Business and Trade Association Leaders to Testify at National Regulatory Fairness Hearing

SBA Administrator Steve Preston Will Give Opening Remarks

WASHINGTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following was issued today by the U.S. Small Business Administration:

WHAT: The U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of the National Ombudsman will host a national regulatory fairness hearing Wednesday, March 12. The hearing will give business leaders an opportunity to report unfair or excessive federal regulatory enforcement by any federal agency that impacts their members and small businesses nationwide.

WHO: SBA National Ombudsman and Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Nicholas Owens and the Regional Regulatory Fairness Board will chair the hearing. In addition to opening remarks from SBA Administrator Preston, SBA's Chief Counsel for Advocacy Thomas Sullivan will also provide remarks.

Representatives from 11 national business organizations, including the National Federation of Independent Business, the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, and the National Association of Home Builders will testify during the hearing.

20 Federal agencies will be represented. They include the Departments of Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, the Federal Trade Commission, the National Labor Relations Board and the IRS.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 10 a.m. to noon (EDT). Registration is 9:30 a.m. to 10.

WHERE: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), East Building -- Hearing Room

1201 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 1153, Washington, DC 20460

To watch a broadcast of the hearing, go to:

http://www.sba.gov/aboutsba/sbaprograms/ombudsman/OMB_LIVE_BROADCAST.html

NOTE: National Ombudsman Nicholas Owens will be available for media interviews following the hearing. Media interested in attending the hearing contact Carol Chastang before the hearing, at carol.chastang@sba.gov, or call 202.205.6987.

CONTACT: Carol Chastang (202) 205-6987