(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on February 25, 2014. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2014 - Requires each communication funded by a federal agency that is an advertisement, or that provides information about any federal program, benefit, or service to clearly state: (1) in the case of a printed communication, including mass mailings, signs, and billboards, that the communication is printed or published at taxpayer expense; and (2) in the case of a communication transmitted through radio, television, or the Internet, that the communication is produced or disseminated at taxpayer expense. Requires such notification to state that a communication is provided by the U.S. government, rather than at taxpayer expense, if the communication is funded entirely by user fees or by other sources that do not include federal funds.
Requires any such printed communication: (1) to be of sufficient size to be clearly readable; and (2) to the extent feasible, to be contained in a printed box set apart from the other contents of the communication and to be printed with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement. Sets forth similar requirements for audio, video, and email communications.
Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop and issue guidance on implementing the requirements of this Act.
Prohibits judicial review of the compliance or noncompliance with any provision of this Act.
[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3308 Introduced in House (IH)]
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3308
To require a Federal agency to include language in certain educational
and advertising materials indicating that such materials are produced
and disseminated at taxpayer expense.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 22, 2013
Mr. Long (for himself and Mr. Westmoreland) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To require a Federal agency to include language in certain educational
and advertising materials indicating that such materials are produced
and disseminated at taxpayer expense.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2013''.
SEC. 2. REQUIREMENTS FOR PRINTED MATERIALS AND ADVERTISEMENTS BY
FEDERAL AGENCIES.
(a) Identification of Funding Sources.--Each communication funded
by a Federal agency for advertising or educational purposes shall
clearly state--
(1) in the case of a printed communication, including mass
mailings, signs, and billboards, that the communication is
printed and published at taxpayer expense; and
(2) in the case of a communication transmitted through
radio, television, the Internet, or any means other than the
means referred to in paragraph (1), that the communication is
produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense.
(b) Additional Requirements.--
(1) Printed communication.--Any printed communication
described under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall--
(A) be of sufficient type size to be clearly
readable by the recipient of the communication;
(B) be contained in a printed box set apart from
the other contents of the communication; and
(C) be printed with a reasonable degree of color
contrast between the background and the printed
statement.
(2) Radio, television, and internet communication.--
(A) Audio communication.--Any audio communication
described under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall
include an audio statement in a clearly spoken manner
indicating that the communication is produced and
disseminated at taxpayer expense.
(B) Video communication.--Any video communication
described under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall
include a statement indicating that the communication
is produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense. Such
statement--
(i) shall be conveyed in a clearly spoken
manner;
(ii) shall be conveyed by a voice-over or
screen view of the person making the statement;
and
(iii) shall also appear in writing at the
end of the communication in a clearly readable
manner with a reasonable degree of color
contrast between the background and the printed
statement, for a period of at least 4 seconds.
(C) E-mail communication.--Any e-mail communication
described under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall--
(i) be of sufficient type size to be
clearly readable by the recipient of the
communication;
(ii) be set apart from the other contents
of the communication; and
(iii) be displayed with a reasonable degree
of color contrast between the background and
the printed statement.
(c) Exceptions.--Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to--
(1) information in or relating to a solicitation for offers
for a Federal contract; and
(2) advertisements for employment opportunities, not
including advertising materials developed for use for
recruitment and retention of personnel for the Armed Forces.
(d) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' has the
meaning given the term ``Executive agency'' in section 133 of
title 41, United States Code.
(2) Mass mailing.--The term ``mass mailing'' means any
mailing or distribution of 499 or more newsletters, pamphlets,
or other printed matter with substantially identical content,
whether such matter is deposited singly or in bulk, or at the
same time or different times, except that such term does not
include any mailing--
(A) in direct response to a communication from a
person to whom the matter is mailed; or
(B) of a news release to the communications media.
(e) Source of Funds.--The funds used by a Federal agency to carry
out this Act shall be derived from amounts made available to the agency
for advertising.
<all>
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 113-358.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 113-358.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 266.
Mr. Farenthold moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended. (consideration: CR H1947)
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1947-1950)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 3308.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H1947-1948)
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On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H1947-1948)
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.