Antitrust Accountability and Transparency Act

This bill changes how federal courts review settlements in antitrust cases brought by the Department of Justice or the Federal Trade Commission. It shortens the public comment period on proposed settlements from 60 days to 45 days, lets commenters reply to government responses, and requires parties in merger cases to keep assets separate until 15 days after the government responds to comments. Courts would have to find that a settlement does not allow conduct that creates a material risk of breaking antitrust laws, and would not have to defer to the government's predictions about its remedies. Proposed voluntary dismissals of federal antitrust cases would have to be filed and published 45 days in advance, during which a state attorney general could ask to take over the case. The bill also expands required disclosure of contacts with government officials, including the Executive Office of the President, and lets courts order information about benefits or concessions offered to the government.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Amy Klobuchar Democrat sponsor
• 8 cosponsors