Summary:
Amends the federal judicial code with respect to the jurisdiction of federal courts over civil actions pending in, or on appeal from, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (USCFC) when the plaintiff also has pending in another federal court a civil action that includes a claim against the United States (or an agency or officer of the United States) arising from the same set of operative facts.

 Requires the court presiding over the action that was filed later to stay the later action until the action that was filed first is no longer pending. (Currently, the USCFC is prohibited from having jurisdiction of any claim in which the plaintiff has pending in any other court any suit or process against the United States or any person who was acting or professing to act under the authority of the United States.)

Provides an exception to the requirement to stay the later action if: (1) the parties in each of the actions agree, or (2) the required stay is not in the interests of justice.

amends federal judicial code respect jurisdiction federal courts civil actions pending appeal plaintiff pending federal court civil action includes claim united_states agency officer united_states arising set operative facts requires court presiding action filed later stay later action action filed longer pending currently prohibited having jurisdiction claim plaintiff pending court suit process united_states person acting act authority united_states provides exception requirement stay later action parties actions agree required stay interests justice


Summary:
Cameras in the Courtroom Act

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.

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


Summary:
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judgeship and Reorganization Act of 2015

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 circuits.

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 circuits


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:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.)

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question.

Removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets.

Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.

measure amended introduced expanded summary house reported version repeated lawsuit abuse reduction act sec amends sanctions provisions rule federal_rules_of_civil_procedure require court impose appropriate sanction attorney law firm party violated responsible violation rule regard representations court requires sanction compensate parties injured conduct question removes provision prohibits filing motion sanctions challenged paper claim defense contention denial withdrawn appropriately corrected days service time court sets authorizes court impose additional sanctions including striking pleadings dismissing suit nonmonetary directives penalty payments warranted effective deterrence


Summary:
Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2015

Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court (including the Supreme 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 for purposes of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising the witness; 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 to promulgate mandatory guidelines with respect to the management and administration of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising described in this Act.

Terminates a district court's authority under this Act three years after enactment of this Act.

sunshine courtroom act authorizes presiding judge appellate court including supreme_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 purposes photographing recording broadcasting televising witness presiding judge trial proceeding inform witness party right request authorizes judicial conference promulgate mandatory guidelines respect management administration photographing recording broadcasting televising described act terminates district court authority act years enactment act


Summary:
Local Courthouse Safety Act of 2015

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to permit the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance to carry out a training and technical assistance program to teach employees of state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies how to anticipate, survive, and respond to violent encounters during the course of their duties, including duties relating to security at state, county, and tribal courthouses.

Amends the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 to require the State Justice Institute (a private nonprofit organization established to improve judicial administration in state courts) to include the improvement of the safety and security of state and local courts as a factor in the national assistance program under which it provides funding to state courts and related national and nonprofit organizations. Requires state or local courts that do not have magnetometers available for use to use grant matching funds to acquire magnetometers.

Directs the General Services Administration to ensure that state or local courthouses having less security equipment than such courthouses require have an opportunity to request surplus security equipment (metal detectors, wands, baggage screening devices) before such equipment is made available to any other individual or entity. Requires that priority be given to courthouses that have no security equipment.

local courthouse safety act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act permit department_of_justice bureau_of_justice_assistance carry training technical assistance program teach employees state local tribal law enforcement agencies anticipate survive respond violent course duties including duties relating security state county tribal courthouses amends require state_justice_institute private nonprofit organization established improve judicial administration state courts include improvement safety security state local courts factor national assistance program provides funding state courts related national nonprofit organizations requires state local courts available use use grant matching funds acquire directs general_services_administration ensure state local courthouses having security equipment courthouses require opportunity request surplus security equipment metal detectors baggage screening devices equipment available individual entity requires priority given courthouses security equipment


Summary:
Fairness in Class Action Litigation and Furthering Asbestos Claim Transparency Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the federal judicial code to prohibit federal courts from certifying any proposed class seeking monetary relief for personal injury or economic loss unless the party seeking to maintain such a class action affirmatively demonstrates that each proposed class member suffered an injury of the same type and scope as the injury of the named class representatives.

A court's certification of such a class must include a determination, based on a rigorous analysis of the evidence presented, that the requirements of this Act have been satisfied.

(Sec. 3) The bill also amends federal bankruptcy law concerning a trust formed under a reorganization plan following the discharge in bankruptcy of a debtor corporation in order to assume the debtor's liability with respect to claims seeking recovery for personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage allegedly caused by the presence of, or exposure to, asbestos or asbestos-containing products. Such a trust shall file with the bankruptcy court quarterly reports, available on the public docket, which describe each demand the trust has received from a claimant and the basis for any payment made to that claimant (excluding any confidential medical record or the claimant's full Social Security number). Upon written request, and subject to payment (demanded at the option of the trust) for any reasonable cost incurred by the trust to comply with such request, such a trust shall provide any information related to payment from, and demands for payment from, the trust to any party to any action in law or equity concerning liability for asbestos exposure.

fairness class action litigation furthering asbestos claim transparency act sec bill amends federal judicial code prohibit federal courts certifying proposed class seeking monetary relief personal injury economic loss party seeking maintain class action affirmatively demonstrates proposed class member suffered injury type scope injury named class representatives court certification class include determination based rigorous analysis evidence presented requirements act satisfied sec bill amends federal bankruptcy law concerning trust formed reorganization plan following discharge bankruptcy debtor corporation order assume debtor liability respect claims seeking recovery personal injury wrongful death property damage allegedly caused presence exposure asbestos asbestos containing products trust shall file bankruptcy court quarterly reports available public docket describe demand trust received claimant basis payment claimant excluding confidential medical record claimant social_security number written request subject payment demanded option trust reasonable cost incurred trust comply request trust shall provide information related payment demands payment trust party action law equity concerning liability asbestos exposure


Summary:
Supreme Court Ethics Act of 2015

Requires the Supreme Court to promulgate a code of ethics for the Justices of the Supreme Court that shall include the five canons of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States, with any amendments or modifications that the Supreme Court determines appropriate.

supreme_court ethics act requires supreme_court promulgate code ethics justices supreme_court shall include code conduct adopted judicial_conference_of_the_united_states amendments modifications supreme_court determines appropriate


Summary:
National Center for the Right to Counsel Act

Establishes in the District of Columbia a private, nonprofit corporation to be known as the National Center for the Right to Counsel to provide: (1) financial support to supplement, but not supplant, funding for public defense systems that provide legal assistance to indigent defendants in criminal cases, including systems run by state or local governments as well as private entities or individuals providing services under contract with such governments; and (2) financial and substantive support for training programs to improve delivery of legal services to indigent defendants.

Requires each state to have a state advisory council to: (1) monitor, receive, and investigate complaints regarding the compliance of public defense systems that receive funding with applicable laws and regulations; (2) notify the Center of any apparent violations; and (3) collect data on the delivery of public defense services and facilitate information sharing between the state's public defense systems.

Authorizes the Center to: (1) make grants and contracts; (2) undertake research, training, and technical assistance; and (3) serve as a clearinghouse for information.

Prohibits the Center from interfering with attorneys' professional responsibilities to their clients or from abrogating the authority of states or other jurisdictions to enforce such standards.

Requires the Center, to the extent feasible, to have services provided in an indigent defendant's principal language in areas where significant numbers of indigent defendants speak a language other than English.

Directs the Center to make available to the public an online database that includes the contact information for all public defense systems in every state.

