28 U.S.C. § 1390: Scope

As used in this chapter, the term “venue” refers to the geographic specification of the proper court or courts for the litigation of a civil action that is within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the district courts in general, and does not refer to any grant or restriction of subject-matter jurisdiction providing for a civil action to be adjudicated only by the district court for a particular district or districts. Except as otherwise provided by law, this chapter shall not govern the venue of a civil action in which the district court exercises the jurisdiction conferred by section 1333, except that such civil actions may be transferred between district courts as provided in this chapter. This chapter shall not determine the district court to which a civil action pending in a State court may be removed, but shall govern the transfer of an action so removed as between districts and divisions of the United States district courts. shall take effect upon the expiration of the 30-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [ Dec. 7, 2011 ]; and any action that is commenced in a United States district court on or after such effective date; and any action that is removed from a State court to a United States district court and that had been commenced, within the meaning of State law, on or after such effective date.”