American Hiring Transparency Act
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (28 Jul 2026): Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
What this bill does
S. 5155, the American Hiring Transparency Act, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a new fee that employers must pay when filing an Application for Permanent Employment Certification (Form ETA 9089), the step used to show that no available U.S. worker can fill a position before an employer sponsors a foreign worker for a permanent (immigrant) work visa. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the fee would be at least $10,000, or a higher amount the Secretary of Labor could set by rule, and would rise each year after based on inflation. The fee could not be waived or reduced. Half of the money collected would go into a new "PERM Fee Account," split evenly between the Department of Labor and the Office of Personnel Management, which would use its share to upgrade the USAJOBS website for job postings and labor market testing; the other half would go to the Treasury's general fund.
The bill primarily affects employers seeking to hire foreign workers on a permanent basis through the labor certification process, who would face a substantial new, non-waivable filing fee. It could also indirectly affect foreign workers awaiting sponsorship, since employer costs for pursuing such hires would increase, and it affects federal agencies (Labor and OPM) that would receive dedicated funding streams.
The bill was introduced by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) on July 28, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It has not yet been voted on; committee review, potential amendment, and further votes in the Senate and House would be required before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Timeline
28 Jul 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Common questions
- What does S. 5155 do?
- S. 5155, the American Hiring Transparency Act, would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to create a new fee that employers must pay when filing an Application for Permanent Employment Certification (Form ETA 9089), the step used to show that no available U.S. worker can fill a position before an employer sponsors a foreign worker for a permanent (immigrant) work visa. Starting in fiscal year 2027, the fee would be at least $10,000, or a higher amount the Secretary of Labor could set by rule, and would rise each year after based on inflation. The fee could not be waived or reduced. Half of the money collected would go into a new "PERM Fee Account," split evenly between the Department of Labor and the Office of Personnel Management, which would use its share to upgrade the USAJOBS website for job postings and labor market testing; the other half would go to the Treasury's general fund. The bill primarily affects employers seeking to hire foreign workers on a permanent basis through the labor certification process, who would face a substantial new, non-waivable filing fee. It could also indirectly affect foreign workers awaiting sponsorship, since employer costs for pursuing such hires would increase, and it affects federal agencies (Labor and OPM) that would receive dedicated funding streams. The bill was introduced by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) on July 28, 2026, and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. It has not yet been voted on; committee review, potential amendment, and further votes in the Senate and House would be required before it could become law.
- Has S. 5155 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for S. 5155. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored S. 5155?
- S. 5155 was sponsored by Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL] (R-FL), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5155?
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (28 Jul 2026).
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