h 46152 1190001600 false 1208214780 1217563200 3548 4916 110 412208

4/14/2008--Passed House amended. Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2008 - (Sec. 4) Requires each executive agency, within one year, to: (1) use plain language in any covered document issued or substantially revised after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (2) use the English language in covered documents when appropriate. Authorizes agencies to: (1) use plain language in any revision of a covered document issued on or before such date; and (2) follow the guidance of the Plain English Handbook published by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, or their own plain language guidance as long as it is consistent with such Handbook, Guidelines, and the Comptroller General's recommendations. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) prohibit the use of a language other than English; (2) limit the preservation or use of Native Alaskan or Native American languages; (3) disparage any language or discourage any person from learning or using a language; (4) affect protections regarding language access; or (5) be inconsistent with the Constitution.<br/>Defines &quot;covered document&quot; to include: (1) any document relevant to obtaining a benefit or service or filing taxes; and (2) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction, in paper or electronic form, but not a regulation.<br/>Requires agencies to use plain language in any collection of information.<br/>Requires the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), acting through the Plain Language Action and Information Network, and the SEC to report to specified congressional committees on whether the Comptroller General's recommendations about plain language guidelines and best practices have been incorporated into the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and the Plain English Handbook and, if not, why.<br/>(Sec. 5) 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 one year deadline; (4) ensure ongoing compliance with this Act; (5) designate a senior official to be responsible for implementing this Act; and (6) use plain language in promulgated regulations. Requires agency heads to report on efforts to meet such objectives and on compliance with this Act.<br/>Requires the Comptroller General to evaluate existing guidance for agencies on writing in plain language and report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and specified congressional committees on plain language guidelines and best practices.<br/>

1217563200 2008-08-01 Fri Nov 07 01:17:43 -0600 2008 introduced 46152 'issu':21 'plain':12 'style':17 'access':4 'enhanc':2 'govern':6,19 'inform':7 'public':24 'purpos':28 'servic':9 'citizen':3 'languag':13 'document':20 'standard':16 'establish':11 52175 official introduced 46152 'act':6 '2007':8 'plain':1 'govern':4 'languag':2 'communic':5 53233 false short reported to house 46152 'act':6 '2008':8 'plain':1 'govern':4 'languag':2 'communic':5 59102 false short passed house 46152 'act':6 '2008':8 'plain':1 'govern':4 'languag':2 'communic':5 59103 false short calendar 46152 1217563200 Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 -0500 2008 169010 Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 929. B001259 1957-10-30 1408 Longworth House Office Building https://forms.house.gov/braley/webforms/issue_subscribe.html 1 202-225-6666 Bruce 'd':4 '-1':6 'ia':5 'rep':1 'bruce':2,7,9 'braley':3,8,10 M 412208 Braley Bruce_Braley L. Rep. Bruce Braley [D, IA-1] N00027464 6282 Democrat 202-225-2911 IA Bruce Braley 1.33333333333333 http://braley.house.gov/ A000358 1947-07-05 117 Cannon House Office Building http://akin.house.gov/email.shtml 2 202-225-2563 W. 