Requires the Department of Labor to report yearly to Congress on written agreements under which it gives assistance to attorneys preparing civil lawsuits over employee retirement plans.

Official title: Balance the Scales Act

Next stop House floor: awaiting a vote

Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions

House

Introduced 17-APR-2025

Referred 17-APR-2025

Approved by committee 17-SEP-2025

Reported 20-FEB-2026

On the calendar 20-FEB-2026

Key points

Requires the Secretary of Labor to sign a written agreement with an individual and give a copy to affected employers, plan sponsors, or fiduciaries before providing "adverse assistance" to an attorney for a civil action under ERISA section 502(a).
Requires an annual report to Congress by December 31 covering all such agreements, including copies, dates, and logs of meetings and communications, with the first report due 60 days after enactment.
Bars the report from identifying anyone other than the parties to each agreement.
Adds a congressional finding and policy statement that encourages the voluntary sponsorship and maintenance of private pension plans.

AI-generated from the Reported in House text of 20-FEB-2026 · verify · report an error

Official CRS summary

No CRS summary yet. CRS writes one for most bills, often months after they move.

CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Check on congress.gov

Committee referrals (1)

Policy area

Labor and Employment

Sponsor Michael A. Rulli (R-OH) Cosponsors · 1

■ 1 R

1 Republican

congress.gov page Reported in House (20-FEB-2026) Introduced in House (17-APR-2025)