National Ombudsman\u2019s origin and history; describes its organizational structure, funding, functions, and current activities; and discusses a recent legislative effort to enhance its authority. During the 115th Congress, S. 1146, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2017, would have, among other provisions, \nexpanded the National Ombudsman\u2019s authority to work with federal agencies on the development of best practices for educating, training, and assisting small entities in understanding and complying with federal regulations; and \nauthorized the National Ombudsman to evaluate federal agency regulatory compliance guides, ensure that those guides are available to small business development centers and other SBA management and training resource partners, conduct small business customer service surveys on an ongoing basis to assess the timeliness and quality of federal agency regulatory activities, and develop an outreach program to promote awareness of the National Ombudsman\u2019s activities.\nThis report also discusses some challenges facing the Office of the National Ombudsman\nalthough it is generally recognized as an independent, impartial office, it is housed within the much larger SBA and remains subject to its influence;\nthe National Ombudsman has often stayed in the position for a relatively short time. Frequent turnover can lead to continuity problems for the office; \nit does not have the authority to compel federal agencies to undertake specific actions to resolve disputes. As a result, although its annual rating of federal agency responsiveness to small business concerns does provide it a means to exert some influence on federal agency actions, its role in resolving disputes is somewhat constrained; and \nits relatively limited budget and staffing level restrict its ability to engage in outreach activities that could increase small business awareness of its existence and services.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45071",
          "sha1": "39e151ce7f65e096f3679163c75b3ae14e6ade93",
          "filename": "files/20190404_R45071_39e151ce7f65e096f3679163c75b3ae14e6ade93.html",
          "images": {}
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "https://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45071",
          "sha1": "49fbdc210ba488cd2b564550597d62377141f8ca",
          "filename": "files/20190404_R45071_49fbdc210ba488cd2b564550597d62377141f8ca.pdf",
          "images": {}
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4832,
          "name": "Small Business"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 589853,
      "date": "2019-01-11",
      "retrieved": "2019-01-16T23:14:21.751800",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "summary": "The Office of the National Ombudsman was created in 1996 as part of P.L. 104-121, the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Title II, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [SBREFA]). Housed within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the office\u2019s primary purpose is to provide small businesses, small government entities (those serving populations of less than 50,000), and small nonprofit organizations that believe they have experienced unfair or excessive regulatory compliance or enforcement actions (such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation by federal agencies) a means to comment about such actions.\nThe Office of the National Ombudsman is an impartial liaison that reports small business regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for review and works across government to address those concerns and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. \nSBREFA also created 10 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards, one in each of the SBA\u2019s 10 regions, to advise the National Ombudsman on matters related to federal regulatory enforcement activities affecting small businesses.\nSpecifically, the National Ombudsman\nworks with each federal agency with regulatory authority over small businesses to ensure that small businesses are provided a means to comment on the federal agency\u2019s regulatory compliance and enforcement activities;\nreceives comments from small businesses regarding actions by federal agency employees conducting small business regulatory compliance or enforcement activities;\nrefers comments to the affected federal agency\u2019s inspector general in appropriate circumstances while maintaining the confidentiality of the person or small business making these comments;\nissues an annual report to Congress and affected federal agencies evaluating the agency\u2019s compliance and enforcement activities, including a rating of their responsiveness to small businesses;\nprovides the affected federal agency with an opportunity to comment on the annual report prior to publication and includes in the report a section in which the affected federal agency may comment on issues that are not addressed by the National Ombudsman in revisions to the draft; and\ncoordinates and reports annually on the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards\u2019 activities, findings, and recommendations to the SBA Administrator and the heads of affected federal agencies. \nThis report examines the Office of the National Ombudsman\u2019s origin and history; describes its organizational structure, funding, functions, and current activities; and discusses a recent legislative effort to enhance its authority. During the 115th Congress, S. 1146, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2017, would have, among other provisions, \nexpanded the National Ombudsman\u2019s authority to work with federal agencies on the development of best practices for educating, training, and assisting small entities in understanding and complying with federal regulations; and \nauthorized the National Ombudsman to evaluate federal agency regulatory compliance guides, ensure that those guides are available to small business development centers and other SBA management and training resource partners, conduct small business customer service surveys on an ongoing basis to assess the timeliness and quality of federal agency regulatory activities, and develop an outreach program to promote awareness of the National Ombudsman\u2019s activities.