Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024

Bill: 118-hr-7528
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3]
Introduced: 2024-03-05
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures

Computers and information technology

Congressional oversight

Government information and archives

Government studies and investigations

Internet, web applications, social media

Public participation and lobbying
Latest action: action_date: 2024-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 712.

Summaries:
action_date: 2024-03-05
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><strong>Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024</strong></p><p>This bill establishes requirements with respect to the submission of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the federal rulemaking process.</p><p>Specifically, the bill requires federal agencies to verify, to the greatest extent possible at the time a public comment is submitted, whether the comment has been submitted by a human being.</p><p>An agency also must identify comments that are mass comments and may publish on the docket only a single representative copy of such comments or a single copy of one variation of mass comments that use standardized but not identical language. If the agency publishes only a single copy of a mass comment, the agency also must make available the number of mass comments submitted that were identical or substantially identical to the representative copy or variation that the agency published.</p><p>Additionally, each agency must establish a policy with respect to the posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass-comments during the agency's rulemaking process.</p><p>The Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance for implementing the requirements of this bill, and the Government Accountability Office must report on the identification and effect of computer-generated comments in the rulemaking process.</p>

action_date: 2024-05-06
action_desc: Passed House
text: <p><strong>Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024</strong></p><p>This bill establishes requirements with respect to the submission of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the federal rulemaking process.</p><p>Specifically, the bill requires federal agencies to verify, to the greatest extent possible at the time a public comment is submitted, whether the comment has been submitted by a human being.</p><p>An agency also must determine whether comments are mass comments and may publish on the docket only a single representative copy of such comments or a single copy of one variation of mass comments that use standardized but not identical language. If the agency publishes only a single copy of a mass comment, the agency also must indicate the number of mass comments submitted that were identical or substantively identical to the representative copy or variation that the agency published.</p><p>Additionally, each agency must establish a policy with respect to the posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass-comments during the agency's rulemaking process.</p><p>The Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance for implementing the requirements of this bill, and the Government Accountability Office must report on the identification and effect of computer-generated comments in the rulemaking process.&nbsp;</p>