Requires the Center to establish regional backup service centers to assist public defense systems with access to investigators, sentencing mitigation specialists, and information about available grants.

establishes district_of_columbia private nonprofit corporation known provide financial support supplement supplant funding public defense systems provide legal assistance indigent defendants criminal cases including systems run state local governments private entities individuals providing services contract governments financial substantive support training programs improve delivery legal services indigent defendants requires state state advisory council monitor receive investigate complaints compliance public defense systems receive funding applicable laws regulations notify center apparent violations collect data delivery public defense services facilitate information sharing state public defense systems authorizes center grants contracts undertake research training technical assistance serve clearinghouse information prohibits center interfering attorneys professional responsibilities clients authority states jurisdictions enforce standards requires center extent feasible services provided indigent defendant principal language areas significant numbers indigent defendants speak language english directs center available public online database includes contact information public defense systems state requires center establish regional backup service centers assist public defense systems access investigators sentencing mitigation specialists information available grants


Summary:
Arbitration Fairness Act of 2015

Declares that no predispute arbitration agreement shall be valid or enforceable if it requires arbitration of an employment, consumer, antitrust, or civil rights dispute.

Declares, further, that the validity and enforceability of an agreement to arbitrate shall be determined by a court, under federal law, rather than an arbitrator, irrespective of whether the party resisting arbitration challenges the arbitration agreement specifically or in conjunction with other terms of the contract containing such agreement.

Exempts from this Act arbitration provisions in a contract between an employer and a labor organization or between labor organizations. Denies to any such arbitration provision, however, the effect of waiving the right of an employee to seek judicial enforcement of a right arising under the U.S. Constitution, a state constitution, a federal or state statute, or related public policy.

arbitration fairness act declares predispute arbitration agreement shall valid enforceable requires arbitration employment consumer antitrust civil rights dispute declares validity enforceability agreement arbitrate shall determined court federal law arbitrator irrespective party resisting arbitration challenges arbitration agreement specifically conjunction terms contract containing agreement exempts act arbitration provisions contract employer labor organization labor organizations denies arbitration provision effect waiving right employee seek judicial enforcement right arising constitution state constitution federal state statute related public policy


Summary:
Securing Participation, Engagement, and Knowledge Freedom by Reducing Egregious Efforts Act of 2015 or the SPEAK FREE Act of 2015

Amends the federal judicial code to allow a person against whom a lawsuit is asserted to file a special motion to dismiss claims referred to as strategic lawsuits against public participation ("SLAPP suits") that arise from an oral or written statement or other expression, or conduct in furtherance of such expression, by the defendant in connection with an official proceeding or about a matter of public concern.

Defines "matter of public concern" as an issue related to: (1) health or safety; (2) environmental, economic, or community well-being; (3) the government; (4) a public official or public figure; or (5) a good, product, or service in the marketplace.

Requires courts to grant such a special motion to dismiss if the party filing the motion makes a prima facie showing that the claim asserted against them is a SLAPP suit, unless the responding party demonstrates that the claim is likely to succeed on the merits.

Provides exceptions prohibiting courts from granting such a special motion to dismiss if the claim concerns:

 a government enforcement action, a business making representations of fact in commercial speech to consumers about its own or a business competitor's goods or services, or a public interest claim on behalf of the general public. Allows dismissal of private suits, notwithstanding such commercial speech and public interest exceptions, if the claim is against:

 a person or entity engaged in activities to disseminate or express ideas to the public in a book or academic journal; any person or entity based upon statements or conduct concerning the creation, dissemination, exhibition, advertisement, or other promotion of journalistic, consumer commentary, dramatic, literary, musical, political, or artistic works, including motion pictures, television programs, or articles published online or in a newspaper or magazine of general circulation; or a nonprofit organization that receives more than 50% of annual revenue grants or awards from, programs of, or reimbursements for services rendered to the government. Sets forth special procedural requirements for discovery and motions.

Requires courts to award litigation costs, expert witness fees, and reasonable attorney's fees to private parties that filed and prevailed on certain motions under this Act or to parties that responded to motions found to be frivolous.

securing participation engagement speak free act amends federal judicial code allow person lawsuit asserted file special motion dismiss claims referred strategic lawsuits public participation suits arise oral written statement expression conduct furtherance expression defendant connection official proceeding matter public concern defines matter public concern issue related health safety environmental economic community government public official public figure good product service marketplace requires courts grant special motion dismiss party filing motion makes prima facie showing claim asserted suit responding party demonstrates claim likely succeed merits provides exceptions prohibiting courts granting special motion dismiss claim concerns government enforcement action business making representations fact commercial speech consumers business goods services public interest claim behalf general public allows dismissal private suits notwithstanding commercial speech public interest exceptions claim person entity engaged activities disseminate express ideas public book academic person entity based statements conduct concerning creation dissemination exhibition advertisement promotion consumer literary musical political artistic works including motion pictures television programs articles published online newspaper magazine general circulation nonprofit organization receives annual revenue grants awards programs reimbursements services rendered government sets forth special procedural requirements discovery motions requires courts award litigation costs expert witness fees reasonable attorney fees private parties filed prevailed certain motions act parties responded motions found frivolous


Summary:
Ensuring Access to Justice for Claims Against the United States Act

Amends the federal judicial code with respect to the jurisdiction of federal courts over civil actions pending in, or on appeal from, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (USCFC) when the plaintiff also has pending in another federal court a civil action that includes a claim against the United States (or an agency or officer of the United States) arising from the same set of operative facts.

 Requires the court presiding over the action that was filed later to stay the later action until the action that was filed first is no longer pending. (Currently, the USCFC is prohibited from having jurisdiction of any claim in which the plaintiff has pending in any other court any suit or process against the United States or any person who was acting or professing to act under the authority of the United States.)

Provides an exception to the requirement to stay the later action if: (1) the parties in each of the actions agree; or (2) in exceptional circumstances the court finds, upon the motion of any party, that termination or modification of the stay is necessary to preserve material evidence or to prevent irreparable prejudice to that party.

Provides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit with jurisdiction of an appeal from an interlocutory order terminating or modifying such a stay.

ensuring access justice claims united states act amends federal judicial code respect jurisdiction federal courts civil actions pending appeal plaintiff pending federal court civil action includes claim united_states agency officer united_states arising set operative facts requires court presiding action filed later stay later action action filed longer pending currently prohibited having jurisdiction claim plaintiff pending court suit process united_states person acting act authority united_states provides exception requirement stay later action parties actions agree exceptional circumstances court finds motion party termination modification stay necessary preserve material evidence prevent irreparable prejudice party provides jurisdiction appeal interlocutory order terminating modifying stay


Summary:
Sunshine in Litigation Act of 2015

Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit a court, in any civil action in which the pleadings state facts relevant to the protection of public health or safety, from entering an order restricting the disclosure of information obtained through discovery, approving a settlement agreement that would restrict such disclosure, or restricting access to court records, unless in connection with such order the court has first made independent findings of fact that: (1) the order would not restrict the disclosure of information relevant to the protection of public health or safety; or (2) the public interest in the disclosure of past, present, or 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 confidentiality interest asserted.

Prohibits a court from: (1) enforcing any provision of an agreement between or among parties to the civil action, or an order entered under this Act, 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 between or among parties to such civil action that prohibits a party from disclosing that a settlement was reached or the terms of the settlement (excluding any money paid) that involve matters relevant to the protection of public health or safety, or from discussing matters relevant to the protection of public health or safety involved in such civil action. Excepts from this enforcement prohibition (thus allowing enforcement of) a settlement agreement provision about which the court finds that the public interest in the disclosure of past, present, or potential public health or safety hazards is outweighed by a specific and substantial interest in maintaining the confidentiality of the information in question, and the requested protective order is no broader than necessary to protect the confidentiality interest asserted.

