Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act
PL 100-702 (H.R.4807), enacted 11/19/1988

102 STAT. 4642 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
Public Law 100-702 
100th Congress 
An Act 
Nov. 19, 1988 
[H.R. 4807] 
Judicial 
Improvements 
and Access to 
Justice Act. 
28 u s e 1 note. 
To amend title 28, United States Code, to make certain improvements with respect 
to the Federal judiciary, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the "Judicial Improvements and Access 
to Justice Act". 
SEC. 2. REFERENCE TO TITLE 28, UNITED STATES CODE. 
Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this Act an 
amendment or repeal is expressed as an amendment to or repeal of 
a section or other provision, the reference shall be considered to be 
made to a section or other provision of title 28, United States Code. 
SEC. 3. TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
TITLE I—FEDERAL COURTS STUDY COMMITTEE 
Sec. 101. Short title. 
Sec. 102. Establishment and purposes. 
Sec. 103. Membership of the Committee. 
Sec. 104. Powers of the Committee. 
Sec. 105. Functions and duties. 
Sec. 106. Compensation of members. 
Sec. 107. Expiration of the Committee. 
Sec. 108. Authorization of appropriations. 
Sec. 109. Effective date. 
TITLE II—FEDERAL JURISDICTION—DIVERSITY REFORM 
Sec. 201. Amount in controversy in diversity cases. 
Sec. 202. Diversity in cases involving multistate corporations or representative 
parties. 
Sec. 203. Citizenship of permanent resident alien. 
TITLE III—FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER 
Sec. 301. Federal Judicial Center Foundation. 
Sec. 302. Authority to implement history program. 
Sec. 303. Authority to provide for training for persons outside the judicial branch. 
Sec. 304. Appointment and compensation of the Deputy Director of the Center. 
TITLE IV—RULES ENABLING ACT 
Sec. 401. Rules Enabling Act amendments. 
Sec. 402. Compilation and review of local rules. 
Sec. 403. Rules by certain courts and orders by circuit Judicial Councils and the Ju-
dicial Conference. 
Sec. 404. Conforming and other technical amendments. 
Sec. 405. Tax court rule making not affected. 
Sec. 406. Savings provision. 
Sec. 407. Efiective date. 
TITLE V—JURISDICTION OF THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT 
Sec. 501. Interlocutory appeals. 
Sec. 502. Effective date. 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4643 
TITLE VI—STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE AMENDMENTS 
Sec. 601. Rule making. 
Sec. 602. Civil Service retirement. 
Sec. 603. Use of funds under grants and contracts. 
Sec. 604. Unit of State or local government matching funds. 
Sec. 605. Interim funding. 
Sec. 606. Procedures for suspension of funding; restrictions on disclosure of 
information. 
Sec. 607. Authorization of appropriations. 
TITLE VII—COURT INTERPRETERS AMENDMENTS 
Sec. 701. Short title. 
Sec. 702. Authority of the Director. 
Sec. 703. Certification of interpreters; other qualified interpreters. 
Sec. 704. Lists of interpreters; responsibility for securing services of interpreters. 
Sec. 705. Sound recordings. 
Sec. 706. Authorization of appropriations; payment for services of interpreters. 
Sec. 707. Approval of compensation and expenses. 
Sec. 708. Definitions. 
Sec. 709. Simultaneous interpretation. 
Sec. 710. Technical amendments. 
Sec. 711. Impact on existing programs. 
Sec. 712. Effective date. 
TITLE VIII—JURY SELECTION AND SERVICE 
Sec. 801. Excuse of jurors. 
Sec. 802. Jury selection plan. 
Sec. 803. Master jury wheel. 
Sec. 804. Technical amendment. 
Sec. 805. Experimental use of new jury selection procedures. 
TITLE IX—ARBITRATION 
Sec. 901. Arbitration authorization by district courts. 
Sec. 902. Model procedures. 
Sec. 903. Reports. 
Sec. 904. Effect on judicial rule making powers. 
^ r 
Sec. 905. Authorization of appropriations. 
" 
/ 
Sec. 906. Repeal. 
"
'
' ' 
Sec. 907. Effective date. 
' ^ 
TITLE X—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
Sec. 1001. Divisional venue in civil cases. 
Sec. 1002. Registration of foreign judgments. 
Sec. 1003. Bankruptcy judge, magistrate and law clerk exemption from Federal 
Leave Act. 
Sec. 1004. Cost-of-living adjustment of annuities payable under sections 611 and 
627. 
Sec. 1005. Military retirement pay for senior or retired judges. 
Sec. 1006. Amendments to conform sections 611 and 627 to the Federal Employees' 
Retirement System Act of 1986. 
Sec. 1007. Judicial disqualification amendment. 
Sec. 1008. Incentive awards. 
Sec. 1009. Waiver of claims for overpayment of judicial pay and allowances. 
Sec. 1010. Court security. 
Sec. 1011. Travel reimbursement. 
Sec. 1012. Claims court fees. 
Sec. 1013. Corporate venue. 
Sec. 1014. Method of recording. 
Sec. 1015. Location of chambers of circuit judges. 
Sec. 1016. Improvements in removal procedure. 
Sec. 1017. Cost-of-living adjustments for judicial survivors' annuities. 
Sec. 1018. Elimination of circuit executive board of certification procedure. 
Sec. 1019. Appeals under title 9, United States Code. 
Sec. 1020. Miscellaneous technical amendments. 
Sec. 1021. Configuration of Florida districts. 
Sec. 1022. Service of article III judges on territorial courts. 
Sec. 1023. Salaries of United States Claims Court judges. 
102 STAT. 4644 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
Federal Courts 
T I T L E I — F E D E R A L C O U R T S 
S T U D Y 
f s u i c M l n o t e . 
C O M M I T T E E 
Reports. 
SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "Federal Courts Study Act". 
SEC. 102. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSES. 
(a) EsTABUSHMENT.—There is hereby established within the Ju-
dicial Conference of the United States, a Federal Courts Study 
Committee on the future of the Federal judiciary (hereafter re-
ferred to as the "Committee"). 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Committee are to— 
(1) examine problems and issues currently facing the courts of 
the United States; 
(2) develop a long-range plan for the future of the Federal 
judiciary, including assessments involving— 
(A) alternative methods of dispute resolution; 
(B) the structure and administration of the Federal court 
system; 
(C) methods of resolving intracircuit and intercircuit con-
flicts in the courts of appeals; and 
(D) the types of disputes resolved by the Federal courts; 
and 
(3) report to the Judicial Conference of the United States, the 
President, the Congress, the Conference of Chief Justices, and 
the State Justice Institute on the revisions, if any, in the laws of 
the United States which the Committee, based on its study and 
evaluation, deems advisable. 
SEC. 103. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE. 
(a) APPOINTMENTS.—The Committee shall be composed of fifteen 
members to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the United States, 
within ten days after the effective date of this title. 
(b) SELECTION.—The membership of the Committee shall be se-
lected in such a manner as to be representative of the various 
interests, needs and concerns which may be affected by the jurisdic-
tion of the Federal courts. The Chief Justice shall designate one of 
the members of the Committee to serve as Chairman. 
(c) TERM OF OFFICE.—The Committee members shall serve at the 
pleasure of the Chief Justice. 
(d) RULES OF PROCEDURE.—Rules of procedure shall be promul-
gated by vote of a majority of the Committee. 
SEC. 104. POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE. 
(a) HEARINGS.—The Committee or, on the authorization of the 
Committee, any subcommittee thereof may, for the purpose of carry-
ing out its functions and duties, hold such hearings and sit and act 
at such times and places, as the Committee or any such subcommit-
tee may deem advisable. 
(b) INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.—The Administrative Office of 
the United States Courts, the Federal Judicial Center, and each 
department, agency, and instrumentality of the executive branch of 
the Government, including the National Institute of Justice and 
independent agencies, shall furnish to the Committee, upon request 
made by the Chairman, such information and assistance as the 
Committee may reasonably deem necessary to carry out its func-
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4645 
tions under this title, consistent with other applicable provisions of 
law governing the release of such information. 
(c) PERSONNEL.—(1) Subject to such rules and regulations as may 
be adopted by the Committee, the Director of the Administrative 
Office shall furnish to the Committee necessary staff and technical 
assistance in response to needs specified. 
(2) Section 5108(c)(1) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by 
striking out "15" and inserting in lieu thereof "17". 
(d) ADVISORY PANELS.—The Committee is authorized, for the pur-
pose of carrying out its functions and duties pursuant to the 
provisions of this title, to establish advisory panels consisting of 
Committee members or members of the public. Such panels shall be 
established to provide expertise and assistance in specific areas, as 
the Committee deems necessary. 
SEC. 105. FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES. 
The Committee shall— 
(1) make a complete study of the courts of the United States Reports. 
and of the several States and transmit a report to the President, 
the Chief Justice of the United States, the (Dongress, the Ju-
dicial Conference of the United States, the CJonference of Chief 
Justices, and the State Justice Institute on such study, within 
fifteen months after the effective date of this title; 
(2) recommend revisions to be made to laws of the United 
States as the Committee, on the basis of such study, deems 
advisable; 
(3) develop a long-range plan for the judicial system; and 
(4) make such other recommendations and conclusions it 
deems advisable. 
SEC. 106. COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS. 
(a) EMPLOYEES OF THE GOVERNMENT.—A member of the Committee 
who is an officer or full-time employee of the United States shall 
receive no additional compensation for his or her services, but shall 
be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses 
incurred in the performance of duties vested in the Committee, not 
to exceed the maximum amounts authorized under section 456 of 
title 28. 
(b) PRIVATE SECTOR.—A member of the Committee who is from the 
private sector shall receive $200 per diem for each day (including 
travel time) during which he or she is engaged in the actual 
performance of duties vested in the Committee, plus reimbursement 
for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the 
performance of such duties, not to exceed the maximum amounts 
authorized under section 456 of title 28. 
SEC. 107. EXPIRATION OF THE COMMITTEE. 
The Committee shall cease to exist on the date 60 days after it 
transmits the report pursuant to section 105. 
