legislation
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49 rows where bill_type = "s", congress = 111 and policy_area = "Law" sorted by introduced_date descending
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| bill_id | congress | bill_type | bill_number | title | policy_area | introduced_date ▲ | latest_action_date | latest_action_text | origin_chamber | sponsor_name | sponsor_state | sponsor_party | sponsor_bioguide_id | cosponsor_count | summary_text | update_date | url |
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| 111-s-4054 | 111 | s | 4054 | Notice Pleading Restoration Act of 2010 | Law | 2010-12-22 | 2010-12-22 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [D-PA] | PA | D | S000709 | 0 | Notice Pleading Restoration Act of 2010 - States that the law governing a dismissal or striking of all or any part of a pleading containing a claim for failure to state a claim, indefiniteness, or insufficiency or a judgment on the pleadings shall be in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as interpreted by the Supreme Court in decisions issued before May 20, 2007, except as provided expressly by an Act of Congress enacted before, on, or after enactment of this Act, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. (Thus finds Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, decided on May 21, 2007, and Ashcroft v. Iqbal to be inconsistent with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and finds further that the appropriate procedure for disposing of factually unmeritorious claims is summary judgment as the Supreme Court held in Swierkiewicz v. Sorema N.A. and Leatherman v. Tarrant County.) | 2023-01-11T13:21:06Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/4054 |
| 111-s-4033 | 111 | s | 4033 | Restoration of Legal Rights for Claimants under Holocaust-Era Insurance Policies Act of 2010 | Law | 2010-12-15 | 2010-12-15 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [D-PA] | PA | D | S000709 | 0 | Restoration of Legal Rights for Claimants under Holocaust-Era Insurance Policies Act of 2010 - Allows a beneficiary (including an heir, assignee, or legal representative of a named insured or beneficiary) of a Holocaust-era life, dowry, education, annuity, property, or other insurance policy to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court against the insurer for the covered policy (or a related company of the insurer) to recover proceeds due or otherwise to enforce any rights under the policy. Covers any such policy issued to a policyholder domiciled in any area that was occupied or controlled by Nazi Germany (or by an ally or friendly government) or the territorial jurisdiction of Switzerland. Requires the award to a prevailing beneficiary of the amount of the proceeds due under the policy, plus prejudgment interest at 6% per year, compounded annually, calculated from the date the amount was originally due. Requires the award of treble damages against any insurer or related company that acted in bad faith. Sets a 10-year statute of limitations for claims filed under this Act. Declares that any prior judgment or release entered for any claim arising under a covered policy in any civil action in a federal or state court shall not preclude, foreclose, bar, release, waive, acquit, discharge, or otherwise impair any claim brought under this Act by any person. Declares that any executive agreement between the United States and a foreign government entered into, or any executive foreign policy of the U.S. government established, before, on, or after the enactment of this Act, shall not supercede or preempt any state law or compromise, settle, extinguish, waive, preclude, bar, or foreclose any claim brought under this Act. | 2023-01-11T13:21:07Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/4033 |
| 111-s-4020 | 111 | s | 4020 | Restoring the 10th Amendment Act | Law | 2010-12-09 | 2010-12-09 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS] | MS | R | W000437 | 30 | Restoring the 10th Amendment Act - Authorizes a designated state official to file with the head of a federal agency proposing a rule, during the period when the proposed rule is required to be open for public comment, a legal brief challenging the constitutionality of the rule under the Tenth Amendment. Directs the agency head: (1) to notify the designated official of each state within 15 days after such a brief is filed; (2) to post prominently on the agency's primary Web page a link to the brief; and (3) within 15 days after posting such link, to certify in writing that such rulemaking does not violate the Tenth Amendment and post the certification prominently on the front page of the agency's website, unless the agency determines it will not put the proposed rule into effect. Authorizes a state official who decides to challenge a federal rule on the grounds that it violates the Tenth Amendment to elect to file a legal action in U.S. district court for the district in which the official's place of business is located. Directs the relevant U.S. Court of Appeals, at the request of a designated state official, to grant expedited review of a decision by a district court in such a case. | 2023-01-11T13:21:07Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/4020 |
| 111-s-4005 | 111 | s | 4005 | Preserving Foreign Criminal Assets for Forfeiture Act of 2010 | Law | 2010-12-02 | 2010-12-22 | Became Public Law No: 111-342. | Senate | Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] | RI | D | W000802 | 1 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Preserving Foreign Criminal Assets for Forfeiture Act of 2010 - Amends federal forfeiture law regarding the enforcement of a foreign judgment to allow the U.S. government to apply for, and a U.S. district court to issue, a restraining order to preserve the availability of property located in the United States that is subject to civil or criminal forfeiture under foreign law, at any time before or after the initiation of forfeiture proceedings by a foreign nation. (Current law allows a restraining order before or after the United States files an application on behalf of a foreign nation seeking to enforce a foreign forfeiture or confiscation judgment.) | 2023-03-22T18:07:29Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/4005 |
| 111-s-3871 | 111 | s | 3871 | A bill to amend chapter 13 of title 28, United States Code, to authorize the designation and assignment of retired justices of the Supreme Court to particular cases in which an active justice is recused. | Law | 2010-09-29 | 2010-09-29 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7793) | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 0 | Authorizes the designation and assignment of retired justices of the Supreme Court to serve as a justice in a particular case before the Court in which an active justice is recused. Requires a majority vote of active justices to make such a designation and assignment. | 2023-01-11T13:21:23Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/3871 |
| 111-s-3707 | 111 | s | 3707 | Terrorist Detention Review Reform Act | Law | 2010-08-04 | 2010-08-04 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] | SC | R | G000359 | 0 | Terrorist Detention Review Reform Act - Sets forth standards for habeas corpus review for any individual who is held by the United States at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, or whom the United States seeks to hold as an unprivileged enemy belligerent, and who is subject to the habeas corpus jurisdiction of the federal courts (covered individual). Defines "unprivileged enemy belligerent" as an individual who has engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, who has purposefully and materially supported hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners, or who was a member of, part of, or operated in a clandestine, covert, or military capacity on behalf of, the Taliban, al Qaeda, or associated forces. Reaffirms: (1) that the United States is in an armed conflict with the Taliban, al Qaeda, and associated forces and that those entities continue to pose a threat to the United States and its citizens, both domestically and abroad; and (2) that the President is authorized to detain unprivileged enemy belligerents in connection with the continuing armed conflict with the Taliban, al Qaeda, and associated forces, regardless of the place of capture, until the termination of hostilities. Grants the United States District Court for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction and venue for consideration of applications for habeas corpus by or on behalf of a covered individual. Limits the scope of such jurisdiction to challenges to the legality of the continued detention of a covered individual, excluding claims relating to the detention, transfer, treatment, trial, or conditions of confinement of such individual, or any other action against the United States or its agents. Sets forth requirements and criteria relating to: (1) the federal government's burden of proof in habeas corpus proceedings involving a covered individual; (2) discovery of documents and protection of national security information; (3) evidentiary matters, including the exclusion of statements… | 2023-01-11T13:21:39Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/3707 |
