Legis Daily

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017

USA115th CongressHR-720| House 
| Updated: 3/13/2017
Lamar Smith

Lamar Smith

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (7)
Steve Chabot (Republican)Jason Chaffetz (Republican)Ken Buck (Republican)Pete Sessions (Republican)Blake Farenthold (Republican)Bob Goodlatte (Republican)Trent Franks (Republican)

Judiciary Committee, Judiciary Committee, Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Any sanction must compensate parties injured by the conduct in question. The bill removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. Courts may impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 30, 2017
Introduced in House
Jan 30, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 31, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Feb 24, 2017
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 4.
Feb 24, 2017
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-16.
Mar 10, 2017
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 180. (consideration: CR H2025-2041)
Mar 10, 2017
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 720 and H.R. 985.
Mar 10, 2017
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 180 and Rule XVIII.
Mar 10, 2017
The Speaker designated the Honorable Evan H. Jenkins to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Mar 10, 2017
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 720.
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Soto Part A amendment No. 1.
Mar 10, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Soto amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Soto demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Part A amendment No. 2.
Mar 10, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers Part A amendment No. 3.
Mar 10, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Conyers amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jeffries Part A amendment No. 4.
Mar 10, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jeffries amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Jeffries demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 10, 2017
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Mar 10, 2017
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 720.
Mar 10, 2017
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mar 10, 2017
Ms. Lofgren moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H2039)
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back with an amendment to add a section at the end of the bill prohibiting language to be construed to apply to a civil action that implicates the foreign emoluments clause of the United States Constitution.
Mar 10, 2017
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Mar 10, 2017
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 - 232 (Roll no. 157).
View Vote
Mar 10, 2017
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 188 (Roll no. 158). (text: CR H2030)
View Vote
Mar 10, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 13, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • January 30, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • January 30, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • January 31, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.


  • February 24, 2017
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 4.


  • February 24, 2017
    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-16.


  • March 10, 2017
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 180. (consideration: CR H2025-2041)


  • March 10, 2017
    Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 720 and H.R. 985.


  • March 10, 2017
    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 180 and Rule XVIII.


  • March 10, 2017
    The Speaker designated the Honorable Evan H. Jenkins to act as Chairman of the Committee.


  • March 10, 2017
    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 720.


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Soto Part A amendment No. 1.


  • March 10, 2017
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Soto amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Soto demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Part A amendment No. 2.


  • March 10, 2017
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers Part A amendment No. 3.


  • March 10, 2017
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Conyers amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jeffries Part A amendment No. 4.


  • March 10, 2017
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jeffries amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Jeffries demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.


  • March 10, 2017
    UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.


  • March 10, 2017
    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 720.


  • March 10, 2017
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.


  • March 10, 2017
    Ms. Lofgren moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H2039)


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back with an amendment to add a section at the end of the bill prohibiting language to be construed to apply to a civil action that implicates the foreign emoluments clause of the United States Constitution.


  • March 10, 2017
    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.


  • March 10, 2017
    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 - 232 (Roll no. 157).
    View Vote


  • March 10, 2017
    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 188 (Roll no. 158). (text: CR H2030)
    View Vote


  • March 10, 2017
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • March 13, 2017
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Law

Related Bills

  • HRES 115-180: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 720) to amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 985) to amend the procedures used in Federal court class actions and multidistrict litigation proceedings to assure fairer, more efficient outcomes for claimants and defendants, and for other purposes.
  • S 115-237: A bill to amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes.
Civil actions and liabilityJudicial procedure and administrationLawyers and legal servicesLegal fees and court costs

Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017

USA115th CongressHR-720| House 
| Updated: 3/13/2017
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The expanded summary of the House reported version is repeated here.) Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2017 (Sec. 2) This bill amends the sanctions provisions in Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to require the court to impose an appropriate sanction on any attorney, law firm, or party that has violated, or is responsible for the violation of, the rule with regard to representations to the court. Any sanction must compensate parties injured by the conduct in question. The bill removes a provision that prohibits filing a motion for sanctions if the challenged paper, claim, defense, contention, or denial is withdrawn or appropriately corrected within 21 days after service or within another time the court sets. Courts may impose additional sanctions, including striking the pleadings, dismissing the suit, nonmonetary directives, or penalty payments if warranted for effective deterrence.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jan 30, 2017
Introduced in House
Jan 30, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Jan 31, 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
Feb 24, 2017
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 4.
Feb 24, 2017
Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-16.
Mar 10, 2017
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 180. (consideration: CR H2025-2041)
Mar 10, 2017
Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 720 and H.R. 985.
Mar 10, 2017
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 180 and Rule XVIII.
Mar 10, 2017
The Speaker designated the Honorable Evan H. Jenkins to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Mar 10, 2017
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 720.
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Soto Part A amendment No. 1.
Mar 10, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Soto amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Soto demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Part A amendment No. 2.
Mar 10, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers Part A amendment No. 3.
Mar 10, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Conyers amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jeffries Part A amendment No. 4.
Mar 10, 2017
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jeffries amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Jeffries demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Mar 10, 2017
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Mar 10, 2017
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 720.
Mar 10, 2017
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Mar 10, 2017
Ms. Lofgren moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H2039)
Mar 10, 2017
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back with an amendment to add a section at the end of the bill prohibiting language to be construed to apply to a civil action that implicates the foreign emoluments clause of the United States Constitution.
Mar 10, 2017
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Mar 10, 2017
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 - 232 (Roll no. 157).
View Vote
Mar 10, 2017
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 188 (Roll no. 158). (text: CR H2030)
View Vote
Mar 10, 2017
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 13, 2017
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • January 30, 2017
    Introduced in House


  • January 30, 2017
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • January 31, 2017
    Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.


  • February 24, 2017
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 4.


  • February 24, 2017
    Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 115-16.


  • March 10, 2017
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 180. (consideration: CR H2025-2041)


  • March 10, 2017
    Providing for consideration of the bills H.R. 720 and H.R. 985.


  • March 10, 2017
    House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 180 and Rule XVIII.


  • March 10, 2017
    The Speaker designated the Honorable Evan H. Jenkins to act as Chairman of the Committee.


  • March 10, 2017
    GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 720.


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Soto Part A amendment No. 1.


  • March 10, 2017
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Soto amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Soto demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Part A amendment No. 2.


  • March 10, 2017
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Jackson Lee demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Conyers Part A amendment No. 3.


  • March 10, 2017
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Conyers amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Conyers demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 180, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jeffries Part A amendment No. 4.


  • March 10, 2017
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Jeffries amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Jeffries demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.


  • March 10, 2017
    UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.


  • March 10, 2017
    The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 720.


  • March 10, 2017
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.


  • March 10, 2017
    Ms. Lofgren moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text: CR H2039)


  • March 10, 2017
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back with an amendment to add a section at the end of the bill prohibiting language to be construed to apply to a civil action that implicates the foreign emoluments clause of the United States Constitution.


  • March 10, 2017
    The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.


  • March 10, 2017
    On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 186 - 232 (Roll no. 157).
    View Vote


  • March 10, 2017
    On passage Passed by recorded vote: 230 - 188 (Roll no. 158). (text: CR H2030)
    View Vote


  • March 10, 2017
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • March 13, 2017
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Lamar Smith

Lamar Smith

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (7)
Steve Chabot (Republican)Jason Chaffetz (Republican)Ken Buck (Republican)Pete Sessions (Republican)Blake Farenthold (Republican)Bob Goodlatte (Republican)Trent Franks (Republican)

Judiciary Committee, Judiciary Committee, Constitution and Limited Government Subcommittee

Law

Related Bills

  • HRES 115-180: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 720) to amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes, and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 985) to amend the procedures used in Federal court class actions and multidistrict litigation proceedings to assure fairer, more efficient outcomes for claimants and defendants, and for other purposes.
  • S 115-237: A bill to amend Rule 11 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to improve attorney accountability, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityJudicial procedure and administrationLawyers and legal servicesLegal fees and court costs