To provide for the modernization of electronic case management systems, and for other purposes.
Open Courts Act of 2020
This bill requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to establish a single electronic system for all public court records that is publicly accessible for free. Under the existing Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system, users are charged fees for accessing court documents.
To fund the development of the new consolidated system, the Judicial Conference must temporarily establish a progressive schedule of additional fees for persons, other than government agencies, that are higher-volume users of PACER.
To fund the operations of the new system, the Judicial Conference shall collect an annual fee from federal agencies based on the amount of PACER fees paid by the agencies in 2018.
The Judicial Conference may also establish reasonable filing fees based on specified factors, including the extent of a person's use and the interests of justice.
The bill specifies various reporting requirements related to the new system, including for the Government Accountability Office.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Mr. Johnson (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H7015-7021)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8235.
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H7015-7018)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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