3.0.0 946 2023-03-22T18:07:15Z 2023-03-22T18:07:15Z House H HR 2009-02-10 111 hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee House Standing Reported by 2010-03-11T19:19:59Z Markup by 2010-03-04T16:30:37Z Referred to 2009-02-10T17:33:49Z H. Rept. 111-432 Plain Writing Act of 2009 111 574 S 2009-12-09 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222. Related bill CRS 2010-10-13 Became Public Law No: 111-274. President E40000 2 House floor actions 2010-10-13 Became Public Law No: 111-274. BecameLaw 36000 9 Library of Congress 2010-10-13 Signed by President. President E30000 2 House floor actions 2010-10-13 Signed by President. BecameLaw 36000 9 Library of Congress 2010-10-01 Presented to President. Floor E20000 2 House floor actions 2010-10-01 Presented to President. President 28000 9 Library of Congress 2010-09-29 Cleared for White House. 2010-09-29 23:44:18 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. ResolvingDifferences H41931 2 House floor actions 2010-09-29 23:44:17 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) ResolvingDifferences H41610 2 House floor actions 562 https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll562.xml House 111 2010-09-30T03:44:17Z 2 2010-09-29 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) NotUsed 19500 9 Library of Congress 562 https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll562.xml House 111 2010-09-30T03:44:17Z 2 2010-09-29 23:38:20 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7371-7372) Floor H8D000 2 House floor actions 2010-09-29 20:05:19 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. ResolvingDifferences H40142 2 House floor actions 2010-09-29 19:53:58 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. Floor H8D000 2 House floor actions 2010-09-29 19:53:27 Mr. Clay moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H7314-7316) ResolvingDifferences H40140 2 House floor actions 2010-09-28 Senate Message on Senate action sent to the House. Floor 2010-09-27 Senate Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7556) Floor 2010-09-27 Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7556) Floor 17000 9 Library of Congress 2010-09-27 Senate Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7556) Floor 2010-03-18 Senate Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 321. Calendars 2010-03-17 16:54:44 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection. Floor H38310 2 House floor actions 2010-03-17 16:54:43 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) Floor H37300 2 House floor actions 126 https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll126.xml House 111 2010-03-17T20:54:43Z 2 2010-03-17 16:54:43 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) Floor 8000 9 Library of Congress 126 https://clerk.house.gov/evs/2010/roll126.xml House 111 2010-03-17T20:54:43Z 2 2010-03-17 16:46:27 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1560) Floor H30000 2 House floor actions 2010-03-17 14:11:28 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. Floor H37220 2 House floor actions 2010-03-17 13:53:13 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 946. Floor H8D000 2 House floor actions 2010-03-17 13:53:12 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1538-1540) Floor H30000 2 House floor actions 2010-03-17 13:53:11 Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. Floor H30300 2 House floor actions 2010-03-11 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 248. Calendars H12410 2 House floor actions U00248 2010-03-11 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 111-432. Committee H12200 2 House floor actions hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 2010-03-11 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 111-432. Committee 5000 9 Library of Congress hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 2010-03-04 hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 1 House committee actions Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. Committee 2010-03-04 hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 1 House committee actions Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. Committee 2009-02-10 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. IntroReferral H11100 2 House floor actions hsgo00 Oversight and Accountability Committee 2009-02-10 Introduced in House IntroReferral Intro-H 9 Library of Congress 2009-02-10 Introduced in House IntroReferral 1000 9 Library of Congress B001259 Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1] Bruce Braley D IA L. 1 N B001149 Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-5] DAN BURTON R IN 5 2009-02-25 False F000450 Rep. Foxx, Virginia [R-NC-5] Virginia Foxx R NC 5 2009-02-25 False L000565 Rep. Loebsack, David [D-IA-2] David Loebsack D IA 2 2009-03-03 False B000652 Rep. Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3] LEONARD BOSWELL D IA L. 3 2009-03-03 False W000800 Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large] Peter Welch D VT 0 2009-03-03 False S001165 Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-13] Albio Sires D NJ 13 2009-03-25 False M000933 Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8] JAMES MORAN D VA P. 8 2009-04-01 False W000207 Rep. Watt, Melvin L. [D-NC-12] MELVIN WATT D NC 12 2009-05-13 False D000608 Rep. Dahlkemper, Kathleen A. [D-PA-3] Kathleen Dahlkemper D PA A. 3 2009-06-23 False N000147 Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large] ELEANOR NORTON D DC HOLMES 0 2010-03-02 False 2010-03-09T06:00:00Z H.R. 946, Plain Language Act of 2009 http://www.cbo.gov/publication/21272 <p>Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on March 4, 2010</p> 2010-03-09T06:00:00Z H.R. 946, Plain Language Act of 2009 https://www.cbo.gov/publication/21272 Cost estimate for the bill as ordered reported by the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on March 4, 2010 2010-03-15T04:00:00Z H.R. 946, the Plain Writing Act of 2010 http://www.cbo.gov/publication/21320 <p>Pay-as-you-go estimate for the bill as as provided by the House Committee on the Budget on March 12, 2010</p> 2010-03-15T04:00:00Z H.R. 946, the Plain Writing Act of 2010 https://www.cbo.gov/publication/21320 Pay-as-you-go estimate for the bill as as provided by the House Committee on the Budget on March 12, 2010 Public Law 111-274 Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory procedures Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government information and archives Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Government Operations and Politics 00 2009-02-10 Introduced in House 2009-03-13T20:49:22Z 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.

