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Bill

HR 9057

COOL Online Act

119th Congress Introduced by Carlos Giménez and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would require online sellers to disclose the origin and location of new foreign-origin products offered for sale online.

Introduced in House
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 9057

Overview

HR 9057, introduced in the 119th Congress, seeks to require origin and location disclosure for new products of foreign origin that are offered for sale on the internet. The bill is designed to inform consumers about where a product is manufactured and where it originates, with a particular emphasis on online sales. It has been referred to the House committees with jurisdiction over energy and commerce, Ways and Means, and Agriculture.

Purpose and intent

  • Require transparency for online sales: The bill aims to mandate origin and location disclosures for new foreign-origin products sold online.
  • Improve consumer information: By providing origin and location details, the bill intends to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and potentially address concerns about product safety, imports, and supply chain transparency.

Key provisions and changes (as proposed)

  • Disclosure obligation: Online sellers would be required to disclose the origin (country of manufacture) and location (where the product is produced or assembled) for new products of foreign origin offered for sale on the internet.
  • Applicability: The disclosure requirement targets online retail of new foreign-origin products. It is implied to apply to products offered for sale through internet platforms, directly by sellers, or potentially through online marketplaces, though the exact scope would be defined in the bill's text.
  • Compliance framework: The bill would establish standards or formats for providing origin and location information, and may specify where and how this information must be displayed (e.g., product page, near the price, or in a dedicated disclosures section).
  • Enforcement and oversight: Provisions would likely address enforcement mechanisms, penalties for non-compliance, and potential accommodations for small businesses or certain product categories. The exact enforcement structure would be detailed in the legislative text.
  • Federal involvement: The bill involves federal requirements that online sellers must meet, potentially involving coordination with existing consumer protection or trade-related agencies.

Who would be affected

  • Online sellers of new foreign-origin products: Ecommerce retailers, manufacturers, importers, and online marketplaces selling foreign-origin goods would need to provide origin and location disclosures.
  • Consumers: Online shoppers would receive new disclosures about where products originate and are manufactured.
  • Government/regulatory bodies: Agencies with jurisdiction over commerce, consumer protection, and tax/trade (as indicated by referrals to Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Agriculture) would oversee or enforce the provisions and handle compliance issues.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral: The bill was introduced in the House and referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means and Agriculture, for consideration of provisions within their jurisdiction.
  • Status as of action date: The action history shows initial committee referrals dated May 29, 2026. No further amendments or floor actions are listed in the provided summary.
  • Potential next steps: If progressed, the bill would move through committee markup, potential amendments, and floor consideration in the House, and then proceed to the Senate (not detailed here). Timelines would depend on chamber priorities and open amendments.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Consumer clarity vs. compliance burden: The policy could improve transparency for consumers but may impose compliance costs on online sellers, especially smaller businesses.
  • International trade implications: Origin disclosures might influence perceptions of imported goods and could intersect with existing trade and labeling policies.
  • Implementation details: The effectiveness hinges on precise definitions of “origin,” “location,” “new products,” and the required disclosure format, as well as enforcement mechanisms and safe harbor provisions, if any.

Note: The exact language of the bill would specify thresholds, exceptions, penalties, and enforcement details not fully captured in the action-history summary. This overview reflects the stated purpose and general scope based on the available information.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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