Summary: Removal Clarification Act of 2010 - Revises the federal judicial code to provide that a civil action or criminal prosecution that is commenced in a state court and that is against or directed to the United States or a federal agency or officer, or specified others, may be removed to an appropriate U.S. district court. Declares that civil actions and criminal prosecutions include any proceeding (whether or not ancillary to another proceeding) to the extent that in such proceeding a judicial order, including a subpoena for testimony or documents, is sought or issued. Limits removal of such a proceeding, if there is no other basis for removal, to only that specific proceeding, with the remainder of the civil action or criminal proceeding to remain in state court. Declares that the 30-day notice of removal requirement shall be satisfied in any such civil or criminal proceeding in which such a judicial order is sought, or issued, or sought to be enforced, if the person or entity desiring to remove the proceeding files notice of removal not later than 30 days after receiving, through service, notice of the proceeding. Provides that the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage. Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act of 2010 or DREAM Act of 2010 - (Sec. 6) Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to cancel the removal of, and adjust to conditional nonimmigrant status, an alien who: (1) entered the United States before his or her 16th birthday and has been present in the United States for at least five years immediately preceding enactment of this Act; (2) has been a person of good moral character since entering the United States; (3) is not inadmissible for reasons of health, criminality, security, public charge, smuggling, student visa abuse, citizenship ineligibility, polygamy, international child abduction, or unlawful voting; (4) is not deportable for reasons of smuggling, marriage fraud, criminality, security, public charge, or unlawful voting; (5) has not participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion; (6) has not been convicted of certain offenses under federal or state law; (7) has been admitted to an institution of higher education (IHE) or has earned a high school diploma or general education development certificate in the United States; (8) has never been under a final order of exclusion, deportation, or removal unless the alien has remained in the United States under color of law after such order's issuance, or received the order before attaining the age of 16; and (9) was under age 30 on the date of enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to waive specified grounds of inadmissibility or deportability for humanitarian, family unity, or public interest purposes. Provides for a $525 application surcharge (in addition to other applicable application fees). Requires an alien to apply for cancellation of removal and conditional nonimmigrant status within one year after the later of: (1) earning a high school diploma or general education development certificate in the United States; or (2) the effective date of related interim regulations required under this Act. Requires, prior to cancellation of removal or granting of conditional nonimmigrant status: (1) an alien to submit biometric and biographic data (with an alternative procedure for reasons of physical impairment); and (2) completion of security and law enforcement background checks. Requires an alien applying for relief to: (1) register under the Military Selective Service Act if so required; and (2) undergo a medical examination. Treats, with an exception for exceptional circumstances, a departure from the United States for more than 90 days or for any periods in the aggregate exceeding 180 days as a failure to maintain continuous U.S. presence. Directs the Secretary to issue initial, interim, and final regulations. Prohibits the Secretary from removing an alien with a pending application who establishes prima facie eligibility for cancellation of removal and conditional nonimmigrant status. (Sec. 7) Establishes an initial five-year period of conditional nonimmigrant status which shall provide for employment and specified travel authorization. Terminates such status if the alien: (1) becomes a public charge; (2) receives a dishonorable or other than honorable military discharge; or (3) ceases to be a person of good moral character, becomes inadmissible or deportable under the terms of this Act, has participated in racial, religious, social, or political persecution, or has been convicted of certain federal or state offenses. (Returns an alien to his or her previous immigration status upon such termination.) Extends such conditional status for an additional five-year period if the alien: (1) has demonstrated good moral character during the entire period of conditional status; (2) is not inadmissible or deportable under the terms of this Act, has not participated in racial, religious, social, or political persecution, and has not been convicted of certain federal or state offenses; (3) has not abandoned U.S. residency; (4) has earned an IHE degree (or has completed at least two years in a bachelor's or higher degree program) in the United States, or has served in the Armed Forces for at least two years (or if discharged, was honorably discharged); and (5) has provided a list of each elementary school attended in the United States. Authorizes, and sets forth the criteria for, a hardship exception to such extension requirements. Provides for a $2,000 extension application surcharge (in addition to other applicable application fees). (Sec. 8) Authorizes a conditional nonimmigrant to file an application to adjust his or her status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. Requires such application to be filed during the period beginning 1 year before and ending on either the date that is 10 years after the date of the granting of initial conditional nonimmigrant status or any other expiration date as extended by the Secretary. Requires such application to show that the alien: (1) has demonstrated good moral character during the entire period of conditional nonimmigrant status; (2) is not inadmissible or deportable under the terms of this Act, has not participated in racial, religious, social, or political persecution, and has not been convicted of certain federal or state offenses; (3) has not abandoned U.S. residency; and (4) if granted a hardship exception with respect to extension of conditional status, has subsequently complied with the appropriate requirements. Requires an alien, prior to adjusting from conditional to permanent resident status, to: (1) satisfy citizenship (with an exception for physical or mental impairment) and federal tax requirements; (2) submit biometric and biographic data (with an exception for physical impairment); and (3) have had security and law enforcement background checks completed. Authorizes an alien who adjusts to permanent resident status (and meets other specified requirements) to apply after three years in such status for naturalization. (Sec. 9) Authorizes: (1) the Secretary to cancel removal and grant conditional nonimmigrant status to an alien who has satisfied the conditional status requirements prior to enactment of this Act; and (2) an alien who has met the appropriate requirements during the entire period of conditional nonimmigrant status to apply for permanent resident status. (Sec. 10) Sets forth areas of jurisdiction under this Act for the Secretary and the Attorney General. Directs the Attorney General to: (1) stay the removal of certain aliens who are at least 12 years old and who are full-time elementary or secondary students; and (2) lift such stay if an alien is no longer enrolled in a primary or secondary school or ceases to meet the appropriate requirements. (Sec. 11) Provides fine and/or imprisonment penalties for false application statements. (Sec. 12) Sets forth: (1) the prohibited uses of information furnished pursuant to an application under this Act; (2) the required disclosure of certain coroner, law enforcement, or security information furnished under this Act or derived from such information; and (3) related penalties for violations of such provisions. (Sec. 13) Makes an alien who is granted conditional nonimmigrant status or lawful permanent resident status under this Act eligible only for the following assistance under title IV of the Higher Education Assistance Act of 1965: (1) student loans; (2) federal work-study programs; and (3) student services. (Sec. 14) Considers an individual granted conditional nonimmigrant status under this Act lawfully present for all purposes, except: (1) premium tax credits under the Internal Revenue Code; and (2) health plan reduced cost sharing under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Considers an individual who has met the requirements under this Act for adjustment from conditional nonimmigrant status to lawful permanent resident status to have completed the five-year period required for certain public assistance eligibility pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. (Sec. 15) Includes conditional nonimmigrants among those persons who may be enlisted in the Armed Forces. (Sec. 16) Directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report to Congress respecting the number of aliens adjusted under this Act.

