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S 574 111th Congress Senate Government Operations and Politics Administrative law and regulatory procedures Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management Government information and archives Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

Plain Writing Act of 2009

Introduced: March 11, 2009 See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 6 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Dec 9, 2009
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222.
Dec 9, 2009
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman with an amendment. With written report No. 111-102.
Apr 1, 2009
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Mar 11, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3032-3033)
Mar 11, 2009
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3032)
Mar 11, 2009
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

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.

What's happening now December 9, 2009

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 946 Related bill Plain Writing Act of 2010
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Republican 1
R
Collins, Susan M.
Maine · Mar 31, 2009
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 574: Plain Writing Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-574/
MLA
"S. 574: Plain Writing Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-574/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 574, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-574/.
Markdown link
[S. 574: Plain Writing Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-574/)
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