WASHINGTON — CUNA, business organizations and other trade associations are scheduled to testify March 12 at the Small Business Administration's second national regulatory fairness hearing, which aims to offer a forum to comment on unfair or excessive federal regulatory enforcement that impacts their members and small businesses.

Mary Dunn, CUNA senior vice president and associate general counsel of regulatory advocacy, is scheduled to testify.

Each year, SBA holds a series of public regulatory fairness hearings nationwide. Small business owners have the opportunity to testify in person, presenting their concerns about “unfair practices or burdensome policies” imposed on them by federal agencies, without fear of retaliatory action, according to SBA. Business owners also have the option of submitting their comments in writing to the agency.

Those comments are then forwarded to the appropriate federal agency for review. SBA then asks the federal agency to respond within a specified time period. In many instances, the federal agency has reduced or waived particular penalties and/or compliance actions, according to SBA. At a minimum, the agencies direct a high level review of the enforcement action to ensure fairness.

SBA's regulatory fairness hearing will take place this Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the Environmental Protection Agency's East Building.