[105th Congress Public Law 230]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
<DOC>
[DOCID: f:publ230.105]
[[Page 112 STAT. 1519]]
Public Law 105-230
105th Congress
An Act
To establish rules governing product liability actions against raw
materials and bulk component suppliers to medical device manufacturers,
and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Aug. 13, 1998 - [H.R. 872]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress <<NOTE: Biomaterials Access
Assistance Act of 1998.>> assembled,
SECTION 1. <<NOTE: 21 USC 1601 note.>> SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Biomaterials Access Assurance Act of
1998''.
SEC. 2. <<NOTE: 21 USC 1601.>> FINDINGS.
The Congress finds that--
(1) each year millions of citizens of the United States
depend on the availability of lifesaving or life-enhancing
medical devices, many of which are permanently implantable
within the human body;
(2) a continued supply of raw materials and component parts
is necessary for the invention, development, improvement, and
maintenance of the supply of the devices;
(3) most of the medical devices are made with raw materials
and component parts that--
(A) move in interstate commerce;
(B) are not designed or manufactured specifically
for use in medical devices; and
(C) come in contact with internal human tissue;
(4) the raw materials and component parts also are used in a
variety of nonmedical products;
(5) because small quantities of the raw materials and
component parts are used for medical devices, sales of raw
materials and component parts for medical devices constitute an
extremely small portion of the overall market for the raw
materials and component parts;
(6) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21
U.S.C. 301 et seq.) manufacturers of medical devices are
required to demonstrate that the medical devices are safe and
effective, including demonstrating that the products are
properly designed and have adequate warnings or instructions;
(7) notwithstanding the fact that raw materials and
component parts suppliers do not design, produce, or test a
final medical device, the suppliers have been the subject of
actions alleging inadequate--
(A) design and testing of medical devices
manufactured with materials or parts supplied by the
suppliers; or
(B) warnings related to the use of such medical
devices;
[[Page 112 STAT. 1520]]
(8) even though suppliers of raw materials and component
parts have very rarely been held liable in such actions, such
suppliers have ceased supplying certain raw materials and
component parts for use in medical devices for a number of
reasons, including concerns about the costs of such litigation;
(9) unless alternate sources of supply can be found, the
unavailability of raw materials and component parts for medical
devices will lead to unavailability of lifesaving and life-
enhancing medical devices;
(10) because other suppliers of the raw materials and
component parts in foreign nations are refusing to sell raw
materials or component parts for use in manufacturing certain
medical devices in the United States, the prospects for
development of new sources of supply for the full range of
threatened raw materials and component parts for medical devices
are remote;
(11) it is unlikely that the small market for such raw
materials and component parts in the United States could support
the large investment needed to develop new suppliers of such raw
materials and component parts;
(12) attempts to develop such new suppliers would raise the
cost of medical devices;
(13) courts that have considered the duties of the suppliers
of the raw materials and component parts have generally found
that the suppliers do not have a duty--
(A) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use
of a raw material or component part in a medical device;
or
(B) to warn consumers concerning the safety and
effectiveness of a medical device;
(14) because medical devices and the raw materials and
component parts used in their manufacture move in interstate
commerce, a shortage of such raw materials and component parts
affects interstate commerce;
(15) in order to safeguard the availability of a wide
variety of lifesaving and life-enhancing medical devices,
immediate action is needed--
(A) to clarify the permissible bases of liability
for suppliers of raw materials and component parts for
medical devices; and
(B) to provide expeditious procedures to dispose of
unwarranted suits against the suppliers in such manner
as to minimize litigation costs;
(16) the several States and their courts are the primary
architects and regulators of our tort system; Congress, however,
must, in certain circumstances involving the national interest,
address tort issues, and a threatened shortage of raw materials
and component parts for lifesaving medical devices is one such
circumstance; and
(17) the protections set forth in this Act are needed to
assure the continued supply of materials for lifesaving medical
devices, although such protections do not protect negligent
suppliers.
SEC. 3. <<NOTE: 21 USC 1602.>> DEFINITIONS.