removal clarification act revises federal judicial code provide civil action criminal prosecution commenced state court directed united_states federal agency officer specified removed appropriate district court declares civil actions criminal prosecutions include proceeding ancillary proceeding extent proceeding judicial order including subpoena testimony documents sought issued limits removal proceeding basis removal specific proceeding remainder civil action criminal proceeding remain state court declares day notice removal requirement shall satisfied civil criminal proceeding judicial order sought issued sought enforced person entity desiring remove proceeding files notice removal later days receiving service notice proceeding provides budgetary effects act purpose complying statutory pay act shall determined reference latest statement titled budgetary effects paygo legislation act provided statement submitted prior vote passage development relief education alien minors act dream act sec authorizes secretary homeland_security dhs cancel removal adjust conditional nonimmigrant status alien entered united_states 16th birthday present united_states years immediately preceding enactment act person good moral character entering united_states inadmissible reasons health security public charge smuggling student visa abuse citizenship ineligibility international child abduction unlawful voting deportable reasons smuggling marriage fraud security public charge unlawful voting participated persecution person account race religion nationality membership particular social group political opinion convicted certain offenses federal state law admitted institution higher education ihe earned high school diploma general education development certificate united_states final order exclusion deportation removal alien remained united_states color law order issuance received order attaining age age date enactment act authorizes secretary waive specified grounds inadmissibility deportability humanitarian family unity public interest purposes provides application surcharge addition applicable application fees requires alien apply cancellation removal conditional nonimmigrant status year later earning high school diploma general education development certificate united_states effective date related interim regulations required act requires prior cancellation removal granting conditional nonimmigrant status alien submit biometric biographic data alternative procedure reasons physical impairment completion security law enforcement background checks requires alien applying relief register military_selective_service_act required undergo medical examination treats exception exceptional circumstances departure united_states days periods aggregate exceeding days failure maintain continuous presence directs secretary issue initial interim final regulations prohibits secretary removing alien pending application establishes prima facie eligibility cancellation removal conditional nonimmigrant status sec establishes initial year period conditional nonimmigrant status shall provide employment specified travel authorization terminates status alien public charge receives dishonorable honorable military discharge ceases person good moral character inadmissible deportable terms act participated racial religious social political persecution convicted certain federal state offenses returns alien previous immigration status termination extends conditional status additional year period alien demonstrated good moral character entire period conditional status inadmissible deportable terms act participated racial religious social political persecution convicted certain federal state offenses abandoned residency earned ihe degree completed years bachelor higher degree program united_states served armed_forces years discharged honorably discharged provided list elementary school attended united_states authorizes sets forth criteria hardship exception extension requirements provides extension application surcharge addition applicable application fees sec authorizes conditional nonimmigrant file application adjust status alien lawfully admitted permanent residence requires application filed period beginning year ending date years date granting initial conditional nonimmigrant status expiration date extended secretary requires application alien demonstrated good moral character entire period conditional nonimmigrant status inadmissible deportable terms act participated racial religious social political persecution convicted certain federal state offenses abandoned residency granted hardship exception respect extension conditional status subsequently complied appropriate requirements requires alien prior adjusting conditional permanent resident status satisfy citizenship exception physical mental impairment federal tax requirements submit biometric biographic data exception physical impairment security law enforcement background checks completed authorizes alien adjusts permanent resident status meets specified requirements apply years status naturalization sec authorizes secretary cancel removal grant conditional nonimmigrant status alien satisfied conditional status requirements prior enactment act alien met appropriate requirements entire period conditional nonimmigrant status apply permanent resident status sec sets forth areas jurisdiction act secretary attorney general directs attorney general stay removal certain aliens years old time elementary secondary students lift stay alien longer enrolled primary secondary school ceases meet appropriate requirements sec provides fine imprisonment penalties false application statements sec sets forth prohibited uses information furnished pursuant application act required disclosure certain law enforcement security information furnished act derived information related penalties violations provisions sec makes alien granted conditional nonimmigrant status lawful permanent resident status act eligible following assistance title higher education assistance act student loans federal work study programs student services sec considers individual granted conditional nonimmigrant status act lawfully present purposes premium tax credits internal revenue code health plan reduced cost sharing patient_protection affordable care act considers individual met requirements act adjustment conditional nonimmigrant status lawful permanent resident status completed year period required certain public assistance eligibility pursuant personal_responsibility_and_work_opportunity reconciliation act sec includes conditional nonimmigrants persons enlisted armed_forces sec directs government_accountability_office gao report congress respecting number aliens adjusted act


Summary: Byrne/JAG Program Accountability Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require states and local governments receiving grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to implement policy, practice, and system improvement strategies to identify and reduce racial and ethnic disparities among individuals who come into contact with or are under the supervision of the criminal justice system, without establishing or requiring numerical standards or quotas.

byrne jag program accountability act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act require states local governments receiving grants edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program implement policy practice system improvement strategies identify reduce racial ethnic disparities individuals come contact supervision criminal justice system establishing requiring numerical standards quotas


Summary: Fresh Start Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow an individual convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense to file a petition for expungement of the record of such conviction. Allows expungement if such individual: (1) has never been convicted of any criminal offense other than the nonviolent offense for which expungement is sought; (2) has fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court, including payment of all fines, restitution, or assessments and completion of terms of imprisonment and probation; and (3) has remained free (if required by the court's sentence) from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for at least one year. Requires the Attorney General to maintain an unaltered nonpublic copy of expunged criminal records, to be disclosed for limited purposes to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase by 5% grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states that implement expungement procedures substantially similar to the procedures enacted by this Act. Decreases such grant funding by 5% for states that fail to adopt expungement procedures.

fresh start act amends federal criminal code allow individual convicted nonviolent criminal offense file petition expungement record conviction allows expungement individual convicted criminal offense nonviolent offense expungement sought fulfilled requirements sentence court including payment fines restitution assessments completion terms imprisonment probation remained free required court sentence dependency abuse alcohol controlled substance year requires attorney general maintain nonpublic copy expunged criminal records disclosed limited purposes federal state local law enforcement agencies amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act increase grant funding edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant program states implement expungement procedures substantially similar procedures enacted act decreases grant funding states fail adopt expungement procedures


