108 STAT. 1878 PUBLIC LAW 103-322—SEPT. 13, 1994
- § 6716. Civil action by a person adversely affected
"(a) AUTHORITY FOR PRIVATE SUITS IN FEDERAL OR STATE COURT. —I f a unit of general local government, or an officer or employee of a unit of general local government acting in an official capacity, engages in a practice prohibited by this chapter, a person adversely affected by the practice may bring a civil action in an appropriate district court of the United States or a State court of general jurisdiction. Before bringing an action under this section, the person must exhaust administrative remedies under subsection (b). "(b) ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES REQUIRED To BE EXHAUSTED.— A person adversely affected shall file an administrative complaint with the Secretary or the head of another agency of the United States Government or the State agency with which the Secretary has an agreement under section 6711(d). Administrative remedies are deemed to be exhausted by the person after the 90th day after the complaint was filed if the Secretary, the head of the Government agency, or the State agency— "(1) issues a decision that the government has not failed to comply with this chapter; or "(2) does not issue a decision on the complaint. "(c) AUTHORITY OF COURT.— In an action under this section, the court— "(1) may grant— "(A) a temporary restraining order; "(B) an injunction; or "(C) another order, including suspension, termination, or repa5mtient of, pa3nnents under this chapter or placement of additional payments under this chapter in escrow pending the outcome of the action; and "(2) to enforce compliance with section 6711(a) or (b), may allow a prevailing party (except the United States Government) a reasonable attorneys fee. "(d) INTERVENTION BY ATTORNEY GENERAL. —In an action under this section to enforce compliance with section 6711(a) or (b), the Attorney General may intervene in the action if the Attorney General certifies that the action is of general public importance. The United States Government is entitled to the same relief as if the Government had brought the action and is liable for the same fees and costs as a private person.
- § 6717. Judicial review
"(a) APPEALS IN FEDERAL COURT OF APPEALS.— ^A unit of general local government which receives notice from the Secretary about withholding payments under section 6703(f), suspending payments under section 6713(a)(1)(B), or terminating payments under section 6712(d)(2)(A), may apply for review of the action of the Secretary by filing a petition for review with the court of appeals of the United States for the circuit in which the government is located. The petition shall be filed by the 60th day after the date the notice is received. The clerk of the court shall immediately send a copy of the petition to the Secretary. " (b) FILING OF RECORD OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDING. — The Secretary shall file with the court a record of the proceeding on which the Secretary based the action. The court may consider only objections to the action of the Secretary that were presented before the Secretary.
�
