Amendments to the National Labor Relations Act

(a) Duties of the General Counsel and Administrative Law Judges The National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended— (1) in section 3(d) (29 U.S.C. 153(d)), by striking investigation of charges and issuance of complaints under section 10, and in respect of the prosecution of such complaints before the Board and inserting investigation of allegations under section 10; and (2) in section 4(a) (29 U.S.C. 154(a)), by striking the fourth sentence. (b) Clarification of the Board’s rulemaking authority Section 6 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 156) is amended by adding at the end the following: Such rulemaking authority shall be limited to rules concerning the internal functions of the Board. The Board shall not promulgate rules or regulations that affect the substantive or procedural rights of any person, employer, employee, or labor organization, including rules and regulations concerning unfair labor practices and representation elections.. (c) Unfair labor practices Section 8(a)(4) of such Act (29 U.S.C. 158(a)(4)) is amended by striking charges and inserting a civil action. (d) Investigatory power and adjudicatory authority over unfair labor practice allegations Section 10 of such Act (29 U.S.C. 160) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking prevent any person from engaging in and inserting investigate; and (B) by striking This power shall and all that follows through the end of the subsection; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) by striking Whenever it is charged and inserting Whenever it is alleged; (B) by striking or is engaging in and inserting, is engaging in, or is about to engage in; (C) by striking the Board, or any agent and all that follows through Provided, That no complaint shall issue and inserting the aggrieved person may bring a civil action for such relief (including an injunction) as may be appropriate. Any such civil action may be brought in the district court of the United States where the violation occurred, or, at the option of the parties, in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. No civil action may be brought; (D) by striking charge with the Board and all that follows through prevented from filing such charge and inserting civil action, unless the person aggrieved thereby was prevented from filing such civil action; and (E) by striking Any such complaint may be amended and all that follows through Any such proceeding shall, so far as practicable, and inserting Any proceeding under this subsection shall; (3) by striking subsections (c) through (k); (4) by redesignating subsections (l) and (m) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively; (5) in subsection (c) (as so redesignated)— (A) by striking Whenever it is charged and inserting Whenever it is alleged; (B) in the first sentence, by striking charge and inserting allegation; and (C) by striking such charge is true and that a complaint should issue, he shall and all that follows through the end of the subsection and inserting such allegation is true, the officer or regional attorney shall, on behalf of the Board, submit a written summary of the findings to all parties involved in the alleged unfair labor practice.; and (6) in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)— (A) by striking Whenever it is charged and inserting Whenever it is alleged; (B) by striking such charge and inserting such allegation; and (C) by striking and cases given priority under subsection (i). (e) Conforming amendments The National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended— (1) in section 9 (29 U.S.C. 159)— (A) in subsection (c)(2), by striking and in no case shall the Board and all that follows through the end of such subsection and inserting a period; (B) by striking subsection (d); and (C) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (d); (2) in section 3(b) (29 U.S.C. 153(b)), by striking or (e) of section 9 and inserting or (d) of section 9; (3) in section 8 (29 U.S.C. 158), by striking 9(e) each place it appears and inserting 9(d); and (4) in section 18 (29 U.S.C. 168), by striking section 10 (e) or (f) and inserting subsection (e) or (f) of section 10, as such subsections were in effect on the day before the date of enactment of the Protecting American Jobs Act,.