This bill imposes new procedural requirements on federal agencies when they settle lawsuits or enter into consent decrees (court agreements) that require the agencies to take regulatory action affecting the public. The law requires agencies to publicly disclose proposed settlements at least 60 days before filing them with a court, accept and respond to public comments, and publish notices of intent to sue and complaints online within 15 days of receiving them. It also makes it easier for affected parties—including states, local governments, and businesses—to intervene in these cases and participate in settlement negotiations, and requires agency heads to personally certify certain high-impact settlements. Additionally, judges must ensure that settlement agreements allow agencies sufficient time to follow normal rulemaking procedures under federal law. The bill applies to all covered lawsuits and settlements filed or proposed after the date it becomes law and requires agencies to submit annual reports to Congress detailing these agreements.
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