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Prove It Act of 2025

12/5/2025, 9:39 PM

Summary of Bill S 495

Bill 119 s 495, also known as the "Small Business Regulatory Transparency Act," aims to make federal regulatory decisions that affect small businesses more transparent. The bill proposes amending title 5 of the United States Code to require agencies to provide detailed explanations for their regulatory decisions and how they will impact small businesses.

The bill seeks to ensure that small businesses have a clear understanding of how federal regulations will affect them, allowing them to better prepare and adapt to any changes. By increasing transparency, the bill aims to reduce the burden on small businesses and promote a more business-friendly regulatory environment.

In addition to requiring greater transparency, the bill also includes provisions for agencies to consider the impact of regulations on small businesses during the rulemaking process. This will help ensure that small businesses are not disproportionately burdened by regulations and that their voices are heard in the regulatory process. Overall, the Small Business Regulatory Transparency Act aims to promote a more transparent and fair regulatory environment for small businesses, ultimately helping to support their growth and success in the United States.

Congressional Summary of S 495

Prove It Act of 2025

This bill expands the requirements for federal agency rulemaking with respect to small businesses, organizations, and governmental jurisdictions.

Specifically, when conducting an initial regulatory flexibility analysis, agencies must include, where feasible, any reasonably foreseeable potential indirect costs the proposed rule may impose on such small entities.

Further, if an agency certifies that an initial regulatory flexibility analysis is not required because the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, the agency must provide such certification within 10 days to the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration. A small entity or group of small entities may petition the Office of Advocacy to review such certification. The petition must include specified information, such as the issues the petitioner believes should be addressed and a proposed solution to the issues raised.

If the Office of Advocacy ultimately determines, upon a full review of the petition, that the proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, the agency promulgating the rule must perform an initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis for the rule. Additionally, if the agency does not participate or assist in the full review process, the finalized rule shall not apply to small entities.

The bill also requires agencies to publish, and allow for comments on, all guidance documents with respect to any rule an agency determines is likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Current Status of Bill S 495

Bill S 495 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since February 10, 2025. Bill S 495 was introduced during Congress 119 and was introduced to the Senate on February 10, 2025.  Bill S 495's most recent activity was Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held. as of November 19, 2025

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 495

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
0
Republican Sponsors
1
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
0
Democrat Cosponsors
0
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 495

Primary Policy Focus

Government Operations and Politics

Potential Impact Areas

- Administrative law and regulatory procedures
- Administrative remedies
- Government information and archives
- Small Business Administration
- Small business

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 495

A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to require greater transparency for Federal regulatory decisions that impact small businesses, and for other purposes.
A bill to amend title 5, United States Code, to require greater transparency for Federal regulatory decisions that impact small businesses, and for other purposes.

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