legislation
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66 rows where congress = 96 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96-s-3248 | 96 | s | 3248 | A bill to require certain actions to be filed in district court. | Law | 1980-12-05 | 1980-12-05 | Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Levin, Carl [D-MI] | MI | D | L000261 | 0 | Amends the Federal Trade Commission Act to require the Commission to file any action seeking divestiture of any person, partnership, or corporation in the appropriate district court of the United States. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 96-s-3235 | 96 | s | 3235 | A bill to clarify certain effective date provisions of the Customs Courts Act of 1980. | Law | 1980-12-02 | 1980-12-17 | Public Law 96-542. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 0 | Amends the Customs Courts Act of 1980 to clarify effective date provisions. | 2022-12-07T18:58:28Z | |
| 96-hconres-444 | 96 | hconres | 444 | A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress respecting the televising of oral arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States. | Law | 1980-10-02 | 1980-10-02 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Guarini, Frank J. [D-NJ-14] | NJ | D | G000511 | 5 | Expresses the sense of Congress that the Supreme Court should televise the oral arguments made before it to broaden the access of the general public. | 2021-06-14T19:11:56Z | |
| 96-hr-8178 | 96 | hr | 8178 | Federal District Court Organization Act of 1980 | Law | 1980-09-22 | 1980-10-15 | Public Law 96-462. | House | Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2] | WI | D | K000020 | 7 | Federal District Court Organization Act of 1980 - Provides that the Court for the Central Judicial District of California shall be held at Santa Ana, in addition to Los Angeles as currently provided. Transfers the counties of Fremont and Page from the Southern to the Western Division of the Southern Judicial District of Iowa. Transfers the counties of Audrain and Montgomery from the Eastern to the Northern Division of the Eastern Judicial District of Missouri. Places within the Eastern Judicial District of North Carolina that portion of Durham County encompassing the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina. Transfers the counties of Alleghany, Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes from the Middle to the Western Judicial District of North Carolina. Establishes a Lufkin Division in the Eastern Judicial District of Texas. | 2025-09-02T13:55:05Z | |
| 96-hr-8030 | 96 | hr | 8030 | A bill to grant diversity jurisdiction to the District Court of Guam, and to grant such jurisdiction to such Court regardless of the sum or value of the matter in controversy. | Law | 1980-08-26 | 1980-08-26 | Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. | House | Del. Won Pat, Antonio B. [D-GU-At Large] | GU | D | W000686 | 0 | Grants diversity jurisdiction to the District Court of Guam, regardless of the sum or value of the matter in controversy. Declares that for purposes of this Act a corporation shall be deemed to be a citizen of the States by which it has been incorporated and the State where its principal place of business is located except that in any direct action against an insurer of a policy or contract of liability insurance, if the insured is not joined to such action as a party-defendant, such an insurer also shall be deemed a citizen of the State of which the insured is a citizen. Includes Guam, the other U.S. territories, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia within the definition of the term "States" for purposes of this Act. | 2024-02-07T13:32:55Z | |
| 96-hr-7665 | 96 | hr | 7665 | Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 1980 | Law | 1980-06-25 | 1980-10-14 | Public Law 96-452. | House | Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10] | NJ | D | R000374 | 8 | (Measure passed House, amended) Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Reorganization Act of 1980 - Divides the current United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit into the following two circuits: (1) the Fifth Circuit, composed of the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, and the Canal Zone, consisting of 14 judges; and (2) the Eleventh Circuit, composed of the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and consisting of 12 judges. (The current Fifth Circuit consists of all six States and has 26 judges.) Makes this Act effective October 1, 1981. | 2022-12-07T18:57:42Z | |
| 96-hr-7307 | 96 | hr | 7307 | A bill to limit the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States in matters relating to abortion. | Law | 1980-05-08 | 1980-05-08 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Ashbrook, John M. [R-OH-17] | OH | R | A000221 | 27 | Prohibits any Federal court (excluding the Supreme Court) from issuing injunctive relief in any case arising out of Federal, State, or local law that prohibits, limits, or regulates abortion or the provision of public assistance for the performance of abortions. | 2021-06-14T19:43:26Z | |
| 96-hr-7227 | 96 | hr | 7227 | A bill to establish a Commission on Federal Laws to study the application of the laws of the United States to Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. | Law | 1980-04-30 | 1980-04-30 | Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. | House | Del. Won Pat, Antonio B. [D-GU-At Large] | GU | D | W000686 | 0 | Establishes the Commission on Federal Laws to study the applicability of laws of the United States to Guam, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa, and to recommend such extensions of, exemptions from, or modifications to such laws as may facilitate the political, social, and economic development of such territories. Requires the Commission to submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to Congress and the President by April 1, 1983. Terminates the Commission 15 days after such report is submitted. | 2024-02-07T13:32:55Z | |
| 96-hjres-537 | 96 | hjres | 537 | A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to establish a Court of the States. | Law | 1980-04-28 | 1980-04-28 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Kindness, Thomas N. [R-OH-8] | OH | R | K000190 | 2 | Constitutional Amendment - Establishes a Court of the States, consisting of one judge from each State selected in accordance with State law. Grants such Court jurisdiction to hear all cases arising under this or the tenth amendment of the Constitution (reserved powers to States), upon appeal from the Supreme Court. Makes such Court's decisions unreviewable by any other court. | 2021-06-14T19:17:35Z | |
| 96-hr-6875 | 96 | hr | 6875 | Center for Defense Services Act | Law | 1980-03-19 | 1980-03-19 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10] | NJ | D | R000374 | 0 | Center for Defense Services Act - Declares the policy of Congress to aid State and local efforts to promote the fair administration of criminal justice in State court proceedings and the uniform provision of defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel. Establishes in the District of Columbia the Center for Defense Services as a private, nonmembership, nonprofit corporation. Grants the Center the authority to: (1) make grants and contracts to programs to provide defense services to eligible clients which substantially comply with nationally recognized standards; (2) provide research and technical assistance, and make grants or contracts for demonstration projects to further the purposes of this Act; (3) provide for the review, monitoring, and evaluation of the provision of defense services, whether or not furnished by a recipient of funds from the Center; and (4) make other grants or contracts to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Center to promulgate regulations and guidelines to carry out this Act, including provision for substantial participation and advice from eligible clients in the decisionmaking process of defense services programs receiving assistance. Sets forth requirements with respect to grants and contracts made by the Center, such as the authority to require matching funds and a requirement that recipients of funds keep records. Requires the accounts of the Center to be audited annually and the report of the annual audit to be filed with the General Accounting Office. | 2025-09-02T13:54:26Z | |
