2023-14552. Semiannual Regulatory Agenda  

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    AGENCY:

    U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

    ACTION:

    Semiannual Regulatory Agenda.

    SUMMARY:

    This semiannual Regulatory Agenda (Agenda) is a summary of current and projected rulemakings and completed actions of the Small Business Administration (SBA). This summary information is intended to enable the public to be more aware of, and effectively participate in, SBA's regulatory activities. Accordingly, SBA invites the public to submit comments on any aspect of this Agenda.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    General

    Please direct general comments or inquiries to Lindsey K. McCready, U.S. Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416; (202) 401–2996; lindsey.mccready@sba.gov.

    Specific

    Please direct specific comments and inquiries on individual regulatory activities identified in this Agenda to the individual listed in the summary of the regulation as the point of contact for that regulation.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) requires SBA to publish in the Federal Register a semiannual regulatory flexibility agenda describing those Agency rules that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities (5 U.S.C. 602). The summary information published in the Federal Register is limited to those rules. Additional information regarding all of the rulemakings SBA expects to consider in the next 12 months is included in the Federal Government's unified Regulatory Agenda, which will be available online at www.reginfo.gov in a format that offers users enhanced ability to obtain information about SBA's rules.

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    Isabella Casillas Guzman,

    Administrator.

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    Small Business Administration—Proposed Rule Stage

    Sequence No.TitleRegulation Identifier No.
    203Small Business Development Center Program Revisions3245–AE05
    204Small Business Size Standards: Adjustment of Alternative Size Standard for SBA's 7(a) and CDC/504 Loan Programs for Inflation; and Surety Bond Limits: Adjustments for Inflation3245–AG16
    205Affiliation in Small Business Procurement Programs; Women-Owned Small Business Program3245–AH97

    Small Business Administration—Final Rule Stage

    Sequence No.TitleRegulation Identifier No.
    206Small Business Timber Set-Aside Program3245–AG69
    207National Defense Authorization Act of 2020, Credit for Lower Tier Subcontracting and Other Amendments3245–AH28
    208Small Business Size Standards: Adjustment of Monetary Based Size Standards, Disadvantage Thresholds, and 8(a) Eligibility Thresholds for Inflation3245–AH93

    Small Business Administration—Completed Actions

    Sequence No.TitleRegulation Identifier No.
    209Small Business Size Standards: Manufacturing and Industries With Employee Based Size Standards in Other Sectors Except Wholesale Trade and Retail Trade3245–AH09
    210Small Business Size Standards: Adjustment of Monetary Based Size Standards for Inflation3245–AH17
    211Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) Moratorium Rescission and Removal of the Requirement for a Loan Authorization3245–AH92

    SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

    Proposed Rule Stage

    203. Small Business Development Center Program Revisions [3245–AE05]

    Legal Authority:15 U.S.C. 634(b)(6); 15 U.S.C. 648

    Abstract: This rule proposes to update the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) program regulations by proposing to amend: (1) procedures for approving when a new Lead SBDC Center Director is selected; (2) procedures and requirements regarding findings and disputes resulting from financial exams, programmatic reviews, accreditation reviews, and other SBA oversight activities; (3) procedures regarding the determination to affect suspension, termination or non-renewal of an SBDC's cooperative agreement; and (4) provisions regarding the collection and use of the individual SBDC client data.

    Timetable:

    ActionDateFR Cite
    ANPRM04/02/1580 FR 17708
    ANPRM Comment Period End06/01/15
    NPRM09/00/23

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Rachel Newman-Karton, Program Manager, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 619–1816, Email:rachel.newman-karton@sba.gov.

    RIN: 3245–AE05 Start Printed Page 48615

    204. Small Business Size Standards: Adjustment of Alternative Size Standard for SBA's 7(a) and CDC/504 Loan Programs for Inflation; and Surety Bond Limits: Adjustments for Inflation [3245–AG16]

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 111–240, sec. 1116

    Abstract: SBA will propose amendments its size eligibility criteria for Business Loans, certified development company (CDC) loans under title V of the Small Business Investment Act (504) and economic injury disaster loans (EIDL). For the SBA 7(a) Business Loan Program and the 504 program, the amendments will provide an alternative size standard for loan applicants that do not meet the small business size standards for their industries. The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act) established alternative size standards that apply to both of these programs until SBA's Administrator establishes other alternative size standards. For the disaster loan program, the amendments will provide an alternative size standard for loan applicants that do not meet the Small Business Size Standard for their industries. SBA loan program alternative size standards do not affect other Federal Government programs, including Federal procurement.