tv_txt: II Calendar No. 712 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7528 [Report No. 118–306] IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 7, 2024 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs December 17 (legislative day, December 16), 2024 Reported by Mr. Peters , with an amendment Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic AN ACT To amend section 206 of the E-Government Act of 2002 to improve the integrity and management of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the regulatory review process, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024 . 2. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to help Federal agencies manage mass and computer-generated comments in the Federal regulatory process. This should in no way be understood to discourage mass comments, which are a vital part of the regulatory process. 3. Improving integrity and management of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the regulatory review process (a) In general Section 206 of the E–Government Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–347 ; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note) is amended by— (1) redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2) inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Information integrity (1) Verification of electronic submissions With respect to each comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c), in accordance with the guidance established by Director in paragraph (3), the head of an agency shall verify, to the greatest extent possible, at the time the comment is submitted, whether the comment has been submitted by a human being. (2) Identification and management of mass comments (A) Identification of mass comments With respect to each comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c) by the head of an agency, the head of the agency shall— (i) to the extent practicable, reasonably determine whether such comment is a mass comment; and (ii) in the case that the agency has made a reasonable determination that the comment is a mass comment, indicate on any publicly available copy of the comment, or comment variations, (through a label or indicator, and in a machine and human readable format) that the comment is part of a mass comment submission; and (B) Handling of mass comments Notwithstanding subsection (d)(2)(A), instead of making available through the electronic docket of the agency each comment identified as a mass comment under paragraph (2), the head of an agency may— (i) make available through such docket only a single representative sample of each such mass comment; or (ii) in the case where mass comments take the form of variations on certain standardized but not identical language the agency make available through such docket a single copy of one of the variations of the mass comment. (C) Number of submissions In case in which the head of an agency makes available through such docket a single representative sample or a single copy of one of the variations of a mass comment under subparagraph (B), the head of the agency shall indicate (through a label or indicator, and in a machine and human readable format), on the sample or copy made available, the number of submissions that were determined to be identical, or substantively identical to the sample or copy made available on such docket. (3) OMB guidance (A) Guidance Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Director, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall issue guidance to the heads of each agency on the implementation of the requirements of this subsection. (B) Contents of Guidance The guidance issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include recommendations for agencies on how to best manage comments accepted by electronic means, including recommendations on how to do the following: (i) Use technology tools and procedures that verify, to the greatest extent possible, whether a comment is being submitted by a human being. (ii) Identify mass comments, including how to leverage software tools to identify whether a comment is a mass comment. (iii) Indicate (through a label or indicator, and in a machine- and human-readable format), that a comment is a mass comment. (iv) Use new technology to offer new opportunities for public participation in the rulemaking process. (C) Updates The Director, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, may update the guidance issued pursuant to subparagraph (A), as determined necessary by the Director. (4) Policies concerning posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass comments (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the head of each agency shall establish a policy with respect to the posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass-comments during the rulemaking process of the agency that is consistent with— (i) the requirements of paragraph (2); and (ii) the guidance issued under paragraph (3). (B) Availability of policy Not later than 60 days after the date on which the head of an agency establishes a policy pursuant to subparagraph (A), the head of the agency shall, to the extent practicable, post the policy on the website through which an agency makes comments available pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(A). (C) Update to policy The policy established pursuant to subparagraph (A)— (i) shall be updated as necessary to make such guidance consistent with any updates to the guidance issued under paragraph (3); and (ii) may be updated by the head of the agency, in consultation with the Director, as the head of the agency determines appropriate. (5) Exception to time limitation for implementation The requirement described under subsection (f) shall not apply to this