The House yesterday voted 386-33 to approve H.R. 946, the Plain Writing Act of 2010, which would  require the IRS and other government agencies to write public documents in “plain writing,” defined as “writing that the intended audience can readily understand and use because that writing is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices of plain writing.” The bill covers all documents issued by a federal agency to the public (whether in print or electronic form). Federal agencies would be required to comply with the rule within one year. But the rule does not apply to regulations: 

(2) COVERED DOCUMENT- The term `covered document’–

(A) means any document that–

(i) is relevant to obtaining any Federal Government benefit or service or filing taxes;

(ii) provides information about any Federal Government benefit or service; or

(iii) explains to the public how to comply with a requirement the Federal Government administers or enforces;

(B) includes (whether in paper or electronic form) a letter, publication, form, notice, or instruction; and

(C) does not include a regulation.