What This Bill Does
This bill would set a maximum amount for fees and other expenses that can be awarded in connection with an agency adjudication under federal law. In practical terms, it would limit how much one side can recover from the government or another party after certain administrative proceedings. The change would mainly affect people, businesses, and organizations that challenge agency actions or defend themselves in federal administrative cases.
- Sets a maximum amount for fees and other expenses awarded in agency adjudications.
- Applies to federal administrative proceedings under title 5 and title 28.
- Would limit how much a prevailing party can recover in certain agency disputes.
- Could reduce fee exposure for agencies and regulated parties.
- Could also reduce reimbursement for successful challengers with high legal costs.
Who This Bill Affects
For most people, this bill would matter only if they are involved in a federal agency case where fees and expenses can be awarded. If you are a business, worker, or individual contesting an agency decision, a cap could limit how much you can recover even if you prevail, which may leave you paying more of your own legal costs. If you are on the other side of an agency dispute, the cap could reduce the risk of very large fee awards.
See how this bill affects you — sign in for a personalized analysisWho Supports & Opposes This
- Federal agencies and enforcement officials A cap can make administrative enforcement more predictable and reduce the risk that fee awards become disproportionately large compared with the underlying dispute. Supporters may say this helps agencies carry out their duties without facing excessive litigation costs.
- Taxpayers and budget-focused advocates Limiting fee awards can reduce the chance that public funds are used for unusually large expense reimbursements. They may argue that a ceiling encourages more disciplined spending in administrative disputes.
- Regulated businesses Businesses facing agency proceedings may favor clearer limits on fee exposure because it reduces uncertainty and the possibility of very large awards after a case ends.
- Individuals and small businesses challenging agency actions A cap can leave successful parties with unrecovered legal bills, especially in complex cases where expert and attorney costs are high. Opponents may argue that this weakens access to justice in administrative proceedings.
- Consumer and public-interest advocates Fee recovery helps level the playing field when ordinary people or nonprofits take on government agencies. A ceiling could make it harder to bring meritorious challenges if the expected recovery no longer covers the real cost of the case.
- Administrative law practitioners Lawyers who handle agency disputes may argue that a rigid cap does not reflect the wide variation in case complexity and can distort settlement and litigation decisions.
Key Implications
-
““provide a maximum amount for the fees and other expenses””
This is the core policy change: it would put a ceiling on what can be awarded for costs in covered agency cases. In practice, that can reduce the financial recovery available to a winning party.
-
““awarded in connection with an agency adjudication””
The bill targets administrative proceedings rather than ordinary civil lawsuits. That means the effect is concentrated in disputes handled inside federal agencies, not most court cases.
-
““chapter 5 of title 5, United States Code””
Title 5 governs federal administrative procedure, so changes here can affect how agencies conduct and resolve disputes. The practical result is a shift in the cost rules that shape whether people challenge agency decisions.
-
““chapter 161 of title 28, United States Code””
Title 28 covers the federal judiciary and related fee-shifting rules. Referencing this chapter suggests the bill is meant to align or limit expense awards across related federal legal frameworks.
Latest Status
June 11, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Related Bills
Take Action
Get more from BillBoard
Free tools to understand, respond to, and track this bill.
Ask AI about this billData sourced from api.congress.gov.