subsection. (6) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Comment The term comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code. (B) Computer-generated comment The term computer-generated comment means a comment the substance of which is primarily generated by computer software, including through the use of artificial intelligence, rather than by a human being. (C) Mass comment The term mass comment means a comment submitted as part of an organized submission of a large volume of identical, or substantively identical, comments submitted by different signatories or entities. . (b) Update to websites, information systems of agencies (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each agency subject to the requirements of section 206(e) of the E-Government Act, as added by subsection (a), shall update any website of the agency, and any information system of the agency, as necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of such section. (2) Regulations.gov The Administrator of General Services, acting through the eRulemaking Program Management Office, shall update Regulations.gov as necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of section 206(e) of the E–Government Act, as added by subsection (a). (3) eRulemaking system The Administrator of General Services shall update the shared eRulemaking system on behalf of participating agencies. (c) GAO report on computer-generated comments (1) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the identification of computer-generated comments under section 206(e) of the E–Government Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–347 ; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note), that includes the following: (A) Recommendations on how to identify if a submission under that section is a computer-generated comment. (B) Any effect that computer-generated comments have on the rulemaking process. (C) The extent to which the public uses computer-generated comments to participate in the rulemaking process at the time the report is submitted. (D) How prevalent computer-generated comments are at the time the report is submitted. (E) How prevalent the Comptroller General anticipates computer-generated comments will be 5 years after the date on which the report is submitted. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, may be construed as affecting the consideration of a mass comment by the head of an agency during the rulemaking process. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Comment The term comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code. (2) Computer-generated comments The term computer-generated comment means a comment the substance of which is primarily generated by computer software, including through the use of artificial intelligence, rather than by a human being. (3) Director The term Director means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (4) Mass comment The term mass comment means a comment submitted as part of an organized submission of a large volume of identical, or substantively identical, comments submitted by different signatories or entities.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024 . 2. Report on the integrity and management of mass comments, computer-generated comments, and falsely attributed comments in the regulatory review process (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Administrator The term Administrator means the Administrator of General Services. (2) Agency The term agency has the meaning given the term in section 3502 of title 44, United States Code. (3) Appropriate congressional committees The term appropriate congressional committees means the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives. (4) Comment The term comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code. (5) Director The term Director means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (6) Mass comment The term mass comment means a comment submitted as part of an organized submission of a large volume of identical, or substantively identical, comments submitted by different signatories or entities. (b) Annual report Not later than 240 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually during the 5-year period thereafter, the Director, in consultation with the Administrator, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional committees and post a report on the website of the Office of Management and Budget on— (1) the prevalence of mass comments, computer-generated comments, and falsely attributed comments in the rulemaking process; (2) the effect of mass comments, computer-generated comments, and falsely attributed comments on the rulemaking process; (3) leading practices, including policies and technologies, that agencies are using to identify and respond to mass comments, computer-generated comments, and falsely attributed comments in the rulemaking process; and (4) agency efforts to respond to mass comments, computer-generated comments, and falsely attributed comments. (c) GAO report on computer-generated comments Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on computer-generated comments that includes— (1) recommendations on how to identify a computer-generated comment; (2) any effects that computer-generated comments have on the rulemaking process; (3) the extent to which the public uses computer-generated comments to participate in the rulemaking process at the time the report is submitted; (4) how prevalent computer-generated comments are at the time the report is submitted; and (5) how prevalent the Comptroller General of the United States anticipates computer-generated comments will be 5 years after the date on which the report is submitted. 3. No new funds No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this Act.

