Marla Brown (R-Lawrence) has introduced legislation to expand start-up fee exemptions to more small businesses in the Commonwealth. “As chairman of the Subcommittee on Small Business for the House Commerce Committee,” said Brown. “I realize the vital role that small businesses have in our community and how closely they are tied to the people that live and work there.” House Bill 1905 would expand the current exemption to include women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, minority-owned, disadvantaged businesses, and businesses with five employees or less. In addition, all other small businesses would receive a partial exemption. The legislation also requires the Pennsylvania Department of State to report the number of small businesses that have benefited from the exemption. “Eliminating and reducing these fees will spur the growth of our small businesses and create opportunities for new entrepreneurs from groups often under-represented in the Commonwealth.”