| 111-s-3593 | 111 | s | 3593 | A bill to require the Federal Government to pay the costs incurred by a State or local government in defending a State or local immigration law that survives a constitutional challenge by the Federal Government in Federal court. | Law | 2010-07-15 | 2010-07-15 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Johanns, Mike [R-NE] | NE | R | J000291 | 1 | Requires the federal government to pay all attorneys' fees and associated court costs incurred by a state or local government in defending a state or local immigration law that survives in whole or in part a constitutional challenge by the federal government in federal court. | 2023-01-11T13:21:44Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/3593 |
| 111-s-3518 | 111 | s | 3518 | SPEECH Act | Law | 2010-06-22 | 2010-06-22 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 5 | Securing the Protection of our Enduring and Established Constitutional Heritage Act or SPEECH Act - Prohibits a domestic court from recognizing or enforcing a foreign judgment for defamation unless the domestic court determines that: (1) the defamation law applied in the foreign court's adjudication provided at least as much protection for freedom of speech and press in that case as would be provided by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and by the constitution and law of the state in which the domestic court is located; or (2) even if the defamation law applied in the foreign court's adjudication did not provide this much protection for freedom of speech and press, the party opposing recognition or enforcement of that foreign judgment would have been found liable for defamation by a domestic court applying the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the constitution and law of the state in which the domestic court is located. Prohibits a domestic court from recognizing or enforcing a foreign judgment for defamation against the provider of an interactive computer service unless the domestic court determines that the judgment would be consistent with provisions of the Communications Act of 1934 affording protection for private blocking and screening of offensive material, if the information that is the subject of the judgment had been provided in the United States. Specifies circumstances for removal by a defendant to the appropriate U.S. district court, without regard to the amount in controversy, of any action brought in a state domestic court to enforce a foreign judgment for defamation. Provides that any U.S. person, against whom a foreign judgment is entered on the basis of the content of any writing, utterance, or other speech by that person that has been published, may bring an action in district court for a declaration that the foreign judgment is repugnant to the Constitution or laws of the United States. Expresses the sense of Congress that, for purposes of pleading a cause of action for a… | 2023-01-11T13:19:46Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/3518 |
| 111-s-3270 | 111 | s | 3270 | A bill to include the county of Mohave, in the State of Arizona, as an affected area for purposes of making claims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act based on exposure to atmospheric nuclear testing. | Law | 2010-04-28 | 2010-04-28 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. McCain, John [R-AZ] | AZ | R | M000303 | 0 | Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include the county of Mohave, Arizona, among affected areas for purposes of payments to individuals with certain medical conditions who were exposed to fallout emitted during the U.S. government's atmospheric nuclear tests. | 2023-01-11T13:20:16Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/3270 |
| 111-s-3122 | 111 | s | 3122 | Open EAJA Act of 2010 | Law | 2010-03-16 | 2010-03-17 | Star Print ordered on the bill. | Senate | Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV] | NV | R | E000194 | 11 | Open EAJA Act of 2010 - Directs the Attorney General to issue an annual online report to Congress and the public on the amount of attorney fees and other expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to the law commonly known as the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Directs the Comptroller General to commence an audit of the Equal Access to Justice Act for 1995 through the end of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted, and report to Congress on the audit results. | 2023-01-11T13:16:13Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/3122 |
| 111-s-2930 | 111 | s | 2930 | Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act | Law | 2009-12-23 | 2010-07-14 | Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 111-858. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [D-PA] | PA | D | S000709 | 2 | Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act - Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) expand the liability of foreign states for tortious acts committed against U.S. citizens during a terrorist act and allow civil actions against a foreign state that are now pending or that were dismissed to proceed in accordance with such expanded liability; and (2) impose liability on a foreign state for the acts or omissions of its officials or employees while acting within the scope of their office or employment. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) impose liability on any person who aids and abets an act of international terrorism, provides material support or resources to terrorist organizations, or conspires with terrorists; (2) grant U.S. district courts personal jurisdiction over such persons; (3) remove the prohibition against bringing a civil action against foreign states or foreign officials for damages related to acts of terrorism; (4) extend from 4 to 10 years the limitation period for bringing an action for civil damages resulting from an act of international terrorism; and (5) allow previously time-barred cases to be refiled within 90 days of the enactment of this Act. | 2023-01-11T13:16:48Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/2930 |
| 111-s-2725 | 111 | s | 2725 | Federal Judicial Fairness Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-11-03 | 2009-11-03 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S11060-11061) | Senate | Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] | CA | D | F000062 | 6 | Federal Judicial Fairness Act of 2009 - Repeals the requirement limiting salary increases for federal judges or Supreme Court Justices to those specifically authorized by Act of Congress. Amends the federal judicial code to apply the same automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment to judicial salaries as takes effect under the General Schedule for civilian federal employees. | 2023-01-11T13:17:09Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/2725 |
