Legis Daily

Balance the Scales Act

USA119th CongressHR-2958| House 
| Updated: 2/20/2026
Michael A. Rulli

Michael A. Rulli

Republican Representative

Ohio

Cosponsors (1)
Lisa C. McClain (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to introduce new requirements for the Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) regarding its interactions with plaintiff attorneys. Specifically, it mandates that before the Secretary of Labor provides "adverse assistance" to an individual for potential use in a civil action, a written agreement detailing the nature and scope of such assistance must be established. A copy of this agreement must also be provided to any employer, plan sponsor, or fiduciary that may be directly and adversely impacted by the assistance. The bill defines "adverse assistance" as any aid or advice, including information disclosure, directed specifically toward an attorney for potential use in an ERISA civil action. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress detailing all such agreements from the preceding fiscal year. These reports must include copies of the agreements, descriptions of information shared, logs of communications and meetings, and an explanation of how the assistance aligns with the public policy of promoting voluntary employee benefit plans. Additionally, the bill amends ERISA's declaration of policy, adding a new subsection that emphasizes the importance of voluntary pension plan sponsorship for employee retirement security. This amendment explicitly states that it is a policy of ERISA to promote, encourage, and facilitate the establishment and maintenance of such plans, reinforcing the voluntary nature of these benefits.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Sep 17, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.
Sep 17, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 20, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 430.
Feb 20, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-504.
  • April 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.


  • September 17, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.


  • September 17, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • February 20, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 430.


  • February 20, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-504.

Labor and Employment

Civil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightEmployee benefits and pensions

Balance the Scales Act

USA119th CongressHR-2958| House 
| Updated: 2/20/2026
This legislation amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to introduce new requirements for the Employee Benefit Security Administration (EBSA) regarding its interactions with plaintiff attorneys. Specifically, it mandates that before the Secretary of Labor provides "adverse assistance" to an individual for potential use in a civil action, a written agreement detailing the nature and scope of such assistance must be established. A copy of this agreement must also be provided to any employer, plan sponsor, or fiduciary that may be directly and adversely impacted by the assistance. The bill defines "adverse assistance" as any aid or advice, including information disclosure, directed specifically toward an attorney for potential use in an ERISA civil action. Furthermore, it requires the Secretary to submit an annual report to Congress detailing all such agreements from the preceding fiscal year. These reports must include copies of the agreements, descriptions of information shared, logs of communications and meetings, and an explanation of how the assistance aligns with the public policy of promoting voluntary employee benefit plans. Additionally, the bill amends ERISA's declaration of policy, adding a new subsection that emphasizes the importance of voluntary pension plan sponsorship for employee retirement security. This amendment explicitly states that it is a policy of ERISA to promote, encourage, and facilitate the establishment and maintenance of such plans, reinforcing the voluntary nature of these benefits.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced in House
Apr 17, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Sep 17, 2025
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.
Sep 17, 2025
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 20, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 430.
Feb 20, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-504.
  • April 17, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • April 17, 2025
    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.


  • September 17, 2025
    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.


  • September 17, 2025
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • February 20, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 430.


  • February 20, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-504.
Michael A. Rulli

Michael A. Rulli

Republican Representative

Ohio

Cosponsors (1)
Lisa C. McClain (Republican)

Education and Workforce Committee

Labor and Employment

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightEmployee benefits and pensions