'r':4 'w':2,7,9 '-2':6 'mo':5 'rep':1 'akin':3,8,10 M 400005 Akin W._Todd_Akin Rep. W. Akin [R, MO-2] N00009677 6989 Republican 202-225-2561 Christian MO W. Akin 6.30769230769231 http://www.house.gov/akin/ A000362 1968-03-07 1419 Longworth House Office Building https://forms.house.gov/altmire/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm 4 202-226-2274 Jason 'd':4 '-4':6 'pa':5 'rep':1 'jason':2,7,9 'altmir':3,8,10 M 412231 Altmire Jason_Altmire Rep. Jason Altmire [D, PA-4] N00027664 7452 Democrat 202-225-2565 PA Jason Altmire http://altmire.house.gov/ congressmanaltmire B001252 1955-10-31 213 Cannon House Office Building https://forms.house.gov/barrow/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm 12 202-225-3377 John 'd':4 'ga':5 '-12':6 'rep':1 'john':2,7,9 'barrow':3,8,10 M 400628 Barrow John_Barrow Rep. John Barrow [D, GA-12] N00026080 10805 Democrat 202-225-2823 GA John Barrow 5.26666666666667 http://barrow.house.gov/ B001253 1962-01-22 318 Cannon House Office Building http://www.house.gov/bean/issue_subscribe.htm 8 202-225-7830 Melissa 'd':4 '-8':6 'il':5 'rep':1 'bean':3,8,10 'melissa':2,7,9 F 400631 Bean Melissa_L._Bean L. Rep. Melissa Bean [D, IL-8] N00024875 7361 Democrat 202-225-3711 IL Melissa Bean 1.88888888888889 http://www.house.gov/bean/ B000574 1948-08-16 2267 Rayburn House Office Building http://blumenauer.house.gov/index.php?option=com_email_form&Itemid=206 3 202-225-8941 Earl 'd':4 '-3':6 'rep':1 'earl':2,7,9 'blumenau':3,8,10 M 400033 Blumenauer Earl_Blumenauer Rep. Earl Blumenauer [D, OR-3] N00007727 7042 Democrat 202-225-4811 OR Earl Blumenauer 4.25 http://blumenauer.house.gov/ B000652 1934-01-10 1427 Longworth House Office Building http://boswell.house.gov/messageform.htm 3 202-225-5608 Leonard 'd':4 '-3':6 'ia':5 'rep':1 'boswel':3,8,10 'leonard':2,7,9 M 400042 Boswell Leonard_L._Boswell L. Rep. Leonard Boswell [D, IA-3] N00004208 6558 Democrat 202-225-3806 Reformed Latter Day Saint IA Leonard Boswell 2.66666666666667 http://boswell.house.gov/ B001258 1955-08-02 Nancy 'boyda':2,4,6 'nanci':1,3,5 F 412210 Boyda Nancy_Boyda E. Nancy Boyda N00026434 5652 Democrat Nancy Boyda B001149 1938-06-21 2308 Rayburn House Office Building http://burton.house.gov/contacts/add/type:contact 5 202-225-0016 Dan 'r':4 '-5':6 'dan':2,7,9 'rep':1 'burton':3,8,10 M 400055 Burton Dan_Burton L. Rep. Dan Burton [R, IN-5] N00000010 8072 Republican 202-225-2276 Protestant IN Dan Burton 4.26666666666667 http://burton.house.gov/ CongressmanDanBurton C000984 1951-01-18 2235 Rayburn House Office Building https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml 7 202-225-3178 Elijah 'd':4 '-7':6 'md':5 'cum':3,8,10 'rep':1 'elijah':2,7,9 M 400090 Cummings Elijah_E._Cummings Eugene Rep. Elijah Cummings [D, MD-7] N00001971 7053 Democrat 202-225-4741 Baptist MD Elijah Cummings 4.45454545454545 http://www.house.gov/cummings/ D000598 1944-04-13 1526 Longworth House Office Building http://www.house.gov/susandavis/contact.shtml 53 202-225-2948 Susan 'd':4 'ca':5 '-53':6 'rep':1 'davi':3,8,10 'susan':2,7,9 F 400097 Davis Susan_A._Davis A. Rep. Susan Davis [D, CA-53] N00009604 7153 Democrat 202-225-2040 Jewish CA Susan Davis 2.45454545454545 http://www.house.gov/susandavis/ D000096 1941-09-06 2159 Rayburn House Office Building https://forms.house.gov/davis/webforms/issue_subscribe.htm 7 202-225-5641 Danny 'd':4 '-7':6 'il':5 'rep':1 'davi':3,8,10 'danni':2,7,9 M 400093 Davis Danny_K._Davis K. Rep. Danny Davis [D, IL-7] N00004884 8083 Democrat 202-225-5006 Baptist IL Danny Davis 2.15384615384615 http://www.house.gov/davis/ E000287 1959-11-29 5 Rahm 'd':4 '-5':6 'il':5 'rep':1 'rahm':2,7,9 'emanuel':3,8,10 M 400120 Emanuel Rahm_Emanuel Rep. Rahm Emanuel [D, IL-5] N00024813 7409 Democrat Jewish IL Rahm Emanuel 3.0 G000554 502 Cannon House Office Building http://giffords.house.gov/contact/mailing-list/ 8 202-225-0378 Gabrielle 'd':4 '-8':6 'az':5 'rep':1 'gifford':3,8,10 'gabriell':2,7,9 F 412188 Giffords Gabrielle_Giffords Rep. Gabrielle Giffords [D, AZ-8] N00027829 8935 Democrat 202-225-2542 AZ Gabrielle Giffords 3.11111111111111 http://giffords.house.gov/contact/mailing-list/ giffords2 G000309 1949-01-24 2310 Rayburn House Office Building http://gordon.house.gov/contact/index.shtml 6 202-225-6887 Barton 'd':4 '-6':6 'tn':5 'rep':1 'bart':9 'barton':2,7,10 'gordon':3,8,11 M 400155 Gordon Bart_Gordon Jennings Rep. Barton Gordon [D, TN-6] Bart N00003126 9200 Democrat 202-225-4231 Methodist TN Barton Gordon 5.90909090909091 http://gordon.house.gov/ H001040 1949-02-21 1118 Longworth House Office Building http://hare.house.gov/?sectionid=74&sectiontree=44,50,74 17 202-225-5396 Phil 'd':4 'il':5 '-17':6 'rep':1 'hare':3,8,10 'phil':2,7,9 M 412204 Hare Philip_Hare Rep. Phil Hare [D, IL-17] N00028234 7059 Democrat 202-225-5905 IL Phil Hare 1.0 http://hare.house.gov/ H001030 1953-06-23 223 Cannon House Office Building http://baronhill.house.gov/IMA/issue_subscribe.shtml 9 202-226-6866 Baron 'd':4 '-9':6 'rep':1 'hill':3,8,10 'baron':2,7,9 M 400177 Hill Baron_Hill P. Rep. Baron Hill [D, IN-9] N00003875 7152 Democrat 202-225-5315 Christian IN Baron Hill 3.66666666666667 http://baronhill.house.gov/ CongressmanBaronHill H001043 1951-03-21 506 Cannon House Office Building http://hodes.house.gov/contact.aspx 2 202-225-2946 Paul 'd':4 '-2':6 'nh':5 'rep':1 'hode':3,8,10 'paul':2,7,9 M 412220 Hodes Paul_Hodes W. Rep. Paul Hodes [D, NH-2] N00027048 7046 Democrat 202-225-5206 NH Paul Hodes 2.63636363636364 http://hodes.house.gov/ J000288 1133 Longworth House Office Building http://hankjohnson.house.gov/contact_hank_write.shtml 4 202-226-0691 Henry 'd':4 '-4':6 'ga':5 'rep':1 'hank':9 'henri':2,7,10 'johnson':3,8,11 M 412199 Johnson Hank_Johnson C. Rep. Henry Johnson [D, GA-4] Hank N00027848 6553 Democrat 202-225-1605 GA Hank Henry Johnson 4.69230769230769 http://hankjohnson.house.gov/ RepHankJohnson K000365 1949-12-12 1232 Longworth House Office Building http://kagen.house.gov/issue_subscribe.shtml 8 202-225-5729 Steve 'd':4 '-8':6 'wi':5 'rep':1 'kagen':3,8,10 'steve':2,7,9 M 412240 Kagen Steven_Kagen Rep. Steve Kagen [D, WI-8] N00027618 7436 Democrat 202-225-5665 WI Steve Kagen 5.52941176470588 http://kagen.house.gov/ CongressmanKagen L000090 1928-02-01 Tom 'tom':1,3,5 'lanto':2,4,6 M 400231 Lantos Tom_Lantos Tom Lantos N00007382 4052 Democrat Jewish Tom Lantos L000287 1940-02-21 343 Cannon House Office Building http://www.house.gov/formjohnlewis/contact.html 5 202-225-0351 John 'd':4 '-5':6 'ga':5 'rep':1 'john':2,7,9 'lewi':3,8,10 M 400240 Lewis John_Lewis R. Rep. John Lewis [D, GA-5] N00002577 7427 Democrat 202-225-3801 Baptist GA John Lewis 4.55555555555556 http://johnlewis.house.gov/ RepJohnLewis M001164 Tim 'tim':1,3,5 'mahoney':2,4,6 M 412197 Mahoney Timothy_Mahoney Tim Mahoney N00027804 5077 Democrat Tim Mahoney M000312 1959-11-20 438 Cannon House Office Building http://www.house.gov/writerep 3 202-225-5759 James 'd':4 '-3':6 'ma':5 'jim':9 'rep':1 'jame':2,7,10 'mcgovern':3,8,11 M 400263 McGovern James_P._McGovern P. Rep. James McGovern [D, MA-3] Jim N00000179 8777 Democrat 202-225-6101 Catholic MA Jim James McGovern 5.0 http://www.house.gov/mcgovern M000933 1945-05-16 2239 Rayburn House Office Building http://moran.house.gov/zipauth.shtml 8 202-225-0017 James 'd':4 '-8':6 'va':5 'jim':9 'rep':1 'jame':2,7,10 'moran':3,8,11 M 400283 Moran James_P._Moran P. Rep. James Moran [D, VA-8] Jim N00002083 7462 Democrat 202-225-4376 Roman Catholic VA Jim James Moran 1.89473684210526 http://www.moran.house.gov R000170 1944-11-10 2433 Rayburn House Office Building http://wwwc.house.gov/reyes/voice_your_opinion.asp 16 202-225-2016 Silvestre 'd':4 'tx':5 '-16':6 'rep':1 'rey':3,8,10 'silvestr':2,7,9 M 400337 Reyes Silvestre_Reyes Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D, TX-16] N00006067 6505 Democrat 202-225-4831 Roman Catholic TX Silver Silvestre Reyes 1.7 http://wwwc.house.gov/reyes/ S001170 1508 Longworth House Office Building http://forms.house.gov/shea-porter/webform/issue_subscribe.htm 1 202-225-5822 Carol 'd':6 '-1':8 'nh':7 'rep':1 'shea':4,11,15 'carol':2,9,13 'porter':5,12,16 'shea-port':3,10,14 F 412219 Shea-Porter Carol_Shea-Porter Rep. Carol Shea-Porter [D, NH-1] N00028091 8047 Democrat 202-225-5456 NH Carol Shea-Porter 1.36363636363636 http://shea-porter.house.gov/ S001173 315 Cannon House Office Building http://space.house.gov/?sectionid=61&sectiontree=26,61 18 (202) 225-3394 Zachary 'd':4 'oh':5 '-18':6 'rep':1 'zack':9 'space':3,8,11 'zachari':2,7,10 M 412229 Space Zack_Space T. Rep. Zachary Space [D, OH-18] Zack N00027902 6273 Democrat 202-225-6265 OH Zack Zachary Space 4.14285714285714 http://space.house.gov/ S001174 1721 Longworth House Office Building http://sutton.house.gov/about/emailform.cfm 13 202-225-2266 Betty 'd':4 'oh':5 '-13':6 'rep':1 'betti':2,7,9 'sutton':3,8,10 F 412228 Sutton Betty_Sue_Sutton Rep. Betty Sutton [D, OH-13] N00027901 7014 Democrat 202-225-3401 OH Betty Sutton 3.45454545454545 http://sutton.house.gov/ T000326 1934-07-21 2232 Rayburn House Office Building http://www.house.gov/towns/contact_form_zipcheck.shtml 10 202-225-1018 Edolphus 'd':4 'ed':9 'ny':5 '-10':6 'rep':1 'town':3,8,11 'edolphus':2,7,10 M 400409 Towns Edolphus_Towns Rep. Edolphus Towns [D, NY-10] Ed N00001082 6356 Democrat 202-225-5936 Baptist NY Ed Edolphus Towns 1.125 http://www.house.gov/towns/ U000038 1950-07-18 B40e Dirksen Senate Office Building http://markudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm 202-226-7840 Mark 'd':4 'co':5 'sen':1 