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Bill102th CongressFiled May 23, 1991Law
H.R. 2450

Multiparty, Multiforum Jurisdiction Act of 1991

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What it doesSummary passed house amended (Nov 25, 1991)

Multiparty, Multiforum Jurisdiction Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal judicial code to grant Federal district courts original jurisdiction over civil actions arising out of a single accident that results in the death or injury of 25 or more natural persons, provided the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000 per person and minimal diversity of citizenship exists.

Authorizes venue in any district in which a defendant resides or in which a substantial part of the accident occurred.

Expands district court authority over such transferred actions (previously covered only pretrial proceedings) to permit joint trial of liability issues and of punitive damage issues. Calls for remand of damage determinations (other than punitive damages), including the possibility of remand to State courts in which actions were originally filed, unless the Federal court finds that it would serve the convenience of parties and witnesses and the interests of justice to retain the damages phase of the action as well.

Permits removal of actions from State to U.S. district courts to invoke the proposed jurisdiction and to join actions within the jurisdiction pending before the Federal court. Authorizes removal before trial within 30 days of a defendant's becoming a party to a suit under this Act, or at a later time with leave of the district court. Establishes a presumption in favor of discretionary remand to State courts for damages determinations after rulings on liability.

Provides that the district court in which an action under this Act is pending shall determine the source of the applicable substantive law and is not bound by the choice of law rules of any State. Requires the responsible district court to enter an order designating the jurisdiction whose law is to be applied in all actions under this Act arising from the same incident. Identifies factors that may be relevant in such choice of law determinations. Authorizes the court to allow the law of more than one State to be applied with respect to a party, claim, or other element of an action in exceptional cases.

Authorizes nationwide service of process and, upon a showing of good cause, nationwide service of subpoenas with regard to actions under this Act.

What just happenedJan 28, 1992

Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 102-982.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Hughes, William J. [D-NJ-2](D-NJ)Sponsor
1 cosponsor1 R
Read on Congress.gov
1cosponsors2committees22actions9subjects
  1. Jan 28, 1992Committee

    Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 102-982.

    Administrative Oversight and the Courts Subcommittee
  2. Jan 22, 1992Committee

    Referred to Subcommittee on Courts and Administrative Practice.

    Administrative Oversight and the Courts Subcommittee
  3. Nov 27, 1991IntroReferral

    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  4. Nov 26, 1991IntroReferral

    Received in the Senate.

  5. Nov 25, 1991FloorH38310

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

  6. Nov 25, 1991FloorH37300

    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  7. Nov 25, 1991Floor8000

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

  8. Nov 25, 1991FloorH8D000

    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  9. Nov 25, 1991FloorH30000

    Considered under suspension of the rules.

  10. Nov 25, 1991FloorH30300

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

  11. Nov 25, 1991CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 229.

  12. Nov 25, 1991CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 102-373.

    Judiciary Committee
  13. Nov 25, 1991Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 102-373.

    Judiciary Committee
  14. Nov 19, 1991CommitteeH15000-B

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Judiciary Committee
  15. Nov 19, 1991CommitteeH19000

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended).

    Judiciary Committee
  16. Nov 6, 1991CommitteeH22000

    Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee
  17. Nov 6, 1991CommitteeH23000

    Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended).

    Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee
  18. Jun 19, 1991CommitteeH21000

    Subcommittee Hearings Held.

    Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee
  19. Jun 7, 1991CommitteeH11000

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and Judicial Administration.

    Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet Subcommittee
  20. May 23, 1991IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.

    Judiciary Committee
  21. May 23, 1991IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  22. May 23, 1991IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Passed House amendedNov 25, 199136

Multiparty, Multiforum Jurisdiction Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal judicial code to grant Federal district courts original jurisdiction over civil actions arising out of a single accident that results in the death or injury of 25 or more natural persons, provided the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000 per person and minimal diversity of citizenship exists.

Authorizes venue in any district in which a defendant resides or in which a substantial part of the accident occurred.

Expands district court authority over such transferred actions (previously covered only pretrial proceedings) to permit joint trial of liability issues and of punitive damage issues. Calls for remand of damage determinations (other than punitive damages), including the possibility of remand to State courts in which actions were originally filed, unless the Federal court finds that it would serve the convenience of parties and witnesses and the interests of justice to retain the damages phase of the action as well.

Permits removal of actions from State to U.S. district courts to invoke the proposed jurisdiction and to join actions within the jurisdiction pending before the Federal court. Authorizes removal before trial within 30 days of a defendant's becoming a party to a suit under this Act, or at a later time with leave of the district court. Establishes a presumption in favor of discretionary remand to State courts for damages determinations after rulings on liability.

Provides that the district court in which an action under this Act is pending shall determine the source of the applicable substantive law and is not bound by the choice of law rules of any State. Requires the responsible district court to enter an order designating the jurisdiction whose law is to be applied in all actions under this Act arising from the same incident. Identifies factors that may be relevant in such choice of law determinations. Authorizes the court to allow the law of more than one State to be applied with respect to a party, claim, or other element of an action in exceptional cases.

Authorizes nationwide service of process and, upon a showing of good cause, nationwide service of subpoenas with regard to actions under this Act.

Introduced in HouseMay 23, 199100

Multiparty, Multiforum Jurisdiction Act of 1991 - Amends the Federal judicial code to grant Federal district courts original jurisdiction over civil actions arising out of a single accident that results in the death or injury of 25 or more natural persons, provided the amount in controversy exceeds $50,000 per person and minimal diversity of citizenship exists.

Authorizes venue in any district in which a defendant resides or in which a substantial part of the accident occurred.

Expands district court authority over such transferred actions (previously covered only pretrial proceedings) to permit joint trial of liability issues and of punitive damage issues. Calls for remand of damage determinations (other than punitive damages), including the possibility of remand to State courts in which actions were originally filed, unless the Federal court finds that it would serve the convenience of parties and witnesses and the interests of justice to retain the damages phase of the action as well.

Permits removal of actions from State to U.S. district courts to invoke the proposed jurisdiction and to join actions within the jurisdiction pending before the Federal court. Authorizes removal before trial within 30 days of a defendant's becoming a party to a suit under this Act, or at a later time with leave of the district court. Establishes a presumption in favor of discretionary remand to State courts for damages determinations after rulings on liability.

Provides that the district court in which an action under this Act is pending shall determine the source of the applicable substantive law and is not bound by the choice of law rules of any State. Requires the responsible district court to enter an order designating the jurisdiction whose law is to be applied in all actions under this Act arising from the same incident. Identifies factors that may be relevant in such choice of law determinations.

Authorizes nationwide service of process and, upon a showing of good cause, nationwide service of subpoenas with regard to actions under this Act.