S. 2291: Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007

110th Congress · introduced 2007-11-01 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 869.

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Follow this bill, step by step

Where it came from: introduced 2007-11-01 · official record
Who proposed it: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] · what a sponsor is
What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
Where it stands now: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 869. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007

Plain 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.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

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A “Yea” vote

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A “Nay” vote

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What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] · 9 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 2291, Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 (2008-04-15); CBO cost estimate: S. 2291, Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 (2008-04-15)

Cosponsors on this site

Susan M. Collins (R-ME)

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)

Securities: Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)
Congress.gov
Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-110s2291.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/110/s>

Record fed-us-cong110-s2291 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong110 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong110