A bill to amend the Passport Act of June 4, 1920, to authorize certain public libraries to collect and retain a fee for the execution of a passport application.

Public libraries could take passport applications

This bill would let some public libraries serve as passport acceptance facilities. A library could do this only if it is organized as a nongovernmental organization, a nonprofit, a charitable organization, or a trust and follows rules the Secretary of State sets. Such libraries would be able to collect and keep the passport execution fee for passports they accept. The bill would add eligible libraries to the list of entities that can operate acceptance facilities. If a library already served as an acceptance facility and followed the Secretary’s rules before enactment, the Secretary would have 30 days after enactment to authorize it to continue or begin serving and to collect the fee. The Secretary would also have to send Congress a report within 30 days saying whether the Secretary complied or explaining any noncompliance.