Daines Secures Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Steve Daines today praised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) decision to exempt small businesses from burdensome regulations found in their 317-page “net neutrality” rules.

Earlier today, the FCC approved a proposal that exempts small internet service providers from the so-called “enhanced transparency requirements,” which would require small businesses to disclose an excess of information about their network performance, some of which may require investing in new equipment and hiring an engineer. 

“Small businesses should be focused on serving their customers, not complying with unnecessary and burdensome regulatory requirements,” Daines stated. “Today’s decision provides needed relief for small businesses that do not have hallways full of lawyers.”

Daines has long advocated for a small business exemption to the enhanced transparency requirements. Daines introduced the Small Business Broadband Deployment Act in both the 114th and 115th Congress, which would have made the exemption permanent. He also led a bipartisan, bicameral effort urging the FCC to take action before the existing exemption expired. 

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