H.R. 4324 – 21st Century FTC Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 9:29 AM UTC

The 21st Century FTC Act would change the Federal Trade Commission Act to let the FTC create rules about unfair or deceptive acts and practices using the standard notice‑and‑comment process. It also adds civil penalties for anyone who violates those rules. The changes affect businesses that engage in consumer‑facing activities and the consumers they serve.

Key Provisions

Allows the FTC to issue rules on unfair or deceptive acts or practices through notice‑and‑comment rulemaking.
Updates language and procedures in sections 18 and 22 of the FTC Act to support the new rulemaking authority.
Adds civil penalties for violations of the FTC Act related to unfair or deceptive acts or practices by amending Section 5(m)(1)(A).

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.

Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee

June 29, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 23, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

June 23, 2023

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce.

Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee

June 29, 2023

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 23, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4324

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 23, 2023

Ms. Castor of Florida introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To amend the Federal Trade Commission Act to provide the Commission with notice and comment rulemaking authority respecting unfair or deceptive acts or practices and to provide for civil penalties for violations of such Act respecting unfair or deceptive acts or practices, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the 21st Century FTC Act.

2.

Rulemaking respecting unfair or deceptive acts or practices

The Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) is amended—

(1)

in section 18—

(A)

in subsection (b)—

(i)

by striking paragraphs (2) and (3);

(ii)

in paragraph (1), by striking , and shall also and all that follows and inserting a period; and

(iii)

by striking (1) When prescribing and inserting When prescribing;

(B)

by striking subsection (c);

(C)

in subsection (d)—

(i)

in paragraph (1)—

(I)

by striking (A) a statement and all that follows through (B) a statement and inserting a statement; and

(II)

by striking ; and (C) a statement and all that follows and inserting a period; and

(ii)

in paragraph (2)(A), by striking subsections (b) and (c) and inserting subsection (b); and

(D)

in subsection (e)—

(i)

in paragraph (1)(B), by striking the transcript required by subsection (c)(5),;

(ii)

in paragraph (3), by striking , or if and all that follows and inserting the following: , or if the court finds that the Commission’s action is not supported by substantial evidence in the rulemaking record (as defined in paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection) taken as a whole. The term evidence, as used in this paragraph, means any matter in the rulemaking record.;

(iii)

in paragraph (5)(C), by striking the first and third sentences;

(iv)

by striking paragraph (2); and

(v)

by redesignating paragraphs (3) through (5) as paragraphs (2) through (4), respectively; and

(2)

in section 22—

(A)

in subsection (a)(1), by striking or section 18; and

(B)

in subsection (c)—

(i)

in paragraph (1), by striking , except and all that follows and inserting a period; and

(ii)

in paragraph (2), by striking Except as specified in paragraph (1), no and inserting No.

3.

Civil penalties for violations of Federal Trade Commission Act respecting unfair or deceptive acts or practices

Section 5(m)(1)(A) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(m)(1)(A)) is amended—

(1)

by inserting this Act or after violates; and

(2)

by inserting a violation of this Act or is before prohibited.