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Congress·Reported·S. 81

Guidance Clarity Act of 2025

Federal Agency Guidance: New Labeling Requirements

The Guidance Clarity Act of 2025 has been approved by its committee and is now waiting for a vote by the full Senate. It is currently placed on the legislative calendar and is actively moving through the process. There are no further committee actions scheduled at this time.

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Legislative Progress

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Key Points

  • This bill requires federal agencies to put a specific warning on the first page of any new guidance documents they release. This warning must tell the public that the document is not a law and does not legally force anyone to do anything.
  • Guidance documents are often used by agencies to explain how they plan to follow existing laws. However, people sometimes mistake these explanations for actual laws. This change helps small businesses and regular people understand that these papers are just suggestions.
  • The required statement will say that the document only exists to make existing laws or policies clearer. It will also state that the document does not legally bind the public or the agency itself.
  • The Office of Management and Budget will have 90 days to create a plan for how agencies should follow this rule. Agencies will then have 30 days to start putting the labels on their new documents after that plan is ready.

Milestones

4 milestones5 actions
Nov 3, 2025Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 250.

Nov 3, 2025Senate

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Paul with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

Jul 30, 2025Senate

Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Jan 13, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Jan 13, 2025

Introduced in Senate

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Guidance Clarity Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 81
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 250.
Read Full Bill Text

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(2)
R: 2

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