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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 1534 (105th)

Citizens Access to Justice Act of 1998

openUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

6 May 1997

Last action

8 July 1998 · Committee

Status

By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-242. Minority views filed.

Sponsors

Rep. Gallegly, Elton [R-CA-24], Rep. Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [R-VA-5], Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-39], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Bryant, Ed [R-TN-7], Rep. Hill, Rick [R-MT-At Large], Rep. Pickett, Owen B. [D-VA-2], Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5], Rep. Neumann, Mark W. [R-WI-1], Rep. Bonilla, Henry [R-TX-23], Rep. Combest, Larry [R-TX-19], Rep. Holden, Tim [D-PA-17], Rep. Riggs, Frank [R-CA-1], Rep. Weller, Jerry [R-IL-11], Rep. McIntosh, David M. [R-IN-2], Rep. English, Phil [R-PA-3], Rep. Barcia, James A. [D-MI-5], Rep. Herger, Wally [R-CA-2], Rep. Cunningham, Randy (Duke) [R-CA-50], Rep. McInnis, Scott [R-CO-3], Rep. Turner, Jim [D-TX-2], Rep. Canady, Charles T. [R-FL-12], Rep. Thornberry, Mac [R-TX-13], Rep. Dooley, Calvin M. [D-CA-20], Rep. Frost, Martin [D-TX-24], Rep. Hastings, Doc [R-WA-4], Rep. Hansen, James V. [R-UT-1], Rep. Riley, Bob [R-AL-3], Rep. Schaffer, Bob [R-CO-4], Rep. Paxon, Bill [R-NY-27], Rep. Brady, Kevin [R-TX-8], Rep. Collins, Mac [R-GA-3], Rep. Traficant, James A., Jr. [D-OH-17], Rep. Bliley, Tom [R-VA-7], Rep. Jenkins, William L. [R-TN-1], Rep. Bishop, Sanford D. [D-GA-2], Rep. Boehner, John A. [R-OH-8], Rep. Goodlatte, Bob [R-VA-6], Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9], Rep. Lewis, Jerry [R-CA-41], Rep. Solomon, Gerald B. H. [R-NY-22], Rep. Condit, Gary A. [D-CA-18], Rep. Dreier, David [R-CA-26], Rep. Fazio, Vic [D-CA-3], Rep. Hutchinson, Asa [R-AR-3], Rep. Shimkus, John [R-IL-15], Sen. Ensign, John [R-NV], Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-41]

Subjects

Rule of law

Source updated

10 August 2026

Rule of law

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Summary

Private Property Rights Implementation Act of 1997 - Amends the Federal judicial code to provide that whenever a district court has jurisdiction in civil rights cases it shall not abstain from exercising or relinquishing its jurisdiction to a State court in an action where no claim of a violation of a State law, right, or privilege is alleged. Authorizes the district court, in such cases that cannot be decided without resolution of a significant but unsettled question of State law, to certify such question to the highest appellate court of that State (and after the State appellate court resolves the question certified to it, the district court shall proceed with resolving the merits). Bars the district court from certifying a question of State law unless such question will significantly affect the merits of the injured party's Federal claim and is so unclear and obviously susceptible to a limiting construction as to render premature a decision on the merits of the constitutional or legal issue in the case. Requires that any claim or action brought to redress the deprivation of a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution be ripe for adjudication by the district courts upon a final decision rendered by any person acting under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or territory of the United States, that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Provides that any claim brought under provisions regarding the United States as defendant and regarding the jurisdiction of the Court of Federal Claims that is founded upon a property right or privilege secured by the Constitution, but allegedly infringed or taken by the United States, shall be ripe for adjudication upon a final decision rendered by the United States that causes actual and concrete injury to the party seeking redress. Sets guidelines for what constitutes a "final decision" for purposes of this Act.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 6 May 1997

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 6 May 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 6 May 1997

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 9 July 1997

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property.

