All Civil procedure Legislation - Federal Government
H.R.5138 - To amend title 11 of the United States Code to provide protection for medical debt homeowners, to restore bankruptcy protections for individuals experiencing economic distress as caregivers to ill or disabled family members, and to exempt from means testing debtors whose financial problems were caused by serious medical problems.
Latest Action: 02/04/2008 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. Bill Text To amend title 11 of the United States Code to provide protection for medical debt homeowners, to restore bankruptcy protections for individuals experiencing economic distress as caregivers to ill or disabled family members, and to exempt from means testing debtors whose financial problems were caused by serious medical problems. 1/28/2008--Introduced. Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2008 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to cite circumstances under which a medically distressed debtor may elect to exempt from the property of the estate in bankruptcy up to $250,000 of the debtor's aggregate interest in specified real or personal property that the debtor (or debtor's dependent) uses as a residence, in a cooperative, or in a burial plot for the debtor or a dependent. Revises requirements for dismissal or conversion of a Chapter 7 case to prohibit the court or specified parties in interest from filing a motion to dismiss or convert to Chapter 11 or 13 if the debtor is [...] show full description Comment on Bill S.2533 - A bill to enact a safe, fair, and responsible state secrets privilege Act.
Latest Action: 08/01/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-442. Minority views filed. Bill Text A bill to enact a safe, fair, and responsible state secrets privilege Act. 1/22/2008--Introduced. 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 exparte; (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 [...] show full description H.R.4854 - To amend the provisions of title 31, United States Code, relating to false claims to clarify and make technical amendments to those provisions, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 07/16/2008 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. Bill Text To amend the provisions of title 31, United States Code, relating to false claims to clarify and make technical amendments to those provisions, and for other purposes. 12/19/2007--Introduced. False Claims Act Correction Act of 2007 - Amends the False Claims Act to revise requirements and procedures governing civil actions for false claims (qui tam actions) brought by private persons. Repeals the requirement that a false or fraudulent claim for payment must be presented directly to a federal employee or member of the Armed Forces (thus tying liability for such claims directly to federal money and property, regardless to whom the claim is presented). Revises requirements for alternate remedies affecting qui tam actions,and related qui tam plaintiff awards. Allows dismissal of a private action based upon prior public disclosures only upon timely motion to dismiss by the Attorney General. Revises the prohibition of retaliatory action against whistleblowers [...] show full description H.R.4044 - To amend title 11 of the United States Code to exempt for a limited period, from the application of the means-test presumption of abuse under Chapter 7, qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 90 days.
Latest Action: 06/24/2008 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text To amend title 11 of the United States Code to exempt for a limited period, from the application of the means-test presumption of abuse under Chapter 7, qualifying members of reserve components of the Armed Forces and members of the National Guard who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 90 days. 6/23/2008--Passed House amended. (There are 2 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on June 20, 2008. The summary of that version is repeated here.) National Guard and Reservists Debt Relief Act of 2008 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to prohibit the bankruptcy court from dismissing or converting a case based on means testing while the debtor: (1) is either on active duty in the military service of the United States or performing a homeland defense activity for at least 90 days, and during the 540 days following the end [...] show full description H.R.3972 - To amend the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 to exempt from the means test in bankruptcy cases, for a limited period, qualifying reserve-component members who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 60 days.
Latest Action: 11/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law. Bill Text To amend the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 to exempt from the means test in bankruptcy cases, for a limited period, qualifying reserve-component members who, after September 11, 2001, are called to active duty or to perform a homeland defense activity for not less than 60 days. 10/25/2007--Introduced.
Amends the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 to prohibit the bankruptcy court from dismissing or converting a case based on means testing while the debtor: (1) is either on active duty or performing a homeland defense activity for at least 60 days; or (2) was either called to active duty or performed homeland defense activity as a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces or a member of the National Guard after September 11, 2001. S.2083 - A bill to require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce.
Latest Action: 09/21/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text A bill to require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce. 9/21/2007--Introduced.
Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2007 - Requires each federal and state court to recognize any lawful notarization occurring in or affecting interstate commerce which is made by a notary public licensed or commissioned under the laws of a state other than the state where the court is located. Requires such a notarization to: (1) use a seal of office as symbol of the notary public's authority; or (2) have the seal information, in the case of an electronic record, securely attached to, or logically associated with, the electronic record so as to render the record tamper-resistant. H.R.2761 - To extend the Terrorism Insurance Program of the Department of the Treasury, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 12/26/2007 - Became Public Law No: 110-160. Bill Text To extend the Terrorism Insurance Program of the Department of the Treasury, and for other purposes. 12/26/2007--Public Law. (There are 4 other summaries) (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on November 16, 2007. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act to redefine an act of terrorism to eliminate the requirement that the individual or individuals committing a terrorist act be acting on behalf of any foreign person or foreign interest. (Sec. 3) Extends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program through calendar 2014. (Sec. 4) States that no insurer may be required to make payment for insured losses in excess of its statutory deductible combined with its statutory share of insured losses. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) notify Congress within 15 days of an act [...] show full description H.R.2622 - To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require de novo review of claims determinations made by employee benefit plans.
Latest Action: 07/24/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. Bill Text To amend title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to require de novo review of claims determinations made by employee benefit plans. 6/7/2007--Introduced.
Equality for Workers under ERISA Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to require any civil action brought by a beneficiary or participant of an employee benefit plan to be adjudicated as a de novo proceeding (without deference to any prior claim determination). H.R.2128 - To provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings.
Latest Action: 10/24/2007 - Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held. Bill Text To provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings. 5/3/2007--Introduced. Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2007 - 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 [...] show full description H.R.1979 - To require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce.
Latest Action: 07/11/2007 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text To require any Federal or State court to recognize any notarization made by a notary public licensed by a State other than the State where the court is located when such notarization occurs in or affects interstate commerce. 7/10/2007--Passed House without amendment. (There is 1 other summary) (This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)Interstate Recognition of Notarizations Act of 2007 - Requires each federal and state court to recognize any lawful notarization occurring in or affecting interstate commerce which is made by a notary public licensed or commissioned under the laws of a state other than the state where the court is located.Requires such a notarization to: (1) use a seal of office as symbol of the notary public's authority; or (2) have the seal information, in the case of an electronic record, securely attached to, or logically associated with, the electronic [...] show full description H.R.1908 - To amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform.
Latest Action: 09/11/2007 - Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 348. Bill Text To amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform. 9/7/2007--Passed House amended. (There are 2 other summaries) Patent Reform Act of 2007 - Amends federal patent law to establish a first-inventor-to file system and to add or revise provisions governing patent review proceedings and patent infringement litigation.(Sec. 3) Adds and expands definitions relating to patents. Defines "inventor" as the individual or individuals collectively who invented or discovered the subject matter of the invention and "joint inventor" as any one of the individuals who invented or discovered the subject matter of an invention. Defines "effective filing date of a claimed invention" as the filing date of the patent or the application for patent containing the claim to the invention (thus establishing a first-inventor-to-file system).Revises the definition of "prior art" and conditions for patentability [...] show full description S.1145 - A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform.
Latest Action: 01/24/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 110-259. Additional and Minority views filed. Bill Text A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide for patent reform. 1/24/2008--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) Patent Reform Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Amends federal patent law to define terms, including "inventor," "joint inventor," and "effective filing date of a claimed invention." Modifies the conditions under which a patent may be obtained, including basing patent granting in part on filing dates (often referred to as a "first-to-file" system). Repeals provisions relating to inventions made abroad and provisions allowing statutory invention registration. Requires that a subsequent patent application which names an inventor or joint inventor in a previous application (currently, an application which is filed by an inventor or inventors named in a previous application) have the same effect as though filed on the date of the previous application. Repeals [...] show full description H.R.1449 - To amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for reassignment of certain Federal cases upon request of a party.
Latest Action: 04/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property. Bill Text To amend title 28, United States Code, to provide for reassignment of certain Federal cases upon request of a party. 3/9/2007--Introduced.
Peremptory Challenge Act of 2007 - Amends the federal judicial code to require: (1) reassignment to another appropriate judicial officer of any civil or criminal case to be tried in a federal district court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, or a bankruptcy court if all parties on one side file a reassignment request within 20 days (with certain exceptions) after initial assignment of a judicial officer; and (2) the chief judge of the court of appeals for the circuit in which the case is to be tried, or another judge designated by the chief judge, to determine any question arising as to which parties should be grouped together as a side for such purpose. H.R.1415 - To provide for the effective prosecution of terrorists and guarantee due process rights.
