H.R. 3073 would provide a mechanism for the determination on the merits of the claims of claimants who met the class criteria in a civil action relating to racial discrimination by the Department of Agriculture but who were denied that determination.
Detailed Summary
Pigford Claims Remedy Act of 2007 - Declares that any Pigford claimant (relating to a racial discrimination action against the Department of Agriculture) who has not previously obtained a determination on the merits of a Pigford claim may, in a civil action, obtain that determination.
Asserts that it is Congress' intent that this Act be liberally construed so as to effectuate its remedial purpose of giving a full determination on the merits for each denied Pigford claim.
Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to provide a claimant with a report on farm credit loans made within the claimant's county or adjacent county during a specified period which shall contain information on all accepted applicants (but without any personally identifiable information), including: (1) the applicant's race; (2) the application and loan decision dates; and (3) the location of the office making the loan decision.
Sets forth provisions respecting: (1) expedited claim resolution; and (2) foreclosure limitation.
Defines: (1) "Pigford claimant" as an individual who previously submitted a late-filing request under the consent decree in the case of <i>Pigford v. Glickman </i>(1999); and (2) "Pigford claim" as a discrimination complaint as defined and documented by such consent decree.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 4/25/2008: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Concerned Taxpayer
This appears to be another waste of my tax dollars. The Pigford case provided for a very generous settlement and set a deadline for farmers to file claims. Now some want to re-write the settlement. Imagine the tremendous value to attorneys! And, watch out for the precedence this sets when the cases for Hispanics and American Indians get settled with the greedy attorneys.