S. 83Senate116th Congress (2019-2021)In Committee

Advocacy Empowerment Act of 2019

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Updated April 14, 2026 at 12:23 AM UTC

The Advocacy Empowerment Act of 2019 updates the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy by giving its chief counsel new rulemaking powers. It lets the chief counsel issue, modify, or amend rules that agencies must follow under chapter 6 of title 5 of the U.S. Code, after a notice‑and‑comment process. The changes take effect 270 days after the law is enacted and affect the Office of Advocacy and any federal agencies subject to those compliance rules.

Key Provisions

Amends section 203(a) of Public Law 94‑305 to add paragraph (7), authorizing the chief counsel to issue, modify, or amend rules governing agency compliance with chapter 6 of title 5, following notice‑and‑comment under section 553.
Adds paragraph (8), permitting an agency to issue supplemental compliance rules that the chief counsel must approve, ensuring they meet chapter 6 requirements and the notice‑and‑comment process.
Sets an effective date: the chief counsel may exercise the new authority 270 days after the act’s enactment.

Legislative Activity

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3 earlier actions

SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-86.

Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee

May 22, 2019

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

January 10, 2019

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

January 10, 2019

SenateCommittee

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Joint hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-86.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee

May 22, 2019

SenateCommittee

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 116-86.

Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management Subcommittee

May 22, 2019

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued January 10, 2019

116th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 83

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

January 10, 2019

Mr. Rubio (for himself and Ms. Ernst) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

A BILL

To amend section 203 of Public Law 94–305 to ensure proper authority for the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Advocacy Empowerment Act of 2019.

Additional powers of the Chief Counsel for Advocacy

(a)

Chief counsel authority

Section 203(a) of Public Law 94–305 (15 U.S.C. 634c(a)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (5), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following:

(7)

issue, modify, or amend rules governing compliance by agencies with chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, after opportunity for notice and comment under section 553 of title 5, United States Code; and

(8)

authorize an agency to issue such supplemental rules governing compliance with chapter 6 of title 5, United States Code, as the Chief Counsel may approve, and ensure that the supplemental rules comply with such chapter 6 and with the notice and comment process under section 553 of title 5, United States Code.

(b)

Implementation

On and after the date that is 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration may exercise the authority under paragraphs (7) and (8) of section 203(a) of Public Law 94–305 (15 U.S.C. 634c(a)), as added by subsection (a).