Bill 118 HRES 32, also known as the Supporting the Current Definition of Materiality in the Securities Laws and Opposing New Disclosure Requirements Outside the Core Mission of the Securities and Exchange Commission, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress.
The main purpose of this bill is to support the current definition of materiality in the securities laws and oppose any new disclosure requirements that are deemed to be outside the core mission of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Materiality in securities laws refers to information that is considered important enough to influence an investor's decision to buy or sell a security.
The bill argues that the current definition of materiality is sufficient and that any new disclosure requirements should be directly related to the SEC's mission of protecting investors, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets, and facilitating capital formation. It aims to prevent unnecessary burdens on companies and ensure that the SEC focuses on its primary objectives.
Supporters of the bill believe that maintaining the current definition of materiality will help to streamline the regulatory process and prevent overregulation in the securities industry. They argue that additional disclosure requirements could hinder companies' ability to raise capital and ultimately harm investors.
Opponents of the bill, however, argue that the current definition of materiality may not be sufficient to protect investors and that additional disclosure requirements are necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the securities markets. They believe that the SEC should have the authority to impose new disclosure requirements as needed to protect investors and maintain market integrity.
Overall, Bill 118 HRES 32 is a contentious piece of legislation that highlights the ongoing debate over the balance between regulatory oversight and market efficiency in the securities industry. It remains to be seen how this bill will progress through Congress and what impact it may have on the securities laws and regulations in the future.