December 17 (legislative day, December 16), 2024 Reported with an amendment

tv_txt: IIB 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7528 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 7, 2024 Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs AN ACT To amend section 206 of the E-Government Act of 2002 to improve the integrity and management of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the regulatory review process, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024 . 2. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to help Federal agencies manage mass and computer-generated comments in the Federal regulatory process. This should in no way be understood to discourage mass comments, which are a vital part of the regulatory process. 3. Improving integrity and management of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the regulatory review process (a) In general Section 206 of the E–Government Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–347 ; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note) is amended by— (1) redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2) inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Information integrity (1) Verification of electronic submissions With respect to each comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c), in accordance with the guidance established by Director in paragraph (3), the head of an agency shall verify, to the greatest extent possible, at the time the comment is submitted, whether the comment has been submitted by a human being. (2) Identification and management of mass comments (A) Identification of mass comments With respect to each comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c) by the head of an agency, the head of the agency shall— (i) to the extent practicable, reasonably determine whether such comment is a mass comment; and (ii) in the case that the agency has made a reasonable determination that the comment is a mass comment, indicate on any publicly available copy of the comment, or comment variations, (through a label or indicator, and in a machine and human readable format) that the comment is part of a mass comment submission; and (B) Handling of mass comments Notwithstanding subsection (d)(2)(A), instead of making available through the electronic docket of the agency each comment identified as a mass comment under paragraph (2), the head of an agency may— (i) make available through such docket only a single representative sample of each such mass comment; or (ii) in the case where mass comments take the form of variations on certain standardized but not identical language the agency make available through such docket a single copy of one of the variations of the mass comment. (C) Number of submissions In case in which the head of an agency makes available through such docket a single representative sample or a single copy of one of the variations of a mass comment under subparagraph (B), the head of the agency shall indicate (through a label or indicator, and in a machine and human readable format), on the sample or copy made available, the number of submissions that were determined to be identical, or substantively identical to the sample or copy made available on such docket. (3) OMB guidance (A) Guidance Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Director, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall issue guidance to the heads of each agency on the implementation of the requirements of this subsection. (B) Contents of Guidance The guidance issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include recommendations for agencies on how to best manage comments accepted by electronic means, including recommendations on how to do the following: (i) Use technology tools and procedures that verify, to the greatest extent possible, whether a comment is being submitted by a human being. (ii) Identify mass comments, including how to leverage software tools to identify whether a comment is a mass comment. (iii) Indicate (through a label or indicator, and in a machine- and human-readable format), that a comment is a mass comment. (iv) Use new technology to offer new opportunities for public participation in the rulemaking process. (C) Updates The Director, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, may update the guidance issued pursuant to subparagraph (A), as determined necessary by the Director. (4) Policies concerning posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass comments (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the head of each agency shall establish a policy with respect to the posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass-comments during the rulemaking process of the agency that is consistent with— (i) the requirements of paragraph (2); and (ii) the guidance issued under paragraph (3). (B) Availability of policy Not later than 60 days after the date on which the head of an agency establishes a policy pursuant to subparagraph (A), the head of the agency shall, to the extent practicable, post the policy on the website through which an agency makes comments available pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(A). (C) Update to policy The policy established pursuant to subparagraph (A)— (i) shall be updated as necessary to make such guidance consistent with any updates to the guidance issued under paragraph (3); and (ii) may be updated by the head of the agency, in consultation with the Director, as the head of the agency determines appropriate. (5) Exception to time limitation for implementation The requirement described under subsection (f) shall not apply to this subsection. (6) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Comment The term comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code. (B) Computer-generated comment The term computer-generated comment means a comment the substance of which is primarily generated by computer software, including through the use of artificial intelligence, rather than by a human being. (C) Mass comment The term mass comment means a comment submitted as part of an organized submission of a large volume of identical, or substantively identical, comments submitted by different signatories or entities. . (b) Update to websites, information systems of agencies (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each agency subject to the requirements of section 206(e) of the E-Government Act, as added by subsection (a), shall update any website of the agency, and any information system of the agency, as necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of such section. (2) Regulations.gov The Administrator of General Services, acting through the eRulemaking Program Management Office, shall update Regulations.gov as necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of section 206(e) of the E–Government Act, as added by subsection (a). (3) eRulemaking system The Administrator of General Services shall update the shared eRulemaking system on behalf of participating agencies. (c) GAO report on computer-generated comments (1) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the identification of computer-generated comments under section 206(e) of the E–Government Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–347 ; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note), that includes the following: (A) Recommendations on how to identify if a submission under that section is a computer-generated comment. (B) Any effect that computer-generated comments have on the rulemaking process. (C) The extent to which the public uses computer-generated comments to participate in the rulemaking process at the time the report is submitted. (D) How prevalent computer-generated comments are at the time the report is submitted. (E) How prevalent the Comptroller General anticipates computer-generated comments will be 5 years after the date on which the report is submitted. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, may be construed as affecting the consideration of a mass comment by the head of an agency during the rulemaking process. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Comment The term comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code. (2) Computer-generated comments The term computer-generated comment means a comment the substance of which is primarily generated by computer software, including through the use of artificial intelligence, rather than by a human being. (3) Director The term Director means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (4) Mass comment The term mass comment means a comment submitted as part of an organized submission of a large volume of identical, or substantively identical, comments submitted by different signatories or entities.

