2000
[DOCID: f:h333pcs.txt]
Calendar No. 17
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 333
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 5, 2001
Received; read twice and placed on the calendar
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend title 11, United States Code, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Bankruptcy Abuse
Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2001''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; references; table of contents.
TITLE I--NEEDS-BASED BANKRUPTCY
Sec. 101. Conversion.
Sec. 102. Dismissal or conversion.
Sec. 103. Sense of Congress and study.
Sec. 104. Notice of alternatives.
Sec. 105. Debtor financial management training test program.
Sec. 106. Credit counseling.
Sec. 107. Schedules of reasonable and necessary expenses.
TITLE II--ENHANCED CONSUMER PROTECTION
Subtitle A--Penalties for Abusive Creditor Practices
Sec. 201. Promotion of alternative dispute resolution.
Sec. 202. Effect of discharge.
Sec. 203. Discouraging abuse of reaffirmation practices.
Subtitle B--Priority Child Support
Sec. 211. Definition of domestic support obligation.
Sec. 212. Priorities for claims for domestic support obligations.
Sec. 213. Requirements to obtain confirmation and discharge in cases
involving domestic support obligations.
Sec. 214. Exceptions to automatic stay in domestic support obligation
proceedings.
Sec. 215. Nondischargeability of certain debts for alimony,
maintenance, and support.
Sec. 216. Continued liability of property.
Sec. 217. Protection of domestic support claims against preferential
transfer motions.
Sec. 218. Disposable income defined.
Sec. 219. Collection of child support.
Sec. 220. Nondischargeability of certain educational benefits and
loans.
Subtitle C--Other Consumer Protections
Sec. 221. Amendments to discourage abusive bankruptcy filings.
Sec. 222. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 223. Additional amendments to title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 224. Protection of retirement savings in bankruptcy.
Sec. 225. Protection of education savings in bankruptcy.
Sec. 226. Definitions.
Sec. 227. Restrictions on debt relief agencies.
Sec. 228. Disclosures.
Sec. 229. Requirements for debt relief agencies.
Sec. 230. GAO study.
Sec. 231. Prohibition on disclosure of identity of minor children.
TITLE III--DISCOURAGING BANKRUPTCY ABUSE
Sec. 301. Reinforcement of the fresh start.
Sec. 302. Discouraging bad faith repeat filings.
Sec. 303. Curbing abusive filings.
Sec. 304. Debtor retention of personal property security.
Sec. 305. Relief from the automatic stay when the debtor does not
complete intended surrender of consumer
debt collateral.
Sec. 306. Giving secured creditors fair treatment in chapter 13.
Sec. 307. Domiciliary requirements for exemptions.
Sec. 308. Residency requirement for homestead exemption.
Sec. 309. Protecting secured creditors in chapter 13 cases.
Sec. 310. Limitation on luxury goods.
Sec. 311. Automatic stay.
Sec. 312. Extension of period between bankruptcy discharges.
Sec. 313. Definition of household goods and antiques.
Sec. 314. Debt incurred to pay nondischargeable debts.
Sec. 315. Giving creditors fair notice in chapters 7 and 13 cases.
Sec. 316. Dismissal for failure to timely file schedules or provide
required information.
Sec. 317. Adequate time to prepare for hearing on confirmation of the
plan.
Sec. 318. Chapter 13 plans to have a 5-year duration in certain cases.
Sec. 319. Sense of Congress regarding expansion of rule 9011 of the
Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
Sec. 320. Prompt relief from stay in individual cases.
Sec. 321. Chapter 11 cases filed by individuals.
Sec. 322. Limitation.
Sec. 323. Excluding employee benefit plan participant contributions and
other property from the estate.
Sec. 324. Exclusive jurisdiction in matters involving bankruptcy
professionals.
Sec. 325. United States trustee program filing fee increase.
Sec. 326. Sharing of compensation.
Sec. 327. Fair valuation of collateral.
Sec. 328. Defaults based on nonmonetary obligations.
TITLE IV--GENERAL AND SMALL BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--General Business Bankruptcy Provisions
Sec. 401. Adequate protection for investors.
Sec. 402. Meetings of creditors and equity security holders.
Sec. 403. Protection of refinance of security interest.
Sec. 404. Executory contracts and unexpired leases.
Sec. 405. Creditors and equity security holders committees.
Sec. 406. Amendment to section 546 of title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 407. Amendments to section 330(a) of title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 408. Postpetition disclosure and solicitation.
Sec. 409. Preferences.
Sec. 410. Venue of certain proceedings.
Sec. 411. Period for filing plan under chapter 11.
Sec. 412. Fees arising from certain ownership interests.
Sec. 413. Creditor representation at first meeting of creditors.
Sec. 414. Definition of disinterested person.
Sec. 415. Factors for compensation of professional persons.
Sec. 416. Appointment of elected trustee.
Sec. 417. Utility service.
Sec. 418. Bankruptcy fees.
Sec. 419. More complete information regarding assets of the estate.
Subtitle B--Small Business Bankruptcy Provisions
Sec. 431. Flexible rules for disclosure statement and plan.
Sec. 432. Definitions.
Sec. 433. Standard form disclosure statement and plan.
Sec. 434. Uniform national reporting requirements.
Sec. 435. Uniform reporting rules and forms for small business cases.
Sec. 436. Duties in small business cases.
Sec. 437. Plan filing and confirmation deadlines.
Sec. 438. Plan confirmation deadline.
Sec. 439. Duties of the United States trustee.
Sec. 440. Scheduling conferences.
Sec. 441. Serial filer provisions.
Sec. 442. Expanded grounds for dismissal or conversion and appointment
of trustee.
Sec. 443. Study of operation of title 11, United States Code, with
respect to small businesses.
Sec. 444. Payment of interest.
Sec. 445. Priority for administrative expenses.
TITLE V--MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS
Sec. 501. Petition and proceedings related to petition.
Sec. 502. Applicability of other sections to chapter 9.
TITLE VI--BANKRUPTCY DATA
Sec. 601. Improved bankruptcy statistics.
Sec. 602. Uniform rules for the collection of bankruptcy data.
Sec. 603. Audit procedures.
Sec. 604. Sense of Congress regarding availability of bankruptcy data.
TITLE VII--BANKRUPTCY TAX PROVISIONS
Sec. 701. Treatment of certain liens.
Sec. 702. Treatment of fuel tax claims.
Sec. 703. Notice of request for a determination of taxes.
Sec. 704. Rate of interest on tax claims.
Sec. 705. Priority of tax claims.
Sec. 706. Priority property taxes incurred.
Sec. 707. No discharge of fraudulent taxes in chapter 13.
Sec. 708. No discharge of fraudulent taxes in chapter 11.
Sec. 709. Stay of tax proceedings limited to prepetition taxes.
Sec. 710. Periodic payment of taxes in chapter 11 cases.
Sec. 711. Avoidance of statutory tax liens prohibited.
Sec. 712. Payment of taxes in the conduct of business.
Sec. 713. Tardily filed priority tax claims.
Sec. 714. Income tax returns prepared by tax authorities.
Sec. 715. Discharge of
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the estate's liability for unpaid taxes.
Sec. 716. Requirement to file tax returns to confirm chapter 13 plans.
Sec. 717. Standards for tax disclosure.
Sec. 718. Setoff of tax refunds.
Sec. 719. Special provisions related to the treatment of State and
local taxes.
Sec. 720. Dismissal for failure to timely file tax returns.
TITLE VIII--ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES
Sec. 801. Amendment to add chapter 15 to title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 802. Other amendments to titles 11 and 28, United States Code.
TITLE IX--FINANCIAL CONTRACT PROVISIONS
Sec. 901. Treatment of certain agreements by conservators or receivers
of insured depository institutions.
Sec. 902. Authority of the corporation with respect to failed and
failing institutions.
Sec. 903. Amendments relating to transfers of qualified financial
contracts.
Sec. 904. Amendments relating to disaffirmance or repudiation of
qualified financial contracts.
Sec. 905. Clarifying amendment relating to master agreements.
Sec. 906. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of
1991.
Sec. 907. Bankruptcy Code amendments.
Sec. 907A. Securities broker and commodity broker liquidation.
Sec. 908. Recordkeeping requirements.
Sec. 909. Exemptions from contemporaneous execution requirement.
Sec. 910. Damage measure.
Sec. 911. SIPC stay.
Sec. 912. Asset-backed securitizations.
TITLE X--PROTECTION OF FAMILY FARMERS
Sec. 1001. Permanent reenactment of chapter 12.
Sec. 1002. Debt limit increase.
Sec. 1003. Certain claims owed to governmental units.
TITLE XI--HEALTH CARE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Sec. 1101. Definitions.
Sec. 1102. Disposal of patient records.
Sec. 1103. Administrative expense claim for costs of closing a health
care business and other administrative
expenses.
Sec. 1104. Appointment of ombudsman to act as patient advocate.
Sec. 1105. Debtor in possession; duty of trustee to transfer patients.
Sec. 1106. Exclusion from program participation not subject to
automatic stay.
TITLE XII--TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS
Sec. 1201. Definitions.
Sec. 1202. Adjustment of dollar amounts.
Sec. 1203. Extension of time.
Sec. 1204. Technical amendments.
Sec. 1205. Penalty for persons who negligently or fraudulently prepare
bankruptcy petitions.
Sec. 1206. Limitation on compensation of professional persons.
Sec. 1207. Effect of conversion.
Sec. 1208. Allowance of administrative expenses.
Sec. 1209. Exceptions to discharge.
Sec. 1210. Effect of discharge.
Sec. 1211. Protection against discriminatory treatment.
Sec. 1212. Property of the estate.
Sec. 1213. Preferences.
Sec. 1214. Postpetition transactions.
Sec. 1215. Disposition of property of the estate.
Sec. 1216. General provisions.
Sec. 1217. Abandonment of railroad line.
Sec. 1218. Contents of plan.
Sec. 1219. Discharge under chapter 12.
Sec. 1220. Bankruptcy cases and proceedings.
Sec. 1221. Knowing disregard of bankruptcy law or rule.
Sec. 1222. Transfers made by nonprofit charitable corporations.
Sec. 1223. Protection of valid purchase money security interests.
Sec. 1224. Bankruptcy judgeships.
Sec. 1225. Compensating trustees.
Sec. 1226. Amendment to section 362 of title 11, United States Code.
Sec. 1227. Judicial education.
Sec. 1228. Reclamation.
Sec. 1229. Providing requested tax documents to the court.
Sec. 1230. Encouraging creditworthiness.
Sec. 1231. Property no longer subject to redemption.
Sec. 1232. Trustees.
Sec. 1233. Bankruptcy forms.
Sec. 1234. Expedited appeals of bankruptcy cases to courts of appeals.
TITLE XIII--CONSUMER CREDIT DISCLOSURE
Sec. 1301. Enhanced disclosures under an open end credit plan.
Sec. 1302. Enhanced disclosure for credit extensions secured by a
dwelling.
Sec. 1303. Disclosures related to ``introductory rates''.
Sec. 1304. Internet-based credit card solicitations.
Sec. 1305. Disclosures related to late payment deadlines and penalties.
Sec. 1306. Prohibition on certain actions for failure to incur finance
charges.
Sec. 1307. Dual use debit card.
Sec. 1308. Study of bankruptcy impact of credit extended to dependent
students.
Sec. 1309. Clarification of clear and conspicuous.
Sec. 1310. Enforcement of certain foreign judgments barred.
TITLE XIV--GENERAL EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS
Sec. 1401. Effective date; application of amendments.
TITLE I--NEEDS-BASED BANKRUPTCY
SEC. 101. CONVERSION.
Section 706(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``or consents to'' after ``requests''.
SEC. 102. DISMISSAL OR CONVERSION.
(a) In General.--Section 707 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking the section heading and inserting the
following:
``Sec. 707. Dismissal of a case or conversion to a case under chapter
11 or 13'';
and
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)'';
(B) in paragraph (1), as redesignated by
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph--
(i) in the first sentence--
(I) by striking ``but not at the
request or suggestion of'' and
inserting ``trustee, bankruptcy
administrator, or'';
(II) by inserting ``, or, with the
debtor's consent, convert such a case
to a case under chapter 11 or 13 of
this title,'' after ``consumer debts'';
and
(III) by striking ``a substantial
abuse'' and inserting ``an abuse''; and
(ii) by striking the next to last sentence;
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2)(A)(i) In considering under paragraph (1) whether the granting
of relief would be an abuse of the provisions of this chapter, the
court shall presume abuse exists if the debtor's current monthly income
reduced by the amounts determined under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv),
and multiplied by 60 is not less than the lesser of--
``(I) 25 percent of the debtor's nonpriority unsecured
claims in the case, or $6,000, whichever is greater; or
``(II) $10,000.
``(ii)(I) The debtor's monthly expenses shall be the debtor's
applicable monthly expense amounts specified under the National
Standards and Local Standards, and the debtor's actual monthly expenses
for the categories specified as Other Necessary Expenses issued by the
Internal Revenue Service for the area in which the debtor resides, as
in effect on the date of the entry of the order for relief, for the
debtor, the dependents of the debtor, and the spouse of the debtor in a
joint case, if the spouse is not otherwise a dependent. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this clause, the monthly expenses of the debtor
shall not include any payments for debts. In addition, the debtor's
monthly expenses shall include the debtor's reasonably necessary
expenses incurred to maintain the safety of the debtor and the family
of the debtor from family violence as identified under section 309 of
the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, or other applicable
Federal law. The expenses included in the debtor's monthly expenses
described in the preceding sentence shall be kept confidential by the
court. In addition, if it is demonstrated that it is reasonable and
necessary, the debtor's monthly expenses may also include an additional
allowance for food and clothing of up to 5 perc
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ent of the food and
clothing categories as specified by the National Standards issued by
the Internal Revenue Service.
``(II) In addition, the debtor's monthly expenses may include, if
applicable, the continuation of actual expenses paid by the debtor that
are reasonable and necessary for care and support of an elderly,
chronically ill, or disabled household member or member of the debtor's
immediate family (including parents, grandparents, and siblings of the
debtor, the dependents of the debtor, and the spouse of the debtor in a
joint case who is not a dependent) and who is unable to pay for such
reasonable and necessary expenses.
``(III) In addition, for a debtor eligible for chapter 13, the
debtor's monthly expenses may include the actual administrative
expenses of administering a chapter 13 plan for the district in which
the debtor resides, up to an amount of 10 percent of the projected plan
payments, as determined under schedules issued by the Executive Office
for United States Trustees.
``(IV) In addition, the debtor's monthly expenses may include the
actual expenses for each dependent child under the age of 18 years up
to $1,500 per year per child to attend a private or public elementary
or secondary school, if the debtor provides documentation of such
expenses and a detailed explanation of why such expenses are reasonable
and necessary.
``(iii) The debtor's average monthly payments on account of secured
debts shall be calculated as--
``(I) the sum of--
``(aa) the total of all amounts scheduled as
contractually due to secured creditors in each month of
the 60 months following the date of the petition; and
``(bb) any additional payments to secured creditors
necessary for the debtor, in filing a plan under
chapter 13 of this title, to maintain possession of the
debtor's primary residence, motor vehicle, or other
property necessary for the support of the debtor and
the debtor's dependents, that serves as collateral for
secured debts; divided by
``(II) 60.
``(iv) The debtor's expenses for payment of all priority claims
(including priority child support and alimony claims) shall be
calculated as--
``(I) the total amount of debts entitled to priority;
divided by
``(II) 60.
``(B)(i) In any proceeding brought under this subsection, the
presumption of abuse may only be rebutted by demonstrating special
circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of
current monthly income for which there is no reasonable alternative.
``(ii) In order to establish special circumstances, the debtor
shall be required to--
``(I) itemize each additional expense or adjustment of
income; and
``(II) provide--
``(aa) documentation for such expense or adjustment
to income; and
``(bb) a detailed explanation of the special
circumstances that make such expenses or adjustment to
income necessary and reasonable.
``(iii) The debtor shall attest under oath to the accuracy of any
information provided to demonstrate that additional expenses or
adjustments to income are required.
``(iv) The presumption of abuse may only be rebutted if the
additional expenses or adjustments to income referred to in clause (i)
cause the product of the debtor's current monthly income reduced by the
amounts determined under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of subparagraph
(A) when multiplied by 60 to be less than the lesser of--
``(I) 25 percent of the debtor's nonpriority unsecured
claims, or $6,000, whichever is greater; or
``(II) $10,000.
``(C) As part of the schedule of current income and expenditures
required under section 521, the debtor shall include a statement of the
debtor's current monthly income, and the calculations that determine
whether a presumption arises under subparagraph (A)(i), that shows how
each such amount is calculated.
``(3) In considering under paragraph (1) whether the granting of
relief would be an abuse of the provisions of this chapter in a case in
which the presumption in subparagraph (A)(i) of such paragraph does not
apply or has been rebutted, the court shall consider--
``(A) whether the debtor filed the petition in bad faith;
or
``(B) the totality of the circumstances (including whether
the debtor seeks to reject a personal services contract and the
financial need for such rejection as sought by the debtor) of
the debtor's financial situation demonstrates abuse.
``(4)(A) The court shall order the counsel for the debtor to
reimburse the trustee for all reasonable costs in prosecuting a motion
brought under section 707(b), including reasonable attorneys' fees,
if--
``(i) a trustee appointed under section 586(a)(1) of title
28 or from a panel of private trustees maintained by the
bankruptcy administrator brings a motion for dismissal or
conversion under this subsection; and
``(ii) the court--
``(I) grants that motion; and
``(II) finds that the action of the counsel for the
debtor in filing under this chapter violated rule 9011
of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
``(B) If the court finds that the attorney for the debtor violated
rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, at a minimum,
the court shall order--
``(i) the assessment of an appropriate civil penalty
against the counsel for the debtor; and
``(ii) the payment of the civil penalty to the trustee, the
United States trustee, or the bankruptcy administrator.
``(C) In the case of a petition, pleading, or written motion, the
signature of an attorney shall constitute a certification that the
attorney has--
``(i) performed a reasonable investigation into the
circumstances that gave rise to the petition, pleading, or
written motion; and
``(ii) determined that the petition, pleading, or written
motion--
``(I) is well grounded in fact; and
``(II) is warranted by existing law or a good faith
argument for the extension, modification, or reversal
of existing law and does not constitute an abuse under
paragraph (1).
``(D) The signature of an attorney on the petition shall constitute
a certification that the attorney has no knowledge after an inquiry
that the information in the schedules filed with such petition is
incorrect.
``(5)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and subject to
paragraph (6), the court may award a debtor all reasonable costs
(including reasonable attorneys' fees) in contesting a motion brought
by a party in interest (other than a trustee, United States trustee, or
bankruptcy administrator) under this subsection if--
``(i) the court does not grant the motion; and
``(ii) the court finds that--
``(I) the position of the party that brought the
motion violated rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of
Bankruptcy Procedure; or
``(II) the party brought the motion solely for the
purpose of coercing a debtor into waiving a right
guaranteed to the debtor under this title.
``(B) A small business that has a claim of an aggregate amount less
than $1,000 shall not be subject to subparagraph (A)(ii)(I).
``(C) For purposes of this paragraph--
``(i) the term `small business' means an unincorporated
business, partnership, corporation, association, or
organization that--
``(I) has less than 25 full-time employees as
determ
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ined on the date the motion is filed; and
``(II) is engaged in commercial or business
activity; and
``(ii) the number of employees of a wholly owned subsidiary
of a corporation includes the employees of--
``(I) a parent corporation; and
``(II) any other subsidiary corporation of the
parent corporation.
``(6) Only the judge, United States trustee, or bankruptcy
administrator may bring a motion under section 707(b), if the current
monthly income of the debtor, or in a joint case, the debtor and the
debtor's spouse, as of the date of the order for relief, when
multiplied by 12, is equal to or less than--
``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person,
the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner
last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of the same number or fewer individuals last
reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last reported by
the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for each
individual in excess of 4.
``(7) No judge, United States trustee, panel trustee, bankruptcy
administrator or other party in interest may bring a motion under
paragraph (2), if the current monthly income of the debtor and the
debtor's spouse combined, as of the date of the order for relief when
multiplied by 12, is equal to or less than--
``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person,
the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner
last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of the same number or fewer individuals last
reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last reported by
the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for each
individual in excess of 4.''.
(b) Definition.--Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after paragraph (10) the following:
``(10A) `current monthly income'--
``(A) means the average monthly income from all
sources which the debtor, or in a joint case, the
debtor and the debtor's spouse, receive without regard
to whether the income is taxable income, derived during
the 6-month period preceding the date of determination;
and
``(B) includes any amount paid by any entity other
than the debtor (or, in a joint case, the debtor and
the debtor's spouse), on a regular basis to the
household expenses of the debtor or the debtor's
dependents (and, in a joint case, the debtor's spouse
if not otherwise a dependent), but excludes benefits
received under the Social Security Act and payments to
victims of war crimes or crimes against humanity on
account of their status as victims of such crimes;''.
(c) United States Trustee and Bankruptcy Administrator Duties.--
Section 704 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The trustee shall--'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b)(1) With respect to an individual debtor under this chapter--
``(A) the United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator
shall review all materials filed by the debtor and, not later
than 10 days after the date of the first meeting of creditors,
file with the court a statement as to whether the debtor's case
would be presumed to be an abuse under section 707(b); and
``(B) not later than 5 days after receiving a statement
under subparagraph (A), the court shall provide a copy of the
statement to all creditors.
``(2) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator shall,
not later than 30 days after the date of filing a statement under
paragraph (1), either file a motion to dismiss or convert under section
707(b) or file a statement setting forth the reasons the United States
trustee or bankruptcy administrator does not believe that such a motion
would be appropriate, if the United States trustee or bankruptcy
administrator determines that the debtor's case should be presumed to
be an abuse under section 707(b) and the product of the debtor's
current monthly income, multiplied by 12 is not less than--
``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person,
the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner
last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2 or more
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of the same number or fewer individuals last
reported by the Bureau of the Census.
``(3) In any case in which a motion to dismiss or convert, or a
statement is required to be filed by this subsection, the United States
trustee or bankruptcy administrator may decline to file a motion to
dismiss or convert pursuant to section 704(b)(2) if the product of the
debtor's current monthly income multiplied by 12 exceeds 100 percent,
but does not exceed 150 percent of--
``(A)(i) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1
person, the median family income of the applicable State for 1
earner last reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
``(ii) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2 or more
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of the same number or fewer individuals last
reported by the Bureau of the Census; and
``(B) the product of the debtor's current monthly income,
reduced by the amounts determined under section
707(b)(2)(A)(ii) (except for the amount calculated under the
other necessary expenses standard issued by the Internal
Revenue Service) and clauses (iii) and (iv) of section
707(b)(2)(A), multiplied by 60 is less than the lesser of--
``(i) 25 percent of the debtor's nonpriority
unsecured claims in the case or $6,000, whichever is
greater; or
``(ii) $10,000.''.
(d) Notice.--Section 342 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) In a case under chapter 7 of this title in which the debtor
is an individual and in which the presumption of abuse is triggered
under section 707(b), the clerk shall give written notice to all
creditors not later than 10 days after the date of the filing of the
petition that the presumption of abuse has been triggered.''.
(e) Nonlimitation of Information.--Nothing in this title shall
limit the ability of a creditor to provide information to a judge
(except for information communicated ex parte, unless otherwise
permitted by applicable law), United States trustee, bankruptcy
administrator or trustee.
(f) Dismissal for Certain Crimes.--Section 707 of title 11, United
States Code, as amended by this section, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(c)(1) In this subsection--
``(A) the term `crime of violence' has the meaning given
that
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term in section 16 of title 18; and
``(B) the term `drug trafficking crime' has the meaning
given that term in section 924(c)(2) of title 18.
``(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), after notice and a
hearing, the court, on a motion by the victim of a crime of violence or
a drug trafficking crime, may when it is in the best interest of the
victims dismiss a voluntary case filed by an individual debtor under
this chapter if that individual was convicted of that crime.
``(3) The court may not dismiss a case under paragraph (2) if the
debtor establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the filing
of a case under this chapter is necessary to satisfy a claim for a
domestic support obligation.''.
(g) Confirmation of Plan.--Section 1325(a) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period and inserting
a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) the action of the debtor in filing the petition was
in good faith;''.
(h) Applicability of Means Test to Chapter 13.--Section 1325(b) of
title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting ``to unsecured
creditors'' after ``to make payments''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term `disposable
income' means current monthly income received by the debtor
(other than child support payments, foster care payments, or
disability payments for a dependent child made in accordance
with applicable nonbankruptcy law to the extent reasonably
necessary to be expended for such child) less amounts
reasonably necessary to be expended--
``(A) for the maintenance or support of the debtor
or a dependent of the debtor or for a domestic support
obligation that first becomes payable after the date
the petition is filed and for charitable contributions
(that meet the definition of `charitable contribution'
under section 548(d)(3) to a qualified religious or
charitable entity or organization (as that term is
defined in section 548(d)(4)) in an amount not to
exceed 15 percent of gross income of the debtor for the
year in which the contributions are made; and
``(B) if the debtor is engaged in business, for the
payment of expenditures necessary for the continuation,
preservation, and operation of such business.
``(3) Amounts reasonably necessary to be expended under
paragraph (2) shall be determined in accordance with
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 707(b)(2), if the debtor
has current monthly income, when multiplied by 12, greater
than--
``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1
person, the median family income of the applicable
State for 1 earner last reported by the Bureau of the
Census;
``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2,
3, or 4 individuals, the highest median family income
of the applicable State for a family of the same number
or fewer individuals last reported by the Bureau of the
Census; or
``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household
exceeding 4 individuals, the highest median family
income of the applicable State for a family of 4 or
fewer individuals last reported by the Bureau of the
Census, plus $525 per month for each individual in
excess of 4.''.
(i) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 7 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating
to section 707 and inserting the following:
``707. Dismissal of a case or conversion to a case under chapter 11 or
13.''.
SEC. 103. SENSE OF CONGRESS AND STUDY.
(a) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that the
Secretary of the Treasury has the authority to alter the Internal
Revenue Service standards established to set guidelines for repayment
plans as needed to accommodate their use under section 707(b) of title
11, United States Code.
(b) Study.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Executive Office for
United States Trustees shall submit a report to the Committee
on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the
Judiciary of the House of Representatives containing the
findings of the Director regarding the utilization of Internal
Revenue Service standards for determining--
(A) the current monthly expenses of a debtor under
section 707(b) of title 11, United States Code; and
(B) the impact that the application of such
standards has had on debtors and on the bankruptcy
courts.
(2) Recommendation.--The report under paragraph (1) may
include recommendations for amendments to title 11, United
States Code, that are consistent with the findings of the
Director under paragraph (1).
SEC. 104. NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVES.
Section 342(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``(b) Before the commencement of a case under this title by an
individual whose debts are primarily consumer debts, the clerk shall
give to such individual written notice containing--
``(1) a brief description of--
``(A) chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 and the general
purpose, benefits, and costs of proceeding under each
of those chapters; and
``(B) the types of services available from credit
counseling agencies; and
``(2) statements specifying that--
``(A) a person who knowingly and fraudulently
conceals assets or makes a false oath or statement
under penalty of perjury in connection with a
bankruptcy case shall be subject to fine, imprisonment,
or both; and
``(B) all information supplied by a debtor in
connection with a bankruptcy case is subject to
examination by the Attorney General.''.
SEC. 105. DEBTOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT TRAINING TEST PROGRAM.
(a) Development of Financial Management and Training Curriculum and
Materials.--The Director of the Executive Office for United States
Trustees (in this section referred to as the ``Director'') shall
consult with a wide range of individuals who are experts in the field
of debtor education, including trustees who are appointed under chapter
13 of title 11, United States Code, and who operate financial
management education programs for debtors, and shall develop a
financial management training curriculum and materials that can be used
to educate individual debtors on how to better manage their finances.
(b) Test.--
(1) Selection of districts.--The Director shall select 6
judicial districts of the United States in which to test the
effectiveness of the financial management training curriculum
and materials developed under subsection (a).
(2) Use.--For an 18-month period beginning not later than
270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, such
curriculum and materials shall be, for the 6 judicial districts
selected under paragraph (1), used as the instructional course
concerning personal financial management for purposes of
secti
2000
on 111 of title 11, United States Code.
(c) Evaluation.--
(1) In general.--During the 18-month period referred to in
subsection (b), the Director shall evaluate the effectiveness
of--
(A) the financial management training curriculum
and materials developed under subsection (a); and
(B) a sample of existing consumer education
programs such as those described in the Report of the
National Bankruptcy Review Commission (October 20,
1997) that are representative of consumer education
programs carried out by the credit industry, by
trustees serving under chapter 13 of title 11, United
States Code, and by consumer counseling groups.
(2) Report.--Not later than 3 months after concluding such
evaluation, the Director shall submit a report to the Speaker
of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore
of the Senate, for referral to the appropriate committees of
the Congress, containing the findings of the Director regarding
the effectiveness of such curriculum, such materials, and such
programs and their costs.
SEC. 106. CREDIT COUNSELING.
(a) Who May Be a Debtor.--Section 109 of title 11, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h)(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), and notwithstanding any
other provision of this section, an individual may not be a debtor
under this title unless that individual has, during the 180-day period
preceding the date of filing of the petition of that individual,
received from an approved nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency
described in section 111(a) an individual or group briefing (including
a briefing conducted by telephone or on the Internet) that outlined the
opportunities for available credit counseling and assisted that
individual in performing a related budget analysis.
``(2)(A) Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a debtor who
resides in a district for which the United States trustee or bankruptcy
administrator of the bankruptcy court of that district determines that
the approved nonprofit budget and credit counseling agencies for that
district are not reasonably able to provide adequate services to the
additional individuals who would otherwise seek credit counseling from
that agency by reason of the requirements of paragraph (1).
``(B) Each United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator that
makes a determination described in subparagraph (A) shall review that
determination not later than 1 year after the date of that
determination, and not less frequently than every year thereafter.
Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, a nonprofit budget and credit
counseling agency may be disapproved by the United States trustee or
bankruptcy administrator at any time.
``(3)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), the requirements of paragraph
(1) shall not apply with respect to a debtor who submits to the court a
certification that--
``(i) describes exigent circumstances that merit a waiver
of the requirements of paragraph (1);
``(ii) states that the debtor requested credit counseling
services from an approved nonprofit budget and credit
counseling agency, but was unable to obtain the services
referred to in paragraph (1) during the 5-day period beginning
on the date on which the debtor made that request; and
``(iii) is satisfactory to the court.
``(B) With respect to a debtor, an exemption under subparagraph (A)
shall cease to apply to that debtor on the date on which the debtor
meets the requirements of paragraph (1), but in no case may the
exemption apply to that debtor after the date that is 30 days after the
debtor files a petition, except that the court, for cause, may order an
additional 15 days.''.
(b) Chapter 7 Discharge.--Section 727(a) of title 11, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (9), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (10), by striking the period and inserting
``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) after the filing of the petition, the debtor failed
to complete an instructional course concerning personal
financial management described in section 111.
``(12)(A) Paragraph (11) shall not apply with respect to a
debtor who resides in a district for which the United States
trustee or bankruptcy administrator of that district determines
that the approved instructional courses are not adequate to
service the additional individuals required to complete such
instructional courses under this section.
``(B) Each United States trustee or bankruptcy
administrator that makes a determination described in
subparagraph (A) shall review that determination not later than
1 year after the date of that determination, and not less
frequently than every year thereafter.''.
(c) Chapter 13 Discharge.--Section 1328 of title 11, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(g) The court shall not grant a discharge under this section to a
debtor, unless after filing a petition the debtor has completed an
instructional course concerning personal financial management described
in section 111.
``(h) Subsection (g) shall not apply with respect to a debtor who
resides in a district for which the United States trustee or bankruptcy
administrator of the bankruptcy court of that district determines that
the approved instructional courses are not adequate to service the
additional individuals who would be required to complete the
instructional course by reason of the requirements of this section.
``(i) Each United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator that
makes a determination described in subsection (h) shall review that
determination not later than 1 year after the date of that
determination, and not less frequently than every year thereafter.''.
(d) Debtor's Duties.--Section 521 of title 11, United States Code,
is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``The debtor shall--''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) In addition to the requirements under subsection (a), an
individual debtor shall file with the court--
``(1) a certificate from the approved nonprofit budget and
credit counseling agency that provided the debtor services
under section 109(h) describing the services provided to the
debtor; and
``(2) a copy of the debt repayment plan, if any, developed
under section 109(h) through the approved nonprofit budget and
credit counseling agency referred to in paragraph (1).''.
(e) General Provisions.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 1 of title 11, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 111. Credit counseling agencies; financial management
instructional courses
``(a) The clerk of each district shall maintain a publicly
available list of--
``(1) credit counseling agencies that provide 1 or more
programs described in section 109(h) currently approved by the
United States trustee or the bankruptcy administrator for the
district, as applicable; and
``(2) instructional courses concerning personal financial
management currently approved by the United States trustee or
the bankruptcy administrator for the district, as applicable.
``(b) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator shall
only approve a credit counseling agency or instructional course
concerning personal financial management as follows:
``(1) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator
shall have thoroughly reviewed the qualifications of the credit
2000
counseling agency or of the provider of the instructional
course under the standards set forth in this section, and the
programs or instructional courses which will be offered by such
agency or provider, and may require an agency or provider of an
instructional course which has sought approval to provide
information with respect to such review.
``(2) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator
shall have determined that the credit counseling agency or
course of instruction fully satisfies the applicable standards
set forth in this section.
``(3) When an agency or course of instruction is initially
approved, such approval shall be for a probationary period not
to exceed 6 months. An agency or course of instruction is
initially approved if it did not appear on the approved list
for the district under subsection (a) immediately prior to
approval.
``(4) At the conclusion of the probationary period under
paragraph (3), the United States trustee or bankruptcy
administrator may only approve for an additional 1-year period,
and for successive 1-year periods thereafter, any agency or
course of instruction which has demonstrated during the
probationary or subsequent period that such agency or course of
instruction--
``(A) has met the standards set forth under this
section during such period; and
``(B) can satisfy such standards in the future.
``(5) Not later than 30 days after any final decision under
paragraph (4), that occurs either after the expiration of the
initial probationary period, or after any 2-year period
thereafter, an interested person may seek judicial review of
such decision in the appropriate United States District Court.
``(c)(1) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator
shall only approve a credit counseling agency that demonstrates that it
will provide qualified counselors, maintain adequate provision for
safekeeping and payment of client funds, provide adequate counseling
with respect to client credit problems, and deal responsibly and
effectively with other matters as relate to the quality, effectiveness,
and financial security of such programs.