As used in this Act:
(1) Biomaterials supplier.--
[[Page 112 STAT. 1521]]
(A) In general.--The term ``biomaterials supplier''
means an entity that directly or indirectly supplies a
component part or raw material for use in the
manufacture of an implant.
(B) Persons included.--Such term includes any
person who--
(i) has submitted master files to the
Secretary for purposes of premarket approval of a
medical device; or
(ii) licenses a biomaterials supplier to
produce component parts or raw materials.
(2) Claimant.--
(A) In general.--The term ``claimant'' means any
person who brings a civil action, or on whose behalf a
civil action is brought, arising from harm allegedly
caused directly or indirectly by an implant, including a
person other than the individual into whose body, or in
contact with whose blood or tissue, the implant is
placed, who claims to have suffered harm as a result of
the implant.
(B) Action brought on behalf of an estate.--With
respect to an action brought on behalf of or through the
estate of a deceased individual into whose body, or in
contact with whose blood or tissue the implant was
placed, such term includes the decedent that is the
subject of the action.
(C) Action brought on behalf of a minor or
incompetent.--With respect to an action brought on
behalf of or through a minor or incompetent, such term
includes the parent or guardian of the minor or
incompetent.
(D) Exclusions.--Such term does not include--
(i) a provider of professional health care
services in any case in which--
(I) the sale or use of an implant is
incidental to such services; and
(II) the essence of the professional
health care services provided is the
furnishing of judgment, skill, or
services;
(ii) a person acting in the capacity of a
manufacturer, seller, or biomaterials supplier; or
(iii) a person alleging harm caused by either
the silicone gel or the silicone envelope utilized
in a breast implant containing silicone gel,
except that--
(I) neither the exclusion provided
by this clause nor any other provision
of this Act may be construed as a
finding that silicone gel (or any other
form of silicone) may or may not cause
harm; and
(II) the existence of the exclusion
under this clause may not--
(aa) be disclosed to a jury
in any civil action or other
proceeding; and
(bb) except as necessary to
establish the applicability of
this Act, otherwise be presented
in any civil action or other
proceeding.
(3) Component part.--
(A) In general.--The term ``component part'' means a
manufactured piece of an implant.
[[Page 112 STAT. 1522]]
(B) Certain components.--Such term includes a
manufactured piece of an implant that--
(i) has significant non-implant applications;
and
(ii) alone, has no implant value or purpose,
but when combined with other component parts and
materials, constitutes an implant.
(4) Harm.--
(A) In general.--The term ``harm'' means--
(i) any injury to or damage suffered by an
individual;
(ii) any illness, disease, or death of that
individual resulting from that injury or damage;
and
(iii) any loss to that individual or any other
individual resulting from that injury or damage.
(B) Exclusion.--The term does not include any
commercial loss or loss of or damage to an implant.
(5) Implant.--The term ``implant'' means--
(A) a medical device that is intended by the
manufacturer of the device--
(i) to be placed into a surgically or
naturally formed or existing cavity of the body
for a period of at least 30 days; or
(ii) to remain in contact with bodily fluids
or internal human tissue through a surgically
produced opening for a period of less than 30
days; and
(B) suture materials used in implant procedures.
(6) Manufacturer.--The term ``manufacturer'' means any
person who, with respect to an implant--
(A) is engaged in the manufacture, preparation,
propagation, compounding, or processing (as defined in
section 510(a)(1) of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360(a)(1))) of the implant; and
(B) is required--
(i) to register with the Secretary pursuant to
section 510 of the Federal Food, Drug, and
Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360) and the regulations
issued under such section; and
(ii) to include the implant on a list of
devices filed with the Secretary pursuant to
section 510( j) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 360( j))
and the regulations issued under such section.
(7) Medical device.--The term ``medical device'' means a
device, as defined in section 201(h) of the Federal Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 321(h)), and includes any device
component of any combination product as that term is used in
section 503(g) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 353(g)).
(8) Raw material.--The term ``raw material'' means a
substance or product that--
(A) has a generic use; and
(B) may be used in an application other than an
implant.
(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(10) Seller.--
(A) In general.--The term ``seller'' means a person
who, in the course of a business conducted for that
purpose,
[[Page 112 STAT. 1523]]
sells, distributes, leases, packages, labels, or
otherwise places an implant in the stream of commerce.
