The accessible summary bridges the gap between complex legal texts and public understanding. It enables voters, advocacy groups, and stakeholders to comprehend and engage with legislative policies and executive actions effectively. By providing information in plain, clear, and actionable terms, these summaries foster greater transparency, accountability, and participation in the democratic process.
Language Standards
Accessible summaries must follow these language standards to ensure readability and comprehension for the average voter:
- Simplicity:
- Avoid legal jargon, technical terms, or unnecessarily complex language.
- Use short sentences and active voice.
- Clarity:
- Define any necessary technical terms or acronyms in a glossary or sidebar.
- Use real-world examples to explain abstract concepts when applicable.
- Neutral Tone:
- Summaries must be non-partisan and fact-based, without advocacy or bias.
- Present arguments for and against a proposal in balanced language.
- Common Vocabulary:
- Use words that the average person with a high school education can understand.
- Replace technical terms with everyday language (e.g., “revenue generation” becomes “raising money”).
Examples of Language Transformation
**Original Text: **
SEC. 3. RESTRICTIONS ON ASSAULT WEAPONS AND LARGE CAPACITY AMMUNITION FEEDING DEVICES.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended—
(1) by inserting after subsection (u) the following:
‘‘(v)(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a semiautomatic assault weapon.
‘‘(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the possession, sale, or transfer of any semiautomatic assault weapon otherwise lawfully possessed under Federal law on the date of enactment of the Assault Weapons Ban of 2023."
- United States, Congress, Senate. Assault Weapons Ban of 2023 . 118th Congress, 1st Session, Bill S. 25, introduced 23 Jan. 2023. Congress.gov, www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-bill/25.
Transformed Summary :
This bill makes it illegal to import, sell, make, transfer, or own semiautomatic assault weapons. However, the law does not apply to weapons that were legally owned before the law takes effect.
Layout of the Accessible Summary
General Format
The summary must adhere to a consistent, easy-to-read layout that is standardized across all proposals. Each section should be clearly labeled with headings and subheadings to guide the reader.
Detailed Layout Requirements
- Title Section
- Proposal Title: Use the official title of the legislative policy, executive action, or budget.
- Author(s)/Sponsor(s): List the names, offices, and political affiliations of those who drafted or sponsored the proposal.
- Tracking Number: Include an official identification or bill number for easy reference.
- Purpose Section
- Goal Statement (1–2 Sentences): Clearly state what the proposal is trying to accomplish.
3.Example*: “This bill seeks to improve access to clean drinking water by funding new infrastructure projects.”
- Key Provisions Section
- Bullet Points for Main Points:
- List the main actions or changes the proposal will create.
- Each bullet point should reference the relevant page(s) of the full document.
- Example Layout:
- “The proposal allocates $2 billion for clean water infrastructure improvements (see p. 3).”
- “It mandates regular water quality checks by state agencies (see p. 8).”
- Impacts Section
- Positive Impacts: Summarize anticipated benefits in 2-3 bullet points.
6.Example*: “This bill will create approximately 10,000 jobs in construction and water quality testing industries.” - Negative Impacts/Challenges: Include 1-2 points addressing potential drawbacks or criticisms.
7.Example*: “Some rural areas may face delays in project implementation due to logistical challenges.”
- Cost and Funding Section
- Overview of Costs: State the expected financial impact in plain terms.
9.Example*: “This program is estimated to cost $2 billion over five years.” - Funding Sources: List how the proposal will be funded.
10.Example*: “Funds will come from federal grants and state taxes.”
- Process and Status Section
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Legislative Process: Include a timeline or chart showing where the proposal is in the process. Example: “This bill is currently under review by the Senate Finance Committee.”
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Use visual aids (e.g., icons for “proposed,” “in committee,” “voted,” “signed”) to make this section easily scannable.
- Actionable Information Section
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Contact Details: Provide names and contact information for authors and sponsors.
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How to Engage: Offer clear steps for public engagement (e.g., links to online petitions or comment portals).
Accessibility Standards
Design Elements
- Readability: Use a 12–14-point font size for readability.
- White Space: Provide ample white space between sections.
- Organization: Use bolded headings and subheadings for clarity.
Digital Accessibility
- Ensure all summaries are compatible with screen readers.
- Provide downloadable PDF and plain-text versions.
