America’s Olympic and Paralympic Games Commemorative Coins Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Sherman, Brad [D-CA-32]
- Committees
- Financial Services Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 14, 2025
Bottom line
This bill establishes two commemorative coin programs to privately fund the 2028 and 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Games in the United States, ensuring no net cost to the federal government.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, California, and the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. The coins, which include gold, silver, and clad half-dollar denominations, will be sold with surcharges that are distributed to the respective Olympic and Paralympic organizing committees after all production costs are recovered by the U.S. Treasury.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this legislation provides a unique and fiscally responsible mechanism to celebrate and financially support the return of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the United States. They contend that the commemorative coins will raise public awareness, promote inclusivity for people with disabilities, and generate crucial private funding for the Games and their associated legacy programs, such as youth sports, without burdening taxpayers.
Opponents contend
No specific organized opposition is typically raised against commemorative coin programs that are structured to be revenue-neutral to the government and support national events. Potential criticisms, if any, might focus on the specific design choices, the potential impact on the numismatic market, or the transparency of how the surcharges are ultimately utilized by the private organizing committees, though the bill includes audit requirements.
The bill is concise and clearly structured, allowing an informed reader to quickly grasp its provisions and implications.
Section 4
Establishment of 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Coin Program
This section requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a series of commemorative coins for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. The program includes $5 gold coins (up to 100,000), $1 silver coins (up to 500,000), half-dollar clad coins (up to 300,000), and 5-ounce proof silver $1 coins (up to 100,000). These coins will be legal tender and their designs will be emblematic of U.S. athlete participation in the LA28 Games. The Secretary has the authority to increase mintage limits if market research indicates higher public demand.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this program provides a unique way for the public to commemorate the LA28 Games and contribute to their funding and legacy without direct taxpayer cost, aligning with the private funding model of the U.S. Olympic Games.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as it is a standard mechanism for fundraising for national events that are designed to be fiscally neutral to the government.
Tradeoffs
The provision balances the public's desire for commemorative items with the need to ensure the program is self-sustaining and generates revenue for the Games, while also allowing flexibility for market demand.
Section 5
Establishment of 2034 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Coin Program
This section mirrors the 2028 program by requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue commemorative coins for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City, Utah. It authorizes the same denominations and mintage limits: $5 gold coins (up to 100,000), $1 silver coins (up to 500,000), half-dollar clad coins (up to 300,000), and 5-ounce proof silver $1 coins (up to 100,000). These coins will also be legal tender, with designs emblematic of the 2034 Games, and the Secretary can adjust mintage limits based on demand.
Section 4(e) and Section 5(e)
Coin Surcharges and Revenue Distribution
This provision establishes specific surcharges for each coin denomination: $35 for $5 gold coins, $10 for $1 silver coins, $5 for half-dollar coins, and $50 for 5-ounce proof silver $1 coins. These surcharges, after the U.S. Treasury recovers all costs associated with designing and issuing the coins, are to be promptly paid to the United States Olympic and Paralympic Properties for the 2028 Games and the Organizing Committee for the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games for their respective hosting, legacy programs, and promotion of sports. Both recipient organizations are subject to federal audit requirements.
Section 4(f) and Section 5(f)
No Net Cost to Government and Marketing Requirements
This provision mandates that the Secretary of the Treasury must ensure that the minting and issuance of these commemorative coins result in no net cost to the Federal Government. It explicitly states that no surcharge funds will be disbursed to the Olympic committees until the total cost of designing and issuing all authorized coins, including labor, materials, marketing, and shipping, is fully recovered by the U.S. Treasury. Additionally, the Secretary is encouraged to develop and execute marketing and educational programs, including cooperative opportunities with the Olympic committees, to promote and sell the coins.
This clause allows the Secretary of the Treasury to increase the stated mintage levels for the commemorative coins if independent, market-based research conducted by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee determines that the initial limits are not adequate to meet public demand.
Section 4(a)(4) and 5(a)(4)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to provide administrative flexibility. It allows the program to adapt to actual market conditions and maximize fundraising potential without requiring new legislation, rather than being an evasive tactic.
Case for: Proponents argue this flexibility ensures the program can fully capitalize on public interest and maximize fundraising for the Games if demand exceeds initial estimates, thereby increasing support for the Olympic committees and their legacy programs.
Case against: Critics might argue that it grants broad discretion to the Secretary and the Olympic Committee to expand the program without further congressional review, potentially altering the perceived scarcity or numismatic value of the coins for collectors.
Estimated impact: Could lead to the issuance of hundreds of thousands more coins across denominations, significantly increasing revenue for the Olympic committees beyond initial projections.
This clause states that no surcharge may be included with the issuance of any coin during a calendar year if doing so would cause the number of commemorative coin programs issued during that year to exceed the annual two-program limitation under existing federal law (31 U.S.C. 5112(m)(1)).
Section 4(e)(4) and 5(e)(4)
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to ensure compliance with existing federal statutes governing commemorative coin programs, rather than an attempt to be evasive. It integrates the new program within established legal frameworks.
Case for: Proponents argue this ensures the bill adheres to established federal policy regarding the number of commemorative coin programs, maintaining order in the numismatic market and preventing saturation, which could devalue the concept of commemorative issues.
Case against: Critics might argue that if this bill were to be enacted late in a year, or if other programs were prioritized, it could inadvertently delay or prevent the collection of surcharges for the Olympic Games, potentially impacting their funding timeline.
Estimated impact: Could potentially delay or reduce surcharge revenue for the Olympic committees if the two-program limit is reached by other legislation in a given year, forcing a deferral of issuance or surcharge collection.