Tim Scott (R-SC)
Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 4 Republican cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
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
The Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2025 seeks to amend the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It clarifies federal law regarding the reporting of positive consumer credit information to consumer reporting agencies. Specifically, it allows for the reporting of payment performance related to lease agreements, including those with HUD subsidies. It also permits reporting related to utility or telecommunications service contracts. Additionally, it establishes rules for how energy utility firms report outstanding balances when a consumer is on a payment plan. Finally, the bill requires a GAO report on the impact of these changes.
Yes· 3 of 15
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
It helps build credit through non-traditional sources and protects those on payment plans.
- Scored +5
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill enhances consumer protection by preventing negative reporting for those on utility payment plans.
- Scored +4
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Easier credit building through lease and utility reporting benefits young adults building history.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Reporting of Lease Payments: A person or the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may furnish information regarding the performance of payments under a lease agreement, including those where HUD provides subsidized payments, to a consumer reporting agency (Section 2(a)(2)(A)). This could allow individuals to include their rental payment history in their credit records.
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Reporting of Utility and Telecommunications Payments: Information regarding payments made under contracts for utility or telecommunications services can be furnished to a consumer reporting agency (Section 2(a)(2)(B)). This allows consumers to use these service payments to build credit history.
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Protection During Payment Plans: An energy utility firm cannot report an outstanding balance as late if the consumer has entered into a payment plan, such as a debt forgiveness or arrearage management program, and is meeting those obligations (Section 2(a)(4)). This provides a safeguard for consumers who are actively working to pay off their utility debts.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Information Limitations on Utility Usage: Information about utility usage can only be reported to the extent that it relates to the payment of the service or specific terms like deposits, discounts, or conditions for termination (Section 2(a)(3)). This limits the scope of what can be shared regarding the service itself.
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Liability Adjustments: The bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to include subsection (f) within the existing limitation of liability provisions (Section 2(b)).
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — It helps build credit through non-traditional sources and protects those on payment plans. Would students be better off under this? — Helps students build credit through residential leases and service contracts. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Easier credit building through lease and utility reporting benefits young adults building history. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Ability to report lease/utility history can assist those establishing a financial footprint in the US. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — The bill provides stability for households managing utility payment plans. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — It offers more comprehensive credit profiles for regular consumers. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill helps seniors manage credit while on utility payment plans. Would retired people be better off under this? — Provides slight credit reporting protections for seniors on payment plans.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — By allowing lease payment history to be reported, it helps consumers build credit for housing purposes. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill helps those managing debt via payment plans to maintain better credit standing.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Mandating a GAO study increases transparency regarding the impact of these credit reporting changes. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill limits utility information to specific types of data to prevent over-reporting of usage habits. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the scope of information that can be furnished to consumer reporting agencies under federal law.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill enhances consumer protection by preventing negative reporting for those on utility payment plans.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill places specific limitations on what utility usage data can be reported to protect privacy.
- 4/10/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 4 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.
Katie BrittRepublican · Alabama
Kevin CramerRepublican · North Dakota
Bernie MorenoRepublican · Ohio
Mike RoundsRepublican · South Dakota