``(2) To be approved by the United States trustee or bankruptcy
administrator, a credit counseling agency shall, at a minimum--
``(A) be a nonprofit budget and credit counseling agency,
the majority of the board of directors of which--
``(i) are not employed by the agency; and
``(ii) will not directly or indirectly benefit
financially from the outcome of a credit counseling
session;
``(B) if a fee is charged for counseling services, charge a
reasonable fee, and provide services without regard to ability
to pay the fee;
``(C) provide for safekeeping and payment of client funds,
including an annual audit of the trust accounts and appropriate
employee bonding;
``(D) provide full disclosures to clients, including
funding sources, counselor qualifications, possible impact on
credit reports, and any costs of such program that will be paid
by the debtor and how such costs will be paid;
``(E) provide adequate counseling with respect to client
credit problems that includes an analysis of their current
situation, what brought them to that financial status, and how
they can develop a plan to handle the problem without incurring
negative amortization of their debts;
``(F) provide trained counselors who receive no commissions
or bonuses based on the counseling session outcome, and who
have adequate experience, and have been adequately trained to
provide counseling services to individuals in financial
difficulty, including the matters described in subparagraph
(E);
``(G) demonstrate adequate experience and background in
providing credit counseling; and
``(H) have adequate financial resources to provide
continuing support services for budgeting plans over the life
of any repayment plan.
``(d) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator shall
only approve an instructional course concerning personal financial
management--
``(1) for an initial probationary period under subsection
(b)(3) if the course will provide at a minimum--
``(A) trained personnel with adequate experience
and training in providing effective instruction and
services;
``(B) learning materials and teaching methodologies
designed to assist debtors in understanding personal
financial management and that are consistent with
stated objectives directly related to the goals of such
course of instruction;
``(C) adequate facilities situated in reasonably
convenient locations at which such course of
instruction is offered, except that such facilities may
include the provision of such course of instruction or
program by telephone or through the Internet, if the
course of instruction or program is effective; and
``(D) the preparation and retention of reasonable
records (which shall include the debtor's bankruptcy
case number) to permit evaluation of the effectiveness
of such course of instruction or program, including any
evaluation of satisfaction of course of instruction or
program requirements for each debtor attending such
course of instruction or program, which shall be
available for inspection and evaluation by the
Executive Office for United States Trustees, the United
States trustee, bankruptcy administrator, or chief
bankruptcy judge for the district in which such course
of instruction or program is offered; and
``(2) for any 1-year period if the provider thereof has
demonstrated that the course meets the standards of paragraph
(1) and, in addition--
``(A) has been effective in assisting a substantial
number of debtors to understand personal financial
management; and
``(B) is otherwise likely to increase substantially
debtor understanding of personal financial management.
``(e) The District Court may, at any time, investigate the
qualifications of a credit counseling agency referred to in subsection
(a), and request production of documents to ensure the integrity and
effectiveness of such credit counseling agencies. The District Court
may, at any time, remove from the approved list under subsection (a) a
credit counseling agency upon finding such agency does not meet the
qualifications of subsection (b).
``(f) The United States trustee or bankruptcy administrator shall
notify the clerk that a credit counseling agency or an instructional
course is no longer approved, in which case the clerk shall remove it
from the list maintained under subsection (a).
``(g)(1) No credit counseling agency may provide to a credit
reporting agency information concerning whether an individual debtor
has received or sought instruction concerning personal financial
management from the credit counseling agency.
``(2) A credit counseling service that willfully or negligently
fails to comply with any requirement under this title with respect to a
debtor shall be liable for damages in an amount equal to the sum of--
``(A) any
2000
actual damages sustained by the debtor as a
result of the violation; and
``(B) any court costs or reasonable attorneys' fees (as
determined by the court) incurred in an action to recover those
damages.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
1 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``111. Credit counseling agencies; financial management instructional
courses.''.
(f) Limitation.--Section 362 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) If a case commenced under chapter 7, 11, or 13 is dismissed
due to the creation of a debt repayment plan, for purposes of
subsection (c)(3), any subsequent case commenced by the debtor under
any such chapter shall not be presumed to be filed not in good faith.
``(j) On request of a party in interest, the court shall issue an
order under subsection (c) confirming that the automatic stay has been
terminated.''.
SEC. 107. SCHEDULES OF REASONABLE AND NECESSARY EXPENSES.
For purposes of section 707(b) of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, the Director of the Executive Office for United
States Trustees shall, not later than 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, issue schedules of reasonable and necessary
administrative expenses of administering a chapter 13 plan for each
judicial district of the United States.
TITLE II--ENHANCED CONSUMER PROTECTION
Subtitle A--Penalties for Abusive Creditor Practices
SEC. 201. PROMOTION OF ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.
(a) Reduction of Claim.--Section 502 of title 11, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(k)(1) The court, on the motion of the debtor and after a
hearing, may reduce a claim filed under this section based in whole on
unsecured consumer debts by not more than 20 percent of the claim, if--
``(A) the claim was filed by a creditor who unreasonably
refused to negotiate a reasonable alternative repayment
schedule proposed by an approved credit counseling agency
described in section 111 acting on behalf of the debtor;
``(B) the offer of the debtor under subparagraph (A)--
``(i) was made at least 60 days before the filing
of the petition; and
``(ii) provided for payment of at least 60 percent
of the amount of the debt over a period not to exceed
the repayment period of the loan, or a reasonable
extension thereof; and
``(C) no part of the debt under the alternative repayment
schedule is nondischargeable.
``(2) The debtor shall have the burden of proving, by clear and
convincing evidence, that--
``(A) the creditor unreasonably refused to consider the
debtor's proposal; and
``(B) the proposed alternative repayment schedule was made
prior to expiration of the 60-day period specified in paragraph
(1)(B)(i).''.
(b) Limitation on Avoidability.--Section 547 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) The trustee may not avoid a transfer if such transfer was
made as a part of an alternative repayment plan between the debtor and
any creditor of the debtor created by an approved credit counseling
agency.''.
SEC. 202. EFFECT OF DISCHARGE.
Section 524 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(i) The willful failure of a creditor to credit payments received
under a plan confirmed under this title (including a plan of
reorganization confirmed under chapter 11 of this title), unless the
plan is dismissed, in default, or the creditor has not received
payments required to be made under the plan in the manner required by
the plan (including crediting the amounts required under the plan),
shall constitute a violation of an injunction under subsection (a)(2)
if the act of the creditor to collect and failure to credit payments in
the manner required by the plan caused material injury to the debtor.
``(j) Subsection (a)(2) does not operate as an injunction against
an act by a creditor that is the holder of a secured claim, if--
``(1) such creditor retains a security interest in real
property that is the principal residence of the debtor;
``(2) such act is in the ordinary course of business
between the creditor and the debtor; and
``(3) such act is limited to seeking or obtaining periodic
payments associated with a valid security interest in lieu of
pursuit of in rem relief to enforce the lien.''.
SEC. 203. DISCOURAGING ABUSE OF REAFFIRMATION PRACTICES.
(a) In General.--Section 524 of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (2) and
inserting the following:
``(2) the debtor received the disclosures described in
subsection (k) at or before the time at which the debtor signed
the agreement;'';
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(k)(1) The disclosures required under subsection (c)(2) shall
consist of the disclosure statement described in paragraph (3),
completed as required in that paragraph, together with the agreement,
statement, declaration, motion and order described, respectively, in
paragraphs (4) through (8), and shall be the only disclosures required
in connection with the reaffirmation.
``(2) Disclosures made under paragraph (1) shall be made clearly
and conspicuously and in writing. The terms `Amount Reaffirmed' and
`Annual Percentage Rate' shall be disclosed more conspicuously than
other terms, data or information provided in connection with this
disclosure, except that the phrases `Before agreeing to reaffirm a
debt, review these important disclosures' and `Summary of Reaffirmation
Agreement' may be equally conspicuous. Disclosures may be made in a
different order and may use terminology different from that set forth
in paragraphs (2) through (8), except that the terms `Amount
Reaffirmed' and `Annual Percentage Rate' must be used where indicated.
``(3) The disclosure statement required under this paragraph shall
consist of the following:
``(A) The statement: `Part A: Before agreeing to reaffirm a
debt, review these important disclosures:';
``(B) Under the heading `Summary of Reaffirmation
Agreement', the statement: `This Summary is made pursuant to
the requirements of the Bankruptcy Code';
``(C) The `Amount Reaffirmed', using that term, which shall
be--
``(i) the total amount which the debtor agrees to
reaffirm, and
``(ii) the total of any other fees or cost accrued
as of the date of the disclosure statement.
``(D) In conjunction with the disclosure of the `Amount
Reaffirmed', the statements--
``(i) `The amount of debt you have agreed to
reaffirm'; and
``(ii) `Your credit agreement may obligate you to
pay additional amounts which may come due after the
date of this disclosure. Consult your credit
agreement.'.
``(E) The `Annual Percentage Rate', using that term, which
shall be disclosed as--
``(i) if, at the time the petition is filed, the
debt is open end credit as defined under the Truth in
Lending Act, then--
``(I) the annual percentage rate determined
under paragraphs (5) and (6) of section 127(b)
of the Truth in Lending Act, as applicable, as
disclosed to the debtor in the most recent
period
2000
ic statement prior to the agreement or,
if no such periodic statement has been provided
the debtor during the prior 6 months, the
annual percentage rate as it would have been so
disclosed at the time the disclosure statement
is given the debtor, or to the extent this
annual percentage rate is not readily available
or not applicable, then
``(II) the simple interest rate applicable
to the amount reaffirmed as of the date the
disclosure statement is given to the debtor, or
if different simple interest rates apply to
different balances, the simple interest rate
applicable to each such balance, identifying
the amount of each such balance included in the
amount reaffirmed, or
``(III) if the entity making the disclosure
elects, to disclose the annual percentage rate
under subclause (I) and the simple interest
rate under subclause (II);
``(ii) if, at the time the petition is filed, the
debt is closed end credit as defined under the Truth in
Lending Act, then--
``(I) the annual percentage rate under
section 128(a)(4) of the Truth in Lending Act,
as disclosed to the debtor in the most recent
disclosure statement given the debtor prior to
the reaffirmation agreement with respect to the
debt, or, if no such disclosure statement was
provided the debtor, the annual percentage rate
as it would have been so disclosed at the time
the disclosure statement is given the debtor,
or to the extent this annual percentage rate is
not readily available or not applicable, then
``(II) the simple interest rate applicable
to the amount reaffirmed as of the date the
disclosure statement is given the debtor, or if
different simple interest rates apply to
different balances, the simple interest rate
applicable to each such balance, identifying
the amount of such balance included in the
amount reaffirmed, or
``(III) if the entity making the disclosure
elects, to disclose the annual percentage rate
under (I) and the simple interest rate under
(II).
``(F) If the underlying debt transaction was disclosed as a
variable rate transaction on the most recent disclosure given
under the Truth in Lending Act, by stating `The interest rate
on your loan may be a variable interest rate which changes from
time to time, so that the annual percentage rate disclosed here
may be higher or lower.'.
``(G) If the debt is secured by a security interest which
has not been waived in whole or in part or determined to be
void by a final order of the court at the time of the
disclosure, by disclosing that a security interest or lien in
goods or property is asserted over some or all of the
obligations you are reaffirming and listing the items and their
original purchase price that are subject to the asserted
security interest, or if not a purchase-money security interest
then listing by items or types and the original amount of the
loan.
``(H) At the election of the creditor, a statement of the
repayment schedule using 1 or a combination of the following--
``(i) by making the statement: `Your first payment
in the amount of $______ is due on ______ but the
future payment amount may be different. Consult your
reaffirmation or credit agreement, as applicable.', and
stating the amount of the first payment and the due
date of that payment in the places provided;
``(ii) by making the statement: `Your payment
schedule will be:', and describing the repayment
schedule with the number, amount and due dates or
period of payments scheduled to repay the obligations
reaffirmed to the extent then known by the disclosing
party; or
``(iii) by describing the debtor's repayment
obligations with reasonable specificity to the extent
then known by the disclosing party.
``(I) The following statement: `Note: When this disclosure
refers to what a creditor ``may'' do, it does not use the word
``may'' to give the creditor specific permission. The word
``may'' is used to tell you what might occur if the law permits
the creditor to take the action. If you have questions about
your reaffirmation or what the law requires, talk to the
attorney who helped you negotiate this agreement. If you don't
have an attorney helping you, the judge will explain the effect
of your reaffirmation when the reaffirmation hearing is held.'.
``(J)(i) The following additional statements:
```Reaffirming a debt is a serious financial decision. The law
requires you to take certain steps to make sure the decision is in your
best interest. If these steps are not completed, the reaffirmation
agreement is not effective, even though you have signed it.
```1. Read the disclosures in this Part A carefully.
Consider the decision to reaffirm carefully. Then, if you want
to reaffirm, sign the reaffirmation agreement in Part B (or you
may use a separate agreement you and your creditor agree on).
```2. Complete and sign Part D and be sure you can afford
to make the payments you are agreeing to make and have received
a copy of the disclosure statement and a completed and signed
reaffirmation agreement.
```3. If you were represented by an attorney during the
negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, the attorney must
have signed the certification in Part C.
```4. If you were not represented by an attorney during the
negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, you must have
completed and signed Part E.
```5. The original of this disclosure must be filed with
the court by you or your creditor. If a separate reaffirmation
agreement (other than the one in Part B) has been signed, it
must be attached.
```6. If you were represented by an attorney during the
negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, your reaffirmation
agreement becomes effective upon filing with the court unless
the reaffirmation is presumed to be an undue hardship as
explained in Part D.
```7. If you were not represented by an attorney during the
negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, it will not be
effective unless the court approves it. The court will notify
you of the hearing on your reaffirmation agreement. You must
attend this hearing in bankruptcy court where the judge will
review your agreement. The bankruptcy court must approve the
agreement as consistent with your best interests, except that
no court approval is required if the agreement is for a
consumer debt
2000
secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, security
deed or other lien on your real property, like your home.
```Your right to rescind a reaffirmation. You may rescind (cancel)
your reaffirmation at any time before the bankruptcy court enters a
discharge order or within 60 days after the agreement is filed with the
court, whichever is longer. To rescind or cancel, you must notify the
creditor that the agreement is canceled.
```What are your obligations if you reaffirm the debt? A reaffirmed
debt remains your personal legal obligation. It is not discharged in
your bankruptcy. That means that if you default on your reaffirmed debt
after your bankruptcy is over, your creditor may be able to take your
property or your wages. Otherwise, your obligations will be determined
by the reaffirmation agreement which may have changed the terms of the
original agreement. For example, if you are reaffirming an open end
credit agreement, the creditor may be permitted by that agreement or
applicable law to change the terms of the agreement in the future under
certain conditions.
```Are you required to enter into a reaffirmation agreement by any
law? No, you are not required to reaffirm a debt by any law. Only agree
to reaffirm a debt if it is in your best interest. Be sure you can
afford the payments you agree to make.
```What if your creditor has a security interest or lien? Your
bankruptcy discharge does not eliminate any lien on your property. A
``lien'' is often referred to as a security interest, deed of trust,
mortgage or security deed. Even if you do not reaffirm and your
personal liability on the debt is discharged, because of the lien your
creditor may still have the right to take the security property if you
do not pay the debt or default on it. If the lien is on an item of
personal property that is exempt under your State's law or that the
trustee has abandoned, you may be able to redeem the item rather than
reaffirm the debt. To redeem, you make a single payment to the creditor
equal to the current value of the security property, as agreed by the
parties or determined by the court.'.
``(ii) In the case of a reaffirmation under subsection
(m)(2), numbered paragraph 6 in the disclosures required by
clause (i) of this subparagraph shall read as follows:
```6. If you were represented by an attorney during the
negotiation of the reaffirmation agreement, your reaffirmation
agreement becomes effective upon filing with the court.'.
``(4) The form of reaffirmation agreement required under this
paragraph shall consist of the following:
```Part B: Reaffirmation Agreement. I/we agree to reaffirm the
obligations arising under the credit agreement described below.
```Brief description of credit agreement:
```Description of any changes to the credit agreement made as part
of this reaffirmation agreement:
```Signature: Date:
```Borrower:
```Co-borrower, if also reaffirming:
```Accepted by creditor:
```Date of creditor acceptance:'.
``(5)(A) The declaration shall consist of the following:
```Part C: Certification by Debtor's Attorney (If Any).
```I hereby certify that (1) this agreement represents a fully
informed and voluntary agreement by the debtor(s); (2) this agreement
does not impose an undue hardship on the debtor or any dependent of the
debtor; and (3) I have fully advised the debtor of the legal effect and
consequences of this agreement and any default under this agreement.
```Signature of Debtor's Attorney: Date:'.
``(B) In the case of reaffirmations in which a presumption of undue
hardship has been established, the certification shall state that in
the opinion of the attorney, the debtor is able to make the payment.
``(C) In the case of a reaffirmation agreement under subsection
(m)(2), subparagraph (B) is not applicable.
``(6)(A) The statement in support of reaffirmation agreement, which
the debtor shall sign and date prior to filing with the court, shall
consist of the following:
```Part D: Debtor's Statement in Support of Reaffirmation
Agreement.
```1. I believe this agreement will not impose an undue hardship on
my dependents or me. I can afford to make the payments on the
reaffirmed debt because my monthly income (take home pay plus any other
income received) is $______, and my actual current monthly expenses
including monthly payments on post-bankruptcy debt and other
reaffirmation agreements total $______, leaving $______ to make the
required payments on this reaffirmed debt. I understand that if my
income less my monthly expenses does not leave enough to make the
payments, this reaffirmation agreement is presumed to be an undue
hardship on me and must be reviewed by the court. However, this
presumption may be overcome if I explain to the satisfaction of the
court how I can afford to make the payments here: ______.
```2. I received a copy of the Reaffirmation Disclosure Statement
in Part A and a completed and signed reaffirmation agreement.'.
``(B) Where the debtor is represented by counsel and is reaffirming
a debt owed to a creditor defined in section 19(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the
Federal Reserve Act, the statement of support of the reaffirmation
agreement, which the debtor shall sign and date prior to filing with
the court, shall consist of the following:
```I believe this agreement is in my financial interest. I can
afford to make the payments on the reaffirmed debt. I received a copy
of the Reaffirmation Disclosure Statement in Part A and a completed and
signed reaffirmation agreement.'
``(7) The motion, which may be used if approval of the agreement by
the court is required in order for it to be effective and shall be
signed and dated by the moving party, shall consist of the following:
```Part E: Motion for Court Approval (To be completed only where
debtor is not represented by an attorney.). I (we), the debtor, affirm
the following to be true and correct:
```I am not represented by an attorney in connection with this
reaffirmation agreement.
```I believe this agreement is in my best interest based on the
income and expenses I have disclosed in my Statement in Support of this
reaffirmation agreement above, and because (provide any additional
relevant reasons the court should consider):
```Therefore, I ask the court for an order approving this
reaffirmation agreement.'.
``(8) The court order, which may be used to approve a
reaffirmation, shall consist of the following:
```Court Order: The court grants the debtor's motion and approves
the reaffirmation agreement described above.'.
``(9) Subsection (a)(2) does not operate as an injunction against
an act by a creditor that is the holder of a secured claim, if--
``(A) such creditor retains a security interest in real
property that is the debtor's principal residence;
``(B) such act is in the ordinary course of business
between the creditor and the debtor; and
``(C) such act is limited to seeking or obtaining periodic
payments associated with a valid security interest in lieu of
pursuit of in rem relief to enforce the lien.
``(l) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title:
``(1) A creditor may accept payments from a debtor before
and after the filing of a reaffirmation agreement with the
court.
``(2) A creditor may accept payments from a debtor under a
reaffirmation agreement which the creditor believes in good
faith to be effective.
``(3) The requirements of subsections (c)(2) and (k) shall
be satisfied if disclosures required under those subsections
are given in good faith.
``(m)(1) Until 60 days after a reaffirmation agreement is filed
with the court (or such additional period as the court, after notice
and hearing and for cause, orders before the expiration of such
period), it shall be presumed that the reaffirmation agreement is a
2000
n
undue hardship on the debtor if the debtor's monthly income less the
debtor's monthly expenses as shown on the debtor's completed and signed
statement in support of the reaffirmation agreement required under
subsection (k)(6)(A) is less than the scheduled payments on the
reaffirmed debt. This presumption shall be reviewed by the court. The
presumption may be rebutted in writing by the debtor if the statement
includes an explanation which identifies additional sources of funds to
make the payments as agreed upon under the terms of the reaffirmation
agreement. If the presumption is not rebutted to the satisfaction of
the court, the court may disapprove the agreement. No agreement shall
be disapproved without notice and hearing to the debtor and creditor
and such hearing shall be concluded before the entry of the debtor's
discharge.
``(2) This subsection does not apply to reaffirmation agreements
where the creditor is a credit union, as defined in section
19(b)(1)(A)(iv) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C.
461(b)(1)(A)(iv)).''.
(b) Law Enforcement.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 9 of title 18, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 158. Designation of United States attorneys and agents of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation to address abusive
reaffirmations of debt and materially fraudulent
statements in bankruptcy schedules
``(a) In General.--The Attorney General of the United States shall
designate the individuals described in subsection (b) to have primary
responsibility in carrying out enforcement activities in addressing
violations of section 152 or 157 relating to abusive reaffirmations of
debt. In addition to addressing the violations referred to in the
preceding sentence, the individuals described under subsection (b)
shall address violations of section 152 or 157 relating to materially
fraudulent statements in bankruptcy schedules that are intentionally
false or intentionally misleading.
``(b) United States District Attorneys and Agents of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation.--The individuals referred to in subsection (a)
are--
``(1) a United States attorney for each judicial district
of the United States; and
``(2) an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(within the meaning of section 3107) for each field office of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
``(c) Bankruptcy Investigations.--Each United States attorney
designated under this section shall, in addition to any other
responsibilities, have primary responsibility for carrying out the
duties of a United States attorney under section 3057.
``(d) Bankruptcy Procedures.--The bankruptcy courts shall establish
procedures for referring any case which may contain a materially
fraudulent statement in a bankruptcy schedule to the individuals
designated under this section.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The analysis for chapter 9 of
title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``158. Designation of United States attorneys and agents of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation to address abusive
reaffirmations of debt and materially
fraudulent statements in bankruptcy
schedules.''.
Subtitle B--Priority Child Support
SEC. 211. DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATION.
Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (12A); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:
``(14A) `domestic support obligation' means a debt that
accrues before or after the entry of an order for relief under
this title, including interest that accrues on that debt as
provided under applicable nonbankruptcy law notwithstanding any
other provision of this title, that is--
``(A) owed to or recoverable by--
``(i) a spouse, former spouse, or child of
the debtor or such child's parent, legal
guardian, or responsible relative; or
``(ii) a governmental unit;
``(B) in the nature of alimony, maintenance, or
support (including assistance provided by a
governmental unit) of such spouse, former spouse, or
child of the debtor or such child's parent, without
regard to whether such debt is expressly so designated;
``(C) established or subject to establishment
before or after entry of an order for relief under this
title, by reason of applicable provisions of--
``(i) a separation agreement, divorce
decree, or property settlement agreement;
``(ii) an order of a court of record; or
``(iii) a determination made in accordance
with applicable nonbankruptcy law by a
governmental unit; and
``(D) not assigned to a nongovernmental entity,
unless that obligation is assigned voluntarily by the
spouse, former spouse, child, or parent, legal
guardian, or responsible relative of the child for the
purpose of collecting the debt;''.
SEC. 212. PRIORITIES FOR CLAIMS FOR DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS.
Section 507(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (7);
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (6) as
paragraphs (2) through (7), respectively;
(3) in paragraph (2), as redesignated, by striking
``First'' and inserting ``Second'';
(4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated, by striking
``Second'' and inserting ``Third'';
(5) in paragraph (4), as redesignated--
(A) by striking ``Third'' and inserting ``Fourth'';
and
(B) by striking the semicolon at the end and
inserting a period;
(6) in paragraph (5), as redesignated, by striking
``Fourth'' and inserting ``Fifth'';
(7) in paragraph (6), as redesignated, by striking
``Fifth'' and inserting ``Sixth'';
(8) in paragraph (7), as redesignated, by striking
``Sixth'' and inserting ``Seventh''; and
(9) by inserting before paragraph (2), as redesignated, the
following:
``(1) First:
``(A) Allowed unsecured claims for domestic support
obligations that, as of the date of the filing of the
petition, are owed to or recoverable by a spouse,
former spouse, or child of the debtor, or the parent,
legal guardian, or responsible relative of such child,
without regard to whether the claim is filed by such
person or is filed by a governmental unit on behalf of
that person, on the condition that funds received under
this paragraph by a governmental unit under this title
after the date of filing of the petition shall be
applied and distributed in accordance with applicable
nonbankruptcy law.
``(B) Subject to claims under subparagraph (A),
allowed unsecured claims for domestic support
obligations that, as of the date the petition was filed
are assigned by a spouse, former spouse, child of the
debtor, or such child's parent, legal guardian, or
responsible relative to a governmental unit (unless
such obligation is assigned voluntarily by the spouse,
former spouse, child
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, parent, legal guardian, or
responsible relative of the child for the purpose of
collecting the debt) or are owed directly to or
recoverable by a government unit under applicable
nonbankruptcy law, on the condition that funds received
under this paragraph by a governmental unit under this
title after the date of filing of the petition be
applied and distributed in accordance with applicable
nonbankruptcy law.''.
SEC. 213. REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN CONFIRMATION AND DISCHARGE IN CASES
INVOLVING DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATIONS.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 1129(a), by adding at the end the following:
``(14) If the debtor is required by a judicial or
administrative order or statute to pay a domestic support
obligation, the debtor has paid all amounts payable under such
order or statute for such obligation that first become payable
after the date on which the petition is filed.'';
(2) in section 1208(c)--
(A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``or'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) failure of the debtor to pay any domestic support
obligation that first becomes payable after the date on which
the petition is filed.'';
(3) in section 1222(a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
a plan may provide for less than full payment of all amounts
owed for a claim entitled to priority under section
507(a)(1)(B) only if the plan provides that all of the debtor's
projected disposable income for a 5-year period, beginning on
the date that the first payment is due under the plan, will be
applied to make payments under the plan.'';
(4) in section 1222(b)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (11) as paragraph
(12); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (10) the
following:
``(11) provide for the payment of interest accruing after
the date of the filing of the petition on unsecured claims that
are nondischargeable under section 1328(a), except that such
interest may be paid only to the extent that the debtor has
disposable income available to pay such interest after making
provision for full payment of all allowed claims;'';
(5) in section 1225(a)--
(A) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) if the debtor is required by a judicial or
administrative order or statute to pay a domestic support
obligation, the debtor has paid all amounts payable under such
order for such obligation that first become payable after the
date on which the petition is filed.'';
(6) in section 1228(a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by inserting ``, and in the case of a debtor who is
required by a judicial or administrative order to pay a
domestic support obligation, after such debtor certifies that
all amounts payable under such order or statute that are due on
or before the date of the certification (including amounts due
before the petition was filed, but only to the extent provided
for in the plan) have been paid'' after ``completion by the
debtor of all payments under the plan'';
(7) in section 1307(c)--
(A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``or'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (10), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; or''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(11) failure of the debtor to pay any domestic support
obligation that first becomes payable after the date on which
the petition is filed.'';
(8) in section 1322(a)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding in the end the following:
``(4) notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
a plan may provide for less than full payment of all amounts
owed for a claim entitled to priority under section
507(a)(1)(B) only if the plan provides that all of the debtor's
projected disposable income for a 5-year period beginning on
the date that the first payment is due under the plan will be
applied to make payments under the plan.'';
(9) in section 1322(b)--
(A) in paragraph (9), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph
(11); and
(C) inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) provide for the payment of interest accruing after
the date of the filing of the petition on unsecured claims that
are nondischargeable under section 1328(a), except that such
interest may be paid only to the extent that the debtor has
disposable income available to pay such interest after making
provision for full payment of all allowed claims; and'';
(10) in section 1325(a) (as amended by this Act), by adding
at the end the following:
``(8) the debtor is required by a judicial or
administrative order or statute to pay a domestic support
obligation, the debtor has paid all amounts payable under such
order or statute for such obligation that first becomes payable
after the date on which the petition is filed; and'';
(11) in section 1328(a), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by inserting ``, and in the case of a debtor who is
required by a judicial or administrative order to pay a
domestic support obligation, after such debtor certifies that
all amounts payable under such order or statute that are due on
or before the date of the certification (including amounts due
before the petition was filed, but only to the extent provided
for in the plan) have been paid'' after ``completion by the
debtor of all payments under the plan''.
SEC. 214. EXCEPTIONS TO AUTOMATIC STAY IN DOMESTIC SUPPORT OBLIGATION
PROCEEDINGS.
Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) under subsection (a)--
``(A) of the commencement or continuation of a
civil action or proceeding--
``(i) for the establishment of paternity;
``(ii) for the establishment or
modification of an order for domestic support
obligations;
``(iii) concerning child custody or
visitation;
``(iv) for the dissolution of a marriage,
except to the extent that such proceeding seeks
2000
to determine the division of property that is
property of the estate; or
``(v) regarding domestic violence;
``(B) the collection of a domestic support
obligation from property that is not property of the
estate;
``(C) with respect to the withholding of income
that is property of the estate or property of the
debtor for payment of a domestic support obligation
under a judicial or administrative order;
``(D) the withholding, suspension, or restriction
of drivers' licenses, professional and occupational
licenses, and recreational licenses under State law, as
specified in section 466(a)(16) of the Social Security
Act;
``(E) the reporting of overdue support owed by a
parent to any consumer reporting agency as specified in
section 466(a)(7) of the Social Security Act;
``(F) the interception of tax refunds, as specified
in sections 464 and 466(a)(3) of the Social Security
Act or under an analogous State law; or
``(G) the enforcement of medical obligations as
specified under title IV of the Social Security Act;''.
SEC. 215. NONDISCHARGEABILITY OF CERTAIN DEBTS FOR ALIMONY,
MAINTENANCE, AND SUPPORT.
Section 523 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking paragraph (5) and inserting the
following:
``(5) for a domestic support obligation;''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (18);
(2) in subsection (c), by striking ``(6), or (15)'' each
place it appears and inserting ``or (6)''; and
(3) in paragraph (15), as added by Public Law 103-394 (108
Stat. 4133)--
(A) by inserting ``to a spouse, former spouse, or
child of the debtor and'' before ``not of the kind'';
(B) by inserting ``or'' after ``court of record,'';
and
(C) by striking ``unless--'' and all that follows
through the end of the paragraph and inserting a
semicolon.
SEC. 216. CONTINUED LIABILITY OF PROPERTY.
Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c), by striking paragraph (1) and
inserting the following:
``(1) a debt of a kind specified in paragraph (1) or (5) of
section 523(a) (in which case, notwithstanding any provision of
applicable nonbankruptcy law to the contrary, such property
shall be liable for a debt of a kind specified in section
523(a)(5));'';
(2) in subsection (f)(1)(A), by striking the dash and all
that follows through the end of the subparagraph and inserting
``of a kind that is specified in section 523(a)(5); or''; and
(3) in subsection (g)(2), by striking ``subsection (f)(2)''
and inserting ``subsection (f)(1)(B)''.
SEC. 217. PROTECTION OF DOMESTIC SUPPORT CLAIMS AGAINST PREFERENTIAL
TRANSFER MOTIONS.
Section 547(c)(7) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(7) to the extent such transfer was a bona fide payment
of a debt for a domestic support obligation;''.
SEC. 218. DISPOSABLE INCOME DEFINED.
Section 1225(b)(2)(A) of title 11, United States Code, is amended
by inserting ``or for a domestic support obligation that first becomes
payable after the date on which the petition is filed'' after
``dependent of the debtor''.
SEC. 219. COLLECTION OF CHILD SUPPORT.
(a) Duties of Trustee Under Chapter 7.--Section 704 of title 11,
United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (8), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(10) if, with respect to an individual debtor, there is a
claim for a domestic support obligation, provide the applicable
notification specified in subsection (c); and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c)(1) In any case described in subsection (a)(10), the trustee
shall--
``(A)(i) notify in writing the holder of the claim of the
right of that holder to use the services of a State child
support enforcement agency established under sections 464 and
466 of the Social Security Act for the State in which the
holder resides for assistance in collecting child support
during and after the bankruptcy procedures;
``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the
address and telephone number of the child support enforcement
agency; and
``(iii) include in the notice an explanation of the rights
of the holder of the claim to payment of the claim under this
chapter; and
``(B)(i) notify in writing the State child support agency
of the State in which the holder of the claim resides of the
claim;
``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the name,
address, and telephone number of the holder of the claim; and
``(iii) at such time as the debtor is granted a discharge
under section 727, notify the holder of that claim and the
State child support agency of the State in which that holder
resides of--
``(I) the granting of the discharge;
``(II) the last recent known address of the debtor;
``(III) the last recent known name and address of
the debtor's employer; and
``(IV) with respect to the debtor's case, the name
of each creditor that holds a claim that--
``(aa) is not discharged under paragraph
(2), (4), or (14A) of section 523(a); or
``(bb) was reaffirmed by the debtor under
section 524(c).
``(2)(A) A holder of a claim or a State child support agency may
request from a creditor described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii)(IV) the last
known address of the debtor.
``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a creditor that
makes a disclosure of a last known address of a debtor in connection
with a request made under subparagraph (A) shall not be liable to the
debtor or any other person by reason of making that disclosure.''.
(b) Duties of Trustee Under Chapter 11.--Section 1106 of title 11,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) if, with respect to an individual debtor, there is a
claim for a domestic support obligation, provide the applicable
notification specified in subsection (c).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c)(1) In any case described in subsection (a)(7), the trustee
shall--
``(A)(i) notify in writing the holder of the claim of the
right of that holder to use the services of a State child
support enforcement agency established under sections 464 and
466 of the Social Security Act for the State in which the
holder resides; and
``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the
address and telephone number of the child support enforcem
2000
ent
agency; and
``(B)(i) notify, in writing, the State child support agency
(of the State in which the holder of the claim resides) of the
claim;
``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the name,
address, and telephone number of the holder of the claim; and
``(iii) at such time as the debtor is granted a discharge
under section 1141, notify the holder of the claim and the
State child support agency of the State in which that holder
resides of--
``(I) the granting of the discharge;
``(II) the last recent known address of the debtor;
``(III) the last recent known name and address of
the debtor's employer; and
``(IV) with respect to the debtor's case, the name
of each creditor that holds a claim that--
``(aa) is not discharged under paragraph
(2), (3), or (14) of section 523(a); or
``(bb) was reaffirmed by the debtor under
section 524(c).
``(2)(A) A holder of a claim or a State child support agency may
request from a creditor described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii)(IV) the last
known address of the debtor.
``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a creditor that
makes a disclosure of a last known address of a debtor in connection
with a request made under subparagraph (A) shall not be liable to the
debtor or any other person by reason of making that disclosure.''.
(c) Duties of Trustee Under Chapter 12.--Section 1202 of title 11,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) if, with respect to an individual debtor, there is a
claim for a domestic support obligation, provide the applicable
notification specified in subsection (c).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c)(1) In any case described in subsection (b)(6), the trustee
shall--
``(A)(i) notify in writing the holder of the claim of the
right of that holder to use the services of a State child
support enforcement agency established under sections 464 and
466 of the Social Security Act for the State in which the
holder resides; and
``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the
address and telephone number of the child support enforcement
agency; and
``(B)(i) notify, in writing, the State child support agency
(of the State in which the holder of the claim resides) of the
claim;
``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the name,
address, and telephone number of the holder of the claim; and
``(iii) at such time as the debtor is granted a discharge
under section 1228, notify the holder of the claim and the
State child support agency of the State in which that holder
resides of--
``(I) the granting of the discharge;
``(II) the last recent known address of the debtor;
``(III) the last recent known name and address of
the debtor's employer; and
``(IV) with respect to the debtor's case, the name
of each creditor that holds a claim that--
``(aa) is not discharged under paragraph
(2), (4), or (14) of section 523(a); or
``(bb) was reaffirmed by the debtor under
section 524(c).
