Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025

The Pardon Transparency and Accountability Act of 2025 aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the presidential clemency process. It mandates that the President publish a written explanation of reasons for any grant of executive clemency, including pardons, commutations, reprieves, or remissions of fines, on the date it is made. This explanation must be published in the Federal Register and on the President's official website, ensuring public access to the rationale behind such decisions. Furthermore, the bill assigns new duties to the Pardon Attorney, requiring the preparation of a Justice Impact Statement for any potential clemency grant. This statement, to be provided to the President and Congress, must detail efforts to contact victims, ascertain their opinions, and gather input from federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officials regarding the clemency's impact on ongoing investigations or prosecutions. All Department of Justice and Executive Office of the President employees are required to immediately inform the Pardon Attorney when clemency is being considered, ensuring timely preparation of these critical assessments. The Act also significantly amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to include clemency-related activities. It expands the definition of "lobbying contact" to encompass efforts concerning executive clemency, requiring lobbyists to register and report such contacts within two days, regardless of the financial scope of their activities. Finally, the Pardon Attorney is tasked with conducting biennial studies on compliance with this Act and submitting annual reports to Congress with findings and recommendations.