H.R. 732 - 115th Congress (2017-2018) - Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2017

This bill prohibits government officials from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement on behalf of the United States (resolving a civil action, a plea agreement, a deferred prosecution agreement, or a nonprosecution agreement) that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions to allow payments that: (1) remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment, or (2) constitute a payment for services rendered in connection with the case or a payment that a court may order for restitution to victims in certain criminal cases or other persons in plea agreements.

Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled.

Federal agencies must report annually for seven years to the Congressional Budget Office about the parties, funding sources, and distribution of funds for their settlement agreements permitted by the exceptions in this bill.

Agency inspectors general must report annually to Congress about any of their agency's settlement agreements that violate this bill.

Text (4)

October 25, 2017

October 24, 2017

March 30, 2017

January 30, 2017

Amendments (6)

Oct 24, 2017

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 462

Amendment sought to exempt settlements that direct funds to remedy the indirect harms of unlawful conduct resulting in an increase in the amount of lead in public drinking water.

Active

Oct 24, 2017

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 461

Amendment sought to exempt settlements in relation to conduct involving residential mortgage-backed securities.

Active

Oct 24, 2017

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 460

Amendment sought to exempt settlement agreements that pertain to providing restitution for a State.

Active

Oct 24, 2017

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 459

Amendment sought to exempt a settlement agreement that directs funds to remediate the indirect harms caused by the manipulation of emission standards on automobiles.

Active

Oct 24, 2017

Not Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 458

Amendment sought to exempt settlement agreements based on race, religion, national origin, or any other protected category.

Active

Oct 24, 2017

Agreed to in House

Sponsorship

House Amendment 457

An amendment numbered 1 printed in Part B of House Report 115-363 to prohibit Cy Pres distributions in cases where money is simply left over and the settlement contains no specific provision on its disposition. Amendment also clarifies that payments made must not only be remedial but must actually go to the victims who suffered the injury.

Agreed To

Actions (30)

Show Only Major Actions

10/25/2017

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

10/24/2017

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

10/24/2017

On passage Passed by recorded vote: 238 - 183 (Roll no. 580). (text: CR H8118)

10/24/2017

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 238 - 183 (Roll no. 580).(text: CR H8118)

10/24/2017

The House adopted the amendment as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

10/24/2017

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

10/24/2017

The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 732.

10/24/2017

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Conyers amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10/24/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers amendment No. 6.

10/24/2017

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Cicilline amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Cicilline demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10/24/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cicilline amendment No. 5.

10/24/2017

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10/24/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 4.

10/24/2017

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (LA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10/24/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (GA) amendment No. 3.

10/24/2017

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Cohen amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Johnson (LA) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

10/24/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cohen amendment No. 2.

10/24/2017

DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 577, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Goodlatte amendment No. 1.

10/24/2017

GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 732.

10/24/2017

The Speaker designated the Honorable Frank D. Lucas to act as Chairman of the Committee.

10/24/2017

House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 577 and Rule XVIII.

10/24/2017

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 469 and H.R. 732. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. Rule provides for one hour of general debate for H.R. 469. The rule also provides for consideration of amendments printed in part A of the report. The rule provides for one hour of general debate for H.R. 732. The rule provides for consideration of amendments printe in part B of the report.

10/24/2017

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 577. (consideration: CR H8107-8129)

10/24/2017

Rule H. Res. 577 passed House.

10/23/2017

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 577 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 469 and H.R. 732. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order. Rule provides for one hour of general debate for H.R. 469. The rule also provides for consideration of amendments printed in part A of the report. The rule provides for one hour of general debate for H.R. 732. The rule provides for consideration of amendments printe in part B of the report.

03/30/2017

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 43.

03/30/2017

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-72.

01/31/2017

Referred to the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform, Commercial And Antitrust Law.

01/30/2017

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

01/30/2017

Introduced in House

Public Record

Record Updated

Jan 11, 2023 1:34:15 PM