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Increased Transparency and Public Participation in Agency Decisions

This act aims to increase transparency and public participation in government agency decision-making, especially when these decisions result from court settlements. Citizens will have more opportunities to express opinions and influence regulations that may affect their rights, obligations, or finances. These changes are intended to ensure that important agency decisions are made with greater consideration for the public interest.
Key points
Greater Disclosure: Agencies must publish online documents related to lawsuits and proposed settlements before they are approved by a court.
Public Participation: Citizens will have the opportunity to comment on proposed settlements and agreements, and agencies will be required to respond to these comments.
Easier Intervention: Individuals and state, local, or tribal governments affected by agency actions will have easier access to participate in court cases.
Judicial Oversight: Courts will more closely scrutinize whether agency settlements and agreements comply with the law and public interest, especially if they involve expenditures or alter agency powers.
Annual Reports: Agencies will be required to report annually to Congress on concluded settlements and agreements, increasing oversight of their actions.
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_2708
Sponsor: Rep. Spartz, Victoria [R-IN-5]
Process start date: 2021-04-20
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_2708.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-04-20.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Greater Disclosure: Agencies must publish online documents related to lawsuits and proposed settlements before they are approved by a court.
  • Public Participation: Citizens will have the opportunity to comment on proposed settlements and agreements, and agencies will be required to respond to these comments.
  • Easier Intervention: Individuals and state, local, or tribal governments affected by agency actions will have easier access to participate in court cases.
  • Judicial Oversight: Courts will more closely scrutinize whether agency settlements and agreements comply with the law and public interest, especially if they involve expenditures or alter agency powers.
  • Annual Reports: Agencies will be required to report annually to Congress on concluded settlements and agreements, increasing oversight of their actions.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Spartz, Victoria [R-IN-5].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-27.

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