Passed the House of Representatives May 6, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7528 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To amend section 206 of the E-Government Act of 2002 to improve the integrity and management of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the regulatory review process, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024 . 2. Purpose The purpose of this Act is to help Federal agencies manage mass and computer-generated comments in the Federal regulatory process. This should in no way be understood to discourage mass comments, which are a vital part of the regulatory process. 3. Improving integrity and management of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the regulatory review process (a) In general Section 206 of the E–Government Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–347 ; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note) is amended by— (1) redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2) inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Information integrity (1) Verification of electronic submissions With respect to each comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c), in accordance with the guidance established by Director in paragraph (3), the head of an agency shall verify, to the greatest extent possible, at the time the comment is submitted, whether the comment has been submitted by a human being. (2) Identification and management of mass comments (A) Identification of mass comments With respect to each comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c) by the head of an agency, the head of the agency shall— (i) to the extent practicable, reasonably determine whether such comment is a mass comment; and (ii) in the case that the agency has made a reasonable determination that the comment is a mass comment, indicate on any publicly available copy of the comment, or comment variations, (through a label or indicator, and in a machine and human readable format) that the comment is part of a mass comment submission; and (B) Handling of mass comments Notwithstanding subsection (d)(2)(A), instead of making available through the electronic docket of the agency each comment identified as a mass comment under paragraph (2), the head of an agency may— (i) make available through such docket only a single representative sample of each such mass comment; or (ii) in the case where mass comments take the form of variations on certain standardized but not identical language the agency make available through such docket a single copy of one of the variations of the mass comment. (C) Number of submissions In case in which the head of an agency makes available through such docket a single representative sample or a single copy of one of the variations of a mass comment under subparagraph (B), the head of the agency shall indicate (through a label or indicator, and in a machine and human readable format), on the sample or copy made available, the number of submissions that were determined to be identical, or substantively identical to the sample or copy made available on such docket. (3) OMB guidance (A) Guidance Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Director, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall issue guidance to the heads of each agency on the implementation of the requirements of this subsection. (B) Contents of Guidance The guidance issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include recommendations for agencies on how to best manage comments accepted by electronic means, including recommendations on how to do the following: (i) Use technology tools and procedures that verify, to the greatest extent possible, whether a comment is being submitted by a human being. (ii) Identify mass comments, including how to leverage software tools to identify whether a comment is a mass comment. (iii) Indicate (through a label or indicator, and in a machine- and human-readable format), that a comment is a mass comment. (iv) Use new technology to offer new opportunities for public participation in the rulemaking process. (C) Updates The Director, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, may update the guidance issued pursuant to subparagraph (A), as determined necessary by the Director. (4) Policies concerning posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass comments (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the head of each agency shall establish a policy with respect to the posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass-comments during the rulemaking process of the agency that is consistent with— (i) the requirements of paragraph (2); and (ii) the guidance issued under paragraph (3). (B) Availability of policy Not later than 60 days after the date on which the head of an agency establishes a policy pursuant to subparagraph (A), the head of the agency shall, to the extent practicable, post the policy on the website through which an agency makes comments available pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(A). (C) Update to policy The policy established pursuant to subparagraph (A)— (i) shall be updated as necessary to make such guidance consistent with any updates to the guidance issued under paragraph (3); and (ii) may be updated by the head of the agency, in consultation with the Director, as the head of the agency determines appropriate. (5) Exception to time limitation for implementation The requirement described under subsection (f) shall not apply to this subsection. (6) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Comment The term comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code. (B) Computer-generated comment The term computer-generated comment means a comment the substance of which is primarily generated by computer software, including through the use of artificial intelligence, rather than by a human being. (C) Mass comment The term mass comment means a comment submitted as part of an organized submission of a large volume of identical, or substantively identical, comments submitted by different signatories or entities. . (b) Update to websites, information systems of agencies (1) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head of each agency subject to the requirements of section 206(e) of the E-Government Act, as added by subsection (a), shall update any website of the agency, and any information system of the agency, as necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of such section. (2) Regulations.gov The Administrator of General Services, acting through the eRulemaking Program Management Office, shall update Regulations.gov as necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of section 206(e) of the E–Government Act, as added by subsection (a). (3) eRulemaking system The Administrator of General Services shall update the shared eRulemaking system on behalf of participating agencies. (c) GAO report on computer-generated comments (1) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the identification of computer-generated comments under section 206(e) of the E–Government Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–347 ; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note), that includes the following: (A) Recommendations on how to identify if a submission under that section is a computer-generated comment. (B) Any effect that computer-generated comments have on the rulemaking process. (C) The extent to which the public uses computer-generated comments to participate in the rulemaking process at the time the report is submitted. (D) How prevalent computer-generated comments are at the time the report is submitted. (E) How prevalent the Comptroller General anticipates computer-generated comments will be 5 years after the date on which the report is submitted. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, may be construed as affecting the consideration of a mass comment by the head of an agency during the rulemaking process. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Comment The term comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code. (2) Computer-generated comments The term computer-generated comment means a comment the substance of which is primarily generated by computer software, including through the use of artificial intelligence, rather than by a human being. (3) Director The term Director means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (4) Mass comment The term mass comment means a comment submitted as part of an organized submission of a large volume of identical, or substantively identical, comments submitted by different signatories or entities.

