S. 1884 · Signed into law · Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025

Sponsor: John Cornyn (R-TX)

What it does

• Remove the December 31, 2026 filing deadline for civil claims to recover Holocaust-expropriated art and property, though claims must still be filed within six years of discovery.
• Permit courts to exercise jurisdiction over foreign states in claims to recover Holocaust-expropriated art without regard to the victim's nationality or citizenship, so long as the art or property has a connection to the
• Authorize nationwide service of process, allowing courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over defendants in any judicial district where they may be found, reside, have an agent, or transact business.
• Prohibit defenses based on the passage of time or equitable doctrines such as laches, and bar discretionary bases for dismissal unrelated to the merits of the claim, including deference to international comity.

Official summary

Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2025 This bill permanently extends and expands judicial authority under the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016. The law allows and establishes procedures for civil claims and causes of action to recover artwork and other property lost between 1933 and 1945 because of Nazi persecution. Among the changes, the bill removes the deadline for filing civil claims or causes of action. Currently, the filing deadline is December 31, 2026. (Claims must still be filed within six years of the claimant's discovery of the property in question.) The bill permits courts to exercise jurisdiction over civil claims or causes of action against a foreign state without regard to the nationality or citizenship of the alleged victim. The art or property at issue must still have a connection to the foreign state's commercial activities in the United States. Additionally, the bill authorizes nationwide service of process, which allows courts to exercise personal jurisdiction over defendants in any judicial district where they may be found, reside, have an agent, or transact business. Finally, the bill limits the defenses that may be asserted against…

Latest action

Apr 13, 2026: Became Public Law No: 119-82.

Committee: Senate Judiciary