,,ii  #aac? ,,congress  #a/ ,session    
,s4 #gad  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!       
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,april #aa1 #bjac ,mr4 
,grassley 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,coburn1 ,mr4
 ,lee1 ,mr4 ,rubio1 ,mr4 ,cornyn1 ,mrs4 
,fis*]1 ,mr4 ,cruz1 & ,mr4 ,paul7       
introduc$ ! foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read     
twice & ref]r$ to ! ,committee on !     
,judici>y  ,a ,,bill  ,to impose c]ta9  
limitations on cons5t decrees &         
settlem5t agreem5ts by ag5cies t require
 ! ag5cies to take regulatory action 9  
accordance ) ! t]ms !re(1 & = o!r       
purposes4  #a4 ,%ort title ,?is ,act may
 be cit$ z ! ,sun%9e = ,regulatory      
,decrees & ,settlem5ts ,act ( #bjac4    
#b4 ,def9itions ,9 ?is ,act--  7#a7 !   
t]ms ag5cy & ag5cy action h ! mean+s    
giv5 ^? t]ms "u section #eea ( title #e1
 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2  7#b7 ! t]m cov]$ 
civil action means a civil action--     
7,a7 seek+ to compel ag5cy action2  7,b7
 alleg+ t ! ag5cy is unlawfully )hold+  
or unreasonably delay+ an ag5cy action  
relat+ to a regulatory action t w\ld    

affect ! rights (--  7i7 private p]sons 
o!r ?an ! p]son br++ ! action2 or  7ii7 
a ,/ate1 local1 or tribal gov]nm5t2 &   
7,c7 br\ght "u--  7i7 *apt] #g ( title  
#e1 ,unit$ ,/ates ,code2 or  7ii7 any   
o!r /atute au?oriz+ su* an action2  7#c7
 ! t]m cov]$ cons5t decree means--  7,a7
 a cons5t decree ent]$ into 9 a cov]$   
civil action2 &  7,b7 any o!r cons5t    
decree t requires ag5cy action relat+ to
 a regulatory action t affects ! rights 
(--  7i7 private p]sons o!r ?an ! p]son 
br++ ! action2 or  7ii7 a ,/ate1 local1 
or tribal gov]nm5t2  7#d7 ! t]m cov]$   
cons5t decree or settlem5t agreem5t     
means a cov]$ cons5t decree & a cov]$   
settlem5t agreem5t2 &  7#e7 ! t]m cov]$ 
settlem5t agreem5t means--  7,a7 a      
settlem5t agreem5t ent]$ into 9 a cov]$ 
civil action2 &  7,b7 any o!r settlem5t 
agreem5t t requires ag5cy action relat+ 
to a regulatory action t affects !      
rights (--  7i7 private p]sons o!r ?an !
 p]son br++ ! action2 or  7ii7 a ,/ate1 
local1 or tribal gov]nm5t4  #c4 ,cons5t 

decree & settlem5t re=m  7a7 ,plead+s & 
prelim9>y matt]s  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 any  
cov]$ civil action1 ! ag5cy aga9/ :i* ! 
cov]$ civil action is br\ght %all publi%
 ! notice ( int5t to sue & ! compla9t 9 
a readily accessible mann]1 includ+ by  
mak+ ! notice ( int5t to sue & !        
compla9t available onl9e n lat] ?an #ae 
days aft] receiv+ s]vice ( ! notice (   
int5t to sue or compla9t1 respectively4 
7#b7 ,entry ( a cov]$ cons5t decree or  
settlem5t agreem5t ,a p>ty may n make a 
motion = entry ( a cov]$ cons5t decree  
or to dismiss a civil action pursuant to
 a cov]$ settlem5t agreem5t until aft] !
 end ( proce$+s 9 accordance ) p>agraph 
7#a7 & subp>agraphs 7,a7 & 7,b7 (       
p>agraph 7#b7 ( subsection 7d7 or       
subsection 7d77#c77;,a71 :i*ev] is lat]4
  7b7 ,int]v5tion  7#a7 ,rebuttable     
presumption ,9 consid]+ a motion to     
int]v5e 9 a cov]$ civil action or a     
civil action 9 :i* a cov]$ cons5t decree
 or settlem5t agreem5t has be5 propos$ t
 is fil$ by a p]son :o alleges t ! ag5cy

