HR 300 PCS
‘‘(A) what interests confidentiality pro-
tects; and 
‘‘(B) why the interests protected by con-
fidentiality outweigh the public’s interest in 
knowing about the conduct of the Federal Gov-
ernment and the expenditure of Federal re-
sources.’’. 
(b) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT.— 
The table of sections for chapter 3 of title 5, United States 
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
item: 
‘‘307. Information regarding settlement agreements.’’. 
(c) DEADLINE TO ESTABLISH DATABASE.—Not later 
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
shall issue guidance required by section 307(b)(2) of title 
5, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), and 
establish the settlement agreement information database 
required by section 307(b)(3) of title 5, United States 
Code, as added by subsection (a). 
(d) DEADLINE FOR FIRST SUBMISSION.—Not later 
than 90 days after the Director issues guidance under sec-
tion 307(b)(2) of title 5, United States Code, as added 
by subsection (a), the head of each Executive agency (as 
defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code) shall 
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begin submitting information to the database established 
under such section 307. 
SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION 
ACT. 
Section 552(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) 
by 
redesignating 
subparagraphs 
(B) 
through (E) as subparagraphs (C) through (F), re-
spectively; and 
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the fol-
lowing new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) each settlement agreement (as defined in 
section 307) entered into by an Executive agency, 
with redactions for information that the agency may 
withhold under paragraph (8) and subsections (b) 
and (c) of this section;’’. 
SEC. 4. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION. 
Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this 
Act, shall be construed to require the disclosure of infor-
mation or records that any agency may properly withhold 
from public disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United 
States Code (commonly known as the ‘‘Freedom of Infor-
mation Act’’). 
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SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICABILITY. 
This Act shall be effective 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act and shall apply— 
(1) with respect to any settlement agreement 
(as such term is defined in section 307 of title 5, 
United States Code, as added by section 2), entered 
into on or after the date of the enactment of this 
Act; and 
(2) to the extent practicable, any such settle-
ment agreement (as such term is defined in section 
307 of title 5, United States Code, as added by sec-
tion 2) that remains in effect on or after the date 
of the enactment of this Act. 
Passed the House of Representatives January 24, 
2023. 
Attest: 
CHERYL L. JOHNSON, 
Clerk. 
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Calendar No. 7 
118TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 300 
AN ACT 
To amend chapter 3 of title 5, United States Code, 
to require the publication of settlement agree-
ments, and for other purposes. 
JANUARY 26, 2023 
Read the second time and placed on the calendar 
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