SB2178 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 02930 KTG 12944 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB2178

Introduced 2/20/2009, by Sen. Michael Noland

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Illinois Plain Language Task Force Act. Provides that a Task Force chaired by the Lieutenant Governor or his or her designee shall conduct a study on, and propose legislative measures designed to realize, the potential benefits of incorporating plain language in State government documents, statutes, and contracts into which the State enters and how plain language principles might be incorporated into the statutes governing contracts among private parties so as to provide additional protections to Illinois consumers, to reduce litigation between private parties over the meaning of contractual terms, and to foster judicial economy. Contains provisions regarding the term "plain language", the composition and duties of the Task Force, and the guidelines the Task Force will follow. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning plain language.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Plain Language Task Force Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The mission of the Illinois Plain Language Task Force is to conduct a study on, and to propose legislative measures designed to realize:

(1) the potential benefits of incorporating plain language in State government documents, statutes, and contracts into which the State enters; and

(2) how plain language principles might be incorporated into the statutes governing contracts among private parties so as to provide additional protections to Illinois consumers, to reduce litigation between private parties over the meaning of contractual terms, and to foster judicial economy.

Section 10. Definition. As used in this Act:

"Plain language" has the same meaning ascribed to it in the Executive Memorandum of the President of the United States, mandating that Federal Agencies and Federal Administrative Rules employ plain language, issued June 1, 1998, namely that "plain language" documents have logical organization, easy-to-read design features, and use: (i) common, everyday words, except for necessary technical terms; (ii) "you" and other pronouns; (iii) the active voice; and (iv) short sentences.

Section 15. Task Force.

(a) The Illinois Plain Language Task Force is hereby created. The Illinois Plain Language Task Force shall be chaired by the Lieutenant Governor or his or her designee and shall consist of the following members: one member appointed by the Illinois Attorney General; one member appointed by the Senate President; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate; one member appointed by the Speaker of the House; one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House; and 3 members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor, one of whom represents the interests of the banking industry, one of whom represents the interests of the business community, and one of whom represents the interests of the consumers.

(b) Members of the Task Force must be appointed no later than 90 days after the effective date of this Act.

(c) If a vacancy occurs on the Task Force, it shall be filled according to the guidelines of the initial appointment.

(d) At the discretion of the chair, additional individuals may participate as non-voting members in the meetings of the Task Force.

(e) Members of the Illinois Plain Language Task Force shall serve without compensation. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor shall provide staff and administrative services to the Task Force.

Section 20. Duties. Once all members have been appointed, the Task Force shall meet not less than once each quarter following the effective date of this Act to carry out the duties prescribed in this Act. An initial report delineating the Task Force's findings, conclusions, and recommendations shall be submitted to the Illinois General Assembly no later than 9 months after the effective date of this Act. Thereafter, the Task Force shall make periodic recommendations on its own motion or at the urging of the Illinois General Assembly.

Section 25. Guidance. The Task Force shall be guided in its discussions on the subject of plain language by the guidelines for plain language drafting promulgated by the President of the United States on June 1, 1998, which accompanied his plain language Executive Memorandum issued on the same day.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.