Creates a rebuttable presumption that the interest in protecting personally identifiable information of an individual 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 civil action pleadings state facts relevant protection public health safety entering order restricting disclosure information obtained discovery approving settlement agreement restrict disclosure restricting access court records connection order court independent findings fact order restrict disclosure information relevant protection public health safety public interest disclosure past present potential health safety hazards outweighed specific substantial interest maintaining confidentiality information requested protective order broader necessary protect confidentiality interest asserted prohibits court enforcing provision agreement parties civil action order entered act restricts party disclosing information federal state agency authority enforce laws regulating activity relating information enforcing provision settlement agreement parties civil action prohibits party disclosing settlement reached terms settlement excluding money paid involve matters relevant protection public health safety discussing matters relevant protection public health safety involved civil action excepts enforcement prohibition allowing enforcement settlement agreement provision court finds public interest disclosure past present potential public health safety hazards outweighed specific substantial interest maintaining confidentiality information question requested protective order broader necessary protect confidentiality interest asserted creates rebuttable presumption interest protecting personally identifiable information individual outweighs public interest disclosure declares act shall construed permit require authorize disclosure classified information defined classified_information_procedures_act


Summary:
Control Unlawful Fugitive Felons Act of 2015

 Amends titles II (Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance), VIII (Special Benefits for Certain World War II Veterans), and XVI (Supplemental Security Income) of the Social Security Act to prohibit from receiving benefits under those titles any individual who is the subject of: (1) an outstanding arrest warrant for a felony, or (2) an outstanding arrest warrant for violating a condition of prohibition or parole imposed under federal or state law.

Directs the Social Security Administration (SSA) to furnish any federal, state, or local law enforcement officer, upon written request, with the current address, Social Security number, and photograph of any recipient of title VIII benefits if the officer furnishes the SSA with the individual's name and other identifying information as reasonably required to establish the individual's unique identity, and notifies the SSA that: (1) the individual is fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, or the individual is violating a condition of probation or parole; and (2) the location or apprehension of such individual is within the officer's official duties.

fugitive felons act amends titles survivors disability_insurance viii special benefits certain world war veterans social security act prohibit receiving benefits titles individual subject outstanding arrest warrant felony outstanding arrest warrant violating condition prohibition parole imposed federal state law directs social_security_administration ssa furnish federal state local law enforcement officer written request current address social_security number photograph recipient title viii benefits officer furnishes ssa individual identifying information reasonably required establish individual unique identity notifies ssa individual fleeing avoid prosecution custody confinement conviction individual violating condition probation parole location apprehension individual officer official duties


Summary:
Structured Settlement Claimants Rights Act of 2015

Amends the federal judicial code to declare that a claimant in any civil action before a federal court shall have the right to retain a structured settlement broker to act on behalf of that claimant for purposes of negotiating a schedule of payments or other terms of payment previously agreed to be paid by or on behalf of the defendant in satisfaction of a judgment against that defendant or in accordance with the terms of a settlement.

Requires that a party to an administrative proceeding have the same right to retain such a structured settlement broker for negotiations with other parties.

Directs: (1) the court or the agency in an administrative proceeding to inform the claimant of this right at the appropriate time, and (2) the defendant to provide timely notice of any current or previous professional relationship between the defendant and the broker.

structured settlement claimants rights act amends federal judicial code declare claimant civil action federal court shall right retain structured settlement broker act behalf claimant purposes negotiating schedule payments terms payment previously agreed paid behalf defendant satisfaction judgment defendant accordance terms settlement requires party administrative proceeding right retain structured settlement broker negotiations parties directs court agency administrative proceeding inform claimant right appropriate time defendant provide timely notice current previous professional relationship defendant broker


Summary: Requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, two additional district judges for the district of Colorado.

requires president appoint advice consent senate additional district judges district colorado


Summary:
Justice for Victims of Confidential Informant Crime Act of 2015

Amends the federal judicial code to extend to three years and six months the period within which a tort claim against the United States must be presented in writing to a federal agency when the claim arises out of a government employee's conduct with respect to the criminal misconduct of a government informant. (Current law bars all tort claims against the United States that are not presented within two years after the claim accrues.)

Applies the amendment retroactively to any such claim that: (1) accrued on or after May 1, 1981; and (2) in the case of a claim accrued before the date of enactment of this Act, is presented within one year after such date.

Prohibits the government from asserting a defense or a bar, based on the doctrine of res judicata or collateral estoppel, to a claim that accrued before enactment of this Act and to which this Act applies.

justice victims confidential informant crime act amends federal judicial code extend years months period tort claim united_states presented writing federal agency claim arises government employee conduct respect criminal misconduct government informant current law bars tort claims united_states presented years claim accrues applies amendment retroactively claim accrued case claim accrued date enactment act presented year date prohibits government asserting defense bar based doctrine res collateral claim accrued enactment act act applies


Summary:
Grand Jury Transparency Act

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to permit the Department of Justice to give preferential treatment to applications for public safety and community policing grants from jurisdictions that have a law or ordinance to make grand jury transcripts and other records publicly available.

grand jury transparency act bill amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act permit department_of_justice preferential treatment applications public safety community policing grants jurisdictions law ordinance grand jury transcripts records publicly available


Summary: This bill amends the federal judicial code to prohibit federal courts from deciding any issue on the authority of foreign law, except to the extent that the Constitution or an Act of Congress requires the consideration of that foreign law.

bill amends federal judicial code prohibit federal courts deciding issue authority foreign law extent constitution act congress requires consideration foreign law


Summary:
Justice is Not For Sale Act of 2015

This bill requires federal, state, and local governments and their employees to directly operate and perform core services at adult prisons and detention centers.

The bill reestablishes parole for eligible federal prisoners sentenced on or after January 1, 2017. (The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 eliminated parole for offenders convicted of federal crimes committed after November 1, 1987.)

It authorizes the United States Parole Commission to: (1) grant or deny a parole application or recommendation; (2) impose conditions on, modify, or revoke parole; and (3) maintain supervision of paroled offenders.

Financial service providers at prisons and detention centers must impose reasonable and proportional fees and charges for money transfer services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must establish standards to assess such fees or charges.

The bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to cap prison phone call rates and connection charges, require telecommunications providers to offer collect and debit account call services, restrict commission payments and ancillary service charges, and require correctional facility administrators to allow more than one telecommunications provider.

It eliminates the provision that requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to maintain at least 34,000 detention beds. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must establish nationwide alternatives to detention programs and determine detention bed capacity based solely on detention needs.

DHS must conduct annual inspections and routine oversight of detention facilities.

