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H.R. 946 111th Congress House

Plain Writing Act of 2010

Official title: To enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing that Government documents issued to the public must be written clearly, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 2, 2010 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory proceduresGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment information and archivesOffice of Management and Budget (OMB)
 Everywhere this bill has been 28 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 13, 2010
Became Public Law No: 111-274.
Oct 13, 2010
Signed by President.
Oct 1, 2010
Presented to President.
Sep 29, 2010
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Sep 29, 2010
Cleared for White House.
Sep 29, 2010
On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 341 - 82 (Roll no. 562). (text as House agreed to Senate amendments: CR H7314)
Sep 29, 2010
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H7371-7372)
Sep 29, 2010
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.
Sep 29, 2010
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the motion to suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments to H.R. 946.
Sep 29, 2010
Mr. Clay moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments. (consideration: CR H7314-7316)
Sep 28, 2010
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Sep 27, 2010
Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7556)
Sep 27, 2010
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7556)
Sep 27, 2010
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7556)
Mar 18, 2010
Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 321.
Mar 17, 2010
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 17, 2010
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 386 - 33 (Roll no. 126). (text: CR H1538)
Mar 17, 2010
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1560)
Mar 17, 2010
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.
Mar 17, 2010
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 946.
Mar 17, 2010
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1538-1540)
Mar 17, 2010
Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Mar 11, 2010
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 248.
Mar 11, 2010
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government. H. Rept. 111-432.
Mar 4, 2010
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Mar 4, 2010
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Feb 10, 2009
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Feb 10, 2009
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Sep 29, 2010 House · vote #562 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendments Passed 341–82 See who voted →
Mar 17, 2010 House · vote #126 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended Passed 386–33 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 1 with no recorded outcome

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 4,663 – To modify the definition of plain writing, and for other purposes. Agreed to Sep 27, 2010
SAMDT 4,653 – – No recorded outcome –
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 Latest action October 13, 2010

Became Public Law No: 111-274.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

(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.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 7 versions
 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 946: Plain Writing Act of 2010. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-946/
MLA
"H.R. 946: Plain Writing Act of 2010." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-946/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 946, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-946/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 946: Plain Writing Act of 2010](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-HR-946/)
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