HR 5341

This bill, titled the Discouraging Frivolous Lawsuits Act, aims to reduce the cost and potential for unnecessary lawsuits related to environmental regulations. It changes how court costs are awarded in citizen suits under the Clean Water Act, requiring the prevailing party to receive these costs, including attorney fees. The bill also limits the EPA’s ability to deny disposal sites and restricts government entities from exceeding existing requirements for compensatory mitigation when permits are issued for discharging dredged or fill material into waterways. Finally, it repeals a section of the law that allowed the EPA to oversee disposal sites.