Sunset To Reform Section 230 Act

Bill Number

H.R. 6746

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Science, Technology, Communications

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2025-12-18T16:25:43Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "Sunset To Reform Section 230 Act," aims to terminate the legal protections provided by Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 after a specific date. Section 230 currently shields online platforms (like social media sites and websites) from being held legally responsible for most user-generated content, such as posts or comments, while allowing them to moderate content without fear of lawsuits.

Key Provisions

• Sunset Clause: The bill adds a new subsection (g) to Section 230, stating that the entire section will "have no force or effect" after December 31, 2026. This means the protections will automatically expire at the end of that year unless further legislation extends or modifies them.
• Short Title: The act is formally named the "Sunset To Reform Section 230 Act."

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduction of Expiration: Section 230, enacted in 1996 as part of the Communications Decency Act, has no built-in expiration date. This bill introduces a hard deadline, effectively repealing the section without needing additional votes after 2026.
• No other amendments or expansions are made; the change is limited to adding the sunset provision.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens and Users: Individuals who post or share content online may face increased legal risks if platforms lose immunity, potentially leading to more caution in online expression or self-censorship. Everyday users could see changes in how platforms handle complaints about harmful content, like misinformation or harassment.
• On Government Agencies: Agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or Department of Justice might need to handle more cases related to online harms, as platforms could become directly liable. This could strain resources for enforcement of laws on defamation, privacy, or illegal content.
• On Businesses and Platforms: Tech companies (e.g., social media giants) would lose a key legal shield, possibly resulting in higher costs for legal defenses, stricter content moderation, or even reduced innovation in user-driven services. Smaller websites might struggle more without these protections.
• International Relations: U.S.-based global platforms could face challenges in complying with both domestic laws and foreign regulations post-sunset, potentially affecting data flows or trade in digital services with other countries.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Online Platforms and Tech Companies: Primary targets, as they rely on Section 230 for operational immunity.
• Content Creators and Users: Individuals and groups who generate or engage with online content, including journalists, activists, and social media users.
• Advertisers and Businesses: Entities that depend on platform ecosystems for marketing, which could become more litigious.
• Government and Regulators: Federal agencies responsible for internet policy, consumer protection, and civil rights enforcement.
• Legal Professionals: Attorneys handling cases involving online liability, defamation, or free speech.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: The sunset could flood courts with lawsuits against platforms for user content, shifting liability from users to hosts. This might require new laws to fill the gap, as existing statutes (e.g., on copyright or defamation) may not fully address modern online issues.
• Constitutional Implications: Section 230 has been upheld as supporting First Amendment (free speech) rights by enabling diverse online discourse. Its expiration could raise questions about government overreach in regulating speech or unequal protection for digital vs. traditional media, potentially leading to Supreme Court challenges.
• Political Implications: The bill reflects ongoing debates over platform accountability, especially regarding issues like election interference or hate speech. It could polarize Congress, with supporters viewing it as a reform for greater responsibility and opponents arguing it threatens free expression without a replacement framework. As an introduced bill (not yet passed), its fate depends on committee review and broader legislative action.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-16: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-12-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Sunset To Reform Section 230 Act — issued 2025-12-16 — PDF (2 pages)