(B) Exclusions.--The term does not include--
(i) a seller or lessor of real property;
(ii) a provider of professional health care
services in any case in which--
(I) the sale or use of the implant
is incidental to such services; and
(II) the essence of the professional
health care services provided is the
furnishing of judgment, skill, or
services; or
(iii) any person who acts in only a financial
capacity with respect to the sale of an implant.
SEC. 4. <<NOTE: 21 USC 1603.>> GENERAL REQUIREMENTS; APPLICABILITY;
PREEMPTION.
(a) General Requirements.--
(1) In general.--In any civil action covered by this Act, a
biomaterials supplier may--
(A) raise any exclusion from liability set forth in
section 5; and
(B) make a motion for dismissal or for summary
judgment as set forth in section 6.
(2) Procedures.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
a Federal or State court in which an action covered by this Act
is pending shall, in connection with a motion under section 6 or
7, use the procedures set forth in this Act.
(b) Applicability.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), this
Act applies to any civil action brought by a claimant, whether
in a Federal or State court, on the basis of any legal theory,
for harm allegedly caused, directly or indirectly, by an
implant.
(2) Exclusion.--A civil action brought by a purchaser of a
medical device, purchased for use in providing professional
health care services, for loss or damage to an implant or for
commercial loss to the purchaser--
(A) shall not be considered an action that is
subject to this Act; and
(B) shall be governed by applicable commercial or
contract law.
(c) Scope of Preemption.--
(1) In general.--This Act supersedes any State law regarding
recovery for harm caused by an implant and any rule of procedure
applicable to a civil action to recover damages for such harm
only to the extent that this Act establishes a rule of law
applicable to the recovery of such damages.
(2) Applicability of other laws.--Any issue that arises
under this Act and that is not governed by a rule of law
applicable to the recovery of damages described in paragraph (1)
shall be governed by applicable Federal or State law.
(d) Statutory Construction.--Nothing in this Act may be construed--
(1) to affect any defense available to a defendant under any
other provisions of Federal or State law in an action alleging
harm caused by an implant; or
(2) to create a cause of action or Federal court
jurisdiction pursuant to section 1331 or 1337 of title 28,
United States
[[Page 112 STAT. 1524]]
Code, that otherwise would not exist under applicable Federal or
State law.
SEC. 5. <<NOTE: 21 USC 1604.>> LIABILITY OF BIOMATERIALS SUPPLIERS.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in section 7, a biomaterials
supplier shall not be liable for harm to a claimant caused by an implant
unless such supplier is liable--
(1) as a manufacturer of the implant, as provided in
subsection (b);
(2) as a seller of the implant, as provided in subsection
(c); or
(3) for furnishing raw materials or component parts for the
implant that failed to meet applicable contractual requirements
or specifications, as provided in subsection (d).
(b) Liability as Manufacturer.--
(1) In general.--A biomaterials supplier may, to the extent
required and permitted by any other applicable law, be liable
for harm to a claimant caused by an implant if the biomaterials
supplier is the manufacturer of the implant.
(2) Grounds for liability.--The biomaterials supplier may be
considered the manufacturer of the implant that
allegedly caused harm to a claimant only if the biomaterials
supplier--
(A)(i) registered or was required to register with
the Secretary pursuant to section 510 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360) and the
regulations issued under such section; and
(ii) included or was required to include the implant
on a list of devices filed with the Secretary pursuant
to section 510( j) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 360( j)) and
the regulations issued under such section;
(B) is the subject of a declaration issued by the
Secretary pursuant to paragraph (3) that states that the
supplier, with respect to the implant that allegedly
caused harm to the claimant, was required to--
(i) register with the Secretary under section
510 of such Act (21 U.S.C. 360), and the
regulations issued under such section, but failed
to do so; or
(ii) include the implant on a list of devices
filed with the Secretary pursuant to section 510(
j) of such Act (21 U.S.C. 360( j)) and the
regulations issued under such section, but failed
to do so; or
(C) is related by common ownership or control to a
person meeting all the requirements described in
subparagraph (A) or (B), if the court deciding a motion
to dismiss in accordance with section 6(c)(3)(B)(i)
finds, on the basis of affidavits submitted in
accordance with section 6, that it is necessary to
impose liability on the biomaterials supplier as a
manufacturer because the related manufacturer meeting
the requirements of subparagraph (A) or (B) lacks
sufficient financial resources to satisfy any judgment
that the court feels it is likely to enter should the
claimant prevail.
