Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Guidance Clarity Act of 2019”.
Guidance Clarity Act of 2019
A BILL
To require a guidance clarity statement on certain agency guidance, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Guidance clarity statement required
In general— The head of each agency shall include a guidance clarity statement as described in subsection (b) on any guidance issued by that agency on and after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Guidance clarity statement— A guidance clarity statement required under subsection (a) shall be displayed prominently on the first page of the document and shall include the following: “This guidance does not have the force and effect of law and therefore does not establish any rights or obligations for any person and is not binding on the agency or the public. If this guidance suggests how regulated entities may comply with applicable statutes or regulations, noncompliance with this guidance does not conclusively establish a violation of applicable law.”.
Definitions— In this section:
Agency— The term agency has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.
Guidance— The term guidance means an agency statement of general applicability, intended to have a future effect on the behavior of regulated parties, that sets forth a policy on a statutory, regulatory, or technical issue, or an interpretation of a statute or regulation, but does not include—
a rule promulgated pursuant to notice and comment under section 553 of title 5, United States Code;
a rule exempt from rulemaking requirements under section 553(a) of title 5, United States Code;
a rule of agency organization, procedure, or practice;
a decision of an agency adjudication under section 554 of title 5, United States Code, or any similar statutory provision;
internal guidance directed to the issuing agency or other agency that is not intended to have a substantial future effect on the behavior of regulated parties; or
internal executive branch legal advice or legal opinions addressed to executive branch officials.
Rule— The term rule has the meaning given that term in section 551 of title 5, United States Code.