Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA)
To make improvements in the enactment of title 41, United States Code, into a positive law title and to improve the Code.
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- In Senate committee
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This Act serves to improve the enactment of title 41 of the United States Code into a positive law title. It accomplishes this by making various technical amendments across several existing titles of the United States Code, primarily updating cross-references to reflect new organization. The legislation replaces obsolete references to the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act with updated citations. Additionally, it establishes a new chapter in title 41 regarding the finality of administrative decisions in certain contract disputes. The bill also updates specific definitions and "Buy American Act" references to chapter 83 of title 41.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Protects against arbitrary administrative decisions in contract disputes by ensuring they are not final if capricious or fraudulent.
- Scored +3
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
Ensures the legal framework for the Committee on Purchases of Blind-made Products is correctly cited.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
Requires the Administrator of General Services to post database information on a publicly available website.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Improved Legal Clarity through Updated Code References: By amending various sections across multiple titles, such as Title 2, Title 5, and Title 10, the bill ensures that the United States Code remains accurate and organized, which helps people navigate the law more effectively. (Found throughout Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25).
-
Updated Procurement Law References: The bill updates various references to procurement and administrative services across multiple government-related acts to keep legal documentation consistent with the reorganized Title 41. (Found in Section 4, Section 5, and Section 15).
-
Increased Certainty in Contract Disputes: The creation of Chapter 73 in title 41 establishes that a decision by a decisionmaker is final and conclusive unless it is fraudulent, capricious, arbitrary, or lacks substantial evidence. (Section 30, Section 7302).
-
Transparency in Government Databases: The bill requires the Administrator of General Services to post certain information in a database on a publicly available website. (Section 30, Section 2313(b)(2)(B)).
-
Protection Against Unfair Contract Provisions: The bill prevents contracts from containing provisions that attempt to limit judicial review solely to cases involving fraud. (Section 30, Section 7303).
-
Clarity for Service Employees: The text updates language regarding service employees to ensure that wages and benefits are tied to collective-bargaining agreements. (Section 30, Section 6707(c)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Judicial Review: Under the new rules for covered contracts, administrative decisions are considered final and conclusive unless they meet a high threshold of being fraudulent or arbitrary. (Section 30, Section 7302).
-
Limitations on Legal Challenges: The bill explicitly prohibits the use of contract provisions to limit judicial review of a decisionmaker's actions to only those cases where fraud is alleged. (Section 30, Section 7303).
-
Limits on Question of Law Challenges: A covered contract is prohibited from containing any provision that makes a decisionmaker's decision final regarding questions of law. (Section 30, Section 7304).
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 people with disabilities be better off under this? — Ensures the legal framework for the Committee on Purchases of Blind-made Products is correctly cited. Would business owners be better off under this? — Improves legal clarity and modernization of references for small business regulations and government contractors. Would children be better off under this? — Imposes liquidated damages for the knowing employment of individuals under 16 in government contracts. Would union members be better off under this? — Strengthens the application of collective-bargaining agreements for service employees on government contracts.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Protects against arbitrary administrative decisions in contract disputes by ensuring they are not final if capricious or fraudulent. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires the Administrator of General Services to post database information on a publicly available website.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Updates citations to ensure small business regulations are consistent, easier to navigate, and correctly referenced. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — Clarifies and updates language regarding collective-bargaining agreements for service employee wages and fringe benefits. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Codification and technical cleanup of procurement laws generally lead to more efficient government operations.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Corrects citations for the Committee on Purchases of Blind-made Products, supporting disability employment.
- 9/14/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 8/31/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5304-5319)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5185.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5304-5319)
- Mr. Schmidt moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 9/10/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
- 9/8/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Introduced in House