| 96-hr-6705 | 96 | hr | 6705 | A bill to amend section 20 of the Act of March 4, 1915 (38 Stat. 1185; 46 U.S.C. 688) to provide that actions may not be maintained under such section or under any other maritime laws of the United States for damages incurred by foreign persons or such persons' legal representatives when such persons are injured or killed outside the United States, the territorial waters of the United States, or the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States, while employed on certain special purpose vessels engaged in activities relating to the off-shore exploration for, or production of, oil, gas, or other minerals unless no remedy is available under the laws of the country asserting jurisdiction over the area in which the incident giving rise to the action occurred or in which the individual maintained citizenship or residency. | Law | 1980-03-05 | 1980-03-05 | Referred to House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries. | House | Rep. Breaux, John B. [D-LA-7] | LA | D | B000780 | 11 | Amends current law authorizing any seaman who suffers personal injury in the course of employment to maintain an action for damages at law to stipulate that such an action may not be maintained if: (1) such person was not a citizen or permanent resident alien of the United States at the time of the incident; and (2) the incident occurred in connection with the operation of any special purpose vessel used for offshore exploration, in any area other than within the United States or the territorial waters or Outer Continental Shelf of the United States. Permits such an action under certain circumstances available under the laws of any country asserting territorial jurisdiction or in which the person injured maintains citizenship. | 2021-06-14T19:40:55Z | |
| 96-hr-6709 | 96 | hr | 6709 | State Justice Institute Act of 1980 | Law | 1980-03-05 | 1980-03-05 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2] | WI | D | K000020 | 14 | State Justice Institute Act of 1980 - Establishes in the District of Columbia the State Justice Institute as a private nonprofit corporation to further the development of improved judicial administration in State courts in the United States. Directs the Institute to: (1) direct a national assistance program to assure persons ready access to a fair and effective system of justice; (2) foster coordination and cooperation with the Federal judiciary; (3) make recommendations concerning the proper allocation of responsibility between the State and Federal court systems; (4) promote recognition of the importance of the separation of powers doctrine to an independent judiciary; and (5) encourage education for State court judges and support personnel. Authorizes the Institute to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements or contracts to: (1) conduct research, demonstrations, or special projects relating to the purposes of this Act; (2) serve as a clearinghouse of information regarding State judicial systems; (3) participate in joint projects with other agencies, including the Federal Judicial Center; (4) evaluate the impact of programs carried out under this Act upon the quality of criminal, civil, and juvenile justice; (5) encourage judicial education; (6) serve in a consulting capacity to State and local justice systems; and (7) be responsible for the certification of national programs to improve State judicial systems. | 2025-09-02T13:54:26Z | |
| 96-s-2387 | 96 | s | 2387 | State Justice Institute Act of 1980 | Law | 1980-03-05 | 1980-07-23 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Heflin, Howell [D-AL] | AL | D | H000445 | 7 | (Measure passed Senate, amended) State Justice Institute Act of 1980 - Establishes in the District of Columbia the State Justice Institute as a private nonprofit corporation to further the development of improved judicial administration in State courts in the United States. Directs the Institute to: (1) direct a national assistance program to assure persons ready access to a fair and effective system of justice; (2) foster coordination and cooperation with the Federal judiciary; (3) make recommendations concerning the proper allocation of responsibility between the State and Federal court systems; (4) promote recognition of the importance of the separation of powers doctrine to an independent judiciary; and (5) encourage education for State court judges and support personnel. Authorizes the Institute to award grants and enter into cooperative agreements or contracts to: (1) conduct research, demonstrations, or special projects relating to the purposes of this Act; (2) serve as a clearinghouse of information regarding State judicial systems; (3) participate in joint projects with other agencies, including the Federal Judicial Center; (4) evaluate the impact of programs carried out under this Act upon the quality of criminal, civil, and juvenile justice; (5) encourage judicial education; (6) serve in a consulting capacity to State and local justice systems; and (7) be responsible for the certification of national programs to improve State judicial systems. Requires the Institute to incorporate in any grant or contract awarded to a State or local judicial system the requirement that such recipient provide a 25 percent match. Permits waiver of such requirement in "exceptionally rare" circumstances. Prohibits the Institute from interfering with the independent nature of any State judicial system. Authorizes necessary appropriations for fiscal year 1982 to carry out this Act. | 2025-09-02T13:56:45Z | |
| 96-s-2357 | 96 | s | 2357 | Federal Question Jurisdictional Amendments Act of 1980 | Law | 1980-02-28 | 1980-12-01 | Public Law 96-486. | Senate | Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH] | OH | D | M000678 | 2 | (Measure passed Senate, amended) Federal Question Jurisdictional Amendments Act of 1980 - Abolishes the amount in controversy jurisdictional requirement in Federal question cases. Requires, in suits for damages brought under the Consumer Product Safety Act, that the matter in controversy exceed the sum or value of $10,000. Excepts from such requirement actions brought against the United States, or Federal agencies or employees. Authorizes a district court to deny costs to, or impose costs on, a plaintiff who is finally adjudged to recover less than $10,000. | 2025-09-02T13:56:51Z | |
| 96-s-2337 | 96 | s | 2337 | Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments of 1980 | Law | 1980-02-26 | 1980-06-13 | Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #209 (55-14). | Senate | Sen. Nelson, Gaylord [D-WI] | WI | D | N000033 | 9 | (Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #209 (55-14)) Legal Services Corporation Act Amendments of 1980 - Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the activities of the Legal Services Corporation in the amount of $321,300,000 for fiscal year 1981 and necessary sums for fiscal year 1982. Directs the Legal Services Corporation to make available any of its publications without charge to Members of Congress. Requires any award of attorney fees received by recipients of the Corporation to be transferred to the U.S. Treasury general fund as miscellaneous receipts. Prohibits the Corporation from providing legal assistance with respect to any litigation which relates to abortion, the performance of which is prohibited by law enacted by Congress (current law prohibits the Corporation from providing assistance with respect to nontherapeutic abortions). Prohibits the Corporation from providing legal assistance with respect to any litigation intending to prevent construction or activity on the grounds of alleged violations of the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, or the Clean Air Act, unless such litigation involves an eligible client having a direct interest. Directs the Corporation to reduce funding to a recipient and/or take appropriate disciplinary action upon finding that any employee of a recipient has engaged in lobbying activities in violation of this Act or outreach community education or client solicitation in violation of the Act, the Code of Professional Responsibility, or the Canons of Ethics. Requires the Corporation to encourage recipients to develop, with appropriate bar associations, programs designed to provide voluntary legal services by private attorneys. Authorizes the Corporation to establish a pilot program in one State during fiscal years 1981 and 1982 to demonstrate the effectiveness of private attorney participation. Provides that at least 65 percent of the total funds available for a county with a population o… | 2025-09-02T13:56:49Z | |
