H.R. 849

119th CONGRESS 1st Session

To provide limitations for Federal agencies entering into settlement agreements and consent decrees, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · January 31, 2025 · Sponsor: Mr. Cloud · Committee: Committee on the Judiciary

Table of contents

• H.R. 849
  • SEC. 1. Short title
  • SEC. 2. Settlement agreements and consent decrees

SEC. 1. Short title

• This Act may be cited as the No Regulation Through Litigation Act of 2025.

SEC. 2. Settlement agreements and consent decrees

• (a) Limitation on consent decrees
  • The head of a Federal agency may not enter into a consent decree that exceeds the authority of the court that enters the order related to such decree.
• (b) Limitation on attorneys’ fees and litigation costs
  • A settlement agreement or consent decree resulting in a regulation or guidance document with respect to which a Federal agency is a party may not include the payment of attorneys’ fees or litigation costs.
• (c) Definitions
  • In this Act:
    • The term — guidance document
    • The term — regulation
• (d) Severability
  • If any provision of this Act or the application of any provision of this Act to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances, and the remainder of this Act, shall not be affected thereby.