Consumer Price Information Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8515
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-11T21:17:55Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Consumer Price Information Act of 2026 (H.R. 8515) aims to increase transparency in federal rulemaking by requiring agencies to disclose how "major rules" (regulations with significant economic impacts, as defined under existing law) might affect consumer prices for everyday essentials. It promotes public understanding and informed decision-making through clear communication.
Key Provisions
- Requirement for Statement: Any federal agency issuing a major rule must prepare and publish a Consumer Price Information Statement when the rule is proposed.
- Contents of the Statement:
- Description (qualitative or quantitative) of potential price impacts on:
- Energy (e.g., electricity, gasoline, natural gas).
- Food and groceries.
- Housing and utilities.
- Transportation.
- Health care and insurance.
- Identification of sensitive groups: low-income households, seniors, and rural communities.
- Any regional variations in impacts.
- Summary of key assumptions and methods used.
- Publication: The statement must appear in the Federal Register (the official government publication for proposed rules) alongside the rule and on the agency's website.
- Implementation: Effective 60 days after enactment; no new funding authorized—uses existing agency budgets.
- Definitions:
- Agency: Any federal executive department or independent agency (per 5 U.S.C. § 551).
- Major rule: A rule likely to have major economic effects (per 5 U.S.C. § 804, under the Congressional Review Act).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Introduces a new, consumer-focused disclosure requirement for proposed major rules, building on existing processes like the Congressional Review Act and Regulatory Flexibility Act.
- No changes to rule approval or enforcement; adds only a transparency layer without creating new review mechanisms.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increased workload to analyze and report price effects using existing resources; may slow rulemaking slightly due to added preparation.
- Citizens: Easier access to plain-language info on how rules could raise costs for essentials, helping consumers (especially vulnerable groups) anticipate and prepare for changes.
- International Relations: None directly addressed.
- Broader Effects: Could foster greater public trust in regulations and influence policymaking by highlighting economic burdens.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: Issuers of major rules (e.g., EPA, HHS, DOT) bear the reporting burden.
- Consumers: Particularly low-income households, seniors, and rural residents who may face heightened price sensitivity.
- Policymakers and Congress: Gain tools for oversight and debate on rule costs.
- Businesses and Industries: Indirectly affected via public scrutiny of rules impacting their sectors (e.g., energy, food).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with Administrative Procedure Act requirements for public notice; enforceable via existing oversight (e.g., Congressional Review Act). No private right of action for enforcement.
- Constitutional: Supports transparency without infringing on executive rulemaking authority or separation of powers.
- Political: Enhances accountability for regulations' economic effects, potentially reducing support for costly rules and encouraging cost-benefit focus; neutral on partisanship as it applies agency-wide.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-27: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-27: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Consumer Price Information Act of 2026 — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (4 pages)