Bill Overview
Title: Transparent Leadership Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the publication of schedules and speeches for the heads of executive branch agencies. Specifically, the bill requires each agency to make available for public inspection in an electronic format within a specified time frame a copy of each speech given after this bill's enactment by the head of the agency acting in an official capacity, and a document disclosing a meeting between an agency head acting in such capacity and a person not employed by the agency.
Sponsors: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8]
Target Audience
Population: people who will be impacted by government transparency measures
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill aims to increase transparency within the executive branch by making the activities of agency heads more accessible to the public.
- Transparency in government leadership can facilitate informed citizenry, potentially leading to a more engaged public.
- Individuals who regularly engage with or monitor government activities, such as political analysts, journalists, activists, and researchers, are most directly affected.
- The bill indirectly impacts the general public as increased transparency can influence governmental accountability and decision-making, potentially affecting services and policies that impact all citizens.
Reasoning
- The policy is primarily impactful for people who are engaged in government oversight, such as journalists and policy analysts.
- General citizens might experience an indirect improvement in government accountability but are unlikely to feel an immediate personal impact.
- The budget allocation suggests a limited scale initiative in terms of the massive scale of potential indirect beneficiaries.
- Concerns about cost management would prioritize transparency efforts where public attention is most focused, such as high-profile agencies.
Simulated Interviews
political journalist (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial for ensuring that government officials are held accountable.
- Having access to speeches and meetings will greatly enhance my ability to report accurately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
software developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think it's a step in the right direction for transparency.
- Not sure if it directly affects me, but it feels positive overall.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
retired teacher (Houston, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transparency is always a good thing for democracy.
- I'm glad to see the government taking steps to open up more.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
activist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 27 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy can provide the data needed to support our causes.
- Having detailed insight into agency activities is vital for accountability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
public policy researcher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to official speeches and meetings enhances the quality of our research.
- It's a significant improvement for researchers like myself.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
small business owner (New York, NY)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly affected, but transparency is good for business climate.
- It's unlikely to change much in my daily life but it's reassuring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
graduate student (Boston, MA)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone studying political science, this is an invaluable resource.
- Allows future policymakers to learn and hold standards.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
tech company executive (Seattle, WA)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transparency supports ethical practices in both government and business.
- It's likely to benefit society more broadly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
retired government worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better transparency can prevent issues I saw firsthand in government.
- I'm happy to see change even if I'm not directly impacted anymore.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
school principal (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While it doesn't directly impact education, it sets a good example of transparency.
- I think this can ultimately benefit students when they see transparency modeled at the top level.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 2: $13500000 (Low: $9000000, High: $18000000)
Year 3: $13500000 (Low: $9000000, High: $18000000)
Year 5: $14500000 (Low: $9500000, High: $19000000)
Year 10: $15500000 (Low: $10500000, High: $20500000)
Year 100: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Key Considerations
- The act emphasizes transparency, which supports democratic engagement and governmental accountability.
- There may be initial high setup costs due to enhancements or development of IT systems.
- Compliance might initially strain smaller agencies without additional resources.