John Kennedy (R-LA)
Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-57.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Passed House voice vote
- To President
- Became Law
No one's position on it was recorded: the Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote), and the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together).
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the ``Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025'', amends title 36 of the United States Code. It revises the Federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association regarding its organization and membership. The bill updates how the corporation's governing body and officers are handled, deferring these details to the organization's own bylaws. It also implements specific restrictions regarding stock, political activities, and the distribution of income or assets. Additionally, it changes the requirements for the corporation's principal office and service of process.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill implements strict prohibitions on the private distribution of corporate assets and political activities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial Transparency and Restraint: The corporation is prohibited from issuing stock, declaring dividends, or making loans to its directors, officers, members, or employees (Section 70507 (a) and (d)). This ensures assets are not diverted for private gain.
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Protection of Assets: The law prohibits the income or assets of the corporation from inuring to the benefit of, or being distributed to, a director, officer, or member during the life of the charter, except for reasonable compensation or expense reimbursement (Section 70507 (c)(1)).
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Limiting Political Influence: The corporation, its directors, and its officers are prohibited from using funds or property to carry on political activity or attempt to influence legislation (Section 70507 (b)).
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Liability Protection: Members and private individuals are not held liable for the obligations of the corporation (Section 70507 (e)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Centralized Location: By removing the requirement that the principal office be in the District of Columbia, the location of the office can now be any United States location decided by the board of directors (Section 70508).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill implements strict prohibitions on the private distribution of corporate assets and political activities.
- Public Law (12/13/2025)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 12/12/2025
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-57.
- 12/10/2025
- Presented to President.
- 12/1/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4928)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4928)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 616.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4928-4929)
- Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 5/5/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/1/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 4/30/2025
- Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2709-2710; text: CR S2709-2710)
- 2/18/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Sheldon WhitehouseDemocrat · Rhode Island