How you help get the Plain Regulations Act through Congress

1. Write letters to your Senators and Representatives sayinga. Plain language helps everyone. It helps

… Individuals citizens by reducing the administrative burden when you do business with the government.

… Organizations and businesses by making it easier (and less expensive!) to understand and comply with the laws.

… People in America understand what our elected officials are really doing in Washington.

b. Plain language saves moneyc. Please co-sponsor the Plain Regulations Act (HR 1557 or S807)

Handwritten letters sent to Washington have the greatest impact.There are two sample letters below.

2. Make a list of all of the groups you belong to (your business, the company you work for, church, alumni groups, special interest groups, political action groups.) If you can represent any of the organizations you listed, write a second, separate letter on behalf of the organization/business.

3. Send electronic copies of one your letters to the sponsors of the bill and the Center for Plain Language. (Hints: If you wrote a hand written letter, take a snap with your cell phone and send that. If you put a cc: list at the bottom of your letter, you only need to email one copy.)

Email to: Elizabeth_Herman @mccaskill.senate.gov

(Elizabeth Herman, McCaskill Staffer)

robert.goldsmith@mail.house.gov (Robert Goldsmity, Braley Staffer)

letters@centerforplainlanguage.org (Annetta Cheek, Center for Plain Language Chair)

4. Ask your friends to do this too. Hint: Share this document with them so they know what to do…or give a presentation – even this one! You can download it here: http://www.slideshare.net/kstraub/how-to-support-the-plain-regulations-act-hr-1557-s-807

Dear

I’m writing to urge you to co-sponsor [HR 1557 or Senate, S 807] Plain Regulations Act. Requiring the government to communicate clearly will reduce citizen and agency administrative burdens and save taxpayer money.

People think that the public never really sees the language of regulations. But, when Federal employees create documents to help the public understand laws and regulations, they often quote the regulatory language directly. The language of some laws is so complicated, federal employees are afraid that by paraphrasing, they will misinterpret the rule themselves. As a result, language intended for lawyers trickles down into documents used by the American public.

In addition, poorly written regulations cost taxpayers (me!) money: 1. Citizens need lawyers, accountants and other technical experts to understand and

comply with federal regulations. 2. When regulatory language is hard to understand, people make more mistakes trying to

comply. When people make mistakes, federal staffers have to spend more time processing documents. Documents may end up being processed, rejected, resubmitted and processed again due to simple misunderstandings.

If, instead, regulations were written in plain language, people would know what to do and how to do it confidently the first time. Everyone will save time and money. Everyone will feel better about their government.

Finally, as a citizen, I have a right to understand what my government is doing. If you wrote regulations in plain language regulations, I would understand more.

Plain language is an important, bi-partisan issue that will help everyone. Please co-sponsor this effort to get the government to communicate clearly to citizens.

Sincerely,

CC: John McCain, US SenateJeff Flake, US Senate(YOUR REPRESENTATIVE), US House of RepresentativesPaul Gossar, House Oversight CommitteeClair McCaskill, Sponsor, Senate Bill 807 (c/o Elizabeth_Herman@mccaskill.senate.gov)Bruce Braley, Sponsor, HR 1557 (c/o Robert.Goldsmith@mail.house.gov)

Annetta Cheek, Chair, Center for Plain Language (letters@centerforplainlanguage.org)

Dear (Insert the name of your congressman),

I’m writing to urge you to co-sponsor the Plain Regulations Act (S 807 or HR 1557).

As (REPLACE WITH---as a business owner, the secretary for … , a member of …, … DESCRIBE YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLES IN ANY GROUP YOU BELONG --) , I am affected by many different federal regulations, such as (REPLACE WITH --complex tax rules, challenging new health care requirements, DESCRIBE ANY REGULATIONS THAT APPLY TO YOUR ORGANIZATION-- )

Regulations written in plain language would decrease my burden in two ways:

1. I would understand the laws and how to comply. While I may not agree with all the regulations that affect me, I want to follow the law. Some regulations are so complicated that I’m never confident that I am in compliance. Regulations in plain language would help feel confident I’m doing the things I need to.

1. It would cost my organization less to comply. Complying with the regulations is a major burden on my business. In many cases, I have to use accountants, benefits coordinators, attorneys, and others to help me comply with my federal obligations.

I urge you to co-sponsor the Plain Regulations Act so that I can understand the laws that apply to my organization and to comply efficiently. The act will make Federal regulatory programs more effective while decreasing burdens on the regulated public. Sincerely, 

CC: John McCain, US Senate & Ranking Member, Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsJeff Flake, US SenateDarrell Issa, Chair. House Committee on OversightTom Carper, Chair, Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs CommitteePaul Gossar, House Oversight Committee(YOUR REPRESENTATIVE), US House of Representatives

Clair McCaskill, Sponsor, Senate Bill 807 (c/o Elizabeth_Herman@mccaskill.senate.gov)Bruce Braley, Sponsor, HR 1557 (c/o Robert.Goldsmith@mail.house.gov)Annetta Cheek, Chair, Center for Plain Language (letters@centerforplainlanguage.org)

Washington addresses for Arizona delegation

SenatorsJohn McCain241 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510-0303

Jeff Flake368 Russell Senate Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20510-0305

RepresentativesAnn Kirkpatrick (District 1)330 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0301

Ron Barber (District 2)1029 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0302

Raul M. Grijalva (District 3)1511 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0303

Paul A. Gosar (District 4)504 Cannon House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0304

Matt Salmon (District 5)

2349 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0305

David Schweikert (District 6)1205 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0306

Ed Pastorn(District 7)2465 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0307

Trent Franks (District 8)2435 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0308

Kyrsten Sinema (District 9)1237 Longworth House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515-0309

For more information Email Annetta Cheek (Chair, Center for Plain Language) alcplain@gmail.como Visit http://centerforplainlanguage.org/resources/plain-regulations-act/o Downloadable sample letters:

o From an individual - http://centerforplainlanguage.org/letter-from-individual/o From a business - http ://centerforplainlanguage.org/letter-from-business-person/

The presentation you saw at the meeting is here:http://www.slideshare.net/kstraub/plain-regulationsact-overviewfinal-24939218