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S 2289 110th Congress Senate Law Civil actions and liability Congress Congressional reporting requirements Consent decrees Evidence (Law) Government Operations and Politics Injunctions Local officials State officials

Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act

Introduced: November 1, 2007 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 110th Congress ended
It never became law before the 110th Congress (2007–2008) 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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Nov 1, 2007
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Nov 1, 2007
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act - Amends the federal judicial code to authorize any state or local government or related official (or successor) to file a motion to modify or terminate a federal consent decree upon the earlier of: (1) four years after the consent decree is originally entered; or (2) in the case of a civil action in which a state or state official, or a local government or local government official, is a party, the expiration of the term of office of the highest state or local government official who was a party to the consent decree; or (3) the date otherwise provided by law.

Places the burden of proof with respect to such motions on the party originally filing the action to demonstrate that the denial of the motion to modify or terminate a consent decree (or any part of it) is necessary to prevent the violation of a federal requirement that: (1) was actionable by such party; and (2) was addressed in the original consent decree.

Requires a court, within 30 days after the filing of a motion, to enter a scheduling order that: (1) limits the time of the parties to file motions and complete discovery; and (2) sets the date or dates of any necessary hearings.

Authorizes a court to stay the injunctive or prospective relief set forth in the consent decree if a party opposing the motion to modify or terminate it seeks any continuance or delay that prevents the court from entering a final ruling on the motion within 180 days of its filing.

Requires the Attorney General to report annually to Congress on all consent decrees in which the United States is a party that were entered four or more years before the date of the report.

What's happening now November 1, 2007

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2289: Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act. 110th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/110-S-2289/
MLA
"S. 2289: Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act." 110th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/110-S-2289/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2289, 110th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/110-S-2289/.
Markdown link
[S. 2289: Federal Consent Decree Fairness Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/110-S-2289/)
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