S. 395 would require agencies to post an internet address link to a 100-word maximum summary of any proposed rule published in the Federal Register that would take the reader to the concise summary posted on regulations.gov. The June 1, 1998, Presidential Memorandum on Plain Language and Executive Order 13563 already require agencies to use plain language in all proposed and final rules. CBO expects that preparing the short summary of proposed rules under S. 395 would not significantly increase agencies’ administrative costs. CBO estimates that implementing S. 395 would have no significant cost over the next five years.
Enacting S. 395 could affect direct spending by some agencies (such as the Tennessee Valley Authority) because they are authorized to use receipts from the sale of goods, fees, and other collections to cover their operating costs. Because most of those agencies can adjust the amounts collected as operating costs change, CBO estimates that any net changes in direct spending by those agencies would be negligible.
