Collins’ Bill Passes House

A bill put forward by 9th District U.S. Representative Doug Collins moves through the House.

This week, House Resolution 1033, the Open Book on Equal Access to Justice Act, passed in the House with what Collins termed as widespread bipartisan support.

Collins said he sponsored the bill in order to increase transparency among federal agencies as they apply the Equal Access to Justice Act, or the EAJA.

The EAJA enables Americans with limited resources to seek redress against the government by requiring agencies to reimburse plaintiffs for their legal fees if the agency is found to have pursued an unjustified position in the case.

However, Collins said because these agencies have not been required to keep records of EAJA disbursements for two decades, the public has been unable to access information about how the government has handled these suits.

Collins said the Open Book Act gives taxpayers access to information about federal agency payments and legal positions in EAJA cases.

He said this would strengthen the original law by ensuring that federal agencies apply it transparently and effectively.