\nThis report also discusses some challenges facing the Office of the National Ombudsman\nalthough it is generally recognized as an independent, impartial office, it is housed within the much larger SBA and remains subject to its influence;\nthe National Ombudsman has often stayed in the position for a relatively short time. Frequent turnover can lead to continuity problems for the office; \nit does not have the authority to compel federal agencies to undertake specific actions to resolve disputes. As a result, although its annual rating of federal agency responsiveness to small business concerns does provide it a means to exert some influence on federal agency actions, its role in resolving disputes is somewhat constrained; and \nits relatively limited budget and staffing level restrict its ability to engage in outreach activities that could increase small business awareness of its existence and services.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45071",
          "sha1": "ccba77fae240a0ef7cec0d542ed15609a4e820cb",
          "filename": "files/20190111_R45071_ccba77fae240a0ef7cec0d542ed15609a4e820cb.html",
          "images": {}
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45071",
          "sha1": "53aca489ef97c8ddd75d52f88002ca49d697b611",
          "filename": "files/20190111_R45071_53aca489ef97c8ddd75d52f88002ca49d697b611.pdf",
          "images": {}
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4832,
          "name": "Small Business"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 579679,
      "date": "2018-03-26",
      "retrieved": "2018-05-10T10:56:56.247374",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "summary": "The Office of the National Ombudsman was created in 1996 as part of P.L. 104-121, the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Title II, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [SBREFA]). Housed within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the office\u2019s primary purpose is to provide small businesses, small government entities (those serving populations of less than 50,000), and small nonprofit organizations that believe they have experienced unfair or excessive regulatory compliance or enforcement actions (such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation by federal agencies) a means to comment about such actions.\nThe Office of the National Ombudsman is an impartial liaison that reports small business regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for review and works across government to address those concerns and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. \nSBREFA also created 10 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards, one in each of the SBA\u2019s 10 regions, to advise the National Ombudsman on matters related to federal regulatory enforcement activities affecting small businesses.\nSpecifically, the National Ombudsman \nworks with each federal agency with regulatory authority over small businesses to ensure that small businesses are provided a means to comment on the federal agency\u2019s regulatory compliance and enforcement activities;\nreceives comments from small businesses regarding actions by federal agency employees conducting small business regulatory compliance or enforcement activities;\nrefers comments to the affected federal agency\u2019s inspector general in appropriate circumstances while maintaining the confidentiality of the person or small business making these comments;\nissues an annual report to Congress and affected federal agencies evaluating the agency\u2019s compliance and enforcement activities, including a rating of their responsiveness to small businesses;\nprovides the affected federal agency with an opportunity to comment on the annual report prior to publication and includes in the report a section in which the affected federal agency may comment on issues that are not addressed by the National Ombudsman in revisions to the draft; and\ncoordinates and reports annually on the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards\u2019 activities, findings, and recommendations to the SBA Administrator and the heads of affected federal agencies. \nThis report examines the Office of the National Ombudsman\u2019s origin and history; describes its organizational structure, funding, functions, and current activities; and discusses a recent legislative effort to enhance its authority. S. 1146, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2017, would, among other provisions, \nexpand the National Ombudsman\u2019s authority to work with federal agencies on the development of best practices for educating, training, and assisting small entities in understanding and complying with federal regulations; and \nauthorize the National Ombudsman to evaluate federal agency regulatory compliance guides, ensure that those guides are available to small business development centers and other SBA management and training resource partners, conduct small business customer service surveys on an ongoing basis to assess the timeliness and quality of federal agency regulatory activities, and develop an outreach program to promote awareness of the National Ombudsman\u2019s activities.