December 20, 1967, 81 Stat. 664

Congress created the Federal Judicial Center to further the development and adoption of improved judicial administration in the courts of the United States. The statutory duties of the Center and its governing Board fell into the broad categories of:

• conducting and promoting orientation and continuing education and training pro­grams for federal judges, court employees, and others
• conducting and promoting research on federal court organization and operations
• studying and developing recommendations about the operation of the federal courts
• providing planning and research assistance to the Judicial Conference of the United States and its committees

The statute requires the Center's Board to make an annual report to the Judicial Conference, and copies of all reports and recommendations submitted to the Conference must also be sent to Congress and to the U.S. Attorney General. Public Law 90-219 | House Hearing | House Hearing | Senate Hearing | Senate Hearing

November 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2665

Congress amended the Center's statute by adding one bankruptcy judge to the Board's composition. House Report | House Report

November 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4648

Congress provided that the Center would conduct, coordinate, and encourage programs relating to the history of the judicial branch of the United States government. House Report

November 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 4646

Congress established the Federal Judicial Center Foundation, a private nonprofit corporation with the sole authority of accepting and receiving gifts made for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Federal Judicial Center. House Report

October 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4514

Congress provided that the Center would cooperate with and assist agencies of the federal government and other appropriate organizations in providing information and advice to further improvement in the administration of justice in the courts of foreign countries and to acquire information about judicial administration in foreign countries that may contribute to performing the other functions set forth in this section. Senate Report | House Report | House Hearing

October 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3857

Congress amended the Center's statute to add one magistrate judge to the Board's composition, and make senior judges eligible for Board membership. Senate Report