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Title 28 — Judiciary and Judicial Procedure

Part V · Chapter 131 — Rules of Courts

§ 2074. Rules of procedure and evidence; submission to Congress; effective date

Statutory text

(a)

The Supreme Court shall transmit to the Congress not later than May 1 of the year in which a rule prescribed under section 2072 is to become effective a copy of the proposed rule. Such rule shall take effect no earlier than December 1 of the year in which such rule is so transmitted unless otherwise provided by law. The Supreme Court may fix the extent such rule shall apply to proceedings then pending, except that the Supreme Court shall not require the application of such rule to further proceedings then pending to the extent that, in the opinion of the court in which such proceedings are pending, the application of such rule in such proceedings would not be feasible or would work injustice, in which event the former rule applies.

(b)

Any such rule creating, abolishing, or modifying an evidentiary privilege shall have no force or effect unless approved by Act of Congress.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

  1. Judicial Improvements and Access to Justice Act

    Pub. L. 100–702 title IV § 401(a) · 102 Stat. 4642

    Enacted · 28 U.S.C. § 2074

    (Added Pub. L. 100–702, title IV, § 401(a), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4649.)

    Source evidence

    Code source credit
    (Added Pub. L. 100–702, title IV, § 401(a), Nov. 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4649.)

    Enacted provision · exact public law section
    (a) In General.— Chapter 131 is amended by striking out section 2072 and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “§ 2072. Rules of procedure and evidence; power to prescribe “(a) The Supreme Court shall have the power to prescribe general rules of practice and procedure and rules of evidence for cases in the United States district courts (including proceedings before magistrates thereof) and courts of appeals. “(b) Such rules shall not abridge, enlarge or modify any substantive right. All laws in conflict with such rules shall be of no further force or effect after such rules have taken effect. “§ 2073. Rules of procedure and evidence; method of prescribing “(a) (1) The Judicial Conference shall prescribe and publish the procedures for the consideration of proposed rules under this section. “(2) The Judicial Conference may authorize the appointment of committees to assist the Conference by recommending rules to be prescribed under section 2072 of this title. Each such committee shall consist of members of the bench and the professional bar, and trial and appellate judges. “(b) The Judicial Conference shall authorize the appointment of a standing committee on rules of practice, procedure, and evidence under subsection (a) of this section. Such standing committee shall review each recommendation of any other committees so appointed and recommend to the Judicial Conference rules of practice, procedure, and evidence and such changes in rules proposed by a committee appointed under subsection (a)(2) of this section as may be necessary to maintain consistency and otherwise promote the interest of justice. “(c) (1) Each meeting for the transaction of business under this Public information. chapter by any committee appointed under this section shall be open to the public, except when the committee so meeting, in open session and with a majority present, determines that it is in the public interest that all or part of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public, and states the reason for so closing the meeting. Minutes of each meeting for the transaction of business under this chapter shall be maintained by the committee and made available to the public, except that any portion of such minutes, relating to a closed meeting and made available to the public, may contain such deletions as may be necessary to avoid frustrating the purposes of closing the meeting. “(2) Any meeting for the transaction of business under this chapter, by a committee appointed under this section, shall be preceded by sufficient notice to enable all interested persons to attend. “(d) In making a recommendation under this section or under Reports. section 2072, the body making that recommendation shall provide a proposed rule, an explanatory note on the rule, and a written report explaining the body s action, including any minority or other separate views. “(e) Failure to comply with this section does not invalidate a rule prescribed under section 2072 of this title. “§ 2074. Rules of procedure and evidence; submission to Congress; effective date “(a) The Supreme Court shall transmit to the Congress not later than May 1 of the year in which a rule prescribed under section 2072 is to become effective a copy of the proposed rule. Such rule shall take effect no earlier than December 1 of the year in which such rule is so transmitted unless otherwise provided by law. The Supreme Court may fix the extent such rule shall apply to proceedings then pending, except that the Supreme Court shall not require the application of such rule to further proceedings then pending to the extent that, in the opinion of the court in which such proceedings are pending, the application of such rule in such proceedings would not be feasible or would work injustice, in which event the former rule applies. “(b) Any such rule creating, abolishing, or modifying an evidentiary privilege shall have no force or effect unless approved by Act of Congress.”.

1 of 1 references resolved to an enrolled provision

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 2074, act July 27, 1954, ch. 583, § 1, 68 Stat. 567, empowered the Supreme Court to prescribe rules for review of decisions of the Tax Court of the United States, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 89–773, § 2, , 80 Stat. 1323.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective , see section 407 of Pub. L. 100–702, set out as an Effective Date of 1988 Amendment note under section 2071 of this title.

Amendment to Rule 23 of Federal Rules of Civil Procedure; Effective Date

Pub. L. 109–2, § 7, , 119 Stat. 13, provided that: “Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amendments to rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which are set forth in the order entered by the Supreme Court of the United States on , shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act [] or on (as specified in that order), whichever occurs first.”