Summary: Judgment Evading Foreign States Accountability Act of 2010 - States the policy of the United States regarding: (1) advocacy within the governing bodies of international organizations and other foreign policy settings for the full compensation and fair treatment of persons in whose favor judgments have been awarded by U.S. courts; (2) protection of economic interests of persons and nations that benefit from a reliable flow of foreign capital by restricting the access to U.S. capital markets of judgment evading foreign states (foreign states that fail to fully satisfy a final judgment exceeding a certain amount for more than two years) and their state-owned corporations, warning of the dangers of dealing financially with such states and state-owned corporations, and congressional scrutiny of requests for aid made by such states; and (3) protection of the authority of the U.S. courts by preventing such states from willfully flouting the judgments of those courts. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) deny a judgment evading foreign state access to U.S. capital markets unless the proceeds of borrowing or securities issuance are to be used in the first instance to satisfy in full all final judgments that form the basis for such designation as such a state; and (2) require all periodic filings made by such a state with the SEC to prominently bear a warning describing its failure to satisfy outstanding judgments. Imposes similar restrictions on state-owned corporations of such states. Requires: (1) a proposal to extend bilateral or multilateral assistance to a judgment evading state to bear notice that such state is a judgment evading state; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to report annually to Congress identifying each such state.

judgment evading foreign states accountability act 2010_-_states policy united_states advocacy governing bodies international organizations foreign policy settings compensation fair treatment persons favor judgments awarded courts protection economic interests persons nations benefit reliable flow foreign capital restricting access capital markets judgment evading foreign states foreign states fail fully satisfy final judgment exceeding certain years state owned corporations warning dangers dealing financially states state owned corporations congressional scrutiny requests aid states protection authority courts preventing states willfully judgments courts directs securities_and_exchange_commission sec deny judgment evading foreign state access capital markets proceeds borrowing securities issuance instance satisfy final judgments form basis designation state require periodic filings state sec prominently bear warning describing failure satisfy outstanding judgments imposes similar restrictions state owned corporations states requires proposal extend bilateral multilateral assistance judgment evading state bear notice state judgment evading state secretary treasury report annually congress identifying state


Summary: Property Owners Access to Court Act of 2010 - Amends the federal judicial code to provide that, whenever a district court exercises jurisdiction in civil rights cases in which the operative facts concern the uses of real property, it shall not abstain from exercising such jurisdiction, or relinquish it to a state court, if the party seeking redress does not allege a violation of a state law, right, or privilege, and no parallel proceeding is pending in state court, at the time the action is filed in the district court, that arises out of the same operative facts as the district court proceeding. Declares that in an action in which operative facts concern the uses of real property, the district court shall exercise jurisdiction even if the party seeking redress does not pursue judicial remedies provided by a state or territory. Provides for referral of an unsettled question of state law to the state's highest appellate court. Prohibits the district court from certifying a question of state law unless it is necessary to resolve the merits of the injured party's federal claim, and such question is patently unclear. Declares that any claim or action to redress the deprivation of a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution shall be ripe for adjudication by the district courts upon a final decision rendered by any person acting under color of any law, regulation, custom, or usage of any state or U.S. territory that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Declares that any claim founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution, but allegedly infringed or taken by the United States, shall be ripe for adjudication upon a final decision rendered by the United States which causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States and the federal judicial code with respect to certain constitutional property rights claims. Provides for the liability of the United States for certain claims, brought under U.S. district court jurisdiction or Court of Federal Claims jurisdiction, where the claim is founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution. Requires a federal agency, whenever it takes action limiting the use of private property that may be affected by the amendments made by this Act, to give notice to the owners of that property explaining their rights and the procedures for obtaining any compensation that may be due to them under such amendments.

property owners access court act amends federal judicial code provide district court exercises jurisdiction civil rights cases operative facts concern uses real property shall abstain exercising jurisdiction relinquish state court party seeking redress allege violation state law right privilege parallel proceeding pending state court time action filed district court arises operative facts district court proceeding declares action operative facts concern uses real property district court shall exercise jurisdiction party seeking redress pursue judicial remedies provided state territory provides referral question state law state highest appellate court prohibits district court certifying question state law necessary resolve merits injured party federal claim question declares claim action redress deprivation property right privilege secured constitution shall ripe adjudication district courts final decision rendered person acting color law regulation custom usage state territory causes actual concrete injury party seeking redress declares claim founded property right privilege secured constitution allegedly infringed taken united_states shall ripe adjudication final decision rendered united_states causes actual concrete injury party seeking redress amends revised statutes united_states federal judicial code respect certain constitutional property rights claims provides liability united_states certain claims brought district court jurisdiction jurisdiction claim founded property right privilege secured constitution requires federal agency takes action limiting use private property affected amendments act notice owners property explaining rights procedures obtaining compensation amendments


Summary: Inspector General Authority Improvement Act of 2010 - (Sec. 2) Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to authorize Inspectors General to subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses. Requires an Inspector General to use procedures other than subpoenas to obtain attendance and testimony from federal employees. Requires that such a subpoena provide reasonable notice to the individual whose testimony is sought and state that individual's name and the place of taking the testimony. Directs the Attorney General to represent an Office of Inspector General in the enforcement of such a subpoena. Prohibits an Inspector General from issuing a subpoena if: (1) the Inspector General believes there has been a violation of federal criminal law or the False Claims Act, unless the Inspector General provides 15 days' notice to the Attorney General; or (2) the Attorney General objects, within 14 days, to the issuance of the subpoena on the grounds that the taking of the testimony is likely to endanger national security or to interfere with any criminal investigation or prosecution, any pending investigation under the False Claims Act, or any civil litigation to which the United States is a party. (Sec. 3) Exempts Inspectors General from the Paperwork Reduction Act for any investigation, audit, inspection, evaluation, or other review conducted by any federal office of Inspector General, including any Inspector General defined under the Inspector General Act, any Special Inspector General established by statute, the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board. (Sec. 4) Authorizes an Inspector General to compare, through a matching program, any federal records with other federal or non-federal records while conducting an audit, inspection, or investigation to identify weaknesses that make a program vulnerable to fraud, waste, or abuse and to detect improper payments and fraud. (Sec. 5) Requires: (1) the head of an establishment to take corrective action in response to any questioned costs, a recommendation that funds be put to better use, significant problems, abuses, or deficiencies identified by the establishment's Inspector General; and (2) such head's report to Congress accompanying each Inspector General's semiannual report to include a description of any such corrective action taken or proposed, a description of any potential cost savings generated by such action, and a certification of any determination that no such action is necessary or appropriate with respect to any such issue, with a detailed explanation of why that is the case. (Sec. 6) Codifies specified provisions concerning the classification and pay of Inspectors General of designated federal entities. Provides that an allegation of wrongdoing against a Special Counsel or Deputy Special Counsel may be received, reviewed, and referred for investigation by the Integrity Committee in the same manner as an allegation against an Inspector General, subject to Special Counsel recusal.

