Bill · S. 5339· Senate(119-S-5339)
Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act
- Introduced
- 8/6/2026
- Last activity
- 8/6/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Sponsored by
- Angela Alsobrooks
- Cosponsors
- - 6 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act" aims to limit duties on school supplies and educational materials. It prohibits duties that exceed the rates in effect on January 19, 2025, for specific items. These items include those designated by the Secretary of Commerce and Education, as well as specific products like backpacks, notebooks, and pens. The Secretary of Commerce must report the exempt items to Congress every 180 days. Congress also retains the ability to pass joint resolutions of disapproval to remove specific items from the exemption.
Yes· 3 of 19
Would students be better off under this?+8
Directly lowers the cost of tools and materials required for their education.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+7
Significantly reduces the cost barrier for essential school materials for low-income families.
Would children be better off under this?+5
Ensures school supplies remain affordable for children's educational needs.
The opposite
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?-1
Reducing tariffs may slightly decrease customs revenue for the federal government.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Lower costs for educational materials: The bill states in Section 2 that "arbitrary and chaotic tariffs increase the cost of school supplies for students, families, teachers, schools, and local governments," implying that limiting these duties would lower those costs.
-
Exemption of common school items: Section 3(c)(2) lists specific items that would be subject to these duty limits, including backpacks, lunchboxes, notebooks, coloring books, keyboards, and writing utensils, which directly benefits those purchasing these materials.
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Flexible inclusion of classroom needs: Section 3(c)(1) allows the Secretary of Commerce, working with the Secretary of Education, to designate other items used in elementary or secondary school classrooms for duty limitations.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Limited scope of duty relief: Section 3(b) excludes certain duties from these limitations, specifically those imposed under title VII of the Tariff Act of 1930 or proclaimed under section 201 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Students+8Good For Low Income Households+7Good For Children+5Good For Middle Class Households+5Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Business Owners+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Middle Aged+3Good For Native Americans+3Good For White Americans+3Good For High Income Households+2Good For Young Adults+2
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+2Reduces Inflation+2Reduces National Debt-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Public School Funding+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+1
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Improves International Trade+1
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Christopher CoonsDemocrat · Delaware
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Jacky RosenDemocrat · Nevada
Chris Van HollenDemocrat · Maryland