This legislation amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to enhance oversight of the Employee Benefit Security Administration's (EBSA) enforcement activities. It requires the Secretary of Labor, through EBSA, to submit an annual report to Congress by December 31st each year, detailing the status of cases in enforcement. This includes active investigations, those where investigative authority was asserted, or targeted compliance monitoring occurred during the preceding fiscal year. For each investigation, the report must include specific information such as the EBSA office that opened it, the date the investigation was opened , and the date of the first document request from the target. A crucial provision requires disclosure of whether an investigation concluded within 36 months of the initial document request; if not, the report must explain the reasons for the delay and provide an estimated conclusion date. This aims to improve transparency regarding the duration and progress of EBSA's enforcement actions. Importantly, the bill stipulates that the report shall not include information identifying any private party involved in an investigation, such as plan sponsors, fiduciaries, or participants. An investigation is considered concluded only when EBSA ceases its investigative authority or terminates targeted compliance monitoring, formalized by a closing letter. This definition also clarifies that changes in issues or topics during an investigation are treated as a continuing investigation, not a separate one, ensuring consistent reporting.
Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better
Timeline
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 418.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-491.
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 418.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-491.
Labor and Employment
Congressional oversightEmployee benefits and pensionsGovernment studies and investigations
EBSA Investigations Transparency Act
USA119th CongressHR-2869| House
| Updated: 2/10/2026
This legislation amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to enhance oversight of the Employee Benefit Security Administration's (EBSA) enforcement activities. It requires the Secretary of Labor, through EBSA, to submit an annual report to Congress by December 31st each year, detailing the status of cases in enforcement. This includes active investigations, those where investigative authority was asserted, or targeted compliance monitoring occurred during the preceding fiscal year. For each investigation, the report must include specific information such as the EBSA office that opened it, the date the investigation was opened , and the date of the first document request from the target. A crucial provision requires disclosure of whether an investigation concluded within 36 months of the initial document request; if not, the report must explain the reasons for the delay and provide an estimated conclusion date. This aims to improve transparency regarding the duration and progress of EBSA's enforcement actions. Importantly, the bill stipulates that the report shall not include information identifying any private party involved in an investigation, such as plan sponsors, fiduciaries, or participants. An investigation is considered concluded only when EBSA ceases its investigative authority or terminates targeted compliance monitoring, formalized by a closing letter. This definition also clarifies that changes in issues or topics during an investigation are treated as a continuing investigation, not a separate one, ensuring consistent reporting.