Catalyst Theory Restoration Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4282
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-17]
Introduced: 2015-12-17
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Administrative remedies

Civil actions and liability

Judicial procedure and administration

Legal fees and court costs
Latest action: action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.

Summaries:
action_date: 2015-12-17
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Catalyst Theory Restoration Act of 2015</b></p> <p> 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. </p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: I 114th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4282 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES December 17, 2015 Mr. Cartwright introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To clarify the meaning of the term prevailing party with regard to the recovery of attorneys’ fees.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Catalyst Theory Restoration Act of 2015 . 2. In general (a) Meaning of prevailing party In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various departments and agencies of the United States, or of any judicial or administrative rule, which provides for recovery of attorneys' fees, the term prevailing party shall 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. (b) Rule of construction This section shall not alter special eligibility criteria established for prevailing defendants nor alter any specific eligibility criteria contained in any statute that expressly limits or qualifies who may be considered a prevailing party for purposes of that statute.