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HR 4776 109th Congress House Law Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues Constitutional law District courts Federal-state relations Fines (Penalties) Freedom of speech Government Operations and Politics Jurisdiction Privileges and immunities State laws State legislators State legislatures Supreme Court

To amend title 28, United States Code, with respect to the jurisdiction of Federal courts over certain cases and controversies involving the content of speech occurring during sessions of State legislative bodies, and for other purposes.

Introduced: February 16, 2006 See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 17, 2006
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E194)
Feb 16, 2006
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Feb 16, 2006
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Amends the federal judicial code to provide that no court created by Act of Congress shall have any jurisdiction, and the Supreme Court shall have no appellate jurisdiction, to hear or decide any question pertaining to the interpretation or the validity, under the Constitution, of the content of speech of any member of a state legislative body or any individual invited to speak before that body, when such speech occurs during the legislative session.

Declares that any person who is a member of a state legislative body, or who is invited to speak before that body, other than as a witness, shall be immune from suit in any federal court, and shall not be held liable under any federal law, on account of the content of speech occurring during the legislative session, unless such speech constitutes treason, breach of peace, or an admission of guilt of a crime.

Prohibits the use of federal funds to enforce any court order relating to the content of speech occurring during the legislative session of a state legislative body, with the same exceptions.

Prohibits a federal court from imposing a fine on any state, state legislative body, member of a state legislative body, or individual invited to speak before that body (other than as a witness), on account of the content of speech occurring during the legislative session, with the same exceptions.

What's happening now February 17, 2006

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E194)

 Committees of jurisdiction 1