H.R. 1515: Guidance Out Of Darkness Act

The bill known as the "Guidance Out Of Darkness Act" aims to improve access to guidance documents issued by government agencies. Here’s a breakdown of the main points:

Definition of Key Terms

• Agency: Refers to government agencies as defined in U.S. law.
• Director: The Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
• Guidance Document: A document that expresses an agency's policies or interpretations but does not have the force of law. Examples include memoranda, notices, bulletins, directives, and speeches.

Publication Requirements

• When a new guidance document is issued, the respective agency must publish it online immediately.
• Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, agencies must also publish all existing guidance documents that are currently in effect.

Centralized Location for Guidance Documents

• All guidance documents must be collected in a single online location designated by the Director.
• Each agency will have to provide a link on their websites to this central location.
• Documents will be categorized and organized for easier access.

Exemptions

If a guidance document contains information that is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), it does not have to comply with the publication requirements of this bill.

Handling Rescinded Documents

• If a guidance document is rescinded, the agency must keep a record of it online and note that it has been rescinded.
• In cases where a document is rescinded due to a court order, they must include specific information like the case number and the date of rescission.

Validity and Compliance

• The bill clarifies that failing to comply with its provisions does not undermine the validity of any guidance document.
• It also reiterates that guidance documents can still be subjected to congressional review as dictated by existing laws.

Reporting Requirements

Within five years of the bill's enactment, the Comptroller General is required to report on how well agencies are complying with the requirements set forth in this bill.

Relevant Companies

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