jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-02-14 00:00:00

Structured Settlement Claimants Rights Act of 2012 - Amends the federal judicial code to declare that a claimant in any civil action before a federal court shall have the right to retain a structured settlement broker to act on behalf of that claimant for purposes of negotiating a schedule of payments or other terms of payment previously agreed to paid by or on behalf of the defendant in satisfaction of a judgment against that defendant or in accordance with the terms of a settlement. Requires that a party to an administrative proceeding have the same right to retain such a structured settlement broker for negotiations with other parties. Directs: (1) the court or the agency in an administrative proceeding to inform the claimant of this right at the appropriate time, and (2) the defendant to provide timely notice of any current or previous professional relationship between the defendant and the broker.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2012-03-08 00:00:00

Due Process and Military Detention Amendments Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 to provide that, in the case of a person detained in the United States pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force, disposition under the law of war shall only mean transfer for trial and proceedings by a court established under article III of the Constitution. Requires such trial and proceedings to have all due process provided under the Constitution. Repeals the requirement of detention in military custody pending disposition under the law of war for individuals determined to be a member or part of al Qaeda or an associated force who has participated in planning or carrying out an attack or attempted attack against the United States or its coalition partners.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-03-29 00:00:00

Officer Safety Act of 2012 - Amends the federal judicial code to deem a law enforcement officer who is the defendant in a criminal prosecution to have been acting under the color of his office (thus authorizing removal of the case to U.S. district court) if the officer: (1) protected an individual in the officer's presence from a crime of violence; (2) provided immediate assistance to an individual who suffered, or who was threatened with, bodily harm; or (3) prevented the escape of any individual whom the officer reasonably believed to have committed, or was about to commit, in the officer's presence, a crime of violence that resulted in, or that was likely to result in, death or serious bodily injury.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-04-27 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House passed version is repeated here.) Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2012 - (Sec. 2) Extends the temporary office of certain bankruptcy judgeships authorized or extended under the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1992 and Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 2005 until applicable vacancies identified in this Act occur in the office of a bankruptcy judge for specified districts in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Nevada. Prohibits filling specified bankruptcy judge vacancies in such districts occurring more than five years after enactment of this Act and resulting from the death, retirement, resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy judge (thus extending the lapse date under current law by five years). (Sec. 3) Increases by a specified amount the bankruptcy filing fee for a case commenced under chapter 11 (Reorganization) that does not concern a railroad. Requires that certain incremental amounts collected by reason of such increased fees be: (1) deposited in a special fund in the Treasury; and (2) made available to offset funds appropriated for the operation and maintenance of U.S. courts, but only to the extent specifically appropriated by an Act enacted after enactment of this Act. Reduces the percentage of such fees to be deposited as offsetting collections to the U.S. Trustee System Fund (funds available to the Attorney General for operations of U.S. trustees). Increases the percentage of chapter 7 (Liquidation) and 13 (Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income) fees to be deposited as offsetting receipts to remain available to the Judiciary for expenses, services, and administration of U.S. courts. (Sec. 4) Requires Judiciary Committees of the House and Senate, prior to further reauthorization of any judgeship authorized by this Act, to: (1) conduct a review of the bankruptcy judgeships authorized by this Act to determine the need for continued reauthorization of each judgeship; (2) evaluate any changes in all bankruptcy case filings and the effect on filing fee revenue; and (3) require the Administrative Office of the Courts to submit a report on bankruptcy case workload, bankruptcy judgeship costs, and filing fee revenue.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-04-27 00:00:00

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2012 - Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court (including the Supreme Court) or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides, except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party. Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable to the broadcast audience of the trial proceeding; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of the right to make such request. Authorizes the Judicial Conference to promulgate mandatory guidelines with respect to the management and administration of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising described in this Act. Terminates a district court's authority under this Act two years after enactment of this Act.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-05-07 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on May 30, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Divisional Realignment Act of 2012 - Amends the federal judicial code to realign counties comprising judicial divisions within the Eastern District of Missouri and the Northern District of Mississippi. Makes this Act effective 60 days after enactment.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Date: 2012-07-12 00:00:00