``(2)(A) A holder of a claim or a State child support agency may
request from a creditor described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii)(IV) the last
known address of the debtor.
``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a creditor that
makes a disclosure of a last known address of a debtor in connection
with a request made under subparagraph (A) shall not be liable to the
debtor or any other person by reason of making that disclosure.''.
(d) Duties of Trustee Under Chapter 13.--Section 1302 of title 11,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) if, with respect to an individual debtor, there is a
claim for a domestic support obligation, provide the applicable
notification specified in subsection (d).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d)(1) In any case described in subsection (b)(6), the trustee
shall--
``(A)(i) notify in writing the holder of the claim of the
right of that holder to use the services of a State child
support enforcement agency established under sections 464 and
466 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 664, 666) for the
State in which the holder resides; and
``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the
address and telephone number of the child support enforcement
agency; and
``(B)(i) notify in writing the State child support agency
of the State in which the holder of the claim resides of the
claim;
``(ii) include in the notice under this paragraph the name,
address, and telephone number of the holder of the claim; and
``(iii) at such time as the debtor is granted a discharge
under section 1328, notify the holder of the claim and the
State child support agency of the State in which that holder
resides of--
``(I) the granting of the discharge;
``(II) the last recent known address of the debtor;
``(III) the last recent known name and address of
the debtor's employer; and
``(IV) with respect to the debtor's case, the name
of each creditor that holds a claim that--
``(aa) is not discharged under paragraph
(2), (4), or (14) of section 523(a); or
``(bb) was reaffirmed by the debtor under
section 524(c).
``(2)(A) A holder of a claim or a State child support agency may
request from a creditor described in paragraph (1)(B)(iii)(IV) the last
known address of the debtor.
``(B) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a creditor that
makes a disclosure of a last known address of a debtor in connection
with a request made under subparagraph (A) shall not be liable to the
debtor or any other person by reason of making that disclosure.''.
SEC. 220. NONDISCHARGEABILITY OF CERTAIN EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS AND
LOANS.
Section 523(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking paragraph (8) and inserting the following:
``(8) unless excepting such debt from discharge under this
paragraph would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and the
debtor's dependents, for--
``(A)(i) an educational benefit overpayment or loan
made, insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit, or
made under any program funded in whole or in part by a
governmental unit or nonprofit institution; or
``(ii) an obligation to repay funds received as an
educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend; or
``(B) any other educational loan that is a
qualified education loan, as that term is defined in
2000
section 221(e)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
incurred by an individual debtor;''.
Subtitle C--Other Consumer Protections
SEC. 221. AMENDMENTS TO DISCOURAGE ABUSIVE BANKRUPTCY FILINGS.
Section 110 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``a person, other
than an attorney or an employee of an attorney'' and inserting
``a person other than the attorney for the debtor or an
employee of such attorney under the direct supervision of such
attorney'';
(2) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the
following: ``If a bankruptcy petition preparer is not
an individual, then an officer, principal, responsible
person, or partner of the preparer shall be required
to--
``(A) sign the document for filing; and
``(B) print on the document the name and address of that
officer, principal, responsible person or partner.''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2)(A) Before preparing any document for filing or accepting any
fees from a debtor, the bankruptcy petition preparer shall provide to
the debtor a written notice to debtors concerning bankruptcy petition
preparers, which shall be on an official form issued by the Judicial
Conference of the United States.
``(B) The notice under subparagraph (A)--
``(i) shall inform the debtor in simple language that a
bankruptcy petition preparer is not an attorney and may not
practice law or give legal advice;
``(ii) may contain a description of examples of legal
advice that a bankruptcy petition preparer is not authorized to
give, in addition to any advice that the preparer may not give
by reason of subsection (e)(2); and
``(iii) shall--
``(I) be signed by--
``(aa) the debtor; and
``(bb) the bankruptcy petition preparer,
under penalty of perjury; and
``(II) be filed with any document for filing.'';
(3) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking ``(2) For purposes'' and
inserting ``(2)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B),
for purposes''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) If a bankruptcy petition preparer is not an individual, the
identifying number of the bankruptcy petition preparer shall be the
Social Security account number of the officer, principal, responsible
person, or partner of the preparer.''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (3);
(4) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``(d)(1)'' and inserting ``(d)'';
and
(B) by striking paragraph (2);
(5) in subsection (e)--
(A) by striking paragraph (2); and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2)(A) A bankruptcy petition preparer may not offer a potential
bankruptcy debtor any legal advice, including any legal advice
described in subparagraph (B).
``(B) The legal advice referred to in subparagraph (A) includes
advising the debtor--
``(i) whether--
``(I) to file a petition under this title; or
``(II) commencing a case under chapter 7, 11, 12,
or 13 is appropriate;
``(ii) whether the debtor's debts will be eliminated or
discharged in a case under this title;
``(iii) whether the debtor will be able to retain the
debtor's home, car, or other property after commencing a case
under this title;
``(iv) concerning--
``(I) the tax consequences of a case brought under
this title; or
``(II) the dischargeability of tax claims;
``(v) whether the debtor may or should promise to repay
debts to a creditor or enter into a reaffirmation agreement
with a creditor to reaffirm a debt;
``(vi) concerning how to characterize the nature of the
debtor's interests in property or the debtor's debts; or
``(vii) concerning bankruptcy procedures and rights.'';
(6) in subsection (f)--
(A) by striking ``(f)(1)'' and inserting ``(f)'';
and
(B) by striking paragraph (2);
(7) in subsection (g)--
(A) by striking ``(g)(1)'' and inserting ``(g)'';
and
(B) by striking paragraph (2);
(8) in subsection (h)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (4) as
paragraphs (2) through (5), respectively;
(B) by inserting before paragraph (2), as
redesignated, the following:
``(1) The Supreme Court may promulgate rules under section 2075 of
title 28, or the Judicial Conference of the United States may prescribe
guidelines, for setting a maximum allowable fee chargeable by a
bankruptcy petition preparer. A bankruptcy petition preparer shall
notify the debtor of any such maximum amount before preparing any
document for filing for a debtor or accepting any fee from the
debtor.'';
(C) in paragraph (2), as redesignated--
(i) by striking ``Within 10 days after the
date of filing a petition, a bankruptcy
petition preparer shall file a'' and inserting
``A'';
(ii) by inserting ``by the bankruptcy
petition preparer shall be filed together with
the petition,'' after ``perjury''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``If rules or guidelines setting a maximum fee
for services have been promulgated or
prescribed under paragraph (1), the declaration
under this paragraph shall include a
certification that the bankruptcy petition
preparer complied with the notification
requirement under paragraph (1).'';
(D) by striking paragraph (3), as redesignated, and
inserting the following:
``(3)(A) The court shall disallow and order the immediate
turnover to the bankruptcy trustee any fee referred to in
paragraph (2) found to be in excess of the value of any
services--
``(i) rendered by the preparer during the 12-month
period immediately preceding the date of filing of the
petition; or
``(ii) found to be in violation of any rule or
guideline promulgated or prescribed under paragraph
(1).
``(B) All fees charged by a bankruptcy petition preparer
may be forfeited in any case in which the bankruptcy petition
preparer fails to comply with this subsection or subsection
(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g).
``(C) An individual may exempt any funds recovered under
this paragraph under section 522(b).''; and
(E) in paragraph (4), as redesignated, by striking
``or the United States trustee'' and inserting ``the
United States trustee, the bankruptcy administrator, or
the court, on the initiative of the court,'';
(9) in subsection (i)(1), by striking the matter preceding
subparagraph (A) and inserting the following:
``(i)(1) If a bankruptcy petitio
2000
n preparer violates this section or
commits any act that the court finds to be fraudulent, unfair, or
deceptive, on motion of the debtor, trustee, United States trustee, or
bankruptcy administrator, and after the court holds a hearing with
respect to that violation or act, the court shall order the bankruptcy
petition preparer to pay to the debtor--'';
(10) in subsection (j)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by striking
``a violation of which subjects a person to
criminal penalty'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``or has not paid a
penalty'' and inserting ``has not paid
a penalty''; and
(II) by inserting ``or failed to
disgorge all fees ordered by the
court'' after ``a penalty imposed under
this section,'';
(B) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(4); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) The court, as part of its contempt power, may enjoin a
bankruptcy petition preparer that has failed to comply with a previous
order issued under this section. The injunction under this paragraph
may be issued upon motion of the court, the trustee, the United States
trustee, or the bankruptcy administrator.''; and
(11) by adding at the end the following:
``(l)(1) A bankruptcy petition preparer who fails to comply with
any provision of subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) may be
fined not more than $500 for each such failure.
``(2) The court shall triple the amount of a fine assessed under
paragraph (1) in any case in which the court finds that a bankruptcy
petition preparer--
``(A) advised the debtor to exclude assets or income that
should have been included on applicable schedules;
``(B) advised the debtor to use a false Social Security
account number;
``(C) failed to inform the debtor that the debtor was
filing for relief under this title; or
``(D) prepared a document for filing in a manner that
failed to disclose the identity of the preparer.
``(3) The debtor, the trustee, a creditor, the United States
trustee, or the bankruptcy administrator may file a motion for an order
imposing a fine on the bankruptcy petition preparer for each violation
of this section.
``(4)(A) Fines imposed under this subsection in judicial districts
served by United States trustees shall be paid to the United States
trustee, who shall deposit an amount equal to such fines in a special
account of the United States Trustee System Fund referred to in section
586(e)(2) of title 28. Amounts deposited under this subparagraph shall
be available to fund the enforcement of this section on a national
basis.
``(B) Fines imposed under this subsection in judicial districts
served by bankruptcy administrators shall be deposited as offsetting
receipts to the fund established under section 1931 of title 28, and
shall remain available until expended to reimburse any appropriation
for the amount paid out of such appropriation for expenses of the
operation and maintenance of the courts of the United States.''.
SEC. 222. SENSE OF CONGRESS.
It is the sense of Congress that States should develop curricula
relating to the subject of personal finance, designed for use in
elementary and secondary schools.
SEC. 223. ADDITIONAL AMENDMENTS TO TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.
Section 507(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after paragraph (9) the following:
``(10) Tenth, allowed claims for death or personal injuries
resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel if
such operation was unlawful because the debtor was intoxicated
from using alcohol, a drug, or another substance.''.
SEC. 224. PROTECTION OF RETIREMENT SAVINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.
(a) In General.--Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``and'' at the end;
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and'';
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) retirement funds to the extent that those funds are
in a fund or account that is exempt from taxation under section
401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.''; and
(iv) by striking ``(2)(A) any property''
and inserting:
``(3) Property listed in this paragraph is--
``(A) any property'';
(B) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting:
``(2) Property listed in this paragraph is property that is
specified under subsection (d), unless the State law that is applicable
to the debtor under paragraph (3)(A) specifically does not so
authorize.'';
(C) by striking ``(b) Notwithstanding'' and
inserting ``(b)(1) Notwithstanding'';
(D) by striking ``paragraph (2)'' each place it
appears and inserting ``paragraph (3)'';
(E) by striking ``paragraph (1)'' each place it
appears and inserting ``paragraph (2)'';
(F) by striking ``Such property is--''; and
(G) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) For purposes of paragraph (3)(C) and subsection (d)(12), the
following shall apply:
``(A) If the retirement funds are in a retirement fund that
has received a favorable determination under section 7805 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and that determination is in
effect as of the date of the commencement of the case under
section 301, 302, or 303 of this title, those funds shall be
presumed to be exempt from the estate.
``(B) If the retirement funds are in a retirement fund that
has not received a favorable determination under such section
7805, those funds are exempt from the estate if the debtor
demonstrates that--
``(i) no prior determination to the contrary has
been made by a court or the Internal Revenue Service;
and
``(ii)(I) the retirement fund is in substantial
compliance with the applicable requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
``(II) the retirement fund fails to be in
substantial compliance with the applicable requirements
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the debtor is
not materially responsible for that failure.
``(C) A direct transfer of retirement funds from 1 fund or
account that is exempt from taxation under section 401, 403,
408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, under section 401(a)(31) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, or otherwise, shall not cease to qualify for exemption
under paragraph (3)(C) or subsection (d)(12) by reason of that
direct transfer.
``(D)(i) Any distribution that qualifies as an eligible
rollover distribution within the meaning of section 402(c) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or that is described in
clause (ii) shall not cease to qualify for exemption under
paragraph (3)(C) or subsection (d)(12) by reason of that
distribution.
``(ii) A distribution described in this
2000
clause is an amount
that--
``(I) has been distributed from a fund or account
that is exempt from taxation under section 401, 403,
408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986; and
``(II) to the extent allowed by law, is deposited
in such a fund or account not later than 60 days after
the distribution of that amount.''; and
(2) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``subsection (b)(1)'' and inserting
``subsection (b)(2)''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(12) Retirement funds to the extent that those funds are
in a fund or account that is exempt from taxation under section
401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.''.
(b) Automatic Stay.--Section 362(b) of title 11, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (17), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (18), by striking the period and inserting
a semicolon;
(3) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following:
``(19) under subsection (a), of withholding of income from
a debtor's wages and collection of amounts withheld, under the
debtor's agreement authorizing that withholding and collection
for the benefit of a pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or
other plan established under section 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414,
457, or 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, that is
sponsored by the employer of the debtor, or an affiliate,
successor, or predecessor of such employer--
``(A) to the extent that the amounts withheld and
collected are used solely for payments relating to a
loan from a plan that satisfies the requirements of
section 408(b)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 or is subject to section 72(p) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
``(B) in the case of a loan from a thrift savings
plan described in subchapter III of chapter 84 of title
5, that satisfies the requirements of section 8433(g)
of such title;''; and
(4) by adding at the end of the flush material at the end
of the subsection, the following: ``Nothing in paragraph (19)
may be construed to provide that any loan made under a
governmental plan under section 414(d), or a contract or
account under section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986 constitutes a claim or a debt under this title.''.
(c) Exceptions To Discharge.--Section 523(a) of title 11, United
States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(18) owed to a pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or
other plan established under section 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414,
457, or 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, under--
``(A) a loan permitted under section 408(b)(1) of
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, or
subject to section 72(p) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986; or
``(B) a loan from the thrift savings plan described
in subchapter III of chapter 84 of title 5, that
satisfies the requirements of section 8433(g) of such
title,
but nothing in this paragraph may be construed to provide that
any loan made under a governmental plan under section 414(d),
or a contract or account under section 403(b), of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 constitutes a claim or a debt under this
title.''.
(d) Plan Contents.--Section 1322 of title 11, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(f) A plan may not materially alter the terms of a loan described
in section 362(b)(19) and any amounts required to repay such loan shall
not constitute `disposable income' under section 1325.''.
(e) Asset Limitation.--Section 522 of title 11, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(n) For assets in individual retirement accounts described in
section 408 or 408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, other than a
simplified employee pension under section 408(k) of that Code or a
simple retirement account under section 408(p) of that Code, the
aggregate value of such assets exempted under this section, without
regard to amounts attributable to rollover contributions under section
402(c), 402(e)(6), 403(a)(4), 403(a)(5), and 403(b)(8) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, and earnings thereon, shall not exceed $1,000,000
(which amount shall be adjusted as provided in section 104 of this
title) in a case filed by an individual debtor, except that such amount
may be increased if the interests of justice so require.''.
SEC. 225. PROTECTION OF EDUCATION SAVINGS IN BANKRUPTCY.
(a) Exclusions.--Section 541 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``or'' at the
end;
(B) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph
(10); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(5) funds placed in an education individual retirement
account (as defined in section 530(b)(1) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986) not later than 365 days before the date
of filing of the petition, but--
``(A) only if the designated beneficiary of such
account was a son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter,
grandchild, or step-grandchild of the debtor for the
taxable year for which funds were placed in such
account;
``(B) only to the extent that such funds--
``(i) are not pledged or promised to any
entity in connection with any extension of
credit; and
``(ii) are not excess contributions (as
described in section 4973(e) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986); and
``(C) in the case of funds placed in all such
accounts having the same designated beneficiary not
earlier than 720 days nor later than 365 days before
such date, only so much of such funds as does not
exceed $5,000;
``(6) funds used to purchase a tuition credit or
certificate or contributed to an account in accordance with
section 529(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 under
a qualified State tuition program (as defined in section
529(b)(1) of such Code) not later than 365 days before the date
of filing of the petition, but--
``(A) only if the designated beneficiary of the
amounts paid or contributed to such tuition program was
a son, daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, grandchild, or
step-grandchild of the debtor for the taxable year for
which funds were paid or contributed;
``(B) with respect to the aggregate amount paid or
contributed to such program having the same designated
beneficiary, only so much of such amount as does not
exceed the total contributions permitted under section
529(b)(7) of such Code with respect to such
beneficiary, as adjusted beginning on the date of the
filing of the petition by the annual increase or
2000
decrease (rounded to the nearest tenth of 1 percent) in
the education expenditure category of the Consumer
Price Index prepared by the Department of Labor; and
``(C) in the case of funds paid or contributed to
such program having the same designated beneficiary not
earlier than 720 days nor later than 365 days before
such date, only so much of such funds as does not
exceed $5,000;''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) In determining whether any of the relationships specified in
paragraph (5)(A) or (6)(A) of subsection (b) exists, a legally adopted
child of an individual (and a child who is a member of an individual's
household, if placed with such individual by an authorized placement
agency for legal adoption by such individual), or a foster child of an
individual (if such child has as the child's principal place of abode
the home of the debtor and is a member of the debtor's household) shall
be treated as a child of such individual by blood.''.
(b) Debtor's Duties.--Section 521 of title 11, United States Code,
as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(c) In addition to meeting the requirements under subsection (a),
a debtor shall file with the court a record of any interest that a
debtor has in an education individual retirement account (as defined in
section 530(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) or under a
qualified State tuition program (as defined in section 529(b)(1) of
such Code).''.
SEC. 226. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) `assisted person' means any person whose debts
consist primarily of consumer debts and whose non-exempt assets
are less than $150,000;'';
(2) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
``(4A) `bankruptcy assistance' means any goods or services
sold or otherwise provided to an assisted person with the
express or implied purpose of providing information, advice,
counsel, document preparation, or filing, or attendance at a
creditors' meeting or appearing in a proceeding on behalf of
another or providing legal representation with respect to a
case or proceeding under this title;''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (12) the following:
``(12A) `debt relief agency' means any person who provides
any bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person in return for
the payment of money or other valuable consideration, or who is
a bankruptcy petition preparer under section 110, but does not
include--
``(A) any person that is an officer, director,
employee or agent of a person who provides such
assistance or of such preparer;
``(B) a nonprofit organization which is exempt from
taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986;
``(C) a creditor of such assisted person, to the
extent that the creditor is assisting such assisted
person to restructure any debt owed by such assisted
person to the creditor;
``(D) a depository institution (as defined in
section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act) or any
Federal credit union or State credit union (as those
terms are defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit
Union Act), or any affiliate or subsidiary of such a
depository institution or credit union; or
``(E) an author, publisher, distributor, or seller
of works subject to copyright protection under title
17, when acting in such capacity.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 104(b)(1) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``101(3),'' after ``sections''.
SEC. 227. RESTRICTIONS ON DEBT RELIEF AGENCIES.
(a) Enforcement.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 526. Restrictions on debt relief agencies
``(a) A debt relief agency shall not--
``(1) fail to perform any service that such agency informed
an assisted person or prospective assisted person it would
provide in connection with a case or proceeding under this
title;
``(2) make any statement, or counsel or advise any assisted
person or prospective assisted person to make a statement in a
document filed in a case or proceeding under this title, that
is untrue and misleading, or that upon the exercise of
reasonable care, should have been known by such agency to be
untrue or misleading;
``(3) misrepresent to any assisted person or prospective
assisted person, directly or indirectly, affirmatively or by
material omission, with respect to--
``(i) the services that such agency will provide to
such person; or
``(ii) the benefits and risks that may result if
such person becomes a debtor in a case under this
title; or
``(4) advise an assisted person or prospective assisted
person to incur more debt in contemplation of such person
filing a case under this title or to pay an attorney or
bankruptcy petition preparer fee or charge for services
performed as part of preparing for or representing a debtor in
a case under this title.
``(b) Any waiver by any assisted person of any protection or right
provided under this section shall not be enforceable against the debtor
by any Federal or State court or any other person, but may be enforced
against a debt relief agency.
``(c)(1) Any contract for bankruptcy assistance between a debt
relief agency and an assisted person that does not comply with the
material requirements of this section, section 527, or section 528
shall be void and may not be enforced by any Federal or State court or
by any other person, other than such assisted person.
``(2) Any debt relief agency shall be liable to an assisted person
in the amount of any fees or charges in connection with providing
bankruptcy assistance to such person that such debt relief agency has
received, for actual damages, and for reasonable attorneys' fees and
costs if such agency is found, after notice and hearing, to have--
``(A) intentionally or negligently failed to comply with
any provision of this section, section 527, or section 528 with
respect to a case or proceeding under this title for such
assisted person;
``(B) provided bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person
in a case or proceeding under this title that is dismissed or
converted to a case under another chapter of this title because
of such agency's intentional or negligent failure to file any
required document including those specified in section 521; or
``(C) intentionally or negligently disregarded the material
requirements of this title or the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy
Procedure applicable to such agency.
``(3) In addition to such other remedies as are provided under
State law, whenever the chief law enforcement officer of a State, or an
official or agency designated by a State, has reason to believe that
any person has violated or is violating this section, the State--
``(A) may bring an action to enjoin such violation;
``(B) may bring an action on behalf of its residents to
recover the actual damages of assisted persons arising from
such violation, including any liability under paragraph
2000
(2);
and
``(C) in the case of any successful action under
subparagraph (A) or (B), shall be awarded the costs of the
action and reasonable attorney fees as determined by the court.
``(4) The United States District Court for any district located in
the State shall have concurrent jurisdiction of any action under
subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3).
``(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law and in
addition to any other remedy provided under Federal or State law, if
the court, on its own motion or on motion of the United States trustee
or the debtor, finds that a person intentionally violated this section,
or engaged in a clear and consistent pattern or practice of violating
this section, the court may--
``(A) enjoin the violation of such section; or
``(B) impose an appropriate civil penalty against such
person.''.
``(d) No provision of this section, section 527, or section 528
shall--
``(1) annul, alter, affect, or exempt any person subject to
such sections from complying with any law of any State except
to the extent that such law is inconsistent with those
sections, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency; or
``(2) be deemed to limit or curtail the authority or
ability--
``(A) of a State or subdivision or instrumentality
thereof, to determine and enforce qualifications for
the practice of law under the laws of that State; or
``(B) of a Federal court to determine and enforce
the qualifications for the practice of law before that
court.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 5 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting before the item
relating to section 527, the following:
``526. Restrictions on debt relief agencies.''.
SEC. 228. DISCLOSURES.
(a) Disclosures.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, United
States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``Sec. 527. Disclosures
``(a) A debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance to an
assisted person shall provide--
``(1) the written notice required under section 342(b)(1)
of this title; and
``(2) to the extent not covered in the written notice
described in paragraph (1), and not later than 3 business days
after the first date on which a debt relief agency first offers
to provide any bankruptcy assistance services to an assisted
person, a clear and conspicuous written notice advising
assisted persons that--
``(A) all information that the assisted person is
required to provide with a petition and thereafter
during a case under this title is required to be
complete, accurate, and truthful;
``(B) all assets and all liabilities are required
to be completely and accurately disclosed in the
documents filed to commence the case, and the
replacement value of each asset as defined in section
506 of this title must be stated in those documents
where requested after reasonable inquiry to establish
such value;
``(C) current monthly income, the amounts specified
in section 707(b)(2), and, in a case under chapter 13,
disposable income (determined in accordance with
section 707(b)(2)), are required to be stated after
reasonable inquiry; and
``(D) information that an assisted person provides
during their case may be audited pursuant to this
title, and that failure to provide such information may
result in dismissal of the case under this title or
other sanction including, in some instances, criminal
sanctions.
``(b) A debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance to an
assisted person shall provide each assisted person at the same time as
the notices required under subsection (a)(1) with the following
statement, to the extent applicable, or one substantially similar. The
statement shall be clear and conspicuous and shall be in a single
document separate from other documents or notices provided to the
assisted person:
```IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES FROM
AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER.
```If you decide to seek bankruptcy relief, you can represent
yourself, you can hire an attorney to represent you, or you can get
help in some localities from a bankruptcy petition preparer who is not
an attorney. THE LAW REQUIRES AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY PETITION
PREPARER TO GIVE YOU A WRITTEN CONTRACT SPECIFYING WHAT THE ATTORNEY OR
BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER WILL DO FOR YOU AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST.
Ask to see the contract before you hire anyone.
```The following information helps you understand what must be done
in a routine bankruptcy case to help you evaluate how much service you
need. Although bankruptcy can be complex, many cases are routine.
```Before filing a bankruptcy case, either you or your attorney
should analyze your eligibility for different forms of debt relief made
available by the Bankruptcy Code and which form of relief is most
likely to be beneficial for you. Be sure you understand the relief you
can obtain and its limitations. To file a bankruptcy case, documents
called a Petition, Schedules and Statement of Financial Affairs, as
well as in some cases a Statement of Intention need to be prepared
correctly and filed with the bankruptcy court. You will have to pay a
filing fee to the bankruptcy court. Once your case starts, you will
have to attend the required first meeting of creditors where you may be
questioned by a court official called a `trustee' and by creditors.
```If you choose to file a chapter 7 case, you may be asked by a
creditor to reaffirm a debt. You may want help deciding whether to do
so and a creditor is not permitted to coerce you into reaffirming your
debts.
```If you choose to file a chapter 13 case in which you repay your
creditors what you can afford over 3 to 5 years, you may also want help
with preparing your chapter 13 plan and with the confirmation hearing
on your plan which will be before a bankruptcy judge.
```If you select another type of relief under the Bankruptcy Code
other than chapter 7 or chapter 13, you will want to find out what
needs to be done from someone familiar with that type of relief.
```Your bankruptcy case may also involve litigation. You are
generally permitted to represent yourself in litigation in bankruptcy
court, but only attorneys, not bankruptcy petition preparers, can give
you legal advice.'.
``(c) Except to the extent the debt relief agency provides the
required information itself after reasonably diligent inquiry of the
assisted person or others so as to obtain such information reasonably
accurately for inclusion on the petition, schedules or statement of
financial affairs, a debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance
to an assisted person, to the extent permitted by nonbankruptcy law,
shall provide each assisted person at the time required for the notice
required under subsection (a)(1) reasonably sufficient information
(which shall be provided in a clear and conspicuous writing) to the
assisted person on how to provide all the information the assisted
person is required to provide under this title pursuant to section 521,
including--
``(1) how to value assets at replacement value, determine
current monthly income, the amounts specified in section
707(b)(2)) and, in a chapter 13 case, how to determine
disposable income in accordance with section 707(b)(2) and
related calculations;
``(2) how to complete
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the list of creditors, including how
to determine what amount is owed and what address for the
creditor should be shown; and
``(3) how to determine what property is exempt and how to
value exempt property at replacement value as defined in
section 506 of this title.
``(d) A debt relief agency shall maintain a copy of the notices
required under subsection (a) of this section for 2 years after the
date on which the notice is given the assisted person.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 5 of
title 11, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 526 the following:
``527. Disclosures.''.
SEC. 229. REQUIREMENTS FOR DEBT RELIEF AGENCIES.
(a) Enforcement.--Subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 11, United
States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``Sec. 528. Requirements for debt relief agencies
``(a) A debt relief agency shall--
``(1) not later than 5 business days after the first date
such agency provides any bankruptcy assistance services to an
assisted person, but prior to such assisted person's petition
under this title being filed, execute a written contract with
such assisted person that explains clearly and conspicuously--
``(A) the services such agency will provide to such
assisted person; and
``(B) the fees or charges for such services, and
the terms of payment;
``(2) provide the assisted person with a copy of the fully
executed and completed contract;
``(3) clearly and conspicuously disclose in any
advertisement of bankruptcy assistance services or of the
benefits of bankruptcy directed to the general public (whether
in general media, seminars or specific mailings, telephonic or
electronic messages, or otherwise) that the services or
benefits are with respect to bankruptcy relief under this
title; and
``(4) clearly and conspicuously using the following
statement: `We are a debt relief agency. We help people file
for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code.' or a
substantially similar statement.
``(b)(1) An advertisement of bankruptcy assistance services or of
the benefits of bankruptcy directed to the general public includes--
``(A) descriptions of bankruptcy assistance in connection
with a chapter 13 plan whether or not chapter 13 is
specifically mentioned in such advertisement; and
``(B) statements such as `federally supervised repayment
plan' or `Federal debt restructuring help' or other similar
statements that could lead a reasonable consumer to believe
that debt counseling was being offered when in fact the
services were directed to providing bankruptcy assistance with
a chapter 13 plan or other form of bankruptcy relief under this
title.
``(2) An advertisement, directed to the general public, indicating
that the debt relief agency provides assistance with respect to credit
defaults, mortgage foreclosures, eviction proceedings, excessive debt,
debt collection pressure, or inability to pay any consumer debt shall--
``(A) disclose clearly and conspicuously in such
advertisement that the assistance may involve bankruptcy relief
under this title; and
``(B) include the following statement: `We are a debt
relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under
the Bankruptcy Code,' or a substantially similar statement.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 5 of
title 11, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by
inserting after the item relating to section 527, the following:
``528. Requirements for debt relief agencies.''.
SEC. 230. GAO STUDY.
(a) Study.--Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a
study of the feasibility, effectiveness, and cost of requiring trustees
appointed under title 11, United States Code, or the bankruptcy courts,
to provide to the Office of Child Support Enforcement promptly after
the commencement of cases by individual debtors under such title, the
names and social security numbers of such debtors for the purposes of
allowing such Office to determine whether such debtors have outstanding
obligations for child support (as determined on the basis of
information in the Federal Case Registry or other national database).
(b) Report.--Not later than 300 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the President pro
tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives a
report containing the results of the study required by subsection (a).
SEC. 231. PROHIBITION ON DISCLOSURE OF IDENTITY OF MINOR CHILDREN.
(a) Prohibition.--Title 11 of the United States Code, as amended by
section 106, is amended by inserting after section 111 the following:
``Sec. 112. Prohibition on disclosure of identity of minor child
``In a case under this title, the debtor may be required to provide
information regarding a minor child involved in matters under this
title, but may not be required to disclose in the public records in the
case the name of such minor child.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 1 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``112. Prohibition on disclosure of name of minor child.''.
TITLE III--DISCOURAGING BANKRUPTCY ABUSE
SEC. 301. REINFORCEMENT OF THE FRESH START.
Section 523(a)(17) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``by a court'' and inserting ``on a
prisoner by any court'';
(2) by striking ``section 1915(b) or (f)'' and inserting
``subsection (b) or (f)(2) of section 1915''; and
(3) by inserting ``(or a similar non-Federal law)'' after
``title 28'' each place it appears.
SEC. 302. DISCOURAGING BAD FAITH REPEAT FILINGS.
Section 362(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) if a single or joint case is filed by or against an
individual debtor under chapter 7, 11, or 13, and if a single
or joint case of the debtor was pending within the preceding 1-
year period but was dismissed, other than a case refiled under
a chapter other than chapter 7 after dismissal under section
707(b)--
``(A) the stay under subsection (a) with respect to
any action taken with respect to a debt or property
securing such debt or with respect to any lease shall
terminate with respect to the debtor on the 30th day
after the filing of the later case;
``(B) upon motion by a party in interest for
continuation of the automatic stay and upon notice and
a hearing, the court may extend the stay in particular
cases as to any or all creditors (subject to such
conditions or limitations as the court may then impose)
after notice and a hearing completed before the
expiration of the 30-day period only if the party in
interest demonstrates that the filing of the later case
is in good faith as to the creditors to be stayed; and
``(C) for purposes of subparagraph (B), a case is
presumptively filed not in good faith (but such
presumption may be rebutted by
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clear and convincing
evidence to the contrary)--
``(i) as to all creditors, if--
``(I) more than 1 previous case
under any of chapters 7, 11, and 13 in
which the individual was a debtor was
pending within the preceding 1-year
period;
``(II) a previous case under any of
chapters 7, 11, and 13 in which the
individual was a debtor was dismissed
within such 1-year period, after the
debtor failed to--
``(aa) file or amend the
petition or other documents as
required by this title or the
court without substantial
excuse (but mere inadvertence
or negligence shall not be a
substantial excuse unless the
dismissal was caused by the
negligence of the debtor's
attorney);
``(bb) provide adequate
protection as ordered by the
court; or
``(cc) perform the terms of
a plan confirmed by the court;
or
``(III) there has not been a
substantial change in the financial or
personal affairs of the debtor since
the dismissal of the next most previous
case under chapter 7, 11, or 13 or any
other reason to conclude that the later
case will be concluded--
``(aa) if a case under
chapter 7, with a discharge; or
``(bb) if a case under
chapter 11 or 13, with a
confirmed plan which will be
fully performed; and
``(ii) as to any creditor that commenced an
action under subsection (d) in a previous case
in which the individual was a debtor if, as of
the date of dismissal of such case, that action
was still pending or had been resolved by
terminating, conditioning, or limiting the stay
as to actions of such creditor; and
``(4)(A)(i) if a single or joint case is filed by or
against an individual debtor under this title, and if 2 or more
single or joint cases of the debtor were pending within the
previous year but were dismissed, other than a case refiled
under section 707(b), the stay under subsection (a) shall not
go into effect upon the filing of the later case; and
``(ii) on request of a party in interest, the court shall
promptly enter an order confirming that no stay is in effect;
``(B) if, within 30 days after the filing of the later
case, a party in interest requests the court may order the stay
to take effect in the case as to any or all creditors (subject
to such conditions or limitations as the court may impose),
after notice and hearing, only if the party in interest
demonstrates that the filing of the later case is in good faith
as to the creditors to be stayed;
``(C) a stay imposed under subparagraph (B) shall be
effective on the date of entry of the order allowing the stay
to go into effect; and
``(D) for purposes of subparagraph (B), a case is
presumptively not filed in good faith (but such presumption may
be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary)--
``(i) as to all creditors if--
``(I) 2 or more previous cases under this
title in which the individual was a debtor were
pending within the 1-year period;
``(II) a previous case under this title in
which the individual was a debtor was dismissed
within the time period stated in this paragraph
after the debtor failed to file or amend the
petition or other documents as required by this
title or the court without substantial excuse
(but mere inadvertence or negligence shall not
be substantial excuse unless the dismissal was
caused by the negligence of the debtor's
attorney), failed to pay adequate protection as
ordered by the court, or failed to perform the
terms of a plan confirmed by the court; or
``(III) there has not been a substantial
change in the financial or personal affairs of
the debtor since the dismissal of the next most
previous case under this title, or any other
reason to conclude that the later case will not
be concluded, if a case under chapter 7, with a
discharge, and if a case under chapter 11 or
13, with a confirmed plan that will be fully
performed; or
``(ii) as to any creditor that commenced an action
under subsection (d) in a previous case in which the
individual was a debtor if, as of the date of dismissal
of such case, such action was still pending or had been
resolved by terminating, conditioning, or limiting the
stay as to action of such creditor.''.
