PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, Government.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jul 31, 1997
Trade and Professional Association Free Flow of Information Act of 1997 - Exempts a trade or professional association from civil liability relating to harm caused by the provision of specified information by the trade or professional association to a member of the trade or professional association. Authorizes a trade or professional association to file a special motion to strike any claim in a judicial proceeding against the trade or professional association on the ground that the claim is based on an act with respect to which the association is exempt from liability under this Act. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) procedures with respect to a special motion to strike; (2) qualified exemption of such associations from third-party discovery; (3) a special motion to quash a subpoena on the grounds that the trade or professional association is exempt from any third-party discovery request; (4) procedures with respect to a special motion to quash; (5) the right of such associations to object under rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Procedure or any similar rule or procedure under applicable State law; (6) a qualified association member privilege not to disclose confidential information received from the association relating to litigation involving the quality, performance, or defect of a product; (7) election of a State to be exempt from the requirements of this Act with respect to any civil action in a State court in which all of the parties are citizens of that State; and (8) preemption of State laws.
People & committees
Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY] · R–KY
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Referred to Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism, Government.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S8598-8599)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Analyze S.1135 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.1135 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.1135 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.1135 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.