summary
Introduced
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
112th Congress
Bill Summary
Emergency Judicial Relief Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Directs the President to appoint, by and with the Senate's advice and consent, specified additional permanent district judges for various federal judicial districts in Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Texas. Converts certain existing temporary judgeships for the district of Arizona and the central district of California to permanent judgeships. Increases the filing fee for most civil actions or proceedings, excluding a writ of habeas corpus, to $360 (currently, $350). Requires that incremental amounts collected by reason of enactment of this Act be deposited in a special fund in the Treasury to offset funds appropriated for the operation and maintenance of U.S. courts to the extent specifically appropriated by an Act of Congress after enactment of this Act. (Sec. 3) Prohibits any judicial branch officer, employee, agent, contractor, or subcontractor from discharging, demoting, threatening, suspending, harassing, or otherwise discriminating against an employee in the terms and conditions of employment because of any lawful act by the employee to provide information, cause information to be provided, or otherwise assist in an investigation regarding any possible violation of federal law or regulation, or misconduct, by a judge, justice, or any other employee in the judicial branch, which may assist in the investigation of the possible violation or misconduct. Authorizes an employee injured by such a prohibited act to obtain appropriate relief in a civil action.
AI Summary
This bill, the Emergency Judicial Relief Act of 2011, aims to address judicial capacity and protect whistleblowers within the federal court system. It directs the President to appoint additional permanent federal district judges in Arizona, California, Minnesota, and Texas, and converts existing temporary judgeships in Arizona and the central district of California into permanent ones. To help fund court operations, the bill increases the filing fee for most civil lawsuits, excluding habeas corpus petitions, from $350 to $360, with the additional revenue earmarked for the Treasury to offset court appropriations. Furthermore, it establishes whistleblower protections for judicial branch employees, prohibiting retaliation such as firing, demotion, or harassment against anyone who lawfully provides information or assists in an investigation concerning potential violations of federal law, regulations, or misconduct by judges or other judicial employees, and allows injured employees to seek relief in civil court.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (8)
Barbara Boxer (D),
John Cornyn (R),
Dianne Feinstein (D),
Al Franken (D),
Kay Hutchison (R),
Amy Klobuchar (D),
Jon Kyl (R),
John McCain (R),
Last Action
Star Print ordered on the reported bill. (on 11/15/2011)
Official Document
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