Bill · H.R. 1387· House(119-HR-1387)
COST Act
- Introduced
- 2/14/2025
- Last activity
- 2/14/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Sponsored by
- Ralph Norman
- Cosponsors
- - 3 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Cost Openness and Spending Transparency Act of 2025, or the "COST Act," seeks to increase transparency regarding how Federal funds are used. It requires agencies and entities receiving Federal funds to disclose specific cost information in various public documents. These disclosures must include the percentage of costs covered by Federal funds, the specific dollar amount of Federal funds, and the percentage and dollar amount of costs covered by nongovernmental sources. Entities must also certify their compliance during performance progress reporting. Additionally, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget will conduct annual compliance reviews and make findings public. Finally, a mechanism will be created for the public to anonymously report noncompliant communications.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+9
The act enhances transparency by requiring public disclosure of federal vs. non-governmental cost proportions and creating a public reporting mechanism for non-compliance.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+3
Increased transparency of how federal money is spent can help the public track the allocation of resources intended for public goods.
Does this protect people from being watched or searched?+1
The bill provides a mechanism for the public to anonymously report non-compliant communications.
The opposite
Does this put more money into scientific research?-2
Recipients of federal research grants face new administrative burdens regarding cost disclosure and certification requirements.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Transparency of Spending: Agencies and entities carrying out programs with Federal funds must clearly state the percentage of costs financed by Federal funds and the specific dollar amounts involved in documents like press releases or bid solicitations (Section 2(b)).
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Accountability for Fund Usage: Entities are required to include a certification in their performance progress reporting indicating whether they have complied with the new disclosure requirements (Section 2(c)).
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Public Oversight through Audits: The Director of the Office of Management and Budget will perform annual reviews of a random sampling of public communications to ensure they meet disclosure requirements and will make those findings available to the public (Section 2(d)).
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Public Reporting Mechanism: The bill establishes a way for the public to anonymously report communications that fail to follow the disclosure rules, provided the report includes the noncompliant communication or its location and identifying information about the program (Section 2(e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Reporting Requirements for Entities: Individuals or entities, including State or local governments and recipients of Federal research grants, must include specific financial percentages and dollar amounts in any statement, press release, request for proposals, or bid solicitation that is not a communication of 280 characters or less (Section 2(b)).
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Additional Certification Burdens: Entities carrying out these programs must include a specific certification regarding their compliance with disclosure requirements as part of their performance progress reporting (Section 2(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+9Improves Privacy Rights+1
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+3Good For Urban Residents+1
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding-2
- 2/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/14/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Chuck EdwardsRepublican · North Carolina
Keith SelfRepublican · Texas
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas