PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Referred to the Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.
Congressional Research Service
Version 01 · Reported to Senate with amendment(s) · Oct 4, 1993
Reorganization of the Federal Administrative Judiciary Act - Establishes an Administrative Law Judge Corps. Transfers to the Corps all current administrative law judges (ALJs). States that the chief ALJ shall be the chief administrative officer of the Corps as well as its presiding judge. Specifies the qualifications for chief judge. States that such judge shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Makes the chief judge responsible for developing programs and practices which foster economy and efficiency in the processing of cases heard by ALJs, including programs to train judges, employ information technology, consolidate hearing facilities and law libraries, and foster efficient use of staff, personnel, equipment, and facilities. Establishes eight divisions within the Corps, with each division headed by a division chief judge appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Identifies the divisions and their respective areas of jurisdiction. Specifies qualifications required for division chief judges. States that the Corps' policymaking body shall be the Council of the Corps comprised of the chief judge and the division chief judges. Authorizes the Council to: (1) assign judges to divisions and to transfer or reassign judges from one division to another; (2) appoint persons as ALJs and members of the Corps; (3) file charges against an ALJ; (4) prescribe certain rules of practice and procedure for proceedings before the Corps; (5) issue rules and regulations for the efficient conduct of the Corps; and (6) perform other administrative functions. Directs the Council to appoint new judges from a register maintained by the Office of Personnel Management. Confers jurisdiction upon members of the Corps to adjudicate cases under specified sections of the Administrative Procedure Act. Requires cases arising under such sections to be referred to the Corps. Sets forth guidelines for: (1) referrals by agencies and courts; and (2) the removal and discipline of ALJs. Establishes a Complaints Resolution Board within the Corps to recommend action upon complaints against the official conduct of judges. Expresses the sense of the Congress that the President should appoint as division chief judges individuals who have served as an ALJ for at least five years. Directs: (1) the Corps' chief ALJ to study the various types of agency review to which decisions of ALJs are subject; and (2) the Council to report the findings of such studies to the President and the Congress. Authorizes appropriations. Provides that agencies that charged user fees to pay ALJs shall pay an amount of those fees to reimburse the Corps for services rendered.
People & committees
Sen. Heflin, Howell [D-AL] · D–AL
Legislative record
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Referred to the Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Voice Vote.
The committee substitute as amended agreed to by Voice.
Measure laid before Senate. (consideration: CR S16555-16572)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 222.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 103-154. Additional and minority views filed.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Biden with an amendment in the nature of a substitute and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 103-154. Additional and minority views filed.
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2312)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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