SEC. 108. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
To carry out the purposes of this title there are authorized to be 
appropriated $300,000 for each of the fiscal years 1989 and 1990. 
SEC. 109. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This title shall become effective on January 1,1989. 
102 STAT. 4646 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
TITLE II—FEDERAL JURISDICTION-
DIVERSITY REFORM 
28 use 1332 
note. 
Insurance. 
28 use 1332 
note. 
28 use 1332 
note. 
SEC. 201. AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY IN DIVERSITY CASES. 
(a) INCREASE IN AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY TO $50,000.—Subsections 
(a) and O
o
) of section 1332 are each amended by striking out 
"$10,000" and inserting in lieu thereof "$50,000". 
OJ) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to any civil action commenced on or after the 180th day after 
the date of enactment of this title. 
SEC. 202. DIVERSITY IN CASES INVOLVING MULTISTATS CORPORATIONS 
OR REPRESENTATIVE PARTIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1332(c) is amended to read as follows: 
"(c) For the purposes of this section and section 1441 of this title— 
"(1) a corporation shall be deemed to be a citizen of any State 
, ^ by which it has been incorporated and of the State where it has 
its principal place of business, except that in any direct action 
against the insurer of a policy or contract of liability insurance, 
I whether incorporated or unincorporated, to which action the 
insured is not joined as a party-defendant, such insurer shall be 
deemed a citizen of the State of which the insured is a citizen, as 
well as of any State by which the insurer has been incorporated 
and of the State where it has its principal place of business; and 
"(2) the legal representative of the estate of a decedent shall 
be deemed to be a citizen only of the same State as the decedent, 
and the legal representative of an infant or incompetent shall 
be deemed to be a citizen only of the same State as the infant or 
incompetent.". 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section shall 
apply to any civil action commenced in or removed to a United 
States district court on or after the 180th day after the date of 
enactment of this title. 
SEC. 203. CITIZENSHIP OF PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIEN. 
(a) PERMANENT RESIDENT ALIEN CITIZENSHIP FOR DIVERSITY PUR-
POSES.—Section 1332(a) is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following: "For the purposes of this section, section 1335, and section 
1441, an alien admitted to the United States for permanent resi-
dence shall be deemed a citizen of the State in which such alien is 
domiciled.". 
Ot)) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section shall 
apply to claims in civil actions commenced in or removed to the 
United States district courts on or after the 180th day after the date 
of enactment of this title. 
TITLE III—FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER 
SEC. 301. FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER FOUNDATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—Chapter 42 is amended by adding at the end 
the following new section: 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4647 
"§ 629. Federal Judicial Center Foundation 
"(a) There is established a private nonprofit corporation which 
shall be known as the Federal Judicial Center Foundation (hereafter 
in this section referred to as the 'Foundation') and which shall be 
incorporated in the District of Columbia. The purpose of the Founda-
tion shall be to have sole authority to accept and receive gifts of real 
and personal property and services made for the purpose of aiding 
or facilitating the work of the Federal Judicial Center. The Founda-
tion shall not accept conditional or otherwise restricted gifts, except 
gifts that are designated for the support of specific projects pre-
viously approved by the Board of the Center may be accepted. The 
Foundation shall have no authority to administer or otherwise 
determine the use of gifts accepted under this section. 
"(b) The business of the Foundation shall be conducted by a Board 
that shall have seven members, including a chairman. Three mem-
bers, including the chairman, shall be appointed by the Chief Justice 
of the United States, two by the President Pro Tempore of the 
Senate, and two by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
The term of office of each member of the Board shall be 5 years, 
except that the initial terms shall be 5 years for the chairman, one 
member appointed by the President Pro Tempore and one member 
appointed by the Speaker, 3 years for the other member appointed 
by the President Pro Tempore and the other member appointed by 
the Speaker, and two years for the two other members appointed by 
the Qiief Justice. Members of the Board shall serve without com-
pensation but, upon authorization of the Director of the Center, 
shall be reimbursed by the Federal Judicial Center for actual and 
necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official 
duties. No person who is a Federal or State judge in regular active 
service or otherwise eligible to perform judicial duties shall be 
eligible for membership on the Board. The Center shall provide all 
administrative support and facilities necessary for the operation of 
the Board. 
"(c) The Federal Judicial Center is authorized to administer and 
use gifts received by the Foundation under this section. The gifts 
shall be used to further the goals of the Center as determined by the 
Board of the Cfenter. 
"(d) Gifts of money and proceeds from sales of other property 
received as gifts shall be deposited in a separate fund in the Treas-
ury of the United States and disbursed on the order of the Director 
of the Center, in accordance with policies established by the Board 
of the Center. 
"(e) The Board of the Foundation shall, not later than October 1 of 
each year, submit to the C>)mmittees on the Judiciary of the United 
States Senate and House of Representatives a report with respect to 
gifts received under this section during the preceding 12-month 
period, including the source of each such gift, the amount of each 
gift of cash or cash equivalent, and a description of any other gift. 
The Center shall include in its annual report of the activities of the 
(IJenter under section 623(aX3) a description of the purposes for 
which gifts were used during the year covered by the report. 
"(f) For the purpose of Federal income, estate, and gift taxes, 
property accepted under this section shall be considered as a gift or 
bequest to or for the use of the United States.". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The item relating to section 629 in 
the table of sections for chapter 42, is amended to read as follows: 
Establishment. 
District of 
Columbia. 
Gifts and 
property. 
Real property. 
Gifts and 
property. 
Gifts and 
property. 
Reports. 
Taxes. 
19-194 O—91—Part 5 
21 : QL 3 
102 STAT. 4648 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
•'629. Federal Judicial Center Foundation.". 
SEC. 302. AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT HISTORY PROGRAM. 
Section 623(a) is amended— 
(1) by striking out "and" at the end of paragraph (5); 
(2) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (6) and 
inserting in Heu thereof "; and"; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(7) conduct, coordinate, and encourage programs relating to 
the history of the judicial branch of the United States 
Government.". 
SEC. 303. AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FOR TRAINING FOR PERSONS OUT-
SIDE THE JUDICIAL BRANCH. 
Section 620(b)(3) is amended to read £is follows: 
"(3) to stimulate, create, develop, and conduct programs of 
continuing education and training for personnel of the judicial 
branch of the Government and other persons whose participa-
tion in such programs would improve the operation of the 
judicial branch, including, but not limited to, judges. United 
States magistrates, clerks of court, probation officers, and per-
sons serving as mediators and arbitrators;". 
SEC. 304. APPOINTMENT AND COMPENSATION OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR 
OF THE CENTER. 
(a) APPOINTMENT BY THE BOARD.—Section 624(1) is amended by 
inserting "and the Deputy Director" after "Director". 
(b) COMPENSATION.— 
(1) Section 626 is amended— 
(A) by adding at the end the following new sentence: "The 
compensation of the Deputy Director of the Federal Ju-
dicial Center shall be the same as that of the Deputy 
Director of the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts."; and 
(B) by amending the section heading to read as follows: 
"§ 626. Compensation of the Director and Deputy Director". 
(2) The item relating to section 626 in the table of sections for 
chapter 42 is amended to read as follows: 
"626. Compensation of the Director and Deputy Director.". 
28 use 626 note. 
(c) BuDGET AcT COMPLIANCE.—The amendment made by subsec-
tion (b) shall be effective for fiscal years beginning on or after 
October 1,1988. 
TITLE IV—RULES ENABLING ACT 
SEC. 401. RULES ENABLING ACT AMENDMENTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 131 is amended by striking out section 
2072 and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 
"§ 2072. Rules of procedure and evidence; power to prescribe 
"(a) The Supreme Court shall have the power to prescribe general 
rules of practice and procedure and rules of evidence for cases in the 
United States district courts (including proceedings before mag-
istrates thereof) and courts of appeals. 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4649 
"(b) Such rules shall not abridge, enlarge or modify any sub-
stantive right. All laws in conflict with such rules shall be of no 
further force or effect after such rules have taken effect. 
"§ 2073. Rules of procedure and evidence; method of prescribing 
"(a)(1) The Judicial Conference shall prescribe and publish the 
procedures for the consideration of proposed rules under this 
section. 
"(2) The Judicial Conference may authorize the appointment of 
committees to Eissist the Conference by recommending rules to be 
prescribed under section 2072 of this title. Each such committee 
shall consist of members of the bench and the professional bar, and 
trial and appellate judges. 
"(b) The Judicial Conference shall authorize the appointment of a 
standing committee on rules of practice, procedure, and evidence 
under subsection (a) of this section. Such standing committee shall 
review each recommendation of any other committees so appointed 
and recommend to the Judicial Conference rules of practice, proce-
dure, and evidence and such changes in rules proposed by a commit-
tee appointed under subsection (a)(2) of this section as may be 
necessary to maintain consistency and otherwise promote the 
interest of justice. 
"(c)(1) Each meeting for the transaction of business under this 
chapter by any committee appointed under this section shall be 
open to the public, except when the committee so meeting, in open 
session and with a majority present, determines that it is in the 
public interest that all or part of the remainder of the meeting on 
that day shall be closed to the public, and states the reason for so 
closing the meeting. Minutes of each meeting for the transaction of 
business under this chapter shall be maintained by the committee 
and made available to the public, except that any portion of such 
minutes, relating to a closed meeting and made available to the 
public, may contain such deletions as may be necessary to avoid 
frustrating the purposes of closing the meeting. 
"(2) Any meeting for the transaction of business under this chap-
ter, by a committee appointed under this section, shall be preceded 
by sufficient notice to enable all interested persons to attend. 
"(d) In making a recommendation under this section or under 
section 2072, the body making that recommendation shall provide a 
proposed rule, an explanatory note on the rule, and a written report 
explaining the body s action, including any minority or other sepa-
rate views. 
"(e) Failure to comply with this section does not invalidate a rule 
prescribed under section 2072 of this title. 
