What does Preamble of Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 do?

This bill establishes a United States Commission on Hate Crimes. The Commission will study and make recommendations on the prevention of hate crimes. The bill includes provisions for 'other purposes' beyond the study and recommendations.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 do?

This bill is formally titled the Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026.

What does FINDINGS. of Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 do?

This section outlines findings related to hate crimes in the United States. The FBI defines a hate crime as a criminal offense motivated by bias against characteristics like race, religion, sexual orientation, or disability. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia have statutes criminalizing bias-motivated violence or intimidation. Congress has enacted various statutes to address hate crimes since 1968, including the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in 2021. In 2024, the FBI reported 11,323 single-bias incidents involving 13,768 victims. Hate crimes are described as damaging not only to victims but also to entire communities and public confidence. Data from 2024 indicates that race, ethnicity, or ancestry bias was a factor in 53.2% of hate crime incidents, followed by religious bias (23.5%). The text cites several incidents of hate-motivated violence, including shootings in Oak Creek, Orlando, Pittsburgh, El Paso, Atlanta, Buffalo, and Colorado Springs. Reports indicate an increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Anti-Defamation League reported a 344% increase in anti-Semitic incidents over the previous five years. The FBI has acknowledged discrepancies in hate crime reporting due to the transition to the National Incident-Based Reporting System.

What does ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION. of Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the United States Commission on Hate Crimes (referred to as the “Commission” in this Act). The Commission will consist of 10 members. Members are appointed by the Senate Majority and Minority Leaders, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and the Attorney General. No more than 5 members can be from the law enforcement community, and no more than 5 can be from the civil rights community. Members of Congress or other elected government officials are prohibited from serving on the Commission. Members must be appointed within 60 days of the Act's enactment. The Commission must hold its first meeting within 90 days of all members being appointed and will develop a schedule for an investigation and report. Following the initial meeting, the Commission will meet bimonthly until it terminates.

What does DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION. of Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes the duties of the Commission. The Commission is tasked with investigating factors contributing to high rates of hate crimes, including social media and technology. The investigation includes examining policies law enforcement agencies can adopt to reduce hate crimes and the impact of underreporting. The Commission must identify barriers to hate crimes reporting and ways to improve participation in the National Incident-Based Reporting System. The Commission will also investigate successful bias prevention efforts and responses to hate crimes, including coordination with various organizations. A key area of investigation is the prevalence and rise of online hate crime incidents. The Commission is required to publish a report to Congress and the President within one year of all members being appointed, detailing the investigation's results and recommendations. Recommendations in the report should address actions Federal agencies can take to improve hate crimes reporting and bias prevention efforts.

What does SUNSET. of Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 do?

This section establishes a sunset provision for the Commission. The Commission will terminate 90 days after submitting a report under section 4(c).

What does GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE AUDIT. of Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026 do?

This section mandates an audit of hate crime data collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The audit, to be conducted by the Comptroller General, must assess the FBI's methodologies and procedures for data collection and verification. The Comptroller General will evaluate the accuracy of the data by comparing it with data from civil rights organizations and the Bureau of Justice Statistics. The Comptroller General must submit a report to Congress within 180 days of completing the audit. The report will include findings and recommendations to improve the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of hate crime data, potentially including automated anomaly detection. The report must also include the FBI’s response detailing actions taken or planned to improve data accuracy and oversight.

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Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2026

Last updated: 5/20/2026 · Introduced: 5/20/2026

Author: Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill establishes a United States Commission on Hate Crimes to investigate factors contributing to hate crimes, including the role of social media and technology.
The Commission will identify barriers to hate crime reporting and recommend improvements to data collection, aiming to enhance the accuracy and reliability of FBI hate crime data.
Within one year of appointment, the Commission will publish a report to Congress and the President detailing its findings and recommendations for federal agencies to improve hate crimes reporting and bias prevention.

119th Congressin committeeS. 4598(In Committee)Official page

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Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 5 more.

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