Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006

Bill: 109-hr-9
Sponsor: Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5]
Introduced: 2006-05-02 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Ballots
Bilingualism
Census
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil actions and liability
Civil rights enforcement
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional oversight
Department of Justice
Due process of law
Election administration
Expert witnesses
Federal employees
Government paperwork
Injunctions
Judicial opinions
Language and languages
Law
Legal fees
Local laws
Minorities
Office of Personnel Management
Racial discrimination
State laws
Sunset legislation
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: 
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 - Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for: (1) the use of election examiners and observers; (2) declaratory judgment on the issue of voting qualifications or standards intended to diminish the ability of U.S. citizens to elect preferred candidates; and (3) award of attorney fees in enforcement proceedings to include expert fees and other reasonable costs of litigation.

Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032. Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data.

Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the prohibition against the use of tests or devices to deny the right to vote in any federal, state, or local election. Extends both the prohibition and the date for mandatory congressional reconsideration of it.

action_date: 2006-07-13
text: 
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for the use of examiners and observers at federal elections. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel (OPM) to assign an appropriate number of observers for any political subdivision in question if: (1) a court has authorized the appointment of observers for the subdivision; or (2) the Attorney General certifies that the assignment of observers is otherwise necessary to enforce the guarantees of the 14th and 15th Amendments because written meritorious complaints indicate that efforts to deny or abridge the right to vote under color of law on account of race or color are likely to occur. Repeals the requirement that federal examiners first be serving in such a political subdivision.
 
Eliminates the position of federal voting examiner, and related requirements. 
 
Replaces examiners with federal voting observers with respect to: (1) proceedings to enforce the right to vote; and (2) suspension of the use of tests or devices in determining eligibility to vote.
 
(Sec. 4) Extends: (1) the time for reconsideration of federal oversight of jurisdictions which once used suspended voting tests or devices until 15 years after the enactment of this Act; and (2) related requirements for such jurisdictions until 25 years after the enactment of this Act.
 
(Sec. 5) Revises criteria for a declaratory judgment regarding the legality or constitutionality of voting rules changes. States that any voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure with respect to voting denies or abridges the right to vote if its purpose is or its effect will be the diminishment of the ability of any U.S. citizens on account of race or color, or in contravention of certain guarantees, to elect their preferred candidates of choice.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the prevailing party in a civil voting rights enforcement proceeding to recover expert costs as part of recoverable attorney fees.
 
(Sec. 7) Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032.
 
(Sec. 8) Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data.
 
(Sec. 9) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency of the bilingual voting materials requirement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and alternatives to the current implementation consistent with such requirement.

action_date: 2006-07-20
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 13, 2006 . The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for the use of examiners and observers at federal elections. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel (OPM) to assign an appropriate number of observers for any political subdivision in question if: (1) a court has authorized the appointment of observers for the subdivision; or (2) the Attorney General certifies that the assignment of observers is otherwise necessary to enforce the guarantees of the 14th and 15th Amendments because written meritorious complaints indicate that efforts to deny or abridge the right to vote under color of law on account of race or color are likely to occur. Repeals the requirement that federal examiners first be serving in such a political subdivision.
 
Eliminates the position of federal voting examiner, and related requirements. 
 
Replaces examiners with federal voting observers with respect to: (1) proceedings to enforce the right to vote; and (2) suspension of the use of tests or devices in determining eligibility to vote.
 
(Sec. 4) Extends: (1) the time for reconsideration of federal oversight of jurisdictions which once used suspended voting tests or devices until 15 years after the enactment of this Act; and (2) related requirements for such jurisdictions until 25 years after the enactment of this Act.
 
(Sec. 5) Revises criteria for a declaratory judgment regarding the legality or constitutionality of voting rules changes. States that any voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure with respect to voting denies or abridges the right to vote if its purpose is or its effect will be the diminishment of the ability of any U.S. citizens on account of race or color, or in contravention of certain guarantees, to elect their preferred candidates of choice.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the prevailing party in a civil voting rights enforcement proceeding to recover expert costs as part of recoverable attorney fees.
 