"§ 2074. Rules of procedure and evidence; submission to Congress; 
effective date 
"(a) The Supreme Court shall transmit to the Congress not later 
than May 1 of the year in which a rule prescribed under section 
2072 is to become effective a copy of the proposed rule. Such rule 
shall take effect no earlier than December 1 of the year in which 
such rule is so transmitted unless otherwise provided by law. The 
Supreme Court may fix the extent such rule shall apply to proceed-
ings then pending, except that the Supreme Court shall not require 
the application of such rule to further proceedings then pending to 
the extent that, in the opinion of the court in which such proceed-
ings are pending, the application of such rule in such proceedings 
Public 
information. 
Reports. 
102 STAT. 4650 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
Records. 
Public 
information. 
would not be feasible or would work injustice, in which event the 
former rule applies. 
"(b) Any such rule creating, abolishing, or modifying an evi-
dentiary privilege shall have no force or effect unless approved by 
Act of Congress. . 
(b) ADVISORY 
COMMITTEES FOR COURTS.—Section 2077(b) is 
amended— 
(1) by striking out "of appeals" the first place it appears and 
inserting in lieu thereof ", except the Supreme Court, that is 
authorized to prescribe rules of the conduct of such court's 
business under section 2071 of this title"; and 
(2) by striking out "the court of appeals" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "such court". 
(c) REPEALER.—Section 2076 is repealed. 
(d) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning 
of chapter 131 is amended by striking out the item relating to 
section 2072 and all that follows through the item relating to section 
2076 and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 
"2072. Rules of procedure and evidence; power to prescribe. 
"2073. Rules of procedure and evidence; method of prescribing. 
"2074. Rules of procedure and evidence; submission to Congress; effective date. 
"2075. Bankruptcy rules.". 
SEC. 402. COMPILATION AND REVIEW OF LOCAL RULES. 
(a) COMPILATION.—Section 604(a) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraph (18) as paragraph (23); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following: 
"(19) Periodically compile— 
"(A) the rules which are prescribed under section 2071 of 
this title by courts other than the Supreme Court; 
"(B) the rules which are prescribed under section 
372(cXll) of this title; and 
"(C) the orders which are required to be publicly avail-
able under section 372(cX15) of this title; 
so as to provide a current record of such rules and orders;". 
O
t
>
) REVIEW.—Section 331 is amended by inserting after the fifth 
paragraph the following: 
"The Judicial Conference shall review rules prescribed under 
section 2071 of this title by the courts, other than the Supreme 
Court and the district courts, for consistency with Federal law. The 
Judicial Conference may modify or abrogate any such rule so 
reviewed found inconsistent in the course of such a review.". 
SEC. 403. RULES BY CERTAIN COURTS AND ORDERS BY CIRCUIT JUDICIAL 
COUNCILS AND THE JUDICIAL CONFERENCE. 
(a) RULES BY CERTAIN COURTS.—(1) Section 2071 is amended— 
(A) by inserting "(a)" before "The"; 
(B) by striking out "by the Supreme Court" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "under section 2072 of this title"; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following: 
"(b) Any rule prescribed by a court, other than the Supreme 
Court, under subsection (a) shall be prescribed only after giving 
appropriate public notice and an opportunity for comment. Such 
rule shall take effect upon the date specified by the prescribing 
court and shall have such effect on pending proceedings as the 
prescribing court may order. 
'Wi^Alf 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4651 
"(c)(1) A rule of a district court prescribed under subsection (a) 
shall remain in effect unless modified or abrogated by the judicial 
council of the relevant circuit. 
"(2) Any other rule prescribed by a court other than the Supreme 
Court under subsection (a) shall remain in effect unless modified or 
abrogated by the Judicial Conference. 
"(d) Copies of rules prescribed under subsection (a) by a district 
court shall be furnished to the judicial council, and copies of all 
rules prescribed by a court other than the Supreme Court under 
subsection (a) shall be furnished to the Director of the Administra-
tive Office of the United States Courts and made available to the 
public. 
"(e) If the prescribing court determines that there is an immediate 
need for a rule, such court may proceed under this section without 
public notice and opportunity for comment, but such court shall 
promptly thereafter 
afford 
such notice and opportunity 
for 
comment. 
"(f) No rule may be prescribed by a district court other than under 
this section.". 
(2) Section 332(d) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
"(4) Each judicial council shall periodically review the rules which 
are prescribed under section 2071 of this title by district courts 
within its circuit for consistency with rules prescribed under section 
2072 of this title. Each council may modify or abrogate any such rule 
found inconsistent in the course of such a review.". 
O
t
)
) ORDERS BY CIRCUIT JUDICIAL COUNCILS.—Section 332(d)(1) is 
amended by inserting after the first sentence the following new 
sentence: "Any general order relating to practice and procedure 
shall be made or amended only after giving appropriate public 
notice and an opportunity for comment. Any such order so relating 
shall take effect upon the date specified by such judicial council. 
Copies of such orders so relating shall be furnished to the Judicial 
Conference and the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts and be made available to the public". 
(c) RULES BY JUDICIAL CONFERENCE AND CIRCUIT JUDICIAL COUN-
CILS.—Section 372(c)(ll) is amended by inserting before "Any rule 
promulgated" the following new sentence: "Any such rule shall be 
made or amended only after giving appropriate public notice and an 
opportunity for comment.". 
SEC. 404. CONFORMING AND OTHER TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. 
(a) CONFORMING REPEAL OF CRIMINAL RULES ENABLING PROVI-
SIONS.—(1) Chapter 237 of title 18, United States Code, and the item 
relating to chapter 237 in the table of chapters for part II of such 
title, are repealed. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO MAGISTRATES.—(1) 
Section 636(d) is amended by striking out "section 3402 of title 18, 
United States Code" and inserting in lieu thereof "section 2072 of 
this title". 
(2) Section 3402 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by 
striking out the second paragraph. 
(c) CROSS REFERENCE TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.—Section 9 of 
the 
Act entitled "An Act to provide an adequate basis for the adminis-
tration of the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona and 
Nevada, and for other purposes" approved October 8, 1964 (Public 
Public 
information 
Public 
information. 
102 STAT. 4652 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
28 use 2071 
note. 
28 use 2071 
note. 
28 use 2071 
note. 
Territories, U.S. 
28 use 1292 
note. 
Law 88-639; 16 U.S.C. 460n-8) is amended by striking out the 
sentence beginning "The provisions of title 18, section 3402". 
SEC. 405. TAX COURT RULE MAKING NOT AFFECTED. 
The amendments made by this title shall not affect the authority 
of the Tax Court to prescribe rules under section 7453 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
SEC. 406. SAVINGS PROVISION. 
The rules prescribed in accordance with law before the effective 
date of this title and in effect on the date of such effective date shall 
remain in force until changed pursuant to the law as amended by 
this title. 
SEC. 407. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This title shall take effect on December 1,1988. 
TITLE V—JURISDICTION OF THE 
FEDERAL CIRCUIT 
SEC. 501. INTERLOCUTORY APPEALS. 
Section 1292(d) is amended by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
"(4)(A) The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit 
shall have exclusive jurisdiction of an appeal from an interlocutory 
order of a district court of the United States, the District Court of 
Guam, the District Court of the Virgin Islands, or the District Court 
for the Northern Mariana Islands, granting or denying, in whole or 
in part, a motion to transfer an action to the United States Claims 
Court under section 1631 of this title. 
"(B) When a motion to transfer an action to the Claims Court is 
filed in a district court, no further proceedings shall be taken in the 
district court until 60 days after the court has ruled upon the 
motion. If an appeal is taken from the district court's grant or denial 
of the motion, proceedings shall be further stayed until the appeal 
has been decided by the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. 
The stay of proceedings in the district court shall not bar the 
granting of preliminary or injunctive relief, where appropriate and 
where expedition is reasonably necessary. However, during the 
period in which proceedings are stayed as provided in this subpara-
graph, no transfer to the Claims Court pursuant to the motion shall 
be carried out.". 
SEC. 502. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
The amendment made by section 501 shall apply to any action 
commenced in the district court on or after the date of enactment of 
this title. 
TITLE VI—STATE JUSTICE INSTITUTE 
AMENDMENTS 
SEC. 601. RULE MAKING. 
Section 203(f) of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 
10702(0) is amended— 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4653 
(1) by striking out ", at least thirty days prior to their 
effective date,"; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: "The publication of a 
substantive rule shall be made not less than 30 days before the 
effective date of such rule, except as otherwise provided by the 
Institute for good cause found and published with the rule.". 
SEC. 602. CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT. 
Section 205(d)(2) of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 
U.S.C. 10704(d)(2)) is amended by striking out "chapter 83" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "chapters 83 and 84". 
SEC. 
6
0
3
. 
USE 
OF 
FUNDS 
UNDER 
GRANTS 
AND 
CONTRACTS. 
Section 206(c) of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 
10705(c)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (3) by inserting "judicial and" after "using"; 
(2) by striking out paragraph (4); and 
(3) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (15) as paragraphs 
(4) through (14), respectively. 
SEC. 604. UNIT OF STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT MATCHING FUNDS. 
Section 206(d) of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 
10705(d)) is amended by striking out "judicial system" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "court (or other unit of State or local government)". 
SEC. 605. INTERIM FUNDING. 
Section 207(a) of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 
10706(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(B) by adding "and" after the semicolon; 
(2) in paragraph (2) by striking out "; and" and inserting in 
lieu thereof a period; and 
(3) by striking out paragraph (3). 
SEC. 606. PROCEDURES FOR SUSPENSION OF FUNDING; RESTRICTIONS ON 
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION. 
Section 209 of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 
10708) is amended to read as follows: 
"ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
"SEC. 209. (a) The Institute shall prescribe procedures to ensure 
that financial assistance under this title shall not be suspended 
unless the grantee, contractor, person, or entity receiving financial 
assistance under this title has been given reasonable notice and 
opportunity to show cause why such actions should not be taken. 
"Ot)) Except as provided by Federal law other than this title, no 
officer or employee of the Institute, and no recipient of assistance 
under this title, may use or reveal any research or statistical 
information furnished under this title by any person and identifi-
able to any specific private person for any purpose other than the 
purpose for which the information was obtained in accordance with 
this title. Such information and copies thereof shall be immune from 
legal process, and shall not, without the consent of the person 
furnishing such information, be admitted as evidence or used for 
any purpose in any action, suit, or other judicial, legislative, or 
administrative proceedings.". 
