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HOUSE 720115th CongressReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017

Last Action
3/13/2017

Actions

  • 2017-03-13Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • 2017-03-10Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  • 2017-03-10On passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 188 (Roll no. 158). (text: CR H2030)
  • 2017-03-10Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 188 (Roll no. 158).(text: CR H2030)
  • 2017-03-10On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 - 232 (Roll no. 157).
  • 2017-03-10The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
  • 2017-03-10DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back with an amendment to add a section at the end of the bill prohibiting language to be construed to apply to a civil action that implicates the foreign emoluments clause of the United States Constitution.
  • 2017-03-10Ms. Lofgren moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H2039)
  • 2017-03-10The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
  • 2017-03-10The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 720.
  • 2017-03-10UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
  • 2017-03-10POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jeffries amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Jeffries demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
  • 2017-03-10DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jeffries Part A amendment No. 4.
  • 2017-03-10POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Conyers amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
  • 2017-03-10DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers Part A amendment No. 3.

Showing 15 of 20 actions. Full history on Congress.gov.

CRS Summary

As of 2017-03-10 (81)

(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 2017

(Sec. 2) This bill 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. Any sanction must compensate parties injured by the conduct in question.

The bill 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.

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

Cosponsors (7)

  • ROBERT GOODLATTE (R-VA)
  • Ken Buck (R-CO)
  • Trent Franks (R-AZ)
  • Blake Farenthold (R-TX)
  • STEVE CHABOT (R-OH)
  • Jason Chaffetz (R-UT)
  • PETE SESSIONS (R-TX)

Subjects

  • Civil actions and liability
  • Judicial procedure and administration
  • Lawyers and legal services
  • Legal fees and court costs
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.