A seller receiving a suspension notice needs to know what happened and how to respond. A link to a marketplace policy may not explain which transaction caused the problem, why payments are being held, or what evidence would resolve it.

The Online Sellers' Bill of Rights Act of 2026 would require more useful answers. Representative Becca Balint, a Vermont Democrat, introduced H.R. 9799 on July 21, 2026, with Representative Nydia Velázquez of New York among its original cosponsors.

The proposal has backing from organizations that have been challenging the power of large online marketplaces. Value Added Resource and EcomCrew reported support from the Responsible Online Commerce Coalition, Public Citizen, Open Markets Institute, Small Business Majority, Main Street Alliance, and the American Economic Liberties Project.

Under the proposal, covered platforms would have to explain inventory and payment holds in writing within 72 hours. Holds would generally end after 30 days unless the platform met the required standard for proving that the goods or transactions were unlawful.

Platforms would also have to identify the policy allegedly violated, provide the relevant facts, and explain the appeal process and expected timeline. Generic responses would not meet those requirements. Certain material policy changes would require at least 30 days' advance notice, and enforcement could not rest solely on suspicion.

The bill would also change how sellers could pursue a dispute. Alongside FTC enforcement and actions by state attorneys general, injured sellers could sue in federal court despite mandatory arbitration agreements. The proposed remedies include three times the damages sustained, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees.

NetChoice and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council disagree with that approach. They argue that the deadlines and disclosure requirements could interfere with investigations and help counterfeiters avoid enforcement. Practical Ecommerce raised a separate concern: the bill does not define a “dominant platform” through a clear revenue, user, or market-share threshold, leaving uncertainty about which businesses it would cover.

As of October 7, 2026, H.R. 9799 remains before the House Judiciary Committee. It has not yet changed the rules governing a seller's current dispute.

Ford Banister LLC assists Amazon sellers with account appeals, withheld-funds disputes, and arbitration. We review the notices, documents, and previous appeals to assess how to respond. If Amazon has suspended your account or withheld your payments, contact us with its notice and the responses you have already submitted.