102 STAT. 4654 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
Court 
Interpreter 
Amendments 
Act of 1988. 
SEC. 607. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
Section 215 of the State Justice Institute Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 
10713) is amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 215. There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
the purposes of this title $15,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1989 
and 1990. Amounts appropriated under this section may remain 
available until expended.". 
TITLE VII—COURT INTERPRETERS 
AMENDMENTS 
28 u s e 1 note. 
SEC. 701. SHORT TITLE. 
This title may be cited as the "Court Interpreter Amendments Act 
of 1988". 
SEC. 702. AUTHORITY OF THE DIRECTOR. 
Section 1827(a) is amended to read as follows: 
"(a) The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts shall establish a program to facilitate the use of certified and 
otherwise qualified interpreters in judicial proceedings instituted by 
the United States.". 
SEC. 703. CERTIFICATION OF INTERPRETERS; OTHER QUALIFIED INTER-
PRETERS. 
Section 1827(b) is amended to read as follows: 
"(bXD The Director shall prescribe, determine, and certify the 
qualifications of persons who may serve as certified interpreters, 
when the Director considers certification of interpreters to be mer-
ited, for the hearing impaired (whether or not also speech impaired) 
and persons who speak only or primarily a language other than the 
English language, in judicial proceedings instituted by the United 
States. The Director may certify interpreters for any language if the 
Director determines that there is a need for certified interpreters in 
that language. Upon the request of the Judicial Conference of the 
United States for certified interpreters in a language, the Director 
shall certify interpreters in that langus^e. Upon such a request 
from the judicial council of a circuit and the approval of the Judicial 
Conference, the Director shall certify interpreters for that circuit in 
the language requested. The judicial council of a circuit shall iden-
tify and evaluate the needs of the districts within a circuit. The 
Director shall certify interpreters based on the results of criterion-
Regulations, 
referenced performance examinations. The Director shall issue 
regulations to carry out this paragraph within 1 year after the date 
of the enactment of the Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice 
Act. 
"(2) Only in a case in which no certified interpreter is reasonably 
available as provided in subsection (d) of this section, including a 
case in which certification of interpreters is not provided under 
paragraph (1) in a particular language, may the services of other-
wise qualified interpreters be used. The Director shall provide guide-
lines to the courts for the selection of otherwise 
qualified 
interpreters, in order to ensure that the highest standards of ac-
curacy are maintained in all judicial proceedings subject to the 
provisions of this chapter. 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4655 
Public 
information. 
"(3) The Director shall maintain a current master list of all Records. 
certified interpreters and otherwise qualified interpreters and shall Reports. 
report periodically on the use and performance of both certified and 
otherwise qualified interpreters in judicial proceedings instituted by 
the United States and on the languages for which interpreters have 
been certified. The Director shall prescribe, subject to periodic 
review, a schedule of reasonable fees for services rendered by inter-
preters, certified or otherwise, used in proceedings instituted by the 
United States, and in doing so shall consider the prevailing rate of 
compensation for comparable service in other 
governmental 
entities.". 
SEC. 704. LISTS OF INTERPRETERS; RESPONSIBILITY FOR SECURING 
SERVICES OF INTERPRETERS. 
Section 1827(c) is amended to read as follows: 
"(cXD Each United States district court shall maintain on file in Records. 
the office of the clerk, and each United States attorney shall main-
tain on file, a list of all persons who have been certified as inter-
preters by the Director in accordance with subsection (b) of this 
section. The clerk shall make the list of certified interpreters for 
judicial proceeding available upon request. 
"(2) The clerk of the court, or other court employee designated by 
the chief judge, shall be responsible for securing the services of 
certified interpreters and otherwise qualified interpreters required 
for proceedings initiated by the United States, except that the 
United States attorney is responsible for securing the services of 
such interpreters for governmental witnesses.". 
SEC. 705. SOUND RECORDINGS. 
Section 1827(d) is amended by— 
(1) redesignating paragraphs (1) and (2) as subparagraphs (A) 
and (B), respectively; 
(2) insertmg "(1)" after "(d)"; and 
(3) adding at the end thereof the following: 
"(2) Upon the motion of a party, the presiding judicial officer shall 
determine whether to require the electronic sound recording of a 
judicial proceeding in which an interpreter is used under this 
section. In making this determination, the presiding judicial officer 
shall consider, among other things, the qualifications of the inter-
preter and prior experience in interpretation of court proceedings; 
whether the language to be interpreted is not one of the languages 
for which the Director has certified interpreters, and the complexity 
or length of the proceeding. In a grand jury proceeding, upon the 
motion of the accused, the presiding judicial officer shall require the 
electronic sound recording of the portion of the proceeding in which 
an interpreter is used.". 
SEC. 706. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; PAYMENT FOR SERV-
ICES OF INTERPRETERS. 
Section 1827(g) is amended— 
(a) by amending paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) to read as follows: 
"(gXD There are authorized to be appropriated to the Federal 
judiciary, and to be paid by the Director of the Administrative Office 
of the United States Courts, such sums as may be necessary to 
establish a program to facilitate the use of certified and otherwise 
qualified interpreters, and otherwise fulfill the provisions of this 
102 STAT. 4656 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
section and the Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act, 
except as provided in paragraph (3). 
"(2) Implementation of the provisions of this section is contingent 
upon the availability of appropriated funds to carry out the purposes 
of this section. 
"(3) Such salaries, fees, expenses, and costs that are incurred with 
respect to Government witnesses (including for grand jury proceed-
ings) shall, unless direction is made under paragraph (4), be paid by 
the Attorney General from sums appropriated to the Department of 
Justice."; 
(b) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5) and by insert-
ing between paragraph (3) and paragraph (5), the following: 
"(4) Upon the request of any person in any action for which 
interpreting services established pursuant to subsection (d) are not 
otherwise provided, the clerk of the court, or other court employee 
designated by the chief judge, upon the request of the presiding 
judicial officer, shall, where possible, make such services available 
to that person on a cost-reimbursable basis, but the judicial officer 
may also require the prepayment of the estimated expenses of 
providing such services.'. 
SEC. 707. APPROVAL OF COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES. 
Section 1827(h) is amended to read as follows: 
"(h) The presiding judicial officer shall approve the compensation 
and expenses payable to interpreters, pursuant to the schedule of 
fees prescribed by the Director under subsection (bX3).". 
SEC. 708. DEFINITIONS. 
Subsections (i) and (j) of section 1827 are amended to read as 
follows: 
"(i) The term 'presiding judicial officer' as used in this section 
refers to any judge of a United States district court, including a 
bankruptcy judge, a United States magistrate, and in the case of 
grand jury proceedings conducted under the auspices of the United 
States attorney, a United States attorney. 
"(j) The term 'judicial proceedings instituted by the United States' 
as used in this section refers to all proceedings, whether criminal or 
civil, including pretrial and grand jury proceedings (as well as 
proceedings upon a petition for a writ of habeas corpus initiated in 
the name of the United States by a relator) conducted in, or pursu-
ant to the lawful authority and jurisdiction of a United States 
district court. The term 'United States district court' as used in this 
subsection includes any court which is created by an Act of Congress 
in a territory and is invested with any jurisdiction of a district court 
established by chapter 5 of this title.". 
SEC. 
7
0
9
. 
SIMULTANEOUS 
INTERPRETATION. 
Section 1827(k) is amended to read as follows: 
"(k) The interpretation provided by certified or otherwise quali-
fied interpreters pursuant to this section shall be in the simulta-
neous mode for any party to a judicial proceeding instituted by the 
United States and in the consecutive mode for witnesses, except that 
the presiding judicial officer, sua sponte or on the motion of a party, 
may authorize a simultaneous, or consecutive interpretation when 
such officer determines after a hearing on the record that such 
interpretation will aid in the efficient administration of justice. "The 
presiding judicial officer, on such officer's motion or on the motion 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4657 
of a party, may order that special interpretation services as au-
t h o r i ^ in section 1828 of this title be provided if such officer 
determines that the provision of such services will aid in the effi-
cient administration of justice.". 
SEC 710. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. 
(a) Section 1827(d) is amended— 
(1) by striking out "competent" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"qualified"; 
(2) by striking out "any criminal" and all that follows through 
"relator)" and inserting in lieu thereof "judicial proceedings 
instituted by the United States"; and 
(3) by striking out "such action" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"such judicial proceedings". 
(b) Section 1827(eX2) is amended by striking out "criminal or civil 
action in a United States district court" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"judicial proceedings instituted by the United States". 
SEC. 711. IMPACT ON EXISTING PROGRAMS. 
28 USC 1827 
Nothing in this title shall be construed to terminate or diminish 
existing programs for the certification of interpreters. 
SEC. 712. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
28 USC 1827 
This title shall become efiective upon the date of enactment. 
TITLE VIII—JURY SELECTION AND 
SERVICE 
SEC. 801. EXCUSE OF JURORS. 
Section 1866(cXl) is amended to read as follows: "(1) excused by 
the court, or by the clerk under supervision of the court if the 
court's jury selection plan so authorizes, upon a showing of undue 
hardship or extreme inconvenience, for such period as the court 
deems necessary, at the conclusion of which such person either ^ a l l 
be summoned again for jury service under subsections (b) and (c) of 
this section or, if the court's jury selection plan so provides, the 
name of such person shall be reinserted into tb^ qualified jury wheel 
for selection pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or". 
SEC. 802. JURY SELECTION PLAN. 
(a) CLERK DEFINED FOR PURPOSES OF FUNCTIONS UNDER PLAN.— 
Section 1869(a) is amended to read as follows: 
"(a) 'clerk' and 'clerk of the court' shall mean the clerk of the 
district court of the United States, any authorized deputy clerk, 
and any other person authorized by the court to assist the clerk 
in the performance of functions under this chapter;". 