| 111-s-2662 | 111 | s | 2662 | Fair Resolution of Medical Liability Disputes Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-11-02 | 2009-11-02 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC] | SC | R | G000359 | 1 | Fair Resolution of Medical Liability Disputes Act of 2009 - Prohibits a medical malpractice action from being filed in a state court or a federal court under diversity of citizenship jurisdiction unless: (1) the claim that is the subject of the action has been initially resolved under an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) system; and (2) an affected party notifies the appropriate court of the intent to contest the decision and files the action within 90 days after such decision is issued. Provides: (1) for the payment of an opposing party's court costs and attorneys' fees by the contesting party in the case of a malpractice action brought in court after ADR if the final judgment issued in the action is not more favorable to the contesting party than the ADR decision; and (2) that an uncontested ADR decision shall have the status of a verdict in a court adjudicated action. Sets forth basic requirements for state ADR systems, including a requirement that they transmit to the state agency responsible for monitoring or disciplining health care providers any findings that a provider committed malpractice. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) certify state ADR systems that meet the requirements of this Act; and (2) establish an alternative federal ADR system for any state that does not establish its own system. Directs the Comptroller General to study the effectiveness of private litigation insurance markets in providing affordable access to courts, evaluating the merit of prospective claims, and ensuring that prevailing parties in "loser pays" systems are reimbursed for attorney's fees. | 2023-01-11T13:17:12Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/2662 |
| 111-s-1782 | 111 | s | 1782 | Federal Judiciary Administrative Improvements Act of 2010 | Law | 2009-10-14 | 2010-05-27 | Became Public Law No: 111-174. | Senate | Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] | RI | D | W000802 | 2 | (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on March 16, 2010. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Federal Judiciary Administrative Improvements Act of 2010 - Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) remove the power of certain active or retired federal judges to appoint U.S. magistrate judges; and (2) revise the statutory description of the District of North Dakota to eliminate the current four divisions, each of which holds court exclusively for specified counties. Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) require court use of separate judgment and statement of reasons forms in the imposition of a criminal sentence; (2) require appropriate adaptation of pretrial services functions for juveniles; (3) modify the reporting schedule for criminal wiretap orders; and (4) increase the compensation thresholds triggering administrative review of compensation for non-counsel investigative, expert, or other services necessary for adequate representation of a person financially unable to obtain them. | 2023-03-22T18:07:27Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1782 |
| 111-s-1727 | 111 | s | 1727 | Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-09-30 | 2009-09-30 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV] | NV | R | E000194 | 6 | Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to divide the Ninth Judicial Circuit into the Ninth Circuit (to be composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and the Northern Mariana Islands) and the Twelfth Circuit (to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington). Requires the President to appoint five additional circuit judges for the new Ninth Circuit and two temporary judges for the former Ninth Circuit, to be stationed in California. Specifies the locations where new circuits are to hold regular sessions. Locates the offices of the new Twelfth Circuit in Phoenix, Arizona. Assigns active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Allows senior circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to elect assignment. Sets forth provisions governing the disposition of cases pending in the former Ninth Circuit before the effective date of this Act. Authorizes the temporary assignment of circuit and district judges of the former Ninth Circuit among the new circuits. Provides that the former Ninth Circuit shall cease to exist for administrative purposes two years after enactment of this Act. | 2023-01-11T13:17:58Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1727 |
| 111-s-1653 | 111 | s | 1653 | Federal Judgeship Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-09-08 | 2009-09-08 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S9138-9139) | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 20 | Federal Judgeship Act of 2009 - Directs the President to appoint specified additional: (1) permanent circuit judges for the first, second, third, sixth, and ninth circuit courts of appeals and temporary circuit judges for the third, eighth, and ninth circuits; and (2) permanent district judges for various districts in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington and temporary district judges for Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, and Virginia. | 2023-01-11T13:18:00Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1653 |
| 111-s-1606 | 111 | s | 1606 | Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-08-06 | 2009-08-06 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. | Senate | Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] | RI | D | W000802 | 15 | Foreign Manufacturers Legal Accountability Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to jurisdiction of courts in the United States over foreign manufacturers that import products into the United States. Directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (with respect to drugs, devices, cosmetics, and biological products), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) (with respect to consumer products), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (with respect to chemical substances, new chemical substances, and pesticides) to require foreign manufacturers and producers of such products (or components used to manufacture them), in excess of a minimum value or quantity, to establish a registered agent in the United States who is authorized to accept service of process on their behalf for the purpose of all civil and regulatory actions in state and federal courts. Requires the registered agent to be located in a state with a substantial connection to the importation, distribution, or sale of the products. Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish, maintain, and make available to the public a registry of such agents. Deems a foreign manufacturer or producer of products covered under this Act that registers an agent to consent to the personal jurisdiction of the state or federal courts of the state in which the agent is located for the purpose of any civil or regulatory proceeding. Prohibits importation into the United States of a covered product (or component part that will be used in the United States to manufacture a covered product) if the product (or component part) or any part of the product (or component part) was manufactured or produced outside the United States by a manufacturer or producer who does not have a registered agent whose authority is in effect on the date of the importation. Requires the Secretary of Agriculture and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs to jointly study the feasibility and advisability of requiring foreign producers of food distributed in commerce to establish … | 2023-01-11T13:18:09Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1606 |
| 111-s-1578 | 111 | s | 1578 | A bill to amend chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, (commonly referred to as the Federal Torts Claim Act) to extend medical malpractice coverage to free clinics and the officers, governing board members, employees, and contractors of free clinics in the same manner and extent as certain Federal officers and employees. | Law | 2009-08-05 | 2009-08-05 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S8867) | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 1 | Amends the Federal Torts Claim Act to extend medical malpractice coverage, treating the United States as liable, to free clinics and the officers, governing board members, employees, and contractors of free clinics in the same manner and extent as certain federal officers and employees. | 2023-01-11T13:18:10Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1578 |
