Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA)
Sunset Section 230 Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This legislation is known as the Sunset Section 230 Act. It was introduced in the House of Representatives by Mr. DeSaulnier and Mr. Patronis. The main purpose of the bill is to completely repeal section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934. Additionally, the bill makes various conforming amendments across multiple titles of the United States Code. These amendments update references to remove mentions of section 230 and replace definitions related to terms like interactive computer services and the Internet. Finally, the text states that these changes will take effect two years after the date of enactment.
Yes
- Scored +8
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?
Significantly increases the legal responsibility and regulation of interactive computer services.
- Scored +3
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
Removes immunity for platforms, potentially allowing users to sue for harms caused by third-party content.
- Scored +2
Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer?
Potential for better enforcement of trademark and copyright laws on platforms.
The opposite· 3 of 5
- Scored -6
Would business owners be better off under this?
Tech business owners face substantially higher legal risks and liability.
- Scored -5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Small platforms may face increased legal liability and costs without Section 230 protections.
- Scored -4
Would billionaires be better off under this?
Impacts the valuation and liability profiles of major tech company owners.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Section 2: The text does not explicitly identify or list specific positive outcomes or benefits for individuals or groups of people resulting from the repeal of section 230 or its conforming amendments.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 2: The text does not explicitly identify or list specific negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people resulting from the repeal of section 230 or its conforming amendments.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Tech business owners face substantially higher legal risks and liability. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Impacts the valuation and liability profiles of major tech company owners.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — Significantly increases the legal responsibility and regulation of interactive computer services. Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — Potential for better enforcement of trademark and copyright laws on platforms.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — Loss of liability protections may lead platforms to restrict speech to avoid lawsuits.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this protect what people are allowed to say in public life? — Repeal of Section 230 may lead to aggressive content moderation or censorship to avoid legal liability.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Removes immunity for platforms, potentially allowing users to sue for harms caused by third-party content. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Small platforms may face increased legal liability and costs without Section 230 protections.
- 9/10/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jimmy PatronisRepublican · Florida