Skip to content
Congress·In Committee·about 2 months ago

Congress Would Require Civil Rights Offices at Agencies Using AI to Track and Report Algorithm Bias

Also known as: Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems Act of 2026

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impacts

Mixed Impacts(4)
Gig Worker
Neutral
Union Member
Neutral
Federal Employee
Neutral
Small Business Owner
Neutral
Positive Impacts(22)
Medicaid
Helps
Disability Benefits
Helps
Snap Food Stamps
Helps
Unemployment Benefits
Helps
Student Loans
Helps
Housing Assistance
Helps
Chronic Illness
Helps
Aca Marketplace
Helps
Renter
Helps
Student
Helps
Immigrant
Helps
Green Card
Helps
Visa Holder
Helps
Undocumented
Helps
Medicare
Helps
Physical Disability
Helps
Sensory Disability
Helps
Cognitive Developmental
Helps
Mental Health
Helps
Pregnant
Helps
Military Veteran
Helps
Veterans Benefits
Helps

Key Points

  • Requires federal agencies that use, pay for, or oversee powerful computer decision tools to have a civil rights office focused on bias and discrimination.
  • Defines covered tools broadly, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and similar systems that can affect access to government programs, economic opportunities, or protected rights.
  • Each covered agency must send Congress a public-style update every 2 years (starting within 1 year) on bias risks, what they’ve done to reduce harm, and what they recommend next.
  • Agencies must talk with outside groups—industry, civil rights and consumer advocates, workers’ groups, technical experts, and affected communities—when looking at algorithm harms.
  • Justice Department must set up a cross-agency working group so civil rights offices coordinate on algorithm bias and discrimination issues.
Artificial IntelligenceCivil RightsConsumer ProtectionTechnology

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Jan 15, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Soon after the bill becomes law

Covered agencies stand up or update civil rights offices with algorithm-bias experts

You may start seeing agencies add staff, publish guidance, and review automated decision tools that affect benefits, services, or regulated markets.

No later than 1 year after enactment

Justice Department creates an interagency working group on algorithms and civil rights

Agencies start coordinating on how to spot and reduce unfair algorithm outcomes, which can speed up shared standards across the government.

No later than 1 year after enactment

First round of agency reports to Congress on algorithm bias and harms

The public and Congress may get clearer information about where algorithms are being used, what risks were found, and what fixes agencies are making.

As agencies prepare the first report and ongoing work

Agencies hold more formal outreach with stakeholders (civil rights groups, workers, industry, affected people)

If you’ve been harmed by an automated system, there may be more listening sessions or ways for groups to raise patterns of problems to agencies.

Starting with the first report, then continuing

Ongoing updates: agencies recommend new laws or policy changes based on what they find

You could see follow-on proposals that change how specific programs or regulated industries can use automated decision tools.

Every 2 years after the first report

Repeat reporting cycle every two years

Bias checks and transparency become a regular process, which can gradually improve fairness—but also means changes may come in waves, not overnight.

Related News

4 articles
Tech Policy Press·25 days ago

January 2026 US Tech Policy Roundup

Roundup of January federal tech-policy activity; includes the Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems Act (S. 3680 / H.R. 7110) among newly introduced bills.

CL=
Senator Edward J. Markey (official website)·about 2 months ago

Sen. Markey, Rep. Lee Reintroduce Legislation to Mandate Civil Rights Offices in Federal Agencies that Manage Artificial Intelligence

Announcement of the Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems (BIAS) Act reintroduction; outlines civil-rights offices, reporting to Congress, and coordination to address algorithmic bias.

+
LegiStorm·about 1 month ago

RELEASE: Rep. Summer Lee Introducing the Eliminating BIAS Act with Senator Ed Markey to Combat Algorithmic Discrimination in Federal Agencies

Rep. Summer Lee release (republished via LegiStorm) describing the bill’s requirement for civil rights offices focused on algorithmic bias and regular reporting to Congress.

+

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Eliminating Bias in Algorithmic Systems Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 7110
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(15)
D: 15

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.