Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act of 2021
Sep 24, 2021
Statute: 135 Stat. 337
Became law: Sep 24, 2021
Sep 24, 2021
Statute: 135 Stat. 337
Became law: Sep 24, 2021
Summary
Makes federal agencies publish their yearly budget requests online so the public can easily see how they plan to spend taxpayer money.
What problem does this solve?
It was difficult for the public to find and understand how federal agencies planned to use taxpayer money. This law requires agencies to post their budget requests online in a clear, accessible format for everyone to see.
What does this law do?
Public posting of budget justifications
Requires all federal agencies to post their annual budget justification materials on a public website.
Strict posting deadline
Sets a deadline for agencies to post their budget materials online no later than two weeks after they are submitted to Congress.
Standardized data format
Mandates that budget materials be published as open government data assets in a structured, downloadable format.
Centralized list of budget materials
Directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to create and maintain a public website with a list of all agency budget justifications and links to them.
Who does this affect?
- Federal agencies
- The public
- Government watchdog groups
What is the real world impact?
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Increases government transparency
Makes it easier for the public, journalists, and watchdog groups to see and analyze how federal agencies plan to spend money, promoting accountability.
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Centralizes budget information
Creates a single, organized place online where people can find budget requests from all different agencies, instead of having to search many different websites.
When does this start?
This law's requirements take effect over the next one to two years, with specific deadlines for agencies and the Office of Management and Budget.
OMB policy and data standards
The Director of the Office of Management and Budget must establish policies and data standards for agencies within one year of the law's enactment on September 24, 2021.
Agency budget justification posting
Agencies must begin posting their budget justifications for the second fiscal year after the law's enactment.