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Ombudsman Aids Victims of Excessive Federal Regulation

Through the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of the National Ombudsman, small builders and remodelers can report unfair or excessive regulatory enforcement by federal agencies.

The ombudsman’s primary mission is to assist small businesses that have been subjected to such federal regulatory actions as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, penalties, threats, retaliation or other unfair procedures.

Acting as a liaison for small businesses, the ombudsman forwards comments to federal agencies, which are requested to make a high-level review of their enforcement action.

Countrywide Home Loans

The ombudsman sends a copy of the agency’s response to the small business owner. In some cases, fines have been lowered or eliminated and decisions have been changed in favor of the owner.

However, the Small Business Administration advises those participating in this comment process that it is not a substitute for legal action that may be in a company’s best interest.

For the Federal Agency Appraisal Form, which businesses use to file their comments through this process, click here.

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