GOOD Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1515
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-04: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-10T20:23:19Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Guidance Out Of Darkness Act" (GOOD Act) aims to improve public access to federal agency guidance documents by requiring their centralized online publication. These documents are non-binding statements from agencies that explain policies or interpretations of laws and regulations, helping the public understand how agencies operate without creating new enforceable rules.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- "Agency" refers to any federal executive department or independent agency (as defined in U.S. law).
- "Director" means the head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), an agency that oversees federal operations.
- "Guidance document" is broadly defined as any agency statement of general applicability that lacks the force of law (unlike formal regulations). It includes items like memos, bulletins, letters, blog posts, speeches, or no-action letters (assurances that an agency won't enforce rules in specific cases). The definition is intended to be expansive to cover various formats.
- Publication Requirements:
- New guidance documents must be published online on the issuance date.
- Existing guidance documents in effect must be published within 180 days of the Act's enactment.
- All documents are published in a single, designated internet location (a central website chosen by the OMB Director within 90 days of enactment).
- Agencies must add prominent hyperlinks on their own websites linking to this central site.
- Documents are organized into categories and subcategories for easy navigation.
- Exemptions:
- Guidance documents (or parts of them) exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)—a law allowing public access to government records—are not required to be published. FOIA exemptions protect sensitive information like national security details or personal privacy.
- Handling Rescinded Documents:
- When a guidance document is withdrawn (rescinded), it remains online at the central site but must be marked as rescinded, including the date and, if due to a court order, the case number.
- Rules of Construction:
- Failure to follow publication rules does not invalidate a guidance document.
- The Act does not change how Congress reviews agency actions under existing laws.
- Reporting:
- Within 5 years of enactment, the Government Accountability Office (GAO, an independent watchdog agency) must report to congressional committees on agencies' compliance.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Prior to this Act, there was no federal requirement for agencies to publish guidance documents in a single, centralized online location or to organize them systematically. Agencies often issued these documents in scattered formats (e.g., on their websites or in print), making them hard to find.
- This introduces mandatory timelines for publication (immediate for new ones, 180 days for existing) and a unified digital repository, building on but expanding FOIA's transparency goals without overriding its exemptions.
- It does not alter the non-binding nature of guidance documents or their exclusion from formal rulemaking processes (which require public notice and comment).
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Agencies will need to invest time and resources in digitizing, categorizing, and maintaining guidance documents, potentially streamlining internal processes but increasing administrative burdens initially. The OMB will oversee the central website, promoting consistency across government.
- On Citizens and the Public: Greater transparency and easier access to agency interpretations of laws could help individuals, businesses, and advocacy groups better comply with regulations, reducing confusion and unintended violations. It empowers the public to hold agencies accountable without needing FOIA requests for every document.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though clearer U.S. policy guidance could aid foreign entities interacting with federal agencies (e.g., in trade or environmental matters).
- Overall, the Act promotes open government without imposing new regulatory burdens.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Primary implementers, responsible for publishing and linking documents; includes departments like Health and Human Services or Environmental Protection Agency.
- The Public (Citizens, Businesses, Non-Profits): Beneficiaries of improved access to non-binding agency advice on regulations.
- Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Designates and manages the central website.
- Congress and Oversight Committees: House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs receive compliance reports.
- Government Accountability Office (GAO): Conducts the 5-year review.
- Courts: Indirectly affected, as rescissions via court orders must be documented online.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces the distinction between binding regulations (subject to public input) and non-binding guidance, ensuring the latter remains advisory. It aligns with FOIA by enhancing proactive disclosure rather than reactive requests, but preserves exemptions to avoid legal challenges over sensitive information.
- Constitutional: Supports First Amendment principles of free speech and access to government information, promoting an informed public without infringing on executive branch flexibility in issuing guidance.
- Political: Enhances accountability and reduces perceptions of "hidden" agency rules, potentially curbing criticism of regulatory overreach. As a bipartisan transparency measure (passed by the House in 2025), it could set a precedent for digital government reforms, though enforcement relies on GAO audits rather than penalties. No major partisan divides are evident in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Rep. Khanna, Ro [D-CA-17], Rep. Kiley, Kevin [R-CA-3], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-04: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2025-03-03: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-03-03: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H928-929)
- 2025-03-03: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H928-929)
- 2025-03-03: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1515.
- 2025-03-03: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H928-930)
- 2025-03-03: Mr. Comer moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 2025-02-24: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2025-02-24: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-24: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Guidance Out Of Darkness Act — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (8 pages)
- Guidance Out Of Darkness Act — issued 2025-02-24 — PDF (6 pages)
- Guidance Out Of Darkness Act — issued 2025-03-04 — PDF (7 pages)