Local Government Antitrust Act of 1984
PL 98-544 (H.R.6027), enacted 10/24/1984

98 STAT. 2750 
PUBLIC LAW 98-544—OCT. 24, 1984 
Public Law 98-544 
98th Congress 
An Act 
Oct. 24, 1984 
[H.R. 6027] 
Local 
Government 
Antitrust Act of 
1984. 
15 u s e 1 note. 
15 u s e 34. 
15 u s e 35. 
15 u s e 36. 
To clarify the application of the Clayton Act to the official conduct of local 
governments, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may 
be cited as the "Local Government Antitrust Act of 1984". 
SEC. 2. For purposes of this Act— 
(1) the term "local government" means— 
(A) a city, county, parish, town, township, village, or any 
other general function governmental unit established by 
State law, or 
(B) a school district, sanitary district, or any other special 
function governmental unit established by State law in one 
or more States, 
(2) the term "person" has the meaning given it in subsection 
(a) of the first section of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 12(A)), but 
does not include any local government as defined in paragraph 
(1) of this section, and 
(3) the term "State" has the meaning given it in section 4G(2) 
of the Clayton Act (15 U.S.C. 15g(2)). 
SEC. 3. (a) No damages, interest on damages, costs, or attorney's 
fees may be recovered under section 4, 4A, or 4C of the Clayton Act 
(15 U.S.C. 15, 15a, or 15c) from any local government, or official or 
employee thereof acting in an official capacity. 
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to cases commenced before the 
effective date of this Act unless the defendant establishes and the 
court determines, in light of all the circumstances, including 
the stage of litigation and the availability of alternative relief under 
the Clayton Act, that it would be inequitable not to apply this subsec-
tion to a pending case. In consideration of this section, existence of a 
jury verdict, district court judgment, or any stage of litigation 
subsequent thereto, shall be deemed to be prima facie evidence that 
subsection (a) shall not apply. 
SEC. 4. (a) No damages, interest on damages, costs or attorney's 
fees may be recovered under section 4, 4A, or 4C of the Cla3rton Act 
(15 U.S.C. 15,15a, or 15c) in any claim against a person based on any 
official action directed by a local government, or official or employee 
thereof acting in an official capacity. 
(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to cases commenced 
before the effective date of this Act. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-544—OCT. 24, 1984 
98 STAT. 2751 
SEC. 5. Section 510 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
Repeal. 
State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriation Act, 1985 
(PubUc Law 98-411), is repealed. 
Ante, p. 1574. 
SEC. 6. This Act shall take effect thirty days before the date of the 
Effective date, 
enactment of this Act. 
15 USC 34 note. 
Approved October 24, 1984. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 6027 (S. 1578): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 98-965 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
No. 98-1158 (Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-593 accompanying S. 1578 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
Aug. 8, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 4, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 11, House and Senate agreed to conference report. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 40, No. 43 (1984): 
Oct. 24, Presidential statement.