This bill makes it harder for government agencies to quickly settle lawsuits by requiring much more transparency and public input before they can agree to consent decrees or settlement agreements. When someone sues a federal agency claiming it's not following the law, the agency now has to publish the lawsuit details online within 15 days, wait 60 days before proposing any settlement, publish the proposed settlement in the Federal Register, accept and respond to public comments, and potentially hold a public hearing. Any state, local, or tribal government affected by the lawsuit can now more easily join the case in court.

The bill also puts strict limits on what settlements can actually require agencies to do. Agencies can't be forced to spend money that hasn't been budgeted, can't be stripped of their ability to make decisions that Congress or the Constitution gave them, and can't be locked into specific regulatory actions without proper rulemaking procedures. Before approving any settlement that involves major changes to agency authority or spending, the Attorney General or agency head must personally certify they approve it. Additionally, agencies must report to Congress every year about all these lawsuits and settlements, including how much they're paying in attorney fees. The goal appears to be preventing activist groups from using settlements to force agencies to take regulatory actions without proper public debate and congressional oversight.