# 119-hr-9799: Online Sellers’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026

119-hr-9799, Online Sellers’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9799
- As of: 2026-09-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-9799
- Congress: 119
- Title: Online Sellers’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-07-21
- Sponsor: Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large] (D-VT)
- Cosponsors: 9
- Policy area: Commerce
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-09-11

## Summary

**Would strengthen due process and transparency for third‑party sellers on dominant online marketplaces.** The bill would limit long holds on inventory and funds, require clear notices and appeal rights, and create an enforcement path through FTC rules and private suits. - Small and independent sellers would get faster notice and limits on holds. Platforms could not hold inventory or funds for more than 30 days, and must notify sellers in writing within 72 hours with reasons and appeal steps; sellers may be allowed to sell remaining inventory or have it returned unless there is direct evidence the goods are counterfeit or unlawful. - Platforms would have to give at least 30 days' advance written notice of material policy changes and, for investigations or suspensions, provide the specific policy, relevant facts, the proposed penalty, and an appeal timeline. - The Federal Trade Commission would get rulemaking authority with a 180 day deadline to issue rules. Violations would be treated as unfair methods of competition, states could sue on behalf of residents, and individuals could seek triple damages plus costs and attorney's fees.

## Cosponsors (9)

- Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7] (D-NY), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7] (D-IN), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4] (D-IL), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12] (D-PA), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4] (D-NC), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7] (D-WA), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4] (D-GA), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12] (D-CA), 2026-07-21T00:00:00.000Z
- Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13] (D-MI), 2026-09-08T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Limits on platform holds and freezes: benefit, high. If enacted, covered platforms could not hold your inventory or withhold your funds for more than 30 calendar days unless the platform proves the goods or funds are unlawful. Platforms would have to notify you in writing within 72 hours with the factual basis and appeal steps. If a product becomes n…
- 30-day notice for major changes: benefit, medium. If enacted, covered platforms would have to give sellers at least 30 calendar days' written notice before any material policy change. This applies to changes that affect product eligibility, category or listing limits, paperwork or compliance requirements, or commissions and fees.
- FTC rules and definitions for sellers: benefit, medium. If enacted, the Federal Trade Commission would issue rules within 180 days to promote fair terms between covered platforms and third-party sellers while considering public health and safety. The bill also defines key terms like "critical trading partner," "third-party seller," "gated product," and…
- New legal tools to enforce seller rights: benefit, medium. If enacted, anyone harmed by conduct the bill bans could sue in federal court and recover three times actual damages plus costs and reasonable attorney fees. The FTC could treat violations as unfair competition, and state attorneys general could sue on behalf of residents. The bill also preserves o…
- When the protections would start: mixed, low. If enacted, the Act would take effect 180 days after the date of enactment. That delay would give platforms and sellers time to prepare for new rules and any implementing FTC regulations.

## Related bills

- 119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-3971: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act
- 119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act
- 119-hres-1058: Recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implement a Transgender Bill of Rights to protect and codify the rights of transgender…

## Sources
- [119-hr-9799 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/9799)

## Related
- [119-hr-9877: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9877)
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-3971: Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3971)
- [119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3069)
- [119-hres-1058: Recognizing that it is the duty of the Federal Government to develop and implem…](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hres-1058)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9799 (as of 2026-09-11).