Foundation of the Federal Bar Association Charter Amendments Act of 2025

This law revises the federal charter for the Foundation of the Federal Bar Association, a federally chartered organization that supports lawyers and legal services. The primary change shifts decision-making authority from the charter document itself to the organization's bylaws, giving the board of directors more flexibility in how it operates.

Specifically, the law removes the requirement that the Foundation must be incorporated and located in Washington, D.C. Instead, the board of directors now decides where the principal office will be located and specifies this in the bylaws. Similarly, the bylaws—rather than the charter—now govern membership terms, the responsibilities of board members, and how officers are elected.

The law also establishes rules about how the Foundation's money and assets can be used. The organization can now reasonably compensate or reimburse expenses for officers, directors, and members, and can award grants to Federal Bar Association chapters. The law expands existing restrictions on loans by prohibiting them not just for directors and officers, but also for members and employees. Additionally, the law prohibits directors and officers from using their corporate positions to contribute to, support, or participate in political activities.

Finally, the law changes what happens to any remaining assets if the Foundation dissolves or is liquidated. Instead of depositing leftover assets into the U.S. Treasury, the board of directors now decides how to distribute them. These changes take effect immediately upon the law's enactment on December 12, 2025.