SEC. 303. CURBING ABUSIVE FILINGS.
(a) In General.--Section 362(d) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) with respect to a stay of an act against real
property under subsection (a), by a creditor whose claim is
secured by an interest in such real estate, if the court finds
that the filing of the bankruptcy petition was part of a scheme
to delay, hinder, and defraud creditors that involved either--
``(A) transfer of all or part ownership of, or
other interest in, the real property without the
consent of the secured creditor or court approval; or
``(B) multiple bankruptcy filings affecting the
real property.
If recorded in compliance with applicable State laws governing notices
of interests or liens in real property, an order entered under this
subsection shall be binding in any other case under this title
purporting to affect the real property filed not later than 2 years
after the date of entry of such order by the court, except that a
debtor in a subsequent case may move for relief from such order based
upon changed circumstances or for good cause sh
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own, after notice and a
hearing. Any Federal, State, or local governmental unit that accepts
notices of interests or liens in real property shall accept any
certified copy of an order described in this subsection for indexing
and recording.''.
(b) Automatic Stay.--Section 362(b) of title 11, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (19), as added by this
Act, the following:
``(20) under subsection (a), of any act to enforce any lien
against or security interest in real property following the
entry of an order under section 362(d)(4) as to that property
in any prior bankruptcy case for a period of 2 years after
entry of such an order, except that the debtor, in a subsequent
case, may move the court for relief from such order based upon
changed circumstances or for other good cause shown, after
notice and a hearing;
``(21) under subsection (a), of any act to enforce any lien
against or security interest in real property--
``(A) if the debtor is ineligible under section
109(g) to be a debtor in a bankruptcy case; or
``(B) if the bankruptcy case was filed in violation
of a bankruptcy court order in a prior bankruptcy case
prohibiting the debtor from being a debtor in another
bankruptcy case;''.
SEC. 304. DEBTOR RETENTION OF PERSONAL PROPERTY SECURITY.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 521(a) (as so designated by this Act)--
(A) in paragraph (4), by striking ``, and'' at the
end and inserting a semicolon;
(B) in paragraph (5), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(6) in a case under chapter 7 of this title in which the
debtor is an individual, not retain possession of personal
property as to which a creditor has an allowed claim for the
purchase price secured in whole or in part by an interest in
that personal property unless, in the case of an individual
debtor, the debtor, not later than 45 days after the first
meeting of creditors under section 341(a), either--
``(A) enters into an agreement with the creditor
pursuant to section 524(c) of this title with respect
to the claim secured by such property; or
``(B) redeems such property from the security
interest pursuant to section 722 of this title.
If the debtor fails to so act within the 45-day period referred to in
paragraph (6), the stay under section 362(a) of this title is
terminated with respect to the personal property of the estate or of
the debtor which is affected, such property shall no longer be property
of the estate, and the creditor may take whatever action as to such
property as is permitted by applicable nonbankruptcy law, unless the
court determines on the motion of the trustee brought before the
expiration of such 45-day period, and after notice and a hearing, that
such property is of consequential value or benefit to the estate,
orders appropriate adequate protection of the creditor's interest, and
orders the debtor to deliver any collateral in the debtor's possession
to the trustee.''; and
(2) in section 722, by inserting ``in full at the time of
redemption'' before the period at the end.
SEC. 305. RELIEF FROM THE AUTOMATIC STAY WHEN THE DEBTOR DOES NOT
COMPLETE INTENDED SURRENDER OF CONSUMER DEBT COLLATERAL.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 362--
(A) in subsection (c), by striking ``(e), and (f)''
inserting ``(e), (f), and (h)'';
(B) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection
(k); and
(C) by inserting after subsection (g) the
following:
``(h)(1) In which the debtor is an individual, the stay provided by
subsection (a) is terminated with respect to personal property of the
estate or of the debtor securing in whole or in part a claim, or
subject to an unexpired lease, and such personal property shall no
longer be property of the estate if the debtor fails within the
applicable time set by section 521(a)(2) of this title--
``(A) to file timely any statement of intention required
under section 521(a)(2) of this title with respect to that
property or to indicate in that statement that the debtor will
either surrender the property or retain it and, if retaining
it, either redeem the property pursuant to section 722 of this
title, reaffirm the debt it secures pursuant to section 524(c)
of this title, or assume the unexpired lease pursuant to
section 365(p) of this title if the trustee does not do so, as
applicable; and
``(B) to take timely the action specified in that statement
of intention, as it may be amended before expiration of the
period for taking action, unless the statement of intention
specifies reaffirmation and the creditor refuses to reaffirm on
the original contract terms.
``(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply if the court determines, on the
motion of the trustee filed before the expiration of the applicable
time set by section 521(a)(2), after notice and a hearing, that such
property is of consequential value or benefit to the estate, and orders
appropriate adequate protection of the creditor's interest, and orders
the debtor to deliver any collateral in the debtor's possession to the
trustee. If the court does not so determine, the stay provided by
subsection (a) shall terminate upon the conclusion of the proceeding on
the motion.''; and
(2) in section 521--
(A) in subsection (a)(2), as so designated by this
Act, by striking ``consumer'';
(B) in subsection (a)(2)(B), as so designated by
this Act--
(i) by striking ``forty-five days after the
filing of a notice of intent under this
section'' and inserting ``30 days after the
first date set for the meeting of creditors
under section 341(a) of this title''; and
(ii) by striking ``forty-five day'' and
inserting ``30-day'';
(C) in subsection (a)(2)(C), as so designated by
this Act, by inserting ``, except as provided in
section 362(h) of this title'' before the semicolon;
and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) If the debtor fails timely to take the action specified in
subsection (a)(6) of this section, or in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
section 362(h) of this title, with respect to property which a lessor
or bailor owns and has leased, rented, or bailed to the debtor or as to
which a creditor holds a security interest not otherwise voidable under
section 522(f), 544, 545, 547, 548, or 549 of this title, nothing in
this title shall prevent or limit the operation of a provision in the
underlying lease or agreement which has the effect of placing the
debtor in default under such lease or agreement by reason of the
occurrence, pendency, or existence of a proceeding under this title or
the insolvency of the debtor. Nothing in this subsection shall be
deemed to justify limiting such a provision in any other
circumstance.''.
SEC. 306. GIVING SECURED CREDITORS FAIR TREATMENT IN CHAPTER 13.
(a) In General.--Section 1325(a)(5)(B)(i) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(i) the plan provides that--
``(I) the holder of such claim retain the
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lien securing such claim until the earlier of--
``(aa) the payment of the
underlying debt determined under
nonbankruptcy law; or
``(bb) discharge under section
1328; and
``(II) if the case under this chapter is
dismissed or converted without completion of
the plan, such lien shall also be retained by
such holder to the extent recognized by
applicable nonbankruptcy law; and''.
(b) Restoring the Foundation for Secured Credit.--Section 1325(a)
of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following flush sentence:
``For purposes of paragraph (5), section 506 shall not apply to a claim
described in that paragraph if the creditor has a purchase money
security interest securing the debt that is the subject of the claim,
the debt was incurred within the 5-year period preceding the filing of
the petition, and the collateral for that debt consists of a motor
vehicle (as defined in section 30102 of title 49) acquired for the
personal use of the debtor, or if collateral for that debt consists of
any other thing of value, if the debt was incurred during the 1-year
period preceding that filing.''.
(c) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended--
(1) by inserting after paragraph (13) the following:
``(13A) `debtor's principal residence'--
``(A) means a residential structure, including
incidental property, without regard to whether that
structure is attached to real property; and
``(B) includes an individual condominium or
cooperative unit, a mobile or manufactured home, or
trailer;''; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (27), the following:
``(27A) `incidental property' means, with respect to a
debtor's principal residence--
``(A) property commonly conveyed with a principal
residence in the area where the real estate is located;
``(B) all easements, rights, appurtenances,
fixtures, rents, royalties, mineral rights, oil or gas
rights or profits, water rights, escrow funds, or
insurance proceeds; and
``(C) all replacements or additions;''.
SEC. 307. DOMICILIARY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXEMPTIONS.
Section 522(b)(3)(A) of title 11, United States Code, as so
designated by this Act, is amended--
(1) by striking ``180 days'' and inserting ``730 days'';
and
(2) by striking ``, or for a longer portion of such 180-day
period than in any other place'' and inserting ``or if the
debtor's domicile has not been located at a single State for
such 730-day period, the place in which the debtor's domicile
was located for 180 days immediately preceding the 730-day
period or for a longer portion of such 180-day period than in
any other place''.
SEC. 308. RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(3)(A), as so designated by this Act,
by inserting ``subject to subsections (o) and (p),'' before
``any property''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(o) For purposes of subsection (b)(3)(A), and notwithstanding
subsection (a), the value of an interest in--
``(1) real or personal property that the debtor or a
dependent of the debtor uses as a residence;
``(2) a cooperative that owns property that the debtor or a
dependent of the debtor uses as a residence; or
``(3) a burial plot for the debtor or a dependent of the
debtor,
shall be reduced to the extent that such value is attributable to any
portion of any property that the debtor disposed of in the 7-year
period ending on the date of the filing of the petition with the intent
to hinder, delay, or defraud a creditor and that the debtor could not
exempt, or that portion that the debtor could not exempt, under
subsection (b), if on such date the debtor had held the property so
disposed of.''.
SEC. 309. PROTECTING SECURED CREDITORS IN CHAPTER 13 CASES.
(a) Stopping Abusive Conversions From Chapter 13.--Section
348(f)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) by striking ``in the converted case, with
allowed secured claims'' and inserting ``only in a case
converted to a case under chapter 11 or 12, but not in
a case converted to a case under chapter 7, with
allowed secured claims in cases under chapters 11 and
12''; and
(B) by striking the period and inserting ``; and'';
and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) with respect to cases converted from chapter 13--
``(i) the claim of any creditor holding security as
of the date of the petition shall continue to be
secured by that security unless the full amount of such
claim determined under applicable nonbankruptcy law has
been paid in full as of the date of conversion,
notwithstanding any valuation or determination of the
amount of an allowed secured claim made for the
purposes of the case under chapter 13; and
``(ii) unless a prebankruptcy default has been
fully cured under the plan at the time of conversion,
in any proceeding under this title or otherwise, the
default shall have the effect given under applicable
nonbankruptcy law.''.
(b) Giving Debtors the Ability To Keep Leased Personal Property by
Assumption.--Section 365 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(p)(1) If a lease of personal property is rejected or not timely
assumed by the trustee under subsection (d), the leased property is no
longer property of the estate and the stay under section 362(a) is
automatically terminated.
``(2)(A) In the case of an individual under chapter 7, the debtor
may notify the creditor in writing that the debtor desires to assume
the lease. Upon being so notified, the creditor may, at its option,
notify the debtor that it is willing to have the lease assumed by the
debtor and may condition such assumption on cure of any outstanding
default on terms set by the contract.
``(B) If, not later than 30 days after notice is provided under
subparagraph (A), the debtor notifies the lessor in writing that the
lease is assumed, the liability under the lease will be assumed by the
debtor and not by the estate.
``(C) The stay under section 362 and the injunction under section
524(a)(2) shall not be violated by notification of the debtor and
negotiation of cure under this subsection.
``(3) In a case under chapter 11 in which the debtor is an
individual and in a case under chapter 13, if the debtor is the lessee
with respect to personal property and the lease is not assumed in the
plan confirmed by the court, the lease is deemed rejected as of the
conclusion of the hearing on confirmation. If the lease is rejected,
the stay under section 362 and any stay under section 1301 is
automatically terminated with respect to the property subject to the
lease.''.
(c) Adequate Protection of Lessors and Purchase Money Secured
Creditors.--
(1) Confirmation of plan.--Section 1325(a)(5)(B) of title
1
2000
1, United States Code, is amended--
(A) in clause (i), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ``or'' at the end
and inserting ``and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(iii) if--
``(I) property to be distributed pursuant
to this subsection is in the form of periodic
payments, such payments shall be in equal
monthly amounts; and
``(II) the holder of the claim is secured
by personal property, the amount of such
payments shall not be less than an amount
sufficient to provide to the holder of such
claim adequate protection during the period of
the plan; or''.
(2) Payments.--Section 1326(a) of title 11, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(a)(1) Unless the court orders otherwise, the debtor shall
commence making payments not later than 30 days after the date of the
filing of the plan or the order for relief, whichever is earlier, in
the amount--
``(A) proposed by the plan to the trustee;
``(B) scheduled in a lease of personal property directly to
the lessor for that portion of the obligation that becomes due
after the order for relief, reducing the payments under
subparagraph (A) by the amount so paid and providing the
trustee with evidence of such payment, including the amount and
date of payment; and
``(C) that provides adequate protection directly to a
creditor holding an allowed claim secured by personal property
to the extent the claim is attributable to the purchase of such
property by the debtor for that portion of the obligation that
becomes due after the order for relief, reducing the payments
under subparagraph (A) by the amount so paid and providing the
trustee with evidence of such payment, including the amount and
date of payment.
``(2) A payment made under paragraph (1)(A) shall be retained by
the trustee until confirmation or denial of confirmation. If a plan is
confirmed, the trustee shall distribute any such payment in accordance
with the plan as soon as is practicable. If a plan is not confirmed,
the trustee shall return any such payments not previously paid and not
yet due and owing to creditors pursuant to paragraph (3) to the debtor,
after deducting any unpaid claim allowed under section 503(b).
``(3) Subject to section 363, the court may, upon notice and a
hearing, modify, increase, or reduce the payments required under this
subsection pending confirmation of a plan.
``(4) Not later than 60 days after the date of filing of a case
under this chapter, a debtor retaining possession of personal property
subject to a lease or securing a claim attributable in whole or in part
to the purchase price of such property shall provide the lessor or
secured creditor reasonable evidence of the maintenance of any required
insurance coverage with respect to the use or ownership of such
property and continue to do so for so long as the debtor retains
possession of such property.''.
SEC. 310. LIMITATION ON LUXURY GOODS.
Section 523(a)(2)(C) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(C)(i) for purposes of subparagraph (A)--
``(I) consumer debts owed to a single
creditor and aggregating more than $250 for
luxury goods or services incurred by an
individual debtor on or within 90 days before
the order for relief under this title are
presumed to be nondischargeable; and
``(II) cash advances aggregating more than
$750 that are extensions of consumer credit
under an open end credit plan obtained by an
individual debtor on or within 70 days before
the order for relief under this title, are
presumed to be nondischargeable; and
``(ii) for purposes of this subparagraph--
``(I) the term `extension of credit under
an open end credit plan' means an extension of
credit under an open end credit plan, within
the meaning of the Consumer Credit Protection
Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.);
``(II) the term `open end credit plan' has
the meaning given that term under section 103
of Consumer Credit Protection Act (15 U.S.C.
1602); and
``(III) the term `luxury goods or services'
does not include goods or services reasonably
necessary for the support or maintenance of the
debtor or a dependent of the debtor.''.
SEC. 311. AUTOMATIC STAY.
Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after paragraph (21), as added by this Act, the following:
``(22) under subsection (a)(3), of the continuation of any
eviction, unlawful detainer action, or similar proceeding by a
lessor against a debtor involving residential real property in
which the debtor resides as a tenant under a rental agreement;
``(23) under subsection (a)(3), of the commencement of any
eviction, unlawful detainer action, or similar proceeding by a
lessor against a debtor involving residential real property in
which the debtor resides as a tenant under a rental agreement
that has terminated under the lease agreement or applicable
State law;
``(24) under subsection (a)(3), of eviction actions based
on endangerment to property or person or the use of illegal
drugs;
``(25) under subsection (a) of any transfer that is not
avoidable under section 544 and that is not avoidable under
section 549;''.
SEC. 312. EXTENSION OF PERIOD BETWEEN BANKRUPTCY DISCHARGES.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 727(a)(8), by striking ``six'' and inserting
``8''; and
(2) in section 1328, by inserting after subsection (e) the
following:
``(f) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the court shall not
grant a discharge of all debts provided for by the plan or disallowed
under section 502 if the debtor has received a discharge in any case
filed under this title within 5 years before the order for relief under
this chapter.''.
SEC. 313. DEFINITION OF HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND ANTIQUES.
(a) Definition.--Section 522(f) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), for purposes of paragraph
(1)(B), the term `household goods' means--
``(i) clothing;
``(ii) furniture;
``(iii) appliances;
``(iv) 1 radio;
``(v) 1 television;
``(vi) 1 VCR;
``(vii) linens;
``(viii) china;
``(ix) crockery;
``(x) kitchenware;
``(xi) educational materials and educational equipment
primarily for the use of minor dependent children of the
debtor, but only 1 personal computer only if used primarily for
the education or entertainment of such minor children;
``(xii) medical equipment and supplies;
``(xiii) furniture exclusively for the use of minor
children, or elderly or disabled dependents of the debtor; and
``(xiv) personal effects (includ
2000
ing the toys and hobby
equipment of minor dependent children and wedding rings) of the
debtor and the dependents of the debtor.
``(B) The term `household goods' does not include--
``(i) works of art (unless by or of the debtor or the
dependents of the debtor);
``(ii) electronic entertainment equipment (except 1
television, 1 radio, and 1 VCR);
``(iii) items acquired as antiques;
``(iv) jewelry (except wedding rings); and
``(v) a computer (except as otherwise provided for in this
section), motor vehicle (including a tractor or lawn tractor),
boat, or a motorized recreational device, conveyance, vehicle,
watercraft, or aircraft.''.
(b) Study.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Director of the Executive Office for United States
Trustees shall submit a report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the
Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of
Representatives containing its findings regarding utilization of the
definition of household goods, as defined in section 522(f)(4) of title
11, United States Code, as added by this section, with respect to the
avoidance of nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interests in
household goods under section 522(f)(1)(B) of title 11, United States
Code, and the impact that section 522(f)(4) of that title, as added by
this section, has had on debtors and on the bankruptcy courts. Such
report may include recommendations for amendments to section 522(f)(4)
of title 11, United States Code, consistent with the Director's
findings.
SEC. 314. DEBT INCURRED TO PAY NONDISCHARGEABLE DEBTS.
(a) In General.--Section 523(a) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after paragraph (14) the following:
``(14A) incurred to pay a tax to a governmental unit, other
than the United States, that would be nondischargeable under
paragraph (1);''.
(b) Discharge Under Chapter 13.--Section 1328(a) of title 11,
United States Code, is amended by striking paragraphs (1) through (3)
and inserting the following:
``(1) provided for under section 1322(b)(5);
``(2) of the kind specified in paragraph (2), (3), (4),
(5), (8), or (9) of section 523(a);
``(3) for restitution, or a criminal fine, included in a
sentence on the debtor's conviction of a crime; or
``(4) for restitution, or damages, awarded in a civil
action against the debtor as a result of willful or malicious
injury by the debtor that caused personal injury to an
individual or the death of an individual.''.
SEC. 315. GIVING CREDITORS FAIR NOTICE IN CHAPTERS 7 AND 13 CASES.
(a) Notice.--Section 342 of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)--
(A) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(c)'';
(B) by striking ``, but the failure of such notice
to contain such information shall not invalidate the
legal effect of such notice''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) If, within the 90 days prior to the date of the
filing of a petition in a voluntary case, the creditor supplied
the debtor in at least 2 communications sent to the debtor with
the current account number of the debtor and the address at
which the creditor wishes to receive correspondence, then the
debtor shall send any notice required under this title to the
address provided by the creditor and such notice shall include
the account number. In the event the creditor would be in
violation of applicable nonbankruptcy law by sending any such
communication within such 90-day period and if the creditor
supplied the debtor in the last 2 communications with the
current account number of the debtor and the address at which
the creditor wishes to receive correspondence, then the debtor
shall send any notice required under this title to the address
provided by the creditor and such notice shall include the
account number.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) At any time, a creditor, in a case of an individual debtor
under chapter 7 or 13, may file with the court and serve on the debtor
a notice of the address to be used to notify the creditor in that case.
Five days after receipt of such notice, if the court or the debtor is
required to give the creditor notice, such notice shall be given at
that address.
``(f) An entity may file with the court a notice stating its
address for notice in cases under chapters 7 and 13. After 30 days
following the filing of such notice, any notice in any case filed under
chapter 7 or 13 given by the court shall be to that address unless
specific notice is given under subsection (e) with respect to a
particular case.
``(g)(1) Notice given to a creditor other than as provided in this
section shall not be effective notice until that notice has been
brought to the attention of the creditor. If the creditor designates a
person or department to be responsible for receiving notices concerning
bankruptcy cases and establishes reasonable procedures so that
bankruptcy notices received by the creditor are to be delivered to such
department or person, notice shall not be considered to have been
brought to the attention of the creditor until received by such person
or department.
``(2) No sanction under section 362(k) or any other sanction that a
court may impose on account of violations of the stay under section
362(a) or failure to comply with section 542 or 543 may be imposed on
any action of the creditor unless the action takes place after the
creditor has received notice of the commencement of the case effective
under this section.''.
(b) Debtor's Duties.--Section 521 of title 11, United States Code,
as amended by this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), as so designated by this Act, by
striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) file--
``(A) a list of creditors; and
``(B) unless the court orders otherwise--
``(i) a schedule of assets and liabilities;
``(ii) a schedule of current income and
current expenditures;
``(iii) a statement of the debtor's
financial affairs and, if applicable, a
certificate--
``(I) of an attorney whose name is
on the petition as the attorney for the
debtor or any bankruptcy petition
preparer signing the petition under
section 110(b)(1) indicating that such
attorney or bankruptcy petition
preparer delivered to the debtor any
notice required by section 342(b); or
``(II) if no attorney for the
debtor is indicated and no bankruptcy
petition preparer signed the petition,
of the debtor that such notice was
obtained and read by the debtor;
``(iv) copies of all payment advices or
other evidence of payment, if any, received by
the debtor from any employer of the debtor in
the period 60 days before the filing of the
petition;
``(v) a statement of the amount of monthly
net income, itemized to show how the amount is
2000
calculated; and
``(vi) a statement disclosing any
reasonably anticipated increase in income or
expenditures over the 12-month period following
the date of filing;''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e)(1) At any time, a creditor, in the case of an individual
under chapter 7 or 13, may file with the court notice that the creditor
requests the petition, schedules, and a statement of affairs filed by
the debtor in the case, and the court shall make those documents
available to the creditor who requests those documents.
``(2)(A) The debtor shall provide either a tax return or transcript
at the election of the debtor, for the latest taxable period prior to
filing for which a tax return has been or should have been filed, to
the trustee, not later than 7 days before the date first set for the
first meeting of creditors, or the case shall be dismissed, unless the
debtor demonstrates that the failure to file a return as required is
due to circumstances beyond the control of the debtor.
``(B) If a creditor has requested a tax return or transcript
referred to in subparagraph (A), the debtor shall provide such tax
return or transcript to the requesting creditor at the time the debtor
provides the tax return or transcript to the trustee, or the case shall
be dismissed, unless the debtor demonstrates that the debtor is unable
to provide such information due to circumstances beyond the control of
the debtor.
``(3)(A) At any time, a creditor in a case under chapter 13 may
file with the court notice that the creditor requests the plan filed by
the debtor in the case.
``(B) The court shall make such plan available to the creditor who
request such plan--
``(i) at a reasonable cost; and
``(ii) not later than 5 days after such request.
``(f) An individual debtor in a case under chapter 7, 11, or 13
shall file with the court at the request of any party in interest--
``(1) at the time filed with the taxing authority, all tax
returns required under applicable law, including any schedules
or attachments, with respect to the period from the
commencement of the case until such time as the case is closed;
``(2) at the time filed with the taxing authority, all tax
returns required under applicable law, including any schedules
or attachments, that were not filed with the taxing authority
when the schedules under subsection (a)(1) were filed with
respect to the period that is 3 years before the order of
relief;
``(3) any amendments to any of the tax returns, including
schedules or attachments, described in paragraph (1) or (2);
and
``(4) in a case under chapter 13, a statement subject to
the penalties of perjury by the debtor of the debtor's income
and expenditures in the preceding tax year and monthly income,
that shows how the amounts are calculated--
``(A) beginning on the date that is the later of 90
days after the close of the debtor's tax year or 1 year
after the order for relief, unless a plan has been
confirmed; and
``(B) thereafter, on or before the date that is 45
days before each anniversary of the confirmation of the
plan until the case is closed.
``(g)(1) A statement referred to in subsection (f)(4) shall
disclose--
``(A) the amount and sources of income of the debtor;
``(B) the identity of any person responsible with the
debtor for the support of any dependent of the debtor; and
``(C) the identity of any person who contributed, and the
amount contributed, to the household in which the debtor
resides.
``(2) The tax returns, amendments, and statement of income and
expenditures described in subsection (e)(2)(A) and subsection (f) shall
be available to the United States trustee, any bankruptcy
administrator, any trustee, and any party in interest for inspection
and copying, subject to the requirements of subsection (h).
``(h)(1) Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the
Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2001, the
Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall
establish procedures for safeguarding the confidentiality of any tax
information required to be provided under this section.
``(2) The procedures under paragraph (1) shall include restrictions
on creditor access to tax information that is required to be provided
under this section.
``(3) Not later than 1 year and 180 days after the date of
enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection
Act of 2001, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United
States Courts shall prepare and submit to Congress a report that--
``(A) assesses the effectiveness of the procedures under
paragraph (1); and
``(B) if appropriate, includes proposed legislation to--
``(i) further protect the confidentiality of tax
information; and
``(ii) provide penalties for the improper use by
any person of the tax information required to be
provided under this section.
``(i) If requested by the United States trustee or a trustee
serving in the case, the debtor shall provide--
``(1) a document that establishes the identity of the
debtor, including a driver's license, passport, or other
document that contains a photograph of the debtor; and
``(2) such other personal identifying information relating
to the debtor that establishes the identity of the debtor.''.
SEC. 316. DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE SCHEDULES OR PROVIDE
REQUIRED INFORMATION.
Section 521 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(j)(1) Notwithstanding section 707(a), and subject to paragraph
(2), if an individual debtor in a voluntary case under chapter 7 or 13
fails to file all of the information required under subsection (a)(1)
within 45 days after the filing of the petition commencing the case,
the case shall be automatically dismissed effective on the 46th day
after the filing of the petition.
``(2) With respect to a case described in paragraph (1), any party
in interest may request the court to enter an order dismissing the
case. If requested, the court shall enter an order of dismissal not
later than 5 days after such request.
``(3) Upon request of the debtor made within 45 days after the
filing of the petition commencing a case described in paragraph (1),
the court may allow the debtor an additional period of not to exceed 45
days to file the information required under subsection (a)(1) if the
court finds justification for extending the period for the filing.''.
SEC. 317. ADEQUATE TIME TO PREPARE FOR HEARING ON CONFIRMATION OF THE
PLAN.
Section 1324 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``After'' and inserting the following:
``(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) and after''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) The hearing on confirmation of the plan may be held not
earlier than 20 days and not later than 45 days after the date of the
meeting of creditors under section 341(a).''.
SEC. 318. CHAPTER 13 PLANS TO HAVE A 5-YEAR DURATION IN CERTAIN CASES.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending section 1322(d) to read as follows:
``(d)(1) If the current monthly income of the debtor and the
debtor's spouse combined, when multiplied by 12, is not less than--
``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person,
the median family income of the applicabl
2000
e State for 1 earner
last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of the same number or fewer individuals last
reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last reported by
the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for each
individual in excess of 4,
the plan may not provide for payments over a period that is longer than
5 years.
``(2) If the current monthly income of the debtor and the debtor's
spouse combined, when multiplied by 12, is less than--
``(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person,
the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner
last reported by the Bureau of the Census;
``(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of the same number or fewer individuals last
reported by the Bureau of the Census; or
``(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4
individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last reported by
the Bureau of the Census, plus $525 per month for each
individual in excess of 4,
the plan may not provide for payments over a period that is longer than
3 years, unless the court, for cause, approves a longer period, but the
court may not approve a period that is longer than 5 years.'';
(2) in section 1325(b)(1)(B), by striking ``three-year
period'' and inserting ``applicable commitment period''; and
(3) in section 1325(b), as amended by this Act, by adding
at the end the following:
``(4) For purposes of this subsection, the `applicable commitment
period'--
``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), shall be--
``(i) 3 years; or
``(ii) not less than 5 years, if the current
monthly income of the debtor and the debtor's spouse
combined, when multiplied by 12, is not less than--
``(I) in the case of a debtor in a
household of 1 person, the median family income
of the applicable State for 1 earner last
reported by the Bureau of the Census;
``(II) in the case of a debtor in a
household of 2, 3, or 4 individuals, the
highest median family income of the applicable
State for a family of the same number or fewer
individuals last reported by the Bureau of the
Census; or
``(III) in the case of a debtor in a
household exceeding 4 individuals, the highest
median family income of the applicable State
for a family of 4 or fewer individuals last
reported by the Bureau of the Census, plus $525
per month for each individual in excess of 4;
and
``(B) may be less than 3 or 5 years, whichever is
applicable under subparagraph (A), but only if the plan
provides for payment in full of all allowed unsecured claims
over a shorter period.''; and
(4) in section 1329(c), by striking ``three years'' and
inserting ``the applicable commitment period under section
1325(b)(1)(B)''.
SEC. 319. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING EXPANSION OF RULE 9011 OF THE
FEDERAL RULES OF BANKRUPTCY PROCEDURE.
It is the sense of Congress that rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of
Bankruptcy Procedure (11 U.S.C. App.) should be modified to include a
requirement that all documents (including schedules), signed and
unsigned, submitted to the court or to a trustee by debtors who
represent themselves and debtors who are represented by an attorney be
submitted only after the debtor or the debtor's attorney has made
reasonable inquiry to verify that the information contained in such
documents is--
(1) well grounded in fact; and
(2) warranted by existing law or a good-faith argument for
the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law.
SEC. 320. PROMPT RELIEF FROM STAY IN INDIVIDUAL CASES.
Section 362(e) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(e)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), in a case under chapter 7, 11,
or 13 in which the debtor is an individual, the stay under subsection
(a) shall terminate on the date that is 60 days after a request is made
by a party in interest under subsection (d), unless--
``(A) a final decision is rendered by the court during the
60-day period beginning on the date of the request; or
``(B) that 60-day period is extended--
``(i) by agreement of all parties in interest; or
``(ii) by the court for such specific period of
time as the court finds is required for good cause, as
described in findings made by the court.''.
SEC. 321. CHAPTER 11 CASES FILED BY INDIVIDUALS.
(a) Property of the Estate.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 11 of title 11,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 1115. Property of the estate
``(a) In a case in which the debtor is an individual, property of
the estate includes, in addition to the property specified in section
541--
``(1) all property of the kind specified in section 541
that the debtor acquires after the commencement of the case but
before the case is closed, dismissed, or converted to a case
under chapter 7, 12, or 13, whichever occurs first; and
``(2) earnings from services performed by the debtor after
the commencement of the case but before the case is closed,
dismissed, or converted to a case under chapter 7, 12, or 13,
whichever occurs first.''.
``(b) Except as provided in section 1104 or a confirmed plan or
order confirming a plan, the debtor shall remain in possession of all
property of the estate.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
11 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end of the matter relating to subchapter I the following:
``1115. Property of the estate.''.
(b) Contents of Plan.--Section 1123(a) of title 11, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting
``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(8) in a case concerning an individual, provide for the
payment to creditors through the plan of all or such portion of
earnings from personal services performed by the debtor after
the commencement of the case or other future income of the
debtor as is necessary for the execution of the plan.''.
(c) Confirmation of Plan.--
(1) Requirements relating to value of property.--Section
1129(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(15) In a case concerning an individual in which the
holder of an allowed unsecured claim objects to the
confirmation of the plan--
``(A) the value of the property to be distributed
u
2000
nder the plan on account of such claim is, as of the
effective date of the plan, not less than the amount of
such claim; or
``(B) the value of the property to be distributed
under the plan is not less than the debtor's projected
disposable income (as that term is defined in section
1325(b)(2)) to be received during the 5-year period
beginning on the date that the first payment is due
under the plan, or during the term of the plan,
whichever is longer.''.
(2) Requirement relating to interests in property.--Section
1129(b)(2)(B)(ii) of title 11, United States Code, is amended
by inserting before the period at the end the following: ``,
except that in a case concerning an individual, the debtor may
retain property included in the estate under section 1115,
subject to the requirements of subsection (a)(14)''.
(d) Effect of Confirmation--Section 1141(d) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``The confirmation of a
plan does not discharge an individual debtor'' and inserting
``A discharge under this chapter does not discharge a debtor'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(5) In a case concerning an individual--
``(A) except as otherwise ordered for cause shown, the
discharge is not effective until completion of all payments
under the plan; and
``(B) at any time after the confirmation of the plan and
after notice and a hearing, the court may grant a discharge to
a debtor that has not completed payments under the plan only
if--
``(i) for each allowed unsecured claim, the value,
as of the effective date of the plan, of property
actually distributed under the plan on account of that
claim is not less than the amount that would have been
paid on such claim if the estate of the debtor had been
liquidated under chapter 7 of this title on such date;
and
``(ii) modification of the plan under 1127 of this
title is not practicable.''.
(e) Modification of Plan.--Section 1127 of title 11, United States
Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(e) In a case concerning an individual, the plan may be modified
at any time after confirmation of the plan but before the completion of
payments under the plan, whether or not the plan has been substantially
consummated, upon request of the debtor, the trustee, the United States
trustee, or the holder of an allowed unsecured claim, to--
``(1) increase or reduce the amount of payments on claims
of a particular class provided for by the plan;
``(2) extend or reduce the time period for such payments;
or
``(3) alter the amount of the distribution to a creditor
whose claim is provided for by the plan to the extent necessary
to take account of any payment of such claim made other than
under the plan.
``(f)(1) Sections 1121 through 1128 of this title and the
requirements of section 1129 of this title apply to any modification
under subsection (a).
``(2) The plan, as modified, shall become the plan only after there
has been disclosure under section 1125, as the court may direct, notice
and a hearing, and such modification is approved.''.
SEC. 322. LIMITATION.
(a) Exemptions.--Section 522 of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(p)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and
sections 544 and 548 of this title, as a result of electing under
subsection (b)(3)(A) to exempt property under State or local law, a
debtor may not exempt any amount of interest that was acquired by the
debtor during the 2-year period preceding the filing of the petition
which exceeds in the aggregate $100,000 in value in--
``(A) real or personal property that the debtor or a
dependent of the debtor uses as a residence;
``(B) a cooperative that owns property that the debtor or a
dependent of the debtor uses as a residence; or
``(C) a burial plot for the debtor or a dependent of the
debtor.
``(2)(A) The limitation under paragraph (1) shall not apply to an
exemption claimed under subsection (b)(3)(A) by a family farmer for the
principal residence of that farmer.
``(B) For purposes of paragraph (1), any amount of such interest
does not include any interest transferred from a debtor's previous
principal residence (which was acquired prior to the beginning of the
2-year period) into the debtor's current principal residence, where the
debtor's previous and current residences are located in the same
State.''.