(3) Administrative procedures.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary may issue a
declaration described in paragraph (2)(B) on the motion
of the Secretary or on petition by any person, after
providing--
[[Page 112 STAT. 1525]]
(i) notice to the affected persons; and
(ii) an opportunity for an informal hearing.
(B) Docketing and final decision.--Immediately upon
receipt of a petition filed pursuant to this paragraph,
the Secretary shall docket the
petition. <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Not later than 120 days
after the petition is filed, the Secretary shall issue a
final decision on the petition.
(C) Applicability of statute of limitations.--Any
applicable statute of limitations shall toll during the
period from the time a claimant files a petition with
the Secretary under this paragraph until such time as
either (i) the Secretary issues a final decision on the
petition, or (ii) the petition is withdrawn.
(D) Stay pending petition for declaration.--If a
claimant has filed a petition for a declaration with
respect to a defendant, and the Secretary has not issued
a final decision on the petition, the court shall stay
all proceedings with respect to that defendant until
such time as the Secretary has issued a final decision
on the petition.
(c) Liability as Seller.--A biomaterials supplier may, to the extent
required and permitted by any other applicable law, be liable as a
seller for harm to a claimant caused by an implant only if--
(1) the biomaterials supplier--
(A) held title to the implant and then acted as a
seller of the implant after its initial sale by the
manufacturer; or
(B) acted under contract as a seller to arrange for
the transfer of the implant directly to the claimant
after the initial sale by the manufacturer of the
implant; or
(2) the biomaterials supplier is related by common ownership
or control to a person meeting all the requirements described in
paragraph (1), if a court deciding a motion to dismiss in
accordance with section 6(c)(3)(B)(ii) finds, on the basis of
affidavits submitted in accordance with section 6, that it is
necessary to impose liability on the biomaterials supplier as a
seller because the related seller meeting the requirements of
paragraph (1) lacks sufficient financial resources to satisfy
any judgment that the court feels it is likely to enter should
the claimant prevail.
(d) Liability for Failure To Meet Applicable Contractual
Requirements or Specifications.--A biomaterials supplier may, to the
extent required and permitted by any other applicable law, be liable for
harm to a claimant caused by an implant if the claimant in an action
shows, by a preponderance of the evidence, that--
(1) the biomaterials supplier supplied raw materials or
component parts for use in the implant that either--
(A) did not constitute the product described in the
contract between the biomaterials supplier and the
person who contracted for the supplying of the product;
or
(B) failed to meet any specifications that were--
(i) accepted, pursuant to applicable law, by
the biomaterials supplier;
(ii) published by the biomaterials supplier;
(iii) provided by the biomaterials supplier to
the person who contracted for such product;
[[Page 112 STAT. 1526]]
(iv) contained in a master file that was
submitted by the biomaterials supplier to the
Secretary and that is currently maintained by the
biomaterials supplier for purposes of premarket
approval of medical devices; or
(v) included in the submissions for purposes
of premarket approval or review by the Secretary
under section 510, 513, 515, or 520 of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360, 360c,
360e, or 360j), and received clearance from the
Secretary if such specifications were accepted,
pursuant to applicable law, by the biomaterials
supplier; and
(2) such failure to meet applicable contractual requirements
or specifications was an actual and proximate cause of the harm
to the claimant.
SEC. 6. <<NOTE: Courts. 21 USC 1605.>> PROCEDURES FOR DISMISSAL OF CIVIL
ACTIONS AGAINST BIOMATERIALS SUPPLIERS.
(a) Motion To Dismiss.--A defendant may, at any time during which a
motion to dismiss may be filed under applicable law, move to dismiss an
action against it on the grounds that
the defendant is a biomaterials supplier and one or more of the
following:
(1) The defendant is not liable as a manufacturer, as
provided in section 5(b).
