(JUNEAU) - Friday, the House of Representatives unanimously passed House Bill 33. The bill, sponsored by Representative Kevin Meyer (R-Anchorage), directs certain state agencies to consider the economic effect regulations will have on small businesses and alternative methods of meeting the same regulatory goals.

More than 170,000 Alaskans, over half of the state's workforce, are employed by small businesses. The Office of Advocacy in the Small Business Administration estimates that complying with state and federal regulations costs the average small business over $7,000 per employee annually. Money spent complying with regulations could be spent on wages, benefits, and new employees or reinvested to grow the business.

"HB 33 is about making government smarter," said Representative Meyer. "We can protect the public without hurting small businesses by being more conscious of the paperwork and red-tape we wrap them up with in regulation."

HB 33 is modeled on the Federal Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 and is supported by the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce.

HB 33 now moves to the Senate for consideration.

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