To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that judicial...
To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act requires de novo trial of the facts when agency action seeks a sanction.
This bill proposes to change how the courts review decisions made by government agencies when those decisions involve imposing a punishment or penalty. Currently, under the Administrative Procedure Act, the courts have some discretion over how they review these decisions. This bill would require the courts to start from scratch and gather new evidence and facts, a process called "de novo" review, whenever an agency decision involves a sanction.
This change would affect anyone who is subject to agency decisions that could result in sanctions. This includes businesses, individuals, and organizations that might face penalties, fines, or other punitive measures from federal agencies. By requiring a complete re-examination of the facts, this bill aims to ensure that the decision-making process is fair and thorough.
The bill was introduced on June 11, 2026, and has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for further review. This is the first step in the legislative process, and the committee will consider whether to advance the bill to a vote in the full House. As of now, no additional actions have been taken on this bill.