(b) OPTIONAL JURY SERVICE BY VOLUNTEER PUBUC SAFETY PERSON-
NEL.—Paragraph (5) of section 1863(bX5) is amended— 
(1) by inserting "(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B)," 
after "(5)", and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
"(B) specify that volunteer safety personnel, upon individual 
request, shall be excused from jury service. For purposes of this 
subparagraph, the term 'volunteer safety personnel' means 
individuals serving a public agency (as defined in section 1203(6) 
of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 
102 STAT. 4658 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
Armed Forces. 
Firemen. 
Policemen. 
Classified 
information. 
1968) in an official capacity, without compensation, as fire-
fighters or members of a rescue squad or ambulance crew.", 
(c) PERSONS EXEMPTED FROM JURY SERVICE.—Paragraph (6) of 
section 1863(b) is amended to read as follows: 
"(6) specify that the following persons are barred from jury 
service on the ground that they are exempt: (A) members in 
active service in the Armed Forces of the United States; (B) 
members of the fire or police departments of any State, the 
District of Columbia, any territory or possession of the United 
States, or any subdivision of a State, the District of Columbia, or 
such territory or possession; (C) public officers in the executive, 
legislative, or judicial branches of the Government of the 
United States, or of any State, the District of Columbia, any 
territory or possession of the United States, or any subdivision 
of a State, the District of Columbia, or such territory or posses-
sion, who are actively engaged in the performance of official 
duties.". 
SEC. 803. MASTER JURY WHEEL. 
(a) ALPHABETICAL LIST NOT MANDATORY.—Strike out the second 
sentence of section 1864(a) and insert the following: "The clerk or 
jury commission may, upon order of the court, prepare an alphabet-
ical list of the names drawn from the master jury wheel. Any list so 
prepared shall not be disclosed to any person except pursuant to the 
district court plan or pursuant to section 1867 or 1868 of this title.". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The second sentence of section 
1865(a) is amended by striking out "the alphabetical" and inserting 
in lieu thereof "in any alphabetical". 
SEC. 804. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT. 
Section 1869(f) is amended to read as follows: 
"(f) 'district court of the United States', 'district court', and 
'court' shall mean any district court established by chapter 5 of 
this title, and any court which is created by Act of Congress in a 
territory and is invested with any jurisdiction of a district court 
established by chapter 5 of this title;". 
SEC. 8
0
5
. 
EXPERIMENTAL 
USE 
OF 
NEW 
JURY 
SELECTION 
PROCEDURES. 
(a) SECTION 1878.—Chapter 121 is amended by adding at the end 
thereof the following: 
"§ 1878. Experimental use of a one-step summoning and qualiflca-
tion procedure 
"(a) The Judicial Conference of the United States is hereby au-
thorized to develop and conduct an experiment in which jurors 
serving in a limited number of United States district courts shall be 
qualified and summoned in a single procedure, in lieu of the two 
separate procedures otherwise provided for by this chapter. The 
Judicial Conference shall designate the district courts to participate 
in this experiment, but in no event shall the number of courts 
participating exceed ten. An experiment may be conducted pursuant 
to this section for a period not to exceed 2 years. The Judicial 
Conference shall ensure that an experiment conducted pursuant to 
this section does not violate the policies and objectives set forth in 
sections 1861 and 1862 of this title, and shall terminate the experi-
ment immediately if it determines that these policies and objectives 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4659 
are being violated or whenever in its judgment good cause for such 
termination exists. 
"(b) Jury selection conducted pursuant to this section shall be 
subject to challenge under section 1867 of this title for substantial 
failure to comply with the provisions of this title in selecting the 
jury. However, no challenge under section 1867 of this title shall lie 
solely on the basis that a jury was selected in accordance with an 
experiment conducted pursuant to this section.". 
(b) TECHNICAL.—The table of sections for chapter 121 is amended 
by adding at the end thereof the following new item: 
"1878. Experimental use of a one«tep summoning and qualification procedure.". 
TITLE IX—ARBITRATION 
SEC. 901. ARBITRATION AUTHORIZATION BY DISTRICT COURTS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Title 28, United States Code, is amended by 
inserting after chapter 43 the following new chapter: 
"CHAPTER 44—ARBITRATION 
"Sec. 
"651. Authorization of arbitration. 
"652. Jurisdiction. 
"653. Powers of arbitrator; arbitration hearing. 
"654. Arbitration award and judgment. 
"655. Trial de novo. 
"656. Certification of arbitrators. 
"657. Compensation of arbitrators. 
"658. District courts that may authorize arbitration. 
"§ 651. Authorization of arbitration 
"(a) AUTHORITY OF CERTAIN DISTRICT COURTS.—E^ach United States 
district court described in section 658 may authorize by local rule 
the use of arbitration in any civil action, including an adversary 
proceeding in bankruptcy. A district court described in section 658(1) 
may refer any such action to arbitration as set forth in section 
652(a). A district court described in section 658(2) may refer only 
such actions to arbitration as are set forth in section 652(aXlXA). 
"(b) TITLE 9 NOT AFFECTTED.—This chapter shall not afTect title 9. 
"§ 652. Jurisdiction 
"(a) ACTIONS THAT MAY BE REFERRED TO ARBITRATION.—(1) Not-
withstanding any provision of law to the contrary and except as 
provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, and section 901(c) 
of the Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act, a district 
court that authorizes arbitration under section 651 may— 
"(A) allow the referral to arbitration of any civil action 
(including any adversary proceeding in bankruptcy) pending 
before it If the parties consent to arbitration, and 
"(B) require the referral to arbitration of any civil action 
pending before it if the relief sought consists only of money 
damages not in excess of $100,000 or such lesser amount as the 
district court may set, exclusive of interest and costs. 
"(2) For purposes of paragraph (1)(B), a district court may presume 
damages are not in excess of $1()0,000 unless counsel certifies that 
damages exceed such amount. 
102 STAT. 4660 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
"(b) ACTIONS THAT MAY NOT BE REFERRED WITHOUT CONSENT OF 
PARTIES.—Referral to arbitration under subsection (aXlXB) may not 
be made— 
"(1) of an action based on an alleged violation of a right 
secured by the Constitution of the United States, or 
"(2) if jurisdiction is based in whole or in part on section 1343 
of this title. 
"(c) EXCEPTIONS FROM ARBITRATION.—Each district court shall 
establish by local rule procedures for exempting, sua sponte or on 
motion of a party, any case from arbitration in which the objectives 
of arbitration would not be realized— 
"(1) because the case involves complex or novel legal issues, 
"(2) because legal issues predominate over factual issues, or 
"(3) for other good cause. 
"(d) SAFEGUARDS IN CONSENT CASES.—In any civil action in which 
arbitration by consent is allowed under subsection (aXlXA), the 
district court shall by local rule establish procedures to ensure 
that— 
"(1) consent to arbitration is freely and knowingly obtained, 
and 
"(2) no party or attorney is prejudiced for refusing to partici-
pate in arbitration. 
"§ 653. Powers of arbitrator; arbitration hearing 
"(a) POWERS.—An arbitrator to whom an action is referred under 
section 652 shall have, within the judicial district of the district 
court which referred the action to arbitration, the power— 
"(1) to conduct arbitration hearings, 
"(2) to administer oaths and affirmations, and 
"(3) to make awards. 
"(b) TIME FOR BEGINNING ARBITRATION HEARING.—An arbitration 
hearing under this chapter shall begin within a time period speci-
fied by the district court, but in no event later than 180 days after 
the filing of an answer, except that the arbitration proceeding shall 
not, in the absence of the consent of the parties, commence until 30 
days after the disposition by the district court of any motion to 
dismiss the complaint, motion for judgment on the pleadings, 
motion to join necessary parties, or motion for summary judgment, 
if the motion was filed during a time period specified by the district 
court. The 180-day and 30-day periods specified in the preceding 
sentence may be modified by the court for good cause shown. 
"(c) SUBPOENAS.—Rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 
(relating to subpoenas) applies to subpoenas for the attendance of 
witnesses and the production of documentary evidence at an arbitra-
tion hearing under this chapter. 
"§ 654. Arbitration award and judgment 
"(a) FiUNG AND EFFECT OF ARBITRATION AWARD.—An arbitration 
award made by an arbitrator under this chapter, along with proof of 
service of such award on the other party by the prevailing party or 
by the plaintiff, shall, promptly after the arbitration hearing is 
concluded, be filed with the clerk of the district court that referred 
the case to arbitration. Such award shall be entered as the judgment 
of the court after the time has expired for requesting a trial de novo 
under section 655. The judgment so entered shall be subject to the 
same provisions of law and shall have the same force and effect as a 
judgment of the court in a civil action, except that the judgment 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4661 
shall not be subject to review in any other court by appeal or 
otherwise. 
"(b) SEAUNG OF ARBITRATION AWARD.—The district court shall 
provide by local rule that the contents of any arbitration award 
made under this chapter shall not be made known to any judge who 
might be assigned to the case— 
"(1) except as necessary for the court to determine whether to 
assess costs or attorney fees under section 655, 
"(2) until the district court has entered final judgment in the 
action or the action has been otherwise terminated, or 
"(3) except for purposes of preparing the report required by 
section 903(b) of the Judicial Improvements and Access to Jus-
tice Act. 
"(c) TAXATION OF COSTS.—The district court may by rule allow for 
the inclusion of costs as provided in section 1920 of this title as a 
part of the arbitration award. 
"§ 655. Trial de novo 
"(a) TIME FOR DEMAND.—Within 30 days after the filing of an 
arbitration award with a district court under section 654, any party 
may file a written demand for a trial de novo in the district court. 
"(b) RESTORATION TO COURT DOCKET.—Upon a demand for a trial 
de novo, the action shall be restored to the docket of the court and 
treated for all purposes as if it had not been referred to arbitration. 
In such a case, any right of trial by jury that a party otherwise 
would have had, £is well as any place on the court calendar which is 
no later than that which a party otherwise would have had, are 
preserved. 
"(c) LIMITATION ON ADMISSION OF EVIDENCE.—The court shall not 
admit at the trial de novo any evidence that there has been an 
arbitration proceeding, the nature or amount of any award, or any 
other matter concerning the conduct of the arbitration proceeding, 
unless— 
"(1) the evidence would otherwise be admissible in the court 
under the Federal Rules of Evidence, or 
"(2) the parties have otherwise stipulated. 