The bill prohibits family detention and requires DHS to establish alternatives to detention programs for detained family units. Also, it prohibits separation of a family to detain a family member, except DHS may detain an alien parent who is dangerous to the community and inadmissible on terrorism-related grounds.

justice sale act bill requires federal state local governments employees directly operate perform core services adult prisons detention centers bill reestablishes parole eligible federal prisoners sentenced january sentencing reform act eliminated parole offenders convicted federal crimes committed november authorizes united_states_parole_commission grant deny parole application recommendation impose conditions modify revoke parole maintain supervision paroled offenders financial service providers prisons detention centers impose reasonable proportional fees charges money transfer services consumer_financial_protection_bureau establish standards assess fees charges bill directs federal_communications_commission cap prison phone rates connection charges require telecommunications providers offer collect debit account services restrict commission payments ancillary service charges require correctional facility administrators allow telecommunications provider eliminates provision requires maintain detention beds department_of_homeland_security dhs establish nationwide alternatives detention programs determine detention bed capacity based solely detention needs dhs conduct annual inspections routine oversight detention facilities bill prohibits family detention requires dhs establish alternatives detention programs detained family units prohibits separation family detain family member dhs detain alien parent dangerous community inadmissible terrorism related grounds


Summary:
Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends procedures under which federal courts determine whether a case that was removed from a state court to a federal court on the basis of a diversity of citizenship among the parties may be remanded back to state court upon a motion opposed on fraudulent joinder grounds that: (1) one or more defendants are citizens of the same state as one or more plaintiffs, or (2) one or more defendants properly joined and served are citizens of the state in which the action was brought. Joinder of such a defendant is fraudulent if the court finds:

 actual fraud in the pleading of jurisdictional facts with respect to that defendant, state law would not plausibly impose liability on that defendant, state or federal law bars all claims in the complaint against that defendant, or no good faith intention to prosecute the action against that defendant or to seek a joint judgment including that defendant. In determining whether to grant or deny such a motion for remand, the court: (1) may permit pleadings to be amended; and (2) must consider the pleadings, affidavits, and other evidence submitted by the parties.

A federal court finding that all such defendants have been fraudulently joined must: (1) dismiss without prejudice the claims against those defendants, and (2) deny the motion for remand.

fraudulent prevention act sec bill amends procedures federal courts determine case removed state court federal court basis diversity citizenship parties remanded state court motion opposed fraudulent grounds defendants citizens state plaintiffs defendants properly joined served citizens state action brought defendant fraudulent court finds actual fraud pleading jurisdictional facts respect defendant state law impose liability defendant state federal law bars claims complaint defendant good faith intention prosecute action defendant seek joint judgment including defendant determining grant deny motion remand court permit pleadings amended consider pleadings affidavits evidence submitted parties federal court finding defendants fraudulently joined dismiss prejudice claims defendants deny motion remand


Summary:
Eyes on the Courts Act of 2015

This bill requires the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court, including the Supreme Court, to permit court proceedings to be photographed, electronically recorded, broadcasted, televised, or streamed on the Internet to or for the public, unless the judge determines, upon a motion of a party or the judge, that it would constitute a violation of the due process rights of a party or is not in the interests of justice.

The Judicial Conference may promulgate mandatory guidelines with respect to the management and administration of such photographing, recording, broadcasting, televising, or streaming.

The presiding judge of each appellate court may promulgate rules and disciplinary measures for the courtroom use of any form of media or media equipment and the acquisition or distribution of any of the images or sounds obtained in the courtroom.

eyes courts act bill requires presiding judge appellate court including supreme_court permit court proceedings electronically recorded internet public judge determines motion party judge constitute violation process rights party interests justice judicial_conference promulgate mandatory guidelines respect management administration photographing recording broadcasting televising presiding judge appellate court promulgate rules disciplinary measures courtroom use form media media equipment acquisition distribution images sounds obtained courtroom


Summary:
Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2015

This bill amends the federal judicial code to:

 convert certain temporary bankruptcy judges to permanent bankruptcy judges and authorize the appointment of additional bankruptcy judges in Delaware and Michigan; convert temporary bankruptcy judges to permanent bankruptcy judges in specified judicial districts in Florida, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Virginia; and authorize the appointment of additional bankruptcy judges in the middle district of Florida.

bankruptcy judgeship act bill amends federal judicial code convert certain temporary bankruptcy judges permanent bankruptcy judges authorize appointment additional bankruptcy judges delaware michigan convert temporary bankruptcy judges permanent bankruptcy judges specified judicial districts florida maryland nevada north_carolina puerto_rico tennessee virginia authorize appointment additional bankruptcy judges middle district florida


Summary:
Catalyst Theory Restoration Act of 2015

 This bill defines "prevailing party" for purposes of determining the meaning of provisions in federal laws, federal regulations, or any judicial or administrative rules that provide for recovery of attorney's fees to include a party whose pursuit of a nonfrivolous claim or defense was a catalyst for a voluntary or unilateral change in position by the opposing party that provides any significant part of the relief sought.

The bill prohibits this Act from altering special eligibility criteria: (1) established for prevailing defendants, or (2) contained in statutes that expressly limit or qualify who may be considered a prevailing party for purposes of that statute.

catalyst theory restoration act bill defines prevailing party purposes determining meaning provisions federal laws federal regulations judicial administrative rules provide recovery attorney fees include party pursuit claim defense catalyst voluntary unilateral change position opposing party provides significant relief sought bill prohibits act altering special eligibility criteria established prevailing defendants contained statutes expressly limit qualify considered prevailing party purposes statute


Summary:
Fresh Start Act of 2016

This bill 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. It allows expungement if such individual: (1) has never been convicted of any criminal offense other than the nonviolent offenses committed in a single criminal episode that includes the 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.

 The Department of Justice must maintain an unaltered nonpublic copy of expunged criminal records, to be disclosed for limited purposes to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.

The bill 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. It decreases such grant funding by 5% for states that fail to adopt expungement procedures.

fresh start act bill amends federal criminal code allow individual convicted nonviolent criminal offense file petition expungement record conviction allows expungement individual convicted criminal offense nonviolent offenses committed single criminal episode includes 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 department_of_justice maintain nonpublic copy expunged criminal records disclosed limited purposes federal state local law enforcement agencies bill 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:
(This measure has not been amended since it passed the House on September 22, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

District of Columbia Judicial Financial Transparency Act

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the District of Columbia Code to revise the financial disclosure requirements for District of Columbia judges. The revisions establish new dollar thresholds and requirements for reporting to the District of Columbia Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure the financial interests of the judges and specified family members with respect to:

 income; dividends, rents, interest, and capital gains; liabilities; gifts; real and personal property; honoraria; expense accounts or reimbursements for expenses; and waivers or partial waivers of fees or charges. The financial disclosure reports must be available for public inspection and copying, unless revealing personal and sensitive information could endanger the judge or a family member. A report may be redacted only: (1) to the extent necessary to protect the individual or family member, and (2) as long as the danger to the individual exists.

(Sec. 3) The Probate Divisions of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia may use magistrate judges. (Sec. 4) DC courts may accept payment of fines, fees, escrow payments, restitution, bonds, and other payments by credit card or electronic funds transfer. The executive officer of the courts may contract with a bank or credit card vendor, or other third party provider, to accept such payments, making every effort to find the lowest cost vendor among them. (Sec. 5) The maximum amount in controversy for cases under the Small Claims and Conciliation Branch of DC Superior Court shall increase from $5,000 to $10,000. (Sec. 6) Each chief judge of the Superior Court or of the Court of Appeals, as appropriate, may delegate to an active or senior judge (in the court in which the chief judge sits) the authority to approve any compensation for court-appointed criminal defense or child abuse and neglect attorneys exceeding the usual maximum.

measure amended passed house september summary version repeated district columbia judicial financial transparency act sec bill amends district_of_columbia code revise financial disclosure requirements district_of_columbia judges revisions establish new dollar thresholds requirements reporting tenure financial interests judges specified family members respect income dividends rents interest capital gains liabilities gifts real personal property expense accounts reimbursements expenses waivers partial waivers fees charges financial disclosure reports available public inspection copying revealing personal sensitive information endanger judge family member report redacted extent necessary protect individual family member long danger individual exists sec divisions use magistrate judges sec courts accept payment fines fees escrow payments restitution bonds payments credit card electronic funds transfer executive officer courts contract bank credit card vendor party provider accept payments making effort find lowest cost vendor sec maximum controversy cases small claims shall increase sec chief judge court_of_appeals appropriate delegate active senior judge court chief judge authority approve compensation court appointed criminal defense child abuse neglect attorneys exceeding usual maximum


Summary:
Judicial Administration and Improvement Act of 2016

This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) a new Ninth Circuit, to be composed of California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) a newly established Twelfth Circuit, to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada.

