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H.R. 3137 112th Congress House

Small Business Freedom of Commerce Act of 2011

Official title: To permit small business concerns operating in the United States to elect to be exempt from certain Federal rules and regulations, and for other purposes.

Introduced: October 6, 2011 See on congress.gov
Commerce Administrative law and regulatory proceduresConsumer affairsMarketing and advertisingSmall business
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This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 6, 2011
Introduced in House
Oct 6, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
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 Latest action October 6, 2011

Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Small Business Freedom of Commerce Act of 2011 - Allows a small business operating in the United States to elect to be exempt from any federal rule or regulation issued on or after January 20, 2009. Requires the small business to notify the federal agency that issued the rule or regulation that it has elected such exemption, and makes the exemption effective 30 days after such notification.

Requires an exempt small business to: (1) label any product affected by the exemption as no longer subject to such rule or regulation, and (2) include in any communication relating to the affected product or activity a notice that it is no longer so subject.

Provides penalties for small business noncompliance with such requirements.

Prohibits a small business from electing to be exempt from a rule or regulation issued by the Department of Defense (DOD) or Homeland Security (DHS) if the Secretary of Defense or Homeland Security has determined that the rule or regulation is necessary for U.S. security.

 Related & companion bills 2
  • HR 3400 Jobs Through Growth Act
  • S 2199 Grow America Act of 2012
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3137: Small Business Freedom of Commerce Act of 2011. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3137/
MLA
"H.R. 3137: Small Business Freedom of Commerce Act of 2011." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3137/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3137, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3137/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3137: Small Business Freedom of Commerce Act of 2011](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-3137/)
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