Legis Daily

Open Courts Act of 2020

USA116th CongressHR-8235| House 
| Updated: 12/9/2020
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (1)
Doug Collins (Republican)

Judiciary Committee, Judiciary Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Open Courts Act of 2020 This bill requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to establish a single electronic system for all public court records that is publicly accessible for free. Under the existing Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, users are charged fees for accessing court documents. To fund the development of the new consolidated system, the Judicial Conference must temporarily establish a progressive schedule of additional fees for persons, other than government agencies, that are higher-volume users of PACER. To fund the operations of the new system, the Judicial Conference shall collect an annual fee from federal agencies based on the amount of PACER fees paid by the agencies in 2018. The Judicial Conference may also establish reasonable filing fees based on specified factors, including the extent of a person's use and the interests of justice. The bill specifies various reporting requirements related to the new system, including for the Government Accountability Office.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

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Timeline
Sep 14, 2020
Introduced in House
Sep 14, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 15, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Dec 8, 2020
Mr. Johnson (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Dec 8, 2020
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7015-7021)
Dec 8, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8235.
Dec 8, 2020
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Dec 8, 2020
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7015-7018)
Dec 8, 2020
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 9, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-4988
Introduced in Senate
Dec 9, 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • September 14, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • September 14, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • September 15, 2020
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • December 8, 2020
    Mr. Johnson (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • December 8, 2020
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7015-7021)


  • December 8, 2020
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8235.


  • December 8, 2020
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • December 8, 2020
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7015-7018)


  • December 8, 2020
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 9, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-4988
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 9, 2020
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Law

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6017: Twenty-First Century Courts Act
  • S 116-4988: Open Courts Act of 2020
Computers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftGovernment information and archivesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaJudicial procedure and administrationUser charges and fees

Open Courts Act of 2020

USA116th CongressHR-8235| House 
| Updated: 12/9/2020
Open Courts Act of 2020 This bill requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to establish a single electronic system for all public court records that is publicly accessible for free. Under the existing Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, users are charged fees for accessing court documents. To fund the development of the new consolidated system, the Judicial Conference must temporarily establish a progressive schedule of additional fees for persons, other than government agencies, that are higher-volume users of PACER. To fund the operations of the new system, the Judicial Conference shall collect an annual fee from federal agencies based on the amount of PACER fees paid by the agencies in 2018. The Judicial Conference may also establish reasonable filing fees based on specified factors, including the extent of a person's use and the interests of justice. The bill specifies various reporting requirements related to the new system, including for the Government Accountability Office.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
3 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Sep 14, 2020
Introduced in House
Sep 14, 2020
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 15, 2020
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Dec 8, 2020
Mr. Johnson (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Dec 8, 2020
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7015-7021)
Dec 8, 2020
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8235.
Dec 8, 2020
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
Dec 8, 2020
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7015-7018)
Dec 8, 2020
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Dec 9, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 116-4988
Introduced in Senate
Dec 9, 2020
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  • September 14, 2020
    Introduced in House


  • September 14, 2020
    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.


  • September 15, 2020
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.


  • December 8, 2020
    Mr. Johnson (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • December 8, 2020
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7015-7021)


  • December 8, 2020
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8235.


  • December 8, 2020
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.


  • December 8, 2020
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7015-7018)


  • December 8, 2020
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • December 9, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 116-4988
    Introduced in Senate


  • December 9, 2020
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Henry C. "Hank" Johnson

Democratic Representative

Georgia

Cosponsors (1)
Doug Collins (Republican)

Judiciary Committee, Judiciary Committee

Law

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6017: Twenty-First Century Courts Act
  • S 116-4988: Open Courts Act of 2020
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Computers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftGovernment information and archivesInternet and video servicesInternet, web applications, social mediaJudicial procedure and administrationUser charges and fees