"(d) TAXATION OF ARBITRATOR FEES AS COST.—(1)(A) A district 
court may provide by rule that, in any trial de novo under this 
section, arbitrator fees paid under section 657 may be taxed as costs 
against the party demanding the trial de novo. 
"(B) Such rule may provide that a party demanding a trial de novo 
under subsection (a), other than the United States or its agencies or 
officers, shall deposit a sum equal to such arbitrator fees as ad-
vanced payment of such costs, unless the party is permitted to 
proceed in forma pauperis. 
"(2) Arbitrator fees shall not be taxed as costs under paragraph 
(1)(A), and any sum deposited under paragraph (1)(B) shall be re-
turned to the party demanding the trial de novo, if— 
"(A) the party demanding the trial de novo obtains a final 
judgment more favorable than the arbitration award, or 
"(B) the court determines that the demand for the trial de 
novo was made for good cause. 
"(3) Any arbitrator fees taxed as costs under paragraph (1)(A), and 
any sum deposited under paragraph (1)(B) that is not returned to the 
party demanding the trial de novo, shall be paid to the Treasury of 
the United States. 
102 STAT. 4662 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
"(4) Any rule under this subsection shall provide that no penalty 
for demanding a trial de novo, other than that provided in this 
subsection, shall be assessed by the court. 
"(e) ASSESSMENT OP COSTS AND ATTORNEY FEES.—In any trial de 
novo demanded under subsection (a) in which arbitration was done 
by consent of the parties, a district court may assess costs, as 
provided in section 1920 of this title, and reasonable attorney fees 
against the party demanding the trial de novo if— 
"(1) such party fails to obtain a judgment, exclusive of interest 
and costs, in the court which is substantially more favorable to 
such party than the arbitration award, and 
"(2) the court determines that the party's conduct in seeking a 
trial de novo was in bad faith. 
'*§ 656. Certification of arbitrators 
"(a) STANDARDS FOR CERTIFICATION.—Each district court listed in 
section 658 shall establish standards for the certification of arbitra-
tors and shall certify arbitrators to perform services in accordance 
with such standards and this chapter. The standards shall include 
provisions requiring that any arbitrator— 
"(1) shall take the oath or affirmation described in section 
453, and 
"(2) shall be subject to the disqualification rules of section 455. 
"(b) TREATMENT OF ARBITRATOR AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AND 
SPECIAL GTOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE.—An arbitrator is an independent 
contractor and is subject to the provisions of sections 201 through 
211 of title 18 to the same extent as such provisions apply to a 
special Government employee of the executive branch. A person 
may not be barred from the practice of law because such person is 
an arbitrator. 
"§ 657. Compensation of arbitrators 
"(a) COMPENSATION.—The district court may, subject to limits set 
by the Judicial Conference of the United States, establish and pay 
the amount of compensation, if any, that each arbitrator shall 
receive for services rendered in each case. 
"(b) 
TRANSPORTATION ALLOWANCES.—Under regulations 
pre-
scribed by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United 
States (Dourts, a district court may reimburse arbitrators for actual 
transportation expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of 
duties under this chapter. 
"§ 658. District courts that may authorize arbitration 
"The district courts for the following judicial districts may au-
thorize the use of arbitration under this chapter: 
State listing. 
"(D Northern District of California, Middle District of Flor-
ida, Western District of Michigan, Western District of Missouri, 
District of New Jersey, Eastern District of New York, Middle 
District of North Carolina, Western District of Oklahoma, East-
ern District of Pennsylvania, and Western District of Texas. 
"(2) Ten additional judicial districts, which shall be approved 
by the Judicial CJonference of the United States. The Judicial 
(jonference shall give notice of the 10 districts approved under 
this paragraph to the Federal Judicial Center and to the 
public". 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4663 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—The table of chapters at the begin-
ning of part III is amended by inserting after the item relating to 
chapter 43 the following new item: 
"44. Arbitration 
651". 
(c) EXCEPTION TO LIMITATION ON MONEY DAMAGES.—Notwith- 28 use 652 note. 
standing section 652 (as added by subsection (a) of this section), 
establishing a limitation of $100,000 in money damages with respect 
to cases referred to arbitration, a district court listed in section 658 
(as added by subsection (a) of this section), whose local rule on the 
date of the enactment of this Act provides for a limitation on money 
damages, with respect to such cases, of not more than $150,000, may 
continue to apply the higher limitation. 
SEC. 902. MODEL PROCEDURES. 
28 USC 651 note. 
The Judicial Conference of the United States may develop model 
rules relating to procedures for arbitration under chapter 44, as 
added by section 901 of this Act. No model rule may supersede any 
provision of such chapter 44, this title, or any law of the United 
States. 
SEC. 903. REPORTS. 
28 USC 651 note. 
(a) ANNUAL REPORT BY DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF 
THE UNITED STATES COURTS.—The Director of the Administrative 
Office of the United States Courts shall include in the annual report 
of the activities of the Administrative Office required under section 
604(a)(3), statistical information about the implementation of chap-
ter 44, as added by section 901 of this Act. 
(b) REPORT BY FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER.—Not later than 5 years 
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Federal Judicial Center, 
in consultation with the Director of the Administrative Office of the 
United States Courts, shall submit to the Congress a report on the 
implementation of chapter 44, as added by section 901 of this Act, 
which shall include the following: 
(1) A description of the arbitration programs authorized by 
such chapter, as conceived and as implemented in the judicial 
districts in which such programs are authorized. 
(2) A determination of the level of satisfaction with the 
arbitration programs in those judicial districts by a sampling of 
court personnel, attorneys, and litigeints whose cases have been 
referred to arbitration. 
(3) A summary of those program features that can be identi-
fied as being related to program acceptance both within and 
across judicial districts. 
(4) A description of the levels of satisfaction relative to the 
cost per hearing of each program. 
(5) Recommendations to the Congress on whether to termi-
nate or continue chapter 44, or, alternatively, to enact an 
arbitration provision in title 28, United States Code, authorizing 
arbitration in all Federal district courts. 
SEC. 904. EFFECT ON JUDICIAL RULE MAKING POWERS. 
28 USC 651 note. 
Nothing in this title, or in chapter 44, as added by section 901 of 
this Act, is intended to abridge, modify, or enlarge the rule making 
powers of the Federal judiciary. 
102 STAT. 4664 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
28 use 651 note. 
SEC. 905. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
There are authorized to be appropriated for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 1989, and for each of the succeeding 4 fiscal years, to 
the judicial branch such sums as may be necessary to carry out the 
purposes of chapter 44, as added by section 901 of this Act. Funds 
appropriated under this section shall be allocated by the Adminis-
trative Office of the United States Courts to Federal judicial dis-
tricts and the Federal Judicial Center. The funds so appropriated 
are authorized to remain available until expended, except that such 
funds may not be expended for the arbitration of actions referred to 
arbitration after the date of repeal set forth in section 906 of this 
Act. 
28 use 651 note. 
SEC. 906. REPEAL. 
Effective 5 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
chapter 44, as added by section 901 of this Act, and the item relating 
to that chapter in the table of chapters at the beginning of part III of 
such title, are repealed, except that the provisions of that chapter 
shall continue to apply through final disposition of all actions in 
which referral to arbitration was made before the date of repeal. 
SEC. 907. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
This title and the amendments made by this title shall take effect 
180 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
TITLE X—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
SEC. 1001. DIVISIONAL VENUE IN CIVIL CASES. 
(a) REPEAL.—Section 1393, relating to divisional venue in civil 
cases, and the item relating to section 1393 in the table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 87, are repealed. 
28 use 1393 
O
t
>
) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section take 
note. 
effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. 
SEC. 1002. REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN JUDGMENTS. 
(a) JUDGMENTS OF DISTRICT COURTS AND COURT OF INTERNATIONAL 
TRADE.—Section 1963 is amended by amending the first sentence to 
read as follows: "A judgment in an action for the recovery of money 
or property entered in any district court or in the Court of Inter-
national Trade may be registered by filing a certified copy of such 
judgment in any other district or, with respect to the Court of 
International Trade, in any judicial district, when the judgment has 
become final by appeal or expiration of the time for appeal or when 
ordered by the court that entered the judgment for good cause 
shown.". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—(1) The section caption for section 
1963 is amended to read as follows: 
"§ 1963. Registration of judgments of the district courts and the 
Court of International Trade". 
(2) Section 1963A is repealed. 
(3)(A) The item relating tp section 1963 in the table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 125 is amended to read as follows: 
"1963. Registration of judgments of the district courts and the Court of Interna-
tional Trade.". 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4665 
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 125 is 
amended by repealing the item relating to section 1963A. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section take 28 USC 1963 
effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this title. 
^°^-
SEC. 1003. BANKRUPTCY JUDGE, MAGISTRATE AND LAW CLERK EXEMP-
TION FROM FEDERAL LEAVE ACT. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 153, 156, 631, 634, 712, 752, AND 
794.— 
(1) Section 153 is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following: 
"(d) A bankruptcy judge appointed under this chapter shall be 
exempt from the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 63 of title 5.". 
(2) Section 631 is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following: 
"(1) A United States magistrate appointed under this chapter shall 
be exempt from the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 63 of 
title 5.". 
(3) Sections 156(a), 712, 752, and 794 are each amended by 
adding at the end thereof the following: 
"A law clerk appointed under this section shall be exempt from the 
provisions of subchapter I of chapter 63 of title 5, unless specifically 
included by the appointing judge or by local rule of court.". 
(4) Section 634(c) is amended by adding at the end thereof the 
following: "A legal assistant appointed under this section shall 
be exempt from the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 63 of 
title 5, unless specifically included by the appointing judge or by 
local rule of court.". 
(b) TRANSITION PROVISIONS.—(1) If an individual who is exempted 28 USC 153 note. 
from the Leave Act by operation of amendments under this section 
and who was previously subject to the provisions of subchapter I of 
chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, without a break in service, 
again becomes subject to this subchapter on completion of his 
service as an exempted officer, the unused annual leave and sick 
leave standing to his credit when he was exempted from this 
subchapter is deemed to have remained to his credit. 
