America's Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2265
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Finance and Financial Sector
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4337-4338)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T11:03:28Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, titled the "America's Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act," requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue special commemorative coins to honor the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, California, and the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. It aims to celebrate these events, raise awareness of the Paralympic Games (marking its 80th anniversary in 2028), promote inclusivity for people with disabilities, and generate private funding for the games through coin surcharges, while ensuring no net cost to the federal government.
Key Provisions
- Coin Programs for 2028 and 2034 Games: Separate but nearly identical programs authorize the U.S. Mint to produce four types of coins for each event:
- Up to 100,000 $5 gold coins (8.359 grams, 0.850 inches diameter, at least 90% gold).
- Up to 500,000 $1 silver coins (26.73 grams, 1.500 inches diameter, at least 90% silver).
- Up to 300,000 half-dollar clad coins (11.34 grams, 1.205 inches diameter, standard clad composition).
- Up to 100,000 proof $1 silver coins (5 ounces, 3 inches diameter, .999 fine silver).
- Mintage limits can be increased if market research by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee shows unmet public demand.
- Legal Status and Design:
- Coins are legal tender (acceptable for paying debts) and classified as numismatic items (collectibles subject to special sales rules).
- Designs must symbolize U.S. athletes' participation (or event staging for 2034), include the coin's value, the year (2028 or 2034), and standard inscriptions ("Liberty," "In God We Trust," "United States of America," "E Pluribus Unum").
- Designs are selected by the Secretary after consulting the relevant Olympic organizing entities and the Commission of Fine Arts, with review by the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (a public advisory group on coin designs).
- Issuance and Sales:
- Coins can be issued in uncirculated (new, unused) or proof (high-quality, polished) finishes, but only during a one-year period starting January 1, 2028, or January 1, 2034.
- Sold at face value plus a surcharge and production costs (including labor, materials, and marketing); bulk sales and prepaid orders receive discounts.
- Surcharges and Distribution:
- Fixed surcharges: $35 per $5 gold coin, $10 per $1 silver coin, $5 per half-dollar, and $50 per proof $1 silver coin.
- Surcharges go to the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties (for 2028) or the 2034 Organizing Committee to support hosting, legacy programs (e.g., youth sports, winter sports promotion, and athlete development), subject to audits.
- No surcharges if issuing these coins would exceed the annual limit of two commemorative coin programs under existing law.
- Financial and Marketing Rules:
- Ensures no net cost to the government by recovering all production costs before distributing surcharges.
- Encourages marketing programs, including partnerships with Olympic entities, to promote sales and educate the public.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Authorizes two new commemorative coin programs, building on the framework in 31 U.S.C. §§ 5112 (coin standards) and 5134 (surcharge distribution), but ties mintage adjustments to Olympic Committee research—a novel input for demand assessment.
- Reinforces the annual limit of two such programs per year (under 31 U.S.C. § 5112(m)(1)), potentially delaying issuance if other programs are prioritized.
- No surcharges allowed if the limit is exceeded, providing a safeguard not explicitly detailed in prior laws for similar events.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The U.S. Mint and Treasury Department will handle design, production, sales, and cost recovery, with added administrative tasks like consultations and audits, but no taxpayer funding required.
- Citizens: Provides collectible coins for enthusiasts, potentially increasing public engagement with the Olympics and Paralympics; surcharges indirectly support youth sports and inclusivity programs without direct taxes.
- International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but promotes U.S. hosting of global events, highlighting private funding models (unlike some countries) and fostering goodwill through Olympic-themed memorabilia.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- U.S. Treasury and Mint: Responsible for minting, designing, selling, and ensuring financial neutrality.
- U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Organizing Committees: Receive surcharges for event hosting and legacy initiatives; provide input on designs and demand research.
- Athletes and Youth Programs: Benefit from funded promotions, training, and sports access, especially for Paralympic and winter sports participants.
- Coin Collectors and Public: Gain access to limited-edition items, with potential economic boost from sales.
- Advisory Bodies: Commission of Fine Arts and Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee influence designs.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with established commemorative coin statutes, ensuring coins meet legal tender standards and surcharge rules; audit requirements (under 31 U.S.C. § 5134(f)) promote transparency in fund use, reducing misuse risks.
- Constitutional: No significant issues, as it involves Congress's enumerated power to coin money (Article I, Section 8) and does not infringe on free speech or other rights.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Democrats Padilla and Schiff; Republicans Curtis and Mullin) signals broad support for U.S. Olympic heritage; emphasizes private funding to avoid public expenditure debates, potentially setting a model for future event commemorations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (59)
Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA], Sen. Mullin, Markwayne [R-OK], Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID], Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK], Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA], Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR], Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI], Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL] and 9 more
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4337-4338)
- 2025-07-14: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- America's Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act — issued 2025-07-14 — PDF (16 pages)