San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Position Statement:
Support of H.R.10, the “Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny” (REINS) Act
Eddie Aldrete
Chairman
Raúl Lomelí-Azoubel
2012 Chairman
Norma Martinez Lozano
Past Chairman
2011 Executive Committee Chairs
Raul Lomeli-Azoubel
Membership
Noah Garcia
Finance / Treasurer
Sonya Medina Williams
Marketing / Communications
Donald J. Gonzales
Business & Economic Development
Jesse J. Hereford
Government Affairs
Anita Uribe Martin
Small Business
Albert Carrisalez
Leadership Development
Louis Barrios
Education
Johnny Hernandez
Secretary
Jorge Herrera
Legal Advisor
Honorable Hope Andrade
Chair Advisor
Fernando Reyes
Chair Advisor
Honorable Armando Ortiz Rocha
Honorary Chair
Ramiro A. Cavazos
President & CEO
BACKGROUND: To restore Congressional accountability for the regulatory process, and
to help America’s job creators, Congress has introduced H.R. 10, the Regulations from the
Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. The REINS Act would require Congress to
take an up-or-down, stand-alone vote, and for the President to sign-off on all new major
rules before they can be enforced on the American people, job-creating small businesses,
or state and local governments. Major rules are those that have an annual economic
impact of $100 million or more.
A recent study commissioned by the Small Business Administration found that annual
regulatory compliance costs in the United States hit $1.75 trillion in 2008. Additionally,
according to a September 2010 study by SBA’s Nicole and Mark Crain, “The Impact of
Regulatory Costs on Small Firms”, as of 2008, small businesses have been burdened with
an annual regulatory cost of $10,585 per employee, which is 36 percent higher than the
regulatory cost facing large firms (of more than 500 employees).
The REINS Act is about improving the regulatory process, improving Congressional
oversight, increasing the quality of agency rulemakings, and ensuring that all branches of
the federal government are accountable to businesses and the American public. If the
REINS Act becomes law, members of Congress will be accountable to their constituents on
the question of whether a new regulation is truly needed, or is an unnecessary burden. This
will encourage Congress and agencies to work together to develop and pass regulations
that implement the original intent of laws. Furthermore, the REINS Act would prevent
Administrations from either party from bypassing Congress to implement a political agenda
through regulation.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Board of Directors of the San Antonio
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce adopts the following position statement in support of H.R.
10, the REINS Act as it will serve to help relieve regulatory burdens and associated costs
on small businesses in our community.
STATEMENT: The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the first Hispanic
Chamber in the nation, representing more than 900 businesses in the greater San Antonio
area, supports the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act. The
Chamber calls upon Congress to pass this necessary legislation so that federal agencies
regulate in a more transparent, cost-effective and rational manner to help businesses
across the nation continue to create and sustain jobs and grow the economy.
IMPLEMENTATION: The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will communicate
this position statement to leaders in our community as well as other officials and Hispanic
Chamber members via our weekly membership newsletter, and on our website at
www.sahcc.org
Pearl Brewery – Full Goods Building
200 East Grayson Street, Suite 203, San Antonio, Texas 78215
Tel 210.225.0462 | Fax 210.225.2485 | www.sahcc.org