Contact Congress about S. 855: Royalty Transparency Act

Federal workers and some science advisers would have to report more royalty income. Agencies would post many reports online and check royalties when reviewing contracts and grants.

Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Royalty Transparency Act is a Senate bill waiting for floor action. The latest recorded action: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 165.

Latest action on S. 855: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 165.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects federal executive branch workers, federal science and health advisers, and people or companies seeking federal contracts or grants. It matters most for people who receive royalties from inventions connected to federal work. It also affects agencies that must collect, post, review, and report this information.

Why this matters: This bill matters because federal workers and advisers may help shape policy while also receiving money from related inventions. More disclosure could help the public and Congress spot possible conflicts of interest. It could also create privacy concerns for workers and more paperwork for agencies. The bill may affect how experts view government service, but the text does not show how large that effect would be.

Key provisions in S. 855

• More federal science and health advisers would have to file public financial reports. This includes members of named committees and other public health advisory groups that the Government Accountability Office says gave advice agencies used in the past 10 years.
• The Government Accountability Office would have to publish a list of covered advisory committees within 180 days after the bill becomes law. It would update that list every year.
• The broader advisory committee rule would partly end after five years. After that, only successor committees to a fixed list of advisory bodies would stay covered.
• Ethics offices would have to tell named Senate and House committees when they grant certain waivers or conflict-of-interest exemptions. They would also have to give detailed reasons for granting them.
• Covered executive branch workers and committee members would have to report royalty income from inventions made during federal work. They would have to list the original source and amount or value, even if older laws would normally keep that royalty information private.

How Modern Action helps you take action on S. 855

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about S. 855

What is S. 855?

Federal workers and some science advisers would have to report more royalty income. Agencies would post many reports online and check royalties when reviewing contracts and grants.

How do I support or oppose S. 855?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about S. 855?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

How does Modern Action help me act on S. 855?

Modern Action gives you bill-specific context, lets you choose support, opposition, or changes, and drafts a message from your position and reasons.