| 111-s-1504 | 111 | s | 1504 | Notice Pleading Restoration Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-07-22 | 2009-07-22 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [D-PA] | PA | D | S000709 | 2 | Notice Pleading Restoration Act of 2009 - Prohibits a federal court from dismissing a complaint for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, or because it is so vague or ambiguous that a party cannot reasonably be required to frame a responsive pleading, except under the standards set forth by the Supreme Court in Conley v. Gibson (thus restoring the system of notice pleading previously used). | 2023-01-11T13:18:14Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1504 |
| 111-s-1414 | 111 | s | 1414 | Fair Compensation Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-07-08 | 2009-07-08 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO] | MO | D | M001170 | 1 | Fair Compensation Act of 2009 - Confers upon the U.S. Court of Federal Claims jurisdiction to hear, determine, and render final judgment on any legal or equitable claim against the United States to receive just compensation for the taking of certain lands in the state of Missouri by reason of the decision and notice of interim trail use or abandonment authorized by the National Trails System Act and decided by the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) on March 25, 1992. | 2023-01-11T13:18:16Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1414 |
| 111-s-1342 | 111 | s | 1342 | A bill to include Idaho and Montana as affected areas for purposes of making claims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (42 U.S.C. 2210 note) based on exposure to atmospheric nuclear testing. | Law | 2009-06-24 | 2009-06-24 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID] | ID | R | C000880 | 3 | Amends the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act to include the states of Idaho and Montana among affected areas for purposes of payments to individuals with certain medical conditions who were exposed to fallout emitted during the U.S. government's atmospheric nuclear tests. | 2023-01-11T13:18:35Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1342 |
| 111-s-1347 | 111 | s | 1347 | Carmelo Rodriguez Military Medical Accountability Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-06-24 | 2009-06-24 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] | NY | D | S000148 | 0 | Carmelo Rodriguez Military Medical Accountability Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to allow claims for damages to be brought against the United States for personal injury or death of a member of the Armed Forces arising out of a negligent or wrongful act or omission in the performance of medical, dental, or related health care functions that is provided by persons acting within the scope of their office or employment by or at the direction of the government, whether inside or outside the United States. Prohibits a claim under this Act from being reduced by the amount of any benefit received under a Servicemember's Group Life Insurance policy. Makes this Act inapplicable to any claim arising out of the combatant activities of the Armed Forces during the time of armed conflict. | 2023-01-11T13:18:35Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1347 |
| 111-s-1329 | 111 | s | 1329 | State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act | Law | 2009-06-23 | 2009-06-23 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6946-6947) | Senate | Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI] | WI | D | K000305 | 8 | State Court Interpreter Grant Program Act - Directs the Administrator of the Office of Justice Programs of the Department of Justice to: (1) make grants to state courts to develop and implement programs to assist individuals with limited English proficiency to access and understand state court proceedings in which they are a party; and (2) allocate specified funds to establish a court interpreter technical assistance program to assist state courts receiving grants under this Act. Authorizes the use of grant awards by state courts to: (1) assess regional language demands; (2) develop a court interpreter program; (3) develop, institute, and administer language certification examinations; (4) recruit, train, and certify qualified court interpreters; and (5) pay for salaries, transportation, and technology necessary to implement the court interpreter program. | 2023-01-11T13:18:35Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1329 |
| 111-s-1234 | 111 | s | 1234 | A bill to modify the prohibition on recognition by United States courts of certain rights relating to certain marks, trade names, or commercial names. | Law | 2009-06-11 | 2009-06-11 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Lieberman, Joseph I. [ID-CT] | CT | ID | L000304 | 11 | Amends the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 to prohibit U.S. courts from recognizing, enforcing, or otherwise validating any assertion of rights by an individual (under current law, by a designated Cuban national) of a mark, trade name, or commercial name that was used in connection with a business or assets that were confiscated by the Cuban government unless the original owner of such mark or name, or such owner's bona fide successor, has expressly consented. Applies such prohibition only if the individual asserting the rights knew or had reason to know at the time of acquiring the rights asserted that the mark or name was the same or substantially similar to the mark or name used in connection with the business or assets that were confiscated. | 2023-01-11T13:18:38Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1234 |
| 111-s-1107 | 111 | s | 1107 | Judicial Survivors Protection Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-05-20 | 2009-08-12 | Became Public Law No: 111-49. | Senate | Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] | IL | D | D000563 | 2 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Judicial Survivors Protection Act of 2009 - Authorizes a six-month open enrollment period starting 30 days after enactment of this Act for an eligible federal judicial officer to opt into the Judicial Survivors' Annuities System and begin contributing toward an annuity for his or her surviving spouse and dependent children. Allows judicial officers enrolled in the System before or after enactment of this Act to purchase, in three-month increments, up to an additional year of service credit for each year of federal judicial service completed. | 2023-03-22T18:07:26Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/1107 |
| 111-s-931 | 111 | s | 931 | Arbitration Fairness Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-04-29 | 2009-04-29 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4898-4899) | Senate | Sen. Feingold, Russell D. [D-WI] | WI | D | F000061 | 13 | Arbitration Fairness Act of 2009 - Declares that no predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment, consumer, or franchise, or civil rights dispute. Declares, further, that the validity or enforceability of an agreement to arbitrate shall be determined by a court, under federal law, rather than an arbitrator, irrespective of whether the party resisting arbitration challenges the arbitration agreement specifically or in conjunction with other terms of the contract containing such agreement. Exempts from this Act arbitration provisions in a contract between an employer and a labor organization or between labor organizations. Denies to any such arbitration provision, however, the effect of waiving the right of an employee to seek judicial enforcement of a right arising under the Constitution of the United States, a state constitution, or a federal or state statute, or public policy arising therefrom. | 2023-01-11T13:19:21Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/931 |