\nThis report also discusses some challenges facing the Office of the National Ombudsman:\nalthough it is generally recognized as an independent, impartial office, it is housed within the much larger SBA and remains subject to its influence;\nthe National Ombudsman has often stayed in the position for a relatively short time. Frequent turnover can lead to continuity problems for the office; \nit does not have the authority to compel federal agencies to undertake specific actions to resolve disputes. As a result, although its annual rating of federal agency responsiveness to small business concerns does provide it a means to exert some influence on federal agency actions, its role in resolving disputes is somewhat constrained; and \nits relatively limited budget and staffing level restrict its ability to engage in outreach activities that could increase small business awareness of its existence and services.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45071",
          "sha1": "40d47d48848c7c5772c2b1f8ffe830ba9ecad112",
          "filename": "files/20180326_R45071_40d47d48848c7c5772c2b1f8ffe830ba9ecad112.html",
          "images": {}
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45071",
          "sha1": "e012024b33ce247bc077ca926254150e87b47491",
          "filename": "files/20180326_R45071_e012024b33ce247bc077ca926254150e87b47491.pdf",
          "images": {}
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4832,
          "name": "Small Business"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 578885,
      "date": "2018-03-06",
      "retrieved": "2018-03-09T00:02:02.543927",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "summary": "The Office of the National Ombudsman was created in 1996 as part of P.L. 104-121, the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Title II, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [SBREFA]). Housed within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the office\u2019s primary purpose is to provide small businesses, small government entities (those serving populations of less than 50,000), and small nonprofit organizations that believe they have experienced unfair or excessive regulatory compliance or enforcement actions (such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation by federal agencies) a means to comment about such actions.\nThe Office of the National Ombudsman is an impartial liaison that reports small business regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for review and works across government to address those concerns and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. \nSBREFA also created 10 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards, one in each of the SBA\u2019s 10 regions, to advise the National Ombudsman on matters related to federal regulatory enforcement activities affecting small businesses.\nSpecifically, the National Ombudsman \nworks with each federal agency with regulatory authority over small businesses to ensure that small businesses are provided a means to comment on the federal agency\u2019s regulatory compliance and enforcement activities;\nreceives comments from small businesses regarding actions by federal agency employees conducting small business regulatory compliance or enforcement activities;\nrefers comments to the affected federal agency\u2019s inspector general in appropriate circumstances while maintaining the confidentiality of the person or small business making these comments;\nissues an annual report to Congress and affected federal agencies evaluating the agency\u2019s compliance and enforcement activities, including a rating of their responsiveness to small businesses;\nprovides the affected federal agency with an opportunity to comment on the annual report prior to publication and includes in the report a section in which the affected federal agency may comment on issues that are not addressed by the National Ombudsman in revisions to the draft; and\ncoordinates and reports annually on the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards\u2019 activities, findings, and recommendations to the SBA Administrator and the heads of affected federal agencies. \nThis report examines the Office of the National Ombudsman\u2019s origin and history; describes its organizational structure, funding, functions, and current activities; and discusses a recent legislative effort to enhance its authority. S. 1146, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2017, would, among other provisions, \nexpand the National Ombudsman\u2019s authority to work with federal agencies on the development of best practices for educating, training, and assisting small entities in understanding and complying with federal regulations; and \nauthorize the National Ombudsman to evaluate federal agency regulatory compliance guides, ensure that those guides are available to small business development centers and other SBA management and training resource partners, conduct small business customer service surveys on an ongoing basis to assess the timeliness and quality of federal agency regulatory activities, and develop an outreach program to promote awareness of the National Ombudsman\u2019s activities.\nThis report also discusses some challenges facing the Office of the National Ombudsman:\nalthough it is generally recognized as an independent, impartial office, it is housed within the much larger SBA and remains subject to its influence;\nthe National Ombudsman has often stayed in the position for a relatively short time. Frequent turnover can lead to continuity problems for the office; \nit does not have the authority to compel federal agencies to undertake specific actions to resolve disputes. As a result, although its annual rating of federal agency responsiveness to small business concerns does provide it a means to exert some influence on federal agency actions, its role in resolving disputes is somewhat constrained; and \nits relatively limited budget and staffing level restrict its ability to engage in outreach activities that could increase small business awareness of its existence and services.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45071",
