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United States · Law · HR

H.R. 3528 (105th)

Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998

enactedUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

23 March 1998

Last action

30 October 1998 · President

Status

Became Public Law No: 105-315.

Sponsors

Rep. Coble, Howard [R-NC-6]

Subjects

Rule of law

Source updated

10 August 2026

Rule of law

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Summary

Alternative Dispute Resolution Act of 1998 - Replaces Federal judicial code arbitration provisions with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provisions. Directs each United States district court to: (1) authorize the use of ADR processes in all civil actions, with specified limitations on the use of arbitration; (2) devise and implement its own ADR program to encourage and promote the use of ADR in its district; (3) examine the effectiveness of existing ADR programs and adopt appropriate improvements; and (4) retain or designate an existing employee knowledgeable in ADR practices and processes to implement, administer, oversee, and evaluate the court's ADR program. Authorizes the Federal Judicial Center and the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to assist the district courts in the establishment and improvement of ADR programs. (Sec. 3) Directs each district court to require that litigants in all civil cases consider the use of an ADR process at an appropriate stage in the litigation and provide litigants in all civil cases with a choice of ADR processes. Allows any district court that elects to require the use of ADR in certain cases to do so only with respect to mediation, early neutral evaluation, and arbitration. Sets forth provisions regarding actions exempted from consideration of ADR, authority of the Attorney General, and confidentiality. (Sec. 4) Requires each district court that authorizes the use of ADR processes to maintain a panel of neutrals available for use by the parties for each category of process offered. Sets forth provisions regarding neutral selection, qualifications, and training. (Sec. 5) Authorizes a district court to allow the referral to arbitration of any civil action pending before it, except where: (1) the action is based on an alleged violation of a right secured by the Constitution; (2) jurisdiction is based on Federal civil rights and elective franchise provisions; or (3) the relief sought consists of money damages exceeding $150,000. Directs the district court to establish interim procedures to ensure that consent to arbitration is freely and knowingly obtained and that no party or attorney is prejudiced for refusing to participate in arbitration. (Sec. 6) Entitles arbitrators in an ADR program to the immunities and protections that the law accords to persons serving in a quasi-judicial capacity. (Sec. 7) Makes Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 45 (relating to subpoenas) applicable to subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence at an arbitration hearing. (Sec. 8) Sets forth provisions regarding filing procedures and the effect of an arbitration award and judgment, the sealing of such award, and trial de novo of arbitration awards. (Sec. 9) Directs the district court to establish and pay any amount of compensation that each neutral shall receive for services rendered, subject to specified limitations. (Sec. 10) Authorizes appropriations.

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

Timeline

  1. 23 March 1998

    Introduced

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 23 March 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 23 March 1998

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 24 March 1998

    Reported

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Source: Committee

  5. 24 March 1998

    Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Source: Committee

  6. 21 April 1998

    Passed

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

    Source: Floor

  7. 21 April 1998

    Vote

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 2 (Roll No. 101).

    Source: Floor

  8. 21 April 1998

    Floor

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2066-2069, H2076)

    Source: Floor

  9. 21 April 1998

    Vote

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 2 (Roll No. 101).

    Source: Floor

  10. 21 April 1998

    Vote

    At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 5, rule I, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.

    Source: Floor

  11. 21 April 1998

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

  12. 21 April 1998

    Floor

    Mr. Coble moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

    Source: Floor

  13. 21 April 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 281.

    Source: Calendars

  14. 21 April 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-487.

    Source: Committee

  15. 21 April 1998

    Reported

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-487.

    Source: Committee

  16. 22 April 1998

    Introduced

    Received in the Senate and read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Source: IntroReferral

  17. 15 May 1998

    Referred

    Referred to Subcommittee on Oversight and Courts.

    Source: Committee

  18. 30 July 1998

    Calendars

    Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 514.

    Source: Calendars

  19. 30 July 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.

    Source: Committee

  20. 30 July 1998

    Reported

    Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with amendments. Without written report.

    Source: Committee

  21. 7 October 1998

    Passed

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

    Source: Floor

  22. 7 October 1998

    Floor

    Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11808-11810)

    Source: Floor

  23. 8 October 1998

    Floor

    Message on Senate action sent to the House.

    Source: Floor

  24. 10 October 1998

    Passed

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

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  25. 10 October 1998

    Passed

    On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H10457-10459)

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  26. 10 October 1998

    Passed

    Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments Agreed to by voice vote.(consideration: CR H10457-10459)

    Source: NotUsed

  27. 10 October 1998

    Floor

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

    Source: Floor

  28. 10 October 1998

    ResolvingDifferences

    Mr. Coble moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendments.

    Source: ResolvingDifferences

  29. 20 October 1998

    Floor

    Presented to President.

    Source: Floor

  30. 20 October 1998

    President

    Presented to President.

    Source: President

  31. 30 October 1998

    Became law

    Became Public Law No: 105-315.

    Source: President

  32. 30 October 1998

    Became law

    Signed by President.

    Source: BecameLaw

  33. 30 October 1998

    President

    Signed by President.

    Source: President

Votes

No vote records are attached yet.

Versions

Documents

20 official files

Enrolled Bill (text)

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  • Enrolled Bill (text)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Enrolled Bill (PDF)

    Enrolled Bill · EN

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  • Public Law (text)

    Public Law · EN · 30 October 1998

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  • Public Law (PDF)

    Public Law · EN · 30 October 1998

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (text)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 7 October 1998

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  • Engrossed Amendment Senate (PDF)

    Engrossed Amendment Senate · EN · 7 October 1998

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  • Passed Senate amended

    summary · EN · 7 October 1998

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  • Reported to Senate (text)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 30 July 1998

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  • Reported to Senate (PDF)

    Reported to Senate · EN · 30 July 1998

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  • Reported to Senate with amendment(s)

    summary · EN · 30 July 1998

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  • Referred in Senate (text)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 22 April 1998

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  • Referred in Senate (PDF)

    Referred in Senate · EN · 22 April 1998

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  • Engrossed in House (text)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 21 April 1998

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  • Engrossed in House (PDF)

    Engrossed in House · EN · 21 April 1998

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  • Reported in House (text)

    Reported in House · EN · 21 April 1998

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  • Reported in House (PDF)

    Reported in House · EN · 21 April 1998

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  • Passed House amended

    summary · EN · 21 April 1998

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 23 March 1998

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  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 23 March 1998

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 23 March 1998

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