| 111-s-875 | 111 | s | 875 | Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-04-23 | 2009-04-23 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4677-4678) | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 2 | Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2009 - Prohibits any state or federal court from relying on or deferring to a presidential signing statement as a source of authority when determining the meaning of any Act of Congress. Requires any federal or state court, in any action, suit, or proceeding regarding the construction or constitutionality, or both, of any Act of Congress in which a presidential signing statement was issued, to permit the Senate, through the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, or the House, through the Office of General Counsel for the House, or both, to participate as an amicus curiae, and to present an oral argument on the question of the Act's construction or constitutionality, or both. Authorizes the full Congress, in any such suit, to pass a concurrent resolution declaring its view of the proper interpretation of the Act of Congress at issue, clarifying Congress's intent or its findings of fact, or both. Requires the federal or state court in question to permit Congress, through the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, to submit any such passed resolution into the record of the case as a matter of right. Makes it the duty of each federal or state court, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent the disposition of any matter brought under this Act. | 2023-01-11T13:19:22Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/875 |
| 111-s-876 | 111 | s | 876 | A bill to provide for the substitution of the United States in certain civil actions relating to electronic service providers and FISA. | Law | 2009-04-23 | 2009-04-23 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4678-4679) | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 1 | Amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 Amendments Act of 2008 to require a federal or state court to substitute the United States for an electronic communication service provider with respect to any claim in a covered civil action if the Attorney General certifies to the court that either: (1) the service provider did not provide the alleged assistance; or (2) the assistance alleged to have been provided was in connection with an intelligence activity involving communications authorized by the President between September 11, 2001, and January 17, 2007, and designed to detect or prevent a terrorist attack, or activities in preparation for a terrorist attack, against the United States. Requires the alleged provider assistance to be described in a written request or directive from the Attorney General or the head of an element of the intelligence community to the electronic communication service provider indicating that the activity was authorized by the President and determined to be lawful. Requires a federal or state court, upon receiving such a certification, to: (1) substitute the United States for the electronic communication service provider as the defendant as to all claims designated by the Attorney General in the certification; (2) dismiss all such designated claims against the provider; and (3) enter a final judgment relating to those claims. Provides that the electronic communication service provider shall remain as a defendant if the Attorney General's certification states that not all of the alleged assistance was provided under a written request or directive. Allows substitution only after a determination by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (after certification by the Attorney General) that the directive requesting provider assistance was lawful and that the assistance was provided in good faith of the lawfulness of the directive. Provides that, in a covered civil action in which the United States is substituted as a party-defendant, any plaintiff may serve third-party dis… | 2023-01-11T13:19:22Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/876 |
| 111-s-877 | 111 | s | 877 | A bill to provide for the non-discretionary Supreme Court review of certain civil actions relating to the legality and constitutionality of surveillance activities. | Law | 2009-04-23 | 2009-04-23 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4680) | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 0 | Requires review by the Supreme Court of appeals of interlocutory or final judgments, decrees, or court orders challenging the legality or constitutionality of: (1) the President's Surveillance Program (Terrorist Surveillance Program); (2) certain statutory defenses for the protection of persons assisting the federal government with information, or access to it, including communication contents, communications records, or other information relating to a customer or communication; and (3) any intelligence activity involving communications that was authorized by the President during a specified period. Requires the Supreme Court to advance on the docket any such appeal and expedite it to the greatest extent possible. | 2023-01-11T13:19:22Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/877 |
| 111-s-879 | 111 | s | 879 | See Something, Say Something Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-04-23 | 2009-04-23 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME] | ME | R | C001035 | 3 | See Something, Say Something Act of 2009 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to grant immunity from civil liability to persons who, in good faith and based on an objectively reasonable suspicion, report suspicious activity indicating that an individual may be engaging, or preparing to engage, in a violation of law relating to an act of terrorism. Grants qualified immunity from civil liability to any authorized official who observes, or receives a report of, such activity and takes reasonable action in good faith to respond, consistent with applicable law in the relevant jurisdiction. Provides that an authorized official not entitled to assert the defense of qualified immunity shall nonetheless be immune from civil immunity if that official takes reasonable action, in good faith, to respond to the reported activity. | 2023-01-11T13:19:22Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/879 |
| 111-s-718 | 111 | s | 718 | Civil Access to Justice Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-03-26 | 2009-04-01 | Referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. | Senate | Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA] | IA | D | H000206 | 24 | Civil Access to Justice Act of 2009 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to reauthorize the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) at increased levels for FY2010-FY2015. Requires the LSC Board of Directors to include at least one individual with financial or audit experience. Eliminates state advisory councils. Requires the LSC to establish: (1) a protocol for the receipt of donations; (2) an audit committee, a finance committee, and a governance and performance review committee; (3) a continuity of operations plan; and (4) an adequate internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. Requires the LSC to promote recruitment and retention of highly qualified staff members for all grantees, contractees, or recipients of financial assistance through the Pilot Loan Repayment Assistance Program or other appropriate programs. Limits the coverage of prohibited purpose provisions of federal law only to recipient use of funds from the LSC itself. (Thus lifts such restrictions, except those related to abortion litigation, on the use of state and local funds and private donations.) Permits only class action suits arising under established state or federal statutory or established judicial case law. Revises eligibility requirements for LSC grantees and funds recipients, extending specific eligibility to those seeking assistance with matters relating to home foreclosure or mortgage default or delinquency. Requires distribution of LSC funds on the basis of a system of competitive bidding, as well as specific allocations for all geographic areas, Native American communities, and migrant and seasonal farm workers. Prohibits the use of LSC funds to provide legal assistance with respect to: (1) litigation relating to prison conditions; (2) the defense of an individual in a proceeding to evict him or her from a public housing project in connection with a drug offense; or (3) all but certain aliens. Authorizes the LSC to allow use of a portion of the funds provided under the grant or contract to acquire and deve… | 2023-01-11T13:19:41Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/718 |