| 96-hr-6490 | 96 | hr | 6490 | A bill to amend title 28 of the United States Code to reduce the filing fees for any civil action commenced in the Federal district court. | Law | 1980-02-12 | 1980-02-12 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2] | WI | D | K000020 | 5 | Reduces the filing fee which a party must pay to institute any civil action in Federal district court from $60 to $30. | 2021-06-14T19:40:04Z | |
| 96-hr-6386 | 96 | hr | 6386 | A bill to authorize appropriations for the Legal Services Corporation for fiscal years 1981, 1982, and 1983. | Law | 1980-01-31 | 1980-05-28 | Reported to House from the Committee on the Judiciary, H. Rept. 96-996 (Part II). | House | Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2] | WI | D | K000020 | 1 | (Reported to House from the Committee on the Judiciary with amendment, H. Rept. 96-996) Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to authorize appropriations to carry out the activities of the Legal Services Corporation in the amount of $321,000,000 for fiscal year 1981, $380,000,000 for fiscal year 1982, and $450,000,000 for fiscal year 1983. | 2021-06-14T19:39:44Z | |
| 96-s-2170 | 96 | s | 2170 | Center for Defense Services Act | Law | 1979-12-20 | 1979-12-20 | Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Kennedy, Edward M. [D-MA] | MA | D | K000105 | 0 | Center for Defense Services Act - Declares the policy of Congress to aid State and local efforts to promote the fair administration of criminal justice in State court proceedings and the uniform provision of defense services to individuals unable to afford counsel. Establishes in the District of Columbia the Center for Defense Services as a private nonmembership nonprofit corporation. Grants the Center the authority to: (1) make grants and contracts to programs to provide defense services to eligible clients which substantially comply with nationally recognized standards; (2) provide research and technical assistance, and make grants or contracts for demonstration projects to further the purposes of this Act; (3) provide for the review, monitoring, and evaluation of the provision of defense services, whether or not furnished by a recipient of funds from the Center; and (4) make other grants or contracts to carry out the purposes of this Act. Directs the Center to promulgate regulations and guidelines to carry out this Act, including provision for substantial participation and advice from eligible clients in the decisionmaking process of defense services programs receiving assistance. Sets forth requirements with respect to grants and contracts made by the Center, such as the authority to require matching funds and a requirement that recipients of funds keep records. Requires the accounts of the Center to be audited annually and the report of the annual audit to be filed with the General Accounting Office. | 2025-09-02T13:56:39Z | |
| 96-s-2138 | 96 | s | 2138 | A bill to limit the jurisdiction of certain courts of the United States in matters relating to abortion. | Law | 1979-12-15 | 1979-12-15 | Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT] | UT | R | H000338 | 0 | Prohibits any Federal court (excluding the Supreme Court) from issuing injunctive relief in any case arising out of Federal, State, or local law that prohibits, limits, or regulates abortion or the provision of public assistance for the performance of abortions. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 96-hr-5984 | 96 | hr | 5984 | A bill to amend the jurisdiction and venue requirements and damage provisions in all suits involving the False Claims Act, and for other purposes. | Law | 1979-11-28 | 1979-11-28 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10] | NJ | D | R000374 | 0 | Amends the False Claims Act to redefine the fraudulent claims against the United States Government which give rise to liability and forfeiture. Includes within the scope of such claims the falsification of computer-readable media. Defines "knowing" (the mental state required to establish liability) to include actual or constructive knowledge. Stipulates that in any suit under this Act no proof of intent to defraud at common law is required. Increases the forfeiture level for such fraudulent claims from $2,000 to $5,000, and makes recoverable those damages sustained by the Government's having entered into or made any contract or grant as a result of any false statement. Makes venue of actions under this Act proper in any district in which a defendant can be found, resides, transacts business, or in which any act prescribed is alleged by the United States to have occurred (current law limits jurisdiction to where a defendant "shall be found"). Gives the Court of Claims jurisdiction of any action asserted by way of counterclaim. Sets forth new procedural provisions governing actions under such Act. States that the burden of proof for the United States is by a preponderance of the evidence. Provides that a final judgment in favor of the Government in any criminal proceeding charging fraud or false statements (including a plea of nolo contendere) shall estop the defendant from denying the essential elements of the offense in any action under the False Claims Act. Makes any person who gives anything of value to an officer or employee of the U.S. to influence such person in the performance of an official duty liable for the amount given. Makes any contract made with such person within one year of such payment void, and allows the United States to retain benefits or sue to recover benefits paid under any such contract. Authorizes a court to enjoin a defendant from taking an action which is found reasonably likely to hinder the collection of any judgment by the United States. Requires suits under such Act to be c… | 2021-06-14T19:38:16Z | |
| 96-hr-5843 | 96 | hr | 5843 | A bill to amend title 28 of the United States Code to maintain the filing fee of $15 for any civil action commenced in a Federal district court relating to eligibility for or the amount of social security benefits, supplemental security income, or black lung benefits. | Law | 1979-11-08 | 1979-11-08 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Perkins, Carl Dewey [D-KY-7] | KY | D | P000230 | 0 | Stipulates that in any district court proceeding relating to eligibility for, or the amount of, benefits under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) or title XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act or under the Black Lung Benefits Act of 1972 the filing fee shall be $15. | 2021-06-14T19:37:40Z | |
| 96-sres-256 | 96 | sres | 256 | A resolution authorizing reimbursement out of the contingent fund of the Senate for legal expenses incurred by Senator Thurmond in defending a civil action brought against him. | Law | 1979-10-15 | 1979-11-14 | Measure passed Senate. | Senate | Sen. Byrd, Robert C. [D-WV] | WV | D | B001210 | 1 | Authorizes $800 in reimbursement for legal expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred by Senator Thurmond in defending the case of Mims against Thurmond in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia. | 2025-01-14T17:21:40Z | |
