GOOD Act

The Guidance Out Of Darkness (GOOD) Act requires federal agencies to significantly increase public access to their guidance documents. Under this bill, agencies must publish all newly issued guidance documents on a single, designated internet website on the date of their issuance. Furthermore, within 180 days of the Act's enactment, agencies must also publish all previously issued guidance documents that are currently in effect, ensuring a comprehensive collection is made available. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is tasked with designating this central internet website, and agencies must provide a prominent hyperlink to it from their own websites. The bill broadly defines "guidance document" to include various agency statements that do not have the force of law, such as memoranda, notices, and speeches. Importantly, documents or information exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) are not subject to these publication requirements. Agencies are also required to maintain rescinded guidance documents on the designated site, clearly indicating their rescinded status and the date of rescission, and the Comptroller General will report on agency compliance within five years.