To impose certain limitations on consent decrees and settlement agreements by agencies that require the agencies to take regulatory action in accordance with the terms thereof, and for other purposes.
This bill changes how federal agencies can settle lawsuits that force them to take regulatory action, aiming to increase transparency and public input in the process. When someone sues an agency to compel a regulatory action affecting others' rights, the agency must publicly post the lawsuit notice and complaint within 15 days, and before finalizing any settlement or consent decree, it must publish the proposed agreement for 60 days, accept and respond to public comments, and share the record with the court. The bill also makes it easier for outside parties, including state, local, and tribal governments, to intervene in these cases, requires high-level government sign-off on settlements that limit agency discretion or commit unbudgeted funds, and mandates that courts review any later changes to these agreements from scratch rather than deferring to the original deal. Agencies must also file annual reports to Congress detailing these lawsuits and settlements. The law would apply to lawsuits and settlement agreements filed or proposed after it takes effect, primarily affecting federal agencies, advocacy groups that sue them, and other parties with a stake in regulatory outcomes.
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