          "sha1": "5eab42877a4106f64d8b6276a1fc4a7700a3c964",
          "filename": "files/20180306_R45071_5eab42877a4106f64d8b6276a1fc4a7700a3c964.html",
          "images": {}
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45071",
          "sha1": "610b657ad257a17beafa358157cd2ba3e6897e8d",
          "filename": "files/20180306_R45071_610b657ad257a17beafa358157cd2ba3e6897e8d.pdf",
          "images": {}
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4832,
          "name": "Small Business"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 577699,
      "date": "2018-01-19",
      "retrieved": "2018-01-26T14:25:03.194495",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "summary": "The Office of the National Ombudsman was created in 1996 as part of P.L. 104-121, the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Title II, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [SBREFA]). Housed within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the office\u2019s primary purpose is to provide small businesses, small government entities (those serving populations of less than 50,000), and small nonprofit organizations that believe they have experienced unfair or excessive regulatory compliance or enforcement actions (such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation by federal agencies) a means to comment about such actions.\nThe Office of the National Ombudsman is an impartial liaison that reports small business regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for review and works across government to address those concerns and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. \nSBREFA also created 10 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards, one in each of the SBA\u2019s 10 regions, to advise the National Ombudsman on matters related to federal regulatory enforcement activities affecting small businesses.\nSpecifically, the National Ombudsman \nworks with each federal agency with regulatory authority over small businesses to ensure that small businesses are provided a means to comment on the federal agency\u2019s regulatory compliance and enforcement activities;\nreceives comments from small businesses regarding actions by federal agency employees conducting small business regulatory compliance or enforcement activities;\nrefers comments to the affected federal agency\u2019s inspector general in appropriate circumstances while maintaining the confidentiality of the person or small business making these comments;\nissues an annual report to Congress and affected federal agencies evaluating the agency\u2019s compliance and enforcement activities, including a rating of their responsiveness to small businesses;\nprovides the affected federal agency with an opportunity to comment on the annual report prior to publication and includes in the report a section in which the affected federal agency may comment on issues that are not addressed by the National Ombudsman in revisions to the draft; and\ncoordinates and reports annually on the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards\u2019 activities, findings, and recommendations to the SBA Administrator and the heads of affected federal agencies. \nThis report examines the Office of the National Ombudsman\u2019s origin and history; describes its organizational structure, funding, functions, and current activities; and discusses a recent legislative effort to enhance its authority. S. 1146, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2017, would, among other provisions, \nexpand the National Ombudsman\u2019s authority to work with federal agencies on the development of best practices for educating, training, and assisting small entities in understanding and complying with federal regulations; and \nauthorize the National Ombudsman to evaluate federal agency regulatory compliance guides, ensure that those guides are available to small business development centers and other SBA management and training resource partners, conduct small business customer service surveys on an ongoing basis to assess the timeliness and quality of federal agency regulatory activities, and develop an outreach program to promote awareness of the National Ombudsman\u2019s activities.\nThis report also discusses some challenges facing the Office of the National Ombudsman:\nalthough it is generally recognized as an independent, impartial office, it is housed within the much larger SBA and remains subject to its influence;\nthe National Ombudsman has often stayed in the position for a relatively short time. Frequent turnover can lead to continuity problems for the office; \nit does not have the authority to compel federal agencies to undertake specific actions to resolve disputes. As a result, although its annual rating of federal agency responsiveness to small business concerns does provide it a means to exert some influence on federal agency actions, its role in resolving disputes is somewhat constrained; and \nits relatively limited budget and staffing level restrict its ability to engage in outreach activities that could increase small business awareness of its existence and services.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45071",
          "sha1": "90f0f56714c514751db9d430022bf09b25fbeb5a",
          "filename": "files/20180119_R45071_90f0f56714c514751db9d430022bf09b25fbeb5a.html",
          "images": {}
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45071",
