Bill 118 hr 3446, also known as the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2023, aims to increase transparency and accountability in the regulatory process within the US Congress. The bill requires federal agencies to provide public notice and an opportunity for public comment before entering into consent decrees or settlement agreements that would require the agency to take regulatory action.
Under this legislation, agencies must also disclose the terms of any consent decree or settlement agreement, including any deadlines or requirements for regulatory action. This information must be made available to the public on the agency's website within 15 days of the agreement being finalized.
Additionally, the bill prohibits agencies from entering into consent decrees or settlement agreements that would require the agency to take regulatory action unless the agency has the statutory authority to take such action. This provision is aimed at preventing agencies from overstepping their authority and making decisions that should be left to Congress.
Overall, the Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2023 seeks to promote transparency and accountability in the regulatory process, ensuring that the public has a voice in decisions that impact their lives and livelihoods.