((a))

((1)) ** .—** If requested by an appropriate State official, the Attorney General of the United States shall determine—

((A)) whether the State has established a mechanism for the appointment, compensation, and payment of reasonable litigation expenses of competent counsel in State postconviction proceedings brought by indigent prisoners who have been sentenced to death;

((B)) the date on which the mechanism described in subparagraph (A) was established; and

((C)) whether the State provides standards of competency for the appointment of counsel in proceedings described in subparagraph (A).

((2)) ** .—** The date the mechanism described in paragraph (1)(A) was established shall be the effective date of the certification under this subsection.

((3)) ** .—** There are no requirements for certification or for application of this chapter other than those expressly stated in this chapter.

((b)) ** .—** The Attorney General shall promulgate regulations to implement the certification procedure under subsection (a).

((c))

((1)) ** .—** The determination by the Attorney General regarding whether to certify a State under this section is subject to review exclusively as provided under chapter 158 of this title.

((2)) ** .—** The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit shall have exclusive jurisdiction over matters under paragraph (1), subject to review by the Supreme Court under .

((3)) ** .—** The determination by the Attorney General regarding whether to certify a State under this section shall be subject to de novo review.