Bill · S. 495· Senate(119-S-495)
Prove It Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 2/10/2025
- Last activity
- 11/19/2025 — Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
- Sponsored by
- Joni Ernst
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Prove It Act of 2025" aims to increase transparency regarding Federal regulatory decisions that impact small businesses. It amends title 5 of the United States Code to require agencies to consider potential indirect costs imposed on small entities. The bill establishes a process for small entities to petition the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to review agency certifications. It also creates a mechanism for a "full review" of these certifications, including required meetings and potential penalties for uncooperative agencies. Additionally, the act requires the publication of guidance documents to allow for public feedback. Finally, it modifies review procedures for rules that have been in place for 10 years.
Yes· 3 of 6
Would business owners be better off under this?+8
The bill empowers small business owners to petition for reviews of agency decisions that impact their indirect costs.
Does this make it easier to run a small business?+7
The act requires agencies to consider potential indirect costs imposed on small entities and provides a petition process to challenge regulatory certifications.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+6
The bill mandates the publication of guidance documents on the internet to allow for public feedback.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Greater Awareness of Indirect Costs: Under Section 2, agencies would be required to consider "reasonably foreseeable potential indirect costs" that a proposed rule might impose on small entities, such as those that buy from or sell to directly regulated entities (Section 2, Section 603(b)(6)).
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Empowerment Through Petitioning: Small entities or groups representing them can petition the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to review an agency's certification that a rule won't have a significant economic impact (Section 2, Section 605A(a)(1)).
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Structured Review Process: The bill provides a framework for a "full review" where the Chief Counsel can convene meetings with petitioners and agency representatives to discuss the economic implications of a proposed rule (Section 2, Section 605A(d)(1)).
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Increased Transparency for Guidance: Agencies must publish guidance documents and relevant documents on the internet to allow small entities to access them and provide feedback (Section 3, Section 609(f)).
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Accountability for Long-term Rules: The bill introduces requirements for reviewing rules that have been in place for 10 years, specifically considering indirect costs that may have arisen during that time (Section 4, Section 610(b)(6)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Requirements for Petitioners: To have their concerns heard, a petitioner must provide very specific information, including contact details, organizational status, specific problems, technical or scientific data, and a proposed solution (Section 2, Section 605A(a)(3)).
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Limitations on Expert Assistance: While the Chief Counsel can assist a petitioner in clarifying a petition, they are strictly prohibited from advising a petitioner on whether they should amend or withdraw it (Section 2, Section 605A(b)(3)).
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Strict Deadlines and Potential Rule Expiration: If an agency fails to conduct a required review within a 10-year period, the Chief Counsel will notify the agency that the rule has ceased to be effective (Section 4, Section 610(d)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+8Good For Low Income Households+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Increases Job Creation+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+6
- 11/19/2025
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
- 2/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.