Legislation

The Congress has authorized the federal judiciary to prescribe the rules of practice, procedure, and evidence for the federal courts, subject to the ultimate legislative right of Congress to reject, modify, or defer any of the rules. The authority and procedures for promulgating rules are set forth in the Rules Enabling Act. 28 U.S.C. §§ 2071-2077.  The entire history of the Act, including all major legislative documents, is posted here.

Pending Legislation Affecting Rules (111th Congress) (pdf)

• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (May 18, 2010) (pdf)
• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (December 7, 2009) (pdf)
• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (May 7, 2009) (pdf)

Legislation Affecting Rules (110th Congress) (pdf)

• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (December 1, 2008) (pdf)
• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (May 9, 2008) (pdf)
• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (December 12, 2007) (pdf)
• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (May 18, 2007) (pdf)

Legislation Affecting Rules (109th Congress) (pdf)

• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (December 18, 2006) (pdf)
• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (May 26, 2006) (pdf)
• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (December 8, 2005) (pdf)
• Legislative Report to Standing Committee (May 26, 2005) (pdf)

Legislation Affecting Rules (108th Congress) (pdf)