| 96-s-1873 | 96 | s | 1873 | An act to revise the composition of the judicial councils of the Federal judicial circuits, to establish a procedure for the processing of complaints against Federal judges, and for other purposes. | Law | 1979-10-10 | 1980-10-15 | Public Law 96-458. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 9 | (Senate agreed to House amendments with an amendment) Judicial Councils Reform and Judicial Conduct and Disability Act of 1980 - Sets forth rules governing the composition and duties of the judicial councils of the circuit courts. Provides that a council shall consist of: (1) the chief judge of the court of appeals for the circuit; (2) up to seven appellate court judges in active service (chosen by seniority by majority vote of all such judges); and (3) an equal number of district court judges of the circuit in active service (chosen by seniority). Authorizes a council to hold hearings, and to compel the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents in the performance of its duties. Allows any person to file with the clerk of the court of appeals a written complaint against a judge of the court of appeals, a district court or a bankruptcy court, or a magistrate, alleging that such judge or magistrate: (1) has engaged in conduct prejudicial to the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts; or (2) is unable to discharge all the duties of office because of mental or physical disability. Directs the clerk to transmit such complaint to the chief judge of the court of appeals for the circuit and a copy to the judge affected. Authorizes the chief judge to: (1) dismiss the complaint upon a finding that it relates to the merits of a decision or is frivolous; or (2) close the complaint upon finding that appropriate corrective action has been taken. Directs a chief judge who does not enter such an order to appoint a special committee consisting of himself and equal numbers of appellate and district court judges to investigate the complaint and file a comprehensive report with the judicial council which includes recommendations for appropriate action. Authorizes the committee upon receipt of such a report to: (1) conduct an additional investigation; (2) take appropriate action to assure the effective and expeditious administration of the business of the courts within the ci… | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 96-hr-5467 | 96 | hr | 5467 | A bill to amend title 35, United States Code, to provide that, except in exceptional cases, attorney's fees should be awarded in cases involving patent infringements. | Law | 1979-09-28 | 1979-09-28 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Hyde, Henry J. [R-IL-6] | IL | R | H001022 | 0 | Authorizes the court, except in exceptional cases, to award attorney's fees to the prevailing party in a case involving patent infringement. | 2021-06-14T19:36:17Z | |
| 96-hr-5422 | 96 | hr | 5422 | A bill to amend section 1110(a) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to permit a customer of a financial institution to challenge in district court access to financial records with payment of the same filing fee that is required for an application for a writ of habeas corpus. | Law | 1979-09-27 | 1979-09-27 | Referred to House Committee on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs. | House | Rep. Cavanaugh, John J. [D-NE-2] | NE | D | C000261 | 2 | Amends the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 to require a customer of a financial institution who files a motion to quash an administrative summons or judicial subpoena or an application to enjoin a Government authority from obtaining financial records for law enforcement purposes, to pay the five dollar filing fee which is currently required on filing an application for a writ of habeas corpus. | 2024-02-06T19:38:08Z | |
| 96-hr-5423 | 96 | hr | 5423 | A bill to amend section 1914(a) of title 28 of the United States Code to permit a customer of a financial institution to challenge in district court access to financial records with payment of the same filing fee that is required for an application for a writ of habeas corpus. | Law | 1979-09-27 | 1979-09-27 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Cavanaugh, John J. [D-NE-2] | NE | D | C000261 | 2 | States that the filing fee for a motion to quash an administrative summons or judicial subpoena or an application to enjoin a Government authority from obtaining financial record for law enforcement purposes, by a customer of a financial institution under the Right to Financial Privacy Act of 1978 shall be five dollars. | 2021-06-14T19:36:10Z | |
| 96-hr-5440 | 96 | hr | 5440 | A bill to limit the jurisdiction of the courts of the United States in matters relating to abortion. | Law | 1979-09-27 | 1979-09-27 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Treen, David C. [R-LA-3] | LA | R | T000362 | 13 | Prohibits any Federal court (excluding the Supreme Court) from issuing injunctive relief in any case arising out of Federal, State, or local law that prohibits, limits, or regulates abortion or the provision of public assistance for the performance of abortions. | 2021-06-14T19:36:12Z | |
| 96-s-1654 | 96 | s | 1654 | Customs Courts Act of 1979 | Law | 1979-08-02 | 1980-10-10 | Public Law 96-417. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 0 | (Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 7540) Customs Courts Act of 1980 - =Title I: Composition of the Court of International Trade and Assignment of Judges to Other Courts= - Replaces the United States Customs Court with a new United States Court of International Trade as a court established under article III of the Constitution. Directs the President to designate a chief judge of such Court, who shall serve until the age of 70 years and another judge is designated. Eliminates the current stipulation that not more than five of the judges be of the same political party. Authorizes the Chief Justice to assign temporarily any Court of International Trade judge to perform duties in a court of appeals (as well as in a district court as currently provided). Authorizes the chief judge of the Court of International Trade to assign temporarily any judge of such court to serve as a judge of the Court of Claims (as well as the Court of Customs and Patent Appeals, as revised by this Act currently provided). =Title II: Jurisdiction of the Court of International Trade= - Grants to the Court of International Trade, in addition to the jurisdiction currently possessed by the Customs Court, exclusive jurisdiction to review: (1) any decision of the Secretary of Labor or the Secretary of Commerce certifying or refusing to certify workers, communities, or firms as eligible for adjustment assistance under the Trade Act of 1974; (2) decisions of the Secretary of the Treasury with respect to the denial, revocation, or suspension of 1930; (3) any civil action against the United States arising out of any Federal law pertaining to international trade; (4) civil actions arising from import transactions which have been instituted by the United States to recover civil fines or penalties or enforce forfeitures imposed under certain provisions of the Trade Act of 1930; and (5) any counterclaim, cross-claim, or third party action involving the imported merchandise that is the subject matter before the court or a claim to recove… | 2025-09-02T13:56:25Z | |
