http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills info@washingtonwatch.com http://www.pjdoland.com/chai/?v=0.1 http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_SN_2291.html?rev=30433 <p>S. 2291 would enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style of Government documents issued to the public.</p> <h2 id="toc0"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>&lt;b&gt;(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)&lt;/b&gt;</p> <p>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 &amp;quot;covered document&amp;quot; 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc1"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 7/10/2008: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 869.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc2"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc3"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 30433@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:51:10 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_SN_2291.html?rev=27242 <p>S. 2291 would enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style of Government documents issued to the public.</p> <h2 id="toc4"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 - Requires each executive agency, not later than one year, to use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the enactment of this Act. Defines &amp;quot;covered document&amp;quot; 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it 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 specified congressional committees.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc5"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 7/10/2008: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 869.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc6"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc7"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 27242@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 11 Jul 2008 19:07:31 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_SN_2291.html?rev=21931 <p>S. 2291 would enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style of Government documents issued to the public.</p> <h2 id="toc8"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 - Requires each executive agency, not later than one year, to use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the enactment of this Act. Defines &amp;quot;covered document&amp;quot; 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it 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 specified congressional committees.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc9"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 4/10/2008: Senate committee/subcommittee actions. Status: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc10"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc11"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 21931@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 11 Apr 2008 18:58:12 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_SN_2291.html?rev=14979 <p>S. 2291 would enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style of Government documents issued to the public.</p> <h2 id="toc12"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007 - Requires each executive agency, not later than one year, to use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the enactment of this Act. Defines &amp;quot;covered document&amp;quot; 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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Requires each agency head to report to specified congressional committees on how it 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 specified congressional committees.</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc13"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 11/1/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc14"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc15"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 14979@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Wed, 09 Jan 2008 17:33:01 EST http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_SN_2291.html?rev=13203 <p>S. 2291 would enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style of Government documents issued to the public.</p> <h2 id="toc16"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc17"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to update the status of the bill!)</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc18"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc19"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 13203@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:21:03 EDT http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/history/110_SN_2291.html?rev=13204 <p>S. 2291 would enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style of Government documents issued to the public.</p> <h2 id="toc20"> Detailed Summary </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to provide a detailed summary of the bill!)</p> <!--Leave in the 'summary' tags if you want the latest summary from the Congressional Research Service automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc21"> Status of the Legislation </h2> <p>Latest Major Action: 11/1/2007: Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.</p> <!-- Leave in the 'status' tags if you want the latest reported status from THOMAS automatically to replace the text between the tags once it becomes available. --> <h2 id="toc22"> Points in Favor </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> <h2 id="toc23"> Points Against </h2> <p>(Log in to edit the wiki and be the first to show why the bill should not pass!)<br /> <!-- First editor: Go ahead and take out the sentence in parentheses, and this notice! --> </p> 13204@http://www.washingtonwatch.com Fri, 02 Nov 2007 18:21:03 EDT