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S 2440 99th Congress Senate

Federal Tort Claims Reform Act of 1986

Official title: A bill to amend the Federal Tort Claims Act to include reasonable limitations on the tort liability of the United States.

Introduced: May 13, 1986 Introduced by: McConnell, Mitch Republican · Kentucky See on congress.gov
Law Civil actions and liabilityCourts and Civil ProcedureDamagesGovernment liability
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Lawyers and legal servicesLegal feesMaritime lawTorts
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This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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
May 13, 1986
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
May 13, 1986
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action May 13, 1986

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Federal Tort Claims Reform Act of 1986 - Amends the Federal Tort Claims Act to provide that the United States shall not be held jointly and severally liable for an injury (unless the United States and another person were acting in concert). Limits U.S. liability to its pro rata share of fault or responsibility for the injury.

Requires that damage awards be offset by amounts received as compensation for the same injury. Limits the amount of damages for noneconomic losses to $100,000. Allows damage awards for future economic damages exceeding $100,000 to be made by periodic payments.

Establishes a contingency fee schedule for plaintiffs' attorneys. Makes the provisions of such Act applicable to claims brought against the United States under certain admiralty statutes.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 2440: Federal Tort Claims Reform Act of 1986. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-2440/
MLA
"S. 2440: Federal Tort Claims Reform Act of 1986." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-2440/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 2440, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-2440/.
Markdown link
[S. 2440: Federal Tort Claims Reform Act of 1986](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-S-2440/)
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