WASHINGTON — Anita Drummond, director of legal and regulatory affairs for the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), testified on Sept. 17 before the House Education and Workforce Committee’s Subcommittee on Workforce Protections to express ABC’s support for H.R. 2731, The Occupational Safety and Health Small Employer Access to Justice Act of 2003.

Introduced by Rep. Charles Norwood (R-Ga.) on July 15, 2003, H.R. 2731 is intended to level the playing field for small businesses when it is cited by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for allowing the award of costs and attorney’s fees if the small business prevails in its defense.

“ABC strongly supports H.R. 2731, but recommends it be amended to include a provision that assures awards for costs and attorney’s fees are reimbursed directly out of OSHA’s budget,” said Drummond. “Without this link between enforcement and litigation, behavioral change is unlikely. Currently, such awards under the Equal Access to Justice Act are not paid by the enforcing agency.”

For further details, visit www.abc.org.

Publication date: 10/06/2003