Forensic Science and Standards Act of 2012 - Establishes a national forensic science research program to improve, expand, and coordinate federal research in forensic sciences. Requires the Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) to enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to develop a report identifying the most critical forensic science disciplines that require further research to strengthen the scientific foundation in those disciplines and making recommendations. Establishes a National Forensic Science Coordinating Office at the NSF to coordinate among federal agencies: (1) the development of a unified federal research strategy to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science disciplines; (2) the development of a five-year roadmap, updated triennially, for the unified strategy; and (3) any necessary programs, policies, and budgets to support implementation of the roadmap. Directs NSF to create a merit-reviewed, competitive forensic science research grants program to improve the foundation and practice of forensic science in the United States, based on recommendations in the unified strategy. Requires NSF to: (1) establish two forensic science research centers to conduct research consistent with the unified strategy, (2) award a grant of up to $10 million to each center, and (3) conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the grants program every four years. Requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to identify or coordinate the development of forensic science standards to enhance the validity and reliability of forensic science activities. Instructs NIST to establish a Forensic Science Advisory Committee to provide advice to federal agencies, NIST, and the Department of Justice. Instructs the Attorney General to promote the adoption of the standards developed under this Act.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-07-12 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on November 14, 2012. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Amends the Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands, with respect to the judicial procedure for appealing from the decisions of courts of the Virgin Islands to courts of the United States, to remove the temporary jurisdiction of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to review by a writ of certiorari the final decisions of the highest court of the Virgin Islands. Authorizes final judgments or decrees rendered by the Supreme Court of the Virgin Islands to be reviewed by the U.S. Supreme Court by writ of certiorari where the validity of a treaty or statute of the United States is drawn in question or where the validity of a statute of the Virgin Islands is drawn in question on the ground of its being repugnant to the Constitution, treaties, or laws of the United States, or where any title, right, privilege, or immunity is specially set up or claimed under the Constitution or the treaties or statutes of, or any commission held or authority exercised under, the United States. Applies such U.S. Supreme Court reviewing authority to cases commenced on or after enactment of this Act.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-08-02 00:00:00

Fairness in Nursing Home Arbitration Act of 2012 - Provides that a pre-dispute arbitration agreement between a long-term care facility and a resident (or anyone acting on the resident's behalf) shall not be valid or specifically enforceable.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-11-30 00:00:00

Officer Safety Act of 2012 - Amends the federal judicial code to deem a law enforcement officer who is the defendant in a criminal prosecution to have been acting under the color of his office, solely for purposes of determining the propriety of removal of the case to U.S. district court, if the officer: (1) protected an individual in the officer's presence from a crime of violence; (2) provided immediate assistance to an individual who suffered, or who was threatened with, bodily harm; or (3) prevented the escape of any individual whom the officer reasonably believed to have committed, or was about to commit, in the officer's presence a crime of violence that resulted in, or that was likely to result in, death or serious bodily injury.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-02-15 00:00:00

Judicial Transparency and Ethics Enhancement Act of 2011 - Amends the federal judicial code to establish the Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the Judicial Branch of the U.S. government, to be headed by an Inspector General appointed by the Chief Justice. Sets a term of four years, which may be extended by additional reappointments. Authorizes the Chief Justice to remove an Inspector General from office. Requires the OIG to: (1) conduct investigations of alleged misconduct in the judicial branch, including the Supreme Court; (2) conduct and supervise audits and investigations; and (3) prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse. Provides for whistleblower protection.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-02-17 00:00:00

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2011 - Authorizes the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court or U.S. district court to permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising to the public of court proceedings over which that judge presides, except when such action would constitute a violation of the due process rights of any party. Directs: (1) a district court, upon the request of any witness in a trial proceeding other than a party, to order the face and voice of the witness to be disguised or otherwise obscured to render the witness unrecognizable to the broadcast audience of the trial proceeding; and (2) the presiding judge in a trial proceeding to inform each witness who is not a party of the right to make such request. Allows a presiding judge to obscure the face and voice of an individual if good cause is shown that photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising such features would threaten the individual's safety, the court's security, the integrity of future or ongoing law enforcement operations, or the interest of justice. Prohibits a presiding judge from permitting the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, or televising of any juror in a trial proceeding, or of the jury selection process. Terminates a district court's authority under this Act three years after enactment of this Act. Authorizes the Judicial Conference of the United States to promulgate advisory guidelines to which a presiding judge may refer in making decisions regarding the management and administration of photographing, recording, broadcasting, or televising described in this Act. Requires the Judicial Conference to promulgate mandatory guidelines which a presiding judge must follow for obscuring certain vulnerable witnesses. Prohibits any audio pickup or broadcast of conferences which occur in a court proceeding between attorneys and their clients, co-counsel of a client, adverse counsel, or counsel and the presiding judge, if the conferences are not part of the official record of the proceedings.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-03-09 00:00:00

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2011 - 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. Requires any sanction to compensate parties injured by the conduct in question. 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. Authorizes the court to impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-03-10 00:00:00

Casting Light on EAJA Agency Records for Oversight Act of 2011 - Directs the Attorney General (DOJ) to issue an annual online report to Congress and the public on the amount of attorney fees and other expenses awarded during the preceding fiscal year pursuant to the law commonly known as the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA). Directs the Comptroller General to commence an audit of the EAJA for 1995 through the end of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted, and report to Congress on the audit results.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2011-03-10 00:00:00

Prohibits any funds appropriated or made available to the Department of Justice (DOJ) from being used to commence or continue a prosecution in an Article III court of any individual suspected of involvement in the attacks on the United States and its citizens on September 11, 2001, who is not a citizen of the United States and is subject to the jurisdiction of a military commission.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-03-14 00:00:00