    Source: Committee

  5. 25 September 1997

    Committee

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Source: Committee

  6. 30 September 1997

    Committee

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  7. 30 September 1997

    Committee

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  8. 7 October 1997

    Vote

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 10.

    Source: Committee

  9. 7 October 1997

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  10. 21 October 1997

    Reported

    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 271 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1534 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by section. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill, modified by the amendments printed in Part 1 of the report accompanying this resolution. No amendment to the substitute, as modified, shall be in order except one amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Conyers of Michigan, debatable for 30 minutes, and not subject to further amendment. If the Conyers amendment is defeated or not offered, it shall be in order to consider an amendment printed in Part 2 of the report accompanying this resolution. for 30 minutes and

    Source: Floor

  11. 21 October 1997

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 187.

    Source: Calendars

  12. 21 October 1997

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-323.

    Source: Committee

  13. 21 October 1997

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-323.

    Source: Committee

  14. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 1534.

    Source: Floor

  15. 22 October 1997

    Passed

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

    Source: Floor

  16. 22 October 1997

    Vote

    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 248 - 178 (Roll no. 519).

    Source: Floor

  17. 22 October 1997

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 248 - 178 (Roll no. 519).

    Source: Floor

  18. 22 October 1997

    Failed

    On motion to recommit Failed by voice vote. (consideration: CR H8963)

    Source: Floor

  19. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    The previous question on the motion to recommit was ordered without objection.

    Source: Floor

  20. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    Ms. Lofgren moved to recommit to Judiciary.

    Source: Floor

  21. 22 October 1997

    Passed

    The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

    Source: Floor

  22. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

    Source: Floor

  23. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 1534.

    Source: Floor

  24. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    Motion to strike the enacting clause withdrawn.

    Source: Floor

  25. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    Mr. Frank (MA) moved to strike the enacting clause.

    Source: Floor

  26. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

    Source: Floor

  27. 22 October 1997

    Failed

    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 1534 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by section. Specified amendments are in order. It shall be in order to consider the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on the Judiciary now printed in the bill, modified by the amendments printed in Part 1 of the report accompanying this resolution. No amendment to the substitute, as modified, shall be in order except one amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Representative Conyers of Michigan, debatable for 30 minutes, and not subject to further amendment. If the Conyers amendment is rejected or not offered, no other amendment shall be in order except the amendment in the nature of a substitute printed in Part 2 of the report accompanying this resolution, debatable for 30

    Source: Floor

  28. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 271. (consideration: CR HR8940-8964)

    Source: Floor

  29. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 1534 as unfinished business.

    Source: Floor

  30. 22 October 1997

    Passed

    On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

    Source: Floor

  31. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    Mr. Coble moved that the Committee rise.

    Source: Floor

  32. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    The Speaker designated the Honorable Vince Snowbarger to act as Chairman of the Committee.

    Source: Floor

  33. 22 October 1997

    Floor

    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 271 and Rule XXIII.

    Source: Floor

  34. 22 October 1997

    Passed

    Rule H. Res. 271 passed House.

    Source: Floor

  35. 23 October 1997

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate.

    Source: IntroReferral

  36. 13 November 1997

    Introduced

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  37. 26 February 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 316.

    Source: Calendars

  38. 26 February 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

    Source: Committee

  39. 26 February 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  40. 8 July 1998

    Floor

    By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-242. Minority views filed.

    Source: Floor

  41. 8 July 1998

    Committee

    By Senator Hatch from Committee on Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 105-242. Minority views filed.

    Source: Committee

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

13 official files

Reported to Senate (text)

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 26 February 1998

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 26 February 1998

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 26 February 1998

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 13 November 1997

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 13 November 1997

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 22 October 1997

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 22 October 1997

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 22 October 1997

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 21 October 1997

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 21 October 1997

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 6 May 1997

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 6 May 1997

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 6 May 1997

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Sponsors

Showing 48 of 242 sponsors and actors.

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