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H.R. 2990 109th Congress House

Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act of 2006

Official title: To improve ratings quality by fostering competition, transparency, and accountability in the credit rating agency industry.

Introduced: June 20, 2005 See on congress.gov
Finance and Financial Sector Administrative procedureAdministrative remediesBusiness recordsCommerce
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CompetitionConfidential communicationsConflict of interestsCongressCongressional investigationsCongressional reporting requirementsConsumer creditCorporate mergersCrime and Law EnforcementEx-offendersGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment paperworkIndependent regulatory commissionsInformation disclosure (Securities law)Information servicesInternetInvestment advisersInvestorsLawLicensesPerformance measurementRestrictive trade practicesScience, Technology, CommunicationsSecurities and Exchange CommissionSecurities fraudSecurities regulationState lawsStatistics
This bill died when the 109th Congress ended
It never became law before the 109th Congress (2005–2006) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 23 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 13, 2006
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Jul 12, 2006
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 12, 2006
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 255 - 166 (Roll no. 368).
Jul 12, 2006
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Jul 12, 2006
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5094)
Jul 12, 2006
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2990.
Jul 12, 2006
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 906, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Kanjorski amendment.
Jul 12, 2006
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 906, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Oxley amendment.
Jul 12, 2006
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2990.
Jul 12, 2006
The Speaker designated the Honorable John Boozman to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Jul 12, 2006
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 906 and Rule XVIII.
Jul 12, 2006
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2990 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jul 12, 2006
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 906. (consideration: CR H5080-5094; text of measure as reported in House: CR H5087-5089)
Jul 12, 2006
Rule H. Res. 906 passed House.
Jul 10, 2006
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 906 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2990 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jul 7, 2006
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 306.
Jul 7, 2006
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 109-546.
Jun 29, 2006
Mr. Price (GA) asked unanimous consent that the Committee on Financial Services have until 12:00 p.m. on July 7 to file a report on H.R. 2990. Agreed to without objection.
Jun 14, 2006
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Jun 14, 2006
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Jun 28, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H5255)
Jun 20, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jun 20, 2005
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 12, 2006 House · vote #368 On Passage Passed 255–166 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 2

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

1 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 1,181 – An amendment in the nature of a substitute numbered 2 printed in House Report 109-550 to establish a globally… Failed Jul 12, 2006
HAMDT 1,180 – An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 109-550 to clarify that there is no private right of action f… Agreed to Jul 12, 2006
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 Latest action July 13, 2006

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act of 2006 - (Sec. 4) Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to define a credit rating agency as any person: (1) engaged in the business of issuing credit ratings on the Internet or through another readily accessible means, for free or for a reasonable fee; (2) employing either a quantitative or qualitative model, or both, to determine credit ratings; and (3) receiving fees from either issuers, investors, or other market participants, or a combination of them.

Defines a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) as a credit rating agency that has been in business for at least three consecutive years and is registered under this Act.

Prescribes procedural requirements for mandatory NRSRO registration and certification.

Authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) take action against any NRSRO that issues credit ratings in contravention of the procedures, criteria, and methodologies it includes in its registration application or makes and disseminates in required reports; and (2) censure, place limitations on the activities, functions, or operations of, suspend for a period not exceeding 12 months, or revoke the registration of any NRSRO for violations of this Act.

Declares it is unlawful for an NRSRO to represent or imply that it has been sponsored, recommended, or approved, or that its abilities or qualifications have in any respect been passed upon, by any federal agency or officer. Makes it unlawful for an unregistered credit rating agency to state that it is an NRSRO.

Requires an NRSRO to establish and enforce written policies and procedures to: (1) prevent the misuse in violation of this Act of material, nonpublic information by the NRSRO or any associated person; and (2) address and manage potential conflicts of interest.

Grants the SEC discretion to adopt rules or regulations to prohibit, or require the management or disclosure of, any conflicts of interest relating to the issuance of credit ratings by an NRSRO.

Authorizes the SEC to adopt rules that prohibit unfair, coercive, or abusive practices relating to the issuance of credit ratings by an NRSRO.

Requires an NRSRO to: (1) designate a compliance officer for ensuring compliance with securities laws and regulations; and (2) file with the SEC certified statements of financial condition.

Requires the SEC, within 30 days of enactment of this Act, to cease designation of persons and companies as NRSROs, as the term is used under current regulations.

Declares void and of no force or effect the no-action relief that the SEC has granted with respect to the designation of certain NRSROs.

(Sec. 5) Includes an NRSRO among the financial entities required to maintain SEC-prescribed records and reports.

(Sec. 6) Instructs the Comptroller General to study and report to certain congressional committees on: (1) factors that have led to the consolidation of credit rating agencies; (2) the resulting impact upon securities markets; (3) the problems, if any, faced by business organizations resulting from limited competition among credit rating agencies; and (4) whether and to what extent federal or state regulations impede such competition.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2990: Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act of 2006. 109th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-2990/
MLA
"H.R. 2990: Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act of 2006." 109th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-2990/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2990, 109th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-2990/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2990: Credit Rating Agency Duopoly Relief Act of 2006](https://openamerica.io/bill/109-HR-2990/)
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