| 96-hr-5009 | 96 | hr | 5009 | Taxpayers Litigation and Equity Award Act of 1979 | Law | 1979-07-30 | 1979-07-30 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Lowry, Mike [D-WA-7] | WA | D | L000486 | 0 | Taxpayer's Litigation and Equity Award Act of 1979 - Awards reasonable court costs, including attorneys' fees, to a prevailing party in any civil action for the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest, penalty, or other matter arising under the Internal Revenue Code. Requires the Internal Revenue Service to reimburse the reasonable expenses of a taxpayer who prevails in any administrative proceeding. Limits the amount of such awards to $20,000. Permits awards in excess of such amount only if the taxpayer can show that his costs are computed on the basis of the costs expended by or allocable to the United States in prosecuting such case, and that the assets of such taxpayer do not exceed $1,000,000 at the time such action began. Includes within the term "fees and other expenses" the reasonable expenses of expert witnesses, the reasonable cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test, or project which is found to be necessary for the preparation of the prevailing party's case, and reasonable attorney or agent fees. Grants discretion to a court to reduce or increase a claim for reimbursement under specified conditions. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the appropriate officer of the United States Tax Court, and the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to submit to Congress a report on the amount of fees and expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to the terms of this Act. Specifies that the terms of this Act shall apply to civil actions or proceedings filed after December 31, 1978, and before January 1, 1985. | 2025-09-02T13:53:42Z | |
| 96-s-1444 | 96 | s | 1444 | Taxpayer Protection and Reimbursement Act | Law | 1979-06-27 | 1979-06-27 | Referred to Senate Committee on Finance. | Senate | Sen. Baucus, Max [D-MT] | MT | D | B000243 | 17 | Taxpayer Protection and Reimbursement Act - Title I: Amendments to Internal Revenue Code of 1954 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to award reasonable court costs, including attorneys' fees, to the prevailing party (other than the United States or a creditor of the prevailing party) in any civil action in any court of the United States for the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest, or penalty imposed under the Internal Revenue Code. Limits the amount of such award to $20,000 for any one civil action. Includes within the definition of "attorneys' fees" amounts paid to an individual who is not an attorney, but who is authorized to practice before the Tax Court. Defines "prevailing party" as a party who recovers all, or all but an insignificant portion of the amount in controversy in a civil tax proceding, or whose position is sustained as to all, or all but an insignificant portion, of the issues involved, and who establishes that the position of the United States in the civil action was unreasonable. Disallows costs and attorneys' fees for certain civil actions involving declaratory judgments. Title II: Amendments to Title 28 - Incorporates into title 28 (Judiciary and Judicial Procedure) of the United States Code the amendments set forth in title I of this Act. | 2025-09-02T13:56:14Z | |
| 96-hr-4584 | 96 | hr | 4584 | A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to authorize the payment of attorney's fees to taxpayers who prevail in tax litigation. | Law | 1979-06-22 | 1979-06-22 | Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means. | House | Rep. Corman, James C. [D-CA-21] | CA | D | C000780 | 0 | Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize a court, in any civil action in which tax liability to the United States is asserted, to award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing party. | 2024-02-07T16:32:33Z | |
| 96-hr-4109 | 96 | hr | 4109 | Constitutional Review Act of 1979 | Law | 1979-05-16 | 1979-05-16 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Dornan, Robert K. [R-CA-27] | CA | R | D000435 | 0 | Constitutional Review Act of 1979 - Stipulates that no Federal or State law may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States unless at least seven members of the Court concur. | 2025-09-02T13:53:18Z | |
| 96-hr-4047 | 96 | hr | 4047 | A bill to clarify the standards pertaining to unreasonable attorney delay and to expand the sanctions for such conduct and for other purposes. | Law | 1979-05-10 | 1979-05-10 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10] | NJ | D | R000374 | 0 | Makes an attorney who, in Federal court, "engages in conduct unreasonably and primarily for the purpose of delaying or increasing the cost of the litigation" liable for "the excess costs, expenses and attorney's fees reasonably incurred because of such conduct" (currently, such an attorney who "so multiplies the proceedings in any case as to increase costs unreasonably and vexatiously" is liable for "such excess costs"). | 2021-06-14T19:30:27Z | |
| 96-hjres-304 | 96 | hjres | 304 | A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States allowing the States to propose amendments to the Constitution when the legislatures of two-thirds of the States have approved substantially identical proposals for an amendment. | Law | 1979-04-24 | 1979-04-24 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Jacobs, Andrew, Jr. [D-IN-11] | IN | D | J000033 | 0 | Constitutional Amendment - Permits States to propose constitutional amendments if the President establishes that two- thirds of the States have approved proposals for substantially identical amendments. | 2021-06-14T19:16:26Z | |
| 96-hr-3594 | 96 | hr | 3594 | A bill to amend title 28, United States Code, to provide that an annuity under section 375 or 376 of such title shall not terminate by reason of the remarriage of the annuitant after attaining 60 years of age, and to reinstate any annuity which has been terminated under either of such sections by reason of such remarriage. | Law | 1979-04-10 | 1979-04-10 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Weiss, Ted [D-NY-20] | NY | D | W000258 | 15 | Provides that an annuity to a widow of a justice of the United States shall not terminate upon the remarriage of an annuitant who is 60 years of age. | 2021-06-14T19:28:25Z | |
| 96-hr-3515 | 96 | hr | 3515 | A bill to provide that in civil actions where the United States is a plaintiff, a prevailing defendant may recover a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs. | Law | 1979-04-09 | 1979-04-09 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Devine, Samuel L. [R-OH-12] | OH | R | D000279 | 0 | Directs the United States to pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees, to prevailing defendants in civil actions in which the United States is a plaintiff. | 2021-06-14T19:28:13Z | |
| 96-hr-3516 | 96 | hr | 3516 | A bill to provide for the recovery by the prevailing party of attorney's fees from the United States in civil actions where the United States is a party which does not prevail. | Law | 1979-04-09 | 1979-04-09 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Devine, Samuel L. [R-OH-12] | OH | R | D000279 | 7 | Directs the United States to pay reasonable attorney fees to prevailing parties in civil actions in which the United States is a party. | 2021-06-14T19:28:13Z | |
| 96-hr-3517 | 96 | hr | 3517 | Taxpayers Attorney Fee Award Act of 1979 | Law | 1979-04-09 | 1979-04-09 | Referred to House Committee on Ways and Means. | House | Rep. Devine, Samuel L. [R-OH-12] | OH | R | D000279 | 0 | Taxpayer's Attorney Fee Award Act of 1979 - Authorizes the court, in a civil action in which tax liability to the United States is asserted and the United States or the Internal Revenue Service is a party, to award reasonable attorney's fees and costs to a prevailing party. | 2025-09-02T13:53:03Z | |
| 96-hr-3395 | 96 | hr | 3395 | A bill to provide that a person who is awarded fair compensation under section 204(a) of the Act of October 15, 1977, may be allowed interest on the amount of such fair compensation. | Law | 1979-04-02 | 1979-04-02 | Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs. | House | Del. Won Pat, Antonio B. [D-GU-At Large] | GU | D | W000686 | 0 | Authorizes the District Court of Guam to award interest on the amount of fair compensation awarded in reviewing certain claims respecting land on Guam. | 2024-02-07T13:32:55Z | |