Modification of Amendments to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Proposed April 29, 2002; Effective Date

Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11019(a), , 116 Stat. 1825, provided that: “The proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure that are embraced by an order entered by the Supreme Court of the United States on , shall take effect on , as otherwise provided by law, but with the amendments made in subsection (b) [amending Rule 16 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure].”

Modification of Amendments to Federal Rules of Evidence Proposed April 29, 1994; Effective Date

Pub. L. 103–322, title IV, § 40141, , 108 Stat. 1918, provided that:

“(a)

Modification of Proposed Amendment.—

The proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Evidence that are embraced by an order entered by the Supreme Court of the United States on , shall take effect on , as otherwise provided by law, but with the amendment made by subsection (b).

“(b)

Rule.—

[Amended Rule 412 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.]

“(c)

Technical Amendment.—

[Amended table of contents for the Federal Rules of Evidence.]”

Modification of Amendments to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Proposed April 29, 1994; Effective Date

Pub. L. 103–322, title XXIII, § 230101, , 108 Stat. 2077, provided that:

“(a)

Modification of Proposed Amendments.—

The proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure which are embraced by an order entered by the Supreme Court of the United States on , shall take effect on , as otherwise provided by law, but with the following amendments:

“(b)

In General.—

[Amended Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.]

“(c)

Effective Date.—

The amendments made by subsection (b) shall become effective on .”

Amendments to Civil Rules Proposed April 30, 1991

Pub. L. 102–198, § 11, , 105 Stat. 1626, provided that:

“(a)

Technical Amendment.—

Rule 15(c)(3) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for the United States Courts, as transmitted to the Congress by the Supreme Court pursuant to section 2074 of title 28, United States Code, to become effective on , is amended by striking ‘Rule 4(m)’ and inserting ‘Rule 4(j)’.

“(b)

Amendment to Forms.—

Form 1–A, Notice of Lawsuit and Request for Waiver of Service of Summons, and Form 1–B, Waiver of Service of Summons, included in the transmittal by the Supreme Court described in subsection (a), shall not be effective and Form 18–A, Notice and Acknowledgment for Service by Mail, abrogated by the Supreme Court in such transmittal, effective , shall continue in effect on or after that date.”

Amendments to Civil Rules Proposed April 28, 1982

Pub. L. 97–462, § 5, , 96 Stat. 2530, provided that: “The amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure [Rule 4], the effective date of which was delayed by the Act entitled ‘An Act to delay the effective date of proposed amendments to rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure’, approved (96 Stat. 246) [Pub. L. 97–227, see below], shall not take effect.”

Pub. L. 97–227, , 96 Stat. 246, provided:

“That notwithstanding the provisions of section 2072 of title 28, United States Code, the amendments to rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure as proposed by the Supreme Court of the United States and transmitted to the Congress by the Chief Justice on , shall take effect on , unless previously approved, disapproved, or modified by Act of Congress.

“Sec. 2.

This Act shall be effective as of , but shall not apply to the service of process that takes place between , and the date of enactment of this Act [].”

Amendments to Criminal Rules and Rules of Evidence Proposed April 30, 1979; Postponement of Effective Date

Pub. L. 96–42, , 93 Stat. 326, provided:

“That notwithstanding any provision of section 3771 or 3772 of title 18 of the United States Code or of section 2072, 2075, or 2076 of title 28 of the United States Code to the contrary—

“(1)

the amendments proposed by the United States Supreme Court and transmitted by the Chief Justice on , to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure affecting rules 11(e)(6), 17(h), 32(f), and 44(c), and adding new rules 26.2 and 32.1, and the amendment so proposed and transmitted to the Federal Rules of Evidence affecting rule 410, shall not take effect until , or until and then only to the extent approved by Act of Congress, whichever is earlier; and

“(2)

the amendment proposed by the United States Supreme Court and transmitted by the Chief Justice on , affecting rule 40 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure shall take effect on , with the following amendments:

“(A)

In the matter designated as paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), strike out ‘in accordance with Rule 32.1(a)’.

“(B)

In the matter designated as paragraph (2) of subdivision (d), strike out ‘in accordance with Rule 32.1(a)(1)’.”

Approval and Effective Date of Amendments Proposed April 26, 1976

Pub. L. 95–78, § 1, , 91 Stat. 319, provided: “That notwithstanding the first section of the Act entitled ‘An Act to delay the effective date of certain proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and certain other rules promulgated by the United States Supreme Court’ (Public Law 94–349, approved ) [90 Stat. 822] the amendments to rules 6(e), 23, 24, 40.1, and 41(c)(2) of the Rules of Criminal Procedure for the United States district courts [set out in the Appendix to Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure] which are embraced by the order entered by the United States Supreme Court on , shall take effect only as provided in this Act [see section 4 of Pub. L. 95–78, set out below].”

