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S. 81 To require a guidance clarity statement on certain agency guidance, and for other purposes.
Summary
This bill requires federal agencies to include a standardized statement on guidance documents they issue, stating that the guidance does not have the force and effect of law and is intended only to provide clarity regarding existing legal requirements. The required statement must be prominently displayed on the first page of any guidance document and must specifically note that the guidance does not bind the public or the agency. The Office of Management and Budget is required to issue implementation guidance within 90 days, and agencies must comply with the requirement beginning 30 days after OMB issues its guidance.
AI-generated plain-language summary of the bill text — neutral, and may be imperfect. See the full text below for the exact wording.
Sponsor (1)
- Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK] (R-OK)
3 cosponsors
- Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI] (R-WI)
- Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL] (R-FL)
- Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (R-FL)
Actions (5)
- Nov 3, 2025 Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 250. · senate
- Nov 3, 2025 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report. · senate
- Jul 30, 2025 Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. · senate
- Jan 13, 2025 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. · senate
- Jan 13, 2025 Introduced in Senate
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Similar bills (6)
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Full text
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 13, 2025
Mr. Lankford (for himself, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Moody) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
November 3, 2025
Reported by Mr. Paul, with an amendment [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic]
A BILL
To require a guidance clarity statement on certain agency guidance, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Guidance Clarity Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. GUIDANCE CLARITY STATEMENT REQUIRED.
(a) Requirement.—Each agency, as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, shall include a guidance clarity statement as described in subsection (b) on any guidance issued by that agency under section 553(b)(3)(A) of title 5, United States Code, on and after the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget issues the guidance required under subsection (c). (b) Guidance Clarity Statement.—A guidance clarity statement required under subsection (a) shall— (1) be displayed prominently on the first page of the document; and (2) include the following: “The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and do not, of themselves, bind the public or the agency. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.”. (c) OMB Guidance.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue guidance to implement this Act.
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Guidance Clarity Act of 2025”.
SEC. 2. GUIDANCE CLARITY STATEMENT REQUIRED.
(a) Requirement.—Each agency, as defined in section 551 of title 5, United States Code, shall include a guidance clarity statement as described in subsection (b) on any guidance issued by that agency under section 553(b)(4)(A) of title 5, United States Code, on and after the date that is 30 days after the date on which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget issues the guidance required under subsection
(c).
(b) Guidance Clarity Statement.—A guidance clarity statement required under subsection (a) shall—
(1) be displayed prominently on the first page of the document; and
(2) include the following: “The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and do not, of themselves, bind the public or the agency. This document is intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.”.
(c) OMB Guidance.—Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue guidance to implement this Act. Calendar No. 250
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 81
A BILL
To require a guidance clarity statement on certain agency guidance, and for other purposes.
November 3, 2025
Reported with an amendment
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