S. 522 would require agencies to post an Internet address link for any proposed rule published in the Federal Register that would take the reader to a concise summary of not more than 100 words posted on regulations.gov. The Presidential Memorandum on Plain Language issued on June 1, 1998, 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. 522 would not significantly increase agencies’ administrative costs. Thus, CBO estimates that implementing S. 522 would have no significant cost over the 2021-2026 period.
Enacting the bill could affect direct spending by some agencies that are allowed to use fees, receipts from the sale of goods, and other collections to cover operating costs. CBO estimates that any net changes in direct spending by those agencies would be negligible because most of them can adjust amounts collected to reflect changes in operating costs.
