S. 574: Plain Writing Act of 2009
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S. 574: Plain Writing Act of 2009
111th Congress · introduced 2009-03-11 · Government Operations and Politics · Latest: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222.
federal
Follow this bill, step by step
- Where it came from: introduced 2009-03-11 · 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. 222. 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.
Official title
Plain Writing Act of 2009
Plain summary
Plain Writing Act of 2009 - Requires each executive agency to use plain writing in every document (other than a regulation) issued to the public, including documents and other text released in electronic form. 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 writing guidelines developed by the Plain Language Action and Information Network or their own guidance as long as it is consistent with such 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 in plain writing; (3) meet the plain writing 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. Declares that: (1) there shall be no judicial review of compliance with this Act; and (2) no provision of this Act shall be construed to create any enforceable right or benefit.
Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s)), 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 2009
Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))
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The strongest published arguments
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Alternatives
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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes
Officials and money
Sponsor: Sen. Akaka, Daniel K. [D-HI] · 7 cosponsors
Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: S. 574, Plain Writing Act of 2009 (2009-04-03); CBO cost estimate: S. 574, Plain Writing Act of 2009 (2009-04-03)
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)
- 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.
Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.
Sources
- Congressional Research Service summary (Reported to Senate with amendment(s))
- Congress.gov
- Data: GovInfo BILLSTATUS bulk data (Library of Congress), BILLSTATUS-111s574.xml <https://www.govinfo.gov/bulkdata/BILLSTATUS/111/s>
Record fed-us-cong111-s574 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong111 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong111