# Presentation: 076284

## Office of the National Ombudsman 

**U.S Small Business Administration**
**(Date)**
**(Location of Event)**
**(District Office Name)**
**Your Small **
**Business Troubleshooter**** **

## Protecting Small Business

**National Leadership**
- “To make our economy stronger and more competitive,  America must reward, not punish, the efforts and dreams of entre-   preneurs.  Small business is the path of advancement, especially for women and minorities.  So we must free small businesses from needless regulation
- and protect honest job creators
- from junk lawsuits.”
**President George W. Bush**
- State of the Union Address
- February 2, 2005

## National Ombudsman Commitment 

- Limiting unfair regulatory enforcement actions
- Waiving or reducing civil penalties
- Increasing compliance assistance
- Save small business time and money

## How We Can Help

**The Office of the National Ombudsman:**
- Conducts public hearings
- Encourages a “Help You” not a “Got You” attitude
- Acts as a “trouble shooter” between Small Business concerns and Federal Agencies
- Rates Federal agencies and reports to Congress

## Whom We Can Help

- We can help if you:
- Are a **small** business, small government entity, or small non-profit organization
- Have comments on federal regulations affecting small businesses
- Are a small business or entity involved in federal compliance or enforcement

## Unfair Regulatory EnforcementMeans:

- Repetitive audits or investigations
- Excessive or unfair fines, penalties
- Confusing paperwork or non-responsive Federal employees
- Threats, retaliation or unprofessional behavior

## Annual Report to Congress	

- Summarize ONO activities
- Identify top Regulatory Enforcement concerns and best practices
- Rate Federal Agencies on:
- 	Timeliness
- 		Quality of Response
- 			Non-Retaliation
- 				Compliance Assistance
- 					Hearing Participation
- 						Written Notification
- 							Paperwork Relief Act

## What to Do

- Submit a Comment Form  (Online, at Hearing)
- Provide short, written explanation
- Cite specifics:  citation, letter, order, fine, penalty, other.

## How to File

- Fully disclosed and made public
- A specific response to your case may aid others in  your industry
- Disclosed only to relevant federal agency,  Ombudsman's Office and the Regional Fairness Board
- A specific response to your case only
- Disclosed only to the Office of the Ombudsman and the Regional RegFair Board
- May be difficult to address your specific concerns.

## Helpful Hints

- File a written comment
- Allow full disclosure of comment to receive faster, better response
- Provide specific details:  names, dates, locations, etc.
- Tell us the results you are seeking
- Avoid sending legal briefs or court papers
- Consult your attorney before contacting us if you are in litigation

## The National Ombudsman Does Not Have Statutory Jurisdiction to:

- Change, stop or delay enforcement action
- Process comments not involving federal regulations or Federal agencies
- Help secure government contracts
- Provide legal advice or assistance.

## Regulatory Fairness Board Assistance

- Hold regional enforcement hearings
- Work with trade and business groups
- Forward small business comments to Ombudsman
- Participate in Regulatory Fairness Hearings
- Provide input to Ombudsman’s Report to Congress

## Help from Your Local Board(Your Region) 

- (Board Member Full Name and Phone Number)
- (Board Member Full Name and Phone Number)
- (Board Member Full Name and Phone Number)
- (Board Member Full Name and Phone Number)
- (Board Member Full Name and Phone Number)

## Win-Win for Small Business

- ONO tracked 4 billion dollars in waived penalties and reduction of fines by Federal agencies in the last 2 years.
- IRS determined reasonable cause and abated penalties to a farming business for failure to timely file his US tax return timely after losing the business on the same year.
- DoD safety inspector claimed safety violations and closed down plant in Bedford, OH.  Defense Contracting Management Agency resolved the issues and the plant resumed production.
- DOL, Wage and Hour investigator claimed harassment of owner and employees in Indianola, MS.  DOL investigated, found small business acted appropriately, no action against company was warranted.

## Useful Websites 

**www.sba.gov**
**www.sba.gov/ombudsman**
**www.sba.gov/advo**
**www.forms.gov**
**www.business.gov**
- _[www.sba.gov/ombudsman/compliance/dsp_compliance.html](http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/compliance/dsp_compliance.html)_
- _[http://www.sba.gov/(District](http://www.sba.gov/(District)__ Office)_

## Here to Serve You

**Office of the National Ombudsman**
- Toll Free: 	(888) 734-3247 (REG-FAIR)
- Fax: 	(202) 481-5719
- E-mail:   _[Ombudsman@sba.gov](mailto:Ombudsman@sba.gov)_
- Website:  _[www.sba.gov/ombudsman](http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman)_
- Mail:	Office of National Ombudsman
- 			409 Third Street, SW, Site 7125
- 			Washington, DC 20416
**Thank You!**