To establish a pilot program in certain United States district courts to encourage enhancement of expertise in patent cases among district judges.

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Every House member of the 111th Congress on the ideology compass. Highlighted: the 371 who voted yea on final passage. Faded: everyone else, including those who voted nay, did not vote, or had not yet taken office.

371 yea1 nay61 present or did not vote

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 25 actions.

1. Jan 4, 2011Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 111-349.
2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
3. Dec 28, 2010FloorFloor · Presented to President.
4. Dec 17, 2010Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 371 - 1 (Roll no. 651).House roll call 651
6. FloorFloor · Considered as unfinished business.
7. OtherOther · Cleared for White House.
8. OtherOther · Resolving differences -- House actions: On motion that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 371 - 1 (Roll no. 651).House roll call 651
9. Dec 16, 2010Resolving differencesResolving differences · At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Ms. Chu objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
10. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Ms. Chu moved that the House suspend the rules and agree to the Senate amendment.
11. FloorFloor · DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on the Senate amendment to H.R. 628.
12. Dec 14, 2010FloorFloor · Message on Senate action sent to the House.
13. Dec 13, 2010FloorFloor · Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
14. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
15. CommitteeCommittee · Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
16. Mar 18, 2009CommitteeCommittee · Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
17. Mar 17, 2009FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
18. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by recorded vote (2/3 required): 409 - 7 (Roll no. 130).House roll call 130
19. FloorFloor · Considered as unfinished business.
20. FloorFloor · At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Issa objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
21. FloorFloor · DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 628.
22. FloorFloor · Considered under suspension of the rules.
23. FloorFloor · Mr. Johnson (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
24. Jan 22, 2009CommitteeCommittee · Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
25. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in House

1 amendment offered to the bill, with the last recorded step of each.