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S 997 105th Congress Senate Law Alternative dispute resolution Bankruptcy Commerce Commercial arbitration Damages District courts Finance and Financial Sector Mediation

A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 28, United States Code, to authorize the use of certain arbitration procedures in all district courts, to modify the damage limitation applicable to cases referred…

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A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 28, United States Code, to authorize the use of certain arbitration procedures in all district courts, to modify the damage limitation applicable to cases referred to arbitration, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 8, 1997 Introduced by: Grassley, Chuck Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 15, 1998
Referred to Subcommittee on Oversight and Courts.
Jul 8, 1997
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Jul 8, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7011-7012)
Jul 8, 1997
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the Federal judicial code to require all U.S. district courts to authorize the use of arbitration in civil actions. (Currently, the use of arbitration is limited to certain judicial districts.)

Permits district courts to require actions in which the maximum amount of money damages sought is $150,000 (currently, $100,000) to be referred to arbitration.

What's happening now May 15, 1998

Referred to Subcommittee on Oversight and Courts.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 997: A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 28, United States Code, to authorize the use of certain arbitration procedures in all district courts, to modify the damage limitation applicable to cases referred to arbitration, and for other purposes.. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-997/
MLA
"S. 997: A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 28, United States Code, to authorize the use of certain arbitration procedures in all district courts, to modify the damage limitation applicable to cases referred to arbitration, and for other purposes.." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-997/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 997, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-997/.
Markdown link
[S. 997: A bill to amend chapter 44 of title 28, United States Code, to authorize the use of certain arbitration procedures in all district courts, to modify the damage limitation applicable to cases referred to arbitration, and for other purposes.](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-S-997/)
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