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H.R. 946: Plain Writing Act of 2010

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H.R. 946: Plain Writing Act of 2010

111th Congress · introduced 2009-02-10 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Became Public Law No: 111-274.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2009-02-10 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 2 recorded votes in our records. Latest: House roll call 562 (2010): On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendments, HR946 (2010-09-29), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 111-274. (final step reached)
  5. 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 Writing Act of 2010

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 27, 2010. The summary of that version is repeated here.) 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.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Plain Writing Act of 2010

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1] · 10 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 946, Plain Language Act of 2009 (2010-03-09); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 946, Plain Language Act of 2009 (2010-03-09); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 946, the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (2010-03-15); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 946, the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (2010-03-15)

Cosponsors on this site

Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (3)
Appropriation
Money a legislature sets aside by law for a specific purpose. Government agencies may spend public money only as it has been appropriated.
Rulemaking
The process agencies use to write regulations that carry out laws passed by Congress or a legislature. Usually an agency publishes a proposed rule, takes public comments, then publishes a final rule.
Statute
A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong111-hr946 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111