(b) Adjustment of Dollar Amounts.--Section 104(b) of title 11,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``522(d),'' and inserting
``522(d), 522(n), 522(p),''; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``522(d),'' and inserting
``522(d), 522(n), 522(p),''.
SEC. 323. EXCLUDING EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS AND
OTHER PROPERTY FROM THE ESTATE.
(a) In General.--Section 541(b) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after paragraph (6), as added by this Act, the
following:
``(7) any amount--
``(A) withheld by an employer from the wages of
employees for payment as contributions to--
``(i) an employee benefit plan subject to
title I of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 or under an employee
benefit plan which is a governmental plan under
section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, a deferred compensation plan under
section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, or a tax-deferred annuity under section
403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
except that such amount under this clause shall
not constitute disposable income, as defined in
section 1325(b)(2) of this title; or
``(ii) a health insurance plan regulated by
State law whether or not subject to such title;
or
``(B) received by the employer from employees for
payment as contributions to--
``(i) an employee benefit plan subject to
title I of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974 or under an employee
benefit plan which is a governmental plan under
section 414(d) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, a deferred compensation plan under
section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, or a tax-deferred annuity under section
403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
except that such amount under this clause shall
not constitute disposable income, as defined in
section 1325(b)(2) of this title; or
``(ii) a health insurance plan regulated by
State law whether or not subject to such
title;''.
(b) Application of Amendment.--The amendments made by this section
shall not apply to cases commenced under title 11, United States Code,
before the expiration of the 180-day perio
2000
d beginning on the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 324. EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION IN MATTERS INVOLVING BANKRUPTCY
PROFESSIONALS.
(a) In General.--Section 1334 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and
inserting ``Except as provided in subsection (e)(2), and
notwithstanding''; and
(2) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
``(e) The district court in which a case under title 11 is
commenced or is pending shall have exclusive jurisdiction--
``(1) of all the property, wherever located, of the debtor
as of the date of commencement of such case, and of property of
the estate; and
``(2) over all claims or causes of action that involve
construction of section 327 of title 11, United States Code, or
rules relating to disclosure requirements under section 327.''.
(b) Applicability.--This section shall only apply to cases filed
after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 325. UNITED STATES TRUSTEE PROGRAM FILING FEE INCREASE.
(a) Actions Under Chapter 7 or 13 of Title 11, United States
Code.--Section 1930(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) For a case commenced--
``(A) under chapter 7 of title 11, $160; or
``(B) under chapter 13 of title 11, $150.''.
(b) United States Trustee System Fund.--Section 589a(b) of title
28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1)(A) 40.63 percent of the fees collected under section
1930(a)(1)(A) of this title in cases commenced under chapter 7
of title 11; and
``(B) 70.00 percent of the fees collected under section
1930(a)(1)(B) of this title in cases commenced under chapter 13
of title 11;'';
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``one-half'' and
inserting ``three-fourths''; and
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking ``one-half'' and
inserting ``100 percent''.
(c) Collection and Deposit of Miscellaneous Bankruptcy Fees.--
Section 406(b) of the Judiciary Appropriations Act, 1990 (28 U.S.C.
1931 note) is amended by striking ``pursuant to 28 U.S.C. section
1930(b) and 33.87 per centum of the fees hereafter collected under 28
U.S.C. section 1930(a)(1) and 25 percent of the fees hereafter
collected under 28 U.S.C. section 1930(a)(3) shall be deposited as
offsetting receipts to the fund established under 28 U.S.C. section
1931'' and inserting ``under section 1930(b) of title 28, United States
Code, and 31.25 percent of the fees collected under section
1930(a)(1)(A) of that title, 30.00 percent of the fees collected under
section 1930(a)(1)(B) of that title, and 25 percent of the fees
collected under section 1930(a)(3) of that title shall be deposited as
offsetting receipts to the fund established under section 1931 of that
title''.
SEC. 326. SHARING OF COMPENSATION.
Section 504 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(c) This section shall not apply with respect to sharing, or
agreeing to share, compensation with a bona fide public service
attorney referral program that operates in accordance with non-Federal
law regulating attorney referral services and with rules of
professional responsibility applicable to attorney acceptance of
referrals.''.
SEC. 327. FAIR VALUATION OF COLLATERAL.
Section 506(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by--
(1) inserting ``(1)'' after ``(a)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) In the case of an individual debtor under chapters 7 and 13,
such value with respect to personal property securing an allowed claim
shall be determined based on the replacement value of such property as
of the date of filing the petition without deduction for costs of sale
or marketing. With respect to property acquired for personal, family,
or household purpose, replacement value shall mean the price a retail
merchant would charge for property of that kind considering the age and
condition of the property at the time value is determined.''.
SEC. 328. DEFAULTS BASED ON NONMONETARY OBLIGATIONS.
(a) Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases.--Section 365 of title
11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking the semicolon
at the end and inserting the following: ``other than a
default that is a breach of a provision relating to the
satisfaction of any provision (other than a penalty
rate or penalty provision) relating to a default
arising from any failure to perform nonmonetary
obligations under an unexpired lease of real property,
if it is impossible for the trustee to cure such
default by performing nonmonetary acts at and after the
time of assumption, except that if such default arises
from a failure to operate in accordance with a
nonresidential real property lease, then such default
shall be cured by performance at and after the time of
assumption in accordance with such lease, and pecuniary
losses resulting from such default shall be compensated
in accordance with the provisions of paragraph
(b)(1);''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(D), by striking ``penalty rate
or provision'' and inserting ``penalty rate or penalty
provision'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking ``; or'' at the
end and inserting a period; and
(C) by striking paragraph (4);
(3) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking paragraphs (5) through (9); and
(B) by redesignating paragraph (10) as paragraph
(5); and
(4) in subsection (f)(1) by striking ``; except that'' and
all that follows through the end of the paragraph and inserting
a period.
(b) Impairment of Claims or Interests.--Section 1124(2) of title
11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``or of a kind that
section 365(b)(2) of this title expressly does not require to
be cured'' before the semicolon at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (E);
and
(4) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
``(D) if such claim or such interest arises from
any failure to perform a nonmonetary obligation, other
than a default arising from failure to operate a non-
residential real property lease subject to section
365(b)(1)(A), compensates the holder of such claim or
such interest (other than the debtor or an insider) for
any actual pecuniary loss incurred by such holder as a
result of such failure; and''.
TITLE IV--GENERAL AND SMALL BUSINESS BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS
Subtitle A--General Business Bankruptcy Provisions
SEC. 401. ADEQUATE PROTECTION FOR INVESTORS.
(a) Definition.--Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended by inserting after paragraph (48) the
following:
``(48A) `securities self regulatory organization' means
either a securities association registered with the Securities
and Exchange Commission under section 15A of the Securities
Exchange Act o
2000
f 1934 or a national securities exchange
registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under
section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;''.
(b) Automatic Stay.--Section 362(b) of title 11, United States
Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (25), as added by this
Act, the following:
``(26) under subsection (a), of--
``(A) the commencement or continuation of an
investigation or action by a securities self regulatory
organization to enforce such organization's regulatory
power;
``(B) the enforcement of an order or decision,
other than for monetary sanctions, obtained in an
action by the securities self regulatory organization
to enforce such organization's regulatory power; or
``(C) any act taken by the securities self
regulatory organization to delist, delete, or refuse to
permit quotation of any stock that does not meet
applicable regulatory requirements;''.
SEC. 402. MEETINGS OF CREDITORS AND EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS.
Section 341 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(e) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), the court, on the
request of a party in interest and after notice and a hearing, for
cause may order that the United States trustee not convene a meeting of
creditors or equity security holders if the debtor has filed a plan as
to which the debtor solicited acceptances prior to the commencement of
the case.''.
SEC. 403. PROTECTION OF REFINANCE OF SECURITY INTEREST.
Subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section 547(e)(2) of title 11,
United States Code, are each amended by striking ``10'' each place it
appears and inserting ``30''.
SEC. 404. EXECUTORY CONTRACTS AND UNEXPIRED LEASES.
(a) In General.--Section 365(d)(4) of title 11, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``(4)(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), in any case under any chapter
of this title, an unexpired lease of nonresidential real property under
which the debtor is the lessee shall be deemed rejected, and the
trustee shall immediately surrender that nonresidential real property
to the lessor, if the trustee does not assume or reject the unexpired
lease by the earlier of--
``(i) the date that is 120 days after the date of the order
for relief; or
``(ii) the date of the entry of an order confirming a plan.
``(B)(i) The court may extend the period determined under
subparagraph (A), prior to the expiration of the 120-day period, for 90
days upon motion of the trustee or lessor for cause.
``(ii) If the court grants an extension under clause (i), the court
may grant a subsequent extension only upon prior written consent of the
lessor in each instance.''.
(b) Exception.--Section 365(f)(1) of title 11, United States Code,
is amended by striking ``subsection'' the first place it appears and
inserting ``subsections (b) and''.
SEC. 405. CREDITORS AND EQUITY SECURITY HOLDERS COMMITTEES.
(a) Appointment.--Section 1102(a) of title 11, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(4) On request of a party in interest and after notice and a
hearing, the court may order the United States trustee to change the
membership of a committee appointed under this subsection, if the court
determines that the change is necessary to ensure adequate
representation of creditors or equity security holders. The court may
order the United States trustee to increase the number of members of a
committee to include a creditor that is a small business concern (as
described in section 3(a)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
632(a)(1))), if the court determines that the creditor holds claims (of
the kind represented by the committee) the aggregate amount of which,
in comparison to the annual gross revenue of that creditor, is
disproportionately large.''.
(b) Information.--Section 1102(b) of title 11, United States Code,
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) A committee appointed under subsection (a) shall--
``(A) provide access to information for creditors who--
``(i) hold claims of the kind represented by that
committee; and
``(ii) are not appointed to the committee;
``(B) solicit and receive comments from the creditors
described in subparagraph (A); and
``(C) be subject to a court order that compels any
additional report or disclosure to be made to the creditors
described in subparagraph (A).''.
SEC. 406. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 546 OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.
Section 546 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating the second subsection designated as
subsection (g) (as added by section 222(a) of Public Law 103-
394) as subsection (h); and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(i)(1) Notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 545, the
trustee may not avoid a warehouseman's lien for storage,
transportation, or other costs incidental to the storage and handling
of goods.
``(2) The prohibition under paragraph (1) shall be applied in a
manner consistent with any applicable State statute that is similar to
section 7-209 of the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect on the date
of enactment of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection
Act of 2001, or any successor thereto.''.
SEC. 407. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 330(A) OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.
Section 330(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``(A) In'' and inserting ``In'';
and
(B) by inserting ``to an examiner, trustee under
chapter 11, or professional person'' after ``awarded'';
and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) In determining the amount of reasonable compensation to be
awarded to a trustee, the court shall treat such compensation as a
commission, based on section 326 of this title.''.
SEC. 408. POSTPETITION DISCLOSURE AND SOLICITATION.
Section 1125 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(g) Notwithstanding subsection (b), an acceptance or rejection of
the plan may be solicited from a holder of a claim or interest if such
solicitation complies with applicable nonbankruptcy law and if such
holder was solicited before the commencement of the case in a manner
complying with applicable nonbankruptcy law.''.
SEC. 409. PREFERENCES.
Section 547(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
``(2) to the extent that such transfer was in payment of a
debt incurred by the debtor in the ordinary course of business
or financial affairs of the debtor and the transferee, and such
transfer was--
``(A) made in the ordinary course of business or
financial affairs of the debtor and the transferee; or
``(B) made according to ordinary business terms;'';
(2) in paragraph (8), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(9) if, in a case filed by a debtor whose debts are not
primarily consumer debts, the aggregate value of all property
that constitutes or is affected by such transfer is less than
$5,000.''.
SEC. 410. VENUE OF CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS.
Section 1409(b) of title 28, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``, or a nonconsumer debt against a noninsider of less than
$10,000,'' after ``$5,000''.
SEC. 411. PERIOD FOR FILING PLAN UNDER CHAPTER 11.
Section 1121(d) of title 11, United States Code, is amen
2000
ded--
(1) by striking ``On'' and inserting ``(1) Subject to
paragraph (2), on''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2)(A) The 120-day period specified in paragraph (1) may not be
extended beyond a date that is 18 months after the date of the order
for relief under this chapter.
``(B) The 180-day period specified in paragraph (1) may not be
extended beyond a date that is 20 months after the date of the order
for relief under this chapter.''.
SEC. 412. FEES ARISING FROM CERTAIN OWNERSHIP INTERESTS.
Section 523(a)(16) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``dwelling'' the first place it appears;
(2) by striking ``ownership or'' and inserting
``ownership,'';
(3) by striking ``housing'' the first place it appears; and
(4) by striking ``but only'' and all that follows through
``such period,'' and inserting ``or a lot in a homeowners
association, for as long as the debtor or the trustee has a
legal, equitable, or possessory ownership interest in such
unit, such corporation, or such lot,''.
SEC. 413. CREDITOR REPRESENTATION AT FIRST MEETING OF CREDITORS.
Section 341(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting at the end the following: ``Notwithstanding any local court
rule, provision of a State constitution, any other Federal or State law
that is not a bankruptcy law, or other requirement that representation
at the meeting of creditors under subsection (a) be by an attorney, a
creditor holding a consumer debt or any representative of the creditor
(which may include an entity or an employee of an entity and may be a
representative for more than 1 creditor) shall be permitted to appear
at and participate in the meeting of creditors in a case under chapter
7 or 13, either alone or in conjunction with an attorney for the
creditor. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to require any
creditor to be represented by an attorney at any meeting of
creditors.''.
SEC. 414. DEFINITION OF DISINTERESTED PERSON.
Section 101(14) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to read
as follows:
``(14) `disinterested person' means a person that--
``(A) is not a creditor, an equity security holder,
or an insider;
``(B) is not and was not, within 2 years before the
date of the filing of the petition, a director,
officer, or employee of the debtor; and
``(C) does not have an interest materially adverse
to the interest of the estate or of any class of
creditors or equity security holders, by reason of any
direct or indirect relationship to, connection with, or
interest in, the debtor, or for any other reason;''.
SEC. 415. FACTORS FOR COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONS.
Section 330(a)(3) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by
this Act, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating subparagraph (E) as subparagraph (F);
and
(3) by inserting after subparagraph (D) the following:
``(E) with respect to a professional person, whether the
person is board certified or otherwise has demonstrated skill
and experience in the bankruptcy field; and''.
SEC. 416. APPOINTMENT OF ELECTED TRUSTEE.
Section 1104(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(b)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2)(A) If an eligible, disinterested trustee is elected at a
meeting of creditors under paragraph (1), the United States trustee
shall file a report certifying that election.
``(B) Upon the filing of a report under subparagraph (A)--
``(i) the trustee elected under paragraph (1) shall be
considered to have been selected and appointed for purposes of
this section; and
``(ii) the service of any trustee appointed under
subsection (d) shall terminate.
``(C) In the case of any dispute arising out of an election
described in subparagraph (A), the court shall resolve the dispute.''.
SEC. 417. UTILITY SERVICE.
Section 366 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``subsection (b)'' and
inserting ``subsections (b) and (c)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(c)(1)(A) For purposes of this subsection, the term `assurance of
payment' means--
``(i) a cash deposit;
``(ii) a letter of credit;
``(iii) a certificate of deposit;
``(iv) a surety bond;
``(v) a prepayment of utility consumption; or
``(vi) another form of security that is mutually agreed on
between the utility and the debtor or the trustee.
``(B) For purposes of this subsection an administrative expense
priority shall not constitute an assurance of payment.
``(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) through (5), with respect to a case
filed under chapter 11, a utility referred to in subsection (a) may
alter, refuse, or discontinue utility service, if during the 30-day
period beginning on the date of filing of the petition, the utility
does not receive from the debtor or the trustee adequate assurance of
payment for utility service that is satisfactory to the utility.
``(3)(A) On request of a party in interest and after notice and a
hearing, the court may order modification of the amount of an assurance
of payment under paragraph (2).
``(B) In making a determination under this paragraph whether an
assurance of payment is adequate, the court may not consider--
``(i) the absence of security before the date of filing of
the petition;
``(ii) the payment by the debtor of charges for utility
service in a timely manner before the date of filing of the
petition; or
``(iii) the availability of an administrative expense
priority.
``(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, with respect to a
case subject to this subsection, a utility may recover or set off
against a security deposit provided to the utility by the debtor before
the date of filing of the petition without notice or order of the
court.''.
SEC. 418. BANKRUPTCY FEES.
Section 1930 of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ``Notwithstanding
section 1915 of this title, the'' and inserting ``The''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f)(1) Under the procedures prescribed by the Judicial Conference
of the United States, the district court or the bankruptcy court may
waive the filing fee in a case under chapter 7 of title 11 for an
individual if the court determines that such debtor has income less
than 150 percent of the income official poverty line (as defined by the
Office of Management and Budget, and revised annually in accordance
with section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981)
applicable to a family of the size involved and is unable to pay that
fee in installments. For purposes of this paragraph, the term `filing
fee' means the filing required by subsection (a), or any other fee
prescribed by the Judicial Conference under subsections (b) and (c)
that is payable to the clerk upon the commencement of a case under
chapter 7.
``(2) The district court or the bankruptcy court may waive for such
debtors other fees prescribed under subsections (b) and (c).
``(3) This subsection does not restrict the district court or the
bankruptcy court from waiving, in accordance with Judicial Conference
policy, fees prescribed under this section for other debtors and
creditors.''.
SEC. 419. MORE COMPLETE INFORMATION REGARDING ASSETS OF THE ESTATE.
(a) In General.--
(1) Disclosure.--The Advisory Committee on Ba
2000
nkruptcy Rules
of the Judicial Conference of the United States, after
consideration of the views of the Director of the Executive
Office for United States Trustees, shall propose for adoption
amended Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and Official
Bankruptcy Forms directing debtors under chapter 11 of title
11, United States Code, to disclose the information described
in paragraph (2) by filing and serving periodic financial and
other reports designed to provide such information.
(2) Information.--The information referred to in paragraph
(1) is the value, operations, and profitability of any closely
held corporation, partnership, or of any other entity in which
the debtor holds a substantial or controlling interest.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the rules and reports under subsection
(a) shall be to assist parties in interest taking steps to ensure that
the debtor's interest in any entity referred to in subsection (a)(2) is
used for the payment of allowed claims against debtor.
Subtitle B--Small Business Bankruptcy Provisions
SEC. 431. FLEXIBLE RULES FOR DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND PLAN.
Section 1125 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting before the semicolon
``and in determining whether a disclosure statement provides
adequate information, the court shall consider the complexity
of the case, the benefit of additional information to creditors
and other parties in interest, and the cost of providing
additional information''; and
(2) by striking subsection (f), and inserting the
following:
``(f) Notwithstanding subsection (b), in a small business case--
``(1) the court may determine that the plan itself provides
adequate information and that a separate disclosure statement
is not necessary;
``(2) the court may approve a disclosure statement
submitted on standard forms approved by the court or adopted
under section 2075 of title 28; and
``(3)(A) the court may conditionally approve a disclosure
statement subject to final approval after notice and a hearing;
``(B) acceptances and rejections of a plan may be solicited
based on a conditionally approved disclosure statement if the
debtor provides adequate information to each holder of a claim
or interest that is solicited, but a conditionally approved
disclosure statement shall be mailed not later than 20 days
before the date of the hearing on confirmation of the plan; and
``(C) the hearing on the disclosure statement may be
combined with the hearing on confirmation of a plan.''.
SEC. 432. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended by striking paragraph (51C) and
inserting the following:
``(51C) `small business case' means a case filed under
chapter 11 of this title in which the debtor is a small
business debtor;
``(51D) `small business debtor'--
``(A) subject to subparagraph (B), means a person
engaged in commercial or business activities (including
any affiliate of such person that is also a debtor
under this title and excluding a person whose primary
activity is the business of owning or operating real
property or activities incidental thereto) that has
aggregate noncontingent, liquidated secured and
unsecured debts as of the date of the petition or the
order for relief in an amount not more than $3,000,000
(excluding debts owed to 1 or more affiliates or
insiders) for a case in which the United States trustee
has not appointed under section 1102(a)(1) a committee
of unsecured creditors or where the court has
determined that the committee of unsecured creditors is
not sufficiently active and representative to provide
effective oversight of the debtor; and
``(B) does not include any member of a group of
affiliated debtors that has aggregate noncontingent
liquidated secured and unsecured debts in an amount
greater than $3,000,000 (excluding debt owed to 1 or
more affiliates or insiders);''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1102(a)(3) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by inserting ``debtor'' after ``small
business''.
SEC. 433. STANDARD FORM DISCLOSURE STATEMENT AND PLAN.
Within a reasonable period of time after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial
Conference of the United States shall propose for adoption standard
form disclosure statements and plans of reorganization for small
business debtors (as defined in section 101 of title 11, United States
Code, as amended by this Act), designed to achieve a practical balance
between--
(1) the reasonable needs of the courts, the United States
trustee, creditors, and other parties in interest for
reasonably complete information; and
(2) economy and simplicity for debtors.
SEC. 434. UNIFORM NATIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Reporting Required.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 3 of title 11, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 307 the following:
``Sec. 308. Debtor reporting requirements
``(a) For purposes of this section, the term `profitability' means,
with respect to a debtor, the amount of money that the debtor has
earned or lost during current and recent fiscal periods.
``(b) A small business debtor shall file periodic financial and
other reports containing information including--
``(1) the debtor's profitability;
``(2) reasonable approximations of the debtor's projected
cash receipts and cash disbursements over a reasonable period;
``(3) comparisons of actual cash receipts and disbursements
with projections in prior reports;
``(4)(A) whether the debtor is--
``(i) in compliance in all material respects with
postpetition requirements imposed by this title and the
Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure; and
``(ii) timely filing tax returns and other required
government filings and paying taxes and other
administrative expenses when due;
``(B) if the debtor is not in compliance with the
requirements referred to in subparagraph (A)(i) or filing tax
returns and other required government filings and making the
payments referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii), what the failures
are and how, at what cost, and when the debtor intends to
remedy such failures; and
``(C) such other matters as are in the best interests of
the debtor and creditors, and in the public interest in fair
and efficient procedures under chapter 11 of this title.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
3 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 307 the following:
``308. Debtor reporting requirements.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) shall
take effect 60 days after the date on which rules are prescribed under
section 2075 of title 28, United States Code, to establish forms to be
used to comply with section 308 of title 11, United States Code, as
added by subsection (a).
SEC. 435. UNIFORM REPORTING RULES AND FORMS FOR SMALL BUSINESS CASES.
(a) Proposal of Rules and Forms.--The Advisory Committee on
Bankruptcy Rules of the Judic
2000
ial Conference of the United States shall
propose for adoption amended Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure and
Official Bankruptcy Forms to be used by small business debtors to file
periodic financial and other reports containing information, including
information relating to--
(1) the debtor's profitability;
(2) the debtor's cash receipts and disbursements; and
(3) whether the debtor is timely filing tax returns and
paying taxes and other administrative expenses when due.
(b) Purpose.--The rules and forms proposed under subsection (a)
shall be designed to achieve a practical balance among--
(1) the reasonable needs of the bankruptcy court, the
United States trustee, creditors, and other parties in interest
for reasonably complete information;
(2) the small business debtor's interest that required
reports be easy and inexpensive to complete; and
(3) the interest of all parties that the required reports
help the small business debtor to understand the small business
debtor's financial condition and plan the small business
debtor's future.
SEC. 436. DUTIES IN SMALL BUSINESS CASES.
(a) Duties in Chapter 11 Cases.--Subchapter I of chapter 11 of
title 11, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 1116. Duties of trustee or debtor in possession in small
business cases
``In a small business case, a trustee or the debtor in possession,
in addition to the duties provided in this title and as otherwise
required by law, shall--
``(1) append to the voluntary petition or, in an
involuntary case, file not later than 7 days after the date of
the order for relief--
``(A) its most recent balance sheet, statement of
operations, cash-flow statement, Federal income tax
return; or
``(B) a statement made under penalty of perjury
that no balance sheet, statement of operations, or
cash-flow statement has been prepared and no Federal
tax return has been filed;
``(2) attend, through its senior management personnel and
counsel, meetings scheduled by the court or the United States
trustee, including initial debtor interviews, scheduling
conferences, and meetings of creditors convened under section
341 unless the court waives that requirement after notice and
hearing, upon a finding of extraordinary and compelling
circumstances;
``(3) timely file all schedules and statements of financial
affairs, unless the court, after notice and a hearing, grants
an extension, which shall not extend such time period to a date
later than 30 days after the date of the order for relief,
absent extraordinary and compelling circumstances;
``(4) file all postpetition financial and other reports
required by the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure or by
local rule of the district court;
``(5) subject to section 363(c)(2), maintain insurance
customary and appropriate to the industry;
``(6)(A) timely file tax returns and other required
government filings; and
``(B) subject to section 363(c)(2), timely pay all
administrative expense tax claims, except those being contested
by appropriate proceedings being diligently prosecuted; and
``(7) allow the United States trustee, or a designated
representative of the United States trustee, to inspect the
debtor's business premises, books, and records at reasonable
times, after reasonable prior written notice, unless notice is
waived by the debtor.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 11 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end of the
matter relating to subchapter I the following:
``1116. Duties of trustee or debtor in possession in small business
cases.''.
SEC. 437. PLAN FILING AND CONFIRMATION DEADLINES.
Section 1121 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
``(e) In a small business case--
``(1) only the debtor may file a plan until after 180 days
after the date of the order for relief, unless that period is--
``(A) extended as provided by this subsection,
after notice and hearing; or
``(B) the court, for cause, orders otherwise;
``(2) the plan, and any necessary disclosure statement,
shall be filed not later than 300 days after the date of the
order for relief; and
``(3) the time periods specified in paragraphs (1) and (2),
and the time fixed in section 1129(e), within which the plan
shall be confirmed, may be extended only if--
``(A) the debtor, after providing notice to parties
in interest (including the United States trustee),
demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that it
is more likely than not that the court will confirm a
plan within a reasonable period of time;
``(B) a new deadline is imposed at the time the
extension is granted; and
``(C) the order extending time is signed before the
existing deadline has expired.''.
SEC. 438. PLAN CONFIRMATION DEADLINE.
Section 1129 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(e) In a small business case, the plan shall be confirmed not
later than 175 days after the date of the order for relief, unless such
175-day period is extended as provided in section 1121(e)(3).''.
SEC. 439. DUTIES OF THE UNITED STATES TRUSTEE.
Section 586(a) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (3)--
(A) in subparagraph (G), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) by redesignating subparagraph (H) as
subparagraph (I); and
(C) by inserting after subparagraph (G) the
following:
``(H) in small business cases (as defined in
section 101 of title 11), performing the additional
duties specified in title 11 pertaining to such cases;
and'';
(2) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(3) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) in each of such small business cases--
``(A) conduct an initial debtor interview as soon
as practicable after the entry of order for relief but
before the first meeting scheduled under section 341(a)
of title 11, at which time the United States trustee
shall--
``(i) begin to investigate the debtor's
viability;
``(ii) inquire about the debtor's business
plan;
``(iii) explain the debtor's obligations to
file monthly operating reports and other
required reports;
``(iv) attempt to develop an agreed
scheduling order; and
``(v) inform the debtor of other
obligations;
``(B) if determined to be appropriate and
advisable, visit the appropriate business premises of
the debtor and ascertain the state of the debtor's
books and records and verify that the debtor has filed
2000
its tax returns; and
``(C) review and monitor diligently the debtor's
activities, to identify as promptly as possible whether
the debtor will be unable to confirm a plan; and
``(8) in any case in which the United States trustee finds
material grounds for any relief under section 1112 of title 11,
the United States trustee shall apply promptly after making
that finding to the court for relief.''.
SEC. 440. SCHEDULING CONFERENCES.
Section 105(d) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking ``,
may''; and
(2) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following:
``(1) shall hold such status conferences as are necessary
to further the expeditious and economical resolution of the
case; and''.
SEC. 441. SERIAL FILER PROVISIONS.
Section 362 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this Act
is amended--
(1) in subsection (k), as redesignated by this Act--
(A) by striking ``An'' and inserting ``(1) Except
as provided in paragraph (2), an''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) If such violation is based on an action taken by an entity in
the good faith belief that subsection (h) applies to the debtor, the
recovery under paragraph (1) of this subsection against such entity
shall be limited to actual damages.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(l)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection,
the provisions of subsection (a) do not apply in a case in which the
debtor--
``(A) is a debtor in a small business case pending at the
time the petition is filed;
``(B) was a debtor in a small business case that was
dismissed for any reason by an order that became final in the
2-year period ending on the date of the order for relief
entered with respect to the petition;
``(C) was a debtor in a small business case in which a plan
was confirmed in the 2-year period ending on the date of the
order for relief entered with respect to the petition; or
``(D) is an entity that has succeeded to substantially all
of the assets or business of a small business debtor described
in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
``(2) This subsection does not apply--
``(A) to an involuntary case involving no collusion by the
debtor with creditors; or
``(B) to the filing of a petition if--
``(i) the debtor proves by a preponderance of the
evidence that the filing of that petition resulted from
circumstances beyond the control of the debtor not
foreseeable at the time the case then pending was
filed; and
``(ii) it is more likely than not that the court
will confirm a feasible plan, but not a liquidating
plan, within a reasonable period of time.''.
SEC. 442. EXPANDED GROUNDS FOR DISMISSAL OR CONVERSION AND APPOINTMENT
OF TRUSTEE.
(a) Expanded Grounds for Dismissal or Conversion.--Section 1112 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking subsection (b) and
inserting the following:
``(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection,
subsection (c) of this section, and section 1104(a)(3), on request of a
party in interest, and after notice and a hearing, the court shall
convert a case under this chapter to a case under chapter 7 or dismiss
a case under this chapter, whichever is in the best interest of
creditors and the estate, if the movant establishes cause.
``(2) The relief provided in paragraph (1) shall not be granted if
the debtor or another party in interest objects and establishes by a
preponderance of the evidence that--
``(A) a plan with a reasonable possibility of being
confirmed will be filed within a reasonable period of time; and
``(B) the grounds include an act or omission of the
debtor--
``(i) for which there exists a reasonable
justification for the act or omission; and
``(ii) that will be cured within a reasonable
period of time fixed by the court.
``(3) The court shall commence the hearing on any motion under this
subsection not later than 30 days after filing of the motion, and shall
decide the motion not later than 15 days after commencement of the
hearing, unless the movant expressly consents to a continuance for a
specific period of time or compelling circumstances prevent the court
from meeting the time limits established by this paragraph.
``(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term `cause' includes--
``(A) substantial or continuing loss to or diminution of
the estate;
``(B) gross mismanagement of the estate;
``(C) failure to maintain appropriate insurance that poses
a risk to the estate or to the public;
``(D) unauthorized use of cash collateral harmful to 1 or
more creditors;
``(E) failure to comply with an order of the court;
``(F) repeated failure timely to satisfy any filing or
reporting requirement established by this title or by any rule
applicable to a case under this chapter;
``(G) failure to attend the meeting of creditors convened
under section 341(a) or an examination ordered under rule 2004
of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure;
``(H) failure timely to provide information or attend
meetings reasonably requested by the United States trustee or
the bankruptcy administrator;
``(I) failure timely to pay taxes due after the date of the
order for relief or to file tax returns due after the order for
relief;
``(J) failure to file a disclosure statement, or to file or
confirm a plan, within the time fixed by this title or by order
of the court;
``(K) failure to pay any fees or charges required under
chapter 123 of title 28;
``(L) revocation of an order of confirmation under section
1144;
``(M) inability to effectuate substantial consummation of a
confirmed plan;
``(N) material default by the debtor with respect to a
confirmed plan;
``(O) termination of a confirmed plan by reason of the
occurrence of a condition specified in the plan; and
``(P) failure of the debtor to pay any domestic support
obligation that first becomes payable after the date on which
the petition is filed.
``(5) The court shall commence the hearing on any motion under this
subsection not later than 30 days after filing of the motion, and shall
decide the motion not later than 15 days after commencement of the
hearing, unless the movant expressly consents to a continuance for a
specific period of time or compelling circumstances prevent the court
from meeting the time limits established by this paragraph.''.
(b) Additional Grounds for Appointment of Trustee.--Section 1104(a)
of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) if grounds exist to convert or dismiss the case under
section 1112, but the court determines that the appointment of
a trustee or an examiner is in the best interests of creditors
and the estate.''.
SEC. 443. STUDY OF OPERATION OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE, WITH
RESPECT TO SMALL BUSINESSES.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act,
2000
the
Administrator of the Small Business Administration, in consultation
with the Attorney General, the Director of the Administrative Office of
United States Trustees, and the Director of the Administrative Office
of the United States Courts, shall--
(1) conduct a study to determine--
(A) the internal and external factors that cause
small businesses, especially sole proprietorships, to
become debtors in cases under title 11, United States
Code, and that cause certain small businesses to
successfully complete cases under chapter 11 of such
title; and
(B) how Federal laws relating to bankruptcy may be
made more effective and efficient in assisting small
businesses to remain viable; and
(2) submit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House of Representatives a report
summarizing that study.
SEC. 444. PAYMENT OF INTEREST.
Section 362(d)(3) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``or 30 days after the court determines
that the debtor is subject to this paragraph, whichever is
later'' after ``90-day period)''; and
(2) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the
following:
``(B) the debtor has commenced monthly payments
that--
``(i) may, in the debtor's sole discretion,
notwithstanding section 363(c)(2), be made from
rents or other income generated before or after
the commencement of the case by or from the
property to each creditor whose claim is
secured by such real estate (other than a claim
secured by a judgment lien or by an unmatured
statutory lien); and
``(ii) are in an amount equal to interest
at the then applicable nondefault contract rate
of interest on the value of the creditor's
interest in the real estate; or''.
SEC. 445. PRIORITY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
Section 503(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) with respect to a nonresidential real property lease
previously assumed under section 365, and subsequently
rejected, a sum equal to all monetary obligations due,
excluding those arising from or relating to a failure to
operate or penalty provisions, for the period of 2 years
following the later of the rejection date or the date of actual
turnover of the premises, without reduction or setoff for any
reason whatsoever except for sums actually received or to be
received from a nondebtor, and the claim for remaining sums due
for the balance of the term of the lease shall be a claim under
section 502(b)(6);''.
TITLE V--MUNICIPAL BANKRUPTCY PROVISIONS
SEC. 501. PETITION AND PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO PETITION.
(a) Technical Amendment Relating to Municipalities.--Section 921(d)
of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting
``notwithstanding section 301(b)'' before the period at the end.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 301 of title 11, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``A voluntary''; and
(2) by striking the last sentence and inserting the
following:
``(b) The commencement of a voluntary case under a chapter of this
title constitutes an order for relief under such chapter.''.
SEC. 502. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER SECTIONS TO CHAPTER 9.
Section 901(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``555, 556,'' after ``553,''; and
(2) by inserting ``559, 560, 561, 562'' after ``557,''.
TITLE VI--BANKRUPTCY DATA
SEC. 601. IMPROVED BANKRUPTCY STATISTICS.
