Plain English summary not yet available
The full original text is available below. Check back soon as we process this bill.
I
116TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION H. R. 4929
To improve communication from executive agencies to individuals by requiring
clear instructions, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
OCTOBER 30, 2019
Mr. MOULTON (for himself, Mr. MEADOWS, Mr. TRONE, Mr. NORMAN, Mr.
CISNEROS, and Mr. FITZPATRICK) introduced the following bill; which
was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform
A BILL
To improve communication from executive agencies to indi-
viduals by requiring clear instructions, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
1
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
2
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
3
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Too Long; Didn’t Read
4
Act of 2019’’ or the ‘‘TL; DR Act of 2019’’.
5
SEC. 2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECUTIVE AGENCIES.
6
(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning on the date that is not
7
later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of
8
this Act, the head of each agency shall provide, to the ex-
9
VerDate Sep 11 2014
04:15 Nov 07, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4929.IH
H4929
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
2
•HR 4929 IH
tent practicable, at the top of each communication (both
1
hard copy and electronic) that the agency sends to an indi-
2
vidual that authorizes or requires such individual to take
3
an action, a clearly marked section that includes—
4
(1) the authorized or required action;
5
(2) if a response by the individual is required,
6
optional, or not permitted;
7
(3) all deadlines to complete the authorized or
8
required action;
9
(4) how to complete the authorized or required
10
action; and
11
(5) the contact information for any agency, or
12
department or office thereof, that can assist or an-
13
swer questions relating to the authorized or required
14
action.
15
(b) PUBLIC REPORTS OF COMPLIANCE.—
16
(1) INITIAL REPORT.—Not later than 9 months
17
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the head
18
of each agency shall publish on the plain writing sec-
19
tion of the agency’s website, maintained pursuant to
20
section 4(a) of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (5
21
U.S.C. 301 note), a report that describes the agency
22
plan for compliance with the requirements of this
23
Act.
24
VerDate Sep 11 2014
04:15 Nov 07, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H4929.IH
H4929
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS
3
•HR 4929 IH
(2) ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT.—Not later
1
than 18 months after the date of the enactment of
2
this Act, and annually thereafter, the head of each
3
agency shall publish on the plain writing section of
4
the website of the agency, maintained pursuant to
5
section 4(a) of the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (5
6
U.S.C. 301 note), a report on agency compliance
7
with the requirements of this Act.
8
(c) AUTHORITY OF DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF
9
MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.—The Director of the Office
10
of Management and Budget may promulgate regulations
11
or develop and issue guidance to implement the require-
12
ments under this section.
13
(d) AGENCY DEFINED.—In this Act, the term ‘‘agen-
14
cy’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘Executive agency’’
15
as that term is defined in section 105 of title 5, United
16
States Code.
17
Æ
VerDate Sep 11 2014
04:15 Nov 07, 2019
Jkt 099200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H4929.IH
H4929
kjohnson on DSK79L0C42 with BILLS