The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will vote on legislation this week meant to increase agency transparency and crack down on federal waste.
The “Settlement Agreement Information Database Act,” from Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.), would require agency settlement agreements and consent decrees be published online.
“These public resources will include dates, payments, attorney fees awards, and a list of state and local government entities identified in the settlements and decrees,” the committee said in describing the legislation.
Republicans in particular have been wary of agencies reaching settlements with environmental and other groups that include funding or promises of rulemaking. But the bill is broad enough to enjoy bipartisan support.
