jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2011-03-02 00:00:00

Holocaust Insurance Accountability Act of 2011 - Authorizes any person who purchased a covered policy, or a beneficiary or heir of such person, to bring a civil action in federal district court against the insurer, or a related company of the insurer, to recover proceeds due or enforce any rights under the policy. (Defines "covered policy" as any life, dowry, education, property, or other insurance policy that: (1) was in effect at any time between January 30, 1933, and December 31, 1945; and (2) was issued to a policyholder domiciled in any area occupied or controlled by Nazi Germany). Permits nationwide service of process in order to bring such civil action. Directs the court to award certain remedies to the prevailing beneficiary in such action. Prohibits any executive agreement between the United States and any foreign country from invalidating or preempting any state law creating a cause of action against an insurer or related company based upon a claim arising out of, or related to, a covered insurance policy by reason of either any specified executive foreign policy or specified executive agreement. Deems effective upon its enactment any state law enacted on or after March 1, 1998, which requires an insurer doing business in that state to disclose information regarding such covered policies. Prohibits any federal department or agency from expending funds for the purpose of issuing a statement of interest seeking to encourage a federal court to dismiss any claim or action brought to recover compensation arising out of or related to a covered policy. Prohibits a court from dismissing a claim or action brought under this Act within 10 years after its enactment on the ground that the claim or action is barred under any statute of limitations or the doctrine of laches.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-03-08 00:00:00

We the People Act - Prohibits the Supreme Court and each federal court from adjudicating any claim or relying on judicial decisions involving: (1) state or local laws, regulations, or policies concerning the free exercise or establishment of religion; (2) the right of privacy, including issues of sexual practices, orientation, or reproduction; or (3) the right to marry without regard to sex or sexual orientation where based upon equal protection of the laws. Allows the Supreme Court and the federal courts to determine the constitutionality of federal statutes, administrative rules, or procedures in considering cases arising under the Constitution. Prohibits the Supreme Court and the federal courts from issuing any ruling that appropriates or expends money, imposes taxes, or otherwise interferes with the legislative functions or administrative discretion of the states. Authorizes any party or intervener in matters before any federal court, including the Supreme Court, to challenge the jurisdiction of the court under this Act. Provides that the violation of this Act by any justice or judge is an impeachable offense and a material breach of good behavior subject to removal. Negates as binding precedent on the state courts any federal court decision that relates to an issue removed from federal jurisdiction by this Act or otherwise interfering with the legislative functions or administrative discretion of the states.
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. Prohibits this Act from being construed as barring or impeding the assertion or development of new claims, defenses, or remedies under federal, state, or local laws, including civil rights laws, or under the Constitution.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-03-09 00:00:00

Amends the federal judicial code to prohibit federal courts from deciding any issue on the authority of foreign law, except to the extent that the Constitution or an Act of Congress requires such consideration.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-03-10 00:00:00

Temporary Bankruptcy Judgeships Extension Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Extends the temporary office of 30 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: 2011-03-14 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the Senate on November 15, 2011. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Revises the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to extend until December 31, 2017, the Judicial Conference's authority to redact financial disclosure reports filed by a judicial officer or employee if it finds that revealing personal and sensitive information could endanger that individual or a family member of that individual.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2011-05-11 00:00:00

Requires the Secretary of State to impose certain sanctions against a foreign country that owes unpaid fully adjudicated parking fines and penalties to New York City, New York, including to: (1) deny the issuance or renewal of any diplomatic license plates for vehicles for that country, (2) withhold certain foreign assistance funds from such country, and (3) reappropriate certain unobligated foreign assistance funds available for the country to pay fully adjudicated parking fines and penalties it owes to New York City.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2011-05-12 00:00:00

