Guidance Clarity Act of 2021

To require a guidance clarity statement on certain agency guidance, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Guidance Clarity Act of 2021 2. Guidance clarity statement required (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Agency; rule The terms agency rule (2) Guidance The term guidance (A) means an agency statement of general applicability, intended to have a future effect on the behavior of regulated parties, that sets forth a policy on a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue, or an interpretation of a statute or regulation; and (B) does not include— (i) a rule promulgated pursuant to notice and comment under section 553 of title 5, United States Code; (ii) a rule exempt from rulemaking requirements under section 553(a) of title 5, United States Code; (iii) a rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice; (iv) a decision of an agency adjudication under section 554 of title 5, United States Code, or any similar statutory provision; (v) internal guidance directed to the issuing agency or other agency that is not intended to have a substantial future effect on the behavior of regulated parties; or (vi) internal executive branch legal advice or legal opinions addressed to executive branch officials. (b) Requirement Each agency shall include a guidance clarity statement as described in subsection (c) on any guidance issued by that agency on and after the date of enactment of this Act. (c) Guidance clarity statement A guidance clarity statement required under subsection (b) shall— (1) be displayed prominently on the first page of the document; and (2) include the following: The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Guidance Clarity Act of 2021 2. Guidance clarity statement required (a) Requirement Each agency, as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, shall include a guidance clarity statement as described in subsection (b) on any guidance issued by that agency under section 553(b)(3)(A) of title 5, United States Code, on and after the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget issues the guidance required under subsection (c). (b) Guidance clarity statement A guidance clarity statement required under subsection (a) shall— (1) be displayed prominently on the first page of the document; and (2) include the following: The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and do not, of themselves, bind the public or the agency. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies. (c) OMB guidance Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue guidance to implement this Act. April 27, 2022 Reported with an amendment

Summary: Guidance Clarity Act of 2021 This bill requires federal agencies to state on the first page of guidance documents that such guidance (1) does not have the force and effect of law, and (2) is intended only to provide clarity to the public about existing legal requirements or agency policies.