1. Short title
This resolution may be cited as the “Improving Transparency for the American People Act of 2019”.
Improving Transparency for the American People Act of 2019
RESOLUTION
Amending the Rules of the House of Representatives to implement the first set of recommendations adopted by the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress.
2. Adoption of standardized format for legislative documents
The Clerk is authorized and directed to provide periodic updates to the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Rules regarding the implementation of the U.S. Legislative Markup and a plan for its completion including a timeline.
3. Legislation comparison project
The Clerk shall report to the Committee on House Administration and the Committee on Appropriations an assessment of the funding and other resources needed to expedite and complete the legislation comparison project, including the training of staff.
4. Assignment of unique identifiers for reports filed by registered lobbyists
Assignment of identifiers— The Clerk, in consultation with the Secretary of the Senate, shall establish and implement a process under which the Clerk shall assign a unique identification number with respect to each person who files a registration statement or other report required to be filed with the Clerk under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), and shall ensure that such unique identification number will be used for all purposes under such Act (including the public availability of such statements and reports) with respect to each statement or report filed by that person with the Clerk under such Act.
Deadline— The Clerk shall establish and implement the process required under subsection (a) not later than 180 days after the date of the adoption of this resolution.
5. Database of information on expiration of authorizations of programs
Duties of the Clerk— Clause 2 of rule II of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Duties of Committees— Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives is amended by adding at the end the following new clause:
Effective date— The committees referred to in the amendment made by subsection (b) to clause 12(a) of rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives shall provide to the Clerk the information so required not later than 90 days after the date of adoption of this subsection.
6. Database of votes taken in committees
Duties of the Clerk— Clause 2 of rule II of the Rules of the House of Representatives (as amended by section 5) is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
Duties of Committees— Rule X of the Rules of the House of Representatives (as amended by section 5) is further amended by adding at the end the following new clause:
Effective date— The amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply to votes taken 72 or more hours after the Clerk notifies all committees that the database established under clause 2 of rule II of the Rules of the House of Representatives has been established.