Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-3548
Sponsor: Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1]
Introduced: 2007-09-17 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Employee training
English language
Federal employees
Government paperwork
Government publications
Government publicity
Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2007-09-17
text: 
Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 - Requires each executive agency, within one year, to use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the date of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes agencies to: (1) use plain language in any revision of a covered document issued on or before such date; and (2) follow the guidance of the Plain English Handbook published by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, or their own plain language guidance as long as it is consistent with such Guidelines.

Defines &quot;covered document&quot; to include: (1) any document relevant to obtaining a benefit or service; and (2) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction, but not a regulation.

Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it intends to: (1) communicate the requirements of this Act to employees; (2) train employees to write in plain language; (3) meet the one year deadline; (4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act; and (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act.

action_date: 2008-04-14
text: 
Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Requires each executive agency, within one year, to: (1) use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) use the English language in covered documents when appropriate. Authorizes agencies to: (1) use plain language in any revision of a covered document issued on or before such date; and (2) follow the guidance of the Plain English Handbook published by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, or their own plain language guidance as long as it is consistent with such Handbook, Guidelines, and the Comptroller General's recommendations.
 
Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) prohibit the use of a language other than English; (2) limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages; (3) disparage any language or discourage any person from learning or using a language; (4) affect protections regarding language access; or (5) be inconsistent with the Constitution.

Defines &quot;covered document&quot; to include: (1) any document relevant to obtaining a benefit or service or filing taxes; and (2) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction, in paper or electronic form, but not a regulation.

Requires agencies to use plain language in any collection of information.

Requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), acting through the Plain Language Action and Information Network, and the SEC to report to specified congressional committees on whether the Comptroller General's recommendations about plain language guidelines and best practices have been incorporated into the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and the Plain English Handbook and, if not, why.

(Sec. 5) Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it intends to: (1) communicate the requirements of this Act to employees; (2) train employees to write in plain language; (3) meet the one year deadline; (4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act; (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act; and (6) use plain language in promulgated regulations. Requires agency heads to report on efforts to meet such objectives and on compliance with this Act.

Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate existing guidance for agencies on writing in plain language and report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and specified congressional committees on plain language guidelines and best practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-08-01
text: Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 929.
action_date: 2008-04-15
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 1 (Roll no. 185). (text: CR H2237)
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 1 (Roll no. 185).(text: CR H2237)
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2245)
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3548.
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2237-2239)
action_date: 2008-04-14
text: Mr. Braley (IA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 358.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-580.
action_date: 2008-04-10
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-580.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-03-13
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2008-01-29
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2007-10-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.
action_date: 2007-09-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2007-09-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2007-09-17
text: Introduced in House