Congressman Frank R. Wolf Business, Banking 66. H.R. 3412, to reauthorize the activities of the Small Business Investment Companies program, which uses Small Business Administration guarantees to leverage private capital for investment in small businesses. Passed 407-0, under suspension of rules. H.R. 3310, Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act. Amendment to require agencies to establish policies to waive, delay or reduce civil penalties for first-time violations in appropriate circumstances, including whether the business has been acting in good faith to comply, and whether the business has obtained significant economic benefit from the violation.
Amendment apply the bill's suspension of fines to state-run federal enforcement programs.
On passage of the bill to suspend most civil fines on small businesses for first- time paperwork violations, and provide that the federal regulating agency could choose to suspend the fine if the violation had not caused actual harm to the public health or safety, and the business corrects the violation within six months. 393, rule to consider H.R. 3246, Fairness for Small Business and Employees Act. On passage of the bill to permit employers to refuse to hire, or fire, those who seek employment to organize workers to join a union. Credit Union Membership Act to allow credit unions to expand beyond their original membership base and provide for certain restrictions. 428, rule to consider H.R. 10, Financial Services Competition Act of 1997, to eliminate barriers against affiliations between banking, securities, insurance and other firms.