Tracking Plastic Act of 2026
Latest action (30 Jul 2026): Introduced
What this bill does
S. 5182, the Tracking Plastic Act of 2026, would create a federal working group tasked with improving how recycled plastic content is measured, tracked, and reported. The group would include representatives from agencies such as the EPA, FTC, USDA, NOAA, the State Department, and NIST, along with representatives from academic institutions and the National Academy of Sciences. NIST would lead efforts on traceability recommendations, while the EPA and Department of Commerce would jointly lead other tasks. The working group would develop standardized data measurements, consider a federal tracking system to help harmonize state recycling requirements, examine trade data related to recycled content, and look at ways to improve tracking of plastic marine debris.
The bill primarily affects federal agencies, which would gain new coordination responsibilities, as well as stakeholders in plastics recycling and manufacturing—including material recovery facilities, plastic reclaimers, and sectors such as packaging, construction, infrastructure, and automotives—who could be affected by future traceability standards. States, local governments, tribes, and nonprofit organizations would be consulted as part of the group's work. The working group would issue annual public reports to Congress summarizing its recommendations and would terminate once its duties are fulfilled, or after ten years at the latest.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 30, 2026, by Senator Adam Schiff along with several cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As an introduced bill, it would need to be considered and approved by that committee, then pass the full Senate and House, before it could become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
This bill is in the first stage of the legislative process. It was introduced into Congress on July 30, 2026. It will typically be considered by committee next before it is possibly sent on to the House or Senate as a whole.
Common questions
- What does S. 5182 do?
- S. 5182, the Tracking Plastic Act of 2026, would create a federal working group tasked with improving how recycled plastic content is measured, tracked, and reported. The group would include representatives from agencies such as the EPA, FTC, USDA, NOAA, the State Department, and NIST, along with representatives from academic institutions and the National Academy of Sciences. NIST would lead efforts on traceability recommendations, while the EPA and Department of Commerce would jointly lead other tasks. The working group would develop standardized data measurements, consider a federal tracking system to help harmonize state recycling requirements, examine trade data related to recycled content, and look at ways to improve tracking of plastic marine debris. The bill primarily affects federal agencies, which would gain new coordination responsibilities, as well as stakeholders in plastics recycling and manufacturing—including material recovery facilities, plastic reclaimers, and sectors such as packaging, construction, infrastructure, and automotives—who could be affected by future traceability standards. States, local governments, tribes, and nonprofit organizations would be consulted as part of the group's work. The working group would issue annual public reports to Congress summarizing its recommendations and would terminate once its duties are fulfilled, or after ten years at the latest. The bill was introduced in the Senate on July 30, 2026, by Senator Adam Schiff along with several cosponsors, and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. As an introduced bill, it would need to be considered and approved by that committee, then pass the full Senate and House, before it could become law.
- Has S. 5182 become law?
- Not yet. As of 30 Jul 2026, S. 5182 is introduced.
- Who sponsored S. 5182?
- S. 5182 was sponsored by Sen. Adam Schiff [D-CA] (Democrat-CA), with 3 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on S. 5182?
- Introduced (30 Jul 2026).
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