SOPRA

This bill changes how courts review federal agency decisions. Instead of giving agencies the benefit of the doubt on what the law or a rule means, judges would make their own decision from scratch. This covers interpretations of the Constitution and laws, agency rules, interpretive rules, policy statements, and other guidance documents . It amends the part of federal law that explains how courts review agency actions to clarify this standard .

Under this plan, Congress can only create an exception to this “fresh look” standard if a law clearly says so. That means agencies would have a harder time relying on their own guidance when people or businesses challenge them in court .

• Key points

  Who is affected	What changes	When
  People and businesses dealing with federal agencies; federal agencies; federal courts	Judges decide legal questions without deferring to agencies, including agency rules, policy statements, and guidance. Exceptions must be spelled out by Congress in specific words.	Not specified in the provided documents