Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., proposed the Plain Writing Act for Regulations last week, a bill that would require the language in all federal regulations to be clear and concise, appropriate to the subject or audience.

The bipartisan effort, co-authored by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, aims to fight for stronger accountability and transparency in government, according to a McCaskill news release.

“Any time we make it easier for folks to access and understand government information that’s a good thing,” McCaskill said in the release. “Accountability in government shouldn’t require folks to have to navigate the weeds of bureaucracy in order to get the most basic information.”

This legislation is an expansion of the Plain Writing Act of 2010, a bill McCaskill cosponsored. The act forces federal agencies to write their documents available to the public in a plain, straightforward style of English.

Agencies would also have to strike a balance between simple language and scientific accuracy in their documents.

“This bill is a simple way to lose the jargon and shine more sunlight on our democracy, as well as better hold government officials accountable,” McCaskill said in the release.

The bill is the latest in a series of congressional acts presented this year that aim to make the language of government more accessible to everyday citizens.

Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, introduced the Plain Regulations Act of 2012 in January. The function of Braley’s bill is largely similar to the bill proposed by McCaskill, Coburn and Collins, but it is specifically tailored to streamline government regulations and ultimately save small businesses time and money.

“Whether you like or loathe government regulations, I think everyone can agree that when one exists it should be written as clearly as possible,” Braley said in a news release. “Sadly, gobbledygook dominates the regulations issued by government agencies, making it almost impossible for small businesses to understand the rules of the road.”