Bill Overview
Title: Presidential Records Certification Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the President, the Vice President, and certain White House employees to annually certify that they are in compliance with the Presidential Records Act. The bill also establishes civil penalties for knowingly and willfully failing to meet this certification requirement.
Sponsors: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-12]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals responsible for managing and certifying Presidential records
Estimated Size: 1500
- The federal law mandates compliance with the Presidential Records Act, which primarily involves the President, Vice President, and White House staff.
- The President and Vice President of the United States are elected positions, impacting two individuals.
- The number of White House staff can vary, but key personnel involved in record management are expected to be relatively small compared to general administration staff.
- The primary impact is on individuals who have the responsibility to manage and certify Presidential records.
- The President and Vice President entail two individuals who have direct obligations under this act.
Reasoning
- The given policy primarily affects high-ranking government officials involved in document management including the President, Vice President, and selected White House staff.
- Considering the $5,000,000 initial budget and $54,667,384 ten-year budget, the policy aims to monitor and potentially penalize a small group of elite individuals, possibly as part of a larger transparency initiative.
- The key population impacted is estimated to be around 1500 based on direct and indirect roles in record management, but the primary focus is narrower, perhaps affecting around 200-300 directly monthly involved personnel.
- Effects on overall well-being are indirect; these individuals may feel more pressure to comply and avoid penalties, but their already high socioeconomic status could mean less dramatic changes in well-being compared to impactful policies affecting economically vulnerable groups.
- The policy might serve to enhance procedural compliance and accountability in public office without major shifts in everyday well-being for the affected parties.
- For the simulated interviews, individuals from various backgrounds who may feel tangentially or incidentally impacted by this policy should be included to provide a broader spectrum of national sentiment.
Simulated Interviews
White House Records Manager (Washington D.C.)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a necessary policy to ensure transparency and accountability.
- I expect an increase in administrative workload, but the core purpose is worthwhile.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Policy Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 46 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could increase public trust in government through improved record-keeping practices.
- I appreciate efforts toward institutional accountability, even if this isn't the most dramatic policy change.
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 |
Taxpayer (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe more transparency is always a good thing.
- This doesn't impact my daily life, but I hope government is held more accountable.
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 |
Retired Government Official (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I have seen how critical record-keeping is within government ranks.
- This policy puts necessary pressure on high offices to adhere to record laws.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Journalist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My job is made easier if there's clear access to public records.
- This policy serves the public by ensuring accountability from the highest offices.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Business Consultant (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While important, such policies can be viewed as common sense and overdue measures.
- Overall positive impact in government operation.
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 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Environmental Activist (Houston, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Transparency should be integral to governmental procedures.
- Small, positive step forward; doesn't change much in my immediate work.
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 |
Lawyer (Boston, MA)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could introduce more work opportunities in compliance consulting.
- It represents a step towards stricter enforcement of public records laws.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More measures like this are needed to preserve democratic processes.
- Important but minor in terms of day-to-day significance for the public.
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 |
White House Press Secretary (Seattle, WA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is added pressure to ensure compliance but aligns with our public mandate.
- Support increased transparency efforts though it increases administrative tasks.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5100000 (Low: $4100000, High: $7100000)
Year 3: $5202000 (Low: $4195000, High: $7299000)
Year 5: $5408080 (Low: $4364720, High: $7764720)
Year 10: $5945368 (Low: $4808035, High: $8559670)
Year 100: $111619922 (Low: $90212578, High: $160551408)
Key Considerations
- The policy primarily targets compliance and administration related to Presidential records.
- Civil penalties create an enforcement mechanism that may deter non-compliance.
- Processes for certification may require training and updates to current procedures.