The bill designates locations where the new circuits are to hold regular sessions.

The bill distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Circuit judges and senior circuit judges currently stationed in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, or Nevada may elect their circuit assignment. For each circuit judge in regular service who elects to be assigned to the new Ninth Circuit, the President shall appoint one additional circuit judge for the Twelfth Circuit.

improvement act bill divides ninth_circuit new ninth_circuit composed california hawaii oregon washington guam northern_mariana_islands newly established twelfth_circuit composed alaska arizona idaho montana nevada bill designates locations new circuits hold regular sessions bill distributes active circuit judges ninth_circuit new circuits circuit judges senior circuit judges currently stationed alaska arizona idaho montana nevada elect circuit assignment circuit judge regular service elects assigned new ninth_circuit president shall appoint additional circuit judge twelfth_circuit


Summary:
Pullman Act

This bill amends the federal judicial code to allow federal district courts, when a civil action involves a challenge to an unsettled and ambiguous question of state law on federal constitutional grounds, to:

 stay the action, pending resolution of the question of state law, if its resolution could avoid the need to reach or materially change the federal constitutional issue and there are adequate means under state law to resolve the unsettled state law question; and certify the question to the appropriate court of that state. Federal appeals courts shall have jurisdiction of appeals from federal district court interlocutory orders that refuse to stay such actions.

act bill amends federal judicial code allow federal district courts civil action involves challenge question state law federal constitutional grounds stay action pending resolution question state law resolution avoid need reach materially change federal constitutional issue adequate means state law resolve state law question certify question appropriate court state federal appeals courts shall jurisdiction appeals federal district court interlocutory orders refuse stay actions


Summary:
No Money Bail Act of 2016

This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to make ineligible for funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program a state with a bail system that uses payment of money as a condition of pretrial release in criminal cases.

The Department of Justice must reallocate such state's JAG funding among eligible states.

Additionally, the bill prohibits payment of money as a condition of pretrial release in any federal criminal case.

money bail act bill amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act ineligible funding edward_byrne_memorial_justice assistance grant jag program state bail system uses payment money condition pretrial release criminal cases department_of_justice reallocate state jag funding eligible states additionally bill prohibits payment money condition pretrial release federal criminal case


Summary:
Restoring Statutory Rights and Interests of the States Act of 2016

This bill amends the Federal Arbitration Act to invalidate arbitration agreements between parties in certain commercial contracts or transactions if they require arbitration of a claim for damages or injunctive relief brought by an individual or small business arising from the alleged violation of a federal or state statute, the U.S. Constitution, or a state constitution, unless the written agreement to arbitrate is entered into by both parties after the claim has arisen and pertains solely to an existing claim.

The grounds upon which a contract with an arbitration agreement is revocable shall include federal or state statutes or court findings that prohibit an agreement to arbitrate if the agreement is unconscionable, invalid because there was no meeting of the minds, or otherwise unenforceable as a matter of contract law or public policy.

A court, rather than an arbitrator, shall determine whether an arbitration agreement is enforceable.

restoring statutory rights interests states act bill amends invalidate arbitration agreements parties certain commercial contracts transactions require arbitration claim damages injunctive relief brought individual small business arising alleged violation federal state statute state constitution written agreement arbitrate entered parties claim arisen pertains solely existing claim grounds contract arbitration agreement shall include federal state statutes court findings prohibit agreement arbitrate agreement invalid meeting unenforceable matter contract law public policy court arbitrator shall determine arbitration agreement enforceable


Summary:
Equal Justice Under Law Act of 2016

This bill states that an indigent individual facing criminal prosecution or juvenile delinquency in a state court is entitled to the effective assistance of counsel, as guaranteed by the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments, at the state's expense.

The bill authorizes a federal class action lawsuit against a state for its systemic failure to guarantee the right to effective assistance of counsel. The assistance of counsel is ineffective when a class of individuals demonstrates that counsel's performance was not reasonable under prevailing professional norms.

equal_justice bill states indigent individual facing criminal prosecution juvenile delinquency state court entitled effective assistance counsel guaranteed sixth state expense bill authorizes federal class action lawsuit state systemic failure guarantee right effective assistance counsel assistance counsel ineffective class individuals demonstrates counsel performance reasonable prevailing professional norms


Summary:
FISA Court Oversight Underscoring Responsibility and Transparency Act or the FISA COURT Act

This bill amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to require that the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court consist of 11 publicly designated district court judges, of whom:

 2 judges are designated by the President; 1 judge is designated by a majority of the Supreme Court; and 2 judges each are designated, respectively, by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders of the Senate. (Currently, the Chief Justice designates all 11 judges.)

A majority of the Supreme Court (currently, the Chief Justice alone) shall designate three judges from the U.S. district courts or courts of appeals who shall comprise the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review.

transparency_act fisa court act bill amends foreign_intelligence_surveillance_act require foreign_intelligence_surveillance_court consist publicly designated district court judges judges designated president judge designated majority supreme_court judges designated respectively speaker house_of_representatives minority leader house_of_representatives majority minority leaders senate currently chief justice designates judges majority supreme_court currently chief justice shall designate judges district courts courts appeals shall comprise foreign_intelligence_surveillance_court_of_review


Summary:
Targeting Child Predators Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish: (1) a certification process with respect to nondisclosure requirements imposed in connection with specified administrative subpoenas, and (2) a judicial review process with respect to the imposition of such requirements.

bill amends federal criminal code establish certification process respect nondisclosure requirements imposed connection specified administrative subpoenas judicial review process respect imposition requirements


Summary:
Independent and Effective Federal Defenders Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise requirements related to the provision of adequate representation for defendants in federal criminal cases. Under current law, each U.S. district court must operate a plan, in accordance with specified requirements, for furnishing representation to any eligible person who is financially unable to obtain adequate representation. The bill revises these requirements and establishes the Federal Defender Commission as an independent agency tasked with ensuring the provision of adequate representation.

bill amends federal criminal code revise requirements related provision adequate representation defendants federal criminal cases current law district court operate plan accordance specified requirements furnishing representation eligible person financially unable obtain adequate representation bill revises requirements establishes independent agency tasked ensuring provision adequate representation


Summary:
Legal Services Corporation Repeal Act of 2016

This bill repeals the Legal Services Corporation Act, which established a federally funded nonprofit corporation to provide financial support for legal assistance in noncriminal matters to persons financially unable to afford such assistance.

legal_services_corporation repeal act bill repeals established federally funded nonprofit corporation provide financial support legal assistance noncriminal matters persons financially unable afford assistance


Summary:
Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2016

This bill revises the federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association (the corporation) to remove provisions that declare the corporation to be incorporated and domiciled in the District of Columbia. Its principal office may be in any U.S. location.

The procedures for membership of the National Council of the Federal Bar Association and the election of the board of directors and officers are to be as provided for in the bylaws instead of under charter requirements. But the bill prohibits the terms of membership, or the requirements for serving as a director or officer, from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or national origin.

Prohibitions on the distribution of income or assets to a director, officer, or member shall not prevent: (1) board-approved payments of reasonable compensation or reimbursement for expenses incurred in undertaking the corporation's business; (2) the award of a grant to a Federal Bar Association chapter of an officer, director, or member; or (3) payment of reasonable compensation to the corporation's employees for services undertaken on the corporation's behalf.

