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Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025

S. 616 · 119th Congress (2025-2026)

S. 616119TH CONGRESSINTRODUCED 02/18/2025SEN. KENNEDYR-LA · SPONSORLeft: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean left: no (Sponsor Ranking)Center: no (Sponsor Ranking)Lean right: no (Sponsor Ranking)Right: DW-NOMINATE +0.56 (Sponsor Ranking)RIGHT(SPONSOR RANKING)LAW

2 members · Left 1 · Center 0 · Right 1 (Bill Ranking)

SponsorSen. Kennedy, John (R-LA) (Introduced 02/18/2025)
Sponsor Voting RecordRight · DW-NOMINATE +0.56 · measured from every roll-call vote this member has cast (voteview.com) (Sponsor Ranking)
Support
LLLCLRR

support across the spectrum: 2 members signed on (Bill Ranking) this bill: sponsor + current cosponsors, each once

CommitteesSenate - Judiciary Committee; Senate - Judiciary Committee
Latest Action12/12/2025 Became Public Law No: 119-57.
Roll Call VotesThere have been no roll call votes
Sourceview on congress.gov →

Public Law: Public Law 119-57

IntroducedPassed HousePassed SenateResolving DifferencesTo PresidentBecame Law

Summary (2)

Public Law (12/12/2025)

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.

Text (3)

Enrolled Bill (ENR)

S616 ENR: Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025 U.S. Senate text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. One Hundred Nineteenth Congress of the United States of America 1st Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Friday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty five S. 616

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES AN ACT To amend title 36, United States Code, to revise the Federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025. 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). 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). 4. Governing body Section 70504 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 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. . 5. Restrictions Section 70507 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 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. . 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,. 7. Service of process Section 70510 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 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. . 8. Deposit of assets on dissolution or final liquidation Section 70512 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: 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. . 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. Speaker of the House of Representatives Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate

Engrossed in Senate (ES)

119 S616 ES: Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025 U.S. Senate text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. 119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 616IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESAN ACTTo amend title 36, United States Code, to revise the Federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025.2.OrganizationSection 70501 of title 36, United States Code, is amended—(1)by striking subsection (b); and(2)by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).3.MembershipSection 70503 of title 36, United States Code, is amended—(1)by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following:(a)EligibilityExcept 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).4.Governing bodySection 70504 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:70504.Governing body(a)Board of directorsThe 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)OfficersThe officers and the election of the officers are as provided for in the bylaws..5.RestrictionsSection 70507 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:70507.Restrictions(a)Stock and dividendsThe corporation may not issue stock or declare or pay a dividend.(b)Political activities(1)In generalThe 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 participationThe 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 generalThe 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 constructionThis 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)LoansThe corporation may not make a loan to a director, officer, member, or employee.(e)Immunity from liabilityMembers and private individuals are not liable for the obligations of the corporation.(f)Claim of governmental approval or authorityThe 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..6.Principal officeSection 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,.7.Service of processSection 70510 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:70510.Service of processThe corporation shall comply with the law on service of process of the State or District in which it is incorporated..8.Deposit of assets on dissolution or final liquidationSection 70512 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:70512.Deposit of assets on dissolution or final liquidationOn 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..9.Determination of budgetary effectsThe 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.Passed the Senate April 30, 2025.Secretary

Introduced in Senate (IS)

119 S616 IS: Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025 U.S. Senate 2025-02-18 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. II119th CONGRESS1st SessionS. 616IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESFebruary 18, 2025Mr. Kennedy (for himself and Mr. Whitehouse) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo amend title 36, United States Code, to revise the Federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association.1.Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025.2.OrganizationSection 70501 of title 36, United States Code, is amended—(1)by striking subsection (b); and(2)by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).3.MembershipSection 70503 of title 36, United States Code, is amended—(1)by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following:(a)EligibilityExcept 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).4.Governing bodySection 70504 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:70504.Governing body(a)Board of directorsThe 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)OfficersThe officers and the election of the officers are as provided for in the bylaws..5.RestrictionsSection 70507 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:70507.Restrictions(a)Stock and dividendsThe corporation may not issue stock or declare or pay a dividend.(b)Political activities(1)In generalThe 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 participationThe 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 generalThe 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 constructionThis 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)LoansThe corporation may not make a loan to a director, officer, member, or employee.(e)Immunity from liabilityMembers and private individuals are not liable for the obligations of the corporation.(f)Claim of governmental approval or authorityThe 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..6.Principal officeSection 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,.7.Service of processSection 70510 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:70510.Service of processThe corporation shall comply with the law on service of process of the State or District in which it is incorporated..8.Deposit of assets on dissolution or final liquidationSection 70512 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:70512.Deposit of assets on dissolution or final liquidationOn 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..9.Determination of budgetary effectsThe 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.

The bill's own words, from our database (synced from the GPO BILLS XML); paragraph breaks added at the bill's section boundaries, nothing else changed.

All Actions (21)

DateChamberAll Actions
02/18/2025Library of CongressIntroduced in Senate
02/18/2025SenateRead twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
04/30/2025Library of CongressSenate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
04/30/2025SenateSenate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
04/30/2025Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
04/30/2025SenatePassed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2709-2710; text: CR S2709-2710)
05/01/2025SenateMessage on Senate action sent to the House.
05/05/2025House floor actionsReceived in the House.
05/05/2025House floor actionsHeld at the desk.
12/01/2025House floor actionsMr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
12/01/2025House floor actionsConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4928-4929)
12/01/2025House floor actionsDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 616.
12/01/2025Library of CongressPassed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4928)
12/01/2025House floor actionsOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4928)
12/01/2025House floor actionsMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
12/10/2025Library of CongressPresented to President.
12/10/2025House floor actionsPresented to President.
12/12/2025Library of CongressSigned by President.
12/12/2025Library of CongressSigned by President.
12/12/2025Library of CongressBecame Public Law No: 119-57.
12/12/2025Library of CongressBecame Public Law No: 119-57.

Titles (5)

Title TypeTitle
Short Titles from ENR (Enrolled) bill textFoundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025
Display TitleFoundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025
Short Title(s) as Passed SenateFoundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025
Short Title(s) as IntroducedFoundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to amend title 36, United States Code, to revise the Federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association.

Amendments (0)

There are no amendments to this bill.

Cosponsors (1)

* = Original cosponsor

Committees (2)

CommitteeActivity
Senate - Judiciary Committee05/01/2025 Discharged From
Senate - Judiciary Committee02/18/2025 Referred To

Related Bills (0)

No related bill information was received for S. 616.

Subjects (3)

Policy Area: Law

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