H.R.1515 - Guidance Out Of Darkness Act; GOOD Act (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1515, the Guidance Out Of Darkness Act (GOOD Act), aims to increase public access to agency guidance documents. It mandates that agencies publish these documents on a designated internet website within a specified timeframe. The bill defines 'guidance document' broadly, including memoranda, notices, bulletins, and other forms of agency statements.
Expected Effects
The primary effect will be increased transparency regarding agency policies and interpretations. This could lead to greater public awareness of regulatory expectations and potentially influence agency accountability. It also codifies the process for rescinding guidance documents and maintaining a record of such actions.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government operations.
- Easier public access to agency guidance documents.
- Improved understanding of agency policies and interpretations.
- Enhanced accountability of agencies regarding their guidance.
- Centralized location for finding guidance documents.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on agencies.
- Risk of misinterpretation of guidance documents by the public.
- Possible delays in the issuance of guidance due to publication requirements.
- Costs associated with creating and maintaining the designated website.
- May not address the underlying issues with the guidance documents themselves, only their accessibility.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the principles of transparency and accountability, which are implicit in the Constitution's emphasis on a government of the people. While the Constitution does not explicitly address agency guidance documents, the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the press supports the idea of open access to government information. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific constitutional provision.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).