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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 3548 (110th)

Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2008

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

17 September 2007

Last action

1 August 2008 · Introduced

Status

Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 929.

Sponsors

Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1], Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2], Rep. Burton, Dan [R-IN-5], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Boyda, Nancy E. [D-KS-2], Rep. Reyes, Silvestre [D-TX-16], Rep. Cummings, Elijah E. [D-MD-7], Rep. Hare, Phil [D-IL-17], Rep. Gordon, Bart [D-TN-6], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Rep. Altmire, Jason [D-PA-4], Rep. Giffords, Gabrielle [D-AZ-8], Rep. Hill, Baron P. [D-IN-9], Rep. Emanuel, Rahm [D-IL-5], Rep. Mahoney, Tim [D-FL-16], Rep. Kagen, Steve [D-WI-8], Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1], Rep. Blumenauer, Earl [D-OR-3], Rep. Space, Zachary T. [D-OH-18], Rep. Moran, James P. [D-VA-8], Rep. Davis, Susan A. [D-CA-53], Rep. Boswell, Leonard L. [D-IA-3], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Sutton, Betty [D-OH-13], Rep. Lantos, Tom [D-CA-12], Rep. Barrow, John [D-GA-12], Sen. Udall, Mark [D-CO], Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10], Rep. Bean, Melissa L. [D-IL-8], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Rep. Hodes, Paul W. [D-NH-2], Rep. Lewis, John [D-GA-5]

Subjects

Discovery layer

Source updated

7 April 2025

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Summary

Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 - Requires each executive agency, within one year, to use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the date of the enactment of this Act. Authorizes agencies to: (1) use plain language in any revision of a covered document issued on or before such date; and (2) follow the guidance of the Plain English Handbook published by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, or their own plain language guidance as long as it is consistent with such Guidelines. Defines "covered document" to include: (1) any document relevant to obtaining a benefit or service; and (2) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction, but not a regulation. Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it intends to: (1) communicate the requirements of this Act to employees; (2) train employees to write in plain language; (3) meet the one year deadline; (4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act; and (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 17 September 2007

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 17 September 2007

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 17 September 2007

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 1 October 2007

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.

    Source: Committee

  5. 29 January 2008

    Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

    Source: Committee

  6. 29 January 2008

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  7. 13 March 2008

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  8. 13 March 2008

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  9. 10 April 2008

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 358.

    Source: Calendars

  10. 10 April 2008

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-580.

    Source: Committee

  11. 10 April 2008

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-580.

    Source: Committee

  12. 14 April 2008

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 1 (Roll no. 185). (text: CR H2237)

    Source: Floor

  13. 14 April 2008

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  14. 14 April 2008

    Vote

    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): 376 - 1 (Roll no. 185).(text: CR H2237)

    Source: Floor

  15. 14 April 2008

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2237-2239)

    Source: Floor

  16. 14 April 2008

    Vote

    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.

    Source: Floor

  17. 14 April 2008

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3548.

    Source: Floor

  18. 14 April 2008

    Floor

    Mr. Braley (IA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  19. 15 April 2008

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate.

    Source: IntroReferral

  20. 1 August 2008

    Introduced

    Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 929.

    Source: Calendars

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

10 official files

Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

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  • Placed on Calendar Senate (text)

    Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 1 August 2008

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  • Placed on Calendar Senate (PDF)

    Placed on Calendar Senate · EN · 1 August 2008

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 14 April 2008

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 14 April 2008

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 14 April 2008

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 10 April 2008

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 10 April 2008

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 17 September 2007

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 17 September 2007

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 17 September 2007

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Sponsors

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Sources

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