I 
114TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5590 
To amend title 36, United States Code, to revise the Federal charter for 
the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 28, 2016 
Mr. CHABOT (for himself and Mr. PIERLUISI) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To amend title 36, United States Code, to revise the Federal 
charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Foundation of the Fed-
eral Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2016’’. 
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION. 
Section 70501 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended by striking subsection (b) and redesignating sub-
section (c) as subsection (b). 
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SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP. 
Section 70503 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(a) ELIGIBILITY.—Except as provided in this chap-
ter, eligibility for membership in the corporation and the 
rights and privileges of members are as provided in the 
bylaws.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (b); and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(c) NONDISCRIMINATION.—The terms of member-
ship may not discriminate on the basis of race, color, reli-
gion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, or national 
origin.’’. 
SEC. 4. GOVERNING BODY. 
Section 70504 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70504. Governing body 
‘‘(a) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The board of directors 
is the governing body of the corporation. The board may 
exercise, or provide for the exercise of, the powers of the 
corporation. The board of directors and the responsibilities 
of the board are as provided in the bylaws. 
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‘‘(b) OFFICERS.—The officers and the election of the 
officers are as provided for in the bylaws. 
‘‘(c) NONDISCRIMINATION.—The requirements for 
serving as a director or officer may not discriminate on 
the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual 
orientation, or national origin.’’. 
SEC. 5. RESTRICTIONS. 
Section 70507 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70507. Restrictions 
‘‘(a) STOCK AND DIVIDENDS.—The corporation may 
not issue stock or declare or pay a dividend. 
‘‘(b) POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.—The corporation or a 
director or officer in his or her corporate capacity may 
not contribute to, support, or participate in any political 
activity or in any manner attempt to influence legislation. 
‘‘(c) DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME OR ASSETS.—The in-
come or assets of the corporation may not inure to the 
benefit of, or be distributed to, a director, officer, or mem-
ber during the life of the charter granted by this chapter. 
This subsection does not prevent the payment, in amounts 
approved by the board of directors, of— 
‘‘(1) reasonable compensation; or 
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‘‘(2) reimbursement for expenses incurred in 
undertaking the corporation’s business, to officers, 
directors, or members. 
This subsection does not prevent the award of a grant to 
a Federal Bar Association chapter of which an officer, di-
rector, member may be a member. This subsection also 
does not prevent the payment of reasonable compensation 
to the corporation’s employees for services undertaken on 
behalf of the corporation. 
‘‘(d) LOANS.—The corporation may not make a loan 
to a director, officer, member, or employee. 
‘‘(e) IMMUNITY FROM LIABILITY.—Members and pri-
vate individuals are not liable for the obligations of the 
corporation. 
‘‘(f) CLAIM OF GOVERNMENTAL APPROVAL OR AU-
THORITY.—The corporation may not claim congressional 
approval or the authority of the United States Govern-
ment for any of its activities; it may, however, acknowl-
edge this charter.’’. 
SEC. 6. PRINCIPAL OFFICE. 
Section 70508 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended by striking ‘‘the District of Columbia,’’ and in-
serting ‘‘a United States location decided by the board of 
directors and specified in the bylaws,’’. 
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SEC. 7. SERVICE OF PROCESS. 
Section 70510 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70510. Service of process 
‘‘The corporation shall comply with the law on service 
of process of the State or District in which it is incor-
porated.’’. 
SEC. 8. DEPOSIT OF ASSETS ON DISSOLUTION OR FINAL 
LIQUIDATION. 
Section 70512 of title 36, United States Code, is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘§ 70512. Deposit of assets on dissolution or final liq-
uidation 
‘‘On dissolution or final liquidation of the corpora-
tion, any assets of the corporation remaining after the dis-
charge of all liabilities shall be distributed as provided by 
the board of directors, but in compliance with the charter 
and bylaws.’’. 
Æ 
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