Translation Options
- Offer summaries in major languages spoken in the relevant jurisdiction (e.g., Spanish, Chinese).
Enforcement and Accountability
Purpose of Penalties:
The penalties are designed to:
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Ensure Transparency: Deter lawmakers from intentionally omitting critical information.
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Promote Accountability: Hold authors, sponsors, and voters responsible for the integrity of legislative policies.
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Protect Public Trust: Rebuild faith in the legislative process by making deception and negligence costly.
Three-Tier Accountability Framework
- Authors (Drafting Lawmakers)
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Expulsion: Removal from office for intentional or grossly negligent omissions.
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Fines: Proportional to the funds misused or concealed (e.g., $7–35 million for $70 million concealed).
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Criminal Charges: Fraud or abuse of power for misrepresentation. Additional charges (e.g., bribery, corruption) apply for broader illegal activities.
- Sponsors and Co-Sponsors
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Fines: Lesser than authors but significant (e.g., 5-25% of concealed funds).
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Criminal Charges: Fraud or complicity in abuse of power if knowingly endorsing omissions.
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Expulsion: When cases warrant removal from office.
- Congressional Voters (Legislators Who Voted in Favor)
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Fines: $5,000–$50,000 for failing to perform due diligence.
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Suspension: Temporary loss of voting privileges.
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Expulsion: In extreme cases of willful negligence or complicity.
Illustrative Example of Penalties in Action
Scenario: A bill author drafts a summary for an infrastructure bill but omits a $70 million allocation for a soccer field in Indonesia.
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Author: Expulsion, $7–35 million fine, criminal charges.
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Sponsors: Fines ($3.5–17.5 million), criminal charges for complicity, suspension pending investigation and/or trial.
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Voters: Fines ($10,000–$50,000), public reprimand.
Conclusion
This comprehensive framework ensures transparency, accountability, and public trust in the legislative process. By defining clear requirements and enforcing penalties, lawmakers will be incentivized to act with integrity and diligence.
Full Example:
Link To Bill: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-118s25is/pdf/BILLS-118s25is.pdf
Assault Weapons Ban of 2023 (S.25, 118th Congress)
Goal Statement:
This bill aims to prohibit the sale, transfer, manufacture, and possession of assault weapons and large-capacity ammunition feeding devices able to hold 10 rounds or more.
Key Points:
- Ban on Assault Weapons:
- Prohibits the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (p. 17-18).
- Exemptions apply to firearms lawfully owned before the enactment of this law, law enforcement, and certain military uses (p. 19).
- Ban on Large-Capacity Magazines:
- Defines “large-capacity ammunition feeding devices” as those capable of holding more than 10 rounds (p. 14).
- Prohibits their manufacture, importation, sale, or transfer, except for specific exemptions, such as devices owned before the enactment (p. 25).
- Secure Storage Requirements:
- Requires secure storage for grandfathered assault weapons to prevent access by prohibited individuals (p. 24).
- Identification Markings:
- Mandates serial numbers and manufacturing dates for all newly produced assault weapons and magazines to ensure traceability (p. 24).
- Penalties for Violations:
- Establishes penalties for violations, including fines and imprisonment (p. 26).
Positive Impacts:
- Aims to reduce gun violence by limiting access to high-capacity firearms often used in mass shootings.
- Encourages responsible gun ownership through secure storage requirements.
- Enhances law enforcement’s ability to track and identify firearms used in crimes.
Potential Drawbacks/Challenges:
- Likely to face strong opposition from gun rights advocates and firearm manufacturers.
- Grandfathered weapons and devices may complicate efforts to achieve desired effects.
- Enforcement may require significant resources and training.
Cost and Funding:
While the bill does not provide specific financial resources and funding , the administrative and enforcement costs will likely be borne by the Department of Justice and associated federal agencies (analysis inferred from the bill’s text, p. 26).
- Allocates funds to the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to oversee enforcement, provide compliance training, and conduct public awareness campaigns.
- Costs include administrative oversight, enhanced storage measures, and tracking systems for newly manufactured firearms.
Process and Status:
- Introduced in the Senate on January 23, 2023, by Senator Dianne Feinstein.
- Currently under review by the Judiciary Committee (p. 1).
Actionable Information:
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Support or Opposition:
Contact… -
Public Engagement:
Participate in public hearings, submit comments via official congressional portals, or contact to your local representatives here…