| 111-s-709 | 111 | s | 709 | Santa Susana Fair Compensation Act | Law | 2009-03-25 | 2009-03-25 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3802) | Senate | Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] | CA | D | F000062 | 1 | Santa Susana Fair Compensation Act - Amends the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000 to include within the meaning of the term “member of the Special Exposure Cohort” a Department of Energy (DOE) employee, DOE contractor employee, or atomic weapons employee who was so employed for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days before January 1, 2009, at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory in California. Provides that a claim that an individual qualifies for compensation or benefits under such Act shall be considered notwithstanding any denial of any other claim for compensation with respect to such individual. | 2023-01-11T13:19:41Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/709 |
| 111-s-657 | 111 | s | 657 | Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-03-19 | 2010-04-29 | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 361. | Senate | Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] | IA | R | G000386 | 9 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2009 - Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides, except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party. Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable to the broadcast audience of the trial proceeding; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of the right to make such request. Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to promulgate advisory guidelines to which a presiding judge may refer in making decisions regarding the management and administration of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising described in this Act. Requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to promulgate mandatory guidelines which a presiding judge must follow for obscuring certain vulnerable witnesses. Prohibits broadcast of conferences between attorneys and clients. | 2023-01-11T13:19:42Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/657 |
| 111-s-630 | 111 | s | 630 | Statutory Time-Periods Technical Amendments Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-03-18 | 2009-03-18 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3375) | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 3 | Statutory Time-Periods Technical Amendments Act of 2009 - Amends federal bankruptcy, criminal, and civil law, as well as the Classified Information Procedures Act and the Controlled Substances Act, to extend from 5 to 7 days, and from 10 to 14 days, counting holidays and weekends, specified deadlines affecting court proceedings to harmonize them with recent amendments to the federal time-computation rules intended to provide predictability and uniformity to the current process of calculating court deadlines. | 2023-01-11T13:19:43Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/630 |
| 111-s-603 | 111 | s | 603 | Frivolous Lawsuit Prevention Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-03-16 | 2009-03-16 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] | IA | R | G000386 | 0 | Frivolous Lawsuit Prevention Act of 2009 - Amends rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to change from discretionary to mandatory the authority of a court to impose sanctions for any representations in a pleading, written motion, or other paper that violate the Rule. Revises the requirements for such sanctions. Allows monetary sanctions to be awarded against a party's attorneys. | 2023-01-11T13:19:44Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/603 |
| 111-s-537 | 111 | s | 537 | Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-03-05 | 2009-03-05 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2835) | Senate | Sen. Kohl, Herb [D-WI] | WI | D | K000305 | 1 | Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a court from entering an order restricting the disclosure of information obtained through discovery, approving a settlement disagreement that would restrict such disclosure, or restricting access to court records in a civil case, unless the court has found that: (1) such order would not restrict the disclosure of information which is relevant to the protection of public health or safety; or (2) the public interest in the disclosure of potential health or safety hazards is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information, and the requested protective order is no broader than necessary to protect the privacy interest. Prohibits any party from requesting, as a condition for the production of discovery, that another party stipulate to an order that would violate this Act. Prohibits a court from: (1) approving or enforcing an order prohibited under this Act, or any provision of an agreement between parties to a civil action, that restricts a party from disclosing information to any federal or state agency with authority to enforce laws regulating an activity relating to such information; or (2) enforcing any provision of a settlement agreement that prohibits a party from disclosing that a settlement was reached or the terms of the settlement, other than the amount paid, or from discussing a case or evidence that involves matters related to public health or safety, except where the court finds that the public interest in disclosure of potential health and safety hazards is outweighed by a confidentiality interest. Creates a rebuttable presumption that the interest in protecting personally identifiable information relating to an individual's financial, health, or other similar information outweighs the public interest in disclosure. Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to permit, require, or authorize the disclosure of classified information, as defined under the Class… | 2022-02-03T06:05:22Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/537 |
| 111-s-512 | 111 | s | 512 | Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act | Law | 2009-03-03 | 2009-03-03 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Martinez, Mel [R-FL] | FL | R | M001162 | 6 | Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act - Provides that a pre-dispute arbitration agreement between a long-term care facility and a resident (or anyone acting on the resident's behalf) shall not be valid or specifically enforceable. | 2019-11-15T21:57:17Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/512 |
| 111-s-458 | 111 | s | 458 | False Claims Act Clarification Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-02-24 | 2009-02-24 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2426-2428) | Senate | Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] | IA | R | G000386 | 4 | False Claims Act Clarification Act of 2009 - Amends False Claims Act liability provisions to eliminate the requirement that a false or fraudulent claim for government money or property must be presented to an officer or employee of the U.S. Government (thus creating liability where a false or fraudulent claim is presented to a contractor or grantee of a federal program). Allows the government, under specified circumstances, to move to dismiss from a civil action for false claims a qui tam relator (i.e., whistleblower) that is an employee of the federal government or an immediate family member of a federal employee. Declares that: (1) no claim for a violation of the False Claims Act may be waived or released by any action of any person, except as part of a court approved settlement of a false claim civil action; and (2) nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the ability of the United States to decline to pursue any claim or to require court approval of a settlement. Requires the dismissal of a civil action for false claims if substantially the same matters in the action were contained in a criminal proceeding or were disclosed in a news media report or public congressional hearing, report, or investigation. Expands the authority of a court to reduce an award under the False Claims Act if the court finds that knowledge of the claims in the civil action came primarily from specific information relating to allegations or transactions (other than information provided by the person bringing the action) that the government publicly disclosed or that the government disclosed privately to the person bringing the action in the course of its investigation into potential violations. Includes government contractors or agents under provisions granting relief from retaliatory actions taken against government employees for lawful acts taken to stop false claim violations. Establishes a 10-year limitation period for bringing a civil action under the False Claims Act. Allows the government to intervene in a civil action b… | 2019-11-15T21:57:15Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/458 |
