H.R. 9536, Litigation Cost Suppression / Regulatory Deference. Quorum's AI analysis reads it as a net cost — and names who bears it.
H.R. 9536 · Net cost
What it does
This bill caps attorney's fees that individuals and organizations can recover when they win against federal agencies or the U.S. government in court or administrative proceedings. It limits awards to $200,000 per case and no more than 3 cases per year (with narrow exceptions for class actions and veterans/Social Security cases), and it bars attorneys' fees entirely in settlement agreements with agencies. The bill also requires the Interior Department to assemble a panel—including forest industry representatives and hunters—to assess the bill's impact on federal lands over five years.
The analysis names federal agencies (reduced litigation costs and settlement exposure) — and 2 more groups — among the beneficiaries.
The cost
Citizens and nonprofits challenging agency overreach face a $200,000 cap per case, making it uneconomical to pursue cases with high litigation costs but modest individual damages—shifting power toward agencies and regulated industries.
Transparency scores 55%. The analysis flags 1 rider and a high warning level.
Who is behind it
Filed by Thomas Tiffany. Cosponsored by Harriet Hageman.