inspector general authority improvement act sec amends inspector general act authorize inspectors general subpoena attendance testimony witnesses requires inspector general use procedures subpoenas obtain attendance testimony federal employees requires subpoena provide reasonable notice individual testimony sought state individual place taking testimony directs attorney general represent office_of_inspector_general enforcement subpoena prohibits inspector general issuing subpoena inspector general believes violation federal criminal law false claims act inspector_general provides days notice attorney general attorney general objects days issuance subpoena grounds taking testimony likely endanger national security interfere criminal investigation prosecution pending investigation false claims act civil litigation united_states party sec exempts inspectors general paperwork reduction act investigation audit inspection evaluation review conducted federal office inspector_general including inspector_general defined inspector general act special inspector general established statute council_of_the_inspectors_general_on_integrity_and_efficiency recovery accountability transparency board sec authorizes inspector general compare matching program federal records federal non federal records conducting audit inspection investigation identify weaknesses program vulnerable fraud waste abuse detect improper payments fraud sec requires head establishment corrective action response questioned costs recommendation funds better use significant problems abuses deficiencies identified establishment inspector_general head report congress accompanying inspector general semiannual report include description corrective action taken proposed description potential cost savings generated action certification determination action necessary appropriate respect issue detailed explanation case sec codifies specified provisions concerning classification pay inspectors general designated federal entities provides allegation wrongdoing special counsel deputy special counsel received reviewed referred investigation manner allegation inspector general subject special counsel recusal


Summary: Sanctuary City Prevention Act of 2010 - Prohibits the Attorney General from expending funds in any lawsuit that seeks to invalidate those provisions of the Arizona Revised Statutes that were amended by Arizona Senate Bill 1070, as amended by Arizona House Bill 2162, until the Attorney General reports to Congress with a plan to enforce the immigration laws in any state or subdivision that has in effect any law, policy, or procedure contravening specified provisions of the Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 that prohibit federal, state, or local government entities or officials, or persons or agencies from restricting certain immigration status-related communications with immigration or law enforcement personnel.

sanctuary city prevention act prohibits attorney general expending funds lawsuit seeks invalidate provisions amended bill amended arizona house attorney general reports congress plan enforce immigration laws state subdivision effect law policy procedure specified provisions illegal immigrant reform immigrant responsibility act prohibit federal state local government entities officials persons agencies restricting certain immigration status related communications immigration law enforcement personnel


Summary: Gulf Coast Oil Spill Legal Liabilities and Claims Act of 2010 - Prohibits settlement, legal release, or other agreement from extinguishing or limiting liability in a civil action for significant harm arising from a discharge into waters off the shore of the United States of a substance that contaminates a marine or coastal environment or endangers public health, if such settlement, legal release, or agreement is entered into under coercion or duress or is entered into in exchange for any benefit other than a settlement of claims pending. Amends the Class Action Fairness Act of 2005 to exclude from class actions under such Act any action brought by a state or one of its subdivisions on behalf of its citizens. Amends the federal judicial code to exclude an action brought by a state or one of its subdivisions on behalf of its citizens from the meaning of a class action or mass action.

claims act prohibits settlement legal release agreement limiting liability civil action significant harm arising discharge waters shore united_states substance marine coastal environment endangers public health settlement legal release agreement entered coercion duress entered exchange benefit settlement claims pending amends class action fairness act exclude class actions act action brought state subdivisions behalf citizens amends federal judicial code exclude action brought state subdivisions behalf citizens meaning class action mass action


Summary: Requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional district judge for the district of Idaho.

requires president appoint advice consent senate additional district judge district idaho


Summary: Stop Deducting Damages Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) deny a tax deduction for any amount paid or incurred for punitive damages in connection with any judgment in, or settlement of, any legal action; and (2) include any amount paid as punitive damages in gross income for income tax purposes.

stop deducting damages act amends internal revenue code deny tax deduction paid incurred punitive damages connection judgment settlement legal action include paid punitive damages gross income income tax purposes


Summary: Ensuring Justice Along the Southwest Border Act of 2010 - Directs the President to appoint additional district judges for certain judicial districts in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, including temporary judgeships in Arizona and California. Directs the Attorney General to allocate any amounts appropriated pursuant to this Act for the hiring and training of special assistant U.S. attorneys. Requires such funds to be used to: (1) train local prosecutors in techniques used to prosecute border-related offenses cases; (2) train local prosecutors in federal and state laws relating to border-related offenses; (3) cross-designate local prosecutors as special assistant U.S. attorneys; and (4) hire additional local prosecutors who, with the approval of the U.S. attorney, shall be cross-designated to prosecute both federal and state border-related offenses cases.

ensuring justice southwest border act directs president appoint additional district judges certain judicial districts arizona california new_mexico texas including temporary judgeships arizona california directs attorney general allocate amounts appropriated pursuant act hiring training special assistant attorneys requires funds train local prosecutors techniques prosecute border related offenses cases train local prosecutors federal state laws relating border related offenses cross designate local prosecutors special assistant attorneys hire additional local prosecutors approval attorney shall cross designated prosecute federal state border related offenses cases


Summary: Removal Clarification Act of 2010 - Revises the federal judicial code to provide that a civil action or criminal prosecution that is commenced in a state court and that is against or directed to the United States or a federal agency or officer, or specified others, may be removed to an appropriate U.S. district court. Declares that civil actions and criminal prosecutions include any proceeding (whether or not ancillary to another proceeding) to the extent that in such proceeding a judicial order, including a subpoena for testimony or documents, is sought or issued. Limits removal of such a proceeding, if there is no other basis for removal, to only that specific proceeding, with the remainder of the civil action or criminal proceeding to remain in state court. Declares that the 30-day notice of removal requirement shall be satisfied in any such civil or criminal proceeding in which such a judicial order is sought, or issued, or sought to be enforced, if the person or entity desiring to remove the proceeding files notice of removal not later than 30 days after receiving, through service, notice of the proceeding. Provides that the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

removal clarification act revises federal judicial code provide civil action criminal prosecution commenced state court directed united_states federal agency officer specified removed appropriate district court declares civil actions criminal prosecutions include proceeding ancillary proceeding extent proceeding judicial order including subpoena testimony documents sought issued limits removal proceeding basis removal specific proceeding remainder civil action criminal proceeding remain state court declares day notice removal requirement shall satisfied civil criminal proceeding judicial order sought issued sought enforced person entity desiring remove proceeding files notice removal later days receiving service notice proceeding provides budgetary effects act purpose complying statutory pay act shall determined reference latest statement titled budgetary effects paygo legislation act provided statement submitted prior vote passage


Summary: 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.

grants district courts original jurisdiction civil action damages personal injury death arose deportation persons nazi concentration camps january december brought behalf person railroad owned operated trains persons deported organized separate legal entity provides law limiting jurisdiction courts shall preclude action action shall barred statute limitations expired makes act applicable action pending commenced january


Summary: 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.

