Congressional Legislation · bill 119hr787 · built from our database

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Plain Language in Contracting Act

H.R. 787 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

H.R. 787119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 01/28/2025REP. LALOTAR-NY · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: DW-NOMINATE +0.25 (Sponsor Ranking)Right: no (Sponsor Ranking)LEAN RIGHT(SPONSOR RANKING)COMMERCE

4 members · Left 1 · Center 2 · Right 1 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorRep. LaLota, Nick (R-NY) (Introduced 01/28/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordLean right · DW-NOMINATE +0.25 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 4 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee; House - Small Business Committee; House - Small Business Committee; House - Small Business Committee
Latest Action06/04/2025 Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →
IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (1)

Introduced in House (01/28/2025)

Plain Language in Contracting Act

This bill requires that notices of contracting opportunities for small businesses are written in a clear, concise, and accessible manner.

Each notice also must comply with the requirements of the Plain Writing Act of 2010, which are applicable to publications and notices by federal agencies.

The Small Business Administration must issue rules to implement these requirements.

Text (4)

Engrossed in House (EH)

119 HR 787 EH: Plain Language in Contracting Act U.S. House of Representatives text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IB 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 787

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Plain Language in Contracting Act.

2.Accessibility and clarity in covered notices for small business concerns (a)In generalEach covered notice shall be written in a manner— (1)such that a small business concern can easily understand the intent of the covered notice; and (2)that— (A)is clear, concise, and well-organized; and (B)to the maximum extent practicable, follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field of the covered notice and the intended audience of the covered notice. (b)Inclusion of key words in covered noticesEach covered notice shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include key words in the description of the covered notice such that a small business concern seeking contract opportunities using the single, Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code, can easily identify and understand such covered notice. (c)RulemakingNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall issue rules to carry out this section. (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Covered noticeThe term covered notice means a notice pertaining to small business concerns published by a Federal agency on the single Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code. (2)Small Business Act definitionsThe terms Federal agency and small business concern have the meanings given those terms, respectively, in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).

3.No additional funds authorizedNo additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act. Passed the House of Representatives June 3, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Introduced in House (IH)

119 HR 787 IH: Plain Language in Contracting Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-01-28 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. I 119th CONGRESS1st Session H. R. 787

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 28, 2025 Mr. LaLota (for himself, Mr. Tran, and Mr. Thanedar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business

A BILL To require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes.

1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Plain Language in Contracting Act.

2.Accessibility and clarity in covered notices for small business concerns (a)In generalEach covered notice shall be written— (1)in a manner that is clear, concise, and accessible to a small business concern; and (2)in a manner consistent, to the extent practicable, with the Federal plain language guidelines established pursuant to the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (5 U.S.C. 301 note). (b)Inclusion of key words in covered noticesEach covered notice shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include key words in the description of the covered notice such that a small business concern seeking contract opportunities using the single Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code, can easily identify and understand such covered notice. (c)RulemakingNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall issue rules to carry out this section. (d)DefinitionsIn this section: (1)Covered noticeThe term covered notice means a notice pertaining to small business concerns published by a Federal agency on the single Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code. (2)Small Business Act definitionsThe terms Federal agency and small business concern have the meanings given those terms, respectively, in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).

3.Compliance with CUTGONo additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.

Referred in Senate (RFS)

119 HR 787 : Plain Language in Contracting Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-06-04 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IIB119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 787IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESJune 4, 2025Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and EntrepreneurshipAN ACTTo require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Plain Language in Contracting Act.2.Accessibility and clarity in covered notices for small business concerns(a)In generalEach covered notice shall be written in a manner—(1)such that a small business concern can easily understand the intent of the covered notice; and(2)that—(A)is clear, concise, and well-organized; and(B)to the maximum extent practicable, follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field of the covered notice and the intended audience of the covered notice.(b)Inclusion of key words in covered noticesEach covered notice shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include key words in the description of the covered notice such that a small business concern seeking contract opportunities using the single, Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code, can easily identify and understand such covered notice.(c)RulemakingNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall issue rules to carry out this section.(d)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Covered noticeThe term covered notice means a notice pertaining to small business concerns published by a Federal agency on the single Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code.(2)Small Business Act definitionsThe terms Federal agency and small business concern have the meanings given those terms, respectively, in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).3.No additional funds authorizedNo additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act.Passed the House of Representatives June 3, 2025.Kevin F. McCumber,Clerk.

Reported in House (RH)

119 HR 787 RH: Plain Language in Contracting Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-03-24 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. IBUnion Calendar No. 23119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 787[Report No. 119–34]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESJanuary 28, 2025Mr. LaLota (for himself, Mr. Tran, and Mr. Thanedar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small BusinessMarch 24, 2025Additional sponsor: Ms. GoodlanderMarch 24, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 28, 2025A BILLTo require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Plain Language in Contracting Act.2.Accessibility and clarity in covered notices for small business concerns(a)In generalEach covered notice shall be written in a manner—(1)such that a small business concern can easily understand the intent of the covered notice; and(2)that—(A)is clear, concise, and well-organized; and(B)to the maximum extent practicable, follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field of the covered notice and the intended audience of the covered notice.(b)Inclusion of key words in covered noticesEach covered notice shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include key words in the description of the covered notice such that a small business concern seeking contract opportunities using the single Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code, can easily identify and understand such covered notice.(c)RulemakingNot later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall issue rules to carry out this section.(d)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)Covered noticeThe term covered notice means a notice pertaining to small business concerns published by a Federal agency on the single Government-wide point of entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code.(2)Small Business Act definitionsThe terms Federal agency and small business concern have the meanings given those terms, respectively, in section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).3.Compliance with CUTGONo additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.March 24, 2025Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (15)

DateChamberAll Actions
01/28/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
01/28/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in House
01/28/2025House floor actionsReferred to the House Committee on Small Business.
03/05/2025House committee actionsCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
03/05/2025House committee actionsOrdered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 0.
03/24/2025Library of CongressReported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-34.
03/24/2025House floor actionsReported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-34.
03/24/2025House floor actionsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 23.
06/03/2025House floor actionsMr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
06/03/2025House floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2395-2396)
06/03/2025House floor actionsDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 787.
06/03/2025Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2395)
06/03/2025House floor actionsOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H2395)
06/03/2025House floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
06/04/2025SenateReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Titles (7)

Title TypeTitle
Official Titles from EH (Engrossed in House) bill textTo require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes.
Short Titles from RFS (Referred to Senate) bill textPlain Language in Contracting Act
Short Title(s) as Passed HousePlain Language in Contracting Act
Short Title(s) as Reported to HousePlain Language in Contracting Act
Display TitlePlain Language in Contracting Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedPlain Language in Contracting Act
Official Title as IntroducedTo require plain language and the inclusion of key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to small business concerns, and for other purposes.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (3)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (4)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee06/04/2025 Referred To
House - Small Business Committee03/24/2025 Reported By
House - Small Business Committee03/05/2025 Markup By
House - Small Business Committee01/28/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (0)

No related bill information was received for H.R. 787.

Subjects (2)

Policy Area: Commerce

All data on this page comes from our own database (legislation.congress_* tables), synced daily from the GPO govinfo BILLSTATUS and BILLS collections. Formatted after congress.gov; nothing is generated. Member placement is their DW-NOMINATE score (voteview.com, Lewis et al.) - a measurement of roll-call voting behavior, not our judgement. Buckets: Left below −0.50 · Lean Left to −0.25 · Center to +0.25 · Lean Right to +0.50 · Right above +0.50. The bill's Support meter aggregates the people who signed the bill - sponsor and current cosponsors, each counted once - nothing else.