No Altering Public Comments Act

I 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 4113 To prohibit agencies from removing or altering public comments on their websites. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES JUNE 14, 2023 Mr. DONALDS (for himself, Mr. BIGGS, Mr. GROTHMAN, and Mr. BURLISON) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability A BILL To prohibit agencies from removing or altering public comments on their websites. 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 ‘‘No Altering Public 4 Comments Act’’. 5 SEC. 2. PROHIBITION FROM DELETING PUBLIC COMMENTS 6 ON AGENCY WEBSITES. 7 (a) PROHIBITION.—An agency may not remove or 8 alter any public comment submitted to or published on 9 VerDate Sep 11 2014 16:02 Jul 16, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\H4113.IH H4113 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB 2 •HR 4113 IH the website of an agency unless such comment is threat- 1 ening or harms national security. 2 (b) AGENCY DEFINED.—In this section, the term 3 ‘‘agency’’ has the meaning given that term in section 551 4 of title 5, United States Code. 5 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 16:02 Jul 16, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\H4113.IH H4113 pbinns on DSKJLVW7X2PROD with $$_JOB