bankruptcy judgeships act title temporary judgeships district_courts sec requires president appoint advice consent senate additional district judge eastern district california additional district judge district nebraska prohibits filling vacancy office district judge offices district judge authorized act occurring years confirmation judge named fill temporary district judgeship created act amends judicial improvements act extend temporary judgeships district hawaii district kansas northern district ohio amends 21st century department justice appropriations authorization act declare vacancy office district judge district arizona central district california eastern district texas authorized act occurring years confirmation date judge named fill temporary district judgeship created applicable district act shall filled title bankruptcy judgeships bankruptcy judgeship act sec amends federal judicial code authorize appointment additional permanent bankruptcy judges states sec converts certain temporary offices bankruptcy judges permanent offices specified states sec extends certain temporary offices bankruptcy judges previously authorized pennsylvania north_carolina sec increases bankruptcy filing fees reduces bankruptcy fees deposited offsetting collections


Summary: 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.

judicial_transparency_and_ethics_enhancement_act amends federal judicial code establish office_of_inspector_general judicial_branch government headed inspector general appointed chief justice sets term years extended additional reappointments authorizes chief justice remove inspector general office requires office conduct investigations alleged misconduct judicial_branch including conduct supervise audits investigations prevent detect waste fraud abuse provides whistleblower protection


Summary: 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.

establishes pilot program certain district courts district judges request hear cases involving patent plant variety protection issues designated chief judge hear cases randomly assigned district court judges regardless designated judge designated case assigned decline accept case case declined randomly reassigned judges designated


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow attorneys a tax deduction in the current taxable year for reimbursable expenses and court costs which they pay or incur in connection with contingency fee cases.

amends internal revenue code allow attorneys tax deduction current taxable year reimbursable expenses court costs pay incur connection contingency fee cases


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the tax deduction for attorney's fees and courts costs to allow an above-the-line deduction for such fees and costs paid in connection with any legal action involving a civil claim (currently, limited to actions involving unlawful discrimination, the False Claims Act, and Medicare payments).

amends internal revenue code expand tax deduction attorney fees courts costs allow line deduction fees costs paid connection legal action involving civil claim currently limited actions involving unlawful discrimination false claims act medicare payments


Summary: 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.

requires supreme_court permit television coverage open sessions court decides majority vote allowing coverage particular case violate process rights parties involved


Summary: 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 by filing its own complaint or amending the complaint of an individual who has brought a claim under the Act. Provides that the filing date of any such complaint or amended complaint shall relate back to the filing date of the complaint brought by the person filing the original complaint, for statute of limitation purposes. Allows: (1) a designee of the Attorney General to issue a civil investigative demand in an action under the False Claims Act; and (2) the sharing of information obtained by a civil investigative demand with any qui tam relator if the Attorney General or designee determines such sharing to be a necessary part of a False Claims Act investigation. Expands the definition of "official use" to facilitate Department of Justice (DOJ) use and sharing of false claim information. Directs the Attorney General to report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees regarding false claims settlements for claims for damages exceeding $100,000.

false claims act clarification act amends false claims act liability provisions eliminate requirement false fraudulent claim government money property presented officer employee creating liability false fraudulent claim presented contractor grantee federal program allows government specified circumstances dismiss civil action false claims whistleblower employee federal government immediate family member federal employee declares claim violation false claims act waived released action person court approved settlement false claim civil action act shall construed limit ability united_states decline pursue claim require court approval settlement requires dismissal civil action false claims substantially matters action contained criminal proceeding disclosed news media report public congressional hearing report investigation expands authority court reduce award false claims act court finds knowledge claims civil action came primarily specific information relating allegations transactions information provided person bringing action government publicly disclosed government disclosed privately person bringing action course investigation potential violations includes government contractors agents provisions granting relief retaliatory actions taken government employees lawful acts taken stop false claim violations establishes year limitation period bringing civil action false claims act allows government intervene civil action filing complaint amending complaint individual brought claim act provides filing date complaint amended complaint shall relate filing date complaint brought person filing original complaint statute limitation purposes allows designee attorney general issue civil investigative demand action false claims act sharing information obtained civil investigative demand attorney general designee determines sharing necessary false claims act investigation expands definition official use facilitate department_of_justice doj use sharing false claim information directs attorney general report senate false claims settlements claims damages exceeding


Summary: 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.

fairness nursing home arbitration act provides pre dispute arbitration agreement long term care facility resident acting resident behalf shall valid specifically enforceable


Summary: 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 Classified Information Procedures Act.

sunshine litigation act amends federal judicial code prohibit court entering order restricting disclosure information obtained discovery approving settlement disagreement restrict disclosure restricting access court records civil case court found order restrict disclosure information relevant protection public health safety public interest disclosure potential health safety hazards outweighed specific substantial interest maintaining confidentiality information requested protective order broader necessary protect privacy interest prohibits party requesting condition production discovery party stipulate order violate act prohibits court approving enforcing order prohibited act provision agreement parties civil action restricts party disclosing information federal state agency authority enforce laws regulating activity relating information enforcing provision settlement agreement prohibits party disclosing settlement reached terms settlement paid discussing case evidence involves matters related public health safety court finds public interest disclosure potential health safety hazards outweighed confidentiality interest creates rebuttable presumption interest protecting personally identifiable information relating individual financial health similar information outweighs public interest disclosure declares act shall construed permit require authorize disclosure classified information defined classified_information_procedures_act


Summary: Makes unenforceable by a federal or state agency, department, or court any judgment of a foreign court or agency under a certain kind of foreign statute that requires a U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate) to pay damages to a foreign defendant. Describes such a foreign statute as one that has the effect of nullifying all or part of a final judgment of a U.S. court under the Antidumping Act of 1916 by enabling a foreign defendant that has paid damages pursuant to such judgment to recover any portion of them from the U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate). Authorizes a U.S. plaintiff (or affiliate) held liable, or required to forfeit or pay damages, pursuant to a foreign judgment to file a civil action for the amount of such damages (plus interest and costs) against the foreign defendant that obtained damages pursuant to the foreign judgment.

makes unenforceable federal state agency department court judgment foreign court agency certain kind foreign statute requires plaintiff affiliate pay damages foreign defendant describes foreign statute effect final judgment court antidumping act enabling foreign defendant paid damages pursuant judgment recover portion plaintiff affiliate authorizes plaintiff affiliate held liable required forfeit pay damages pursuant foreign judgment file civil action damages plus interest costs foreign defendant obtained damages pursuant foreign judgment


Summary: 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.

frivolous lawsuit prevention act amends rule federal_rules_of_civil_procedure change discretionary mandatory authority court impose sanctions representations pleading written motion paper violate rule revises requirements sanctions allows monetary sanctions awarded party attorneys


Summary: 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.

amends federal bankruptcy criminal civil law classified_information_procedures_act controlled substances act extend days days counting holidays weekends specified deadlines affecting court proceedings harmonize recent amendments federal time computation rules intended provide predictability uniformity current process calculating court deadlines


Summary: 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.