(Sec. 7) Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032.
 
(Sec. 8) Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data.
 
(Sec. 9) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency of the bilingual voting materials requirement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and alternatives to the current implementation consistent with such requirement.

action_date: 2006-07-27
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on July 13, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to revise requirements for the use of examiners and observers at federal elections. Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel (OPM) to assign an appropriate number of observers for any political subdivision in question if: (1) a court has authorized the appointment of observers for the subdivision; or (2) the Attorney General certifies that the assignment of observers is otherwise necessary to enforce the guarantees of the 14th and 15th Amendments because written meritorious complaints indicate that efforts to deny or abridge the right to vote under color of law on account of race or color are likely to occur. Repeals the requirement that federal examiners first be serving in such a political subdivision.
 
Eliminates the position of federal voting examiner, and related requirements. 
 
Replaces examiners with federal voting observers with respect to: (1) proceedings to enforce the right to vote; and (2) suspension of the use of tests or devices in determining eligibility to vote.
 
(Sec. 4) Extends: (1) the time for reconsideration of federal oversight of jurisdictions which once used suspended voting tests or devices until 15 years after the enactment of this Act; and (2) related requirements for such jurisdictions until 25 years after the enactment of this Act.
 
(Sec. 5) Revises criteria for a declaratory judgment regarding the legality or constitutionality of voting rules changes. States that any voting qualification or prerequisite to voting, or standard, practice, or procedure with respect to voting denies or abridges the right to vote if its purpose is or its effect will be the diminishment of the ability of any U.S. citizens on account of race or color, or in contravention of certain guarantees, to elect their preferred candidates of choice.
 
(Sec. 6) Authorizes the prevailing party in a civil voting rights enforcement proceeding to recover expert costs as part of recoverable attorney fees.
 
(Sec. 7) Extends bilingual election requirements through August 5, 2032.
 
(Sec. 8) Revises the requirements for determining states and political subdivisions covered by them to require use of 2010 American Community Survey census data.
 
(Sec. 9) Directs the Comptroller General to study and report to Congress on the implementation, effectiveness, and efficiency of the bilingual voting materials requirement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and alternatives to the current implementation consistent with such requirement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2006-07-27
text: Became Public Law No: 109-246.
action_date: 2006-07-27
text: Became Public Law No: 109-246.
action_date: 2006-07-27
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-07-27
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2006-07-26
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-07-26
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2006-07-26
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2006-07-20
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0. Record Vote Number: 212.
action_date: 2006-07-20
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 98 - 0. Record Vote Number: 212.
action_date: 2006-07-20
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7949-8012)
action_date: 2006-07-17
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 521.
action_date: 2006-07-14
text: Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 390 - 33 (Roll no. 374).
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 390 - 33 (Roll no. 374).
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5207)
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 9.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of specified amendments which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Westmoreland amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and announced by voice vote that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Westmoreland demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 910, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Westmoreland amendment.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the King (IA) amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and announced by voice vote that the noes had prevailed. Mr. King (IA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 910, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the King (IA) amendment.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gohmert amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and announced by voice vote that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Sensenbrenner demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 910, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Gohmert amendment.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Norwood amendment the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and announced by voice vote that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Norwood demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 910, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 40 minutes of debate on the Norwood amendment.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with 90 minutes of general debate on H.R. 9.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Ray LaHood to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 878 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 9 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 878. (consideration: CR H5143-5207; text of measure as reported in House: CR H5177-5178)
action_date: 2006-07-13
text: Rule H. Res. 910 passed House.
action_date: 2006-07-12
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 910 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 9 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2006-06-20
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 878 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 9 with 1 hour and 30 minutes of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2006-05-22
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 265.
action_date: 2006-05-22
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 109-478.
action_date: 2006-05-22
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 109-478.
action_date: 2006-05-10
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 33 - 1.
action_date: 2006-05-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2006-05-09
text: Subcommittee on the Constitution Discharged.
action_date: 2006-05-04
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2006-05-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution.
action_date: 2006-05-03
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2006-05-02
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 109-246