 action 9 dispute w\ld affect ! p]son1 !
 c\rt %all presume1 subject to rebuttal1
 t ! int]e/s ( ! p]son w\ld n be        
repres5t$ adequately by ! exi/+ p>ties  
to ! action4  7#b7 ,/ate1 local1 &      
tribal gov]nm5ts ,9 consid]+ a motion to
 int]v5e 9 a cov]$ civil action or a    
civil action 9 :i* a cov]$ cons5t decree
 or settlem5t agreem5t has be5 propos$ t
 is fil$ by a ,/ate1 local1 or tribal   
gov]nm5t1 ! c\rt %all take due acc\nt ( 
:e!r ! movant--  7,a7 adm9i/]s jo9tly ) 
an ag5cy t is a def5dant 9 ! action !   
/atutory provisions t give rise to !    
regulatory action to :i* ! action       
relates2 or  7,b7 adm9i/]s an au?ority  
"u ,/ate1 local1 or tribal law t w\ld be
 preempt$ by ! regulatory action to :i* 
! action relates4  7c7 ,settlem5t       
negotiations ,ef=ts to settle a cov]$   
civil action or o!rwise rea* an agreem5t
 on a cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t  
agreem5t %all--  7#a7 be conduct$       
pursuant to ! m$iation or alt]native    
dispute resolution program ( ! c\rt or  

by a di/rict judge o!r ?an ! presid+    
judge1 magi/rate judge1 or special ma/]1
 z det]m9$ appropriate by ! presid+     
judge2 &  7#b7 include any p>ty t       
int]v5es 9 ! action4  7d7 ,publication (
 & comm5t on cov]$ cons5t decrees or    
settlem5t agreem5ts  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,n   
lat] ?an #fj days be=e ! date on :i* a  
cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t        
agreem5t is fil$ ) a c\rt1 ! ag5cy seek+
 to ent] ! cov]$ cons5t decree or       
settlem5t agreem5t %all publi% 9 !      
,f$]al ,regi/] & onl9e--  7,a7 ! propos$
 cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t       
agreem5t2 &  7,b7 a /atem5t provid+--   
7i7 ! /atutory basis = ! cov]$ cons5t   
decree or settlem5t agreem5t2 &  7ii7 a 
description ( ! t]ms ( ! cov]$ cons5t   
decree or settlem5t agreem5t1 includ+   
:e!r x provides = ! aw>d ( attorneys'   
fees or co/s &1 if s1 ! basis = includ+ 
! aw>d4  7#b7 ,public comm5t  7,a7 ,9   
g5]al ,an ag5cy seek+ to ent] a cov]$   
cons5t decree or settlem5t agreem5t %all
 accept public comm5t dur+ ! p]iod      

describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#a7 on any issue   
relat+ to ! matt]s alleg$ 9 ! compla9t 9
 ! applicable civil action or address$  
or affect$ by ! propos$ cov]$ cons5t    
decree or settlem5t agreem5t4  7,b7     
,response to comm5ts ,an ag5cy %all     
respond to any comm5t receiv$ "u        
subp>agraph 7,a74  7,c7 ,submissions to 
c\rt ,:5 mov+ t ! c\rt ent] a propos$   
cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t        
agreem5t or = dismissal pursuant to a   
propos$ cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t
 agreem5t1 an ag5cy %all--  7i7 in=m !  
c\rt ( ! /atutory basis = ! propos$     
cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t        
agreem5t & its t]ms2  7ii7 submit to !  
c\rt a summ>y ( ! comm5ts receiv$ "u    
subp>agraph 7,a7 & ! response ( ! ag5cy 
to ! comm5ts2  7iii7 submit to ! c\rt a 
c]tifi$ index ( ! adm9i/rative record ( 
! notice & comm5t proce$+2 &  7iv7 make 
! adm9i/rative record describ$ 9 clause 
7iii7 fully accessible to ! c\rt4  7,d7 
,inclusion 9 record ,! c\rt %all include
 9 ! c\rt record = a civil action !     

