119-HR5477

Bill is currently in: House
Path to Law
House Senate President

119th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 5477

1. Short title
2. Award of attorneys fees required in criminal cases that do not result in a conviction
3. Award of costs and fees required in civil cases

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the "Litigation Reimbursement Act".

2. Award of attorneys fees required in criminal cases that do not result in a conviction

Section 617 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (18 U.S.C. 3006A note) is amended—

(1) - by striking "fiscal year 1998" and inserting "fiscal year 2026";

(2) - by striking "pending on or after the date of the enactment of this Act" and inserting "pending on or after the date of the enactment of the Litigation Reimbursement Act"; and

(3) - by striking "may award to a prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney's fee and other litigation expenses, where the court finds that the position of the United States was vexatious, frivolous, or in bad faith," and inserting "shall award to a prevailing party, other than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s fee and other litigation expenses, in any case that proceeds to trial and with respect to which a verdict is rendered by the judge or jury that is not a conviction,".

3. Award of costs and fees required in civil cases

Section 2412 of title 28, United States Code, is amended—

(1) - in subsection (a), by striking "may be awarded" and inserting "shall be awarded"; and

(2) - in subsection (b), by striking "may be awarded" and inserting "shall be awarded".