Brown Introduces Legislation to Assist Small Businesses

HARRISBURG – Reps. Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) has introduced legislation to expand start-up fee exemptions to more small businesses in the Commonwealth.

“As chairman of the Subcommittee on Small Business for the House Commerce Committee, I’m making it my priority to support small business in my district and in every county in Pennsylvania,” said Brown. “I realize the vital role that small business has in our community and how closely they are tied to the people that live and work there.”

Brown is working with Rep. Arvind Venkat (D-Allegheny) on the bipartisan legislation.

In 2016, the General Assembly provided for an exemption (Act 135 of 2016) for veteran-owned and reservist-owned small businesses from certain state and local business start-up fees. House Bill 1905 would expand the current exemption to include women-owned, service-disabled veteran owned, minority-owned, disadvantaged businesses and businesses with five employees or less.

In addition, all other small businesses would receive a partial exemption. The legislation also requires the Pennsylvania Department of State to report the number of small businesses that have benefited from the exemption.

“Not only are the majority of jobs in the United States created by small businesses, but they are also a major source of innovation, economic growth and national prosperity,” said Brown. “Eliminating and reducing these fees will spur the growth of our small businesses and create opportunities for new entrepreneurs from groups often under-represented in the Commonwealth.”

House Bill 1905 will be referred to a House committee for consideration.