Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
Introduced
Summary
Creates stronger transparency around presidential clemency. The bill makes pardons, commutations, reprieves, and fine remissions public with written reasons and new reporting so victims, lawmakers, and the public see why clemency is granted and who influenced it.
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- Victims: The Pardon Attorney must try to notify victims, include any written victim statements, and record victims’ views about potential clemency for inclusion in a Justice Impact Statement.
- Pardon Attorney and Justice Department staff: The Pardon Attorney must prepare a Justice Impact Statement when aware of potential clemency, complete it no later than 30 days after awareness, collect law enforcement opinions, and receive immediate notice from any DOJ or White House employee who learns clemency is being considered.
- Lobbyists and advocates: Contacts to seek clemency are treated as lobbying. Lobbyists or their organizations must register within 2 days of first contact and file a report within 2 days after a clemency-related contact, and one contact counts for reporting rules.
The bill also requires the Pardon Attorney to do compliance studies starting 180 days after enactment and to send annual findings and recommendations to Congress.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New fast rules for clemency lobbying
If enacted, this would make asking for or influencing a pardon, commutation, reprieve, or remission of a fine count as lobbying. If enacted, any person paid or retained to contact officials about clemency would need to register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House within 2 days after the first clemency contact or retention. If enacted, registered lobbyists would also have to file a report within 2 days after each clemency lobbying contact with details of the contact. These rules apply even if the lobbyist earns little or has low expenses, and even if only one contact is made.
More clemency transparency and oversight
If enacted, the Pardon Attorney would have to prepare a Justice Impact Statement within 30 days after learning a clemency grant is being considered. If enacted, that statement must describe victim outreach efforts, include any written victim statements, and record victims' and law enforcement views about impacts on investigations or prosecutions. If enacted, Justice Department and White House staff who learn the President is considering clemency would have to immediately tell the Pardon Attorney. If enacted, the President would have to publish a written explanation on the day clemency is granted in the Federal Register and on the President’s website. If enacted, the Pardon Attorney would also start compliance studies 180 days after enactment and then every two years, and must send Congress a report with findings and recommendations by April 1 after each study.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Min, Dave [D-CA-47]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
VA • D
Sponsored 7/22/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov