January 29, 2026
Mr. Fetterman (for himself and Mr. McCormick) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations
To amend the Passport Act of June 4, 1920, to authorize certain public libraries to collect and retain a fee for the execution of a passport application.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Authorization of certain public libraries to collect and retain fees for acceptance and execution of passport applications
(a) In general
Subsection (a) of the Passport Act of June 4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(a)), is amended by adding at the end the following:
(4)
The Secretary of State may authorize a public library that is organized as a nongovernmental organization, a nonprofit, charitable organization, or a trust to serve as a passport acceptance facility and to collect and retain the execution fee for a passport accepted by such public library if such library is in compliance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of State for the acceptance and execution of passport applications.
(b) Authorization of public libraries which previously served as passport acceptance facilities
(1) In general
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall authorize any public library to serve as a passport acceptance facility and to collect and retain an execution fee for a passport accepted by such library, if, before the date of the enactment of this Act, such public library—
(A)
served as a passport acceptance facility; and
(B)
was in compliance with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of State for the acceptance and execution of passport applications.
(2) Report
Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit to the relevant congressional committees a report that includes—
(A)
documentation of the Secretary's compliance with the requirements described in paragraph (1); or
(B)
if the Secretary is not in compliance with such requirements, an explanation for such noncompliance.
(c) Conforming amendment
Subsection (a)(1) of the Passport Act of June 4, 1920 (22 U.S.C. 214(a)(1)), is amended—
(1)
by striking State officials or the United States Postal Service
and inserting a State, a local government, the United States Postal Service, or a public library that meets the requirements described in paragraph (4)
; and
(2)
by striking by such officials or by that Service.
and inserting by such State, local government, Postal Service, or public library.
.