Proposed Amendments Published for Public Comment
When an advisory committee recommends an amendment to the rules, it must obtain the approval of the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure to publish the proposed amendment for public comment. During the comment period, the public is encouraged to submit written comments and may also request to testify at public hearings on the proposed amendment.
July Publication
In 2016, the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure approved publication of proposed amendments to Bankruptcy Rule 3015 and proposed new Rule 3015.1 for a comment period from July 1, 2016 through October 3, 2016.
Read the text of the proposed amendments and supporting materials:
August Publication
Also in 2016, the Judicial Conference Committee on Rules of Practice and Procedure approved publication of proposed amendments to the following rules and forms for a comment period from August 12, 2016 through February 15, 2017.
- Appellate Rules 8, 11, 25, 28.1, 29, 31, 39, 41, and Form 4
- Bankruptcy Rules 3002.1, 5005, 8002, 8006, 8011, 8013, 8015, 8016, 8017, new Rule 8018.1, 8022, 8023, and new Part VIII Appendix; and Official Forms 309F, 417A, 417C, 425A, 425B, 425C, and 426
- Civil Rules 5, 23, 62, and 65.1
- Criminal Rules 12.4, 45, and 49
Read the text of the proposed amendments and supporting materials:
Public Hearings
Members of the public who wish to present testimony may appear at public hearings on the proposed amendments.
How to Submit and Review Comments on the Proposed Amendments to the Federal Rules
Your comments are welcome on all aspects of each proposal. The advisory committees will review all timely comments, which are made part of the official record and are available to the public.
How to Submit Comments:
Comments and supporting files must be submitted electronically using the Regulations.gov portal. After choosing the appropriate link below, click the "Submit a Comment" link. This will display the comment web form. You can then enter your submitter information and attach your comment as a file (up to 10MB), or type your comment directly on the web form. When you have finished attaching or typing your comment, click the "Preview Comment" link to review. Once you are satisfied with your comment, click the "Submit" button to send your comment to the advisory committees. Upon completion, you will receive a tracking number for your submission.
- Submit or Review Comments on the Proposed Amendments to Rules 3015 and 3015.1 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure (comment period closes October 3, 2016)
- Submit or Review Comments on the Proposed Amendments to Appellate Rules 8, 11, 25, 28.1, 29, 31, 39, and 41, and Form 4 (comment period closes February 15, 2017)
- Submit or Review Comments on the Proposed Amendments to Bankruptcy Rules 3002.1, 5005, 8002, 8006, 8011, 8013, 8015, 8016, 8017, new Rule 8018.1, 8022, 8023, and new Part VIII Appendix; and Official Forms 309F, 417A, 417C, 425A, 425B, 425C, and 426 (comment period closes February 15, 2017)
- Submit or Review Comments on the Proposed Amendments to Civil Rules 5, 23, 62, and 65.1 (comment period closes February 15, 2017)
- Submit or Review Comments on the Proposed Amendments to Criminal Rules 12.4, 45, and 49 (comment period closes February 15, 2017)
Detailed instructions on how to submit a comment are given in the Regulations.gov FAQs.