WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

S. 616 · 119th Congress · Public Law 119-57

Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025

Became lawLaw
IntroducedFeb 18, 2025
Passed SenateApr 30, 2025
Passed HouseDec 1, 2025
To PresidentDec 10, 2025
Became lawDec 12, 2025

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

S. 616 changed 7 sections of existing law, and created 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text in its final form, as sent to the President.

36 U.S.C. 70501 Organization

  • The section as a whole removed · Sec. 2(1) · see the words
  • (c) Perpetual Existence.—Except as otherwise provided, the corporation has… moved to (b) · Sec. 2(2) · see the words

36 U.S.C. 70503 Membership

  • The section as a whole changed · Sec. 3(1) · see the words
  • (c) Grounds for Disqualification.—An individual may not be a member, director, or… moved to (b) · Sec. 3(2) · see the words

36 U.S.C. 70504 Governing body

36 U.S.C. 70507 Restrictions

36 U.S.C. 70508 Principal office

36 U.S.C. 70510 Service of process

36 U.S.C. 70512 Deposit of assets on dissolution or final liquidation

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 9 Determination of budgetary effects
What the words changed: every change, in place (9)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what was struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 36 U.S.C. 70501removedby S. 616 Sec. 2(1)

    The bill says: by striking subsection (b); and

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70501)

  2. 36 U.S.C. 70501renumberedby S. 616 Sec. 2(2)

    The bill says: by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70501)

  3. 36 U.S.C. 70503changedby S. 616 Sec. 3(1)

    The bill says: by striking subsections (a) and (b) and inserting the following:

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70503)

  4. 36 U.S.C. 70503renumberedby S. 616 Sec. 3(2)

    The bill says: by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b).

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70503)

  5. 36 U.S.C. 70504rewrittenby S. 616 Sec. 4

    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.

    The bill says: Section 70504 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70504)

  6. 36 U.S.C. 70507rewrittenby S. 616 Sec. 5

    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.

    The bill says: Section 70507 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70507)

  7. 36 U.S.C. 70508changedby S. 616 Sec. 6

    The corporation shall have its principal office in the District of Columbia,a United States location decided by the board of directors and specified in the bylaws, but may conduct its activities anywhere.

    The bill says: 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,".

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70508)

  8. 36 U.S.C. 70510rewrittenby S. 616 Sec. 7

    The bill says: Section 70510 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70510)

  9. 36 U.S.C. 70512rewrittenby S. 616 Sec. 8

    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.

    The bill says: Section 70512 of title 36, United States Code, is amended to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (36 U.S.C. 70512)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

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.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Public Law, Dec 12, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. 2025-12-12Became Public Law No: 119-57.Library of Congress
  2. 2025-12-12Became Public Law No: 119-57.Library of Congress
  3. 2025-12-12Signed by President.Library of Congress
  4. 2025-12-12Signed by President.Library of Congress
  5. 2025-12-10Presented to President.House floor actions
  6. 2025-12-10Presented to President.Library of Congress
  7. 2025-12-01Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  8. 2025-12-01On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4928)House floor actions
  9. 2025-12-01Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4928)Library of Congress
  10. 2025-12-01DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 616.House floor actions
  11. 2025-12-01Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4928-4929)House floor actions
  12. 2025-12-01Mr. McClintock moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
  13. 2025-05-05Held at the desk.House floor actions
  14. 2025-05-05Received in the House.House floor actions
  15. 2025-05-01Message on Senate action sent to the House.Senate
  16. 2025-04-30Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2709-2710; text: CR S2709-2710)Senate
  17. 2025-04-30Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  18. 2025-04-30Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.Senate
  19. 2025-04-30Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.Library of Congress
  20. 2025-02-18Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.Senate
  21. 2025-02-18Introduced in SenateLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

After it became law

Sourced

Nothing in the Federal Register names Public Law 119-57 yet (checked Oct 27, 2026). Many laws need no new rules: they set penalties, name a building, or fund something directly.

Cosponsors

  • Sheldon Whitehouse D-RI