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Courtroom Transparency: Federal Proceedings Broadcast to Public

This act allows federal court proceedings, both appellate and district, to be broadcast and recorded. This aims to increase public access to information about court activities, enabling citizens to watch proceedings from home. However, judges can block broadcasts if they violate parties' rights, and witnesses' images and voices can be obscured.
Key points
Citizens can watch court proceedings live or recorded, increasing transparency of court operations.
Judges decide on broadcasting, ensuring the rights of participants are protected, e.g., by safeguarding witness privacy.
District court broadcasting authority is temporary, expiring three years after the act's enactment.
article Official text account_balance Process page
Expired
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Additional Information
Print number: 117_S_818
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Process start date: 2021-03-18
Lustra uses Artificial Intelligence. Verify details in source documents.
Summarized by: gemini-2.5-flash-preview-05-20
Source data: api.congress.gov
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OFFICIAL LEGAL TITLE

Sunshine in the Courtroom Act of 2021

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the official ID of this bill?

The official print number for this legislation is 117_S_818.

Which chamber initiated this legislation?

This legislation was initiated in the Senate.

When did the legislative process begin?

The process officially started on 2021-03-18.

What are the main provisions?

Key points include:

  • Citizens can watch court proceedings live or recorded, increasing transparency of court operations.
  • Judges decide on broadcasting, ensuring the rights of participants are protected, e.g., by safeguarding witness privacy.
  • District court broadcasting authority is temporary, expiring three years after the act's enactment.
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 Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA].

What is the latest detailed status?

The latest detailed status is: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Is this summary verified?

Yes. This content was analyzed by AI and verified by the Lustra Judge System on 2025-12-29.

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Courts and Law Media and Culture