(2) In computing an annuity under section 8339 of title 5, United 
States Code, the total service of a person specified in paragraph (1) 
of this subsection who retired on an immediate annuity or dies 
leaving a survivor or survivors entitled to an annuity includes, 
without regard to the limitations imposed by subsection (f) of section 
8339 of title 5, United States Code, the days of unused sick leave 
standing to his credit when he was exempted from subchapter I of 
chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, except that these days will 
not be counted in determining average pay or annuity eligibility. 
SEC. 1004. COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT OF ANNUITIES PAYABLE UNDER 
SECTIONS 611 AND 627. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 611 AND 627.—Sections 611 and 627 
are amended by adding at the end thereof a new paragraph denomi-
nated as subsection (e) of section 611 and subsection (0 of section 
627, to read as follows: 
"Each annuity payable under this section shall be increased by 
the same percentage amount and effective on the same date as 
annuities payable under chapter 83 of title 5, are increased as 
provided by section 8340 of title 5.". 
102 STAT. 4666 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
28 use 611 note. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to cost-of-living increases that go into effect on or after the 
date of enactment of this title with respect to any annuity being 
paid or becoming payable on or after such date. 
SEC. 1005. MILITARY RETIREMENT PAY FOR SENIOR OR RETIRED 
JUDGES. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 371.—Section 371 is amended by 
adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: 
Uniformed 
"(e) Notwithstanding subsection (c) of section 5532 of title 5, if a 
services. 
r^ular or reserve member or former member of a uniformed service 
who is receiving retired or retainer pay becomes employed as a 
justice or judge of the United States, as defined by section 451, or 
becomes eligible therefor while so employed, such retired or retainer 
pay shall not be paid during r^ular active service as a justice or 
judge, but shall be resumed or commenced without reduction upon 
retirement from the judicial office or from regular active service 
(into senior status) as such justice or judge.". 
28 use 371 note. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—^The amendment made by this section shall 
apply to a justice or judge who retires, or has retired, from the 
judicial office or from r^ular active service (into senior status) as 
such justice or judge of the United States on or after the effective 
date of section 5532(c) of title 5, and to whom section 5532(c) would 
otherwise be applicable. 
SEC. 1006. AMENDMENTS TO CONFORM SECTIONS 611 AND 627 TO THE 
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM ACT OF 1986. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 611 AND 627.— 
(1) Section 611(a) is amended to read as follows: 
"(a) The Director may, by written election filed with the (IJhief 
Justice of the United States within 6 months after the date on which 
he takes office, waive coverage under chapter 83 of title 5, sub-
chapter III (the Civil Service Retirement System) or chapter 84 of 
title 5 (the Federal Employees' Retirement System), whichever is 
applicable, and bring himself within the purview of this section. A 
Director who elects coverage under this section shall be deemed an 
'employee' for purposes of chapter 84 of title 5, subchapter III, 
regarcQess of whether he has waived the coverage of chapter 83, 
subchapter III, or chapter 84. Waiver of coverage under chapter 83, 
subchapter in, and election of this section shall not operate to 
foreclose to the Director, upon separation from service other than by 
retirement, such opportunity as the law may provide to secure 
retirement credit under chapter 83 for service as Director by depos-
iting with interest the amount required by section 8334 of title 5. A 
Director who waives coverage under chapter 84 and elects this 
section may secure retirement credit under chapter 84 for service as 
Director by depositing with interest 1.3 percent of basic pay for 
service from January 1, 1984, through December 31, 1986, and the 
amount referred to in section 8422(a) of title 5, for service after 
December 31, 1986. Interest shall be computed under section 8334(e) 
of title 5.". 
(2) Section 627(b) is amended, following the words "Provided, 
however,", to read as follows: 
"That the Director, upon written notice filed with the Director of 
the Administrative Office of the United States C!ourts within 6 
months after the date on which he takes office, may waive coverage 
under chapter 83 of title 5, subchapter III (the Civil Service Retire-
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4667 
ment System) or chapter 84 of title 5 (the Federal Employees' 
Retirement System), whichever is applicable, and elect coverage 
under the retirement and disability provisions of this section. A 
Director who elects coverage under this section shall be deemed an 
'employee' for purposes of chapter 84 of title 5, subchapter III, 
regardless of whether he has waived the coverage of chapter 83, 
subchapter III, or chapter 84: And provided further. That upon his 
nonretirement separation from the Federal Judicial Center, waiver 
of coverage under chapter 83, subchapter III, and election of this 
section shall not operate to foreclose to the Director such oppor-
tunity as the law may provide to secure retirement credit under 
chapter 83 for service as Director by depositing with interest the 
amount required by section 8334 of title 5. A Director who waives 
coverage under chapter 84 and elects this section may secure retire-
ment credit under chapter 84 for service as Director by depositing 
with interest 1.3 percent of basic pay for service from January 1, 
1984, through December 31, 1986, and the amount referred to in 
section 8422(a) of title 5, for service after December 31,1986. Interest 
shall be computed under section 8334(e) of title 5.". 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall 28 use 611 note. 
apply to persons holding the offices of Director of the Administra-
tive Office of the United States Courts, Director of the Federal 
Judicial Center, and Administrative Assistant to the Chief Justice 
on the date of enactment of this title. 
SEC. 1007. JUDICIAL DISQUALIFICATION AMENDMENT. 
Section 455 is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: 
"(f) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this section, if 
any justice, judge, msigistrate, or bankruptcy judge to whom a 
matter has been gissigned would be disqualified, after substantial 
judicial time has been devoted to the matter, because of the appear-
ance or discovery, after the matter was assigned to him or her, that 
he or she individually or as a fiduciary, or his or her spouse or minor 
child residing in his or her household, has a financial interest in a 
party (other than an interest that could be substantially affected by 
the outcome), disqualification is not required if the justice, judge, 
magistrate, bankruptcy judge, spouse or minor child, £is the case 
may be, divests himself or herself of the interest that provides the 
grounds for the disqualification.". 
SEC. 1008. INCENTIVE AWARDS. 
Section 604(a), £is amended by this Act, is further amended— 
(1) by redesignating the second paragraph (14) through para-
graph (19) as paragraphs (15) through (20); and 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (20) the following: 
"(21) Establish a program of incentive awards for employees 
of the judicial branch of the United States Government, other 
than any judge who is entitled to hold office during good 
behavior;". 
SEC. 1009. WAIVER OF CLAIMS FOR OVERPAYMENT OF JUDICIAL PAY 
AND ALLOWANCES. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE.—Section 5584 
of title 5, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking out "or" at the end of paragraph (1); 
102 STAT. 4668 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
(B) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (2) 
and inserting in lieu thereof "; or"; and 
(C) by adding at the end thereof the following new 
paragraph: 
"(3) the Director of the Administrative Office of the United 
States Courts when the claim is in an amount aggregating not 
more than $10,000 and involves an officer or employee of the 
Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Federal 
Judicial Center, or any of the courts set forth in section 610 of 
title 28."; and 
(2) in subsection (g)— 
(A) by striking out "and" at the end of paragraph (4); 
(B) by striking out the period at the end of paragraph (5) 
and inserting in lieu thereof "; and"; and 
(C) by adding at the end thereof the following new 
paragraph: 
"(6) the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the 
Federal Judicial Center, and any of the courts set forth in 
section 610 of title 28. 
For purposes of this section, the Director of the Administrative 
Office of the United States Courts shall be the head of the agency in 
the case of those entities set forth in paragraph (6) of this 
subsection.". 
5 use 5584 note. 
0?) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this section shall 
apply with respect to any claim arising before the date of the 
enactment of this Act which is pending on such date, and to any 
claim which arises on or after such date of enactment. 
SEC. 1010. COURT SECURITY. 
Section 604(a) is further amended by inserting the following new 
paragraph before paragraph (23), as redesignated by this Act: 
"(22) Receive and expend, either directly or by transfer to the 
United States Marshals Service or other Government agency, 
funds appropriated for the procurement, installation, and 
maintenance of security equipment and protective services for 
the United States Courts in courtrooms and adjacent areas, 
including building ingress/egress control, inspection of pack-
ages, directed security patrols, and other similar activities;". 
SEC. 1011. TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT. 
Section 604(a)(7) is amended by inserting a comma in lieu of the 
semicolon at the end thereof and adding thereafter the following: 
"without regard to the per diem allowances and amounts for 
reimbursement of actual and necessary expenses established by the 
Administrator of General Services under section 5702 of title 5: 
Provided, That the reimbursement of subsistence expenses may not 
exceed that authorized by the Director for judges of the United 
States under section 456 of this title;". 
SEC. 1012. CLAIMS COURT FEES. 
(a) INCREASE IN CLAIMS COURT FILING FEES.—(1) Section 2520 is 
amended by striking out "$60" and inserting in lieu thereof "$120". 
Effective date. 
(2) The amendment made by this subsection shall take effect 30 
28 use 2520 
days after the date of enactment of this title. 
"°*® 
(b) REPORT ON OTHER FEES.—Not later than 180 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Judicial Conference of the United 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4669 
States shall submit a report to the Congress on the actual costs of 
filing actions in the district courts of the United States. 
SEC. 1013. CORPORATE VENUE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 1391(c) is amended to read as follows: 
"(c) For purposes of venue under this chapter, a defendant that is 
a corporation shall be deemed to reside in any judicial district in 
which it is subject to personal jurisdiction at the time the action is 
commenced. In a State which has more than one judicial district and 
in which a defendant that is a corporation is subject to personal 
jurisdiction at the time an action is commenced, such corporation 
shall be deemed to reside in any district in that State within which 
its contacts would be sufficient to subject it to personal jurisdiction 
if that district were a separate State, and, if there is no such district, 
the corporation shall be deemed to reside in the district within 
which it has the most significant contacts.". 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by this section takes 
28 use 1391 
effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this title. 
^o**-
SEC. 1014. METHOD OF RECORDING. 
