Bills · HR 194
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 194District of ColumbiaVirginia
Venue Named Under Exception Act
INTRO JAN 3· LAST ACTION JAN 3
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill matters to voters because it changes a fundamental aspect of the justice system: where a criminal trial takes place. Currently, if someone commits a federal crime on federal property in the greater D.C. metro area, their case might automatically be tried in a D.C. federal court. If this bill passes, that person would likely face charges in a federal court district closer to where they live, or at least have the option to move their trial there.
This shift has real-world implications. For the accused, it could mean reduced financial and logistical burdens of traveling to D.C. for court proceedings, as well as the chance to be judged by a jury from their own community. If it doesn't pass, the current system remains, and individuals accused of these crimes would continue to primarily face trials in Washington D.C. federal courts, regardless of where they reside within the surrounding region.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires indictments or information for certain offenses committed on federal property in the National Capital Region to be filed in the district of the offender's last known residence.
This changes the default location for initial charges for specific federal crimes from the capital to the defendant's home district, if known.
PROVISION 02
Grants defendants the right to transfer their case to the federal court district where they are domiciled (live).
This provision provides defendants with a crucial option to have their trial heard closer to home, potentially reducing burdens and allowing for a local jury.
PROVISION 03
Defines the National Capital Region to include Washington D.C., specific counties in Maryland (Montgomery and Prince George's), and specific counties and cities in Virginia (Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William, Alexandria, and Falls Church).
This clearly outlines the geographic scope within which these new venue rules would apply.
PROVISION 04
Specifies that the new venue rules apply only to offenses where a trial has not been scheduled as of the law's enactment date.
This clarifies that the bill's changes would not apply retroactively to cases already in the trial phase.
PROVISION 05
Excludes defendants not domiciled in the United States from exercising the right to transfer their case.
This limits the transfer option to U.S. residents and prevents foreign nationals from using this specific provision.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
3
BILLS LED
57
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
3 EVENTSJAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Introduced in House
JAN 3
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 194
Congress119th
StatusIn Committee
IntroducedJan 3, 2025
Last actionJan 3, 2025
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IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS · JUDICIARY COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025
House BillHR 194District of ColumbiaVirginia
Venue Named Under Exception Act
INTRODUCED JAN 3, 2025· LAST ACTION JAN 3, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
