Probst small-business bill to drop first-time filing penalty

Goal of legislation is to save money for small businesses

Jan. 27, 2009

OLYMPIA – Legislation introduced today in the House would save money for small businesses.

State Rep. Tim Probst, D-Vancouver, introduced the bill to waive penalties that can hurt small businesses that inadvertently make mistakes on their state filing requirements.

“Right now, small businesses are penalized for first-time paperwork mistakes, sometimes for requirements the small businesses did not know about,” Probst said. “Waiving the first penalty and helping them avoid paperwork mistakes in the future builds a healthier environment for our small businesses. More importantly, it helps keep businesses open and people employed.”

Currently the state can come in and help businesses file without penalties. If a business doesn’t know they need to ask for assistance from the state, then they are subject to the fines when they miss paperwork requirements.

Probst’s House Bill 1650 would waive first-time paperwork penalties so a small business can learn the rule or regulation and get into compliance. Businesses that don’t take the opportunity to get their paperwork in order, and get a second violation, would be assessed both fines.

“As our economy begins its recovery, our small shops and businesses will be the first ones out there looking to hire,” Probst said. “It’s important for our community entrepreneurs to succeed. Our state’s future depends on a healthy business sector and small businesses are in fact our state’s largest employer.”

Probst’s bill is the companion bill to Senate Bill 5042, prime-sponsored there by state Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor.

The legislation’s next step is to be scheduled for a public hearing in the House State Government and Tribal Affairs Committee.

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For more information:
State Rep. Tim Probst, (360) 786-7994
Print-quality image: www.leg.wa.gov/documents/House/Members/Photos/Probst.jpg

Staff contact – Andrew Dziedzic, (360) 786-7218