c]tifi$ index ( ! adm9i/rative record   
submitt$ by an ag5cy "u subp>agraph     
7,c77iii7 & any docum5ts li/$ 9 ! index 
:i* any p>ty or amicus curiae appe>+    
be=e ! c\rt 9 ! action submits to !     
c\rt4  7#c7 ,public he>+s p]mitt$  7,a7 
,9 g5]al ,aft] provid+ notice 9 ! ,f$]al
 ,regi/] & onl9e1 an ag5cy may hold a   
public he>+ reg>d+ :e!r to ent] into a  
propos$ cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t
 agreem5t4  7,b7 ,record ,if an ag5cy   
holds a public he>+ "u subp>agraph      
7,a7--  7i7 ! ag5cy %all--  7,i7 submit 
to ! c\rt a summ>y ( ! proce$+s2  7,,ii7
 submit to ! c\rt a c]tifi$ index ( !   
he>+ record2 &  7,,iii7 provide access  
to ! he>+ record to ! c\rt2 &  7ii7 !   
full he>+ record %all be includ$ 9 !    
c\rt record4  7#d7 ,m&atory deadl9es ,if
 a propos$ cov]$ cons5t decree or       
settlem5t agreem5t requires an ag5cy    
action by a date c]ta91 ! ag5cy %all1 :5
 mov+ = entry ( ! cov]$ cons5t decree or
 settlem5t agreem5t or dismissal bas$ on
 ! cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t     

agreem5t1 in=m ! c\rt (--  7,a7 any     
requir$ regulatory action ! ag5cy has n 
tak5 t ! cov]$ cons5t decree or         
settlem5t agreem5t does n address2  7,b7
 h[ ! cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t  
agreem5t1 if approv$1 w\ld affect !     
dis*>ge ( ! duties describ$ 9           
subp>agraph 7,a72 &  7,c7 :y ! effects (
 ! cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t     
agreem5t on ! mann] 9 :i* ! ag5cy       
dis*>ges its duties is 9 ! public       
int]e/4  7e7 ,submission by ! ,gov]nm5t 
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,= any propos$ cov]$      
cons5t decree or settlem5t agreem5t t   
conta9s a t]m describ$ 9 p>agraph 7#b71 
! ,attorney ,g5]al or1 if ! matt] is be+
 litigat$ indep5d5tly by an ag5cy1 !    
head ( ! ag5cy %all submit to ! c\rt a  
c]tification t ! ,attorney ,g5]al or    
head ( ! ag5cy approves ! propos$ cov]$ 
cons5t decree or settlem5t agreem5t4 ,! 
,attorney ,g5]al or head ( ! ag5cy %all 
p]sonally sign any c]tification submitt$
 "u ?is p>agraph4  7#b7 ,t]ms ,a t]m    
describ$ 9 ?is p>agraph is--  7,a7 9 !  

case ( a cov]$ cons5t decree1 a t]m t-- 
7i7 conv]ts into a nondiscretion>y duty 
a discretion>y au?ority ( an ag5cy to   
propose1 promulgate1 revise1 or am5d    
regulations2  7ii7 commits an ag5cy to  
exp5d funds t h n be5 appropriat$ & t h 
n be5 budget$ = ! regulatory action 9   
"q2  7iii7 commits an ag5cy to seek a   
p>ticul> appropriation or budget        
au?orization2  7iv7 dive/s an ag5cy (   
discretion committ$ to ! ag5cy by /atute
 or ! ,con/itution ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1   
)\t reg>d to :e!r ! discretion 0 grant$ 
to respond to *ang+ circum/ances1 to    
make policy or manag]ial *oices1 or to  
protect ! rights ( ?ird p>ties2 or  7v7 
o!rwise af=ds relief t ! c\rt c\ld n    
ent] "u its own au?ority ^u a f9al      
judgm5t 9 ! civil action2 or  7,b7 9 !  
case ( a cov]$ settlem5t agreem5t1 a    
t]m--  7i7 t provides a rem$y = a       
failure by ! ag5cy to comply ) ! t]ms ( 
! cov]$ settlem5t agreem5t o!r ?an !    
revival ( ! civil action resolv$ by !   
cov]$ settlem5t agreem5t2 &  7ii7 t--   

