H.R. 9653

119 HR 9653 IH: Limiting Excessive Government Obstruction Act
 U.S. House of Representatives
 2026-07-13
 text/xml
 EN
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 I  119th CONGRESS  2d Session  H. R. 9653  IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES   July 13, 2026   Mr. Knott  introduced the following bill; which was referred to the  Committee on the Judiciary    A BILL
To establish special rules for certain agency adjudications, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   Limiting Excessive Government Obstruction Act  .
2.
Agency adjudications
(a)
Adjudications
 Chapter 7  of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after  section 706  the following:
706A.
Special rules for certain agency adjudications
(a)
Agency adjudication
(1)
Demurrer
Except as provided in subsection (c), a party against whom an agency adjudication is initiated may file with the adjudicator a demurrer.
(2)
Final order of dismissal
If the party makes a filing described in paragraph (1), the adjudicator shall issue a final order of dismissal with prejudice.
(b)
Civil action
(1)
In general
Not later than 90 days after an agency adjudication is dismissed with respect to a party under subsection (a), the agency may commence a civil action against such party in the district court for the district in which the alleged violation occurred setting forth the violations alleged in such agency adjudication. No such action may be commenced after the expiration of such 90-day period.
(2)
Jury trial
A defendant in an action described in paragraph (1) shall be entitled to a trial by jury.
(3)
Defense
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be a defense to an action described in paragraph (1) that an alleged violation of an agency rule, order, or consent decree was reasonable under the circumstances.
(c)
Exceptions
(1)
In general
This section does not apply with respect to any matter pertaining to—
(A)
the immigration laws (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Immigration and Nationality Act);
(B)
national security;
(C)
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986;
(D)
bankruptcy;
(E)
patent; or
(F)
a Federal benefit.
(2)
Federal benefit defined
In this section, the term  Federal benefit  means any retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, postsecondary education, food assistance, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided to an individual, household, or family eligibility unit by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States.
 .
(b)
Definitions
Section 701(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by striking   relief , and  agency action   and inserting   relief ,  party ,  adjudication , and  agency action  .
(c)
Table of sections
The table of sections for  chapter 7  of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to  section 706  the following:
706A. Special rules for certain agency adjudications.
  .