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S 274 108th Congress Senate

Class Action Fairness Act of 2003

Official title: A bill to amend the procedures that apply to consideration of interstate class actions to assure fairer outcomes for class members and defendants, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 1, 2003 Introduced by: Grassley, Chuck Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
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This bill died when the 108th Congress ended
It never became law before the 108th Congress (2003–2004) 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 7 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 31, 2003
By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 108-123. Minority views filed.
Jun 2, 2003
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 117.
Jun 2, 2003
Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Hatch with amendments. Without written report.
Apr 11, 2003
Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Feb 4, 2003
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S1874-1876)
Feb 4, 2003
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1873-1874)
Feb 4, 2003
Introduced in Senate
 Amendments to this bill 1

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
SAMDT 2,232 Grassley, Chuck – Pending –
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 Latest action July 31, 2003

By Senator Hatch from Committee on the Judiciary filed written report. Report No. 108-123. Minority views filed.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service
Class Action Fairness Act of 2003 - Establishes a consumer class action bill of rights, including provision for: (1) judicial review and approval of noncash settlements; (2) protection against loss by class members because of payments to class counsel; (3) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for greater payments to class members because they are located in closer geographic proximity to the court; (4) a prohibition against court approval of a proposed settlement providing for payment of a greater share of the award to a class representative serving on behalf of a class; (5) standardized settlement notification information; and (6) specific requirements regarding proposed settlement notifications to Federal and State officials.

Grants the district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the matter in controversy exceeds $2 million, exclusive of interest and costs, and is a class action in which any member of a class of plaintiffs is: (1) a citizen of a State different from any defendant; (2) a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state and any defendant is a citizen of a State; or (3) a citizen of a State and any defendant is a foreign state or a citizen or subject of a foreign state. Lists exceptions, such as where a class action brought by shareholders solely involves a claim concerning a covered security or relating to the internal governance of a corporation.

Sets forth procedures for removal of interstate class actions to U.S. district court and for review of orders remanding class actions to State courts.

Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees on class action settlements.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 1115 Related bill Class Action Fairness Act of 2003
  • S 1751 Related bill Class Action Fairness Act of 2003
  • S 2062 Related bill Class Action Fairness Act of 2004
 Bill text 2 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
 Cosponsors 2
All 2 Republican 2
R
Cornyn, John
Texas · Apr 1, 2003
 R
McConnell, Mitch
Kentucky · Feb 13, 2003
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 274: Class Action Fairness Act of 2003. 108th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-274/
MLA
"S. 274: Class Action Fairness Act of 2003." 108th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-274/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 274, 108th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-274/.
Markdown link
[S. 274: Class Action Fairness Act of 2003](https://openamerica.io/bill/108-S-274/)
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