House Judiciary Committee to Hold Oversight Hearing on Occupational Licensing: Regulation and Competition

Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, September 12, 2017 at 3:00 p.m., the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law will hold an oversight hearing to examine potential antitrust concerns with the expansion of state occupational licensing. Although the original purpose of occupational licensing was to protect public health and safety, an increasing number of states require licensure for a variety of tangentially related occupations. This excessive reliance on regulatory boards and occupational licensing costs consumers billions of dollars, creates barriers for those who wish to enter the workforce, discourages workforce mobility, and creates uncertainty for employees across different states. The witnesses for the hearing include:

• Ms. Maureen K. Ohlhausen, Acting Chairman, Federal Trade Commission
• Mr. Robert E. Johnson, Esq., Attorney, Institute for Justice
• Ms. Sarah O. Allen, Esq., Senior Assistant Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia
• Ms. Rebecca H. Allensworth, Esq., Professor of Law, Vanderbilt Law School

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement in advance of the hearing: Chairman Goodlatte: “Today, it is estimated that occupational licensing affects 25% of the nation’s economy. That’s one in four American workers who will face barriers to entering the workforce, switching jobs, or moving across state lines. As states dramatically increase their occupational licensing requirements, American workers and consumers bear the compliance costs. This week’s Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law Subcommittee hearing will examine the benefits and drawbacks of state occupational licensing laws, including the potential anticompetitive effects of such laws.” This hearing will take place in 2141 Rayburn House Office Building and will be webcast live at judiciary.house.gov. Camera crew wishing to cover must be congressionally credentialed and RSVP with the House Radio-TV Gallery at (202) 225-5214.