Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025

Facilitating Art Recovery: The Act intends to permit claims to recover Nazi-looted art to be resolved on the merits by precluding certain legal defenses (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).

Overcoming Time-Based Obstacles: The bill prohibits the use of defenses based on the passage of time, such as laches, adverse possession, acquisitive prescription, or usucapion (Section 2(a)(1)(A) and Section 2(a)(5)(f)). This helps those seeking to recover property despite how much time has passed since World War II.

Removing Discretionary Dismissals: It prohibits non-merits discretionary bases for dismissal, such as the act of state doctrine, international comity, forum non conveniens, and prudential exhaustion (Section 2(a)(1)(A) and Section 2(a)(5)(f)).

Ensuring Broad Eligibility: The Act intends to allow claims for the recovery of artwork or other property lost due to Nazi persecution, regardless of the nationality or citizenship of the alleged victim (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).

Bypassing Specific Legal Rules: The Act intends to allow claims notwithstanding the 'domestic takings' rule established in Federal Republic of Germany v. Philipp (Section 2(a)(1)(A)).

Clarifying Legal Standing: Any civil claim covered by the Act will be deemed an action where rights in violation of international law are in issue, regardless of the victim's nationality or citizenship (Section 2(a)(3)(B)).

Simplified Service of Process: For civil actions brought under this Act, process may be served in the judicial district where the case is brought or any other U.S. judicial district where the defendant can be found, resides, has an agent, or transacts business (Section 2(a)(3)(g)).