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HR 3234 104th Congress House

Small Business OSHA Relief Act of 1996

Official title: To amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

Introduced: May 21, 1996 See on congress.gov
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Department of LaborEconomics and Public FinanceEmployee trainingFederal employeesFederal-state relationsFinance and Financial SectorFines (Penalties)Government Operations and PoliticsGovernment and businessGovernment paperworkGrants-in-aidHealthLawOccupational health and safetyRating of employeesSmall businessStandardsState officials and employeesTravel costs
This bill died when the 104th Congress ended
It never became law before the 104th Congress (1995–1996) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 21, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5309)
Apr 17, 1996
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Apr 17, 1996
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Apr 16, 1996
Referred to the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
Apr 16, 1996
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E529)
Apr 15, 1996
Referred to the House Committee on Economic and Educational Opportunities.
Apr 15, 1996
Introduced in House
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 Latest action May 21, 1996

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5309)

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Small Business OSHA Relief Act of 1996 - Amends the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) to require each OSHA standard promulgated by the Secretary of Labor to be based upon a cost-benefit assessment and a determination that the standard's benefits justify the costs it imposes.

Directs the Secretary, in the case of any employer of 250 or fewer employees cited for a violation of specified requirements, standards, or rules, which is a significant threat to an employee's health or safety, but where the employer has made a good faith correction effort, to waive up to 100 percent of the penalty otherwise proposed for such violation: (1) if the employer corrects the violation within the time set for abatement; or (2), if the employer does not correct the violation within such time, to the extent that the employer uses the amount which would have been paid as the penalty for correction of the violation.

Prohibits issuance of a citation for any posting requirement and any requirement to prepare and maintain injury and illness records or written plan or verification, unless: (1) the employer has willfully or repeatedly violated the requirement; or (2) the failure to meet such requirement has resulted in employee exposure to a hazard.

Directs the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements with States for consultation to employers concerning the provision of safe and healthful working conditions. Requires the Secretary to reimburse States that enter into such agreements for 90 percent of costs and 100 percent of State staff training and specified out-of-State travel expenses.

Prohibits the Secretary from establishing any performance measures for any subordinate within the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (including any regional director, area director, supervisor, or inspector) with respect to the number of inspections conducted, citations issued, or penalties assessed.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3234: Small Business OSHA Relief Act of 1996. 104th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3234/
MLA
"H.R. 3234: Small Business OSHA Relief Act of 1996." 104th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3234/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3234, 104th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3234/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3234: Small Business OSHA Relief Act of 1996](https://openamerica.io/bill/104-HR-3234/)
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