Effective Date of Pub. L. 95–78

Pub. L. 95–78, § 4, , 91 Stat. 322, provided that:

“(a)

The first section of this Act [set out as a note above] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [].

“(b)

Sections 2 and 3 of this Act [which amended section 1446 of this title, approved proposed amendment of rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, modified and approved proposed amendment of rules 6 and 41 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and disapproved the proposed amendment of rule 24 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the proposed addition of rule 40.1 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure] shall take effect .”

Approval and Effective Date of Rules Governing Section 2254 Cases and Section 2255 Proceedings for United States District Courts

Pub. L. 94–426, § 1, , 90 Stat. 1334, provided: “That the rules governing section 2254 cases in the United States district courts and the rules governing section 2255 proceedings for the United States district courts, as proposed by the United States Supreme Court, which were delayed by the Act entitled ‘An Act to delay the effective date of certain proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and certain other rules promulgated by the United States Supreme Court’ (Public Law 94–349), are approved with the amendments set forth in section 2 of this Act and shall take effect as so amended, with respect to petitions under section 2254 and motions under section 2255 of title 28 of the United States Code filed on or after .”

Amendments to Criminal Rules Under Supreme Court Order of April 26, 1976; Postponement of Effective Date

Pub. L. 94–349, § 1, , 90 Stat. 822, provided: “That, notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3771 and 3772 of title 18 of the United States Code the amendments to rules 6(e), 23, 24, 40.1 and 41(c)(2) of the Rules of Criminal Procedure for the United States district courts which are embraced by the order entered by the United States Supreme Court on , and which were transmitted to the Congress on or about , shall not take effect until , or until and to the extent approved by Act of Congress, whichever is earlier. The remainder of the proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure [rules 6(f), 41(a), (c)(1), and 50(b)] shall become effective , pursuant to law.”

Postponement of Effective Date of Proposed Rules and Forms Governing Proceedings Under Sections 2254 and 2255 of this Title

Pub. L. 94–349, § 2, , 90 Stat. 822, provided: “That, notwithstanding the provisions of section 2072 of title 28 of the United States Code, the rules and forms governing section 2254 [section 2254 of this title] cases in the United States district courts and the rules and forms governing section 2255 [section 2255 of this title] proceedings in the United States district courts which are embraced by the order entered by the United States Supreme Court on , and which were transmitted to the Congress on or about , shall not take effect until thirty days after the adjournment sine die of the 94th Congress, or until and to the extent approved by Act of Congress, whichever is earlier.”

Approval and Effective Date of Amendments Proposed April 22, 1974

Pub. L. 94–64, § 2, , 89 Stat. 370, provided that: “The amendments proposed by the United States Supreme Court to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure [adding rules 12.1, 12.2, and 29.1 and amending rules 4, 9(a), 11, 12, 15, 16, 17(f), 20, 32(a), (c), and (e), and 43] which are embraced in the order of that Court on , are approved except as otherwise provided in this Act [making further amendments to rules 4, 9(a), 11, 12, 12.1, 12.2, 15, 16, 17(f), 20, 32(a), (c), and (e), and 43] and shall take effect on . Except with respect to the amendment to Rule 11, insofar as it adds Rule 11(e)(6), which shall take effect on , the amendments made by section 3 of this Act shall also take effect on .”

Approval and Effective Date of Amendments Proposed November 20, 1972 and December 18, 1972

Pub. L. 93–595, § 3, , 88 Stat. 1949, provided that: “The Congress expressly approves the amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure [Rules 30(c), 32(c), 43, and 44.1] and the amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure [Rules 26, 26.1, and 28], which are embraced by the orders entered by the Supreme Court of the United States on , and , and such amendments shall take effect on the one hundred and eightieth day beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act [].”

Amendments to Criminal Rules Under Supreme Court Order of April 22, 1974; Postponement of Effective Date Until August 1, 1975

Pub. L. 93–361, , 88 Stat. 397, provided: “That, notwithstanding the provisions of sections 3771 and 3772 of title 18 of the United States Code, the effective date of the proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure which are embraced by the order entered by the United States Supreme Court on , and which were transmitted to the Congress by the Chief Justice on , is postponed until .”

Congressional Approval Requirement for Proposed Rules of Evidence for United States Courts and Amendments to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Criminal Procedure; Suspension of Effectiveness of Such Rules

Pub. L. 93–12, , 87 Stat. 9, provided: “That notwithstanding any other provisions of law, the Rules of Evidence for United States Courts and Magistrates, the Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and the Amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which are embraced by the orders entered by the Supreme Court of the United States on Monday, , and Monday, , shall have no force or effect except to the extent, and with such amendments, as they may be expressly approved by the Act of Congress.”

Credits

(Added Pub. L. 100–702, title IV, § 401(a), , 102 Stat. 4649.)

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