S. 2757 · 116th Congress
Harmless Error Lesser Penalty for Small Businesses Act
- Stage
- Reported from committee
- Sponsor
- James Lankford
- Introduced
- 2019-10-31
- Latest action
- 2020-12-15 · Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 116-326.
Summary
Harmless Error Lesser Penalty for Small Businesses Act or the HELP for Small Businesses Act
This bill prohibits an agency from imposing a civil fine on a small business for a first-time paperwork violation, with the exceptions that the agency may levy a fine for a violation that (1) interferes with the detection of criminal activity; (2) contravenes an internal revenue law; or (3) endangers public health, safety, or the environment. However, an agency must track each first-time violation and report each waiver or reduction of a civil penalty for the violation.