To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that judicial review under the Administrative Procedure Act requires de novo trial of the facts when agency action seeks a sanction.

This bill modifies the Administrative Procedure Act to require courts to conduct a new trial on the facts whenever an agency action involves imposing a sanction. Under current law, courts often defer to an agency's factual findings, but this change would mandate that judges independently evaluate the evidence rather than relying solely on the agency's determination. The amendment specifically applies to cases where agencies use rulemaking or adjudication procedures to issue penalties, ensuring that the factual basis for those sanctions is fully reviewed by a judge.