| 96-hr-3343 | 96 | hr | 3343 | A bill to permit civil suits under section 1979 of the Revised Statutes (42 U.S.C. 1983) against any person acting under color of any law or custom of the District of Columbia who subjects any person within the jurisdiction of the District of Columbia to the deprivation of any right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution and laws. | Law | 1979-03-29 | 1979-12-29 | Public Law 96-170. | House | Rep. McKinney, Stewart B. [R-CT-4] | CT | R | M000527 | 6 | Permits civil suits under the Civil Rights Act by an individual against any person acting under color of any law or custom of the District of Columbia who subjects any person within the jurisdiction of the District to the deprivation of any right, privilege, or immunity secured by the Constitution and laws. Deems, for purposes of this Act, any Act of Congress applicable exclusively to the District of Columbia to be a statute of the District of Columbia. Extends the original jurisdiction of Federal district courts to encompass such actions. | 2022-10-20T19:48:18Z | |
| 96-s-680 | 96 | s | 680 | Citizens Right to Standing in Federal Courts Act | Law | 1979-03-15 | 1979-03-15 | Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. Metzenbaum, Howard M. [D-OH] | OH | D | M000678 | 2 | Citizens' Right to Standing in Federal Courts Act - Prohibits a Federal court from dismissing an action brought against the Federal, State, or local governments, or entities or officers of such governments, based upon a violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States, on the ground that the plaintiff lacks standing to sue because: (1) the alleged injury is shared by a large class of persons; (2) the defendant's conduct is not the primary cause of the injury; (3) such injury is not substantially likely to be remedied or prevented by a determination on the merits in the plaintiff's favor, if such determination may contribute in significant part to remedying or preventing such injury; or (4) such injury is not within the zone of interests to be protected or regulated by the applicable statutes or constitutional provisions. States that such prohibition shall not affect the standing or lack of standing of a taxpayer plaintiff. | 2025-09-02T13:55:55Z | |
| 96-hr-2974 | 96 | hr | 2974 | A bill to amend sections 375 and 376 of title 28 of the United States Code, relating to judicial annuities, to provide that annuities under such sections shall not terminate by reason of remarriage of an annuitant after attaining 60 years of age. | Law | 1979-03-14 | 1979-03-14 | Referred to House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service. | House | Rep. Green, S. William [R-NY-18] | NY | R | G000417 | 0 | Provides that an annuity to a widow of a justice of the United States shall not terminate upon the remarriage of an annuitant who is 60 years of age. | 2024-02-06T20:04:02Z | |
| 96-sres-96 | 96 | sres | 96 | A resolution authorizing payment out of the contingent fund of the Senate of expenses incurred by Senator Morgan supporting a motion to quash certain subpoenas served in the case of Zenith Radio Corporation against Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Limited et al. | Law | 1979-03-12 | 1979-06-20 | Measure passed Senate. | Senate | Sen. Morgan, Robert B. [D-NC] | NC | D | M000956 | 0 | Authorizes the payment out of the contingent fund of the Senate in an amount subject to the approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of expenses incurred by Senator Morgan of North Carolina in supporting the motion to quash subpoenas for the production of correspondence between himself and Bernard Nash in the case of Zenith Radio Corporation against Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Limited, et al. | 2025-01-14T17:21:40Z | |
| 96-hr-2700 | 96 | hr | 2700 | Supreme Court Jurisdiction Act of 1979 | Law | 1979-03-07 | 1979-03-07 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Rodino, Peter W., Jr. [D-NJ-10] | NJ | D | R000374 | 0 | Supreme Court Jurisdiction Act of 1979 - Limits the circumstances under which parties have a right to appeal cases to the United States Supreme Court. Leaves unaffected provisions in current law establishing Supreme Court review by writ of certiorari or by certification of questions of law by the appropriate courts. Eliminates from current law: (1) the provision authorizing a party to appeal to the Supreme Court a decision invalidating an Act of Congress; (2) the provision authorizing a party to appeal to the Supreme Court by relying on a State statute which has been held by a court of appeals to be invalid as repugnant to the Constitution, treaties or laws of the United States; (3) the provisions authorizing the review by the Supreme Court of final judgments or decrees rendered by the highest court of a State in which a decision could be made, where (A) the validity of a treaty or statute of the United States is drawn in question and the decision is against its validity, or (B) the validity of a State statute is drawn in question on the ground of its being repugnant to the Constitution, treaties, or laws of the United States, and the decision is in favor of its validity; (4) the provision under the Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1974 allowing a direct appeal to the Supreme Court of any decision on a matter certified to a court of appeals under such Act; (5) the provision establishing the right of either the Indians of California or the United States to appeal to the Supreme Court claims against the Government for appropriated lands; and (6) the provision under the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act allowing direct review to the Supreme Court of certain constitutional claims. | 2025-09-02T13:52:44Z | |
| 96-s-567 | 96 | s | 567 | A bill to amend title 28 of the United States Code to allow the United States attorney and assistant United States attorneys for the Eastern district of New York to reside within 20 miles of the district. | Law | 1979-03-07 | 1979-10-25 | Public Law 96-91. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 0 | (Measure passed House, in lieu of H.R. 3959) Allows the United States attorney and assistant United States attorneys for the Eastern District of New York to reside within 20 miles of such district. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 96-hr-2371 | 96 | hr | 2371 | A bill to provide that in civil actions where the United States is a plaintiff, a prevailing defendant may recover a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs. | Law | 1979-02-26 | 1979-02-26 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Crane, Philip M. [R-IL-12] | IL | R | C000873 | 28 | Directs the United States to pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees, to prevailing defendants in civil actions in which the United States is a plaintiff. | 2021-06-14T19:24:17Z | |
| 96-s-450 | 96 | s | 450 | Supreme Court Jurisdiction Act of 1979 | Law | 1979-02-22 | 1979-04-10 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 2 | (Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #40 (61-30)) Supreme Court Jurisdiction Act of 1979 - Limits the circumstances under which parties have a right to appeal cases to the United States Supreme Court. Leaves unaffected provisions in current law establishing Supreme Court review by writ of certiorari or by certification of questions of law by the appropriate courts. Eliminates from current law: (1) the provision authorizing a party to appeal to the Supreme Court a decision invalidating an Act of Congress; (2) the provision authorizing a party to appeal to the Supreme Court by relying on a State statute which has been held by a court of appeals to be invalid as repugnant to the Constitution, treaties, or laws of the United States; (3) the provisions authorizing the review by the Supreme Court of final judgments or decrees rendered by the highest court of a state in which a decision could be made, where (A) the validity of a treaty or statute of the United States is drawn in question and the decision is against its validity, or (B) the validity of a State statute is drawn in question on the ground of its being repugnant to the Constitution, treaties, or laws of the United States, and the decision is in favor of its validity; (4) the provision under the Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1974 allowing a direct appeal to the Supreme Court of any decision on a matter certified to a court of appeals under such Act; and (5) the provision establishing the right of either the Indians of California or the United States to appeal to the Supreme Court claims against the Government for appropriated lands. Amends the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act to provide that review of any interlocutory or final judgment, decree, or order of the district courts in actions arising under such Act may be had only upon direct review by the Supreme Court by writ of certiorari. Removes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to review any case arising out of any State statute, ordinance, rule or regulation, or arisi… | 2025-09-02T13:55:42Z | |
