Guidance Clarity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-533
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2021-03-02
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Government information and archives
Latest action: action_date: 2022-11-17
text: Mr. Carter (LA) asked unanimous consent that the ordering of the yeas and nays on the motion that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill S. 533 be vacated, to the end that the motion be considered as withdrawn. Agreed to without objection.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-02
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Guidance Clarity Act of 2021</b><br> <br> 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. Excluded from this requirement is guidance directed to the issuing agency or other agency that is not intended to have a substantial effect on the behavior of regulated parties, as well as internal executive branch legal advice or opinions addressed to executive branch officials.</p>

action_date: 2022-04-27
action_desc: Reported to Senate
text: <p><b>Guidance Clarity Act of 2021</b><br> <br> 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.</p>

action_date: 2022-09-14
action_desc: Passed Senate
text: <p><b>Guidance Clarity Act of 2021</b><br> <br> 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.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 533 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 2 (legislative day, March 1), 2021 Mr. Lankford (for himself, Mr. Risch , and Mr. Johnson ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs A BILL 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 and rule have the meanings given those terms in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (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. .

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 346 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 533 [Report No. 117–95] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 2 (legislative day, March 1), 2021 Mr. Lankford (for himself, Mr. Risch , and Mr. Johnson ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs April 27, 2022 Reported by Mr. Peters , with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic A BILL 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 and rule have the meanings given those terms in section 551 of title 5, United States Code. (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

tv_txt: 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 533 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT 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) 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.

Passed the Senate September 14, 2022. Secretary