Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) reintroduced the Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act today. Congressman Luetkemeyer released the following statement:

“This legislation is simple, all government agencies must provide the American people a short, plain language summary with every rule it proposes. It is unreasonable for government agencies to write rules and regulations that are so long-winded only subject matter experts can make sense of them. My common sense bill will help Americans across the nation stay informed and navigate the federal bureaucracy.”

Background: The Providing Accountability Through Transparency Act, requires each government agency, in providing notice of a rule making, to include a link to a 100-word plain language summary of the proposed rule. Under this bill, plain language summaries must be made publicly available online to ensure all Americans have access and understanding of the regulations imposed on them.

Congressman Luetkemeyer introduced the legislation with nine cosponsors including House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Doug Collins (GA), Rep. George Holding (NC), Rep. Bill Huizenga (MI), Rep. Denver Riggleman (VA), Rep. Jodey Arrington (TX), Rep. Andy Harris (MD), Rep. John Ratcliffe (TX), Rep. David Rouzer (NC), and Rep. Steve Chabot (OH). Senator James Lankford (OK), Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Regulatory Affairs and Federal Management, has introduced a companion bill in the Senate.

In the 115^th Congress, this provision was included in H.R. 5, the Regulatory Accountability Act of 2017 which passed the House by a vote of 238-183.

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