H.R. 5169Heading to a voteJobs & the economy
Bill would anchor ESOP appraisal standard in federal retirement law
Data as of July 11, 2026
HR 5169 writes an IRS appraisal standard into federal law to clarify what counts as a fair stock price for employee ownership plans.50-second read · 4 questions answered below
Decoded
What does this do?
HR 5169 addresses how privately held companies must value their stock when selling shares to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The bill formally incorporates a long-standing IRS standard, Revenue Ruling 59-60, into federal retirement law. This removes existing legal uncertainty about whether following that standard satisfies the requirement to pay a fair price for shares.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects employees at privately held companies with ESOPs, business owners seeking to sell their companies to those plans, and professional appraisers who determine stock value. ESOP fiduciaries, the managers who oversee these plans, are also directly affected.
Why does it matter?
Codifying the IRS standard could make it easier to establish ESOPs by reducing legal risk for fiduciaries who hire independent appraisers following Revenue Ruling 59-60. At the same time, the change could make it more difficult for employees to challenge an appraisal, even in cases where they may have overpaid for company stock.
Where does it stand?
- Introduced
- House committee
- House vote — You are here
- Senate
- President's desk
Right now: it's headed for a House floor vote. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
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Official title
Retire through Ownership Act
- Introduced:
- September 8, 2025
- Latest action:
- January 14, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 383.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
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