# 119-s-5511: Honest Services Fraud Improvement Act

119-s-5511, Honest Services Fraud Improvement Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ); status introduced; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-09).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5511
- As of: 2026-10-09
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-5511
- Congress: 119
- Title: Honest Services Fraud Improvement Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-09-24
- Sponsor: Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ] (D-NJ)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
- Touches household money: yes
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-09

## Summary

**Creates a private civil right for constituents to sue government officials for corrupt schemes that violate the public's right to honest services.** It sets new rules for who may sue, who may be sued, how cases are filed, and what damages are available, including treble-style damages and penalties directed to the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund. - Residents and constituents gain a new private cause of action if they lived in the official's jurisdiction during the alleged scheme and are not candidates or funding a candidate committee. Plaintiffs cannot represent themselves and must file within one year of discovering the scheme. - A broad class of government actors can be defendants, including federal public officials as defined in 5 U.S.C. 201 and certain state, local, or Tribal agents under 31 U.S.C. 666(d). Successful plaintiffs may recover compensatory damages and bribery damages equal to three times the value of any bribe, plus attorney fees. - Filings start under seal with sworn certifications and the Government gets a 60-day window to seek criminal prosecution. If prosecutors proceed the civil case is dismissed, and if they decline plaintiffs must disclose material evidence before the case is unsealed.

## Cosponsors (1)

- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2026-09-24T00:00:00.000Z

## Provisions PRIA read

- Treble damages and fee awards: mixed, high. If enacted, a successful plaintiff could recover compensatory damages and "bribery damages" equal to three times the value of any bribe solicited or accepted. Courts would also award reasonable attorney's fees and litigation costs to plaintiffs. Punitive damages could be awarded but would be deposi…
- Private lawsuits by local constituents: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would create a private civil right for U.S. citizens to sue government officials for schemes that deny honest services. You would qualify only if you were a constituent or resident in the official's jurisdiction during the alleged scheme and you are not a candidate or using cam…
- Sealed filings and prosecution window: mixed, low. If enacted, complaints would be filed in camera and kept under seal for at least 60 days. You would have to give the Government a copy and disclose substantially all material evidence when you file, and you and your lawyer must certify key facts under penalty of perjury. The Government would get 60…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act
- 119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026
- 119-s-2823: FAMILY Act
- 119-s-2763: Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act

## Sources
- [119-s-5511 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5511)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5022)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [119-s-3990: PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-3990)
- [119-s-2823: FAMILY Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2823)
- [119-s-2763: Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2763)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5511 (as of 2026-10-09).