Federal Judicial Fairness Act of 2011 - Repeals the requirement limiting salary increases for federal judges or Supreme Court justices to those specifically authorized by Act of Congress. Amends the federal judicial code to apply the same automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment to judicial salaries as takes effect under the General Schedule for civilian federal employees.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2011-03-16 00:00:00

Maritime Liability Fairness Act - Declares that, in any civil action for damages arising out of a maritime tort case, punitive damages may be assessed without regard to the amount of compensatory damages assessed in the action. (Thus, removes the cap ratio of 1:1 on punitive-to-compensatory damages established in the Exxon Shipping Co. v Baker case for the award of punitive damages.)
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Education
Date: 2011-03-17 00:00:00

IDEA Fairness Restoration Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to include expert witness fees, including the reasonable costs of any test or evaluation necessary for the preparation of the parents' or guardians' case in the action or proceeding, within the definition of "attorneys' fees" that may be awarded to the prevailing party in a civil action brought under such Act.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2011-03-17 00:00:00

Securing Terrorist Intelligence Act - Prohibits the Attorney General (AG) or any officer or employee of the Department of Justice (DOJ) from initiating a custodial interrogation of, or filing a criminal complaint or indictment (action) against any foreign person detained by the United States because they may have engaged in conduct constituting an act of war against the United States, terrorism, or material support to terrorists or activities in preparation therefor, unless the AG has previously consulted with: (1) the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), (2) the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, (3) the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), and (4) the Secretary of Defense (DOD). Provides that if any of the intelligence officials believe that any action proposed by the AG may prevent the collection of intelligence related to terrorism or threats of violence against the United States or its citizens, the AG may not initiate such action without specific direction from the President. Requires an annual report from the AG to Congress on the occasions on which direction for action was sought from the President and the number of times the President directed such actions.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2011-05-09 00:00:00

Judgment Evading Foreign States Accountability Act of 2011 - States the policy of the United States regarding: (1) advocacy within the governing bodies of international organizations and other foreign policy settings for the full compensation and fair treatment of persons in whose favor judgments have been awarded by U.S. courts; (2) protection of economic interests of persons and nations that benefit from a reliable flow of foreign capital by restricting the access to U.S. capital markets of judgment evading foreign states (foreign states that fail to fully satisfy a final judgment exceeding a certain amount for more than two years) and their state-owned corporations, warning of the dangers of dealing financially with such states and state-owned corporations, and calling upon international financial institutions to vote against providing funding or foreign capital to judgment evading foreign states; and (3) further solidification of the authority of the U.S. courts by preventing such states from willfully flouting the judgments of those courts. Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to: (1) deny a judgment evading foreign state access to U.S. capital markets; and (2) require all periodic filings made by such a state with the SEC to bear prominently a warning describing its failure to satisfy outstanding judgments. Imposes similar restrictions on state-owned corporations of such states. Requires: (1) a proposal to extend bilateral or multilateral assistance to a judgment evading state to bear notice that such state is a judgment evading state; and (2) the Secretary of the Treasury to notify Congress promptly of the proposal.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-05-17 00:00:00

Emergency Judicial Relief Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Directs the President to appoint, by and with the Senate's advice and consent, specified additional permanent district judges for various federal judicial districts in Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Texas. Converts certain existing temporary judgeships for the district of Arizona and the central district of California to permanent judgeships. Increases the filing fee for most civil actions or proceedings, excluding a writ of habeas corpus, to $360 (currently, $350). Requires that incremental amounts collected by reason of enactment of this Act be deposited in a special fund in the Treasury to offset funds appropriated for the operation and maintenance of U.S. courts to the extent specifically appropriated by an Act of Congress after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 3) Prohibits any judicial branch officer, employee, agent, contractor, or subcontractor from discharging, demoting, threatening, suspending, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment because of any lawful act by the employee to provide information, cause information to be provided, or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding any possible violation of federal law or regulation, or misconduct, by a judge, justice, or any other employee in the judicial branch, which may assist in the investigation of the possible violation or misconduct. Authorizes an employee injured by such a prohibited act to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-05-19 00:00:00

Directs the President to appoint, by and with the Senate's advice and consent, specified additional: (1) permanent district judges for various federal judicial districts in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas; and (2) temporary district judges for various federal districts in such states. Prohibits, for each of the districts in which a temporary district judge is required to be appointed under this Act, filling the first vacancy arising on such a district court 10 years or more after a judge is first confirmed to fill the temporary district judgeship created in that district. Converts to permanent judgeships certain existing temporary judgeships for the district of Arizona, the central district of California, the district of New Mexico, and the eastern district of Texas.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2011-05-25 00:00:00

Prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from requiring any financial institution or any other entity subject to regulation or oversight by the Secretary or pursuant to federal securities laws specified in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to report suspicious transactions relevant to a possible violation of law or regulation, unless the appropriate U.S. district court issues an order finding that a warrant could be issued under the search and seizure provisions of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.