| 96-hr-2301 | 96 | hr | 2301 | A bill to amend the Federal District Court Organization Act of 1978 with respect to certain administrative matters arising from the redrawing of the Federal judicial district in the State of Illinois. | Law | 1979-02-21 | 1979-03-30 | Public Law 96-4. | House | Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2] | WI | D | K000020 | 2 | (Reported to House from the Committee on the Judiciary with amendment, H. Rept. 96-55) Amends the Federal District Court Organization Act of 1978 to add the following provisions with respect to Federal district judges in Illinois: (1) the senior district judge for the Eastern District in office on the effective date of this Act shall be a district judge for the Southern District; (2) the remaining district judge for the Eastern District in office on the effective date of this Act and the district judges for the Southern District in office on the effective date of this Act shall be district judges for the Central District; and (3) the President shall appoint a second district judge for the Southern District. Stipulates that such assignments shall not affect the tenures of office of the United States attorneys, the assistant United States Attorneys, and marshals for the Eastern District and the Southern District, who shall on the date of enactment assume such positions for the Southern District and the Central District, respectively. Stipulates that any grand jury impaneled by the district courts for the Central and Southern Districts on or after the date of enactment may exercise their powers with respect to crimes committed within their respective districts as such districts were constituted before or after the effective date of this Act. Makes the effective date of the transfer of Kankakee county from the Northern District to the Central District of Illinois March 31, 1979, instead of May 1, 1979. | 2022-10-20T19:25:52Z | |
| 96-hr-2170 | 96 | hr | 2170 | A bill to provide for the reimbursement of legal expenses incurred by the City of Fairfax with respect to a 1971 entry and search by employees of the Federal Government. | Law | 1979-02-15 | 1980-12-22 | Public Law 96-559. | House | Rep. Fisher, Joesph L. [D-VA-10] | VA | D | F000151 | 0 | Authorizes appropriations to reimburse the city of Fairfax, Virginia, for legal expenses incurred with respect to legal actions arising out of a 1971 entry and search of a private building by Federal employees. | 2022-12-07T18:41:15Z | |
| 96-hr-1924 | 96 | hr | 1924 | A bill to provide for payment by the United States for certain medical services and treatment provided to United States citizens and permanent residents suffering from physical injuries attributable to the atomic bomb explosions on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945. | Law | 1979-02-08 | 1979-02-08 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Danielson, George E. [D-CA-30] | CA | D | D000043 | 0 | Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to pay for medical services and treatment for any physical illness suffered by a United States citizen or permanent resident, which is directly attributable to the atomic explosions on Japan in August, 1945. Limits such assistance to medical services provided in the United States on or after the date of enactment. | 2021-06-14T19:22:55Z | |
| 96-hr-1780 | 96 | hr | 1780 | A bill to provide for the recovery by a prevailing defendant in Federal criminal cases of a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs. | Law | 1979-02-01 | 1979-02-01 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Crane, Philip M. [R-IL-12] | IL | R | C000873 | 0 | Provides that the United States shall pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees in a Federal criminal case, to any defendant: (1) who is not convicted after trial; (2) whose prosecution is dismissed with prejudice; or (3) whose conviction is ultimately vitiated, unless such vitiation is by a pardon on grounds other than innocence. | 2021-06-14T19:22:27Z | |
| 96-s-314 | 96 | s | 314 | A bill to establish fees for services performed by the United States marshals. | Law | 1979-02-01 | 1979-02-01 | Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 1 | Sets forth the fees for services performed by United States marshals (which a Federal court may tax as costs), eliminating the amounts specified by current law. | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 96-s-237 | 96 | s | 237 | Federal Magistrate Act of 1979 | Law | 1979-01-25 | 1979-10-10 | Public Law 96-82. | Senate | Sen. DeConcini, Dennis [D-AZ] | AZ | D | D000185 | 1 | (Conference report filed in Senate, S. Rept. 96-322) Federal Magistrate Act of 1979 - Empowers a full-time or part-time United States magistrate who serves as a full-time judicial officer, when specially designated by the district court and upon consent of the parties, to conduct proceedings in a jury or nonjury civil matter. Empowers a part-time magistrate who meets the bar membership requirement of this Act to exercise such jurisdiction: (1) upon specific written request of the parties; and (2) if the chief judge of the district court certifies that a full-time magistrate is not reasonably available in accordance with guidelines established by the judicial council of the circuit (leaves unmodified current law allowing magistrates to be assigned additional duties consistent with Federal law). Authorizes appeal of such decisions directly to the court of appeals or to the district court upon prior consent of the parties. Requires the clerk of court, if a magistrate is designated to exercise civil jurisdiction, to notify the parties of their right to consent to such jurisdiction. Prohibits the district judge or magistrate from attempting to persuade the parties to such consent. Requires that anyone appointed as a magistrate must have been a member of a bar of the highest court of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands of the United States for at least five years. Allows the magistrate and the parties to determine how the record is to be taken in such proceedings. Requires magistrates to be selected under standards and procedures promulgated by the Judicial Conference of the United States, including public notice of all vacancies and the establishment of merit selection panels by the district courts. Requires such panels to consider all qualified individuals, especially such groups as women, blacks, Hispanics, and other minorities, in recommending persons to the court. Allows a magistrate serving prior to the promulgation of selection standards and … | 2025-07-21T19:32:26Z | |
| 96-hr-1365 | 96 | hr | 1365 | A bill to provide that in civil actions where the United States is a plaintiff, a prevailing defendant may recover a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs. | Law | 1979-01-24 | 1979-01-24 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Edwards, Jack [R-AL-1] | AL | R | E000084 | 0 | Directs the United States to pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees, to prevailing defendants in civil actions in which the United States is a plaintiff. | 2021-06-14T19:21:36Z | |