Citizens Right to Know Act of 2011 - Requires a state or local pretrial services agency that receives federal financial assistance to report to the Attorney General: (1) on a monthly basis, about individuals who are released by such agency into a pretrial release program, and (2) on an annual basis, on the agency's budget for that year. Requires such monthly report to include: (1) the number of individuals and of indigent individuals reviewed for pretrial release, (2) the number and names of individuals assigned to pretrial services, (3) the number and names of indigent individuals accepted into a pretrial release program, (4) a list of each charge filed against, and all prior criminal convictions of, each individual accepted into a pretrial release program, (5) a list of the court appearances required of each individual accepted into a pretrial release program and of each instance on which such an individual failed to appear at a scheduled court appearance, and (6) a list of all warrants issued or arrests made of each individual accepted into a pretrial release program.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2011-05-23 00:00:00

Reduces from 180 days to 90 days after publication of a final action notice in the Federal Register the deadline for filing a claim seeking judicial review of a permit, license, or approval issued by a federal agency for a highway or public transportation capital project.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-05-26 00:00:00

Veterans' Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Revised Statutes of the United States to limit the remedy, in a civil action against a state or local official for deprivation of civil rights, to injunctive and declaratory relief, and deny attorneys' fees, where the deprivation consists of a violation of a prohibition in the Constitution against the establishment of religion, including violations relating to: (1) religious words or imagery in veterans' memorials, public buildings, or official seals of states or their subdivisions; and (2) the chartering of Boy Scout units by states or their subdivisions and the Boy Scouts' using public buildings. Imposes the same limits regarding such an action against the United States or any U.S. agency or official acting in his or her official capacity.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-05-26 00:00:00

Services, Education, and Rehabilitation for Veterans Act or the SERV Act - Requires the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to delegate to the Department of Justice (DOJ) the authority to administer the veteran's treatment courts program established by this Act. Authorizes the Attorney General to make grants to states and other entities: (1) to develop, implement, or enhance veteran's treatment courts or to expand operational drug courts to serve veterans; and (2) for programs that involve continuing judicial supervision over nonviolent offenders with substance abuse or mental health problems who have served in the U.S. military. Requires such programs to include mandatory periodic testing for the use of drugs, substance abuse and mental health treatment, opportunities for diversion, probation, or supervised release, and programmatic, offender management, and aftercare services. Directs the National Drug Court Institute to conduct national training programs for state and local communities to improve the professional skills of drug court practitioners and provide comprehensive technical assistance to adult, juvenile, and family dependency drug courts.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2011-06-01 00:00:00

Second Chance for Ex-Offenders Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow an individual to file a petition for expungement of a record of conviction for a nonviolent criminal offense if such individual has: (1) never been convicted of a violent offense and has never been convicted of a nonviolent offense other than the one for which expungement is sought; (2) fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court in which conviction was obtained; (3) remained free from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for a minimum of one year and has been rehabilitated, to the court's satisfaction, if so required by the terms of supervised release; (4) obtained a high school diploma or completed a high school equivalency program; and (5) completed at least one year of community service.Authorizes an individual convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor to file an expungement petition. Directs the court, in ruling on such petition, after determining petitioner eligibility, to weigh the petitioner's interests against the best interests of justice and public safety.Authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to maintain a nonpublic manual or computerized index of expunged records, to be made available only to federal and state law enforcement personnel who have custody of such records for limited disclosure purposes.Requires the restoration of expunged records of individuals subsequently convicted of any federal or state offense.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-06-22 00:00:00

Amends the federal judicial code to provide that the statute of limitations applicable for commencing actions by certain terrorism victims against foreign states (and employees of such states) designated as state sponsors of terrorism is an affirmative defense that is waived by such foreign state or employee if not timely raised in a responsive pleading.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-06-24 00:00:00

Southwest Border Judgeship Expansion Act of 2011 - 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: 2011-07-07 00:00:00

