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Government Litigation Savings Act

Introduced: May 25, 2011 Introduced by: Lummis, Cynthia M. Republican · Wyoming See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 9 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jul 11, 2012
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 429.
Jul 11, 2012
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 112-594.
Nov 17, 2011
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 14.
Nov 17, 2011
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Nov 15, 2011
Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law Discharged.
Oct 11, 2011
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Jul 11, 2011
Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Commercial and Administrative Law.
May 25, 2011
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
May 25, 2011
Introduced in House
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Government Litigation Savings Act - (Sec. 2) Revises provisions of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) and the federal judicial code relating to the fees and other expenses of parties in agency proceedings and court cases against the federal government.

Restricts awards of fees and other expenses under EAJA to prevailing parties with a direct and personal interest in an adjudication, including because of medical costs, property damage, denial of benefits, an unpaid disbursement, and other expenses of adjudication, or because of a policy interest.

Requires (currently, authorizes) the reduction or denial of an award if the party during the course of the proceedings engaged in conduct which unduly or unreasonably (currently, unduly and unreasonably) protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy.

Increases to $200 per hour the cap on attorney fees awarded under EAJA and eliminates the cost-of-living and special factor considerations for allowing an increase in the hourly rate for such fees.

Eliminates the net worth exemption for determining eligibility for fees and expenses under EAJA for tax-exempt organizations and cooperative associations under the Agricultural Marketing Act.

Expands the reporting requirements of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to require the Chairman to report on fees and expenses awarded pursuant to a settlement agreement and to create and maintain online a searchable database containing detailed information with respect to each award of fees and other expenses under EAJA.

(Sec. 3) Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) audit the implementation of EAJA for the years 1995 through the end of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted, (2) complete such audit not later that one year after the end of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted, and (3) report to Congress on the results of such audit.

What's happening now July 11, 2012

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 429.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2