Senate bill forces agencies to disclose indirect costs to small businesses
In committeeS. 495Latest action
Sponsor: Joni Ernst · Senator · IA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Prove It Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Government & democracy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
S 495 requires federal agencies to estimate indirect regulatory costs on small businesses and lets those businesses challenge agency findings.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
S 495 requires federal agencies to estimate not only direct regulatory costs but also indirect costs on small businesses connected through supply or business relationships. Agencies must publish that analysis within 10 days of issuing a rule. If an agency misses its required 10-year review of an existing rule, that rule automatically stops being effective until the agency justifies reinstating it.
Who does it affect?
Small business owners across many industries are affected, as are federal regulatory agencies. The Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy takes on a larger oversight role under the bill.
Why does it matter?
Small businesses or groups representing them could petition the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy to challenge an agency's finding that a rule does not significantly affect them, with the office required to publish findings within 30 days. If an agency refuses to cooperate with that review, the rule cannot apply to small businesses at all.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 10, 2025
- Senate committeeYou are here · Nov 19, 2025
- Senate vote
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: a Senate committee is reviewing it. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.