I
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 3308
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 22, 2013
Mr. Long (for himself and Mr. Westmoreland) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
A BILL
To require a Federal agency to include language in certain educational and advertising materials indicating that such materials are produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2013
.
Requirements for Printed Materials and Advertisements by Federal Agencies
Identification of funding sources
Each communication funded by a Federal agency for advertising or educational purposes shall clearly state—
in the case of a printed communication, including mass mailings, signs, and billboards, that the communication is printed and published at taxpayer expense; and
in the case of a communication transmitted through radio, television, the Internet, or any means other than the means referred to in paragraph (1), that the communication is produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense.
Additional requirements
Printed communication
Any printed communication described under paragraph (1) of subsection (a) shall—
be of sufficient type size to be clearly readable by the recipient of the communication;
be contained in a printed box set apart from the other contents of the communication; and
be printed with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement.
Radio, television, and Internet communication
Audio communication
Any audio communication described under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall include an audio statement in a clearly spoken manner indicating that the communication is produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense.
Video communication
Any video communication described under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall include a statement indicating that the communication is produced and disseminated at taxpayer expense. Such statement—
shall be conveyed in a clearly spoken manner;
shall be conveyed by a voice-over or screen view of the person making the statement; and
shall also appear in writing at the end of the communication in a clearly readable manner with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement, for a period of at least 4 seconds.
E-mail communication
Any e-mail communication described under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) shall—
be of sufficient type size to be clearly readable by the recipient of the communication;
be set apart from the other contents of the communication; and
be displayed with a reasonable degree of color contrast between the background and the printed statement.
Exceptions
Subsections (a) and (b) do not apply to—
information in or relating to a solicitation for offers for a Federal contract; and
advertisements for employment opportunities, not including advertising materials developed for use for recruitment and retention of personnel for the Armed Forces.
Definitions
In this Act:
Federal agency
The term Federal agency
has the meaning given the term Executive agency
in
section 133 of title 41, United States Code.
Mass mailing
The term mass mailing
means any mailing or distribution of 499 or more newsletters, pamphlets, or other printed matter with substantially identical content, whether such matter is deposited singly or in bulk, or at the same time or different times, except that such term does not include any mailing—
in direct response to a communication from a person to whom the matter is mailed; or
of a news release to the communications media.
Source of Funds
The funds used by a Federal agency to carry out this Act shall be derived from amounts made available to the agency for advertising.
