Bill Would Help Small Businesses Recover Court Costs in Federal Agency Disputes
House Small Business Committee Chairman Don Manzullo (R-IL) last week introduced legislation to help a small business firm recover its attorneys’ fees and court costs when it prevails in a case against a government agency such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The legislation, H.R. 2282, would amend the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA), which currently governs the ability of small businesses to petition for reimbursement of court costs.
Under current law, while small businesses can petition for reimbursement, the amount they can recover is quite limited and there are tight controls on the situations in which they can qualify.