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H.R. 5796: Patents for Humanity Act of 2022

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H.R. 5796: Patents for Humanity Act of 2022

117th Congress · introduced 2021-11-01 · Commerce · Latest: Became Public Law No: 117-245.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-11-01 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: 1 recorded vote in our records. Latest: House roll call 511 (2022): On the Motion to Suspend the Rules and Concur in the Senate Amendment, HR5796 (2022-12-06), Passed. See all
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 117-245. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Patents for Humanity Act of 2022

Plain summary

Patents for Humanity Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for a program to award certificates that may be used to accelerate certain proceedings and applications at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO). The program established under this bill shall be treated as the successor to the existing Patents for Humanity program. Under this bill, the PTO must hold a competition at least once every two years to award certificates to eligible entities that submit a patent application that addresses a humanitarian issue.

Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Patents for Humanity Act of 2022

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Public Law)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] · 1 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 5796, Patents for Humanity Act of 2021 (2022-04-27)

Cosponsors on this site

Victoria Spartz (R-IN)

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8] reported raising $17.9 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

Recorded votes

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Statute
A written law passed by a legislature. A statute can be changed by a later law; changing a constitution needs an amendment.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr5796 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117