]]> 17 2010-03-11 Reported to House with amendment(s) 2010-06-03T21:39:03Z 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 "covered document" 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.

]]> 36 2010-03-17 Passed House amended 2010-06-03T21:51:16Z 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 "covered document" 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 "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" 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.

]]> 35 2010-09-27 Passed Senate amended 2010-12-10T16:56:58Z 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" (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 "covered document" 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 "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" 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.

]]> 49 2010-10-13 Public Law 2010-12-10T17:00:37Z (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 "plain writing" (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 "covered document" 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 "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" 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.

]]> Plain Writing Act of 2010 Display Title Plain Writing Act of 2010 Short Titles as Reported to House Plain Writing Act of 2010 H House Short Titles as Passed House Plain Writing Act of 2010 H House Short Titles as Introduced Plain Language Act of 2009 Short Titles as Enacted Plain Writing Act of 2010 Official Title as Introduced To enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing that Government documents issued to the public must be written clearly, and for other purposes. Short Titles as Passed Senate Plain Writing Act of 2010 S Senate 4663 111 SAMDT To modify the definition of plain writing, and for other purposes. 2022-02-03T06:08:27Z 2010-09-27 Amendment SA 4663 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. SA 4663 https://www.congress.gov/amendment/111th-congress/senate-amendment/4663 A000069 Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] DANIEL AKAKA D HI KOHIKINA 1 1 V000126 Sen. Voinovich, George V. [R-OH] GEORGE VOINOVICH R OH V. 2010-09-27 True 2010-09-27T04:00:00Z 2010-09-27T04:00:00Z Senate 111 HR House H 946 Plain Writing Act of 2010 2023-03-22T18:07:15Z 6 2010-09-27 0 Senate Amendment SA 4663 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 2010-09-27 0 Senate Amendment SA 4663 proposed by Senator Casey for Senator Akaka. (consideration: CR S7556; text: CR S7556) To modify the definition of plain writing, and for other purposes. Floor 2010-09-27 Senate amendment proposed (on the floor): Amendment SA 4663 proposed by Senator Casey for Senator Akaka.(consideration: CR S7556; text: CR S7556) Floor 93000 9 Library of Congress 2010-09-27 Senate amendment agreed to: Amendment SA 4663 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent. Floor 94000 9 Library of Congress 2010-09-27 Senate amendment submitted Floor 91000 9 Library of Congress 4653 111 SAMDT 2022-02-03T06:08:27Z A000069 Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] DANIEL AKAKA D HI KOHIKINA 2010-09-21T04:00:00Z Senate 111 HR House H 946 Plain Writing Act of 2010 2023-03-22T18:07:15Z 2 2010-09-21 Senate amendment submitted Floor 91000 9 Library of Congress Enrolled Bill https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-111hr946enr/xml/BILLS-111hr946enr.xml Engrossed Amendment Senate 2010-09-27T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-111hr946eas/xml/BILLS-111hr946eas.xml Placed on Calendar Senate 2010-03-18T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-111hr946pcs/xml/BILLS-111hr946pcs.xml Engrossed in House 2010-03-17T04:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-111hr946eh/xml/BILLS-111hr946eh.xml Reported in House 2010-03-11T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-111hr946rh/xml/BILLS-111hr946rh.xml Introduced in House 2009-02-10T05:00:00Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-111hr946ih/xml/BILLS-111hr946ih.xml 2010-10-14T03:59:59Z https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-111publ274/xml/PLAW-111publ274.xml Public Law 2010-10-13 Became Public Law No: 111-274. text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.