Plain Writing Act of 2010

Bill: 111-hr-946
Sponsor: Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1]
Introduced: 2009-02-10 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-10
text: 
Plain Language Act of 2009 - Requires each executive agency to use plain language in any document (other than a regulation) issued to the public, including documents and other text released in electronic form.

Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance on implementing such requirements to agencies as a circular. Authorizes agencies, pending issuance of such guidance, to follow the writing guidelines developed by the Plain Language Action and Information Network or their own guidance as long as it is consistent with such guidelines.

Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how the agency intends to: (1) communicate the requirements of this Act to employees; (2) train employees to write in plain language; (3) meet the plain language requirement; (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 regulations promulgated by it. Requires: (1) agency heads to report on compliance to OMB; and (2) the Director of OMB to report on the progress of agencies to such committees.

action_date: 2010-03-11
text: 
Plain Writing Act of 2010 - Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) designate one or more senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency's implementation of this Act; (2) communicate this Act's requirements to the agency's employees; (3) train agency employees in plain writing; (4) establish a process for overseeing the agency's ongoing compliance with this Act's requirements; (5) create and maintain a plain writing section of the agency's website that is accessible from its homepage; and (6) designate one or more agency points-of-contact to receive and respond to public input on the implementation of this Act.
 
Requires each agency, by one year after enactment, to use plain writing in every covered document of the agency that the agency issues or substantially revises. Defines &quot;covered document&quot; to: (1) mean any document that is relevant to obtaining any federal benefit or service or filing taxes, that provides information about any federal benefit or service, or that explains to the public how to comply with a requirement the federal government administers or enforces; (2) include (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; and (3) exclude a regulation.
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), by six months after enactment, to develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Director to designate a lead agency and to use interagency working groups to assist in developing and issuing the guidance. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) interim guidance; (2) initial and annual compliance reports; and (3) judicial review and enforceability.

action_date: 2010-03-17
text: 
Plain Writing Act of 2010 - Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) designate one or more senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency's implementation of this Act; (2) communicate this Act's requirements to the agency's employees; (3) train agency employees in plain writing; (4) establish a process for overseeing the agency's ongoing compliance with this Act's requirements; (5) create and maintain a plain writing section of the agency's website that is accessible from its homepage; and (6) designate one or more agency points-of-contact to receive and respond to public input on the implementation of this Act.
 
Requires each agency, by one year after enactment, to use plain writing in every covered document of the agency that the agency issues or substantially revises. Defines &quot;covered document&quot; to: (1) mean any document that is relevant to obtaining any federal benefit or service or filing taxes, that provides information about any federal benefit or service, or that explains to the public how to comply with a requirement the federal government administers or enforces; (2) include (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; and (3) exclude a regulation.
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), by six months after enactment, to develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Director to designate a lead agency and to use interagency working groups to assist in developing and issuing the guidance. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) an interim guidance; (2) initial and annual compliance reports; and (3) judicial review and enforceability.
 
Requires the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, to be determined by reference to the latest statement titled &quot;Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation&quot; for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

action_date: 2010-09-27
text: 
Plain Writing Act of 2010 - Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) designate one or more senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency's implementation of this Act; (2) communicate this Act's requirements to the agency's employees; (3) train agency employees in &quot;plain writing&quot; (defined as writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience); (4) establish a process for overseeing the agency's ongoing compliance with this Act's requirements; (5) create and maintain a plain writing section of the agency's website that shall inform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this Act, provide a mechanism for the agency to receive and respond to public input on agency implementation and agency reports required under this Act, and be accessible from its homepage; and (6) designate one or more agency points-of-contact to receive and respond to public input on the implementation of this Act. 
 
Requires each agency, by one year after enactment, to use plain writing in every covered document of the agency that the agency issues or substantially revises. Defines &quot;covered document&quot; to: (1) mean any document that is necessary for obtaining any federal benefit or service or filing taxes, that provides information about any federal benefit or service, or that explains to the public how to comply with a requirement the federal government administers or enforces; (2) include (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; and (3) exclude a regulation.
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), by six months after enactment, to develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Director to designate a lead agency and to use interagency working groups to assist in developing and issuing the guidance. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) an interim guidance; (2) initial and annual compliance reports; and (3) judicial review and enforceability.
 
Requires the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, to be determined by reference to the latest statement titled &quot;Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation&quot; for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

action_date: 2010-10-13
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 27, 2010. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Plain Writing Act of 2010 - Requires the head of each executive agency to: (1) designate one or more senior officials within the agency to oversee the agency's implementation of this Act; (2) communicate this Act's requirements to the agency's employees; (3) train agency employees in &quot;plain writing&quot; (defined as writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience); (4) establish a process for overseeing the agency's ongoing compliance with this Act's requirements; (5) create and maintain a plain writing section of the agency's website that shall inform the public of agency compliance with the requirements of this Act, provide a mechanism for the agency to receive and respond to public input on agency implementation and agency reports required under this Act, and be accessible from its homepage; and (6) designate one or more agency points-of-contact to receive and respond to public input on the implementation of this Act. 
 
Requires each agency, by one year after enactment, to use plain writing in every covered document of the agency that the agency issues or substantially revises. Defines &quot;covered document&quot; to: (1) mean any document that is necessary for obtaining any federal benefit or service or filing taxes, that provides information about any federal benefit or service, or that explains to the public how to comply with a requirement the federal government administers or enforces; (2) include (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; and (3) exclude a regulation.
 
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), by six months after enactment, to develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Director to designate a lead agency and to use interagency working groups to assist in developing and issuing the guidance. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) an interim guidance; (2) initial and annual compliance reports; and (3) judicial review and enforceability.
 
Requires the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, to be determined by reference to the latest statement titled &quot;Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation&quot; for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2010-10-13
text: Became Public Law No: 111-274.
action_date: 2010-10-13
text: Became Public Law No: 111-274.
action_date: 2010-10-13
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2010-10-13
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2010-10-01
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2010-10-01
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 341 - 82 (Roll no. 562). (text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H7314)
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 341 - 82 (Roll no. 562).(text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H7314)
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7371-7372)
action_date: 2010-09-29
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: 2010-09-29
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 946.
action_date: 2010-09-29
text: Mr. Clay moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H7314-7316)
action_date: 2010-09-28
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7556)
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7556)
action_date: 2010-09-27
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7556)
action_date: 2010-03-18
text: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 321.
action_date: 2010-03-17
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2010-03-17
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 33 (Roll no. 126). (text: CR H1538)
action_date: 2010-03-17
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): 386 - 33 (Roll no. 126).(text: CR H1538)
action_date: 2010-03-17
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1560)
action_date: 2010-03-17
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: 2010-03-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 946.
action_date: 2010-03-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1538-1540)
action_date: 2010-03-17
text: Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2010-03-11
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 248.
action_date: 2010-03-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 111-432.
action_date: 2010-03-11
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 111-432.
action_date: 2010-03-04
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2010-03-04
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-02-10
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-02-10
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-10
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 111-274