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United States · Bill · S

S. 2291 (110th)

Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

1 November 2007

Last action

10 July 2008 · Reported

Status

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 869.

Sponsors

Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI], Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO], Sen. Carper, Thomas R. [D-DE], Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI], Sen. Obama, Barack [D-IL], Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY], Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT], Sen. Voinovich, George V. [R-OH], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]

Subjects

Budget

Source updated

7 April 2025

Budget

Official sourceDownload fileView documentsShare

Summary

Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 - Requires each executive agency, not later than one year after enactment of this Act, to use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the enactment of this Act. Defines "covered document" to include: (1) documents that provide information about any government requirement or program or that are relevant to obtaining any government benefit or service; and (2) letters, publications, forms, notices, or instructions. Requires 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 guidance of the Plain English Handbook published by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the plain language guidelines developed by the Plain Language Action and Information Network, or their own plain language guidance as long as it is consistent with the Network's 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; and (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act. Requires: (1) agency heads to report on compliance to OMB; and (2) OMB to report on the progress of agencies to such committees.

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

Timeline

  1. 1 November 2007

    Introduced

    Introduced in Senate

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 1 November 2007

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S13692)

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 1 November 2007

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13691-13692)

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 6 November 2007

    Introduced

    Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13985-13986)

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 10 April 2008

    Reported

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

    Source: Committee

  6. 10 July 2008

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 869.

    Source: Calendars

  7. 10 July 2008

    Reported

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. With written report No. 110-412.

    Source: Committee

  8. 10 July 2008

    Reported

    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. With written report No. 110-412.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

6 official files

Reported to Senate (text)

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 10 July 2008

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 10 July 2008

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  • Reported to Senate without amendment

    summary · EN · 10 July 2008

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  • Introduced in Senate (text)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 November 2007

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  • Introduced in Senate (PDF)

    Introduced in Senate · EN · 1 November 2007

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  • Introduced in Senate

    summary · EN · 1 November 2007

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Sponsors

Related records

Sources

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