The prohibition on loans to directors or officers is expanded to include members or employees. The bill removes a provision that makes directors or officers jointly and severally liable to the corporation for assenting to a loan to a director or officer.

The corporation may not claim congressional approval or the authority of the federal government for its activities.

On dissolution or final liquidation of the corporation, any assets remaining after the discharge of all liabilities shall be distributed as provided by the board of directors in compliance with the charter and bylaws. (Currently, any remaining assets shall be deposited in the Treasury.)

foundation bill revises federal charter corporation remove provisions declare corporation incorporated domiciled district_of_columbia principal office location procedures membership election board directors officers provided bylaws instead charter requirements bill prohibits terms membership requirements serving director officer discriminating basis race color religion sex disability age sexual orientation national origin prohibitions distribution income assets director officer member shall prevent board approved payments reasonable compensation reimbursement expenses incurred undertaking corporation business award grant chapter officer director member payment reasonable compensation corporation employees services undertaken corporation behalf prohibition loans directors officers expanded include members employees bill removes provision makes directors officers jointly severally liable corporation loan director officer corporation claim congressional approval authority federal government activities dissolution final liquidation corporation assets remaining discharge liabilities shall distributed provided board directors compliance charter bylaws currently remaining assets shall deposited treasury


Summary:
Temporary Judgeship Conversion Act of 2016

This bill converts certain temporary U.S. district court judgeships to permanent judgeships in specified U.S. judicial districts in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.

temporary judgeship conversion act bill converts certain temporary district court judgeships permanent judgeships specified judicial districts alabama arizona california florida kansas missouri new_mexico north_carolina texas


Summary:
Lift the Relocation Burden from Military Spouses Act

This bill authorizes the military department concerned to reimburse a member of the Armed Forces who is reassigned for a permanent change of station or assignment from one state to another for qualified relicensing costs of the member's spouse.

Reimbursement may not exceed $500 for each change of station or assignment.

The Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security (with respect to the Coast Guard) shall work with states to improve license portability.

"Qualified relicensing costs" are the costs, including exam and registration fees, needed to secure a license or certification to engage in the same profession in the new state.

lift relocation burden military spouses act bill authorizes military department concerned reimburse member armed_forces reassigned permanent change station assignment state qualified relicensing costs member spouse reimbursement exceed change station assignment department_of_defense department_of_homeland_security respect coast_guard shall work states improve license portability qualified relicensing costs costs including exam registration fees needed secure license certification engage profession new state


Summary:
Citizens' Right to Know Act of 2016

This bill requires a state or local government that receives funds under a Department of Justice (DOJ) grant program and uses such funds for a pretrial services program to annually report certain information about participating defendants.

DOJ must publish the information.

Additionally, DOJ must reduce the grant allocation of a state or local government that fails to comply.

citizens right know act bill requires state local government receives funds department_of_justice doj grant program uses funds pretrial services program annually report certain information participating defendants doj publish information additionally doj reduce grant allocation state local government fails comply


Summary:
No Tax Write-offs for Corporate Wrongdoers Act

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.

tax write corporate 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: 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:
Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2015

Amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question.

Removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets.

Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.

lawsuit abuse reduction act amends sanctions provisions rule federal_rules_of_civil_procedure require court impose appropriate sanction attorney law firm party violated responsible violation rule regard representations court requires sanction compensate parties injured conduct question removes provision prohibits filing motion sanctions challenged paper claim defense contention denial withdrawn appropriately corrected days service time court sets authorizes court impose additional sanctions including striking pleadings dismissing suit nonmonetary directives penalty payments warranted effective deterrence


Summary:
Cameras in the Courtroom Act

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.

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


Summary:
Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2015

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. Allows a presiding judge to obscure the face and voice of an individual if good cause is shown that photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising such features would threaten the individual's safety, the court's security, the integrity of future or ongoing law enforcement operations, or the interest of justice.

Prohibits a presiding judge from permitting the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising of any juror in a trial proceeding, or of the jury selection process.

Terminates a district court's authority under this Act three years after enactment of 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 any audio pickup or broadcast of conferences which occur in a court proceeding between attorneys and their clients, co-counsel of a client, adverse counsel, or counsel and the presiding judge, if the conferences are not part of the official record of the proceedings.

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 allows presiding judge face voice individual good cause shown photographing electronic recording broadcasting televising features threaten individual safety court security integrity future ongoing law enforcement operations interest justice prohibits presiding judge permitting photographing electronic recording broadcasting televising juror trial proceeding jury selection process terminates district court authority act years enactment act requires judicial conference united_states promulgate mandatory guidelines presiding judge follow certain vulnerable witnesses prohibits audio broadcast conferences occur court proceeding attorneys clients counsel client adverse counsel counsel presiding judge conferences official record proceedings


Summary:
Supreme Court Ethics Act of 2015

Requires the Supreme Court to promulgate a code of ethics for the Justices of the Supreme Court that shall include the five canons of the Code of Conduct for United States Judges adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States, with any amendments or modifications that the Supreme Court determines appropriate.

supreme_court ethics act requires supreme_court promulgate code ethics justices supreme_court shall include code conduct adopted judicial_conference_of_the_united_states amendments modifications supreme_court determines appropriate


Summary:
Amends the federal judicial code to revise the process for remanding civil actions involving common questions of fact pending in different districts that the judicial panel on multidistrict litigation transfers to a single district for consolidated pretrial proceedings.

Requires each action, upon a motion of a plaintiff, to be remanded back to the district court from which it was transferred if the panel does not remand the action at or before the conclusion of such pretrial proceedings within five years after the action is transferred.

Directs the district court receiving a remanded action to then schedule the completion of discovery and a trial date in accordance with the civil justice expense and delay reduction plan implemented by the court.

Makes this Act applicable to any civil action pending in a transferee district court on or after August 1, 2010.

amends federal judicial code revise process civil actions involving common questions fact pending different districts judicial panel litigation transfers single district consolidated pretrial proceedings requires action motion plaintiff remanded district court transferred panel remand action conclusion pretrial proceedings years action transferred directs district court receiving remanded action schedule completion discovery trial date accordance civil justice expense delay reduction plan implemented court makes act applicable civil action pending transferee district court august


Summary:
Ensuring Access to Justice for Claims Against the United States Act

Amends the federal judicial code with respect to the jurisdiction of federal courts over civil actions pending in, or on appeal from, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (USCFC) when the plaintiff also has pending in another federal court a civil action that includes a claim against the United States (or an agency or officer of the United States) arising from the same set of operative facts.

 Requires the court presiding over the action that was filed later to stay the later action until the action that was filed first is no longer pending. (Currently, the USCFC is prohibited from having jurisdiction of any claim in which the plaintiff has pending in any other court any suit or process against the United States or any person who was acting or professing to act under the authority of the United States.)

Provides an exception to the requirement to stay the later action if: (1) the parties in each of the actions agree; or (2) in exceptional circumstances the court finds, upon the motion of any party, that termination or modification of the stay is necessary to preserve material evidence or to prevent irreparable prejudice to that party.

Provides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit with jurisdiction of an appeal from an interlocutory order terminating or modifying such a stay.

ensuring access justice claims united states act amends federal judicial code respect jurisdiction federal courts civil actions pending appeal plaintiff pending federal court civil action includes claim united_states agency officer united_states arising set operative facts requires court presiding action filed later stay later action action filed longer pending currently prohibited having jurisdiction claim plaintiff pending court suit process united_states person acting act authority united_states provides exception requirement stay later action parties actions agree exceptional circumstances court finds motion party termination modification stay necessary preserve material evidence prevent irreparable prejudice party provides jurisdiction appeal interlocutory order terminating modifying stay


Summary:
Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2015

Amends the federal judicial code to establish the Office of Inspector General for the Judicial Branch, 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 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 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 supreme_court conduct supervise audits investigations prevent detect waste fraud abuse provides whistleblower protection


Summary:
Second Chance Reauthorization Act

Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to revise and expand requirements for the Department of Justice (DOJ) grant program for adult and juvenile offender state and local reentry demonstration projects, including for planning and implementation and for promotion of employment opportunities, and to extend the program through FY2020. Sets forth criteria and priority considerations for DOJ to use in awarding grants.

