H. Res. 271

In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

October 22, 1997.

Resolved, That at any time after the adoption of this resolution the Speaker may, pursuant to clause 1(b) of rule

XXIII, declare the House resolved into the Committee of the

Whole House on the state of the Union for consideration of

the bill (H.R. 1534) to simplify and expedite access to the

Federal courts for injured parties whose rights and privileges,

secured by the United States Constitution, have been deprived by final actions of Federal agencies, or other government officials or entities acting under color of State law; to

prevent Federal courts from abstaining from exercising Federal jurisdiction in actions where no State law claim is alleged; to permit certification of unsettled State law questions

that are essential to resolving Federal claims arising under

the Constitution; and to clarify when government action is

sufficiently final to ripen certain Federal claims arising under

the Constitution. The first reading of the bill shall be dispensed with. Points of order against consideration of the bill

for failure to comply with clause 2(l)(6) of rule XI are
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waived. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall

not exceed one hour equally divided and controlled by the

chairman and ranking minority member of the Committee on

the Judiciary. After general debate the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. It shall be

in order to consider as an original bill for the purpose of

amendment under the five-minute rule the amendment in the

nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the

Judiciary now printed in the bill, modified by the amendments printed in part 1 of the report of the Committee on

Rules accompanying this resolution. That amendment in the

nature of a substitute shall be considered as read. No amendment to that amendment in the nature of a substitute shall

be in order except a further amendment in the nature of a

substitute offered by Representative Conyers of Michigan or

his designee, which shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for thirty minutes equally divided and controlled by

the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to

amendment. If that further amendment is rejected or not offered, then no other amendment shall be in order except the

amendment printed in part 2 of the report of the Committee

on Rules, which may be offered only by the Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, shall be debatable for thirty minutes equally divided and controlled by

the proponent and an opponent, and shall not be subject to
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amendment. At the conclusion of consideration of the bill for

amendment the Committee shall rise and report the bill to

the House with such amendments as may have been adopted.

Any Member may demand a separate vote in the House on

any amendment adopted in the Committee of the Whole to

the bill or to the amendment in the nature of a substitute

made in order as original text. The previous question shall be

considered as ordered on the bill and amendments thereto to

final passage without intervening motion except one motion

to recommit with or without instructions.

Attest:

Clerk.