(a) In General.--Chapter 6 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 159. Bankruptcy statistics
``(a) The clerk of the district court, or the clerk of the
bankruptcy court if one has been certified pursuant to section 156(b)
of this title, shall collect statistics regarding individual debtors
with primarily consumer debts seeking relief under chapters 7, 11, and
13 of title 11. Those statistics shall be in a standardized format
prescribed by the Director of the Administrative Office of the United
States Courts (referred to in this section as the `Director').
``(b) The Director shall--
``(1) compile the statistics referred to in subsection (a);
``(2) make the statistics available to the public; and
``(3) not later than October 31, 2002, and annually
thereafter, prepare, and submit to Congress a report concerning
the information collected under subsection (a) that contains an
analysis of the information.
``(c) The compilation required under subsection (b) shall--
``(1) be itemized, by chapter, with respect to title 11;
``(2) be presented in the aggregate and for each district;
and
``(3) include information concerning--
``(A) the total assets and total liabilities of the
debtors described in subsection (a), and in each
category of assets and liabilities, as reported in the
schedules prescribed pursuant to section 2075 of this
title and filed by those debtors;
``(B) the current monthly income, average income,
and average expenses of those debtors as reported on
the schedules and statements that each such debtor
files under sections 521 and 1322 of title 11;
``(C) the aggregate amount of debt discharged in
cases filed during the reporting period, determined as
the difference between the total amount of debt and
obligations of a debtor reported on the schedules and
the amount of such debt reported in categories which
are predominantly nondischargeable;
``(D) the average period of time between the filing
of the petition and the closing of the case for cases
closed during the reporting period;
``(E) for cases closed during the reporting
period--
``(i) the number of cases in which a
reaffirmation was filed; and
``(ii)(I) the total number of
reaffirmations filed;
``(II) of those cases in which a
reaffirmation was filed, the number of cases in
which the debtor was not represented by an
attorney; and
``(III) of those cases in which a
reaffirmation was filed, the number of cases in
which the reaffirmation was approved by the
court;
``(F) with respect to cases filed under chapter 13
of title 11, for the reporting period--
``(i)(I) the number of cases in which a
final order was entered determining the value
of property securing a claim in an amount less
than the amount of the claim; and
``(II) the number of final orders entered
2000
determining the value of property securing a
claim;
``(ii) the number of cases dismissed, the
number of cases dismissed for failure to make
payments under the plan, the number of cases
refiled after dismissal, and the number of
cases in which the plan was completed,
separately itemized with respect to the number
of modifications made before completion of the
plan, if any; and
``(iii) the number of cases in which the
debtor filed another case during the 6-year
period preceding the filing;
``(G) the number of cases in which creditors were
fined for misconduct and any amount of punitive damages
awarded by the court for creditor misconduct; and
``(H) the number of cases in which sanctions under
rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure
were imposed against debtor's counsel or damages
awarded under such Rule.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 6 of
title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``159. Bankruptcy statistics.''.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 602. UNIFORM RULES FOR THE COLLECTION OF BANKRUPTCY DATA.
(a) Amendment.--Chapter 39 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 589b. Bankruptcy data
``(a) Rules.--The Attorney General shall, within a reasonable time
after the effective date of this section, issue rules requiring uniform
forms for (and from time to time thereafter to appropriately modify and
approve)--
``(1) final reports by trustees in cases under chapters 7,
12, and 13 of title 11; and
``(2) periodic reports by debtors in possession or
trustees, as the case may be, in cases under chapter 11 of
title 11.
``(b) Reports.--Each report referred to in subsection (a) shall be
designed (and the requirements as to place and manner of filing shall
be established) so as to facilitate compilation of data and maximum
possible access of the public, both by physical inspection at one or
more central filing locations, and by electronic access through the
Internet or other appropriate media.
``(c) Required Information.--The information required to be filed
in the reports referred to in subsection (b) shall be that which is in
the best interests of debtors and creditors, and in the public interest
in reasonable and adequate information to evaluate the efficiency and
practicality of the Federal bankruptcy system. In issuing rules
proposing the forms referred to in subsection (a), the Attorney General
shall strike the best achievable practical balance between--
``(1) the reasonable needs of the public for information
about the operational results of the Federal bankruptcy system;
``(2) economy, simplicity, and lack of undue burden on
persons with a duty to file reports; and
``(3) appropriate privacy concerns and safeguards.
``(d) Final Reports.--Final reports proposed for adoption by
trustees under chapters 7, 12, and 13 of title 11 shall, in addition to
such other matters as are required by law or as the Attorney General in
the discretion of the Attorney General, shall propose, include with
respect to a case under such title--
``(1) information about the length of time the case was
pending;
``(2) assets abandoned;
``(3) assets exempted;
``(4) receipts and disbursements of the estate;
``(5) expenses of administration, including for use under
section 707(b), actual costs of administering cases under
chapter 13 of title 11;
``(6) claims asserted;
``(7) claims allowed; and
``(8) distributions to claimants and claims discharged
without payment,
in each case by appropriate category and, in cases under chapters 12
and 13 of title 11, date of confirmation of the plan, each modification
thereto, and defaults by the debtor in performance under the plan.
``(e) Periodic Reports.--Periodic reports proposed for adoption by
trustees or debtors in possession under chapter 11 of title 11 shall,
in addition to such other matters as are required by law or as the
Attorney General, in the discretion of the Attorney General, shall
propose, include--
``(1) information about the standard industry
classification, published by the Department of Commerce, for
the businesses conducted by the debtor;
``(2) length of time the case has been pending;
``(3) number of full-time employees as of the date of the
order for relief and at the end of each reporting period since
the case was filed;
``(4) cash receipts, cash disbursements and profitability
of the debtor for the most recent period and cumulatively since
the date of the order for relief;
``(5) compliance with title 11, whether or not tax returns
and tax payments since the date of the order for relief have
been timely filed and made;
``(6) all professional fees approved by the court in the
case for the most recent period and cumulatively since the date
of the order for relief (separately reported, for the
professional fees incurred by or on behalf of the debtor,
between those that would have been incurred absent a bankruptcy
case and those not); and
``(7) plans of reorganization filed and confirmed and, with
respect thereto, by class, the recoveries of the holders,
expressed in aggregate dollar values and, in the case of
claims, as a percentage of total claims of the class
allowed.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
chapter 39 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``589b. Bankruptcy data.''.
SEC. 603. AUDIT PROCEDURES.
(a) In General.--
(1) Establishment of procedures.--The Attorney General (in
judicial districts served by United States trustees) and the
Judicial Conference of the United States (in judicial districts
served by bankruptcy administrators) shall establish procedures
to determine the accuracy, veracity, and completeness of
petitions, schedules, and other information which the debtor is
required to provide under sections 521 and 1322 of title 11,
and, if applicable, section 111 of title 11, in cases filed
under chapter 7 or 13 in which the debtor is an individual.
Such audits shall be in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards and performed by independent certified
public accountants or independent licensed public accountants,
provided that the Attorney General and the Judicial Conference,
as appropriate, may develop alternative auditing standards not
later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Procedures.--Those procedures required by paragraph (1)
shall--
(A) establish a method of selecting appropriate
qualified persons to contract to perform those audits;
(B) establish a method of randomly selecting cases
to be audited, except that not less than 1 out of every
250 cases in each Federal judicial district shall be
selected for audit;
(C) require audits for schedules of income and
expenses which reflect greater than
2000
average variances
from the statistical norm of the district in which the
schedules were filed if those variances occur by reason
of higher income or higher expenses than the
statistical norm of the district in which the schedules
were filed; and
(D) establish procedures for providing, not less
frequently than annually, public information concerning
the aggregate results of such audits including the
percentage of cases, by district, in which a material
misstatement of income or expenditures is reported.
(b) Amendments.--Section 586 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraph (6) and
inserting the following:
``(6) make such reports as the Attorney General directs,
including the results of audits performed under section 603(a)
of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act
of 2001; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(f)(1) The United States trustee for each district is authorized
to contract with auditors to perform audits in cases designated by the
United States trustee, in accordance with the procedures established
under section 603(a) of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer
Protection Act of 2001.
``(2)(A) The report of each audit referred to in paragraph (1)
shall be filed with the court and transmitted to the United States
trustee. Each report shall clearly and conspicuously specify any
material misstatement of income or expenditures or of assets identified
by the person performing the audit. In any case in which a material
misstatement of income or expenditures or of assets has been reported,
the clerk of the bankruptcy court shall give notice of the misstatement
to the creditors in the case.
``(B) If a material misstatement of income or expenditures or of
assets is reported, the United States trustee shall--
``(i) report the material misstatement, if appropriate, to
the United States Attorney pursuant to section 3057 of title
18; and
``(ii) if advisable, take appropriate action, including but
not limited to commencing an adversary proceeding to revoke the
debtor's discharge pursuant to section 727(d) of title 11.''.
(c) Amendments to Section 521 of Title 11, U.S.C.--Section 521(a)
of title 11, United States Code, as so designated by this Act, is
amended in each of paragraphs (3) and (4) by inserting ``or an auditor
appointed under section 586(f) of title 28'' after ``serving in the
case''.
(d) Amendments to Section 727 of Title 11, U.S.C.--Section 727(d)
of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(4) the debtor has failed to explain satisfactorily--
``(A) a material misstatement in an audit referred
to in section 586(f) of title 28; or
``(B) a failure to make available for inspection
all necessary accounts, papers, documents, financial
records, files, and all other papers, things, or
property belonging to the debtor that are requested for
an audit referred to in section 586(f) of title 28.''.
(e) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
SEC. 604. SENSE OF CONGRESS REGARDING AVAILABILITY OF BANKRUPTCY DATA.
It is the sense of Congress that--
(1) the national policy of the United States should be that
all data held by bankruptcy clerks in electronic form, to the
extent such data reflects only public records (as defined in
section 107 of title 11, United States Code), should be
released in a usable electronic form in bulk to the public,
subject to such appropriate privacy concerns and safeguards as
Congress and the Judicial Conference of the United States may
determine; and
(2) there should be established a bankruptcy data system in
which--
(A) a single set of data definitions and forms are
used to collect data nationwide; and
(B) data for any particular bankruptcy case are
aggregated in the same electronic record.
TITLE VII--BANKRUPTCY TAX PROVISIONS
SEC. 701. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN LIENS.
(a) Treatment of Certain Liens.--Section 724 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), in the matter preceding paragraph
(1), by inserting ``(other than to the extent that there is a
properly perfected unavoidable tax lien arising in connection
with an ad valorem tax on real or personal property of the
estate)'' after ``under this title'';
(2) in subsection (b)(2), by inserting ``(except that such
expenses, other than claims for wages, salaries, or commissions
which arise after the filing of a petition, shall be limited to
expenses incurred under chapter 7 of this title and shall not
include expenses incurred under chapter 11 of this title)''
after ``507(a)(1)''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Before subordinating a tax lien on real or personal property
of the estate, the trustee shall--
``(1) exhaust the unencumbered assets of the estate; and
``(2) in a manner consistent with section 506(c), recover
from property securing an allowed secured claim the reasonable,
necessary costs and expenses of preserving or disposing of that
property.
``(f) Notwithstanding the exclusion of ad valorem tax liens under
this section and subject to the requirements of subsection (e), the
following may be paid from property of the estate which secures a tax
lien, or the proceeds of such property:
``(1) Claims for wages, salaries, and commissions that are
entitled to priority under section 507(a)(4).
``(2) Claims for contributions to an employee benefit plan
entitled to priority under section 507(a)(5).''.
(b) Determination of Tax Liability.--Section 505(a)(2) of title 11,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) the amount or legality of any amount arising in
connection with an ad valorem tax on real or personal property
of the estate, if the applicable period for contesting or
redetermining that amount under any law (other than a
bankruptcy law) has expired.''.
SEC. 702. TREATMENT OF FUEL TAX CLAIMS.
Section 501 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(e) A claim arising from the liability of a debtor for fuel use
tax assessed consistent with the requirements of section 31705 of title
49 may be filed by the base jurisdiction designated pursuant to the
International Fuel Tax Agreement and, if so filed, shall be allowed as
a single claim.''.
SEC. 703. NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR A DETERMINATION OF TAXES.
Section 505(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the first sentence, by inserting ``at the address
and in the manner designated in paragraph (1)'' after
``determination of such tax'';
(2) by striking ``(1) upon payment'' and inserting ``(A)
upon payment'';
(3) by striking ``(A) such governmental unit'' and
inserting ``(i) suc
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h governmental unit'';
(4) by striking ``(B) such governmental unit'' and
inserting ``(ii) such governmental unit'';
(5) by striking ``(2) upon payment'' and inserting ``(B)
upon payment'';
(6) by striking ``(3) upon payment'' and inserting ``(C)
upon payment'';
(7) by striking ``(b)'' and inserting ``(2)''; and
(8) by inserting before paragraph (2), as so designated,
the following:
``(b)(1)(A) The clerk of each district shall maintain a listing
under which a Federal, State, or local governmental unit responsible
for the collection of taxes within the district may--
``(i) designate an address for service of requests under
this subsection; and
``(ii) describe where further information concerning
additional requirements for filing such requests may be found.
``(B) If a governmental unit referred to in subparagraph (A) does
not designate an address and provide that address to the clerk under
that subparagraph, any request made under this subsection may be served
at the address for the filing of a tax return or protest with the
appropriate taxing authority of that governmental unit.''.
SEC. 704. RATE OF INTEREST ON TAX CLAIMS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter I of chapter 5 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 511. Rate of interest on tax claims
``(a) If any provision of this title requires the payment of
interest on a tax claim or on an administrative expense tax, or the
payment of interest to enable a creditor to receive the present value
of the allowed amount of a tax claim, the rate of interest shall be the
rate determined under applicable nonbankruptcy law.
``(b) In the case of taxes paid under a confirmed plan under this
title, the rate of interest shall be determined as of the calendar
month in which the plan is confirmed.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 5 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 510 the following:
``511. Rate of interest on tax claims.''.
SEC. 705. PRIORITY OF TAX CLAIMS.
Section 507(a)(8) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
inserting ``for a taxable year ending on or before the
date of the filing of the petition'' after ``gross
receipts'';
(B) in clause (i), by striking ``for a taxable year
ending on or before the date of filing of the
petition''; and
(C) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the
following:
``(ii) assessed within 240 days before the
date of the filing of the petition, exclusive
of--
``(I) any time during which an
offer in compromise with respect to
that tax was pending or in effect
during that 240-day period, plus 30
days; and
``(II) any time during which a stay
of proceedings against collections was
in effect in a prior case under this
title during that 240-day period; plus
90 days.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``An otherwise applicable time period specified in this
paragraph shall be suspended for any period during which a
governmental unit is prohibited under applicable nonbankruptcy
law from collecting a tax as a result of a request by the
debtor for a hearing and an appeal of any collection action
taken or proposed against the debtor, plus 90 days; plus any
time during which the stay of proceedings was in effect in a
prior case under this title or during which collection was
precluded by the existence of 1 or more confirmed plans under
this title, plus 90 days.''.
SEC. 706. PRIORITY PROPERTY TAXES INCURRED.
Section 507(a)(8)(B) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``assessed'' and inserting ``incurred''.
SEC. 707. NO DISCHARGE OF FRAUDULENT TAXES IN CHAPTER 13.
Section 1328(a)(2) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by
section 314 of this Act, is amended by striking ``paragraph'' and
inserting ``section 507(a)(8)(C) or in paragraph (1)(B), (1)(C),''.
SEC. 708. NO DISCHARGE OF FRAUDULENT TAXES IN CHAPTER 11.
Section 1141(d) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the confirmation of a plan
does not discharge a debtor that is a corporation from any debt
described in section 523(a)(2) or for a tax or customs duty with
respect to which the debtor--
``(A) made a fraudulent return; or
``(B) willfully attempted in any manner to evade or defeat
that tax or duty.''.
SEC. 709. STAY OF TAX PROCEEDINGS LIMITED TO PREPETITION TAXES.
Section 362(a)(8) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``the debtor'' and inserting ``a corporate debtor's tax
liability for a taxable period the bankruptcy court may determine or
concerning an individual debtor's tax liability for a taxable period
ending before the order for relief under this title''.
SEC. 710. PERIODIC PAYMENT OF TAXES IN CHAPTER 11 CASES.
Section 1129(a)(9) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``deferred cash
payments,'' and all that follows through the end of the
subparagraph, and inserting ``regular installment payments in
cash--
``(i) of a total value, as of the effective
date of the plan, equal to the allowed amount
of such claim;
``(ii) over a period ending not later than
5 years after the date of the entry of the
order for relief under section 301, 302, or
303; and
``(iii) in a manner not less favorable than
the most favored nonpriority unsecured claim
provided for in the plan (other than cash
payments made to a class of creditors under
section 1122(b)); and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) with respect to a secured claim which would
otherwise meet the description of an unsecured claim of
a governmental unit under section 507(a)(8), but for
the secured status of that claim, the holder of that
claim will receive on account of that claim, cash
payments, in the same manner and over the same period,
as prescribed in subparagraph (C).''.
SEC. 711. AVOIDANCE OF STATUTORY TAX LIENS PROHIBITED.
Section 545(2) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting before the semicolon at the end the following: ``, except in
any case in which a purchaser is a purchaser described in section 6323
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or in any other similar provision
of State or local law''.
SEC. 712. PAYMENT OF TAXES IN THE CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
(a) Payment of Taxes Required.--Section 960 of title 28, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(a)'' before ``Any''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(b) A tax under subsection (a) shall be paid on or before the due
date of the tax under applicable
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nonbankruptcy law, unless--
``(1) the tax is a property tax secured by a lien against
property that is abandoned within a reasonable period of time
after the lien attaches by the trustee of a bankruptcy estate
under section 554 of title 11; or
``(2) payment of the tax is excused under a specific
provision of title 11.
``(c) In a case pending under chapter 7 of title 11, payment of a
tax may be deferred until final distribution is made under section 726
of title 11, if--
``(1) the tax was not incurred by a trustee duly appointed
under chapter 7 of title 11; or
``(2) before the due date of the tax, an order of the court
makes a finding of probable insufficiency of funds of the
estate to pay in full the administrative expenses allowed under
section 503(b) of title 11 that have the same priority in
distribution under section 726(b) of title 11 as the priority
of that tax.''.
(b) Payment of Ad Valorem Taxes Required.--Section 503(b)(1)(B)(i)
of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting ``whether
secured or unsecured, including property taxes for which liability is
in rem, in personam, or both,'' before ``except''.
(c) Request for Payment of Administrative Expense Taxes
Eliminated.--Section 503(b)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (C), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) notwithstanding the requirements of subsection (a), a
governmental unit shall not be required to file a request for
the payment of an expense described in subparagraph (B) or (C),
as a condition of its being an allowed administrative
expense;''.
(d) Payment of Taxes and Fees as Secured Claims.--Section 506 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting ``or State statute''
after ``agreement''; and
(2) in subsection (c), by inserting ``, including the
payment of all ad valorem property taxes with respect to the
property'' before the period at the end.
SEC. 713. TARDILY FILED PRIORITY TAX CLAIMS.
Section 726(a)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``before the date on which the trustee commences distribution
under this section;'' and inserting the following: ``on or before the
earlier of--
``(A) the date that is 10 days after the mailing to
creditors of the summary of the trustee's final report;
or
``(B) the date on which the trustee commences final
distribution under this section;''.
SEC. 714. INCOME TAX RETURNS PREPARED BY TAX AUTHORITIES.
Section 523(a) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
(A) in the matter preceding clause (i), by
inserting ``or equivalent report or notice,'' after ``a
return,'';
(B) in clause (i), by inserting ``or given'' after
``filed''; and
(C) in clause (ii)--
(i) by inserting ``or given'' after
``filed''; and
(ii) by inserting ``, report, or notice''
after ``return''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``For purposes of this subsection, the term `return' means a return
that satisfies the requirements of applicable nonbankruptcy law
(including applicable filing requirements). Such term includes a return
prepared pursuant to section 6020(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, or similar State or local law, or a written stipulation to a
judgment or a final order entered by a nonbankruptcy tribunal, but does
not include a return made pursuant to section 6020(b) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, or a similar State or local law.''.
SEC. 715. DISCHARGE OF THE ESTATE'S LIABILITY FOR UNPAID TAXES.
Section 505(b)(2) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by
this Act, is amended by inserting ``the estate,'' after
``misrepresentation,''.
SEC. 716. REQUIREMENT TO FILE TAX RETURNS TO CONFIRM CHAPTER 13 PLANS.
(a) Filing of Prepetition Tax Returns Required for Plan
Confirmation.--Section 1325(a) of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(9) the debtor has filed all applicable Federal, State,
and local tax returns as required by section 1308.''.
(b) Additional Time Permitted for Filing Tax Returns.--
(1) In general.--Subchapter I of chapter 13 of title 11,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``Sec. 1308. Filing of prepetition tax returns
``(a) Not later than the day before the date on which the meeting
of the creditors is first scheduled to be held under section 341(a), if
the debtor was required to file a tax return under applicable
nonbankruptcy law, the debtor shall file with appropriate tax
authorities all tax returns for all taxable periods ending during the
4-year period ending on the date of the filing of the petition.
``(b)(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if the tax returns required by
subsection (a) have not been filed by the date on which the meeting of
creditors is first scheduled to be held under section 341(a), the
trustee may hold open that meeting for a reasonable period of time to
allow the debtor an additional period of time to file any unfiled
returns, but such additional period of time shall not extend beyond--
``(A) for any return that is past due as of the date of the
filing of the petition, the date that is 120 days after the
date of that meeting; or
``(B) for any return that is not past due as of the date of
the filing of the petition, the later of--
``(i) the date that is 120 days after the date of
that meeting; or
``(ii) the date on which the return is due under
the last automatic extension of time for filing that
return to which the debtor is entitled, and for which
request is timely made, in accordance with applicable
nonbankruptcy law.
``(2) Upon notice and hearing, and order entered before the tolling
of any applicable filing period determined under this subsection, if
the debtor demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that the
failure to file a return as required under this subsection is
attributable to circumstances beyond the control of the debtor, the
court may extend the filing period established by the trustee under
this subsection for--
``(A) a period of not more than 30 days for returns
described in paragraph (1); and
``(B) a period not to extend after the applicable extended
due date for a return described in paragraph (2).
``(c) For purposes of this section, the term `return' includes a
return prepared pursuant to subsection (a) or (b) of section 6020 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or a similar State or local law, or
a written stipulation to a judgment or a final order entered by a
nonbankruptcy tribunal.''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The table of sections at the
beginning of chapter 13 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1307
the following:
``1308. Filing of prepetition tax returns.''.
(c) Dismissal or Conversion on Failure To Comply.--Section 1307 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections
(f) and (g), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
``(e) Upon the
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failure of the debtor to file a tax return under
section 1308, on request of a party in interest or the United States
trustee and after notice and a hearing, the court shall dismiss a case
or convert a case under this chapter to a case under chapter 7 of this
title, whichever is in the best interest of the creditors and the
estate.''.
(d) Timely Filed Claims.--Section 502(b)(9) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by inserting before the period at the end the
following ``, and except that in a case under chapter 13, a claim of a
governmental unit for a tax with respect to a return filed under
section 1308 shall be timely if the claim is filed on or before the
date that is 60 days after the date on which such return was filed as
required''.
(e) Rules for Objections to Claims and to Confirmation.--It is the
sense of Congress that the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of
the Judicial Conference of the United States should, as soon as
practicable after the date of enactment of this Act, propose for
adoption amended Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure which provide
that--
(1) notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 3015(f), in
cases under chapter 13 of title 11, United States Code, an
objection to the confirmation of a plan filed by a governmental
unit on or before the date that is 60 days after the date on
which the debtor files all tax returns required under sections
1308 and 1325(a)(7) of title 11, United States Code, shall be
treated for all purposes as if such objection had been timely
filed before such confirmation; and
(2) in addition to the provisions of Rule 3007, in a case
under chapter 13 of title 11, United States Code, no objection
to a claim for a tax with respect to which a return is required
to be filed under section 1308 of title 11, United States Code,
shall be filed until such return has been filed as required.
SEC. 717. STANDARDS FOR TAX DISCLOSURE.
Section 1125(a)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``including a discussion of the potential
material Federal tax consequences of the plan to the debtor,
any successor to the debtor, and a hypothetical investor
typical of the holders of claims or interests in the case,''
after ``records''; and
(2) by striking ``a hypothetical reasonable investor
typical of holders of claims or interests'' and inserting
``such a hypothetical investor''.
SEC. 718. SETOFF OF TAX REFUNDS.
Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after paragraph (26), as added by this Act, the following:
``(27) under subsection (a), of the setoff under applicable
nonbankruptcy law of an income tax refund, by a governmental
unit, with respect to a taxable period that ended before the
order for relief against an income tax liability for a taxable
period that also ended before the order for relief, except that
in any case in which the setoff of an income tax refund is not
permitted under applicable nonbankruptcy law because of a
pending action to determine the amount or legality of a tax
liability, the governmental unit may hold the refund pending
the resolution of the action, unless the court, upon motion of
the trustee and after notice and hearing, grants the taxing
authority adequate protection (within the meaning of section
361) for the secured claim of that authority in the setoff
under section 506(a);''.
SEC. 719. SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATED TO THE TREATMENT OF STATE AND
LOCAL TAXES.
(a) In General.--(1) Section 346 of title 11, United States Code,
is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 346. Special provisions related to the treatment of state and
local taxes
``(a) Whenever the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provides that a
separate taxable estate or entity is created in a case concerning a
debtor under this title, and the income, gain, loss, deductions, and
credits of such estate shall be taxed to or claimed by the estate, a
separate taxable estate is also created for purposes of any State and
local law imposing a tax on or measured by income and such income,
gain, loss, deductions, and credits shall be taxed to or claimed by the
estate and may not be taxed to or claimed by the debtor. The preceding
sentence shall not apply if the case is dismissed. The trustee shall
make tax returns of income required under any such State or local law.
``(b) Whenever the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provides that no
separate taxable estate shall be created in a case concerning a debtor
under this title, and the income, gain, loss, deductions, and credits
of an estate shall be taxed to or claimed by the debtor, such income,
gain, loss, deductions, and credits shall be taxed to or claimed by the
debtor under a State or local law imposing a tax on or measured by
income and may not be taxed to or claimed by the estate. The trustee
shall make such tax returns of income of corporations and of
partnerships as are required under any State or local law, but with
respect to partnerships, shall make said returns only to the extent
such returns are also required to be made under such Code. The estate
shall be liable for any tax imposed on such corporation or partnership,
but not for any tax imposed on partners or members.
``(c) With respect to a partnership or any entity treated as a
partnership under a State or local law imposing a tax on or measured by
income that is a debtor in a case under this title, any gain or loss
resulting from a distribution of property from such partnership, or any
distributive share of any income, gain, loss, deduction, or credit of a
partner or member that is distributed, or considered distributed, from
such partnership, after the commencement of the case, is gain, loss,
income, deduction, or credit, as the case may be, of the partner or
member, and if such partner or member is a debtor in a case under this
title, shall be subject to tax in accordance with subsection (a) or
(b).
``(d) For purposes of any State or local law imposing a tax on or
measured by income, the taxable period of a debtor in a case under this
title shall terminate only if and to the extent that the taxable period
of such debtor terminates under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(e) The estate in any case described in subsection (a) shall use
the same accounting method as the debtor used immediately before the
commencement of the case, if such method of accounting complies with
applicable nonbankruptcy tax law.
``(f) For purposes of any State or local law imposing a tax on or
measured by income, a transfer of property from the debtor to the
estate or from the estate to the debtor shall not be treated as a
disposition for purposes of any provision assigning tax consequences to
a disposition, except to the extent that such transfer is treated as a
disposition under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(g) Whenever a tax is imposed pursuant to a State or local law
imposing a tax on or measured by income pursuant to subsection (a) or
(b), such tax shall be imposed at rates generally applicable to the
same types of entities under such State or local law.
``(h) The trustee shall withhold from any payment of claims for
wages, salaries, commissions, dividends, interest, or other payments,
or collect, any amount required to be withheld or collected under
applicable State or local tax law, and shall pay such withheld or
collected amount to the appropriate governmental unit at the time and
in the manner required by such tax law, and with the same priority as
the claim from which such amount was withheld or collected was paid.
``(i)(1) To the extent that any State or local law imposing a tax
on or measured by income provides for the carryover of any tax
attribute from one taxable period to a
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subsequent taxable period, the
estate shall succeed to such tax attribute in any case in which such
estate is subject to tax under subsection (a).
``(2) After such a case is closed or dismissed, the debtor shall
succeed to any tax attribute to which the estate succeeded under
paragraph (1) to the extent consistent with the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986.
``(3) The estate may carry back any loss or tax attribute to a
taxable period of the debtor that ended before the order for relief
under this title to the extent that--
``(A) applicable State or local tax law provides for a
carryback in the case of the debtor; and
``(B) the same or a similar tax attribute may be carried
back by the estate to such a taxable period of the debtor under
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
``(j)(1) For purposes of any State or local law imposing a tax on
or measured by income, income is not realized by the estate, the
debtor, or a successor to the debtor by reason of discharge of
indebtedness in a case under this title, except to the extent, if any,
that such income is subject to tax under the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
``(2) Whenever the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 provides that the
amount excluded from gross income in respect of the discharge of
indebtedness in a case under this title shall be applied to reduce the
tax attributes of the debtor or the estate, a similar reduction shall
be made under any State or local law imposing a tax on or measured by
income to the extent such State or local law recognizes such
attributes. Such State or local law may also provide for the reduction
of other attributes to the extent that the full amount of income from
the discharge of indebtedness has not been applied.
``(k)(1) Except as provided in this section and section 505, the
time and manner of filing tax returns and the items of income, gain,
loss, deduction, and credit of any taxpayer shall be determined under
applicable nonbankruptcy law.
``(2) For Federal tax purposes, the provisions of this section are
subject to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and other applicable
Federal nonbankruptcy law.''.
(2) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 3 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking the item relating
to section 346 and inserting the following:
``346. Special provisions related to the treatment of State and local
taxes.''.
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1)(A) Section 728 of title 11, United States Code, is
repealed.
(B) The table of sections for chapter 7 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to
section 728.
(2) Section 1146 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and
(B) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as
subsections (a) and (b), respectively.
(3) Section 1231 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking subsections (a) and (b); and
(B) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as
subsections (a) and (b), respectively.
SEC. 720. DISMISSAL FOR FAILURE TO TIMELY FILE TAX RETURNS.
Section 521 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(k)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, if the
debtor fails to file a tax return that becomes due after the
commencement of the case or to properly obtain an extension of the due
date for filing such return, the taxing authority may request that the
court enter an order converting or dismissing the case.
``(2) If the debtor does not file the required return or obtain the
extension referred to in paragraph (1) within 90 days after a request
is filed by the taxing authority under that paragraph, the court shall
convert or dismiss the case, whichever is in the best interests of
creditors and the estate.''.
TITLE VIII--ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES
SEC. 801. AMENDMENT TO ADD CHAPTER 15 TO TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) In General.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after chapter 13 the following:
``CHAPTER 15--ANCILLARY AND OTHER CROSS-BORDER CASES
``Sec.
``1501. Purpose and scope of application.
``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
``1502. Definitions.
``1503. International obligations of the United States.
``1504. Commencement of ancillary case.
``1505. Authorization to act in a foreign country.
``1506. Public policy exception.
``1507. Additional assistance.
``1508. Interpretation.
``SUBCHAPTER II--ACCESS OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES AND CREDITORS TO THE
COURT
``1509. Right of direct access.
``1510. Limited jurisdiction.
``1511. Commencement of case under section 301 or 303.
``1512. Participation of a foreign representative in a case under this
title.
``1513. Access of foreign creditors to a case under this title.
``1514. Notification to foreign creditors concerning a case under this
title.
``SUBCHAPTER III--RECOGNITION OF A FOREIGN PROCEEDING AND RELIEF
``1515. Application for recognition.
``1516. Presumptions concerning recognition.
``1517. Order granting recognition.
``1518. Subsequent information.
``1519. Relief that may be granted upon filing petition for
recognition.
``1520. Effects of recognition of a foreign main proceeding.
``1521. Relief that may be granted upon recognition.
``1522. Protection of creditors and other interested persons.
``1523. Actions to avoid acts detrimental to creditors.
``1524. Intervention by a foreign representative.
``SUBCHAPTER IV--COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN COURTS AND FOREIGN
REPRESENTATIVES
``1525. Cooperation and direct communication between the court and
foreign courts or foreign representatives.
``1526. Cooperation and direct communication between the trustee and
foreign courts or foreign representatives.
``1527. Forms of cooperation.
``SUBCHAPTER V--CONCURRENT PROCEEDINGS
``1528. Commencement of a case under this title after recognition of a
foreign main proceeding.
``1529. Coordination of a case under this title and a foreign
proceeding.
``1530. Coordination of more than 1 foreign proceeding.
``1531. Presumption of insolvency based on recognition of a foreign
main proceeding.
``1532. Rule of payment in concurrent proceedings.
``Sec. 1501. Purpose and scope of application
``(a) The purpose of this chapter is to incorporate the Model Law
on Cross-Border Insolvency so as to provide effective mechanisms for
dealing with cases of cross-border insolvency with the objectives of--
``(1) cooperation between--
``(A) United States courts, United States trustees,
trustees, examiners, debtors, and debtors in
possession; and
``(B) the courts and other competent authorities of
foreign countries involved in cross-border insolvency
cases;
``(2) greater legal certainty for trade and investment;
``(3) fair and efficient administration of cross-border
insolvencies that protects the interests of all creditors, and
other interested entities, including the debtor;
``(4) protection and maximization of the value of the
debtor's assets; and
``(5) facilitation of the rescue of financially troubled
businesses, thereby protecting investment and preserving
employment.
``(b) This chapter applies where--
``(1) assistance is sought in the United States by a
foreign court or a foreign representative in connection wi
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th a
foreign proceeding;
``(2) assistance is sought in a foreign country in
connection with a case under this title;
``(3) a foreign proceeding and a case under this title with
respect to the same debtor are taking place concurrently; or
``(4) creditors or other interested persons in a foreign
country have an interest in requesting the commencement of, or
participating in, a case or proceeding under this title.
``(c) This chapter does not apply to--
``(1) a proceeding concerning an entity, other than a
foreign insurance company, identified by exclusion in section
109(b);
``(2) an individual, or to an individual and such
individual's spouse, who have debts within the limits specified
in section 109(e) and who are citizens of the United States or
aliens lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United
States; or
``(3) an entity subject to a proceeding under the
Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, a stockbroker
subject to subchapter III of chapter 7 of this title, or a
commodity broker subject to subchapter IV of chapter 7 of this
title.
``(d) The court may not grant relief under this chapter with
respect to any deposit, escrow, trust fund, or other security required
or permitted under any applicable State insurance law or regulation for
the benefit of claim holders in the United States.