Amends the Second Chance Act of 2007 to extend through FY2020 the authorization of appropriations for grants for: (1) family-based substance abuse treatment, (2) the careers training demonstration program, and (3) the offender reentry substance abuse and criminal justice collaboration program. Renames the program of mentoring grants to nonprofit organizations for offender reentry as the program of community-based mentoring and transitional service grants to nonprofit organizations. Provides for enhanced services under such program to assist in the reintegration of offenders into the community. Extends the authorization of appropriations for such program through FY2020.

Requires the DOJ Inspector General to conduct annual audits, beginning in FY2016, of grant recipients under the Second Chance Act of 2007 (covered grantees) to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of grant funds. Prohibits nonprofit organizations that hold money in offshore accounts from receiving grant funds. Imposes restrictions on: (1) DOJ conferences using more than $20,000 in DOJ funds; and (2) lobbying DOJ and other officials regarding the award of grant funding.

Amends the Second Chance Act of 2007 to: (1) modify and extend through FY2020 grant programs for reentry of federal prisoners into the community, including the program for placing aging offenders in home detention and for offender reentry research; (2) repeal programs under such Act relating to responsible reintegration of offenders, the study of the effectiveness of Depot Naltrexone for heroin addiction, and the satellite tracking and reentry training program; and (3) establish a program for partnering faith-based or community-based nonprofit organizations with prisons to conduct recidivism reduction activities.

Directs DOJ, in consultation with specified federal officials and in collaboration with interested persons and entities, to coordinate on federal programs, policies, and activities relating to the reentry of individuals returning from incarceration to the community, with an emphasis on evidence-based practices and protection against duplication of services.

second chance reauthorization act amends omnibus_crime_control_and_safe_streets_act revise expand requirements department_of_justice doj grant program adult juvenile offender state local reentry demonstration projects including planning implementation promotion employment opportunities extend program fy2020 sets forth criteria priority considerations doj use awarding grants amends second chance act extend fy2020 authorization appropriations grants family based substance abuse treatment careers training demonstration program offender reentry substance abuse criminal justice collaboration program renames program mentoring grants nonprofit organizations offender reentry program community based mentoring transitional service grants nonprofit organizations provides enhanced services program assist reintegration offenders community extends authorization appropriations program fy2020 requires doj inspector general conduct annual audits beginning fy2016 grant recipients second chance act covered grantees prevent waste fraud abuse grant funds prohibits nonprofit organizations hold money offshore accounts receiving grant funds imposes restrictions doj conferences doj funds lobbying doj officials award grant funding amends second chance act modify extend fy2020 grant programs reentry federal prisoners community including program placing aging offenders home detention offender reentry research repeal programs act relating responsible reintegration offenders study effectiveness heroin addiction satellite tracking reentry training program establish program partnering faith based community based nonprofit organizations prisons conduct recidivism reduction activities directs doj consultation specified federal officials collaboration interested persons entities coordinate federal programs policies activities relating reentry individuals returning incarceration community emphasis evidence based practices protection duplication services


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the Senate reported version is repeated here.)

District of Columbia Courts, Public Defender Service, and Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency Act of 2015

(Sec. 2) Amends the District of Columbia Code to authorize the Executive Officer of the District of Columbia courts to:

 collect debts owed to the District of Columbia courts because of erroneous payments made to current and former court employees, or any other debt; and purchase uniforms to be worn by certain nonjudicial employees of the District courts, so long as the cost of furnishing a uniform during a year does not exceed the amount applicable to the uniform allowance for federal employees. (Sec. 3) Amends the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 to authorize the Director of the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency to develop and operate intermediate incentive programs for sentenced offenders.

Makes permanent the Director's authority to accept, solicit, and use on behalf of the Agency: (1) any monetary or nonmonetary gift, donation, bequest, or use of facilities, property, or services to aid or facilitate the work of the Agency; and (2) reimbursements from the District government for space and services provided, on a cost reimbursable basis.

(Sec. 4) Amends the District of Columbia Court Reform and Criminal Procedure Act of 1970 to:

 authorize the Public Defender Service, upon approval of the Board of Trustees, to accept (as currently allowed) and use public grants, private contributions, and voluntary and uncompensated (gratuitous) services to assist it; and deem members of the Board of Trustees, as of October 21, 1998, to be employees of the Service instead of District employees for purposes of any action brought against them.

measure amended introduced expanded summary senate reported version repeated district columbia courts public defender service offender supervision agency act sec amends district_of_columbia code authorize executive officer district_of_columbia courts collect debts owed district_of_columbia courts erroneous payments current court employees debt purchase uniforms worn certain nonjudicial employees district courts long cost furnishing uniform year exceed applicable uniform allowance federal employees sec amends self government improvement act authorize director develop operate intermediate incentive programs sentenced offenders makes permanent director authority accept solicit use behalf agency monetary nonmonetary gift donation bequest use facilities property services aid facilitate work agency reimbursements district government space services provided cost reimbursable basis sec amends district_of_columbia court reform criminal procedure act authorize approval board_of_trustees accept currently allowed use public grants private contributions voluntary uncompensated services assist deem members board_of_trustees october employees service instead district employees purposes action brought


Summary: This bill requires the President to appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, two additional district judges for the district of Colorado.

bill requires president appoint advice consent senate additional district judges district colorado


Summary:
Justice is Not For Sale Act of 2015

This bill requires federal, state, and local governments and their employees to directly operate and perform core services at adult prisons and detention centers.

The bill reestablishes parole for eligible federal prisoners sentenced on or after January 1, 2017. (The Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 eliminated parole for offenders convicted of federal crimes committed after November 1, 1987.)

It authorizes the United States Parole Commission to: (1) grant or deny a parole application or recommendation; (2) impose conditions on, modify, or revoke parole; and (3) maintain supervision of paroled offenders.

Financial service providers at prisons and detention centers must impose reasonable and proportional fees and charges for money transfer services. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must establish standards to assess such fees or charges.

The bill directs the Federal Communications Commission to cap prison phone call rates and connection charges, require telecommunications providers to offer collect and debit account call services, restrict commission payments and ancillary service charges, and require correctional facility administrators to allow more than one telecommunications provider.

It eliminates the provision that requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to maintain at least 34,000 detention beds. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must establish nationwide alternatives to detention programs and determine detention bed capacity based solely on detention needs.

DHS must conduct annual inspections and routine oversight of detention facilities.

