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Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7934

Rep. Palmer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Create Public Database for Federal Settlements Over $10 Million

Settlement Agreement Information Database Act of 2026

1 day ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

House
Senate
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bipartisan bill requires every federal agency to create and maintain a public, searchable online database listing all "covered settlement agreements" — legal settlements where at least $10 million is being paid, a special monitor is appointed, or a state or local government is involved.

    From policy text

    “Requires not less than $10,000,000 in total explicitly obligated payments of a settling party on the date on which the settlement agreement is executed.”
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  • Each database entry must include the full text of the settlement, the date it was signed, the specific laws allegedly violated, attorney fees, penalty amounts, payment details, projected duration, and which governments are involved.

    From policy text

    “Any specific statutory provision alleged to have been violated, as may be set forth in any corresponding public letter or complaint.”
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  • The bill protects certain sensitive information by excluding federal employee personnel disputes, tax matters, plea bargains, non-prosecution agreements, and anything already shielded by court-ordered confidentiality or FOIA exemptions.
  • Agencies have two years to set up their databases, and OMB must issue implementation guidance within one year. Databases must use a consistent, machine-readable format across agencies, potentially at URLs like agencyname.gov/settlements.

    From policy text

    “Not later than 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, the head of each agency that has entered into a covered settlement agreement shall establish and maintain a public online database”
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  • The law applies to all new settlements going forward and retroactively covers agreements dating back to January 1, 2015, as long as they're still in effect. Agencies must also report annually to Congress on any settlements they withhold from the database and explain why.

    From policy text

    “any such covered settlement agreement that-- (A) was entered into on or after January 1, 2015; and (B) remains in effect on or after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
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Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Mar 16, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Mar 16, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 1 year of enactment

OMB issues guidance on data standards, database format, and agency requirements

Sets the rules for how settlement databases will look and work across all federal agencies, ensuring they're consistent and searchable

Within 2 years of enactment

Federal agencies launch public online settlement databases

The public can search and view details of major federal legal settlements — including amounts paid, laws violated, and full agreement text — for the first time in a standardized way

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Settlement Agreement Information Database Act of 2026

Bill NumberHR 7934
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.