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Bill109th CongressFiled May 18, 2006Law
H.R. 5418

To establish a pilot program in certain United States district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges.

Bill journey · stage 2 of 5

Under committee review

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Sep 28, 2006)

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 21, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Establishes a 10-year pilot program in certain U.S. district courts under which: (1) those district judges who request to hear cases involving patent or plant variety protection issues are designated by the chief judge to hear them; (2) such cases are randomly assigned to the district court judges, regardless of whether they are designated; (3) a judge not designated to whom such a case is assigned may decline to accept the case; and (4) a case so declined is randomly reassigned to one of those judges so designated.

Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to designate at least five U.S. district courts, in at least three different judicial circuits, to carry out the pilot program. Requires such courts to be among the 15 district courts in which the largest number of such cases were filed in the most recent calendar year. States that the Director may only designate a court in which: (1) at least 10 district judges are authorized for presidential appointment; and (2) at least three judges request such cases.

Requires periodic reports on the program to specified congressional committees.

Authorizes appropriations for: (1) educational and professional development of those district judges designated under this Act; and (2) compensation of law clerks with expertise in technical matters arising in patent and plant variety protection cases who are appointed to assist courts in such cases.

What just happenedNov 13, 2006

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Issa, Darrell E. [R-CA-49](R-CA)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 D
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors2committees19actions1related bills16subjects
  1. Nov 13, 2006IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  2. Sep 29, 2006IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  3. Sep 28, 2006FloorH38310

    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  4. Sep 28, 2006FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7851)

  5. Sep 28, 2006Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H7851)

  6. Sep 28, 2006FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5418.

  7. Sep 28, 2006FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7851-7853)

  8. Sep 28, 2006FloorH30300

    Mr. Sensenbrenner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  9. Sep 21, 2006CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 402.

  10. Sep 21, 2006CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 109-673.

    Judiciary Committee
  11. Sep 21, 2006Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 109-673.

    Judiciary Committee
  12. Sep 13, 2006CommitteeH19000

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Sep 13, 2006CommitteeH15000-B

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Judiciary Committee
  14. Jul 27, 2006CommitteeH23000

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .

    Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee
  15. Jul 27, 2006CommitteeH22000

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee
  16. Jun 5, 2006CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet, and Intellectual Property.

    Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee
  17. May 18, 2006IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  18. May 18, 2006IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  19. May 18, 2006IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedSep 28, 200636

(This measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House on September 21, 2006. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Establishes a 10-year pilot program in certain U.S. district courts under which: (1) those district judges who request to hear cases involving patent or plant variety protection issues are designated by the chief judge to hear them; (2) such cases are randomly assigned to the district court judges, regardless of whether they are designated; (3) a judge not designated to whom such a case is assigned may decline to accept the case; and (4) a case so declined is randomly reassigned to one of those judges so designated.

Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to designate at least five U.S. district courts, in at least three different judicial circuits, to carry out the pilot program. Requires such courts to be among the 15 district courts in which the largest number of such cases were filed in the most recent calendar year. States that the Director may only designate a court in which: (1) at least 10 district judges are authorized for presidential appointment; and (2) at least three judges request such cases.

Requires periodic reports on the program to specified congressional committees.

Authorizes appropriations for: (1) educational and professional development of those district judges designated under this Act; and (2) compensation of law clerks with expertise in technical matters arising in patent and plant variety protection cases who are appointed to assist courts in such cases.

Reported to House with amendment(s)Sep 21, 200617

Establishes a 10-year pilot program in certain U.S. district courts under which: (1) those district judges who request to hear cases involving patent or plant variety protection issues are designated by the chief judge to hear them; (2) such cases are randomly assigned to the district court judges, regardless of whether they are designated; (3) a judge not designated to whom such a case is assigned may decline to accept the case; and (4) a case so declined is randomly reassigned to one of those judges so designated.

Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to designate at least five U.S. district courts, in at least three different judicial circuits, to carry out the pilot program. Requires such courts to be among the 15 district courts in which the largest number of such cases were filed in the most recent calendar year. States that the Director may only designate a court in which: (1) at least 10 district judges are authorized for presidential appointment; and (2) at least three judges request such cases.

Requires periodic reports on the program to specified congressional committees.

Authorizes appropriations for: (1) educational and professional development of those district judges designated under this Act; and (2) compensation of law clerks with expertise in technical matters arising in patent and plant variety protection cases who are appointed to assist courts in such cases.

Introduced in HouseMay 18, 200600

Establishes a pilot program in certain U.S. district courts under which: (1) those district judges who request to hear cases involving patent or plant variety protection issues are designated by the chief judge to hear them; (2) such cases are randomly assigned to the district court judges, regardless of whether they are designated; (3) a judge not designated to whom such a case is assigned may decline to accept the case; and (4) a case so declined is randomly reassigned to one of those judges so designated.