Plain Writing Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-574
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2009-03-11 in the Senate
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: 2009-03-11
text: 
Plain Writing Act of 2009 - Requires each executive agency to use plain writing in every document (other than a regulation) issued to the public, including documents and other text released in electronic form.
 
Requires 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 in plain writing; (3) meet the plain writing requirement; (4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act; and (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act. Requires: (1) agency heads to report on compliance to OMB; and (2) OMB to report on the progress of agencies to such committees.

action_date: 2009-12-09
text: 
Plain Writing Act of 2009 - Requires each executive agency to use plain writing in every document (other than a regulation) issued to the public, including documents and other text released in electronic form.
 
Requires 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 in plain writing; (3) meet the plain writing requirement; (4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act; and (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act. Requires: (1) agency heads to report on compliance to OMB; and (2) OMB to report on the progress of agencies to such committees.
 
Declares that: (1) there shall be no judicial review of compliance with this Act; and (2) no provision of this Act shall be construed to create any enforceable right or benefit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-12-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222.
action_date: 2009-12-09
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment. With written report No. 111-102.
action_date: 2009-12-09
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment. With written report No. 111-102.
action_date: 2009-04-01
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2009-03-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3032-3033)
action_date: 2009-03-11
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3032)
action_date: 2009-03-11
text: Introduced in Senate