    Timetable:

    ActionDateFR Cite
    ANPRM03/22/1883 FR 12506
    ANPRM Comment Period End05/21/18
    NPRM08/00/23

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Dr. Khem Raj Sharma, Chief, Office of Size Standards, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205–7189, Fax: 202 205–6390, Email:khem.sharma@sba.gov.

    RIN: 3245–AG16

    205. Affiliation in Small Business Procurement Programs; Women-Owned Small Business Program [3245–AH97]

    Legal Authority:15 U.S.C. 632(a); 15 U.S.C. 637(m)

    Abstract: Following revisions to the requirements in SBA's 8(a) Business Development and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business programs, SBA is issuing conforming revisions to its affiliation rules that govern all of the small-business procurement programs and to the Women-Owned Small Business program. These revisions will ensure consistent requirements for ownership and control across SBA's procurement programs.

    Timetable:

    ActionDateFR Cite
    NPRM09/00/23

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Sam Le, Director of Policy, Planning and Liaison, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 619–1789.

    RIN: 3245–AH97

    SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

    Final Rule Stage

    206. Small Business Timber Set-Aside Program [3245–AG69]

    Legal Authority:15 U.S.C. 631; 15 U.S.C. 644(a)

    Abstract: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or Agency) is amending its Small Business Timber Set-Aside Program (the Program) regulations. The Small Business Timber Set-Aside Program is rooted in the Small Business Act, which tasked SBA with ensuring that small businesses receive a fair proportion of the total sales of government property. Accordingly, the Program requires Timber sales to be set aside for small business when small business participation falls below a certain amount. SBA considered comments received during the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking processes, including on issues such as, but not limited to, whether the saw timber volume purchased through stewardship timber contracts should be included in calculations, and whether the appraisal point used in set-aside sales should be the nearest small business mill. In addition, SBA is considering data from the timber industry to help evaluate the current program and economic impact of potential changes.

    Timetable:

    ActionDateFR Cite
    ANPRM03/25/1580 FR 15697
    ANPRM Comment Period End05/26/15
    NPRM09/27/1681 FR 66199
    NPRM Comment Period End11/28/16
    Final Rule11/00/23

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Sam Le, Director of Policy, Planning and Liaison, Small Business Administration, 409 3rd Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 619–1789.

    RIN: 3245–AG69

    207. National Defense Authorization Act of 2020, Credit for Lower Tier Subcontracting and other Amendments [3245–AH28]

    Legal Authority: Pub. L. 116–92

    Abstract: Section 870 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2020 (NDAA 2020) made a change that will require SBA to amend its regulations. Specifically, the language of NDAA 2020 requires SBA to alter the method and means of accounting for lower tier small business subcontracting. This proposed rule may also contain several smaller changes that might be necessary to implement this provision and other provisions in NDAA 2020.

    Timetable:

    ActionDateFR Cite
    NPRM12/19/2287 FR 77529
    NPRM Comment Period End02/17/23
    Final Rule09/00/23

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Brenda J. Fernandez, Analyst, Office of Policy, Planning and Liaison, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205–7337, Email:brenda.fernandez@sba.gov.

    RIN: 3245–AH28

    208. Small Business Size Standards: Adjustment of Monetary Based Size Standards, Disadvantage Thresholds, and 8(a) Eligibility Thresholds for Inflation [3245–AH93]

    Legal Authority:15 U.S.C. 632(a); 15 U.S.C. 637(a)(6)(A)

    Abstract: SBA intends to issue this rulemaking to adjust its monetary small business size standards ( i.e., receipts, net income, net worth, and financial assets) for the effects of inflation that have occurred since the last inflation adjustment, which was effective on August 19, 2019. SBA is required by its regulations in 13 CFR 121.102(c) to review the effects of inflation on its monetary standards at least once every five years. As in previous adjustments, SBA will apply the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) price index as a measure of inflation. This action will restore small business eligibility to businesses that have lost that status due to inflation. Start Printed Page 48616

    In addition, SBA intends to adjust other monetary thresholds in its regulations that are otherwise not adjusted for inflation under FAR 1.109. These thresholds primarily are those used in the 8(a) Business Development and the Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) programs to determine economic disadvantage. Others are used to maintain eligibility for the 8(a) program. In some cases, these thresholds have not been adjusted for 25 years. This action will permit small businesses to retain eligibility as economically disadvantaged and eligible for the 8(a) program, despite an increase in inflation.

