PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 44 - 43. Record Vote Number: 154. (consideration: CR S7818-7819)
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Feb 10, 2004
Class Action Fairness Act of 2004 - Amends the Federal judicial code to specify the calculation of contingent and other attorney's fees in proposed class action settlements that provide for the award of coupons to class members.
Prohibits a Federal district court from approving: (1) a proposed coupon settlement absent a finding that the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate; (2) a proposed settlement involving payments to class counsel that would result in a net monetary loss to class members, absent a finding that the loss is substantially outweighed by nonmonetary benefits; or (3) a proposed settlement that provides greater sums to some class members solely because they are closer geographically to the court.
Specifies requirements for notices of proposed settlements.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Grants district courts original jurisdiction of any civil action in which the matter in controversy exceeds $5 million, exclusive of interest and costs, and is between citizens of different States, or citizens of a State and a foreign State or its citizens or subjects.
Lists those factors pursuant to which a district court may decline to exercise jurisdiction over a class action, and specifies those circumstances in which a district court must decline jurisdiction.
Sets forth provisions governing the removal of interstate class actions to Federal district court and the review on appeal of remand orders.
Directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to report on class action settlements, incorporating recommendations for best court practices to ensure fairness for class members and appropriate fees for counsel.
People & committees
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R–IA
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 44 - 43. Record Vote Number: 154. (consideration: CR S7818-7819)
Senate roll call 154 · Individual votesConsidered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7782-7819)
Cloture motion on the bill presented in Senate.
Motion by Senator Frist to commit to Senate Committee on the Judiciary with instructions that the Committee report back forthwith with the following amendment (SA 3550) made in Senate.
Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S7697-7743)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7563-7570)
Cloture motion withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate.
Cloture motion on the motion to proceed presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S6250)
Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S6249-6250)
Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 430.
Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Aug 18, 2025. 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.2062 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.2062 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.2062 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.2062 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.