| 111-s-446 | 111 | s | 446 | A bill to permit the televising of Supreme Court proceedings. | Law | 2009-02-13 | 2010-06-08 | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 420. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 10 | (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Requires the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless it decides by majority vote that allowing such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of any of the parties involved. | 2023-01-11T13:19:45Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/446 |
| 111-s-448 | 111 | s | 448 | Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-02-13 | 2009-12-11 | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 225. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 15 | Free Flow of Information Act of 2009 - Prohibits a federal entity (an entity or employee of the judicial or executive branch or an administrative agency of the federal government with the power to issue a subpoena or other compulsory process), in any proceeding or in connection with any issue arising under federal law, from compelling a covered person to disclose protected information, unless a federal court in the jurisdiction where the compulsory process has been or would be issued determines, after providing notice and an opportunity for the covered person to be heard, that all reasonable alternative sources have been exhausted and that separate specified conditions have been met depending on whether the matter is a criminal investigation or prosecution. Defines a "covered person" as a person (including a supervisor, employer, parent company, subsidiary, or affiliate of such person) who: with the primary intent to investigate events and procure material in order to disseminate to the public news or information concerning matters of public interest, regularly gathers, prepares, collects, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports, or publishes on such matters by conducting interviews, making direct observations of events, or collecting, reviewing, or analyzing original writings, statements, transcripts, photographs, recordings, tapes, data, or other information; has such intent at the inception of the process of gathering the news or information sought; and obtains such news or information to disseminate by print, broadcasting, mechanical, photographic, electronic, or other means. Excludes from the definition of covered person foreign powers and their agents, members or affiliates of foreign terrorist organizations, specially designated global terrorists, and other organizations and people who are reasonably likely to commit, attempt, or provide support for terrorism. Defines "protected information" as: information identifying a source who provided information under a promise or agreement of confidentialit… | 2023-01-11T13:16:48Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/448 |
| 111-s-449 | 111 | s | 449 | Free Speech Protection Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-02-13 | 2010-02-23 | Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 3 | Free Speech Protection Act of 2009 - Allows any U.S. person against whom a lawsuit for defamation is brought in a foreign country for defamation on the basis of the content of any speech by that person that has been published, uttered, or otherwise disseminated in the United States to bring an action in a U.S. district court against any person who, or entity which, brought the suit, if: (1) the speech at issue in the foreign lawsuit does not constitute defamation under U.S. law; and (2) the person or entity which brought the foreign lawsuit serves or causes to be served any documents in connection with such foreign lawsuit on a U.S. person. Allows the award of treble damages if it is determined by a preponderance of the evidence that the person or entity bringing the foreign lawsuit intentionally engaged in a scheme to suppress rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution by discouraging publishers or other media from publishing, or by discouraging financial supporters from employing, retaining, or supporting the research, writing, or other speech of an individual. | 2019-11-15T21:57:42Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/449 |
| 111-s-417 | 111 | s | 417 | State Secrets Protection Act | Law | 2009-02-11 | 2009-02-11 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S2155-2157) | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 9 | State Secrets Protection Act - Amends the federal judicial code to: (1) require a federal court to determine which filings, motions, and affidavits (or portions) submitted under this Act shall be submitted ex parte; (2) allow a federal court to order a party to provide a redacted, unclassified, or summary substitute of a filing, motion, or affidavit to other parties; and (3) require a federal court to make decisions under this Act, taking into consideration the interests of justice and national security. Requires any hearing under this Act to be conducted in camera. Prohibits an in camera hearing, however, based on the assertion of the state secrets privilege, if the court determines that the hearing relates only to a question of law and does not present a risk of revealing state secrets. Allows a federal court to conduct hearings (or portions) ex parte if the court determines, following in camera review of the evidence, that the interests of justice and national security cannot adequately be protected through attorney security clearances, protective orders, sealed opinions or orders, and special masters. Authorizes a court, if the United States fails to provide an attorney or guardian ad litem with necessary security clearance in a reasonable period of time, to review in camera and ex parte the reasons for denying or delaying the clearance, in order to ensure that the United States is not withholding a security clearance from a particular attorney or class of attorneys for any reason other than protection of national security. Authorizes the United States to intervene in any civil action in order to protect information that may be subject to the state secrets privilege. Declares, however, that the state secrets privilege shall not constitute grounds for dismissal of a case or claim. Prescribes procedures for: (1) determining whether evidence is protected from disclosure by the state secrets privilege; and (2) when evidence protected by the state secrets privilege is necessary for adjudication of a claim or cou… | 2019-11-15T21:57:17Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/417 |
| 111-s-357 | 111 | s | 357 | Equal Justice for United States Military Personnel Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-01-30 | 2009-01-30 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1125) | Senate | Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] | CA | D | F000062 | 2 | Equal Justice for United States Military Personnel Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to allow for review by writ of certiorari of certain cases denied relief or review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. | 2022-02-03T06:07:15Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/357 |
| 111-s-299 | 111 | s | 299 | A bill to establish a pilot program in certain United States district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges. | Law | 2009-01-22 | 2009-01-22 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Specter, Arlen [R-PA] | PA | R | S000709 | 0 | Establishes a pilot program in certain U.S. district courts under which: (1) those district judges who request to hear cases involving patent or plant variety protection issues are designated by the chief judge to hear them; (2) such cases are randomly assigned to the district court judges, regardless of whether they are designated; (3) a judge not designated to whom such a case is assigned may decline to accept the case; and (4) a case so declined is randomly reassigned to one of those judges so designated. | 2019-11-15T21:57:17Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/299 |