Latest Action: 04/20/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties. Bill Text To provide for the effective prosecution of terrorists and guarantee due process rights. 3/8/2007--Introduced. Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 - Amends federal provisions concerning the prosecution of unlawful enemy combatants by U.S. military commissions to, among other things: (1) repeal the authority for civilian trial (prosecution) counsel in a commission proceeding, but authorize civilian military defense counsel; (2) exclude statements made by coercion; (3) authorize the Secretary of Defense to make exceptions to commission procedures and rules of evidence as required by unique circumstances of military or intelligence operations during hostilities; (4) provide for self-representation by the accused, while requiring assistance by military defense counsel; (5) authorize the military judge to dismiss charges or take other action upon a determination that substitute information for classified exculpatory evidence is insufficient to protect the fair trial right of [...] show full description S.576 - A bill to provide for the effective prosecution of terrorists and guarantee due process rights.
Latest Action: 09/17/2007 - Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S11563) Bill Text A bill to provide for the effective prosecution of terrorists and guarantee due process rights. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Restoring the Constitution Act of 2007 - Amends federal provisions concerning the prosecution of unlawful enemy combatants by U.S. military commissions to, among other things: (1) repeal the authority for civilian trial (prosecution) counsel in a commission proceeding, but authorize civilian military defense counsel; (2) exclude statements made by coercion; (3) authorize the Secretary of Defense to make exceptions to commission procedures and rules of evidence as required by unique circumstances of military or intelligence operations during hostilities; (4) provide for self-representation by the accused, while requiring assistance by military defense counsel; (5) authorize the military judge to order trial counsel to disclose to defense counsel the sources, methods, or activities in which witnesses or evidence against the accused was obtained; (6) require [...] show full description H.R.1012 - To reform laws and procedures affecting small business.
Latest Action: 06/05/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions. Bill Text To reform laws and procedures affecting small business. 2/13/2007--Introduced. Small Business Growth Act of 2007 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans that meet certain ERISA certification requirements and whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations. Requires the Secretary to establish a Solvency Standards Working Group.Preempts any state law that may preclude a health insurance issuer from: (1) offering health insurance coverage in connection with a certified AHP; or (2) offering health insurance coverage of the same policy type to other employers operating in the state that are eligible for coverage under such AHPs, whether or not such other employers are participating employers in such plan.Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2011 the increased [...] show full description S.352 - A bill to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings.
Latest Action: 03/13/2008 - Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Leahy with amendments. Without written report. Bill Text A bill to provide for media coverage of Federal court proceedings. 3/13/2008--Reported to Senate amended. (There is 1 other summary) Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2008 - 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. Prohibits the presiding judge from permitting the photographing,[...] show full description S.243 - A bill to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system.
Latest Action: 01/10/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Bill Text A bill to improve patient access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the health care delivery system. 1/10/2007--Introduced. Medical Care Access Protection Act of 2007 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 [...] show full description S.244 - A bill to improve women's access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services.
Latest Action: 01/10/2007 - Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Bill Text A bill to improve women's access to health care services and provide improved medical care by reducing the excessive burden the liability system places on the delivery of obstetrical and gynecological services. 1/10/2007--Introduced. Healthy Mothers and Healthy Babies Access to Care Act - Sets forth provisions regulating lawsuits for health care liability claims related to the provision of obstetrical or gynecological 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 [...] show full description H.R.11 - To reiterate that chapters 119 and 121 of title 18, United States Code, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted, and for other purposes.
Latest Action: 02/02/2007 - Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. Bill Text To reiterate that chapters 119 and 121 of title 18, United States Code, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted, and for other purposes. 1/4/2007--Introduced. NSA Oversight Act - States that provisions of the federal criminal code concerning wire and electronic communications and their interception and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) are the exclusive means by which domestic electronic surveillance may be conducted until specific statutory authorization for any other such surveillance is enacted. Requires the President to report to the congressional intelligence committees on the Terrorist Surveillance Program of the National Security Agency (NSA) as well as any other program which involves electronic surveillance of U.S. persons in the United States conducted by a federal department or agency without fully complying with FISA procedures. Authorizes [...] show full description |
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