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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Legislation advanced by the House Committee on Appropriations would temporarily restore passport services at nonprofit public libraries through fiscal year 2027, according to U.S. Rep. John Joyce.
The language was included in the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2027, which advanced out of committee last week.
Joyce said the measure would give lawmakers time to pursue a permanent solution while allowing nonprofit libraries, particularly in rural communities, to continue offering passport services and collecting related fees.
"This temporary fix will afford us time to pursue a permanent solution and allow our rural libraries access to an essential revenue stream so that they can continue to serve our communities," Joyce said in a statement.
According to Joyce's office, the issue arose after the U.S. Department of State determined existing federal law does not explicitly authorize nonprofit public libraries operating as 501(c)(3) organizations to collect and retain passport execution fees.
Joyce previously introduced bipartisan legislation, H.R. 6997, known as the Community Passport Services Access Act, which would permanently allow nonprofit public libraries to continue serving as passport acceptance facilities.
Supporters of the legislation said many rural libraries rely on passport processing fees as an important source of operating revenue while also providing local residents with convenient access to passport services.
Without local acceptance facilities, residents in some underserved communities could be forced to travel longer distances to process passport applications.
The appropriations legislation now moves to the full House for consideration.