HR 6084 — ERISA Litigation Reform Act

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in House Current html November 18, 2025

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill introduces new pleading standards and discovery stays in civil actions under ERISA.

• 29 U.S.C. 1132

  (n) For the purpose of any civil action under this section alleging that a fiduciary caused a plan to engage in a transaction that violates subparagraph (C) or (D) of section 406(a)(1), a plaintiff has the burden of plausibly alleging and proving that the transaction is not exempt under section 408(b)(2).

  This adds a requirement for plaintiffs to demonstrate that certain transactions are not exempt.

• 29 U.S.C. 1132

  (o) For the purpose of any civil action under this section alleging that a fiduciary caused a plan to engage in a transaction that violates section 406 with respect to the purchase or sale of qualified employer securities, a plaintiff has the burden of plausibly alleging and proving that the transaction is not exempt under section 408(e).

  This similarly adds a burden on plaintiffs regarding qualified employer securities.

• 29 U.S.C. 1132

  (p)(1) For the purpose of any civil action under this section against a plan or its fiduciaries, all discovery and other proceedings shall be stayed during the pendency of a motion brought under Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or pending any reply to an answer under Rule 7(a)(7) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, unless the court finds, upon the motion of any party, that particularized discovery is necessary to preserve evidence or to prevent undue prejudice to that party.

  This establishes a stay on discovery during specific procedural motions.

• 29 U.S.C. 1132

  (p)(2) During the pendency of any stay of discovery pursuant to this subsection, unless otherwise ordered by the court or if doing so is contrary to the party's document preservation obligations under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, any party to the action with actual knowledge of the allegations contained in the complaint shall treat all documents, data compilations (including electronically recorded or stored data), and tangible objects that are in the possession, custody, or control of such person and that the person would reasonably believe are relevant to the allegations, as if they were the subject of a continuing request for production of documents from an opposing party under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. A party's document preservation obligations under this paragraph extend to all documents held by custodians (such as recordkeepers) that are in the possession, custody, or control of the plan or the party.

  This adds obligations for parties regarding document handling during a stay of discovery.

• 29 U.S.C. 1132

  (p)(3) A party aggrieved by the willful failure of an opposing party to comply with paragraph (2) may apply to the court for an order awarding appropriate sanctions.

  This provides a mechanism for sanctions for non-compliance with document preservation during discovery stays.

• 29 U.S.C. 1132

  (p)(4) Upon a proper showing, a court may stay discovery proceedings in any civil action in a State court as necessary in aid of its jurisdiction, or to protect or effectuate its judgments, in an action subject to a stay of discovery pursuant to this subsection.

  This allows state court proceedings to be stayed in certain situations to support federal jurisdiction.

Action History

1. November 18, 2025

   Introduced in House

2. November 18, 2025

   Introduced in House

3. November 18, 2025

   Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

4. November 18, 2025

   Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

5. March 17, 2026

   Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

6. March 17, 2026

   Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 13.

Sponsors

• Randy Fine · Primary
• Virginia Foxx · Cosponsor

Subjects