# 119-s-497: FENCE Act

119-s-497, FENCE Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN] (R-TN); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-497
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-497
- Congress: 119
- Title: FENCE Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-02-10
- Sponsor: Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN] (R-TN)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Taxation
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-06-11

## Summary

**Would narrow who qualifies for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by barring charities that repeatedly provide material support to people unlawfully present in the United States.** The bill reorganizes section 501(c)(3) and inserts a new subparagraph (D) that would disqualify organizations that, knowing or reasonably should know, engage in a pattern or practice of giving financial assistance, benefits, services, or other material support to such individuals. - Nonprofit organizations: Groups that routinely help individuals unlawfully present could lose or be denied 501(c)(3) status if the activity meets the bill's "pattern or practice" standard. This changes one of the eligibility tests used by the IRS. - Religious organizations: The text says it would not require proof of citizenship or immigration status and would not force a religious organization to act against its beliefs. - Individuals unlawfully present: Charities may reduce or alter assistance to avoid risking tax-exempt status, which could affect access to services. - Timing: The change would take effect on the date of enactment.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Limits on charities' tax-exempt status: cost, medium. If enacted, this bill would make more charities ineligible for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. It would bar organizations that engage in a pattern or practice of giving money, benefits, services, or other material support to people the organization knows or reasonably should know are unlawfully presen…

## Related bills

- 119-s-3290: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-s-4952: Protecting American Taxpayers Act
- 119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act
- 119-s-5252: BLADE Act
- 119-s-292: Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025
- 119-s-394: GENIUS Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-s-497 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/497)

## Related
- [119-s-3290: Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3290)
- [119-s-4952: Protecting American Taxpayers Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-4952)
- [119-s-1748: Kids Online Safety Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1748)
- [119-s-5252: BLADE Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5252)
- [119-s-292: Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-292)
- [119-s-394: GENIUS Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-394)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-497 (as of 2026-06-11).