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S. 616Signed Into LawLAW

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025

District of Columbia · Federally chartered organizations · Lawyers and legal services
Sponsor
Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
R · LA
Key facts
Introduced: Feb 18, 2025
Chamber: Senate
Cosponsors: 1
Congress: 119th
Latest action · Dec 12, 2025
Became Public Law No: 119-57.

Summary

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025

This act revises the federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association to shift authority from the charter to the bylaws.

Specifically, it makes the following changes:

  • removes the requirement for the foundation to be incorporated and domiciled in the District of Columbia;
  • requires the board of directors to decide, and specify in the bylaws, the location of the principal office;
  • specifies that the bylaws—not the charter—must provide for the terms of membership, the responsibilities of the board of directors, and the election of officers;
  • prohibits a director or officer, in his or her corporate capacity, from contributing to, supporting, or participating in political activities;
  • allows income and assets of the corporation to be used to reasonably compensate or reimburse expenses of an officer, director, or member; to award a grant to the Federal Bar Association chapter of an officer, director, or member; and to reasonably compensate employees;
  • expands a prohibition on loans for directors and officers to include members and employees; and
  • specifies that on dissolution or final liquidation, any remaining assets must be distributed as provided by the board of directors instead of deposited in the Treasury.
Summary by Congressional Research Service.

Timeline

  1. Dec 12, 2025
    Became Public Law No: 119-57.
  2. Dec 12, 2025
    Became Public Law No: 119-57.
  3. Dec 12, 2025
    Signed by President.
  4. Dec 12, 2025
    Signed by President.
  5. Dec 10, 2025
    Presented to President.
  6. Dec 10, 2025
    Presented to President.
  7. Dec 1, 2025
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  8. Dec 1, 2025
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4928)
  9. Dec 1, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4928)
  10. Dec 1, 2025
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 616.
  11. Dec 1, 2025
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4928-4929)
  12. Dec 1, 2025
    Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  13. May 5, 2025
    Held at the desk.
  14. May 5, 2025
    Received in the House.
  15. May 1, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  16. Apr 30, 2025
    Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2709-2710; text: CR S2709-2710)
  17. Apr 30, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  18. Apr 30, 2025
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  19. Apr 30, 2025
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
  20. Feb 18, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
  21. Feb 18, 2025
    Introduced in Senate

Cosponsors

In the News

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