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119-hr-194119th Congress

Venue Named Under Exception Act

Sponsored By: Representative Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would make a defendant's last known residence the default venue for federal crimes committed on National Capital Region federal property. It would also set who can ask to move a case and where prosecutors can file when multiple offenders are involved.

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  • Defendants accused of crimes on federal property in the National Capital Region would be tried in the federal district of their last known residence. If no last residence is known prosecutors may file in the District of Columbia.
  • When there are two or more joint offenders prosecutors may file in the district of any one offender's last known residence.
  • Defendants could move to transfer the indictment to the district where they are domiciled. If multiple defendants move the court must grant the transfer for the defendant who filed first.
  • Defendants not domiciled in the United States may not file a motion to transfer.
  • The rule covers crimes on property owned or leased by the United States or its agencies but excludes the U.S. Postal Service and applies only within a defined National Capital Region that lists specific counties and cities.
  • The provision would apply only to offenses not already governed by certain existing venue sections and only to cases where a trial has not been scheduled as of enactment.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

New venue rules for National Capital Region crimes

This bill would set special filing rules for some federal crimes in the National Capital Region. It would apply only to crimes on property owned or leased by the U.S. or a federal agency, not Postal Service property. Prosecutors would usually file in the district of the offender’s last known home. If there are multiple offenders, any one of their home districts could be used. If no last known home is known, they could file in Washington, D.C. A defendant domiciled in the United States could ask to move the case to the district that covers their domicile. If several defendants ask, the first to file would get the transfer. A defendant not domiciled in the United States could not ask to transfer. This would not apply to cases covered by 18 U.S.C. 3235, 3236, 3237, 3238, 3239, 3241, 3242, 3243, or 3244. It would apply only if no trial was scheduled on the date of enactment. The National Capital Region includes D.C.; Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties (MD); Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties and the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church (VA); and their local governments.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

TX • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Nehls, Troy E. [R-TX-22]

    TX • R

    Sponsored 1/3/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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