7,i7 int]f]es ) ! au?ority ( an ag5cy to
 revise1 am5d1 or issue rules "u !      
proc$ures set =? 9 *apt] #e ( title #e1 
,unit$ ,/ates ,code1 or any o!r /atute  
or ,executive ord] prescrib+ rulemak+   
proc$ures = a rulemak+ t is ! subject ( 
! cov]$ settlem5t agreem5t2  7,,ii7     
commits ! ag5cy to exp5d funds t h n be5
 appropriat$ & t h n be5 budget$ = !    
regulatory action 9 "q2 or  7,,iii7 =   
su* a cov]$ settlem5t agreem5t t commits
 ! ag5cy to ex]cise 9 a p>ticul> way    
discretion :i* 0 committ$ to ! ag5cy by 
/atute or ! ,con/itution ( ! ,unit$     
,/ates to respond to *ang+ circum/ances1
 to make policy or manag]ial *oices1 or 
to protect ! rights ( ?ird p>ties4  7f7 
,review by c\rt  7#a7 ,amicus ,a c\rt   
consid]+ a propos$ cov]$ cons5t decree  
or settlem5t agreem5t %all presume1     
subject to rebuttal1 t x is prop] to    
all[ amicus p>ticipation relat+ to !    
cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t        
agreem5t by any p]son :o fil$ public    
comm5ts or p>ticipat$ 9 a public he>+ on

 ! cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t     
agreem5t "u p>agraph 7#b7 or 7#c7 (     
subsection 7d74  7#b7 ,review ( deadl9es
  7,a7 ,propos$ cov]$ cons5t decrees ,= 
a propos$ cov]$ cons5t decree1 a c\rt   
%all n approve ! cov]$ cons5t decree    
unless ! propos$ cov]$ cons5t decree    
all[s suffici5t "t & incorporates       
adequate proc$ures = ! ag5cy to comply )
 *apt] #e ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code1 & o!r applicable /atutes t gov]n 
rulemak+ &1 unless contr>y to ! public  
int]e/1 ! provisions ( any ,executive   
ord] t gov]ns rulemak+4  7,b7 ,propos$  
cov]$ settlem5t agreem5ts ,= a propos$  
cov]$ settlem5t agreem5t1 a c\rt %all   
ensure t ! cov]$ settlem5t agreem5t     
all[s suffici5t "t & incorporates       
adequate proc$ures = ! ag5cy to comply )
 *apt] #e ( title #e1 ,unit$ ,/ates     
,code1 & o!r applicable /atutes t gov]n 
rulemak+ &1 unless contr>y to ! public  
int]e/1 ! provisions ( any ,executive   
ord] t gov]ns rulemak+4  7g7 ,annual    
reports ,ea* ag5cy %all submit to       

,congress an annual report t1 = ! ye>   
cov]$ by ! report1 includes--  7#a7 !   
numb]1 id5tity1 & cont5t ( cov]$ civil  
actions br\ght aga9/ & cov]$ cons5t     
decree or settlem5t agreem5ts ent]$     
aga9/ or into by ! ag5cy2 &  7#b7 a     
description ( ! /atutory basis =--  7,a7
 ea* cov]$ cons5t decree or settlem5t   
agreem5t ent]$ aga9/ or into by ! ag5cy2
 &  7,b7 any aw>d ( attorneys fees or   
co/s 9 a civil action resolv$ by a cov]$
 cons5t decree or settlem5t agreem5t    
ent]$ aga9/ or into by ! ag5cy4  #d4    
,motions to modify cons5t decrees ,if an
 ag5cy moves a c\rt to modify a cov]$   
cons5t decree or settlem5t agreem5t & ! 
basis ( ! motion is t ! t]ms ( ! cov]$  
cons5t decree or settlem5t agreem5t are 
no long] fully 9 ! public int]e/ due to 
! obligations ( ! ag5cy to fulfill o!r  
duties or due to *ang$ facts &          
circum/ances1 ! c\rt %all review !      
motion & ! cov]$ cons5t decree or       
settlem5t agreem5t de novo4  #e4        
,effective date ,?is ,act %all apply    

to--  7#a7 any cov]$ civil action fil$  
on or aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act2
 &  7#b7 any cov]$ cons5t decree or     
settlem5t agreem5t propos$ to a c\rt on 
or aft] ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4