This proposal would let people and businesses take their case out of an agency hearing and into a regular federal court. If an agency starts an action against you before an administrative law judge (or another agency employee acting like a judge), you could “remove” the case to a U.S. district court where you live or where your main office is. You would do this by filing a notice of removal, similar to how cases are moved from state court to federal court today. The bill also makes clear that “agency hearing officer” includes administrative law judges and other agency employees who hear cases.

Key points

• Who is affected: People and businesses facing actions in front of federal agency hearing officers (including administrative law judges).
• What changes: You can move your case to your local federal district court by filing a notice of removal, like other removals to federal court work now.
• Where: The case can go to any district court where you live or have your main place of business.