| 111-s-220 | 111 | s | 220 | Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-01-13 | 2009-01-13 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] | IA | R | G000386 | 0 | Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish the Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government, to be headed by an Inspector General appointed by the Chief Justice. Sets a term of four years, which may be extended by additional reappointments. Authorizes the Chief Justice to remove an Inspector General from office. Requires the Office to: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct in the Judicial Branch, including the U.S. Supreme Court; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; and (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse. Provides for whistleblower protection. | 2022-02-03T06:03:41Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/220 |
| 111-s-200 | 111 | s | 200 | A bill to authorize a cost of living adjustment for the Federal judiciary. | Law | 2009-01-11 | 2009-01-11 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT] | VT | D | L000174 | 1 | Authorizes a cost of living adjustment for FY2009 for justices and judges of the United States. | 2022-02-03T06:03:41Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/200 |
| 111-s-193 | 111 | s | 193 | Temporary Judgeships and Bankruptcy Judgeships Act of 2010 | Law | 2009-01-09 | 2010-07-21 | Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 471. | Senate | Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] | CA | D | F000062 | 9 | Temporary Judgeships and Bankruptcy Judgeships Act of 2010 - Title I: Temporary Judgeships For District Courts - (Sec. 101) Requires the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional district judge for the eastern district of California and one additional district judge for the district of Nebraska. Prohibits filling of the first vacancy in the office of district judge in each of the offices of district judge authorized by this Act occurring 10 years or more after the confirmation of the judge named to fill the temporary district judgeship created by this Act. Amends the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 to extend the temporary judgeships in the district of Hawaii, the district of Kansas, and the northern district of Ohio. Amends the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act to declare that the first vacancy in the office of district judge in the district of Arizona, the central district of California, and the eastern district of Texas authorized by this Act, occurring 20 years or more after the confirmation date of the judge named to fill the temporary district judgeship created in the applicable district by this Act, shall not be filled. Title II: Bankruptcy Judgeships - Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2010 - (Sec. 202) Amends the federal judicial code to authorize the appointment of additional permanent bankruptcy judges in various states. (Sec. 203) Converts certain temporary offices of bankruptcy judges to permanent offices in specified states. (Sec. 204) Extends certain temporary offices of bankruptcy judges previously authorized for Pennsylvania and North Carolina. (Sec. 205) Increases bankruptcy filing fees. Reduces the amount of bankruptcy fees to be deposited as offsetting collections to the United States Trustee System Fund. | 2023-01-11T13:21:44Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/193 |
| 111-s-28 | 111 | s | 28 | A bill to ensure that the courts of the United States may provide an impartial forum for claims brought by United States citizens and others against any railroad organized as a separate legal entity, arising from the deportation of United States citizens and others to Nazi concentration camps on trains owned or operated by such railroad, and by the heirs and survivors of such persons. | Law | 2009-01-07 | 2009-01-07 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY] | NY | D | S000148 | 5 | Grants U.S. district courts original jurisdiction over any civil action for damages for personal injury or death that: (1) arose from the deportation of persons to Nazi concentration camps between January 1, 1942, and December 31, 1944; and (2) is brought by or on behalf of such person against a railroad that owned or operated the trains on which the persons were deported and that was organized as a separate legal entity.Provides that: (1) no law limiting the jurisdiction of the U.S. courts shall preclude any such action; and (2) no such action shall be barred because a statute of limitations has expired. Makes this Act applicable to any action pending on or commenced after January 1, 2002. | 2019-11-15T21:57:14Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/28 |
| 111-s-45 | 111 | s | 45 | Medical Care Access Protection Act of 2009 | Law | 2009-01-06 | 2009-01-06 | Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. | Senate | Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV] | NV | R | E000194 | 13 | Medical Care Access Protection Act of 2009 or the MCAP Act - Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims related to the provision of health care services. Sets a statute of limitations of three years after the date of manifestation of injury or one year after the claimant discovers the injury, with certain exceptions. Requires a court to impose sanctions for the filing of frivolous lawsuits. Limits noneconomic damages to $250,000 from the provider or health care institution, but no more than $500,000 from multiple health care institutions. Makes each party liable only for the amount of damages directly proportional to such party's percentage of responsibility. Allows the court to restrict the payment of attorney contingency fees. Limits the fees to a decreasing percentage based on the increasing value of the amount awarded. Prescribes qualifications for expert witnesses. Requires the court to reduce damages received by the amount of collateral source benefits to which a claimant is entitled, unless the payor of such benefits has the right to reimbursement or subrogation under federal or state law. Authorizes the award of punitive damages only where: (1) it is proven by clear and convincing evidence that a person acted with malicious intent to injure the claimant or deliberately failed to avoid unnecessary injury the claimant was substantially certain to suffer; and (2) compensatory damages are awarded. Limits punitive damages to the greater of two times the amount of economic damages or $250,000. Prohibits a health care provider from being named as a party in a product liability or class action lawsuit for prescribing or dispensing a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved prescription drug, biological product, or medical device for an approved indication. Provides for periodic payments of future damage awards. | 2020-02-10T17:00:59Z | https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/senate-bill/45 |
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CREATE TABLE legislation (
bill_id TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
congress INTEGER,
bill_type TEXT,
bill_number INTEGER,
title TEXT,
policy_area TEXT,
introduced_date TEXT,
latest_action_date TEXT,
latest_action_text TEXT,
origin_chamber TEXT,
sponsor_name TEXT,
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sponsor_party TEXT,
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summary_text TEXT,
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CREATE INDEX idx_leg_congress ON legislation(congress);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_type ON legislation(bill_type);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_policy ON legislation(policy_area);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_date ON legislation(introduced_date);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_sponsor ON legislation(sponsor_name);
CREATE INDEX idx_leg_sponsor_bioguide ON legislation(sponsor_bioguide_id);