Sponsors (16)
The bill increases transparency and predictability by clarifying what counts as agency guidance and putting guidance on a single searchable site, but it also creates administrative costs, potential delays and politicized oversight, and leaves some secrecy and privacy risks unresolved.
Federal agencies, regulated entities, and federal employees gain clearer definitions of 'guidance' and a named OMB Director for oversight, reducing uncertainty about which communications are covered and who is responsible for review.
Nonprofits, state and local governments, and the public benefit because the bill requires a broad construction of 'guidance,' making it harder for agencies to evade coverage by using non‑listed formats.
All Americans (taxpayers, nonprofits, state and local governments) will have easier access to federal guidance because agencies must publish guidance on one searchable website, improving transparency and predictability of agency communications.
Federal agencies and taxpayers will face increased administrative and compliance costs to implement and maintain the broader coverage and centralized repository, which could divert resources from other agency functions and slow issuance of guidance.
Centralizing oversight at OMB and expanding what counts as covered guidance could politicize review and introduce bureaucratic delays, limiting agencies' ability to provide rapid informal advice and quick clarifications to regulated parties.
Some guidance or portions that are exempt from FOIA will remain unpublished, so information gaps and confusion about agency practices could persist despite the repository requirement.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Requires federal agencies to post their non-rule "guidance" documents in a single, central public website and to organize, label, and hyperlink to those documents from agency websites. New guidance must be posted when issued; existing guidance must be uploaded within 180 days, with narrow FOIA-based exceptions. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget must pick the single designated website within 90 days of enactment. Agencies must keep rescinded guidance available and clearly marked (including rescission dates and court case numbers when applicable). The measure targets transparency and discoverability of agency positions that do not have the force of law.
Introduced January 24, 2025 by Ron Johnson · Last progress January 24, 2025