          "sha1": "153377f8eb9a0c5d655b6327cde76de5adcf1913",
          "filename": "files/20180119_R45071_153377f8eb9a0c5d655b6327cde76de5adcf1913.pdf",
          "images": {}
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4832,
          "name": "Small Business"
        }
      ]
    },
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 577531,
      "date": "2018-01-10",
      "retrieved": "2018-01-16T23:10:49.991241",
      "title": "SBA Office of the National Ombudsman: Overview, History, and Current Issues",
      "summary": "The Office of the National Ombudsman was created in 1996 as part of P.L. 104-121, the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Title II, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [SBREFA]). Housed within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the office\u2019s primary purpose is to provide small businesses, small government entities (those serving populations of less than 50,000), and small nonprofit organizations that believe they have experienced unfair or excessive regulatory compliance or enforcement actions (such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, and retaliation by federal agencies) a means to comment about such actions.\nThe Office of the National Ombudsman is an impartial liaison that reports small business regulatory fairness matters to the appropriate federal agency for review and works across government to address those concerns and reduce regulatory burdens on small businesses. \nSBREFA also created 10 Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards, one in each of the SBA\u2019s 10 regions, to advise the National Ombudsman on matters related to federal regulatory enforcement activities affecting small businesses.\nSpecifically, the National Ombudsman \nworks with each federal agency with regulatory authority over small businesses to ensure that small businesses are provided a means to comment on the federal agency\u2019s regulatory compliance and enforcement activities;\nreceives comments from small businesses regarding actions by federal agency employees conducting small business regulatory compliance or enforcement activities;\nrefers comments to the affected federal agency\u2019s inspector general in appropriate circumstances while maintaining the confidentiality of the person or small business making these comments;\nissues an annual report to Congress and affected federal agencies evaluating the agency\u2019s compliance and enforcement activities, including a rating of their responsiveness to small businesses;\nprovides the affected federal agency with an opportunity to comment on the annual report prior to publication and includes in the report a section in which the affected federal agency may comment on issues that are not addressed by the National Ombudsman in revisions to the draft; and\ncoordinates and reports annually on the Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards\u2019 activities, findings, and recommendations to the SBA Administrator and the heads of affected federal agencies. \nThis report examines the Office of the National Ombudsman\u2019s origin and history; describes its organizational structure, funding, functions, and current activities; and discusses a recent legislative effort to enhance its authority. S. 1146, the Small Business Regulatory Relief Act of 2017, would, among other provisions, \nexpand the National Ombudsman\u2019s authority to work with federal agencies on the development of best practices for educating, training, and assisting small entities in understanding and complying with federal regulations; and \nauthorize the National Ombudsman to evaluate federal agency regulatory compliance guides, ensure that those guides are available to small business development centers and other SBA management and training resource partners, conduct small business customer service surveys on an ongoing basis to assess the timeliness and quality of federal agency regulatory activities, and develop an outreach program to promote awareness of the National Ombudsman\u2019s activities.\nThis report also discusses some challenges facing the Office of the National Ombudsman:\nalthough it is generally recognized as an independent, impartial office, it is housed within the much larger SBA and remains subject to its influence;\nthe National Ombudsman has often stayed in the position for a relatively short time. Frequent turnover can lead to continuity problems for the office; \nit does not have the authority to compel federal agencies to undertake specific actions to resolve disputes. As a result, although its annual rating of federal agency responsiveness to small business concerns does provide it a means to exert some influence on federal agency actions, its role in resolving disputes is somewhat constrained; and \nits relatively limited budget and staffing level restrict its ability to engage in outreach activities that could increase small business awareness of its existence and services.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": true,
      "formats": [
        {
          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/R45071",
          "sha1": "5315bddd4aa627256af207cd1ea3d71b0d270b19",
          "filename": "files/20180110_R45071_5315bddd4aa627256af207cd1ea3d71b0d270b19.html",
          "images": {}
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/R45071",
          "sha1": "2c32b0677b97c69b49e60c685da55cf1111838cc",
          "filename": "files/20180110_R45071_2c32b0677b97c69b49e60c685da55cf1111838cc.pdf",
          "images": {}
        }
      ],
      "topics": [
        {
          "source": "IBCList",
          "id": 4832,
          "name": "Small Business"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "American Law",
    "National Defense"
  ]
}