Royalty Transparency Act

This bill aims to make government more transparent about royalty payments. It requires many executive branch employees—and members of key science and health advisory committees—to report any royalties they or their families receive from inventions tied to their government work. Agencies must post, each year, the names of covered employees and the source and amount of these royalties on their websites. It also directs the Government Accountability Office to list public‑health advisory committees whose advice has been used, and it tightens conflict‑of‑interest reviews for federal contracts and grants by checking royalty payments to prospective contractors. These changes sunset after five years.

Key points

• Who is affected: Executive branch employees who file financial disclosures, including special government employees, and members of certain science and health advisory committees; agencies and prospective federal contractors/grantees.
• What changes: Agencies must publicly list covered employees who receive royalties, including the source and amount; GAO annually identifies relevant advisory committees; conflict‑of‑interest checks for contracts/grants must include royalty reviews; agencies must provide unredacted copies of reports to Members of Congress upon request, with limited personal info removed; waivers and exemptions must be reported to Congress.
• When: Agency reporting starts within 60 days of enactment; public posting and GAO committee list start within 180 days and recur annually; annual contractor conflict‑of‑interest reporting begins within one year; the law expires after five years.

Overall, this bill is about letting the public see when government experts and employees are paid royalties, and making sure those payments don’t create hidden conflicts in policy or purchasing decisions.