Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007

A bill to enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style of Government documents issued to the public, and for other purposes.

7/10/2008--Reported to Senate without amendment. (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
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.


... morehide bill summarySee Full Bill Text

Sponsor

• Sen. Daniel Akaka [D, HI]
• and 9 Co-Sponsors
  • Sen. Thomas Carper [D, DE]
  • Sen. Hillary Clinton [D, NY]
  • Sen. Thad Cochran [R, MS]
  • Sen. Susan Collins [R, ME]
  • Sen. Carl Levin [D, MI]
  • Sen. Claire McCaskill [D, MO]
  • Sen. Barack Obama [D, IL]
  • Sen. Jon Tester [D, MT]
  • Sen. George Voinovich [R, OH]
  close

Committees

• Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs

Amendments

This bill has no amendments.

Amendments to S.2291

Number	Status	Purpose

Bill Status

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Introduced		Voted on by Senate		Voted on by House		Considered By President		Bill Becomes Law
November 01, 2007

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All Bill Actions

• Added to calendar on Jul 10, 2008: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 869..
• Jul 10, 2008: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. With written report No. 110-412.
• Added to calendar on Apr 10, 2008: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably..
• Apr 10, 2008: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
• Nov 06, 2007: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13985-13986)
• Nov 01, 2007: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
• Nov 01, 2007: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S13691-13692)
• Introduced on Nov 01, 2007.

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Related Bills:

• H.R.3548

Related Issue Areas:

• Executive departments
• Job training
• Government publicity
• Government publications
• 9 more
• Government paperwork
• Government employees
• Federal employees
• English language
• Employee training
• Congressional reporting requirements
• Congress
• Communications
• Government information

Data from the Congressional Research Service

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November 07, 2008 Obama cosponsored plain language bill

Senate Bill S.2291: A bill to enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style of Government documents issued to the public, and for other purposes. ...

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October 16, 2008 BFH: EuGH-Vorlage zu den Anforderungen an die Unterschrift bei ...

Der BFH hat mit Beschluss vom 13. 8. 2008 - XI R 19/08 (DB 2008 S. 2291 [Ls.]) dem EuGH zur ...

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September 17, 2008 Plain Language bill needs your help

The bill passed the House several months ago, and we've been working to get the Senate version (S.2291) to the floor for a vote before the end of this session. We were almost there. Now it's stalled, and we need your help. ...

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