``SUBCHAPTER I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
``Sec. 1502. Definitions
``For the purposes of this chapter, the term--
``(1) `debtor' means an entity that is the subject of a
foreign proceeding;
``(2) `establishment' means any place of operations where
the debtor carries out a nontransitory economic activity;
``(3) `foreign court' means a judicial or other authority
competent to control or supervise a foreign proceeding;
``(4) `foreign main proceeding' means a foreign proceeding
taking place in the country where the debtor has the center of
its main interests;
``(5) `foreign nonmain proceeding' means a foreign
proceeding, other than a foreign main proceeding, taking place
in a country where the debtor has an establishment;
``(6) `trustee' includes a trustee, a debtor in possession
in a case under any chapter of this title, or a debtor under
chapter 9 of this title;
``(7) `recognition' means the entry of an order granting
recognition of a foreign main proceeding or foreign nonmain
proceeding under this chapter; and
``(8) `within the territorial jurisdiction of the United
States', when used with reference to property of a debtor,
refers to tangible property located within the territory of the
United States and intangible property deemed under applicable
nonbankruptcy law to be located within that territory,
including any property subject to attachment or garnishment
that may properly be seized or garnished by an action in a
Federal or State court in the United States.
``Sec. 1503. International obligations of the United States
``To the extent that this chapter conflicts with an obligation of
the United States arising out of any treaty or other form of agreement
to which it is a party with one or more other countries, the
requirements of the treaty or agreement prevail.
``Sec. 1504. Commencement of ancillary case
``A case under this chapter is commenced by the filing of a
petition for recognition of a foreign proceeding under section 1515.
``Sec. 1505. Authorization to act in a foreign country
``A trustee or another entity (including an examiner) may be
authorized by the court to act in a foreign country on behalf of an
estate created under section 541. An entity authorized to act under
this section may act in any way permitted by the applicable foreign
law.
``Sec. 1506. Public policy exception
``Nothing in this chapter prevents the court from refusing to take
an action governed by this chapter if the action would be manifestly
contrary to the public policy of the United States.
``Sec. 1507. Additional assistance
``(a) Subject to the specific limitations stated elsewhere in this
chapter the court, if recognition is granted, may provide additional
assistance to a foreign representative under this title or under other
laws of the United States.
``(b) In determining whether to provide additional assistance under
this title or under other laws of the United States, the court shall
consider whether such additional assistance, consistent with the
principles of comity, will reasonably assure--
``(1) just treatment of all holders of claims against or
interests in the debtor's property;
``(2) protection of claim holders in the United States
against prejudice and inconvenience in the processing of claims
in such foreign proceeding;
``(3) prevention of preferential or fraudulent dispositions
of property of the debtor;
``(4) distribution of proceeds of the debtor's property
substantially in accordance with the order prescribed by this
title; and
``(5) if appropriate, the provision of an opportunity for a
fresh start for the individual that such foreign proceeding
concerns.
``Sec. 1508. Interpretation
``In interpreting this chapter, the court shall consider its
international origin, and the need to promote an application of this
chapter that is consistent with the application of similar statutes
adopted by foreign jurisdictions.
``SUBCHAPTER II--ACCESS OF FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVES AND CREDITORS TO THE
COURT
``Sec. 1509. Right of direct access
``(a) A foreign representative may commence a case under section
1504 by filing directly with the court a petition for recognition of a
foreign proceeding under section 1515.
``(b) If the court grants recognition under section 1515, and
subject to any limitations that the court may impose consistent with
the policy of this chapter--
``(1) the foreign representative has the capacity to sue
and be sued in a court in the United States;
``(2) the foreign representative may apply directly to a
court in the United States for appropriate relief in that
court; and
``(3) a court in the United States shall grant comity or
cooperation to the foreign representative.
``(c) A request for comity or cooperation by a foreign
representative in a court in the United States other than the court
which granted recognition shall be accompanied by a certified copy of
an order granting recognition under section 1517.
``(d) If the court denies recognition under this chapter, the court
may issue any appropriate order necessary to prevent the foreign
representative from obtaining comity or cooperation from courts in the
United States.
``(e) Whether or not the court grants recognition, and subject to
sections 306 and 1510, a foreign representative is subject to
applicable nonbankruptcy law.
``(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the
failure of a foreign representative to commence a case or to obtain
recognition under this chapter does not affect any right the foreign
representative may have to sue in a court in the United States to
collect or recover a claim which is the property of the debtor.
``Sec. 1510. Limited jurisdiction
``The sole fact that a foreign representative files a petition
under section 1515 does not subject the foreign representative to the
jurisdiction of any court in the United States for any other purpose.
``Sec. 1511. Commencement of case under section 301 or 303
``(a) Upon recognition, a foreign representative may commence--
``(1) an involuntary case under section 303; or
`
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`(2) a voluntary case under section 301 or 302, if the
foreign proceeding is a foreign main proceeding.
``(b) The petition commencing a case under subsection (a) must be
accompanied by a certified copy of an order granting recognition. The
court where the petition for recognition has been filed must be advised
of the foreign representative's intent to commence a case under
subsection (a) prior to such commencement.
``Sec. 1512. Participation of a foreign representative in a case under
this title
``Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, the foreign
representative in the recognized proceeding is entitled to participate
as a party in interest in a case regarding the debtor under this title.
``Sec. 1513. Access of foreign creditors to a case under this title
``(a) Foreign creditors have the same rights regarding the
commencement of, and participation in, a case under this title as
domestic creditors.
``(b)(1) Subsection (a) does not change or codify present law as to
the priority of claims under section 507 or 726 of this title, except
that the claim of a foreign creditor under those sections shall not be
given a lower priority than that of general unsecured claims without
priority solely because the holder of such claim is a foreign creditor.
``(2)(A) Subsection (a) and paragraph (1) do not change or codify
present law as to the allowability of foreign revenue claims or other
foreign public law claims in a proceeding under this title.
``(B) Allowance and priority as to a foreign tax claim or other
foreign public law claim shall be governed by any applicable tax treaty
of the United States, under the conditions and circumstances specified
therein.
``Sec. 1514. Notification to foreign creditors concerning a case under
this title
``(a) Whenever in a case under this title notice is to be given to
creditors generally or to any class or category of creditors, such
notice shall also be given to the known creditors generally, or to
creditors in the notified class or category, that do not have addresses
in the United States. The court may order that appropriate steps be
taken with a view to notifying any creditor whose address is not yet
known.
``(b) Such notification to creditors with foreign addresses
described in subsection (a) shall be given individually, unless the
court considers that, under the circumstances, some other form of
notification would be more appropriate. No letter or other formality is
required.
``(c) When a notification of commencement of a case is to be given
to foreign creditors, the notification shall--
``(1) indicate the time period for filing proofs of claim
and specify the place for their filing;
``(2) indicate whether secured creditors need to file their
proofs of claim; and
``(3) contain any other information required to be included
in such a notification to creditors under this title and the
orders of the court.
``(d) Any rule of procedure or order of the court as to notice or
the filing of a claim shall provide such additional time to creditors
with foreign addresses as is reasonable under the circumstances.
``SUBCHAPTER III--RECOGNITION OF A FOREIGN PROCEEDING AND RELIEF
``Sec. 1515. Application for recognition
``(a) A foreign representative applies to the court for recognition
of the foreign proceeding in which the foreign representative has been
appointed by filing a petition for recognition.
``(b) A petition for recognition shall be accompanied by--
``(1) a certified copy of the decision commencing the
foreign proceeding and appointing the foreign representative;
``(2) a certificate from the foreign court affirming the
existence of the foreign proceeding and of the appointment of
the foreign representative; or
``(3) in the absence of evidence referred to in paragraphs
(1) and (2), any other evidence acceptable to the court of the
existence of the foreign proceeding and of the appointment of
the foreign representative.
``(c) A petition for recognition shall also be accompanied by a
statement identifying all foreign proceedings with respect to the
debtor that are known to the foreign representative.
``(d) The documents referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (b) shall be translated into English. The court may require
a translation into English of additional documents.
``Sec. 1516. Presumptions concerning recognition
``(a) If the decision or certificate referred to in section 1515(b)
indicates that the foreign proceeding is a foreign proceeding (as
defined in section 101) and that the person or body is a foreign
representative (as defined in section 101), the court is entitled to so
presume.
``(b) The court is entitled to presume that documents submitted in
support of the petition for recognition are authentic, whether or not
they have been legalized.
``(c) In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the debtor's
registered office, or habitual residence in the case of an individual,
is presumed to be the center of the debtor's main interests.
``Sec. 1517. Order granting recognition
``(a) Subject to section 1506, after notice and a hearing, an order
recognizing a foreign proceeding shall be entered if--
``(1) the foreign proceeding for which recognition is
sought is a foreign main proceeding or foreign nonmain
proceeding within the meaning of section 1502;
``(2) the foreign representative applying for recognition
is a person or body as defined in section 101; and
``(3) the petition meets the requirements of section 1515.
``(b) The foreign proceeding shall be recognized--
``(1) as a foreign main proceeding if it is taking place in
the country where the debtor has the center of its main
interests; or
``(2) as a foreign nonmain proceeding if the debtor has an
establishment within the meaning of section 1502 in the foreign
country where the proceeding is pending.
``(c) A petition for recognition of a foreign proceeding shall be
decided upon at the earliest possible time. Entry of an order
recognizing a foreign proceeding constitutes recognition under this
chapter.
``(d) The provisions of this subchapter do not prevent modification
or termination of recognition if it is shown that the grounds for
granting it were fully or partially lacking or have ceased to exist,
but in considering such action the court shall give due weight to
possible prejudice to parties that have relied upon the order granting
recognition. The case under this chapter may be closed in the manner
prescribed under section 350.
``Sec. 1518. Subsequent information
``From the time of filing the petition for recognition of the
foreign proceeding, the foreign representative shall file with the
court promptly a notice of change of status concerning--
``(1) any substantial change in the status of the foreign
proceeding or the status of the foreign representative's
appointment; and
``(2) any other foreign proceeding regarding the debtor
that becomes known to the foreign representative.
``Sec. 1519. Relief that may be granted upon filing petition for
recognition
``(a) From the time of filing a petition for recognition until the
court rules on the petition, the court may, at the request of the
foreign representative, where relief is urgently needed to protect the
assets of the debtor or the interests of the creditors, grant relief of
a provisional nature, including--
``(1) staying execution against the debtor's assets;
``(2) entrusting the administration or realization of all
or part of the debtor's assets located in the United States to
the foreign representative or another person authorized by the
court, including an examiner, in order to protect and preserve
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the value of assets that, by their nature or because of other
circumstances, are perishable, susceptible to devaluation or
otherwise in jeopardy; and
``(3) any relief referred to in paragraph (3), (4), or (7)
of section 1521(a).
``(b) Unless extended under section 1521(a)(6), the relief granted
under this section terminates when the petition for recognition is
granted.
``(c) It is a ground for denial of relief under this section that
such relief would interfere with the administration of a foreign main
proceeding.
``(d) The court may not enjoin a police or regulatory act of a
governmental unit, including a criminal action or proceeding, under
this section.
``(e) The standards, procedures, and limitations applicable to an
injunction shall apply to relief under this section.
``(f) The exercise of rights not subject to the stay arising under
section 362(a) pursuant to paragraph (6), (7), (17), or (28) of section
362(b) or pursuant to section 362(l) shall not be stayed by any order
of a court or administrative agency in any proceeding under this
chapter.
``Sec. 1520. Effects of recognition of a foreign main proceeding
``(a) Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding that is a foreign
main proceeding--
``(1) sections 361 and 362 apply with respect to the debtor
and that property of the debtor that is within the territorial
jurisdiction of the United States;
``(2) sections 363, 549, and 552 of this title apply to a
transfer of an interest of the debtor in property that is
within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States to the
same extent that the sections would apply to property of an
estate;
``(3) unless the court orders otherwise, the foreign
representative may operate the debtor's business and may
exercise the rights and powers of a trustee under and to the
extent provided by sections 363 and 552; and
``(4) section 552 applies to property of the debtor that is
within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States.
``(b) Subsection (a) does not affect the right to commence an
individual action or proceeding in a foreign country to the extent
necessary to preserve a claim against the debtor.
``(c) Subsection (a) does not affect the right of a foreign
representative or an entity to file a petition commencing a case under
this title or the right of any party to file claims or take other
proper actions in such a case.
``Sec. 1521. Relief that may be granted upon recognition
``(a) Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, whether main or
nonmain, where necessary to effectuate the purpose of this chapter and
to protect the assets of the debtor or the interests of the creditors,
the court may, at the request of the foreign representative, grant any
appropriate relief, including--
``(1) staying the commencement or continuation of an
individual action or proceeding concerning the debtor's assets,
rights, obligations or liabilities to the extent they have not
been stayed under section 1520(a);
``(2) staying execution against the debtor's assets to the
extent it has not been stayed under section 1520(a);
``(3) suspending the right to transfer, encumber or
otherwise dispose of any assets of the debtor to the extent
this right has not been suspended under section 1520(a);
``(4) providing for the examination of witnesses, the
taking of evidence or the delivery of information concerning
the debtor's assets, affairs, rights, obligations or
liabilities;
``(5) entrusting the administration or realization of all
or part of the debtor's assets within the territorial
jurisdiction of the United States to the foreign representative
or another person, including an examiner, authorized by the
court;
``(6) extending relief granted under section 1519(a); and
``(7) granting any additional relief that may be available
to a trustee, except for relief available under sections 522,
544, 545, 547, 548, 550, and 724(a).
``(b) Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, whether main or
nonmain, the court may, at the request of the foreign representative,
entrust the distribution of all or part of the debtor's assets located
in the United States to the foreign representative or another person,
including an examiner, authorized by the court, provided that the court
is satisfied that the interests of creditors in the United States are
sufficiently protected.
``(c) In granting relief under this section to a representative of
a foreign nonmain proceeding, the court must be satisfied that the
relief relates to assets that, under the law of the United States,
should be administered in the foreign nonmain proceeding or concerns
information required in that proceeding.
``(d) The court may not enjoin a police or regulatory act of a
governmental unit, including a criminal action or proceeding, under
this section.
``(e) The standards, procedures, and limitations applicable to an
injunction shall apply to relief under paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and
(6) of subsection (a).
``(f) The exercise of rights not subject to the stay arising under
section 362(a) pursuant to paragraph (6), (7), (17), or (28) of section
362(b) or pursuant to section 362(l) shall not be stayed by any order
of a court or administrative agency in any proceeding under this
chapter.
``Sec. 1522. Protection of creditors and other interested persons
``(a) The court may grant relief under section 1519 or 1521, or may
modify or terminate relief under subsection (c), only if the interests
of the creditors and other interested entities, including the debtor,
are sufficiently protected.
``(b) The court may subject relief granted under section 1519 or
1521, or the operation of the debtor's business under section
1520(a)(3) of this title, to conditions it considers appropriate,
including the giving of security or the filing of a bond.
``(c) The court may, at the request of the foreign representative
or an entity affected by relief granted under section 1519 or 1521, or
at its own motion, modify or terminate such relief.
``(d) Section 1104(d) shall apply to the appointment of an examiner
under this chapter. Any examiner shall comply with the qualification
requirements imposed on a trustee by section 322.
``Sec. 1523. Actions to avoid acts detrimental to creditors
``(a) Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, the foreign
representative has standing in a case concerning the debtor pending
under another chapter of this title to initiate actions under sections
522, 544, 545, 547, 548, 550, 553, and 724(a).
``(b) When the foreign proceeding is a foreign nonmain proceeding,
the court must be satisfied that an action under subsection (a) relates
to assets that, under United States law, should be administered in the
foreign nonmain proceeding.
``Sec. 1524. Intervention by a foreign representative
``Upon recognition of a foreign proceeding, the foreign
representative may intervene in any proceedings in a State or Federal
court in the United States in which the debtor is a party.
``SUBCHAPTER IV--COOPERATION WITH FOREIGN COURTS AND FOREIGN
REPRESENTATIVES
``Sec. 1525. Cooperation and direct communication between the court and
foreign courts or foreign representatives
``(a) Consistent with section 1501, the court shall cooperate to
the maximum extent possible with foreign courts or foreign
representatives, either directly or through the trustee.
``(b) The court is entitled to communicate directly with, or to
request information or assistance directly from, foreign courts or
foreign representatives, subject to the rights of parties in interest
to notice and participation.
``Sec. 1526. Cooperation and direct communication between the tru
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stee
and foreign courts or foreign representatives
``(a) Consistent with section 1501, the trustee or other person,
including an examiner, authorized by the court, shall, subject to the
supervision of the court, cooperate to the maximum extent possible with
foreign courts or foreign representatives.
``(b) The trustee or other person, including an examiner,
authorized by the court is entitled, subject to the supervision of the
court, to communicate directly with foreign courts or foreign
representatives.
``Sec. 1527. Forms of cooperation
``Cooperation referred to in sections 1525 and 1526 may be
implemented by any appropriate means, including--
``(1) appointment of a person or body, including an
examiner, to act at the direction of the court;
``(2) communication of information by any means considered
appropriate by the court;
``(3) coordination of the administration and supervision of
the debtor's assets and affairs;
``(4) approval or implementation of agreements concerning
the coordination of proceedings; and
``(5) coordination of concurrent proceedings regarding the
same debtor.
``SUBCHAPTER V--CONCURRENT PROCEEDINGS
``Sec. 1528. Commencement of a case under this title after recognition
of a foreign main proceeding
``After recognition of a foreign main proceeding, a case under
another chapter of this title may be commenced only if the debtor has
assets in the United States. The effects of such case shall be
restricted to the assets of the debtor that are within the territorial
jurisdiction of the United States and, to the extent necessary to
implement cooperation and coordination under sections 1525, 1526, and
1527, to other assets of the debtor that are within the jurisdiction of
the court under sections 541(a) of this title, and 1334(e) of title 28,
to the extent that such other assets are not subject to the
jurisdiction and control of a foreign proceeding that has been
recognized under this chapter.
``Sec. 1529. Coordination of a case under this title and a foreign
proceeding
``If a foreign proceeding and a case under another chapter of this
title are taking place concurrently regarding the same debtor, the
court shall seek cooperation and coordination under sections 1525,
1526, and 1527, and the following shall apply:
``(1) If the case in the United States is taking place at
the time the petition for recognition of the foreign proceeding
is filed--
``(A) any relief granted under sections 1519 or
1521 must be consistent with the relief granted in the
case in the United States; and
``(B) even if the foreign proceeding is recognized
as a foreign main proceeding, section 1520 does not
apply.
``(2) If a case in the United States under this title
commences after recognition, or after the filing of the
petition for recognition, of the foreign proceeding--
``(A) any relief in effect under sections 1519 or
1521 shall be reviewed by the court and shall be
modified or terminated if inconsistent with the case in
the United States; and
``(B) if the foreign proceeding is a foreign main
proceeding, the stay and suspension referred to in
section 1520(a) shall be modified or terminated if
inconsistent with the relief granted in the case in the
United States.
``(3) In granting, extending, or modifying relief granted
to a representative of a foreign nonmain proceeding, the court
must be satisfied that the relief relates to assets that, under
the laws of the United States, should be administered in the
foreign nonmain proceeding or concerns information required in
that proceeding.
``(4) In achieving cooperation and coordination under
sections 1528 and 1529, the court may grant any of the relief
authorized under section 305.
``Sec. 1530. Coordination of more than 1 foreign proceeding
``In matters referred to in section 1501, with respect to more than
1 foreign proceeding regarding the debtor, the court shall seek
cooperation and coordination under sections 1525, 1526, and 1527, and
the following shall apply:
``(1) Any relief granted under section 1519 or 1521 to a
representative of a foreign nonmain proceeding after
recognition of a foreign main proceeding must be consistent
with the foreign main proceeding.
``(2) If a foreign main proceeding is recognized after
recognition, or after the filing of a petition for recognition,
of a foreign nonmain proceeding, any relief in effect under
section 1519 or 1521 shall be reviewed by the court and shall
be modified or terminated if inconsistent with the foreign main
proceeding.
``(3) If, after recognition of a foreign nonmain
proceeding, another foreign nonmain proceeding is recognized,
the court shall grant, modify, or terminate relief for the
purpose of facilitating coordination of the proceedings.
``Sec. 1531. Presumption of insolvency based on recognition of a
foreign main proceeding
``In the absence of evidence to the contrary, recognition of a
foreign main proceeding is, for the purpose of commencing a proceeding
under section 303, proof that the debtor is generally not paying its
debts as such debts become due.
``Sec. 1532. Rule of payment in concurrent proceedings
``Without prejudice to secured claims or rights in rem, a creditor
who has received payment with respect to its claim in a foreign
proceeding pursuant to a law relating to insolvency may not receive a
payment for the same claim in a case under any other chapter of this
title regarding the debtor, so long as the payment to other creditors
of the same class is proportionately less than the payment the creditor
has already received.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of chapters for title 11, United
States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter
13 the following:
``15. Ancillary and Other Cross-Border Cases................ 1501''.
SEC. 802. OTHER AMENDMENTS TO TITLES 11 AND 28, UNITED STATES CODE.
(a) Applicability of Chapters.--Section 103 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting before the period the
following: ``, and this chapter, sections 307, 362(l), 555
through 557, and 559 through 562 apply in a case under chapter
15''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Chapter 15 applies only in a case under such chapter, except
that--
``(1) sections 1505, 1513, and 1514 apply in all cases
under this title; and
``(2) section 1509 applies whether or not a case under this
title is pending.''.
(b) Definitions.--Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by striking paragraphs (23) and (24) and inserting the
following:
``(23) `foreign proceeding' means a collective judicial or
administrative proceeding in a foreign country, including an
interim proceeding, under a law relating to insolvency or
adjustment of debt in which proceeding the assets and affairs
of the debtor are subject to control or supervision by a
foreign court, for the purpose of reorganization or
liquidation;
``(24) `foreign representative' means a person or body,
including a person or body appointed on an interim basis,
authorized in a foreign proceeding to administer the
reorganization or the liquidation of the debtor's assets or
affairs or to act as a representative of the foreign
2000
proceeding;''.
(c) Amendments to Title 28, United States Code.--
(1) Procedures.--Section 157(b)(2) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (N), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (O), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(P) recognition of foreign proceedings and other matters
under chapter 15 of title 11.''.
(2) Bankruptcy cases and proceedings.--Section 1334(c) of
title 28, United States Code, is amended by striking ``Nothing
in'' and inserting ``Except with respect to a case under
chapter 15 of title 11, nothing in''.
(3) Duties of trustees.--Section 586(a)(3) of title 28,
United States Code, is amended by striking ``or 13'' and
inserting ``13, or 15''.
(4) Venue of cases ancillary to foreign proceedings.--
Section 1410 of title 28, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``Sec. 1410. Venue of cases ancillary to foreign proceedings
``A case under chapter 15 of title 11 may be commenced in the
district court for the district--
``(1) in which the debtor has its principal place of
business or principal assets in the United States;
``(2) if the debtor does not have a place of business or
assets in the United States, in which there is pending against
the debtor an action or proceeding in a Federal or State court;
or
``(3) in a case other than those specified in paragraph (1)
or (2), in which venue will be consistent with the interests of
justice and the convenience of the parties, having regard to
the relief sought by the foreign representative.''.
(d) Other Sections of Title 11.--
(1) Section 109(b)(3) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(3)(A) a foreign insurance company, engaged in such
business in the United States; or
``(B) a foreign bank, savings bank, cooperative bank,
savings and loan association, building and loan association, or
credit union, that has a branch or agency (as defined in
section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978 (12
U.S.C. 3101) in the United States.''.
(2) Section 303(k) of title 11, United States Code, is
repealed.
(3)(A) Section 304 of title 11, United States Code, is
repealed.
(B) The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 3 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by striking the item
relating to section 304.
(C) Section 306 of title 11, United States Code, is amended
by striking ``, 304,'' each place it appears.
(4) Section 305(a)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended to read as follows:
``(2)(A) a petition under section 1515 of this title for
recognition of a foreign proceeding has been granted; and
``(B) the purposes of chapter 15 of this title would be
best served by such dismissal or suspension.''.
(5) Section 508 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(A) by striking subsection (a); and
(B) in subsection (b), by striking ``(b)''.
TITLE IX--FINANCIAL CONTRACT PROVISIONS
SEC. 901. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS BY CONSERVATORS OR RECEIVERS
OF INSURED DEPOSITORY INSTITUTIONS.
(a) Definition of Qualified Financial Contract.--Section
11(e)(8)(D)(i) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1821(e)(8)(D)(i)) is amended by inserting ``, resolution, or order''
after ``any similar agreement that the Corporation determines by
regulation''.
(b) Definition of Securities Contract.--Section 11(e)(8)(D)(ii) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(ii)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(ii) Securities contract.--The term
`securities contract'--
``(I) means a contract for the
purchase, sale, or loan of a security,
a certificate of deposit, a mortgage
loan, or any interest in a mortgage
loan, a group or index of securities,
certificates of deposit, or mortgage
loans or interests therein (including
any interest therein or based on the
value thereof) or any option on any of
the foregoing, including any option to
purchase or sell any such security,
certificate of deposit, mortgage loan,
interest, group or index, or option,
and including any repurchase or reverse
repurchase transaction on any such
security, certificate of deposit, loan,
interest, group or index, or option;
``(II) does not include any
purchase, sale, or repurchase
obligation under a participation in a
commercial mortgage loan unless the
Corporation determines by regulation,
resolution, or order to include any
such agreement within the meaning of
such term;
``(III) means any option entered
into on a national securities exchange
relating to foreign currencies;
``(IV) means the guarantee by or to
any securities clearing agency of any
settlement of cash, securities,
certificates of deposit, mortgage loans
or interests therein, group or index of
securities, certificates of deposit, or
mortgage loans or interests therein
(including any interest therein or
based on the value thereof) or option
on any of the foregoing, including any
option to purchase or sell any such
security, certificate of deposit, loan,
interest, group or index, or option;
``(V) means any margin loan;
``(VI) means any other agreement or
transaction that is similar to any
agreement or transaction referred to in
this clause;
``(VII) means any combination of
the agreements or transactions referred
to in this clause;
``(VIII) means any option to enter
into any agreement or transaction
referred to in this clause;
``(IX) means a master agreement
that provides for an agreement or
transaction referred to in subclause
(I), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), or
(VIII), together
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with all supplements
to any such master agreement, without
regard to whether the master agreement
provides for an agreement or
transaction that is not a securities
contract under this clause, except that
the master agreement shall be
considered to be a securities contract
under this clause only with respect to
each agreement or transaction under the
master agreement that is referred to in
subclause (I), (III), (IV), (V), (VI),
(VII), or (VIII); and
``(X) means any security agreement
or arrangement or other credit
enhancement related to any agreement or
transaction referred to in this clause
or any guarantee or reimbursement
obligation in connection with any
agreement or transaction referred to in
this clause.''.
(c) Definition of Commodity Contract.--Section 11(e)(8)(D)(iii) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(iii)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(iii) Commodity contract.--The term
`commodity contract' means--
``(I) with respect to a futures
commission merchant, a contract for the
purchase or sale of a commodity for
future delivery on, or subject to the
rules of, a contract market or board of
trade;
``(II) with respect to a foreign
futures commission merchant, a foreign
future;
``(III) with respect to a leverage
transaction merchant, a leverage
transaction;
``(IV) with respect to a clearing
organization, a contract for the
purchase or sale of a commodity for
future delivery on, or subject to the
rules of, a contract market or board of
trade that is cleared by such clearing
organization, or commodity option
traded on, or subject to the rules of,
a contract market or board of trade
that is cleared by such clearing
organization;
``(V) with respect to a commodity
options dealer, a commodity option;
``(VI) any other agreement or
transaction that is similar to any
agreement or transaction referred to in
this clause;
``(VII) any combination of the
agreements or transactions referred to
in this clause;
``(VIII) any option to enter into
any agreement or transaction referred
to in this clause;
``(IX) a master agreement that
provides for an agreement or
transaction referred to in subclause
(I), (II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI),
(VII), or (VIII), together with all
supplements to any such master
agreement, without regard to whether
the master agreement provides for an
agreement or transaction that is not a
commodity contract under this clause,
except that the master agreement shall
be considered to be a commodity
contract under this clause only with
respect to each agreement or
transaction under the master agreement
that is referred to in subclause (I),
(II), (III), (IV), (V), (VI), (VII), or
(VIII); or
``(X) any security agreement or
arrangement or other credit enhancement
related to any agreement or transaction
referred to in this clause or any
guarantee or reimbursement obligation
in connection with any agreement or
transaction referred to in this
clause.''.
(d) Definition of Forward Contract.--Section 11(e)(8)(D)(iv) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(iv)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(iv) Forward contract.--The term `forward
contract' means--
``(I) a contract (other than a
commodity contract) for the purchase,
sale, or transfer of a commodity or any
similar good, article, service, right,
or interest which is presently or in
the future becomes the subject of
dealing in the forward contract trade,
or product or byproduct thereof, with a
maturity date more than 2 days after
the date the contract is entered into,
including, a repurchase transaction,
reverse repurchase transaction,
consignment, lease, swap, hedge
transaction, deposit, loan, option,
allocated transaction, unallocated
transaction, or any other similar
agreement;
``(II) any combination of
agreements or transactions referred to
in subclauses (I) and (III);
``(III) any option to enter into
any agreement or transaction referred
to in subclause (I) or (II);
``(IV) a master agreement that
provides for an agreement or
transaction referred to in subclauses
(I), (II), or (III), together with all
supplements to any such master
agreement, without regard to whether
the master agreement provides for an
agreement or transaction that is not a
forward contract under this clause,
except that the mas
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ter agreement shall
be considered to be a forward contract
under this clause only with respect to
each agreement or transaction under the
master agreement that is referred to in
subclause (I), (II), or (III); or
``(V) any security agreement or
arrangement or other credit enhancement
related to any agreement or transaction
referred to in subclause (I), (II),
(III), or (IV) or any guarantee or
reimbursement obligation in connection
with any agreement or transaction
referred to in any such subclause.''.
(e) Definition of Repurchase Agreement.--Section 11(e)(8)(D)(v) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(v)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(v) Repurchase agreement.--The term
`repurchase agreement' (which definition also
applies to a reverse repurchase agreement)--
``(I) means an agreement, including
related terms, which provides for the
transfer of one or more certificates of
deposit, mortgage-related securities
(as such term is defined in the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934),
mortgage loans, interests in mortgage-
related securities or mortgage loans,
eligible bankers' acceptances,
qualified foreign government securities
or securities that are direct
obligations of, or that are fully
guaranteed by, the United States or any
agency of the United States against the
transfer of funds by the transferee of
such certificates of deposit, eligible
bankers' acceptances, securities,
loans, or interests with a simultaneous
agreement by such transferee to
transfer to the transferor thereof
certificates of deposit, eligible
bankers' acceptances, securities,
loans, or interests as described above,
at a date certain not later than 1 year
after such transfers or on demand,
against the transfer of funds, or any
other similar agreement;
``(II) does not include any
repurchase obligation under a
participation in a commercial mortgage
loan unless the Corporation determines
by regulation, resolution, or order to
include any such participation within
the meaning of such term;
``(III) means any combination of
agreements or transactions referred to
in subclauses (I) and (IV);
``(IV) means any option to enter
into any agreement or transaction
referred to in subclause (I) or (III);
``(V) means a master agreement that
provides for an agreement or
transaction referred to in subclause
(I), (III), or (IV), together with all
supplements to any such master
agreement, without regard to whether
the master agreement provides for an
agreement or transaction that is not a
repurchase agreement under this clause,
except that the master agreement shall
be considered to be a repurchase
agreement under this subclause only
with respect to each agreement or
transaction under the master agreement
that is referred to in subclause (I),
(III), or (IV); and
``(VI) means any security agreement
or arrangement or other credit
enhancement related to any agreement or
transaction referred to in subclause
(I), (III), (IV), or (V) or any
guarantee or reimbursement obligation
in connection with any agreement or
transaction referred to in any such
subclause.
For purposes of this clause, the term
`qualified foreign government security' means a
security that is a direct obligation of, or
that is fully guaranteed by, the central
government of a member of the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (as
determined by regulation or order adopted by
the appropriate Federal banking authority).''.
(f) Definition of Swap Agreement.--Section 11(e)(8)(D)(vi) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(vi)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(vi) Swap agreement.--The term `swap
agreement' means--
``(I) any agreement, including the
terms and conditions incorporated by
reference in any such agreement, which
is an interest rate swap, option,
future, or forward agreement, including
a rate floor, rate cap, rate collar,
cross-currency rate swap, and basis
swap; a spot, same day-tomorrow,
tomorrow-next, forward, or other
foreign exchange or precious metals
agreement; a currency swap, option,
future, or forward agreement; an equity
index or equity swap, option, future,
or forward agreement; a debt index or
debt swap, option, future, or forward
agreement; a total return, credit
spread or credit swap, option, future,
or forward agreement; a commodity index
or commodity swap, option, future, or
forward agreement; or a weather swap,
weather derivative, or weather option;
``(II) any agreement or transaction
that is similar to any other agreem
2000
ent
or transaction referred to in this
clause and that has been, is presently,
or in the future becomes, the subject
of recurrent dealings in the swap
markets (including terms and conditions
incorporated by reference in such
agreement) and that is a forward, swap,
future, or option on one or more rates,
currencies, commodities, equity
securities or other equity instruments,
debt securities or other debt
instruments, quantitative measures
associated with an occurrence, extent
of an occurrence or contingency
associated with a financial, commercial
or economic consequence, or economic or
financial indices or measures of
economic or financial risk or value;
``(III) any combination of
agreements or transactions referred to
in this clause;
``(IV) any option to enter into any
agreement or transaction referred to in
this clause;
``(V) a master agreement that
provides for an agreement or
transaction referred to in subclause
(I), (II), (III), or (IV), together
with all supplements to any such master
agreement, without regard to whether
the master agreement contains an
agreement or transaction that is not a
swap agreement under this clause,
except that the master agreement shall
be considered to be a swap agreement
under this clause only with respect to
each agreement or transaction under the
master agreement that is referred to in
subclause (I), (II), (III), or (IV);
and
``(VI) any security agreement or
arrangement or other credit enhancement
related to any agreements or
transactions referred to in subclause
(I), (II), (III), (IV), or (V) or any
guarantee or reimbursement obligation
in connection with any agreement or
transaction referred to in any such
subclause.
Such term is applicable for purposes of this
title only and shall not be construed or
applied so as to challenge or affect the
characterization, definition, or treatment of
any swap agreement under any other statute,
regulation, or rule, including the Securities
Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, the
Investment Company Act of 1940, the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, the Securities Investor
Protection Act of 1970, the Commodity Exchange
Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the Legal
Certainty for Bank Products Act of 2000, and
the regulations promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission or the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission.''.
(g) Definition of Transfer.--Section 11(e)(8)(D)(viii) of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(viii)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(viii) Transfer.--The term `transfer'
means every mode, direct or indirect, absolute
or conditional, voluntary or involuntary, of
disposing of or parting with property or with
an interest in property, including retention of
title as a security interest and foreclosure of
the depository institutions's equity of
redemption.''.
(h) Treatment of Qualified Financial Contracts.--Section 11(e)(8)
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)) is
amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``paragraph (10)'' and inserting
``paragraphs (9) and (10)'';
(B) in clause (i), by striking ``to cause the
termination or liquidation'' and inserting ``such
person has to cause the termination, liquidation, or
acceleration''; and
(C) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the
following:
``(ii) any right under any security
agreement or arrangement or other credit
enhancement related to one or more qualified
financial contracts described in clause (i);'';
and
(2) in subparagraph (E), by striking clause (ii) and
inserting the following:
``(ii) any right under any security
agreement or arrangement or other credit
enhancement related to one or more qualified
financial contracts described in clause (i);''.
