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S. 3412 116th Congress Senate

Guidance Clarity Act of 2020

Official title: A bill to require a guidance clarity statement on certain agency guidance, and for other purposes.

Introduced: March 5, 2020 Introduced by: James Lankford Republican · Oklahoma See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 17, 2020
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 590.
Nov 17, 2020
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. With written report No. 116-297.
Mar 11, 2020
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Mar 5, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Mar 5, 2020
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action November 17, 2020

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 590.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Guidance Clarity Act of 2020

This bill requires federal agencies to state on the first page of guidance documents that such guidance (1) does not have the force and effect of law, and (2) is intended only to provide clarity to the public about existing legal requirements or agency policies. Excluded from this requirement is guidance directed to the issuing agency or other agency that is not intended to have a substantial effect on the behavior of regulated parties, as well as internal executive branch legal advice or opinions addressed to executive branch officials.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HR 5270 Guidance Clarity Act of 2019
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3412: Guidance Clarity Act of 2020. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3412/
MLA
"S. 3412: Guidance Clarity Act of 2020." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3412/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3412, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3412/.
Markdown link
[S. 3412: Guidance Clarity Act of 2020](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-3412/)
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