| 96-hr-1384 | 96 | hr | 1384 | A bill to provide that in civil actions where the United States is a plaintiff, a prevailing defendant may recover a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs. | Law | 1979-01-24 | 1979-01-24 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Hammerschmidt, John P. [R-AR-3] | AR | R | H000124 | 0 | Directs the United States to pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees, to prevailing defendants in civil actions in which the United States is a plaintiff. | 2021-06-14T19:21:38Z | |
| 96-hr-1023 | 96 | hr | 1023 | A bill to amend the Miller Act to authorize the payment of attorney fees and litigation costs to a prevailing plaintiff from performance bonds furnished by Federal contractors. | Law | 1979-01-18 | 1979-01-18 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Fuqua, Don [D-FL-2] | FL | D | F000430 | 0 | Amends the Miller Act to allow the payment of attorney fees and litigation costs to a prevailing plaintiff from payment bonds furnished by Federal contractors. | 2021-06-14T19:20:45Z | |
| 96-hr-1047 | 96 | hr | 1047 | Citizens Right to Standing in Federal Courts Act | Law | 1979-01-18 | 1979-01-18 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Kastenmeier, Robert W. [D-WI-2] | WI | D | K000020 | 2 | Citizens' Right to Standing in Federal Courts Act - Prohibits a Federal court from dismissing an action brought against the Federal, State, or local governments, or entities or officers of such governments, based upon a violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States, on the ground that the plaintiff lacks standing to sue because: (1) the alleged injury is shared by a large class of persons; (2) the defendant's conduct is not the primary cause of the injury; or (3) such injury is not substantially likely to be remedied or prevented by a determination on the merits in the plaintiff's favor, if such determination may contribute in significant part to remedying or preventing such injury. States that such prohibition shall not affect the standing or lack of standing of a taxpayer plaintiff. Precludes the raising of a standing challenge on appeal except as may be required by Article III of the Constitution. | 2025-09-02T13:52:08Z | |
| 96-hr-1129 | 96 | hr | 1129 | A bill to provide for payment by the United States for certain medical services and treatment provided to United States citizens and permanent residents suffering from physical injuries attributable to the atomic bomb explosions on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945. | Law | 1979-01-18 | 1979-01-18 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Roybal, Edward R. [D-CA-25] | CA | D | R000485 | 25 | Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to pay for medical services and treatment for any physical illness suffered by a United States citizen or permanent resident, which is directly attributable to the atomic explosions on Japan in August, 1945. Limits such assistance to medical services provided in the United States on or after the date of enactment. | 2021-06-14T19:20:59Z | |
| 96-hr-1130 | 96 | hr | 1130 | A bill to amend the Legal Services Corporation Act to provide legal assistance to older persons in connection with their participation in certain health insurance and medical assistance programs under the Social Security Act. | Law | 1979-01-18 | 1979-01-18 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Roybal, Edward R. [D-CA-25] | CA | D | R000485 | 0 | Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to direct the Corporation to provide financial assistance to qualified programs designed to furnish legal assistance to eligible older persons in connection with any determination relating to eligibility or payment for home health services or specified health-related hearings under the Social Security Act. | 2021-06-14T19:20:59Z | |
| 96-hr-992 | 96 | hr | 992 | A bill to limit the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and of the district courts in certain cases. | Law | 1979-01-18 | 1979-01-18 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Crane, Philip M. [R-IL-12] | IL | R | C000873 | 1 | Removes the jurisdiction of the United States Supreme Court and the Federal district courts over any case arising out of a State statute, ordinance, rule, or regulation which relates to the assignment of public school students to particular schools because of race, creed, color, or sex. | 2021-06-14T19:20:39Z | |
| 96-hr-993 | 96 | hr | 993 | A bill to limit the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and of the district courts in certain cases. | Law | 1979-01-18 | 1979-01-18 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Crane, Philip M. [R-IL-12] | IL | R | C000873 | 1 | Removes the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court and the Federal district courts to prohibit the consideration of any case arising out of a State statute, ordinance, rule, or regulation relative to abortion. | 2021-06-14T19:20:40Z | |
| 96-hr-302 | 96 | hr | 302 | A bill to provide that in civil actions where the United States is plaintiff, a prevailing defendant may recover a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs. | Law | 1979-01-15 | 1979-01-15 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Duncan, John J. [R-TN-2] | TN | R | D000534 | 0 | Directs the United States to pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees, to prevailing defendants in civil actions in which the United States is a plaintiff. | 2021-06-14T19:18:53Z | |
| 96-hr-435 | 96 | hr | 435 | A bill providing that any State legislature which rescinds its ratification of a proposed amendment to the Constitution shall not be considered to have ratified the amendment. | Law | 1979-01-15 | 1979-01-15 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Hansen, George V. [R-ID-2] | ID | R | H000171 | 4 | Permits any State legislature to rescind its ratification of a Constitutional amendment at any time prior to the ratification of such amendment by three-fourths of the State legislatures. | 2021-06-14T19:19:08Z | |
| 96-hr-436 | 96 | hr | 436 | A bill to provide that in civil actions where the United States is a plaintiff, a prevailing defendant may recover a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs. | Law | 1979-01-15 | 1979-01-15 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Hansen, George V. [R-ID-2] | ID | R | H000171 | 0 | Directs the United States to pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees, to prevailing defendants in civil actions in which the United States is a plaintiff. | 2021-06-14T19:19:08Z | |
| 96-hr-670 | 96 | hr | 670 | A bill to provide that in civil actions where the United States is a plaintiff, a prevailing defendant may recover a reasonable attorney's fee and other reasonable litigation costs. | Law | 1979-01-15 | 1979-01-15 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Robinson, J. Kenneth [R-VA-7] | VA | R | R000337 | 0 | Directs the United States to pay reasonable litigation costs, including attorney fees, to prevailing defendants in civil actions in which the United States is a plaintiff. | 2021-06-14T19:19:42Z | |
| 96-hr-701 | 96 | hr | 701 | A bill to amend the Legal Services Corporation Act to provide legal assistance to older persons in connection with their participation in certain health insurance and medical assistance programs under the Social Security Act. | Law | 1979-01-15 | 1979-01-15 | Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary. | House | Rep. Roe, Robert A. [D-NJ-8] | NJ | D | R000383 | 0 | Amends the Legal Services Corporation Act to direct the Corporation to provide financial assistance to qualified programs designed to furnish legal assistance to eligible older persons in connection with any determination relating to eligibility or payment for home health services or specified health-related hearings under the Social Security Act. | 2021-06-14T19:19:46Z |
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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,
sponsor_state TEXT,
sponsor_party TEXT,
sponsor_bioguide_id TEXT,
cosponsor_count INTEGER DEFAULT 0,
summary_text TEXT,
update_date TEXT,
url TEXT
);
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);