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S 1028 106th Congress Senate

Citizens Access to Justice Act of 1999

Official title: A bill to simplify and expedite access to the Federal courts for injured parties whose rights and privileges, secured by the United States Constitution, have b… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to simplify and expedite access to the Federal courts for injured parties whose rights and privileges, secured by the United States Constitution, have been deprived by final actions of Federal agencies, or other government officials or entities acting under color of State law, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 3, 2000 See on congress.gov
Law Appellate courtsCivil Rights and Liberties, Minority IssuesCivil actions and liabilityClaims
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Constitutional lawCourts of special jurisdictionDistrict courtsEminent domainGovernment Operations and PoliticsGovernment liabilityHousing and Community DevelopmentInjunctionsJudicial review of administrative actsJurisdictionLand useLegal feesLimitation of actionsLocal lawsParties to actionsPublic Lands and Natural ResourcesReal estate developmentRight of propertyState lawsTerritories (U.S.)Urban affairsZoning and zoning law
This bill died when the 106th Congress ended
It never became law before the 106th Congress (1999–2000) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 13, 1999
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
May 13, 1999
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5265-5266)
May 13, 1999
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 13, 1999

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Citizens Access to Justice Act of 1999 - Authorizes a property owner to file a civil action to challenge the validity of any Federal agency action as a violation of the Fifth Amendment in a district court or the United States Court of Federal Claims (claims court).

(Sec. 5) Grants the district court and the claims court concurrent jurisdiction over both claims for monetary relief and claims seeking invalidation of any Act of Congress or any regulation of a Federal agency affecting private property rights. Authorizes the plaintiff to elect to file an action under this section in a district court or the claims court. Waives sovereign immunity of the United States regarding such an action. Sets a six-year statute of limitation from the date of the taking of private property. Authorizes the court to award costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, to any prevailing plaintiff.

(Sec. 6) Grants the claims court the power to grant injunctive and declaratory relief when appropriate, as well as supplemental jurisdiction (concurrent with designated courts) to render judgment upon any related tort claim.

Specifies that any claim brought herein to redress the deprivation of a right or privilege to use and enjoy real property as secured by the Constitution 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.

Amends the Federal judicial code to grant the district courts original jurisdiction, concurrent with the claims court, of any civil action filed under this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding district court civil rights jurisdiction.

(Sec. 7) Authorizes recovery of attorney's fees and costs in a civil action for deprivation of rights where a takings claim is not substantially justified, with exceptions. Requires the district court to decide any motion to dismiss in such an action on an expedited basis.

(Sec. 8) Prohibits a party seeking redress in such an action for a taking of real property without the payment of compensation from commencing an action in district court before 60 days after the date on which written notice has been given to any potential defendant.

(Sec. 9) Requires a Federal agency that takes an agency action limiting the use of private property that may be affected by this Act to give notice to the owners of that property explaining their rights, and the procedures for obtaining any compensation that may be due to them, under this Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1028: Citizens Access to Justice Act of 1999. 106th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1028/
MLA
"S. 1028: Citizens Access to Justice Act of 1999." 106th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1028/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1028, 106th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1028/.
Markdown link
[S. 1028: Citizens Access to Justice Act of 1999](https://openamerica.io/bill/106-S-1028/)
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