'mark':2,6,8 'udal':3,7,9 M 400412 Udall Mark_Udall E. Sen. Mark Udall [D, CO] N00008051 12558 Democrat 202-224-5941 CO Mark Udall 2.5609756097561 http://markudall.senate.gov V000128 1959-01-10 1707 Longworth House Office Building http://vanhollen.house.gov/HoR/MD08/Contact+Information/Web+Contact/Contact+Form.htm 8 202-225-0375 Christopher 'd':5 '-8':7 'md':6 'rep':1 'van':3,9,13 'chris':11 'hollen':4,10,14 'christoph':2,8,12 M 400415 Van Hollen Chris_Van_Hollen Rep. Christopher Van Hollen [D, MD-8] Chris N00013820 7663 Democrat 202-225-5341 Episcopalian MD Chris Christopher Van Hollen 1.1 http://vanhollen.house.gov W000800 1404 Longworth House Office Building http://www.house.gov/formwelch/issue_subscribe.htm 0 202-225-6790 Peter 'd':4 '-0':6 'vt':5 'rep':1 'peter':2,7,9 'welch':3,8,10 M 412239 Welch Peter_Welch Rep. Peter Welch [D, VT-0] N00000515 8005 Democrat 202-225-4115 VT Peter Welch 5.0 http://welch.house.gov/ calendar 46152 1217563200 Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 -0500 2008 169010 Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 929. action 46152 1208232000 Tue Apr 15 00:00:00 -0500 2008 154391 Received in the Senate. vote 46152 1208211240 Mon Apr 14 19:14:00 -0500 2008 roll 149836 pass On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 376 - 1 (Roll no. 185). vote h action 46152 1208210820 Mon Apr 14 19:07:00 -0500 2008 149835 Considered as unfinished business. action 46152 1208197440 Mon Apr 14 15:24:00 -0500 2008 149834 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed. action 46152 1208196540 Mon Apr 14 15:09:00 -0500 2008 149833 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3548. action 46152 1208196540 Mon Apr 14 15:09:00 -0500 2008 149831 Mr. Braley (IA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. action 46152 1208196540 Mon Apr 14 15:09:00 -0500 2008 149832 Considered under suspension of the rules. calendar 46152 1207834320 Thu Apr 10 10:32:00 -0500 2008 149830 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 358. action 46152 1207834260 Thu Apr 10 10:31:00 -0500 2008 149829 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 110-580. calendar 46152 1205380800 Thu Mar 13 00:00:00 -0500 2008 147895 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote. action 46152 1205380800 Thu Mar 13 00:00:00 -0500 2008 147894 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. action 46152 1201582800 Tue Jan 29 00:00:00 -0600 2008 147433 Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. action 46152 1201582800 Tue Jan 29 00:00:00 -0600 2008 147434 Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote . action 46152 1191211200 Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 -0500 2007 133909 Referred to the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives. action 46152 1190001600 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 -0500 2007 129248 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. introduced 46152 1190001600 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 -0500 2007 129247 54 376 46152 Mon Apr 14 18:13:00 -0500 2008 true 4200 1 185 14 0 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 3548 Plain Language in Government Communications Act true 2/3 Passed On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Tue Apr 22 18:49:32 -0500 2008 house