REPORTS Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8950
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T08:05:59Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "Reviewing the Effects of Programs, Orders, and Rules with Thorough Study Act" or "REPORTS Act," aims to mandate evaluations of how federal rules, programs, and policies affect people living at or near the poverty line, as well as issues of racial inequity, including the racial wealth gap.
Key Provisions
- Agency Analyses for Major Rules: Federal agencies must include an assessment of a proposed major rule's effects on poverty and racial inequity when they publish a notice of proposed rulemaking in the Federal Register.
- GAO Reporting Requirements: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must issue annual electronic reports for 10 years, each covering 2 to 5 federal programs or policies with significant economic impact. These reports examine effects on poverty and racial inequity.
- Optional Racial Wealth Gap Analysis: Agencies or the GAO may choose to include evaluations of impacts on the racial wealth gap in their assessments.
- Definitions: Terms like "agency" and "major rule" follow existing federal definitions. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) defines "poverty line," "racial inequity," and "racial wealth gap" for agency analyses, while the Comptroller General does so for GAO reports.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new mandatory impact assessments for major rules and creates a multi-year GAO reporting process focused on poverty and racial inequity. It expands beyond current regulatory review practices by requiring specific attention to these socioeconomic factors, without altering core definitions of major rules or agency authority.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases administrative workload for federal agencies during rulemaking and requires the GAO to dedicate resources to annual evaluations.
- On Citizens: Could lead to more detailed public information on how policies affect low-income individuals and racial disparities, potentially influencing future decision-making.
- On International Relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies responsible for rulemaking.
- The GAO, tasked with producing reports.
- Individuals living at or below the poverty line.
- Communities experiencing racial inequity.
- Policymakers and Congress, who may use the analyses for oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill operates within Congress's authority to direct executive branch activities and oversight, adding procedural requirements without evident constitutional conflicts. It emphasizes data collection on equity issues, which may shape future legislative and regulatory priorities through enhanced transparency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
Cosponsors (11)
Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Kelly, Robin L. [D-IL-2], Rep. Mfume, Kweisi [D-MD-7], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Sewell, Terri A. [D-AL-7], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-05-20: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Reviewing the Effects of Programs, Orders, and Rules with Thorough Study Act — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (3 pages)