I 
116TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 4929 
To improve communication from executive agencies to individuals by requiring 
clear instructions, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 30, 2019 
Mr. MOULTON (for himself, Mr. MEADOWS, Mr. TRONE, Mr. NORMAN, Mr. 
CISNEROS, and Mr. FITZPATRICK) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform 
A BILL 
To improve communication from executive agencies to indi-
viduals by requiring clear instructions, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Too Long; Didn’t Read 
Act of 2019’’ or the ‘‘TL; DR Act of 2019’’. 
SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECUTIVE AGENCIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the date that is not 
later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, the head of each agency shall provide, to the ex-
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tent practicable, at the top of each communication (both 
hard copy and electronic) that the agency sends to an indi-
vidual that authorizes or requires such individual to take 
an action, a clearly marked section that includes— 
(1) the authorized or required action; 
(2) if a response by the individual is required, 
optional, or not permitted; 
(3) all deadlines to complete the authorized or 
required action; 
(4) how to complete the authorized or required 
action; and 
(5) the contact information for any agency, or 
department or office thereof, that can assist or an-
swer questions relating to the authorized or required 
action. 
(b) PUBLIC REPORTS OF COMPLIANCE.— 
(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 9 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head 
of each agency shall publish on the plain writing sec-
tion of the agency’s website, maintained pursuant to 
section 4(a) of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (5 
U.S.C. 301 note), a report that describes the agency 
plan for compliance with the requirements of this 
Act. 
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(2) ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT.—Not later 
than 18 months after the date of the enactment of 
this Act, and annually thereafter, the head of each 
agency shall publish on the plain writing section of 
the website of the agency, maintained pursuant to 
section 4(a) of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (5 
U.S.C. 301 note), a report on agency compliance 
with the requirements of this Act. 
(c) AUTHORITY OF DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF 
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.—The Director of the Office 
of Management and Budget may promulgate regulations 
or develop and issue guidance to implement the require-
ments under this section. 
(d) AGENCY DEFINED.—In this Act, the term ‘‘agen-
cy’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘Executive agency’’ 
as that term is defined in section 105 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
Æ 
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