On May 17, AGC and its coalition peers responded to a recent White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) request for feedback on methods and practices for advancing public participation and community engagement (PPCE). The comments urge the agency to recognize the importance of engagement with the regulated community, enhance participation and accessibility, and improve transparency.
According to OMB, the agency is working to develop a government-wide framework, common guidelines, and leading practices for PPCE and requested recommendations on methods, approaches, and available tools. In addition to highlighting the need for the federal government to include the regulated community in these efforts, the coalition offered the following feedback to OMB.
- Enhance transparency by 1) allowing for adequate notice and comment on documents beyond regulations, such as guidance documents, 2) centralizing information and simplifying processes, 3) using diverse communication channels, and 4) documenting their engagement activities.
- Encourage participation by 1) improving accessibility and dialogue and 2) prioritizing plain language.
- Track relevant metrics to ensure that data collected translates to meaningful engagement.
For more information, contact Melinda Tomaino at melinda.tomaino@agc.org.