US Congress House Bill 946 (Prior Session Legislation)

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Completed Legislative Action
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-2)
Status: Passed on October 13 2010 - 100% progression
Action: 2010-10-13 - Became Public Law No: 111-274.
Text: Latest bill text (Enrolled) [PDF]

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

Rep. Leonard Boswell [D-IA]	Rep. Bruce Braley [D-IA]	Rep. Dan Burton [R-IN]	Rep. Kathleen Dahlkemper [D-PA]
Rep. Virginia Foxx [R-NC]	Rep. David Loebsack [D-IA]	Rep. James Moran [D-VA]	Rep. Eleanor Norton [D-DC]
Rep. Albio Sires [D-NJ]	Rep. Melvin Watt [D-NC]	Sen. Peter Welch [D-VT]

Date	Chamber	Action
2010-10-13		Became Public Law No: 111-274.
2010-10-13		Signed by President.
2010-10-01		Presented to President.
2010-09-29		Cleared for White House.
2010-09-29		Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2010-09-29		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)
2010-09-29		Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7371-7372)
2010-09-29		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.
2010-09-29		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.
2010-09-29		Mr. Clay moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H7314-7316)
2010-09-28		Message on Senate action sent to the House.
2010-09-27		Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7556)
2010-09-27		S.AMDT.4663 Amendment SA 4663 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
2010-09-27		S.AMDT.4663 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.
2010-09-27		Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7556)
2010-03-18		Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 321.
2010-03-17		Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2010-03-17		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)
2010-03-17		Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1560)
2010-03-17		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.
2010-03-17		DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 946.
2010-03-17		Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1538-1540)
2010-03-17		Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2010-03-11		Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 248.
2010-03-11		Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 111-432.
2010-03-04		Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
2010-03-04		Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
2009-02-10		Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

SB574 (Related) 2009-12-09 - Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222.

Type	Source
Summary	https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/946/all-info
Text	https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr946/BILLS-111hr946ih.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr946/BILLS-111hr946rh.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr946/BILLS-111hr946eh.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr946/BILLS-111hr946pcs.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr946/BILLS-111hr946eas.pdf
Text	https://www.congress.gov/111/bills/hr946/BILLS-111hr946enr.pdf