    SBA will publicize the rule via the Small Business Procurement Advisory Council, the Integrated Acquisition Environment, fbo.gov, press releases, publication of this rule in the Federal Register , emails to interested parties, and the size standards website at www.sba.gov/​size.

    Timetable:

    ActionDateFR Cite
    Interim Final Rule11/17/2287 FR 69118
    Interim Final Rule Effective12/19/22
    Interim Final Rule Comment Period End01/17/23
    Final Action06/00/23

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Dr. Khem Raj Sharma, Chief, Office of Size Standards, Small Business Administration, 409 Third Street SW, Washington, DC 20416, Phone: 202 205–7189, Fax: 202 205–6390, Email:khem.sharma@sba.gov.

    RIN: 3245–AH93

    SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (SBA)

    Completed Actions

    209. Small Business Size Standards: Manufacturing and Industries With Employee Based Size Standards in Other Sectors Except Wholesale Trade and Retail Trade [3245–AH09]

    Legal Authority:15 U.S.C. 632(a)

    Abstract: The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act) requires SBA to conduct every five years a detailed review of all size standards and to make appropriate adjustments to reflect market conditions. As part of the second 5-year review of size standards under the Jobs Act, in this proposed rule, SBA will evaluate all industries in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Sector 31–33 (Manufacturing) and industries with employee-based size standards in other sectors except Wholesale Trade and Retail Trade and make necessary adjustments to their size standards. This is one of a series of proposed rules that will examine groups of NAICS sectors. SBA will apply its revised Size Standards Methodology, which is available on its website at http://www.sba.gov/​size, to this proposed rule.

    Completed:

    ReasonDateFR Cite
    Final Rule02/15/2388 FR 9970
    Final Rule Effective03/17/23

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Khem Raj Sharma, Phone: 202 205–7189, Fax: 202 205–6390, Email:khem.sharma@sba.gov.

    RIN: 3245–AH09

    210. Small Business Size Standards: Adjustment of Monetary Based Size Standards for Inflation [3245–AH17]

    Legal Authority:15 U.S.C. 632(a)

    Abstract: In this final rule, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or Agency) adjusts all monetary based industry size standards ( i.e., receipts, assets, net worth, and net income) for inflation since the last adjustment in 2014. In accordance with its regulations in 13 CFR 121.102(c), SBA is required to review the effects of inflation on its monetary standards at least once every five years and adjust them, if necessary. In addition, the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 (Jobs Act) also requires SBA to conduct every five years a detailed review of all size standards and to make appropriate adjustments to reflect market conditions. This action will restore the small business eligibility of businesses that have lost that status due to inflation.

    Completed:

    ReasonDateFR Cite
    Final Action11/17/2287 FR 69118

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Khem Raj Sharma, Phone: 202 205–7189, Fax: 202 205–6390, Email:khem.sharma@sba.gov.

    RIN: 3245–AH17

    211. Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) Moratorium Rescission and Removal of the Requirement For a Loan Authorization [3245–AH92]

    Legal Authority: Sec. 3(r) and 7(a) of the Small Business Act

    Abstract: SBA intends to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in order to receive comments from the public and the lending industry regarding the proposal to lift the moratorium on permitting new Small Business Lending Companies (SBLC). SBA intends to also propose removal of duplicative forms and other collections of information for the Agency's business loan programs.

    Completed:

    ReasonDateFR Cite
    NPRM11/07/2287 FR 66936
    Final Rule05/12/2388 FR 21890
    Final Rule Effective05/12/23

    Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes.

    Agency Contact: Dianna L. Seaborn, Phone: 202 205–3645, Email:dianna.seaborn@sba.gov.

    RIN: 3245–AH92

    End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2023–14552 Filed 7–26–23; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 8026–03–P

Document Information

Published:
07/27/2023
Department:
Small Business Administration
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Semiannual Regulatory Agenda.
Document Number:
2023-14552
Pages:
48614-48616 (3 pages)
PDF File:
2023-14552.pdf
CFR: (1)
13 CFR None