Federal Judiciary Committee Drops Amicus Rule Change Due to Privacy Concerns
A federal judiciary rules committee has decided to abandon a proposed requirement that would have mandated groups to disclose new members contributing over $100 towards amicus briefs in appeals courts. The Advisory Committee on Appellate Rules had been considering this rule change for years to enhance transparency around the funding of amicus briefs, also known as 'friend-of-the-court' briefs. However, the proposal was withdrawn just months before its scheduled implementation due to privacy concerns raised by the Judicial Conference, the courts' policy-making body. The committee voted to remove the language requiring disclosure, with five members in favor, one opposed, and one abstaining. The decision was influenced by fears that the requirement might deter individuals from contributing to amicus briefs if their membership had to be publicly announced. 