Paragraph (7) of section 636(c) is amended to read as follows: 
"(7) The magistrate shall, subject to guidelines of the Judicial 
Conference, determine whether the record taken pursuant to 
this section shall be taken by electronic sound recording, by a 
court reporter, or by other means.". 
SEC. 1015. LOCATION OF CHAMBERS OF CIRCUIT JUDGES. 
Section 462(c) is amended by striking out "where Federal facilities 
are available" and inserting in lieu thereof "within the circuit other 
than where regular sessions of court are authorized by law to be 
held,". 
SEC. 1016. IMPROVEMENTS IN REMOVAL PROCEDURE. 
(a) ACTIONS REMOVABLE GENERALLY.—Section 1441(a) is amended 
by adding at the end thereof the following new sentence: "For 
purposes of removal under this chapter, the citizenship of defend-
ants sued under fictitious names shall be disregarded.". 
(b) PROCEDURE FOR REMOVAL.—Section 1446 is amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: 
"(a) A defendant or defendants desiring to remove any civil action 
or criminal prosecution from a State court shall file in the district 
court of the United States for the district and division within which 
such action is pending a notice of removal signed pursuant to Rule 
11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and containing a short 
and plain statement of the grounds for removal, together with a 
copy of all process, pleadings, and orders served upon such defend-
ant or defendants in such action."; 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking out "petition for removal" each place it 
appears and inserting in lieu thereof "notice of removal"; 
and 
(B) in the second paragraph by striking out the period at 
the end thereof and inserting in lieu thereof ", except that a 
case may not be removed on the basis of jurisdiction con-
ferred by section 1332 of this title more than 1 year after 
commencement of the action."; and 
102 STAT. 4670 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
(3) by striking out subsection (d) and redesignating subsec-
tions (e) and (f) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively, 
(c) PROCEDURE 
AFTER 
REMOVAL GENERALLY.—Section 1447 
is 
amended— 
(1) by amending subsection (c) to read as follows: 
"(c) A motion to remand the case on the basis of any defect in 
removal procedure must be made within 30 days after the filing of 
the notice of removal under section 1446(a). If at any time before 
final judgment it appears that the district court lacks subject matter 
jurisdiction, the case shall be remanded. An order remanding the 
case may require payment of just costs and any actual expenses, 
including attorney fees, incurred as a result of the removal. A 
certified copy of the order of remand shall be mailed by the clerk to 
the clerk of the State court. The State court may thereupon proceed 
with such case."; and 
(2) by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: 
"(e) If after removal the plaintiff seeks to join additional defend-
ants whose joinder would destroy subject matter jurisdiction, the 
court may deny joinder, or permit joinder and remand the action to 
the State court.". 
SEC. 1017. COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS FOR JUDICIAL SURVIVORS' 
ANNUITIES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 376(m) is amended to read as follows: 
"(m) Each time that an increase is made under section 8340(b) of 
title 5 in annuities paid under subchapter III of chapter 83 of such 
title, each annuity payable from the Judicial Survivors' Annuities 
Fund shall be increased at the same time by the same percentage by 
which annuities are increased under that section.". 
28 use 376 note. 
Qi) INCREASE FOR EXISTING ANNUITANTS.—Each annuity payable 
from the Judicial Survivors' Annuities Fund under section 376 of 
title 28, United States Code, on the date of the enactment of this 
title shall be increased by 10 percent, effective on such date of 
enactment. 
28 use 376 note. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by subsection (a) shall 
apply with respect to increases in annuities which are made under 
section 834O0t)) of title 5, United States Code, on or after the date of 
enactment of this title. 
SEC. 1018. ELIMINATION OF CIRCUIT EXECUTIVE BOARD OF CERTIFI-
CATION PROCEDURE. 
Section 332 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e) by striking out "executive from among 
persons who shall be certified by the Board of Certification." 
and inserting in lieu thereof "executive. In appointing a circuit 
executive, the judicial council shall take into account experi-
ence in administrative and executive positions, familiarity with 
court procedures, and special training."; and 
(2) in subsection (f) by striking out the first paragraph and by 
designating the remaining paragraphs as paragraphs (1), (2), (3), 
and (4), respectively. 
SEC. 1019. APPEALS UNDER TITLE 9, UNITED STATES CODE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 1 of title 9, United States Code, is 
amended by adding at the end thereof the following new section: 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4671 
"§15. Appeals 
-^^t-
"(a) An appeal may be taken from— 
"(Dan order— 
"(A) refusing a stay of any action under section 3 of this 
title, 
"(B) denying a petition under section 4 of this title to 
order arbitration to proceed, 
"(C) den5dng an application under section 206 of this title 
to compel arbitration, 
"(D) confirming or denying confirmation of an award or 
partial award, or 
"(E) modifying, correcting, or vacating an award; 
"(2) an interlocutory order granting, continuing, or modifying 
an injunction against an arbitration that is subject to this title; 
or 
"(3) a final decision with respect to an arbitration that is 
subject to this title. 
"(b) Except as otherwise provided in section 1292(b) of title 28, an 
appeal may not be taken from an interlocutory order— 
"(1) granting a stay of any action under section 3 of this title; 
"(2) directing arbitration to proceed under section 4 of this 
title; 
"(3) compelling arbitration under section 206 of this title; or 
"(4) refusing to enjoin an arbitration that is subject to this 
title.", 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the beginning 
of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new 
item: 
"15. Appeals.". 
SEC. 1020. MISCELLANEOUS TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS. 
Copyrights. 
(a) AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 28.— 
(1) Section 332(c) is amended by striking out "semiannually" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "semiannual". 
(2) Section 604(aX2) is amended by striking out "quarterly" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "semiannually". 
(3) Section 1295(aXl) is amended by inserting ", exclusive 
rights in mask works," after "copyrights". 
(4XA) Section 1338 is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
"(c) Subsections (a) and O
t
>
) apply to exclusive rights in mask works 
under chapter 9 of title 17 to the same extent as such subsections 
apply to copyrights.". 
(B) The section heading for section 1338 is amended to read as 
follows: 
"§ 1338. Patents, plant variety protection, copyrights, mask works, 
trade-marks, and unfair competition". 
(5) Section 1400(a) is amended by inserting "or exclusive 
rights in mask works" after "copyrights". 
(6) Section 1498 is amended by adding at the end the 
following: 
"(e) Subsections O
t
>
) and (c) of this section apply to exclusive rights 
in mask works under chapter 9 of title 17 to the same extent as such 
subsections apply to copyrights.". 
102 STAT. 4672 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
(7) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 85 is 
amended— 
(A) in the item relating to section 1330 by striking out 
"Action" and inserting in lieu thereof "Actions"; 
(B) in the item relating to section 1331 by inserting a 
period after "question"; 
(C) by amending the item relating to section 1338 to read 
as follows: 
"1338. Patents, plant variety protection, copyrights, mask works, trade-marks, and 
unfair competition."; 
and 
(D) by amending the item relating to section 1343 to read 
as follows: 
"1343. Civil rights and elective franchise.". 
(8) The item relating to section 1914 in the table of sections at 
the beginning of chapter 123 is amended by striking out 
"courts ' and inserting in lieu thereof "court". 
(9) The table of sections for chapter 17 is amended by amend-
ing the item relating to section 376 to read as follows: 
"376. Annuities for survivors of certain judicial officials of the United States.". 
(b) OTHER AMENDMENTS.—Section 912 of title 17, United States 
Code, is amended— 
(1) by striking out subsection (d); and 
(2) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d). 
SEC. 1021. CONFIGURATION OF FLORIDA DISTRICTS. 
(a) MIDDLE AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS.—Section 89 is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by inserting "Collier," after "Clay,"; 
(B) by inserting "Glades," after "Flagler,"; and 
(C) by inserting "Hendry," after "Hardee,"; and 
(2) in subsection (c) by striking "Collier," "Glades," and 
"Hendry,". 
28 use 89 note. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—(1) The amendments made by this section 
shall take effect 90 days after the date of enactment of this title. 
(2) The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply to any 
action commenced in the United States District Court for the Middle 
District of Florida, or in the United States District Court for the 
Southern District of Florida, on or after the effective date of this 
title, and shall not affect any action pending in either such court on 
such effective date. 
28 use 89 note. 
(c) JURIES.—The amendments made by this section shall not affect 
the composition, or preclude the service, of any grand or petit jury 
summoned, empaneled, or actually serving on the effective date of 
this title. 
SEC. 1022. SERVICE OF ARTICLE III JUDGES ON TERRITORIAL COURTS. 
Chapter 13 is amended by— 
(1) adding at the end thereof the following: 
"§ 297. Assignment of judges to courts of the freely associated 
compact states 
"(a) The Chief Justice or the chief judge of the United States 
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit may assign any circuit or 
district judge of the Ninth Circuit, with the consent of the judge so 
PUBLIC LAW 100-702—NOV. 19, 1988 
102 STAT. 4673 
assigned, to serve temporarily as a judge of any duly constituted 
court of the freely associated compact states whenever an official 
duly authorized by the laws of the respective compact state requests 
such assignment and such assignment is necessary for the proper 
dispatch of the business of the respective court. 
"(b) The Congress consents to the acceptance and retention by any 
judge so authorized of reimbursement from the countries referred to 
in subsection (a) of all necessary travel expenses, including transpor-
tation, and of subsistence, or of a reasonable per diem allowance in 
lieu of subsistence. The judge shall report to the Administrative Reports. 
Office of the United States Courts any amount received pursuant to 
this subsection."; and 
(2) amending the table of sections by adding at the end thereof 
the following: 
"297. Assignment of judges to courts of the freely associated compact states.". 
SEC. 1023. SALARIES OF UNITED STATES CLAIMS COURT JUDGES. 
Section 172(b) is amended to read as follows: 
"(b) Each judge shall receive a salary at the rate of pay, and in the 
same manner, as judges of the district courts of the United States.". 
Approved November 19, 1988. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 4807: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 100-889, Pt. 1 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 134 (1988): 
Sept. 13, considered and passed House. 
Oct. 14, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Oct. 19, House concurred in Senate amendment.