Overview
Title
An Act To amend title 44, United States Code, to modernize the Federal Register, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
The Federal Register Modernization Act of 2024 is like updating a book to be read on a Kindle instead of printing it on paper, so the government can use computers to send out important rules and laws, but it also makes sure there are always a couple of paper copies safely kept just in case.
Summary AI
The Federal Register Modernization Act of 2024 seeks to update the way the Federal Register is published and distributed. The bill proposes changes to several sections of title 44, United States Code, by replacing the term "printing" with "publishing" and allowing for electronic circulation. It also establishes guidelines for storing physical copies to ensure government continuity, provides for alternative publication methods in emergencies, and outlines responsibilities for keeping the Code of Federal Regulations current.
Published
Keywords AI
Sources
Bill Statistics
Size
Language
Complexity
AnalysisAI
The proposed "Federal Register Modernization Act of 2024" seeks to amend title 44 of the United States Code, modernizing the processes related to the Federal Register. The modernization goals primarily focus on updating the terminology and improving the efficiency and accessibility of the Federal Register's publication processes, including provisions for digital access and alternative publication methods during emergencies.
General Summary of the Bill
The central aim of the bill is to update the federal laws concerning the publication processes of the Federal Register, primarily by shifting the emphasis from mere "printing" to "publishing." This change underscores a broader move towards digital methodologies. Moreover, the bill defines the term "publish" to include circulation for public sale or distribution, decided by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register. It also addresses editorial responsibilities for document management, filing protocols, and codification through electronic and physical means.
Significant Issues
Several notable issues arise from this legislative proposal:
Terminology Shift: The alteration from "printing" to "publishing" suggests a move towards digital platforms, potentially incurring costs related to new technological infrastructure required for implementation.
Discretionary Powers: The bill offers the Administrative Committee considerable latitude in defining "publish," which might result in inconsistent practices across various documents and agencies.
Physical Copy Requirements: Mandating the production and storage of physical copies might incur unnecessary expenses, especially as the federal government increasingly leans towards digital solutions.
Pricing and Accessibility: By giving the Administrative Committee authority over pricing without standard government pricing restrictions, the bill could inadvertently increase costs for accessing government documents, affecting public accessibility.
Electronic Challenges: Reliance on electronic methods introduces risks related to data security and the long-term integrity of records unless appropriately managed under specific guidelines.
Emergency Provisions: The processes for alternative publication in emergencies are not clearly delineated, leaving room for potential inefficiencies.
Complex Language: The bill drafts using legalistic terminology that the average person or even some government employees might find difficult to navigate, which could hinder compliance.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this bill offers the promise of more accessible federal documents through potential digital channels. However, public access could become limited by unpredictable pricing strategies, and the complexity of the language might make it difficult for individuals to interpret the regulations accurately.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Government Agencies and Employees: Agencies are directly affected by the changes in filing and publication processes. Flexible interpretation of "publish" and the introduction of digital processes might require retraining and updates to internal workflows, potentially straining resources.
Publishers and Technological Firms: There could be increased business opportunities for companies specializing in digital publishing and archiving technologies, benefiting from government contracts to modernize these processes.
Legal Professionals and Policy Analysts: They might face challenges in advising stakeholders or clients due to ambiguities in the legislation or potential inconsistencies in interpretation across different scenarios.
Overall, while the bill seems directed toward keeping federal processes up-to-date with technological advancements, it raises both questions and opportunities concerning implementation costs, interpretative consistency, and public access to government information.
Issues
The amendment to repeatedly change the term 'printing' to 'publishing' throughout Section 2 may imply significant changes in the format or method of document dissemination that could lead to increased costs (Section 2).
The discretion granted to the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register in defining 'publish' could lead to inconsistent interpretations, affecting transparency and standardization (Section 2).
The requirement to print and store at least two physical copies of each Federal Register issue in separate facilities in Section 1504 could be deemed wasteful in the digital age and may incur unnecessary costs (Section 1504).
The pricing discretion given to the Administrative Committee for the Federal Register in Section 1504 could lead to unregulated pricing, raising accessibility concerns (Section 1504).
The reliance on electronic updates and storage in Section 2 may pose challenges related to archival integrity and data security, which are not addressed in the legislation (Section 2).
The 'Alternative publication' provision in Section 1505 during continuity of operations events lacks clear guidelines and could lead to inefficiencies or mismanagement (Section 1505).
The complexity of the language in sections like Section 1503 and Section 2 could make the bill difficult to understand for the general public and government employees, potentially leading to compliance issues (Sections 1503, 2).
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
Section 1 provides the short title of the bill, which is the “Federal Register Modernization Act of 2024.”
2. Federal Register modernization Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines updates to the laws regarding the Federal Register, aiming to modernize its publishing process. It involves changing the terminology from "printing" to "publishing," defines "publish," allows alternative methods to publish during emergencies, and outlines the roles of the Administrative Committee in managing publication and distribution rules, including digital access and codification of regulations.
1503. Filing documents with Office; notation of time; public inspection; transmission for publishing Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section outlines the process for filing and publishing official documents. It states that documents required to be published must be filed with the Office of the Federal Register, noted with the time of filing, and made immediately available for public inspection. The original documents are retained by the National Archives unless they are disposed of according to approved schedules, with Presidential proclamations and Executive orders being kept permanently. The Office then sends the documents to the Government Publishing Office for publication, and federal agencies must transmit their documents for filing.
1504. Federal Register; publishing; contents; distribution; price; physical copies Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section establishes that documents mandated for publication will be printed in the "Federal Register" by the Government Publishing Office, ensuring timely distribution and public access. It also specifies the pricing flexibility for the Federal Register and mandates the printing and preservation of at least two physical copies to maintain government continuity.
1510. Code of Federal Regulations Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is a special publication that collects and organizes the rules set by various government agencies. It is regularly updated to ensure it remains current, and it serves as evidence of which rules are active. These regulations are managed by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register with the President's approval, but it does not include Presidential documents.