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Increased Transparency and New Rules for Federal Judges

This act introduces new ethics and transparency rules for federal judges, including Supreme Court justices. It aims to increase public trust by requiring better disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, limiting gifts and travel accepted by judges, and improving public access to court proceedings.
Key points
Federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, will be required to follow a code of conduct.
Rules for when a judge must step aside from a case (disqualification) have been expanded (e.g., due to income, gifts, lobbying, or relationships with parties).
Requirements for disclosing information about donors funding 'friend of the court' briefs (amicus curiae) have been introduced.
Restrictions have been placed on judges accepting gifts and paid travel from entities filing 'friend of the court' briefs.
Proceedings before Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court will be made available via video on the internet.
Restrictions on sealing court documents have been added – requiring justification and public opportunity to object.
Studies and reporting on judges' compliance with disqualification rules are mandated.
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Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_7426
Sponsor: Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4]
Process start date: 2022-04-06
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Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-04-17
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

21st Century Courts Act of 2022

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_HR_7426.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the House of Representatives.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2022-04-06.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Federal judges, including Supreme Court justices, will be required to follow a code of conduct.
  • Rules for when a judge must step aside from a case (disqualification) have been expanded (e.g., due to income, gifts, lobbying, or relationships with parties).
  • Requirements for disclosing information about donors funding 'friend of the court' briefs (amicus curiae) have been introduced.
  • Restrictions have been placed on judges accepting gifts and paid travel from entities filing 'friend of the court' briefs.
  • Proceedings before Courts of Appeals and the Supreme Court will be made available via video on the internet.
  • Restrictions on sealing court documents have been added – requiring justification and public opportunity to object.
  • Studies and reporting on judges' compliance with disqualification rules are mandated.
What is the specific legal status?

The current status is Expired.

Where can I read the full text of this legislation?

The full official text is available at: View full text

Who is the primary sponsor?

The primary sponsor is Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank," Jr. [D-GA-4].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-28.

CATEGORIES

Courts and Law