[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 72 (Wednesday, April 30, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2709-S2710]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FOUNDATION OF THE FEDERAL BAR ASSOCIATION CHARTER AMENDMENTS ACT OF
2025
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee
on the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of S. 616 and
the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
The senior assistant legislative clerk read as follows:
A bill (S. 616) to amend title 36, United States Code, to
revise the Federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal
Bar Association.
There being no objection, the committee was discharged, and the
Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
Mr. THUNE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be
considered read a third time and passed and the motion to reconsider be
considered made and laid upon the table.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
The bill (S. 616) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading,
was read the third time, and passed as follows:
S. 616
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Foundation of the Federal
Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. ORGANIZATION.
Section 70501 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (b); and
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
SEC. 3. MEMBERSHIP.
Section 70503 of title 36, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the
following:
``(a) Eligibility.--Except as provided in this chapter,
eligibility for membership in the corporation and the rights
and privileges of members are as provided in the bylaws.'';
and
(2) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).
SEC. 4. GOVERNING BODY.
Section 70504 of title 36, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:
``Sec. 70504. Governing body
``(a) Board of Directors.--The board of directors is the
governing body of the corporation. The board may exercise, or
provide for the exercise of, the powers of the corporation.
The board of directors and the responsibilities of the board
are as provided in the bylaws.
``(b) Officers.--The officers and the election of the
officers are as provided for in the bylaws.''.
SEC. 5. RESTRICTIONS.
Section 70507 of title 36, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:
``Sec. 70507. Restrictions
``(a) Stock and Dividends.--The corporation may not issue
stock or declare or pay a dividend.
``(b) Political Activities.--
``(1) In general.--The activities, funds, income, and
property of the corporation may not be used to carry on
political activity or attempt to influence legislation.
``(2) No contribution, support, or participation.--The
corporation or a director or officer in the corporate
capacity of the director of officer may not contribute to,
support, or participate in any political activity or in any
manner attempt to influence legislation.
``(c) Distribution of Income or Assets.--
``(1) In general.--The income or assets of the corporation
may not inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to, a
director, officer, or member during the life of the charter
granted by this chapter. This subsection does not prevent the
payment, in amounts approved by the board of directors, of--
``(A) reasonable compensation; or
``(B) reimbursement for expenses incurred in undertaking
the corporation's business, to officers, directors, or
members.
``(2) Rule of construction.--This subsection shall not be
construed to--
``(A) prevent the award of a grant to a Federal Bar
Association chapter of which an officer, director, or member
may be a member; or
``(B) prevent the payment of reasonable compensation to the
corporation's employees for services undertaken on behalf of
the corporation.
``(d) Loans.--The corporation may not make a loan to a
director, officer, member, or employee.
``(e) Immunity From Liability.--Members and private
individuals are not liable for the obligations of the
corporation.
``(f) Claim of Governmental Approval or Authority.--The
corporation--
``(1) may not claim congressional approval or the authority
of the United States Government for any of its activities;
and
``(2) may acknowledge this charter.''.
SEC. 6. PRINCIPAL OFFICE.
Section 70508 of title 36, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``the District of Columbia,'' and inserting ``a
United States location decided by the board of directors and
specified in the bylaws,''.
SEC. 7. SERVICE OF PROCESS.
Section 70510 of title 36, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:
``Sec. 70510. Service of process
``The corporation shall comply with the law on service of
process of the State or District in which it is
incorporated.''.
SEC. 8. DEPOSIT OF ASSETS ON DISSOLUTION OR FINAL
LIQUIDATION.
Section 70512 of title 36, United States Code, is amended
to read as follows:
[[Page S2710]]
``Sec. 70512. Deposit of assets on dissolution or final
liquidation
``On dissolution or final liquidation of the corporation,
any assets of the corporation remaining after the discharge
of all liabilities shall be distributed--
``(a) as provided by the board of directors; and
``(b) in compliance with the charter and bylaws.''.
SEC. 9. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.
The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of
complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall
be determined by reference to the latest statement titled
``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act,
submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the
Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such
statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
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