sunshine courtroom act authorizes presiding judge appellate court district court permit photographing electronic recording broadcasting televising public court proceedings judge presides action constitute violation process rights party directs district court request witness trial proceeding party order face voice witness disguised obscured render witness unrecognizable broadcast audience trial proceeding presiding judge trial proceeding inform witness party right request authorizes judicial_conference_of_the_united_states promulgate advisory guidelines presiding judge refer making decisions management administration photographing recording broadcasting televising described act requires judicial conference united_states promulgate mandatory guidelines presiding judge follow certain vulnerable witnesses prohibits broadcast conferences attorneys clients


Summary: Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act - Prohibits, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), considering any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judge, magistrate, or other judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.

veterans 2nd amendment protection act prohibits case arising administration laws benefits secretary veterans_affairs considering person mentally incapacitated deemed mentally incompetent experiencing extended loss consciousness considered adjudicated mental defective purposes right receive transport firearms order finding judge magistrate judicial authority competent jurisdiction person danger


Summary: (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.

measure amended introduced summary version repeated authorizes month open enrollment period starting days enactment act eligible federal judicial officer opt begin contributing annuity surviving spouse dependent children allows judicial officers enrolled system enactment act purchase month increments additional year service credit year federal judicial service completed


Summary: 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.

office_of_justice_programs_of_the_department_of_justice grants state courts develop implement programs assist individuals limited english proficiency access understand state court proceedings party allocate specified funds establish court interpreter technical assistance program assist state courts receiving grants act authorizes use grant awards state courts assess regional language demands develop court interpreter program develop institute administer language certification examinations recruit train certify qualified court interpreters pay salaries transportation technology necessary implement court interpreter program


Summary: 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).

prohibits federal court dismissing complaint failure state claim relief granted party reasonably required frame responsive pleading standards set forth supreme_court restoring system notice pleading previously


Summary: No Firearms for Foreign Felons Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to prevent any individual convicted of a felony or crime of domestic violence in a foreign court from possessing a firearm in the United States.

firearms foreign felons act amends federal criminal code prevent individual convicted felony crime domestic violence foreign court possessing firearm united_states


Summary: Safe Babies Act of 2009 - Amends the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 to authorize the Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to create, and provide technical assistance to, local court teams to promote the well-being of maltreated infants and toddlers and their families, prevent the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, and promote timely reunification of families. Defines "maltreated infant or toddler" as any child three years of age or younger who is the victim of a substantiated case of physical abuse, neglect, medical neglect, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse. Directs the Administrator to award a grant to establish a National Court Teams for Maltreated Infants and Toddlers Resource Center to provide information, training, and other assistance to local court teams and to establish a uniform data collection system related to the operation and outcomes of projects initiated by such teams. Sets forth required activities for local court teams, including: (1) conducting monthly reviews of cases handled by such teams; (2) incorporating child-focused services into case plans for maltreated infants and toddlers; (3) organizing training of community members working with court teams; (4) identifying areas for improvement in providing mental health and substance abuse treatment for families; and (5) prioritizing after-care services for families.

safe babies act amends juvenile justice delinquency prevention act authorize administrator office_of_juvenile_justice delinquency prevention create provide technical assistance local court teams promote infants toddlers families prevent recurrence child abuse neglect promote timely reunification families defines infant toddler child years age younger victim substantiated case physical abuse neglect medical neglect sexual abuse emotional abuse directs administrator award grant establish provide information training assistance local court teams establish uniform data collection system related operation outcomes projects initiated teams sets forth required activities local court teams including conducting monthly reviews cases handled teams incorporating child focused services case plans infants toddlers organizing training community members working court teams identifying areas improvement providing mental health substance abuse treatment families prioritizing care services families


Summary: 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.

federal judgeship act directs president appoint specified additional permanent circuit judges second sixth ninth circuit courts appeals temporary circuit judges eighth ninth circuits permanent district judges districts arizona california colorado florida indiana minnesota new_jersey new_mexico new_york oregon south_carolina texas washington temporary district judges alabama arizona california florida idaho iowa minnesota nebraska new_york virginia


Summary: 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.

modernization act amends federal judicial code divide ninth_circuit composed california guam hawaii northern_mariana_islands twelfth_circuit composed alaska arizona idaho montana nevada oregon washington requires president appoint additional circuit judges new ninth_circuit temporary judges ninth_circuit stationed california specifies locations new circuits hold regular sessions locates offices new twelfth_circuit phoenix arizona assigns active circuit judges ninth_circuit new circuits allows senior circuit judges ninth_circuit elect assignment sets forth provisions governing disposition cases pending ninth_circuit effective date act authorizes temporary assignment circuit district judges ninth_circuit new circuits provides ninth_circuit shall cease exist administrative purposes years enactment act


Summary: (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.

measure amended passed senate march summary version repeated amends federal judicial code remove power certain active retired federal judges appoint magistrate judges revise statutory description district north dakota eliminate current divisions holds court exclusively specified counties amends federal criminal code require court use separate judgment statement reasons forms imposition criminal sentence require appropriate adaptation pretrial services functions juveniles modify reporting schedule criminal orders increase compensation thresholds triggering administrative review compensation non counsel investigative expert services necessary adequate representation person financially unable obtain


Summary: Fair Sentencing Act of 2010 - Amends the Controlled Substances Act and the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to: (1) increase the amount of a controlled substance or mixture containing a cocaine base (i.e., crack cocaine) required for the imposition of mandatory minimum prison terms for trafficking; and (2) increase monetary penalties for drug trafficking and for the importation and exportation of controlled substances. Eliminates the five-year mandatory minimum prison term for first-time possession of crack cocaine. Directs the United States Sentencing Commission to: (1) review and amend its sentencing guidelines to increase sentences for defendants convicted of using violence during a drug trafficking offense; (2) incorporate aggravating and mitigating factors in its guidelines for drug trafficking offenses; (3) promulgate guidelines, policy statements, or amendments required by this Act as soon as practicable, but not later than 90 days after the enactment of this Act; and (4) study and report to Congress on the impact of changes in sentencing law under this Act. Directs the Comptroller General, within one year after the enactment of this Act, to report to Congress analyzing the effectiveness of drug court programs under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968.

fair sentencing act amends controlled substances act controlled_substances_import_and_export_act increase controlled substance mixture containing cocaine base crack cocaine required imposition mandatory minimum prison terms trafficking increase monetary penalties drug trafficking importation exportation controlled substances eliminates year mandatory minimum prison term time possession crack cocaine directs united_states_sentencing_commission review amend sentencing guidelines increase sentences defendants convicted violence drug trafficking offense incorporate aggravating mitigating factors guidelines drug trafficking offenses promulgate guidelines policy statements amendments required act soon practicable later days enactment act study report congress impact changes sentencing law act directs comptroller_general year enactment act report congress analyzing effectiveness drug court programs omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act


