Sponsor
Joseph Neguse
Representative · D-CO
Representative · D-CO
The bill strengthens in‑person constituent access and accessibility by requiring frequent, ADA‑compliant, free town halls, but does so at the cost of greater taxpayer and staff resources, potential scheduling strain on Members, and risks reduced virtual access and short‑notice transparency.
Constituents (taxpayers in urban and rural communities) gain more direct, regular access to their Members because each Member must hold at least 12 public, in‑person town halls per year.
People with disabilities benefit because required town halls must meet ADA accessibility standards, improving physical and programmatic access to public meetings.
Residents receive clearer advance notice of public meetings because Members must publish date, time, and city at least four days beforehand and use common communication channels.
Rural residents and people who depend on remote access risk reduced ability to participate if Members favor strictly in‑person town halls and hold fewer hybrid/virtual options.
Taxpayers and local governments may face higher costs because holding multiple ADA‑compliant, in‑person town halls (staff, travel, venues) increases expenses for Members' offices.
Members of Congress and their staff face added time and scheduling burdens to attend a minimum of 12 in‑person events annually, which could divert time from other legislative or constituency work.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Mandates each Member of Congress to hold and attend at least 12 free, in-person, ADA-accessible town halls per year with 4-day public notice.
Official title: To require Members of Congress to convene and attend town halls in their respective congressional districts, and for other purposes.
Introduced September 8, 2026 by Joseph Neguse · Last progress September 8, 2026
Requires every Member of Congress (Senators, Representatives, Delegates, and Resident Commissioners) to hold and attend at least 12 in-person, publicly open town halls each calendar year in their district (or State for Senators). Town halls must be free to attend, publicly noticed at least four days in advance, ADA-accessible, and run at least one hour unless shortened for exigent circumstances. The law takes effect at the start of the next Congress following enactment.