The bill prohibits family detention and requires DHS to establish alternatives to detention programs for detained family units. Also, it prohibits separation of a family to detain a family member, except DHS may detain an alien parent who is dangerous to the community and inadmissible on terrorism-related grounds.

justice sale act bill requires federal state local governments employees directly operate perform core services adult prisons detention centers bill reestablishes parole eligible federal prisoners sentenced january sentencing reform act eliminated parole offenders convicted federal crimes committed november authorizes united_states_parole_commission grant deny parole application recommendation impose conditions modify revoke parole maintain supervision paroled offenders financial service providers prisons detention centers impose reasonable proportional fees charges money transfer services consumer_financial_protection_bureau establish standards assess fees charges bill directs federal_communications_commission cap prison phone rates connection charges require telecommunications providers offer collect debit account services restrict commission payments ancillary service charges require correctional facility administrators allow telecommunications provider eliminates provision requires maintain detention beds department_of_homeland_security dhs establish nationwide alternatives detention programs determine detention bed capacity based solely detention needs dhs conduct annual inspections routine oversight detention facilities bill prohibits family detention requires dhs establish alternatives detention programs detained family units prohibits separation family detain family member dhs detain alien parent dangerous community inadmissible terrorism related grounds


Summary:
Temporary Judgeship Conversion Act of 2015

This bill converts certain temporary U.S. district court judgeships to permanent judgeships in specified U.S. judicial districts in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.


Summary:
(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on May 12, 2016. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Rapid DNA Act of 2016

(Sec. 2) This bill amends the DNA Identification Act of 1994 to require the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to issue standards and procedures for using Rapid DNA instruments to analyze DNA samples of criminal offenders.

Rapid DNA instruments carry out a fully automated process to create a DNA analysis from a DNA sample.

DNA samples prepared by criminal justice agencies using Rapid DNA instruments in compliance the FBI-issued standards and procedures may be included in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).

(Sec. 3) The bill amends the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act of 2000 to allow the FBI to waive certain existing requirements if a DNA sample is analyzed using Rapid DNA instruments and the results are included in CODIS.

measure amended reported senate summary version repeated rapid dna act sec bill amends dna identification act require federal_bureau_of_investigation fbi issue standards procedures rapid dna instruments analyze dna samples criminal offenders rapid dna instruments carry fully automated process create dna analysis dna sample dna samples prepared criminal justice agencies rapid dna instruments compliance fbi issued standards procedures included combined dna index system codis sec bill amends dna analysis backlog elimination act allow fbi waive certain existing requirements dna sample analyzed rapid dna instruments results included codis


Summary:
Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2015

 This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award competitive matching grants to state, local, and tribal governments to establish or maintain witness protection programs in cases related to: (1) a homicide, serious violent felony, or serious drug offense; or (2) gangs or organized crime.

DOJ must evaluate grant applications based on certain criteria, including the prevalence of witness intimidation, the presence of organized crime, and the per capita number of homicides, violent felonies, or serious drug offenses.

 The bill also requires DOJ to: (1) consider urban and rural applicants and ensure equitable geographic distribution of grant awards; and (2) develop and disseminate best practice models to help state, local, and tribal governments address witness protection and assistance issues.

witness security protection grant program act bill directs department_of_justice doj award competitive matching grants state local tribal governments establish maintain witness protection programs cases related homicide violent felony drug offense gangs organized crime doj evaluate grant applications based certain criteria including prevalence witness intimidation presence organized crime capita number violent felonies drug offenses bill requires doj consider urban rural applicants ensure equitable geographic distribution grant awards develop disseminate best practice models help state local tribal governments address witness protection assistance issues


Summary:
Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal judicial code to:

 convert certain temporary bankruptcy judges to permanent bankruptcy judges and authorize the appointment of additional bankruptcy judges in Delaware and Michigan; convert temporary bankruptcy judges to permanent bankruptcy judges in specified judicial districts in Florida, Maryland, Nevada, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Virginia; and authorize the appointment of additional bankruptcy judges in the middle district of Florida.

bankruptcy judgeship act bill amends federal judicial code convert certain temporary bankruptcy judges permanent bankruptcy judges authorize appointment additional bankruptcy judges delaware michigan convert temporary bankruptcy judges permanent bankruptcy judges specified judicial districts florida maryland nevada north_carolina puerto_rico tennessee virginia authorize appointment additional bankruptcy judges middle district florida


Summary:
Federal Courts of Appeals Modernization Act

This bill establishes a Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals to: (1) study the present division of the U.S. courts of appeals, with particular references to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; and (2) submit to the President and Congress recommendations for changes in circuit boundaries or structure for the expeditious and effective disposition of the caseload of such courts.

The commission shall be composed of five members appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States.

modernization act bill establishes commission study present division courts appeals particular references ninth_circuit submit president congress recommendations changes circuit boundaries structure expeditious effective disposition caseload courts commission shall composed members appointed chief justice united_states


Summary:
Circuit Court of Appeals Restructuring and Modernization Act

This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) a new Ninth Circuit, to be composed of California, Guam, Hawaii, and Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) a newly established Twelfth Circuit, to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

The President must appoint five additional judges for the new Ninth Circuit and two additional temporary judges for the former Ninth Circuit.

The bill designates the locations where the new circuits are to hold regular sessions.

 The Circuit Executive and the Clerk of the Court of the Twelfth Circuit shall be located in Phoenix, Arizona.

The bill distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Senior circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit may elect their circuit assignment.

The bill authorizes the temporary assignment of circuit and district judges of the former Ninth Circuit between the new circuits.

modernization act bill divides ninth_circuit new ninth_circuit composed california guam hawaii northern_mariana islands newly established twelfth_circuit composed alaska arizona idaho montana nevada oregon washington president appoint additional judges new ninth_circuit additional temporary judges ninth_circuit bill designates locations new circuits hold regular sessions clerk shall located phoenix arizona bill distributes active circuit judges ninth_circuit new circuits senior circuit judges ninth_circuit elect circuit assignment bill authorizes temporary assignment circuit district judges ninth_circuit new circuits


Summary:
Judicial Administration and Improvement Act of 2016

This bill divides the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit into: (1) a new Ninth Circuit, to be composed of California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands; and (2) a newly established Twelfth Circuit, to be composed of Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. The bill designates locations where the new circuits are to hold regular sessions.

The bill distributes active circuit judges of the former Ninth Circuit to the new circuits. Circuit judges and senior circuit judges currently stationed in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana, or Nevada may elect their circuit assignment. For each circuit judge in regular service who elects to be assigned to the new Ninth Circuit, the President shall appoint one additional circuit judge for the Twelfth Circuit.

improvement act bill divides ninth_circuit new ninth_circuit composed california hawaii oregon washington guam northern_mariana_islands newly established twelfth_circuit composed alaska arizona idaho montana nevada bill designates locations new circuits hold regular sessions bill distributes active circuit judges ninth_circuit new circuits circuit judges senior circuit judges currently stationed alaska arizona idaho montana nevada elect circuit assignment circuit judge regular service elects assigned new ninth_circuit president shall appoint additional circuit judge twelfth_circuit


Summary:
Civic Duty Act

This bill amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1991 to repeal the exemption of elected legislative branch officials from serving on grand or petit juries.

civic duty act bill amends legislative_branch_appropriations_act repeal exemption elected legislative branch officials serving grand petit


Summary: This bill prohibits the Firearms Trace System database maintained by the National Trace Center of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from being immune from legal process. In state or federal civil actions or administrative proceedings, the contents of the database: (1) shall be subject to discovery and admissible as evidence; and (2) may be used, relied on, or disclosed in any manner. Testimony or other evidence may also be permitted based on that data.

bill prohibits firearms_trace_system database maintained immune legal process state federal civil actions administrative proceedings contents database shall subject discovery admissible evidence relied disclosed manner testimony evidence permitted based data


Summary:
Probation Officer Protection Act of 2016

 This bill amends the federal criminal code to authorize a probation officer to arrest a person (i.e., a person other than the probationer) without a warrant if there is probable cause to believe the person forcibly assaulted or obstructed a probation officer engaged in the performance of official duties.

probation officer protection act bill amends federal criminal code authorize probation officer arrest person person warrant probable cause believe person forcibly probation officer engaged performance official duties