Summary: Enhanced Restitution Enforcement and Equitable Retirement Treatment Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) impose a late fee on unpaid criminal fines or restitution obligations of $2,500 or more; (2) revise requirements for the modification or remission of unpaid criminal fines, restitution obligations, or special assessments; (3) require the Attorney General to establish guidelines for the enforcement of all criminal and civil obligations owed to the United States; and (4) increase special assessments on persons convicted of federal misdemeanors and felonies. Amends the federal judicial code to impose a late fee on unpaid money judgments owed to the United States. Establishes in the Treasury the Department of Justice (DOJ) Enhanced Financial Recovery Fund to support DOJ debt collection activities. Requires current federal agency share contributions for personnel benefits incurred as a result of this Act to be paid from such Fund. Requires assistant U.S. attorneys to be treated in the same manner as federal law enforcement officers for purposes of federal employee retirement benefit provisions.

amends federal criminal code impose late fee unpaid criminal fines restitution obligations revise requirements modification remission unpaid criminal fines restitution obligations special assessments require attorney general establish guidelines enforcement criminal civil obligations owed united_states increase special assessments persons convicted federal misdemeanors felonies amends federal judicial code impose late fee unpaid money judgments owed united_states establishes treasury department_of_justice doj enhanced financial recovery fund support doj debt collection activities requires current federal agency share contributions personnel benefits incurred result act paid fund requires assistant attorneys treated manner federal law enforcement officers purposes federal employee retirement benefit provisions


Summary: Prohibits the Attorney General (AG) or any officer or employee of the Department of Justice (DOJ) from initiating a custodial interrogation of, or filing a criminal complaint or indictment (action) against any foreign person detained by the United States because they may have engaged in conduct constituting an act of war against the United States, terrorism, or material support to terrorists or activities in preparation therefor, unless the AG has previously consulted with the following intelligence officials: (1) the Director of National Intelligence (DNI); (2) the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center; (3) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS); and (4) the Secretary of Defense (DOD). Provides that if any of the intelligence officials believe that any action proposed by the AG may prevent the collection of intelligence related to terrorism or threats of violence against the United States or its citizens, the AG may not initiate such action without specific direction from the President. Requires an annual report from the AG to Congress on the occasions on which direction for action was sought from the President and the number of times the President directed such actions.

prohibits attorney general officer employee department_of_justice doj initiating custodial interrogation filing criminal complaint indictment action foreign person detained united_states engaged conduct constituting act war united_states terrorism material support terrorists activities preparation therefor previously consulted following intelligence officials director national_intelligence dni director national_counterterrorism_center secretary homeland_security dhs secretary defense dod provides intelligence officials believe action proposed prevent collection intelligence related terrorism threats violence united_states citizens initiate action specific direction president requires annual report congress occasions direction action sought president number times president directed actions


Summary: Prohibits any funds appropriated or made available to the Department of Justice (DOJ) from being used to commence or continue a prosecution in an Article III court of any individual suspected of involvement in the attacks on the United States and its citizens on September 11, 2001, who is not a citizen of the United States and is subject to the jurisdiction of a military commission.

prohibits funds appropriated available department_of_justice doj commence continue prosecution article iii court individual suspected involvement attacks united_states citizens september citizen united_states subject jurisdiction military commission


Summary: Unfair Foreign Competition Act of 2010 - Amends the Tariff Act of 1930 to authorize a petitioning party, in an antidumping or countervailing duty investigation, to elect, within 30 days after the investigation has started, to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for determination that a U.S. industry is materially injured or is threatened with material injury, or the establishment of an industry in the United States is materially retarded, by reason of imports, or sales (or the likelihood of sales) for importation, of the merchandise subject to the investigation, and that imports of the subject merchandise are not negligible. Authorizes such a petitioning party, within 30 days after a five-year review of an antidumping or countervailing duty order is initiated, to bring a civil action in a U.S. district court for determination of whether revocation of the antidumping or countervailing duty order, or termination of a suspended investigation, would likely lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury. Provides for preliminary relief and expedited action. Applies this Act to goods from Canada and Mexico.

unfair foreign competition act amends tariff act authorize petitioning party antidumping countervailing duty investigation elect days investigation started bring civil action district court determination industry materially injured threatened material injury establishment industry united_states materially retarded reason imports sales likelihood sales importation merchandise subject investigation imports subject merchandise negligible authorizes petitioning party days year review antidumping countervailing duty order initiated bring civil action district court determination revocation antidumping countervailing duty order termination suspended investigation likely lead continuation recurrence material injury provides preliminary relief expedited action applies act goods canada mexico


Summary: Big Oil Polluter Pays Act - Declares that, in any civil action for damages arising out of a maritime tort case, punitive damages may be assessed without regard to the amount of compensatory damages assessed in the action. (Thus, removes the cap ratio of 1:1 on punitive-to-compensatory damages established in the Exxon Shipping Co. v Baker case for the award of punitive damages.)

big oil polluter pays act declares civil action damages arising maritime tort case punitive damages assessed regard compensatory damages assessed action removes cap ratio punitive compensatory damages established baker case award punitive damages


Summary: 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 declaratory judgment, a foreign judgment for defamation or any similar offense shall constitute a case of actual controversy under the federal judicial code.

securing protection enduring established constitutional heritage act domestic court recognizing enforcing foreign judgment defamation domestic court determines defamation law applied foreign court adjudication provided protection freedom speech press case provided amendment constitution law state domestic court located defamation law applied foreign court adjudication provide protection freedom speech press party opposing recognition enforcement foreign judgment found liable defamation domestic court applying amendment constitution law state domestic court located prohibits domestic court recognizing enforcing foreign judgment defamation provider interactive computer service domestic court determines judgment consistent provisions communications act protection private blocking screening offensive material information subject judgment provided united_states specifies circumstances removal defendant appropriate district court regard controversy action brought state domestic court enforce foreign judgment defamation provides person foreign judgment entered basis content writing speech person published bring action district court declaration foreign judgment constitution laws united_states expresses sense congress purposes pleading cause action declaratory judgment foreign judgment defamation similar offense shall constitute case actual controversy federal judicial code


Summary: 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.

authorizes designation assignment retired justices supreme_court serve justice particular case court active justice requires majority vote active justices designation assignment


Summary: Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require the chief justice of the highest court of any state that wishes to collect past-due, legally enforceable state judicial debts to designate a single state entity to communicate judicial debt information to the Secretary of the Treasury. Directs the Secretary, upon receiving notice from such an entity that a named person owes a past-due, legally enforceable state judicial debt, to pay such debt from any tax refund due to such person. Defines "state judicial debt" to include court costs, fees, fines, assessments, restitution to victims of crime, and other monies resulting from a judgment or sentence rendered by any court or tribunal of competent jurisdiction handling criminal or traffic cases in the state.

