Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB3176

Introduced
11/1/23  

Caption

Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act

Impact

If enacted, SB3176 will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to introduce a new chapter focused on pay disparity. Applicable employers—defined as those with more than $100 million in gross receipts and exceeding $10 million in wages—would be required to calculate a 'pay disparity factor' based on the ratio of the highest-paid employee's average wages to the median wages paid to all employees. The tax thus levied would be contingent on this ratio, essentially creating a disincentive for excessive executive compensation relative to median worker pay. The intent behind this change is to encourage corporations to reassess their pay structures and move towards equitable compensation practices.

Summary

SB3176, also known as the Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act, proposes an excise tax targeting employers who exhibit excessively disparate wages between their highest-paid executives and the median employee compensation. The main objective of this legislation is to address income inequality and its broader societal impacts by penalizing excessive compensation packages offered to CEOs while ensuring that lower-wage earners receive fair compensation. This bill aims to create a more equitable wage distribution within corporations by imposing fiscal consequences on those that maintain a significant wage gap.

Contention

The bill's provisions have sparked a debate among lawmakers and stakeholders about its potential effectiveness and feasibility. Supporters argue that imposing a tax on excessive CEO pay will help combat income inequality by encouraging companies to align executive compensation with the wages of average workers. However, critics raise concerns about the bill's implementation, specifically the challenges in accurately measuring pay disparity and the potential for unintended consequences—such as companies opting out of the workforce or relocating to avoid the tax. The debate reflects broader discussions on corporate ethics, shareholder value, and workers’ rights in the age of economic disparity.

Companion Bills

US HB6191

Same As Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act

Previously Filed As

US HB6191

Curtailing Executive Overcompensation (CEO) Act

US SB5082

Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2024

US SB3304

Black Lung Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

US HB6428

Social Security Disability Insurance Return to Work Act

US SB3291

EAGLE Act of 2023 Equal Access to Green cards for Legal Employment Act of 2023

US SB1525

COLLUDE Act Curtailing Online Limitations that Lead Unconstitutionally to Democracy's Erosion Act

US HB5953

Lower Your Taxes Act

US HB7235

A Fast-Tracked Executive Rescission Review (AFTER) of Appropriations Act of 2024

US HB6004

MOMMIES Act Maximizing Outcomes for Moms through Medicaid Improvement and Enhancement of Services Act

US HB5988

United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act

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