Roundtable Recap – USPTO Trademark Pendency Rates
On January 15, 2024, the Office of Advocacy held a roundtable with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to discuss pendency rates for trademark applications. Pendency rates represent how quickly the Trademark Office can issue or…
Advocacy Comments on the State Department’s Au Pair Rule
On October 30, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (Department) published a proposed rule that amends regulations governing the au pair program, which allows young foreign nationals to travel to the United States to continue their studies…
Advocacy Comments on CPSC’s Proposed Safety Standard for Table Saws
On November 1, 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a supplemental proposed rule that would establish a safety standard for blade contact injuries in table saws. On January 26, 2024, the Office of Advocacy…
Small Business Telecommunications and Technology Policy Roundtable – February 22, 2024
The next U.S. Small Business Administration, Office of Advocacy Small Business Telecommunications and Technology Policy Roundtable will be held virtually on February 22, 2024, at 1 PM ET on Microsoft Teams. The discussion will focus on…
Remembering Joe Sobota
Last November, Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) Assistant Chief Counsel Joseph “Joe” Sobota passed away. A man of service, the work Joe pioneered in disaster relief and veteran ownership throughout his lifetime reflects his love for others…
Roundtable Recap – Advocacy Discusses EPA’s Proposed Lead and Copper Rule Improvements
by Nick Goldstein, Assistant Chief Counsel
On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, the Office of Advocacy held a roundtable to discuss the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed improvements to the lead and copper rule. The proposed…
Advocacy Comments on CPSC’s Proposed Residential Gas Furnace and Boiler Rule
On October 25, 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a proposed rule that would require all residential gas furnaces and boilers to, either directly or indirectly, continuously monitor the concentration of carbon…
Labor Issues: Small Business Hires Pre and Post COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented issues to American entrepreneurs, and it’s important that we understand how small businesses respond to economic shock. This report examines the small business job market before and after…
Small Business Chemicals Roundtable – January 29, 2024
The Office of Advocacy is announcing its first regularly scheduled Small Business Chemicals Roundtable. The purpose of these roundtables will be to bring experts in the regulation of chemicals under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)…
Inside Breckenridge, CO
Region VIII covers six states, Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Each state has its own unique culture and small business presence, but the region shares a lot of similarities due to the abundance of land.…