Passed the House of Representatives May 6, 2024. Cheryl L. Johnson, Clerk.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 7528 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 5, 2024 Mr. Higgins of Louisiana introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability A BILL To amend section 206 of the E-Government Act of 2002 to improve the integrity and management of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the regulatory review process, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Comment Integrity and Management Act of 2024 . 2. Improving integrity and management of mass comments and computer-generated comments in the regulatory review process (a) In general Section 206 of the E-Government Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–347 ; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note) is amended by— (1) redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and (2) inserting after subsection (d) the following: (e) Information integrity (1) Verification of electronic submissions With respect to each comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c), under guidance established by OMB in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the head of an agency shall verify, to the greatest extent possible, at the time the comment is submitted, whether the comment has been submitted by a human being. (2) Identification and management of mass comments (A) Identification of mass comments With respect to each comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c) by the head of an agency, the head of the agency shall— (i) to the extent practicable, identify whether such comment is a mass comment; and (ii) in the case that the agency has made a reasonable determination that the comment is a mass comment, indicate on any publicly available copy of the comment, or comment variations, (through a label or indicator) in a machine and human readable format that the comment is part of a mass comment submission. (B) Handling of mass comments Notwithstanding subsection (d)(2)(A), for comments determined to be mass comments pursuant to paragraph (2), the head of an agency, instead of making available through the electronic docket of the agency each mass comment accepted by electronic means under subsection (c), may— (i) make available through such docket only a single representative sample of each such mass comment; and (ii) in the case where mass comments take the form of variations on certain standardized but not identical language the agency may make available through such docket a single copy of one of the variations of the mass comment. (C) Number of submissions In case in which the head of an agency makes available through such docket a single representative sample or a single copy of one of the variations of a mass comment, as authorized under subparagraph (B), the agency shall make available (through a label or indicator) in a machine and human readable format, the number of submissions that were determined to be identical or substantially identical to the single submission made available on such docket. (3) Policies concerning posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass comments (A) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the head of each agency, consistent with the guidance issued pursuant to paragraph (4) and with the requirements of paragraph (2), shall establish a policy with respect to the posting and consideration of computer-generated comments and mass-comments during the rulemaking process of the agency. (B) Availability of policy Not later than 60 days after the date on which the head of an agency establishes a policy pursuant to subparagraph (A), the head of the agency shall, to the extent practicable, post the policy on the website through which an agency makes comments available pursuant to subsection (d)(2)(A). (C) Update to policy The policy established pursuant to subparagraph (A) may be updated by the head of the agency, in consultation with the Director, as the head of the agency determines appropriate. (4) OMB guidance (A) Guidance Not later than 240 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Director, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, shall issue guidance to the heads of each agency on the implementation of the requirements of this subsection. (B) Contents of Guidance The guidance issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) shall include recommendations for agencies on how to best manage comments accepted by electronic means, including recommendations on how to do the following: (i) Use technology tools and procedures that indicate, to the greatest extent possible, whether a comment is being submitted by a human being. (ii) Identify mass comments, including how to leverage software tools to identify whether a comment is a mass comment. (iii) Indicate (through a label or indicator), in a machine- and human-readable format, that a comment is a mass comment. (iv) Use new technology to offer new opportunities for public participation in the rulemaking process. (C) Updates The Director, in consultation with the Administrator of General Services, may update the guidance issued pursuant to subparagraph (A), as determined necessary by the Director. (5) Exception to time limitation for implementation The requirement described under subsection (f) shall not apply to this subsection. (6) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Comment The term comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code. (B) Computer-generated comment The term computer-generated comment means a comment the substance of which is primarily generated by computer software, including through the use of artificial intelligence, rather than by a human being. (C) Mass comment The term mass comment means a comment submitted as part of an organized submission of a large volume of identical, or substantively identical, comments submitted by different signatories or entities. . (b) Information systems On a timetable established by the Director, but not longer than 18 months, the head of each agency shall update their website and/or information systems to ensure compliance with these requirements. The Administrator of General Services, acting through the eRulemaking Program Management Office, shall update Regulations.gov as necessary to ensure compliance with the requirements of section 206(e) of the E-Government Act, as added by subsection (a). The Administrator of General Services shall update the shared eRulemaking system on behalf of participating agencies. (c) GAO report on computer-Generated comments (1) Report Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the identification of computer-generated comments under section 206(e) of the E-Government Act of 2002 ( Public Law 107–347 ; 44 U.S.C. 3501 note), that includes the following: (A) Recommendations on how to identify if a submission under that section is a computer-generated comment. (B) Any effect that computer-generated comments have on the rulemaking process. (C) The extent to which the public uses computer-generated comments to participate in the rulemaking process at the time the report is submitted. (D) How prevalent computer-generated comments are at the time the report is submitted. (E) How prevalent the Comptroller General anticipates computer-generated comments will be 5 years after the date on which the report is submitted. (2) Definitions In this subsection: (A) Computer-generated comments The term computer-generated comment means a submission under section 553(c) of title 5, United States Code, the substance of which is primarily generated by computer software, including through the use of artificial intelligence, rather than by a human being. (B) Director The term Director means the Director of the Office of Management and Budget. (d) Rule of construction Nothing in this Act, or any amendment made by this Act, shall be construed to minimize an agency’s due consideration of mass comments submitted during the rulemaking process.