Fresh Start Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to allow an individual convicted of a nonviolent criminal offense to file a petition for expungement of the record of such conviction. Allows expungement if such individual: (1) has never been convicted of any criminal offense other than the nonviolent offenses committed in a single criminal episode that includes the offense for which expungement is sought; (2) has fulfilled all requirements of the sentence of the court, including payment of all fines, restitution, or assessments and completion of terms of imprisonment and probation; and (3) has remained free (if required by the court's sentence) from dependency on or abuse of alcohol or a controlled substance for at least one year. Requires the Attorney General to maintain an unaltered nonpublic copy of expunged criminal records, to be disclosed for limited purposes to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to increase by 5% grant funding under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states that implement expungement procedures substantially similar to the procedures enacted by this Act. Decreases such grant funding by 5% for states that fail to adopt expungement procedures.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-07-25 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on September 12, 2011. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Appeal Time Clarification Act of 2011 - Amends federal judicial code requirements concerning the time limits for the filing of appeals to any judgment, order, or decree in a civil action, suit, or proceeding. Revises the requirement that an appeal in any such action, suit, or proceeding in which the United States or a U.S. officer or agency is a party be filed within 60 days after entry of judgment, order or decree. Extends application of the 60-day filing deadline to any civil action, suit, or proceeding in which one of the parties is: (1) a U.S. employee sued in an official capacity; or (2) a current or former U.S. officer or employee sued in an individual capacity for an act or omission occurring in connection with duties performed on behalf of the United States, including any instance in which the United States represents that person when the judgment, order, or decree is entered or files the appeal for that person. Sets forth the finding of Congress that the application of the 60-day deadline: (1) is not limited to civil actions in which representation of the United States is provided by the Department of Justice (DOJ); and (2) includes all civil actions in which the representation of the United States is provided by a federal legal officer acting in an official capacity, including civil actions in which a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate or the House of Representatives is represented by the Office of Senate Legal Counsel or the House's Office of General Counsel.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-08-01 00:00:00

Repeals the Legal Services Corporation Act (established a federally funded nonprofit corporation to provide financial support for legal assistance in noncriminal matters to persons financially unable to afford such assistance).
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-08-05 00:00:00

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2011 - 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.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-09-23 00:00:00

Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act - Amends the federal judicial code to authorize any state or local government or related official (or successor) to file a motion to modify or terminate a federal consent decree upon the earliest of: (1) four years after the consent decree is originally entered; (2) in the case of a civil action in which a state or state official, or a local government or local government official, is a party, the expiration date of the term of office of the highest state or local government official who is a party to the consent decree; or (3) a date otherwise provided by law. Places the burden of proof with respect to such motions on the party originally filing the action to demonstrate that the denial of the motion to modify or terminate a consent decree (or any part of it) is necessary to prevent the violation of a federal requirement that was: (1) actionable by such party, and (2) addressed in the consent decree. Requires a court, within 30 days after the filing of a motion, to enter a scheduling order that: (1) limits the time of the parties to file motions and complete discovery, and (2) sets the date or dates of any necessary hearings. Authorizes a court to stay the injunctive or prospective relief set forth in the consent decree if a party opposing the motion to modify or terminate it seeks any continuance or delay that prevents the court from entering a final ruling on the motion within 180 days after its filing.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-10-13 00:00:00

Peremptory Challenge Act of 2011 - Amends the federal judicial code to require: (1) reassignment to another appropriate judicial officer of any civil or criminal case to be tried in a federal district court, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, or a bankruptcy court if all parties on one side file a reassignment request within 20 days (with certain exceptions) after initial assignment of a judicial officer; and (2) the chief judge of the court of appeals for the circuit in which the case is to be tried, or another judge designated by the chief judge, to determine any question arising as to which parties should be grouped together as a side for such purpose.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-12-06 00:00:00

The Cameras in the Courtroom Act of 2011 - Requires the Supreme Court to permit television coverage of all open sessions of the Court unless it decides by majority vote that allowing such coverage in a particular case would violate the due process rights of any of the parties involved.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Families
Date: 2012-02-01 00:00:00

Enhancing the Quality of Parental Legal Representation Act of 2011 - Amends title IV (Temporary Aid to Needy Families) (TANF) of the Social Security Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make grants to the highest state courts to enable them to provide legal representation for parents and legal guardians with respect to child welfare cases. Increases funding for discretionary and targeted grants.
Topic: Law and Crime — Court Administration
Subject: Law
Date: 2012-02-02 00:00:00

Emergency Judicial Relief Act of 2012 - 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 to $360 (currently, $350). Adds Bakersfield, California, to the places where the eastern district of California is required to hold court.