(2) The defendant is not liable as a seller, as provided in
section 5(c).
(3) The defendant is not liable for furnishing raw materials
or component parts for the implant that failed to meet
applicable contractual requirements or specifications, as
provided in section 5(d).
(4) The claimant did not name the manufacturer as a party to
the action, as provided in subsection (b).
(b) Manufacturer of Implant Shall Be Named a Party.--In any civil
action covered by this Act, the claimant shall be required to name the
manufacturer of the implant as a party to the action, unless--
(1) the manufacturer is subject to service of process solely
in a jurisdiction in which the biomaterials supplier is not
domiciled or subject to a service of process; or
(2) a claim against the manufacturer is barred by applicable
law or rule of practice.
(c) Proceeding <<NOTE: Applicability.>> on Motion To Dismiss.--The
following rules shall apply to any proceeding on a motion to dismiss
filed by a defendant under this section:
(1) Effect of motion to dismiss on discovery.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), if a defendant files a motion to dismiss under
subsection (a), no discovery shall be permitted in
connection with the action that is the subject of the
motion, other than discovery necessary to determine a
motion to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction, until such
time as the court rules on the motion to dismiss.
(B) Discovery.--If a defendant files a motion to
dismiss under subsection (a)(3) on the grounds that it
did not furnish raw materials or component parts for the
implant that failed to meet applicable contractual
require
[[Page 112 STAT. 1527]]
ments or specifications, the court may permit discovery
limited to issues that are directly relevant to--
(i) the pending motion to dismiss; or
(ii) the jurisdiction of the court.
(2) Affidavits.--
(A) Defendant.--A defendant may submit affidavits
supporting the grounds for dismissal contained in its
motion to dismiss under subsection (a). If the motion is
made under subsection (a)(1), the defendant may submit
an affidavit demonstrating that the defendant has not
included the implant on a list, if any, filed with the
Secretary pursuant to section 510( j) of the Federal
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. 360( j)).
(B) Claimant.--In response to a motion to dismiss,
the claimant may submit affidavits demonstrating that--
(i) the Secretary has, with respect to the
defendant and the implant that allegedly caused
harm to the claimant, issued a declaration
pursuant to section 5(b)(2)(B); or
(ii) the defendant is a seller of the implant
who is liable under section 5(c).
(3) Basis of ruling on motion to dismiss.--The court shall
rule on a motion to dismiss filed under subsection (a) solely on
the basis of the pleadings and affidavits of the parties made
pursuant to this subsection. The court shall grant a motion to
dismiss filed under subsection (a)--
(A) unless the claimant submits a valid affidavit
that demonstrates that the defendant is not a
biomaterials supplier;
(B) unless the court determines, to the extent
raised in the pleadings and affidavits, that one or more
of the following apply:
(i) the defendant may be liable as a
manufacturer, as provided in section 5(b);
(ii) the defendant may be liable as a seller,
as provided in section 5(c); or
(iii) the defendant may be liable for
furnishing raw materials or component parts for
the implant that failed to meet applicable
contractual requirements or specifications, as
provided in section 5(d); or
(C) if the claimant did not name the manufacturer as
a party to the action, as provided in subsection (b).
(4) Treatment of motion as motion for summary judgment.--The
court may treat a motion to dismiss as a motion for summary
judgment subject to subsection (d) in order to determine whether
the pleadings and affidavits, in connection with such action,
raise genuine issues of material fact
concerning whether the defendant furnished raw materials or
component parts of the implant that failed to meet applicable
contractual requirements or specifications as provided in
section 5(d).
(d) Summary Judgment.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Basis for entry of judgment.--If a motion to
dismiss of a biomaterials supplier is to be treated as a
motion for summary judgment under subsection (c)(4) or
if a biomaterials supplier moves for summary judgment,
[[Page 112 STAT. 1528]]
the biomaterials supplier shall be entitled to entry of
judgment without trial if the court finds there is no
genuine issue of material fact for each applicable
element set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section
5(d).
