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 in a single, designated location on the internet within a specified timeframe. The bill also addresses the handling of rescinded guidance documents and exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be increased transparency regarding agency policies and interpretations. This could lead to greater public awareness and potentially influence agency actions. It also clarifies the status of guidance documents and their relationship to legally binding rules.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government operations.
- Improved public understanding of agency policies and interpretations.
- Enhanced ability for citizens and businesses to comply with regulations.
- Centralized access to guidance documents, making them easier to find.
- Clearer distinction between guidance documents and legally binding rules.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for increased administrative burden on agencies to publish and maintain guidance documents.
- Risk of overwhelming the public with a large volume of information.
- Possible misinterpretation of guidance documents as legally binding rules.
- Costs associated with creating and maintaining the designated internet website.
- May not significantly impact those unfamiliar with or unable to access online resources.
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, promoting access to government information supports informed citizen participation. 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).