On May 5, 2025, the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Request for Information (RFI) on regulatory review and reform, titled Ensuring Lawful Regulation: Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs. The DOT’s request for information was published in furtherance of President Trump’s Executive Orders on regulatory reform and his commitment to unleashing American prosperity through deregulation, especially for small business.
The DOT sought comments and information from the public on existing regulations, guidance, paperwork requirements, and other regulatory obligations that can be modified or repealed, consistent with law, and to achieve meaningful burden reduction while continuing to meet statutory obligations and ensure the safety of the U.S. transportation system.
In response to the DOT’s request, Advocacy hosted a small business regulatory roundtable on April 14, 2025, to hear directly from small businesses and their representatives about which regulations are most burdensome and in need of review and reform. Nearly 100 people participated in the roundtable, and many spoke and provided followed up written materials.
- Advocacy received comments from over twenty groups and individuals identifying thirty-six separate issues. Comments concerned rules and regulations from all of the DOT’s operating agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Federal Railroad Administration, Federal Highway Administration, Federal Transit Administration, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
- As the voice for small business within the federal government, Advocacy’s comments include summaries of the issues raised, the impacts on small businesses, and small business policy recommendations for the DOT and its subagencies to reduce regulatory burdens and promote benefits for small businesses.