(B) Issues of material fact.--With respect to a
finding made under subparagraph (A), the court shall
consider a genuine issue of material fact to exist only
if the evidence submitted by the claimant would be
sufficient to allow a reasonable jury to reach a verdict
for the claimant if the jury found the evidence to be
credible.
(2) Discovery made prior to a ruling on a motion for summary
judgment.--If, under applicable rules, the court permits
discovery prior to a ruling on a motion for summary judgment
governed by section 5(d), such discovery shall be limited solely
to establishing whether a genuine issue of material fact exists
as to the applicable elements set forth in paragraphs (1) and
(2) of section 5(d).
(3) Discovery with respect to a biomaterials supplier.--A
biomaterials supplier shall be subject to discovery in
connection with a motion seeking dismissal or summary judgment
on the basis of the inapplicability of section 5(d) or the
failure to establish the applicable elements of section 5(d)
solely to the extent permitted by the applicable Federal or
State rules for discovery against nonparties.
(e) Dismissal With Prejudice.--An order granting a motion to dismiss
or for summary judgment pursuant to this section shall be entered with
prejudice, except insofar as the moving defendant may be rejoined to the
action as provided in section 7.
(f ) Manufacturer Conduct of Litigation.--The manufacturer of an
implant that is the subject of an action covered under this Act shall be
permitted to conduct litigation on any motion for summary judgment or
dismissal filed by a biomaterials supplier who is a defendant under this
section on behalf of such supplier if the manufacturer and any other
defendant in such action enter into a valid and applicable contractual
agreement under which the manufacturer agrees to bear the cost of such
litigation or to conduct such litigation.
SEC. 7. <<NOTE: 21 USC 1606.>> SUBSEQUENT IMPLEADER OF DISMISSED
BIOMATERIALS
SUPPLIER.
(a) Impleading of Dismissed Defendant.--A court, upon motion by a
manufacturer or a claimant within 90 days after entry of a final
judgment in an action by the claimant against a manufacturer, and
notwithstanding any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, may
implead a biomaterials supplier who has been dismissed from the action
pursuant to this Act if--
(1) the manufacturer has made an assertion, either in a
motion or other pleading filed with the court or in an opening
or closing statement at trial, or as part of a claim for
contribution or indemnification, and the court finds based on
the court's independent review of the evidence contained in the
record of the action, that under applicable law--
(A) the negligence or intentionally tortious conduct
of the dismissed supplier was an actual and proximate
cause of the harm to the claimant; and
[[Page 112 STAT. 1529]]
(B) the manufacturer's liability for damages should
be reduced in whole or in part because of such
negligence or intentionally tortious conduct; or
(2) the claimant has moved to implead the supplier and the
court finds, based on the court's independent review of the
evidence contained in the record of the action, that under
applicable law--
(A) the negligence or intentionally tortious conduct
of the dismissed supplier was an actual and proximate
cause of the harm to the claimant; and
(B) the claimant is unlikely to be able to recover
the full amount of its damages from the remaining
defendants.
(b) Standard of Liability.--Notwithstanding any preliminary finding
under subsection (a), a biomaterials supplier who has been impleaded
into an action covered by this Act, as provided for in this section--
(1) may, prior to entry of judgment on the claim against it,
supplement the record of the proceeding that was developed prior
to the grant of the motion for impleader under subsection (a);
and
(2) may be found liable to a manufacturer or a claimant only
to the extent required and permitted by any applicable State or
Federal law other than this Act.
(c) Discovery.--Nothing in this section shall give a claimant or any
other party the right to obtain discovery from a biomaterials supplier
at any time prior to grant of a motion for impleader beyond that allowed
under section 6.
SEC. 8. <<NOTE: Applicability. 21 USC 1601 note.>> EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall apply to all civil actions covered under this Act
that are commenced on or after the date of enactment of this Act,
including any such action with respect to which the harm asserted in the
action or the conduct that caused the harm occurred before the date of
enactment of this Act.
Approved August 13, 1998.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--H.R. 872:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 105-549, Pt. 1 (Comm. on the Judiciary) and Pt. 2
(Comm. on Commerce).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 144 (1998):
July 29, considered and passed House.
July 30, considered and passed Senate.
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 34 (1998):
Aug. 13, Presidential statement.
<all>