Congressman introduces bill to simplify government regulations

Washington – Following the success of a bill that requires government agencies to write guidance documents in “plain language,” that legislation’s sponsor is proposing similar requirements for agency regulations.

Introduced Jan. 18 by Rep. Bruce Braley (D-IA), the Plain Regulations Act (H.R. 3786) would require agencies such as OSHA to write new and updated regulations in “clear, simple, easy-to-understand language,” according to a press release from the congressman.

Regulations free of “gobbledygook” simplify rules, and save small businesses time and money, Braley said in the release.

In October 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Plain Writing Act (H.R. 946), which requires government agencies to write publications, forms and other publically distributed documents in a “clear, concise, well-organized” manner. That bill exempted agency regulations.

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