amends internal revenue code require chief justice highest court state wishes collect past legally enforceable state judicial debts designate single state entity communicate judicial debt information secretary treasury directs secretary receiving notice entity named person owes past legally enforceable state judicial debt pay debt tax refund person defines state judicial debt include court costs fees fines assessments restitution victims crime monies resulting judgment sentence rendered court tribunal competent jurisdiction handling criminal traffic cases state


Summary: Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2011 - Divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) the Ninth Circuit, composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) the Twelfth Circuit, composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Directs the President to appoint two additional judges for the former Ninth Circuit, three judges for the new Ninth Circuit, and two additional temporary judges for the former Ninth Circuit. Specifies the locations where new circuits are to hold regular sessions. Distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Allows senior circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to elect assignment. Provides for the disposition of cases pending in the former Ninth Circuit before the effective date of this Act as follows: (1) proceedings in matters that have been submitted for decision shall continue without regard to this Act; (2) matters not yet submitted for decision must be transferred to the court to which they would have been submitted under this Act; and (3) proceedings on petitions for rehearing or rehearing en banc in matters submitted or decided shall continue without regard to this Act. Authorizes the temporary assignment of circuit and district judges of the former Ninth Circuit between the new circuits. Authorizes administrative coordination between any two contiguous new circuits. Directs that the former Ninth Circuit shall cease to exist for administrative purposes two years after enactment of this Act.

reorganization act divides ninth_circuit ninth_circuit composed california guam hawaii northern_mariana islands twelfth_circuit composed alaska arizona idaho montana nevada oregon washington directs president appoint additional judges ninth_circuit judges new ninth_circuit additional temporary judges ninth_circuit specifies locations new circuits hold regular sessions distributes active circuit judges ninth_circuit new circuits allows senior circuit judges ninth_circuit elect assignment provides disposition cases pending ninth_circuit effective date act follows proceedings matters submitted decision shall continue regard act matters submitted decision transferred court submitted act proceedings petitions rehearing rehearing banc matters submitted decided shall continue regard act authorizes temporary assignment circuit district judges ninth_circuit new circuits authorizes administrative coordination contiguous new circuits directs ninth_circuit shall cease exist administrative purposes years enactment act


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on February 28, 2011. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Removal Clarification Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Revises the federal judicial code to provide that a civil action or criminal prosecution that is commenced in a state court and that is against or directed to the United States or a federal agency or officer, or specified others, may be removed to an appropriate U.S. district court. Declares that civil actions and criminal prosecutions include any proceeding (whether or not ancillary to another proceeding) to the extent that in such proceeding a judicial order, including a subpoena for testimony or documents, is sought or issued. Limits removal of such a proceeding, if there is no other basis for removal, to only that specific proceeding, with the remainder of the civil action or criminal proceeding to remain in state court. Declares that the 30-day notice of removal requirement shall be satisfied in any such civil or criminal proceeding in which such a judicial order is sought, or issued, or sought to be enforced, if the person or entity desiring to remove the proceeding files notice of removal not later than 30 days after receiving, through service, notice of the proceeding.

measure amended passed house february summary version repeated removal clarification act sec revises federal judicial code provide civil action criminal prosecution commenced state court directed united_states federal agency officer specified removed appropriate district court declares civil actions criminal prosecutions include proceeding ancillary proceeding extent proceeding judicial order including subpoena testimony documents sought issued limits removal proceeding basis removal specific proceeding remainder civil action criminal proceeding remain state court declares day notice removal requirement shall satisfied civil criminal proceeding judicial order sought issued sought enforced person entity desiring remove proceeding files notice removal later days receiving service notice proceeding


Summary: (This measure has not been amended since it was amended by the House on November 18, 2011. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Federal Courts Jurisdiction and Venue Clarification Act of 2011 - Title I: Jurisdictional Improvements - (Sec. 101) Amends the federal judicial code to declare that, with respect to diversity of citizenship, the U.S. district courts shall not have original jurisdiction of any civil action between citizens of a state and citizens or subjects of a foreign state who are lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States and are domiciled in the same state. (Sec. 102) Modifies the citizenship rules to treat corporations as citizens of any foreign state: (1) by which it has been incorporated, and (2) where it has its principal place of business. Treats insurers as citizens of any foreign state: (1) of which the insured is a citizen, (2) by which the insurer has been incorporated, and (3) where the insurer has its principal place of business. (Sec. 103) Separates the removal requirements governing civil cases and those governing criminal cases into two separate categories. Declares that, upon removal of any civil action with both removable and nonremovable claims, the district court shall sever from the action all nonremovable claims and remand them to the state court from which the action was removed. Requires only defendants against whom a removable claim has been asserted to join in or consent to removal of the action. Prescribes requirements for filing notices of removal, including assertion in the notice of the amount in controversy, when it exceeds the necessary amount, if the initial pleading seeks: (1) nonmonetary relief; or (2) a money judgment, but the state practice either does not permit demand for a specific sum or permits recovery of damages in excess of the amount demanded. Allows removal of a case based on diversity of citizenship more than one year after commencement of the action if the district court finds that the plaintiff has acted in bad faith in order to prevent a defendant from removing the action. Title II: Venue and Transfer Improvements - (Sec. 202) Revises general requirements for the scope of venue of civil actions. Requires the proper venue of any civil action brought in a U.S. district court to be determined without regard to whether the action is local or transitory in nature. (Sec. 203) Repeals the "local action" rule that any civil action, of a local nature, involving property located in different districts in the same state, may be brought in any of such districts. (Sec. 204) Allows a district court to transfer a civil action to any district or division to which all parties have consented. Prohibits transfers from a U.S. district court to the District Court of Guam, the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, or the District Court of the Virgin Islands.

measure amended amended house november summary version repeated venue clarification act title jurisdictional improvements sec amends federal judicial code declare respect diversity citizenship district courts shall original jurisdiction civil action citizens state citizens subjects foreign state lawfully admitted permanent residence united_states domiciled state sec modifies citizenship rules treat corporations citizens foreign state incorporated principal place business treats insurers citizens foreign state insured citizen insurer incorporated insurer principal place business sec separates removal requirements governing civil cases governing criminal cases separate categories declares removal civil action removable claims district court shall sever action claims remand state court action removed requires defendants removable claim asserted join consent removal action prescribes requirements filing notices removal including assertion notice controversy exceeds necessary initial pleading seeks nonmonetary relief money judgment state practice permit demand specific sum permits recovery damages excess demanded allows removal case based diversity citizenship year commencement action district court finds plaintiff acted bad faith order prevent defendant removing action title venue sec revises general requirements scope venue civil actions requires proper venue civil action brought district court determined regard action local nature sec repeals local action rule civil action local nature involving property located different districts state brought districts sec allows district court transfer civil action district division parties consented prohibits transfers district court district_court northern_mariana_islands district_court virgin_islands