GOOD Act
Latest action (6 Aug 2026): Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
What this bill does
S. 252 — the GOOD Act (Guidance Out Of Darkness Act) — would require federal agencies to publicly post their guidance documents online. Guidance documents are agency statements that explain policy or interpret laws and regulations without carrying the force of law themselves; the bill defines them broadly to include memos, notices, bulletins, letters, blog posts, no-action letters, and even official speeches. Agencies would have to publish new guidance documents when issued, and post any existing guidance still in effect within 180 days of enactment, all at a single, centrally designated website, with a prominent link from each agency's own site organizing the documents into categories. Documents or information otherwise exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act would not have to be posted, and rescinded guidance would remain posted but marked as rescinded, including the date and any related court case number.
The bill affects federal agencies (which must compile and publish this material) and the Office of Management and Budget's Director (who must designate the central website within 90 days of enactment). Indirectly, it affects members of the public, businesses, and researchers seeking easier access to agency guidance.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) with several cosponsors on January 24, 2025, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. As of August 6, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute — meaning it's approved to advance with revised text. Next, it would go to the full Senate for consideration.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Guidance Out Of Darkness Act or the GOOD Act
This bill establishes requirements concerning the posting of agency guidance documents. Specifically, an agency must publish guidance documents online on the dates they are issued, publish all of its guidance documents that are in effect in a single location on a designated website, display a hyperlink on its website that provides access to the guidance documents on such website, and indicate on such website if a guidance document has been rescinded.
The documents must be categorized as guidance documents and further divided into subcategories.
Timeline
6 Aug 2026
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Common questions
- What does S. 252 do?
- S. 252 — the GOOD Act (Guidance Out Of Darkness Act) — would require federal agencies to publicly post their guidance documents online. Guidance documents are agency statements that explain policy or interpret laws and regulations without carrying the force of law themselves; the bill defines them broadly to include memos, notices, bulletins, letters, blog posts, no-action letters, and even official speeches. Agencies would have to publish new guidance documents when issued, and post any existing guidance still in effect within 180 days of enactment, all at a single, centrally designated website, with a prominent link from each agency's own site organizing the documents into categories. Documents or information otherwise exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act would not have to be posted, and rescinded guidance would remain posted but marked as rescinded, including the date and any related court case number. The bill affects federal agencies (which must compile and publish this material) and the Office of Management and Budget's Director (who must designate the central website within 90 days of enactment). Indirectly, it affects members of the public, businesses, and researchers seeking easier access to agency guidance. The bill was introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) with several cosponsors on January 24, 2025, and referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. As of August 6, 2026, the committee ordered it reported favorably with an amendment in the nature of a substitute — meaning it's approved to advance with revised text. Next, it would go to the full Senate for consideration.
- Has S. 252 become law?
- Not yet. As of 6 Aug 2026, S. 252 is ordered reported.
- Who sponsored S. 252?
- S. 252 was sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson [R-WI] (Republican-WI), with 15 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 252?
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. (6 Aug 2026).
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