(i) Avoidance of Transfers.--Section 11(e)(8)(C)(i) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(C)(i)) is amended by
inserting ``section 5242 of the Revised Statutes of the United States
(12 U.S.C. 91) or any other Federal or State law relating to the
avoidance of preferential or fraudulent transfers,'' before ``the
Corporation''.
SEC. 902. AUTHORITY OF THE CORPORATION WITH RESPECT TO FAILED AND
FAILING INSTITUTIONS.
(a) In General.--Section 11(e)(8) of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``other than paragraph
(12) of this subsection, subsection (d)(9)'' and inserting
``other than subsections (d)(9) and (e)(10)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(F) Clarification.--No provision of law shall be
construed as limiting the right or power of the
Corporation, or authorizing any court or agency to
limit or delay, in any manner, the right or power of
the Corporation to transfer any qualified financial
contract in accordance with paragraphs (9) and (10) of
this subsection or to disaffirm or repudiate any such
contract in accordance with subsection (e)(1) of this
section.
``(G) Walkaway clauses not effective.--
``(i) In general.--Notwithstanding the
provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (E), and
sections 403 and 404 of the Federal Deposit
2000
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991,
no walkaway clause shall be enforceable in a
qualified financial contract of an insured
depository institution in default.
``(ii) Walkaway clause defined.--For
purposes of this subparagraph, the term
`walkaway clause' means a provision in a
qualified financial contract that, after
calculation of a value of a party's position or
an amount due to or from 1 of the parties in
accordance with its terms upon termination,
liquidation, or acceleration of the qualified
financial contract, either does not create a
payment obligation of a party or extinguishes a
payment obligation of a party in whole or in
part solely because of such party's status as a
nondefaulting party.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--Section 11(e)(12)(A) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(12)(A)) is amended
by inserting ``or the exercise of rights or powers by'' after ``the
appointment of''.
SEC. 903. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO TRANSFERS OF QUALIFIED FINANCIAL
CONTRACTS.
(a) Transfers of Qualified Financial Contracts to Financial
Institutions.--Section 11(e)(9) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act
(12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(9)) is amended to read as follows:
``(9) Transfer of qualified financial contracts.--
``(A) In general.--In making any transfer of assets
or liabilities of a depository institution in default
which includes any qualified financial contract, the
conservator or receiver for such depository institution
shall either--
``(i) transfer to one financial
institution, other than a financial institution
for which a conservator, receiver, trustee in
bankruptcy, or other legal custodian has been
appointed or which is otherwise the subject of
a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding--
``(I) all qualified financial
contracts between any person or any
affiliate of such person and the
depository institution in default;
``(II) all claims of such person or
any affiliate of such person against
such depository institution under any
such contract (other than any claim
which, under the terms of any such
contract, is subordinated to the claims
of general unsecured creditors of such
institution);
``(III) all claims of such
depository institution against such
person or any affiliate of such person
under any such contract; and
``(IV) all property securing or any
other credit enhancement for any
contract described in subclause (I) or
any claim described in subclause (II)
or (III) under any such contract; or
``(ii) transfer none of the qualified
financial contracts, claims, property or other
credit enhancement referred to in clause (i)
(with respect to such person and any affiliate
of such person).
``(B) Transfer to foreign bank, foreign financial
institution, or branch or agency of a foreign bank or
financial institution.--In transferring any qualified
financial contracts and related claims and property
under subparagraph (A)(i), the conservator or receiver
for the depository institution shall not make such
transfer to a foreign bank, financial institution
organized under the laws of a foreign country, or a
branch or agency of a foreign bank or financial
institution unless, under the law applicable to such
bank, financial institution, branch or agency, to the
qualified financial contracts, and to any netting
contract, any security agreement or arrangement or
other credit enhancement related to one or more
qualified financial contracts, the contractual rights
of the parties to such qualified financial contracts,
netting contracts, security agreements or arrangements,
or other credit enhancements are enforceable
substantially to the same extent as permitted under
this section.
``(C) Transfer of contracts subject to the rules of
a clearing organization.--In the event that a
conservator or receiver transfers any qualified
financial contract and related claims, property, and
credit enhancements pursuant to subparagraph (A)(i) and
such contract is cleared by or subject to the rules of
a clearing organization, the clearing organization
shall not be required to accept the transferee as a
member by virtue of the transfer.
``(D) Definition.--For purposes of this paragraph,
the term `financial institution' means a broker or
dealer, a depository institution, a futures commission
merchant, or any other institution, as determined by
the Corporation by regulation to be a financial
institution and the term `clearing organization' means
a `clearing organization' as defined in section 402 of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement
Act of 1991.''.
(b) Notice to Qualified Financial Contract Counterparties.--Section
11(e)(10)(A) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1821(e)(10)(A)) is amended in the material immediately following clause
(ii) by striking ``the conservator'' and all that follows through the
period and inserting the following: ``the conservator or receiver shall
notify any person who is a party to any such contract of such transfer
by 5:00 p.m. (eastern time) on the business day following the date of
the appointment of the receiver in the case of a receivership, or the
business day following such transfer in the case of a
conservatorship.''.
(c) Rights Against Receiver and Treatment of Bridge Banks.--Section
11(e)(10) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1821(e)(10))
is amended--
(1) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (D);
and
(2) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraphs:
``(B) Certain rights not enforceable.--
``(i) Receivership.--A person who is a
party to a qualified financial contract with an
insured depository institution may not exercise
any right that such person has to terminate,
liquidate, or net such contract under paragraph
(8)(A) of this subsection or section 403 or 404
2000
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Improvement Act of 1991, solely by reason of or
incidental to the appointment of a receiver for
the depository institution (or the insolvency
or financial condition of the depository
institution for which the receiver has been
appointed)--
``(I) until 5:00 p.m. (eastern
time) on the business day following the
date of the appointment of the
receiver; or
``(II) after the person has
received notice that the contract has
been transferred pursuant to paragraph
(9)(A).
``(ii) Conservatorship.--A person who is a
party to a qualified financial contract with an
insured depository institution may not exercise
any right that such person has to terminate,
liquidate, or net such contract under paragraph
(8)(E) of this subsection or sections 403 or
404 of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation Improvement Act of 1991, solely by
reason of or incidental to the appointment of a
conservator for the depository institution (or
the insolvency or financial condition of the
depository institution for which the
conservator has been appointed).
``(iii) Notice.--For purposes of this
paragraph, the Corporation as receiver or
conservator of an insured depository
institution shall be deemed to have notified a
person who is a party to a qualified financial
contract with such depository institution if
the Corporation has taken steps reasonably
calculated to provide notice to such person by
the time specified in subparagraph (A).
``(C) Treatment of bridge banks.--The following
institutions shall not be considered to be a financial
institution for which a conservator, receiver, trustee
in bankruptcy, or other legal custodian has been
appointed or which is otherwise the subject of a
bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding for purposes of
paragraph (9):
``(i) A bridge bank.
``(ii) A depository institution organized
by the Corporation, for which a conservator is
appointed either--
``(I) immediately upon the
organization of the institution; or
``(II) at the time of a purchase
and assumption transaction between the
depository institution and the
Corporation as receiver for a
depository institution in default.''.
SEC. 904. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO DISAFFIRMANCE OR REPUDIATION OF
QUALIFIED FINANCIAL CONTRACTS.
Section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1821(e)) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (15) as
paragraphs (12) through (16), respectively; and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (10) the following new
paragraph:
``(11) Disaffirmance or repudiation of qualified financial
contracts.--In exercising the rights of disaffirmance or
repudiation of a conservator or receiver with respect to any
qualified financial contract to which an insured depository
institution is a party, the conservator or receiver for such
institution shall either--
``(A) disaffirm or repudiate all qualified
financial contracts between--
``(i) any person or any affiliate of such
person; and
``(ii) the depository institution in
default; or
``(B) disaffirm or repudiate none of the qualified
financial contracts referred to in subparagraph (A)
(with respect to such person or any affiliate of such
person).''.
SEC. 905. CLARIFYING AMENDMENT RELATING TO MASTER AGREEMENTS.
Section 11(e)(8)(D)(vii) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12
U.S.C. 1821(e)(8)(D)(vii)) is amended to read as follows:
``(vii) Treatment of master agreement as
one agreement.--Any master agreement for any
contract or agreement described in any
preceding clause of this subparagraph (or any
master agreement for such master agreement or
agreements), together with all supplements to
such master agreement, shall be treated as a
single agreement and a single qualified
financial contract. If a master agreement
contains provisions relating to agreements or
transactions that are not themselves qualified
financial contracts, the master agreement shall
be deemed to be a qualified financial contract
only with respect to those transactions that
are themselves qualified financial
contracts.''.
SEC. 906. FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION IMPROVEMENT ACT OF
1991.
(a) Definitions.--Section 402 of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 4402) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting before
the semicolon ``, or is exempt from such registration
by order of the Securities and Exchange Commission'';
and
(B) in subparagraph (B), by inserting before the
period ``, that has been granted an exemption under
section 4(c)(1) of the Commodity Exchange Act or that
is a multilateral clearing organization (as defined in
section 408 of this Act)'';
(2) in paragraph (6)--
(A) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) through (D)
as subparagraphs (C) through (E), respectively;
(B) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the
following new subparagraph:
``(B) an uninsured national bank or an uninsured
State bank that is a member of the Federal Reserve
System, if the national bank or State member bank is
not eligible to make application to become an insured
bank under section 5 of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act;''; and
(C) by amending subparagraph (C) (as redesignated)
to read as follows:
``(C) a branch or agency of a foreign bank, a
foreign bank and any branch or agency of the foreign
bank, or the foreign bank that established the branch
or agency, as those terms are defined in section 1(b)
of the International Banking Act of 1978;'';
(3) in paragraph
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(11), by inserting before the period ``and
any other clearing organization with which such clearing
organization has a netting contract'';
(4) by amending paragraph (14)(A)(i) to read as follows:
``(i) means a contract or agreement between
2 or more financial institutions, clearing
organizations, or members that provides for
netting present or future payment obligations
or payment entitlements (including liquidation
or closeout values relating to such obligations
or entitlements) among the parties to the
agreement; and''; and
(5) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(15) Payment.--The term `payment' means a payment of
United States dollars, another currency, or a composite
currency, and a noncash delivery, including a payment or
delivery to liquidate an unmatured obligation.''.
(b) Enforceability of Bilateral Netting Contracts.--Section 403 of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12
U.S.C. 4403) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) General Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of State
or Federal law (other than paragraphs (8)(E), (8)(F), and (10)(B) of
section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or any order
authorized under section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Investor Protection
Act of 1970), the covered contractual payment obligations and the
covered contractual payment entitlements between any 2 financial
institutions shall be netted in accordance with, and subject to the
conditions of, the terms of any applicable netting contract (except as
provided in section 561(b)(2) of title 11, United States Code).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) Enforceability of Security Agreements.--The provisions of any
security agreement or arrangement or other credit enhancement related
to one or more netting contracts between any 2 financial institutions
shall be enforceable in accordance with their terms (except as provided
in section 561(b)(2) of title 11, United States Code), and shall not be
stayed, avoided, or otherwise limited by any State or Federal law
(other than paragraphs (8)(E), (8)(F), and (10)(B) of section 11(e) of
the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and section 5(b)(2) of the Securities
Investor Protection Act of 1970).''.
(c) Enforceability of Clearing Organization Netting Contracts.--
Section 404 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement
Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 4404) is amended--
(1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) General Rule.--Notwithstanding any other provision of State
or Federal law (other than paragraphs (8)(E), (8)(F), and (10)(B) of
section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and any order
authorized under section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Investor Protection
Act of 1970), the covered contractual payment obligations and the
covered contractual payment entitlements of a member of a clearing
organization to and from all other members of a clearing organization
shall be netted in accordance with and subject to the conditions of any
applicable netting contract (except as provided in section 561(b)(2) of
title 11, United States Code).''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(h) Enforceability of Security Agreements.--The provisions of any
security agreement or arrangement or other credit enhancement related
to one or more netting contracts between any 2 members of a clearing
organization shall be enforceable in accordance with their terms
(except as provided in section 561(b)(2) of title 11, United States
Code), and shall not be stayed, avoided, or otherwise limited by any
State or Federal law (other than paragraphs (8)(E), (8)(F), and (10)(B)
of section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and section
5(b)(2) of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970).''.
(d) Enforceability of Contracts With Uninsured National Banks,
Uninsured Federal Branches and Agencies, Certain Uninsured State Member
Banks, and Edge Act Corporations.--The Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 (12 U.S.C. 4401 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating section 407 as 407A; and
(2) by inserting after section 406 the following new
section:
``SEC. 407. TREATMENT OF CONTRACTS WITH UNINSURED NATIONAL BANKS,
UNINSURED FEDERAL BRANCHES AND AGENCIES, CERTAIN
UNINSURED STATE MEMBER BANKS, AND EDGE ACT CORPORATIONS.
``(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
paragraphs (8), (9), (10), and (11) of section 11(e) of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act shall apply to an uninsured national bank or
uninsured Federal branch or Federal agency, or a corporation chartered
under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act or an uninsured State
member bank which operates, or operates as, a multilateral clearing
organization pursuant to section 409 of this Act, except that for such
purpose--
``(1) any reference to the `Corporation as receiver' or
`the receiver or the Corporation' shall refer to the receiver
of an uninsured national bank or uninsured Federal branch or
Federal agency appointed by the Comptroller of the Currency in
the case of an uninsured national bank or uninsured Federal
branch or agency, or to the receiver of a corporation chartered
under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act or an uninsured
State member bank appointed by the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System in the case of a corporation chartered
under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act or an uninsured
State member bank;
``(2) any reference to the `Corporation' (other than in
section 11(e)(8)(D) of such Act), the `Corporation, whether
acting as such or as conservator or receiver', a `receiver', or
a `conservator' shall refer to the receiver or conservator of
an uninsured national bank or uninsured Federal branch or
Federal agency appointed by the Comptroller of the Currency in
the case of an uninsured national bank or uninsured Federal
branch or agency, or to the receiver or conservator of a
corporation chartered under section 25A of the Federal Reserve
Act or an uninsured State member bank appointed by the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System in the case of a
corporation chartered under section 25A of the Federal Reserve
Act or an uninsured State member bank; and
``(3) any reference to an `insured depository institution'
or `depository institution' shall refer to an uninsured
national bank, an uninsured Federal branch or Federal agency a
corporation chartered under section 25A of the Federal Reserve
Act or an uninsured State member bank which operates, or
operates as, a multilateral clearing organization pursuant to
section 409 of this Act.
``(b) Liability.--The liability of a receiver or conservator of an
uninsured national bank, uninsured Federal branch or agency a
corporation chartered under section 25A of the Federal Reserve Act or
an uninsured State member bank which operates, or operates as, a
multilateral clearing organization pursuant to section 409 of this Act,
shall be determined in the same manner and subject to the same
limitations that apply to receivers and conservators of insured
depository institutions under section 11(e) of the Federal Deposit
Insurance Act.
``(c) Regulatory Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Comptroller of the Currency and the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, in
consultation with the F
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ederal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
may each promulgate regulations to implement this section.
``(2) Specific requirement.--In promulgating regulations to
implement this section, the Comptroller of the Currency and the
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System shall each
ensure that the regulations generally are consistent with the
regulations and policies of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation adopted pursuant to the Federal Deposit Insurance
Act.
``(d) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the terms
`Federal branch', `Federal agency', and `foreign bank' have the same
meanings as in section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of
1978.''.
SEC. 907. BANKRUPTCY CODE AMENDMENTS.
(a) Definitions of Forward Contract, Repurchase Agreement,
Securities Clearing Agency, Swap Agreement, Commodity Contract, and
Securities Contract.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 101--
(A) in paragraph (25)--
(i) by striking ``means a contract'' and
inserting ``means--
``(A) a contract'';
(ii) by striking ``, or any combination
thereof or option thereon;'' and inserting ``,
or any other similar agreement;''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) any combination of agreements or transactions
referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (C);
``(C) any option to enter into an agreement or
transaction referred to in subparagraph (A) or (B);
``(D) a master agreement that provides for an
agreement or transaction referred to in subparagraph
(A), (B), or (C), together with all supplements to any
such master agreement, without regard to whether such
master agreement provides for an agreement or
transaction that is not a forward contract under this
paragraph, except that such master agreement shall be
considered to be a forward contract under this
paragraph only with respect to each agreement or
transaction under such master agreement that is
referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); or
``(E) any security agreement or arrangement, or
other credit enhancement related to any agreement or
transaction referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), (C),
or (D), or any guarantee or reimbursement obligation by
or to a forward contract merchant or financial
participant in connection with any agreement or
transaction referred to in any such subparagraph, but
not to exceed the damages in connection with any such
agreement or transaction measured in accordance with
section 562 of this title;'';
(B) in paragraph (46), by striking ``on any day
during the period beginning 90 days before the date
of'' and inserting ``at any time before'';
(C) by amending paragraph (47) to read as follows:
``(47) `repurchase agreement' (which definition also
applies to a reverse repurchase agreement)--
``(A) means--
``(i) an agreement, including related
terms, which provides for the transfer of one
or more certificates of deposit, mortgage
related securities (as defined in section 3 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), mortgage
loans, interests in mortgage related securities
or mortgage loans, eligible bankers'
acceptances, qualified foreign government
securities (defined as a security that is a
direct obligation of, or that is fully
guaranteed by, the central government of a
member of the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development), or securities
that are direct obligations of, or that are
fully guaranteed by, the United States or any
agency of the United States against the
transfer of funds by the transferee of such
certificates of deposit, eligible bankers'
acceptances, securities, loans, or interests,
with a simultaneous agreement by such
transferee to transfer to the transferor
thereof certificates of deposit, eligible
bankers' acceptance, securities, loans, or
interests of the kind described in this clause,
at a date certain not later than 1 year after
such transfer or on demand, against the
transfer of funds;
``(ii) any combination of agreements or
transactions referred to in clauses (i) and
(iii);
``(iii) an option to enter into an
agreement or transaction referred to in clause
(i) or (ii);
``(iv) a master agreement that provides for
an agreement or transaction referred to in
clause (i), (ii), or (iii), together with all
supplements to any such master agreement,
without regard to whether such master agreement
provides for an agreement or transaction that
is not a repurchase agreement under this
paragraph, except that such master agreement
shall be considered to be a repurchase
agreement under this paragraph only with
respect to each agreement or transaction under
the master agreement that is referred to in
clause (i), (ii), or (iii); or
``(v) any security agreement or arrangement
or other credit enhancement related to any
agreement or transaction referred to in clause
(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) or any guarantee or
reimbursement obligation by or to a repo
participant or financial participant in
connection with any agreement or transaction
referred to in any such clause, but not to
exceed the damages in connection with any such
agreement or transaction measured in accordance
with section 562 of this title; and
``(B) does not include a repurchase obligation
under a participation in a commercial mortgage loan;'';
(D) in paragraph (48), by inserting ``, or exempt
from such registration under such section pursuant to
an order of the Securities and Exchange Commission,''
after ``1934''; and
(E) by amending paragraph (53B) to read as follows:
``(53B) `swap agreement'--
``(A) means--
``(i) any agreement, including the terms
and conditions incorporated by reference in
such agreement, which is--
``(I) an interest rate swap,
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option, future, or forward agreement,
including a rate floor, rate cap, rate
collar, cross-currency rate swap, and
basis swap;
``(II) a spot, same day-tomorrow,
tomorrow-next, forward, or other
foreign exchange or precious metals
agreement;
``(III) a currency swap, option,
future, or forward agreement;
``(IV) an equity index or an equity
swap, option, future, or forward
agreement;
``(V) a debt index or a debt swap,
option, future, or forward agreement;
``(VI) a total return, credit
spread or a credit swap, option,
future, or forward agreement;
``(VII) a commodity index or a
commodity swap, option, future, or
forward agreement; or
``(VIII) a weather swap, weather
derivative, or weather option;
``(ii) any agreement or transaction that is
similar to any other agreement or transaction
referred to in this paragraph and that--
``(I) has been, is presently, or in
the future becomes, the subject of
recurrent dealings in the swap markets
(including terms and conditions
incorporated by reference therein); and
``(II) is a forward, swap, future,
or option on one or more rates,
currencies, commodities, equity
securities, or other equity
instruments, debt securities or other
debt instruments, quantitative measures
associated with an occurrence, extent
of an occurrence or contingency
associated with a financial, commercial
or economic consequence, or economic or
financial indices or measures of
economic or financial risk or value;
``(iii) any combination of agreements or
transactions referred to in this subparagraph;
``(iv) any option to enter into an
agreement or transaction referred to in this
subparagraph;
``(v) a master agreement that provides for
an agreement or transaction referred to in
clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv), together with
all supplements to any such master agreement,
and without regard to whether the master
agreement contains an agreement or transaction
that is not a swap agreement under this
paragraph, except that the master agreement
shall be considered to be a swap agreement
under this paragraph only with respect to each
agreement or transaction under the master
agreement that is referred to in clause (i),
(ii), (iii), or (iv); or
``(vi) any security agreement or
arrangement or other credit enhancement related
to any agreements or transactions referred to
in clause (i) through (v) or any guarantee or
reimbursement obligation by or to a swap
participant or financial participant in
connection with any agreement or transaction
referred to in any such clause, but not to
exceed the damages in connection with any such
agreement or transaction measured in accordance
with section 562 of this title; and
``(B) is applicable for purposes of this title
only, and shall not be construed or applied so as to
challenge or affect the characterization, definition,
or treatment of any swap agreement under any other
statute, regulation, or rule, including the Securities
Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, the Investment Company Act of
1940, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the
Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, the
Commodity Exchange Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, the
Legal Certainty for Bank Products Act of 2000, and the
regulations prescribed by the Securities and Exchange
Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission;'';
(2) in section 741(7), by striking paragraph (7) and
inserting the following:
``(7) `securities contract'--
``(A) means--
``(i) a contract for the purchase, sale, or
loan of a security, a certificate of deposit, a
mortgage loan or any interest in a mortgage
loan, a group or index of securities,
certificates of deposit, or mortgage loans or
interests therein (including an interest
therein or based on the value thereof), or
option on any of the foregoing, including an
option to purchase or sell any such security,
certificate of deposit, mortgage loan,
interest, group or index, or option, and
including any repurchase or reverse repurchase
transaction on any such security, certificate
of deposit, loan, interest, group or index, or
option;
``(ii) any option entered into on a
national securities exchange relating to
foreign currencies;
``(iii) the guarantee by or to any
securities clearing agency of a settlement of
cash, securities, certificates of deposit,
mortgage loans or interests therein, group or
index of securities, or mortgage loans or
interests therein (including any interest
therein or based on the value thereof), or
option on any of the foregoing, including an
option to purchase or sell any such security,
certificate of deposit, loan, interest, group
or index, or option;
``(iv) any margin loan;
``(v) any other agreement or transaction
that is similar to an agreement or transaction
referred to in this subparagraph;
``(vi) any combination
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of the agreements or
transactions referred to in this subparagraph;
``(vii) any option to enter into any
agreement or transaction referred to in this
subparagraph;
``(viii) a master agreement that provides
for an agreement or transaction referred to in
clause (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), or
(vii), together with all supplements to any
such master agreement, without regard to
whether the master agreement provides for an
agreement or transaction that is not a
securities contract under this subparagraph,
except that such master agreement shall be
considered to be a securities contract under
this subparagraph only with respect to each
agreement or transaction under such master
agreement that is referred to in clause (i),
(ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), or (vii); or
``(ix) any security agreement or
arrangement or other credit enhancement related
to any agreement or transaction referred to in
this subparagraph or any guarantee or
reimbursement obligation by or to a
stockbroker, securities clearing agency,
financial institution or financial participant
in connection with any agreement or transaction
referred to in this subparagraph, but not to
exceed the damages in connection with any such
agreement or transaction measured in accordance
with section 562 of this title; and
``(B) does not include any purchase, sale, or
repurchase obligation under a participation in a
commercial mortgage loan.''; and
(3) in section 761(4)--
(A) by striking ``or'' at the end of subparagraph
(D); and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(F) any other agreement or transaction that is
similar to an agreement or transaction referred to in
this paragraph;
``(G) any combination of the agreements or
transactions referred to in this paragraph;
``(H) any option to enter into an agreement or
transaction referred to in this paragraph;
``(I) a master agreement that provides for an
agreement or transaction referred to in subparagraph
(A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (F), (G), or (H), together
with all supplements to such master agreement, without
regard to whether the master agreement provides for an
agreement or transaction that is not a commodity
contract under this paragraph, except that the master
agreement shall be considered to be a commodity
contract under this paragraph only with respect to each
agreement or transaction under the master agreement
that is referred to in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D),
(E), (F), (G), or (H); or
``(J) any security agreement or arrangement or
other credit enhancement related to any agreement or
transaction referred to in this paragraph or any
guarantee or reimbursement obligation by or to a
commodity broker or financial participant in connection
with any agreement or transaction referred to in this
paragraph, but not to exceed the damages in connection
with any such agreement or transaction measured in
accordance with section 562 of this title;''.
(b) Definitions of Financial Participant and Forward Contract
Merchant.--Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking paragraph (22) and inserting the following:
``(22) `financial institution' means--
``(A) a Federal reserve bank, or an entity
(domestic or foreign) that is a commercial or savings
bank, industrial savings bank, savings and loan
association, trust company, or receiver or conservator
for such entity and, when any such Federal reserve
bank, receiver, conservator or entity is acting as
agent or custodian for a customer in connection with a
securities contract, as defined in section 741, such
customer; or
``(B) in connection with a securities contract, as
defined in section 741, an investment company
registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940;'';
(2) by inserting after paragraph (22) the following:
``(22A) `financial participant' means--
``(A) an entity that, at the time it enters into a
securities contract, commodity contract, swap
agreement, repurchase agreement, or forward contract,
or at the time of the filing of the petition, has one
or more agreements or transactions described in
paragraph (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6) of section
561(a) with the debtor or any other entity (other than
an affiliate) of a total gross dollar value of not less
than $1,000,000,000 in notional or actual principal
amount outstanding on any day during the previous 15-
month period, or has gross mark-to-market positions of
not less than $100,000,000 (aggregated across
counterparties) in one or more such agreements or
transactions with the debtor or any other entity (other
than an affiliate) on any day during the previous 15-
month period; and
``(B) a `clearing organization' (as such term is
defined in section 402 of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation Improvement Act of 1991);''; and
(3) by striking paragraph (26) and inserting the following:
``(26) `forward contract merchant' means a Federal reserve
bank, or an entity the business of which consists in whole or
in part of entering into forward contracts as or with merchants
in a commodity, as defined or in section 761 or any similar
good, article, service, right, or interest which is presently
or in the future becomes the subject of dealing in the forward
contract trade;''.
(c) Definition of Master Netting Agreement and Master Netting
Agreement Participant.--Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after paragraph (38) the following new paragraphs:
``(38A) `master netting agreement'--
``(A) means an agreement providing for the exercise
of rights, including rights of netting, setoff,
liquidation, termination, acceleration, or closeout,
under or in connection with one or more contracts that
are described in any one or more of paragraphs (1)
through (5) of section 561(a), or any security
agreement or arrangement or other credit enhancement
related to one or more of the foregoing or any
guarantee or reimbursement obligation related to 1 or
more of the foregoing; and
``(B) if the
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agreement contains provisions relating
to agreements or transactions that are not contracts
described in paragraphs (1) through (5) of section
561(a), shall be deemed to be a master netting
agreement only with respect to those agreements or
transactions that are described in any one or more of
paragraphs (1) through (5) of section 561(a);
``(38B) `master netting agreement participant' means an
entity that, at any time before the filing of the petition, is
a party to an outstanding master netting agreement with the
debtor;''.
(d) Swap Agreements, Securities Contracts, Commodity Contracts,
Forward Contracts, Repurchase Agreements, and Master Netting Agreements
Under the Automatic-Stay.--
(1) In general.--Section 362(b) of title 11, United States
Code, as amended by this Act, is amended--
(A) in paragraph (6), by inserting ``, pledged to,
under the control of,'' after ``held by'';
(B) in paragraph (7), by inserting ``, pledged to,
under the control of,'' after ``held by'';
(C) by striking paragraph (17) and inserting the
following:
``(17) under subsection (a), of the setoff by a swap
participant or financial participant of a mutual debt and claim
under or in connection with one or more swap agreements that
constitutes the setoff of a claim against the debtor for any
payment or other transfer of property due from the debtor under
or in connection with any swap agreement against any payment
due to the debtor from the swap participant or financial
participant under or in connection with any swap agreement or
against cash, securities, or other property held by, pledged
to, under the control of, or due from such swap participant or
financial participant to margin, guarantee, secure, or settle
any swap agreement;''; and
(D) by inserting after paragraph (27), as added by
this Act, the following new paragraph:
``(28) under subsection (a), of the setoff by a master
netting agreement participant of a mutual debt and claim under
or in connection with one or more master netting agreements or
any contract or agreement subject to such agreements that
constitutes the setoff of a claim against the debtor for any
payment or other transfer of property due from the debtor under
or in connection with such agreements or any contract or
agreement subject to such agreements against any payment due to
the debtor from such master netting agreement participant under
or in connection with such agreements or any contract or
agreement subject to such agreements or against cash,
securities, or other property held by, pledged to, under the
control of, or due from such master netting agreement
participant to margin, guarantee, secure, or settle such
agreements or any contract or agreement subject to such
agreements, to the extent that such participant is eligible to
exercise such offset rights under paragraph (6), (7), or (17)
for each individual contract covered by the master netting
agreement in issue; or''.
(2) Limitation.--Section 362 of title 11, United States
Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(m) Limitation.--The exercise of rights not subject to the stay
arising under subsection (a) pursuant to paragraph (6), (7), (17), or
(28) of subsection (b) shall not be stayed by any order of a court or
administrative agency in any proceeding under this title.''.
(e) Limitation of Avoidance Powers Under Master Netting
Agreement.--Section 546 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by
this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (g) (as added by section 103 of Public
Law 101-311)--
(A) by striking ``under a swap agreement'';
(B) by striking ``in connection with a swap
agreement'' and inserting ``under or in connection with
any swap agreement''; and
(C) by inserting ``or financial participant'' after
``swap participant'' each time such term appears; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(j) Notwithstanding sections 544, 545, 547, 548(a)(1)(B), and
548(b) the trustee may not avoid a transfer made by or to a master
netting agreement participant under or in connection with any master
netting agreement or any individual contract covered thereby that is
made before the commencement of the case, except under section
548(a)(1)(A) and except to the extent that the trustee could otherwise
avoid such a transfer made under an individual contract covered by such
master netting agreement.''.
(f) Fraudulent Transfers of Master Netting Agreements.--Section
548(d)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(E) a master netting agreement participant that receives
a transfer in connection with a master netting agreement or any
individual contract covered thereby takes for value to the
extent of such transfer, except that, with respect to a
transfer under any individual contract covered thereby, to the
extent that such master netting agreement participant otherwise
did not take (or is otherwise not deemed to have taken) such
transfer for value.''.
(g) Termination or Acceleration of Securities Contracts.--Section
555 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:
``Sec. 555. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a
securities contract'';
and
(2) in the first sentence, by striking ``liquidation'' and
inserting ``liquidation, termination, or acceleration''.
(h) Termination or Acceleration of Commodities or Forward
Contracts.--Section 556 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:
``Sec. 556. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a
commodities contract or forward contract'';
(2) in the first sentence, by striking ``liquidation'' and
inserting ``liquidation, termination, or acceleration''; and
(3) by striking so much of the text of the second sentence
as appears before ``whether'' and inserting ``As used in this
section, the term ``contractual right'' includes a right set
forth in a rule or bylaw of a derivatives clearing organization
(as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act), a multilateral
clearing organization (as defined in the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991), a national
securities exchange, a national securities association, a
contract market designated under the Commodity Exchange Act, a
derivatives transaction execution facility registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act, or a board of trade (as defined in the
Commodity Exchange Act) or in a resolution of the governing
board thereof and a right,''.
(i) Termination or Acceleration of Repurchase Agreements.--Section
559 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:
``Sec. 559. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a
repurchase agreement'';
(2) in the first sentence,
2000
by striking ``liquidation'' and
inserting ``liquidation, termination, or acceleration''; and
(3) by striking so much of the text of the third sentence
as appears before ``whether'' and inserting ``As used in this
section, the term ``contractual right'' includes a right set
forth in a rule or bylaw of a derivatives clearing organization
(as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act), a multilateral
clearing organization (as defined in the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991), a national
securities exchange, a national securities association, a
contract market designated under the Commodity Exchange Act, a
derivatives transaction execution facility registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act, or a board of trade (as defined in the
Commodity Exchange Act) or in a resolution of the governing
board thereof and a right.
(j) Liquidation, Termination, or Acceleration of Swap Agreements.--
Section 560 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by amending the section heading to read as follows:
``Sec. 560. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a
swap agreement'';
(2) in the first sentence, by striking ``termination of a
swap agreement'' and inserting ``liquidation, termination, or
acceleration of one or more swap agreements'';
(3) by striking ``in connection with any swap agreement''
and inserting ``in connection with the termination,
liquidation, or acceleration of one or more swap agreements'';
and
(4) by striking so much of the text of the second sentence
as appears before ``whether'' and inserting ``As used in this
section, the term `contractual right' includes a right set
forth in a rule or bylaw of a derivatives clearing organization
(as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act), a multilateral
clearing organization (as defined in the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991), a national
securities exchange, a national securities association, a
contract market designated under the Commodity Exchange Act), a
derivatives transaction execution facility registered under the
Commodity Exchange Act, or a board of trade (as defined in the
Commodity Exchange Act) or in a resolution of the governing
board thereof and a right,''.
(k) Liquidation, Termination, Acceleration, or Offset Under a
Master Netting Agreement and Across Contracts.--
(1) In general.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended
by inserting after section 560 the following:
``Sec. 561. Contractual right to terminate, liquidate, accelerate, or
offset under a master netting agreement and across
contracts; proceedings under chapter 15
``(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), the exercise of any
contractual right, because of a condition of the kind specified in
section 365(e)(1), to cause the termination, liquidation, or
acceleration of or to offset or net termination values, payment
amounts, or other transfer obligations arising under or in connection
with one or more (or the termination, liquidation, or acceleration of
one or more)--
``(1) securities contracts, as defined in section 741(7);
``(2) commodity contracts, as defined in section 761(4);
``(3) forward contracts;
``(4) repurchase agreements;
``(5) swap agreements; or
``(6) master netting agreements,
shall not be stayed, avoided, or otherwise limited by operation of any
provision of this title or by any order of a court or administrative
agency in any proceeding under this title.
``(b) Exception.--
``(1) In general.--A party may exercise a contractual right
described in subsection (a) to terminate, liquidate, or
accelerate only to the extent that such party could exercise
such a right under section 555, 556, 559, or 560 for each
individual contract covered by the master netting agreement in
issue.
``(2) Commodity brokers.--If a debtor is a commodity broker
subject to subchapter IV of chapter 7--
``(A) a party may not net or offset an obligation
to the debtor arising under, or in connection with, a
commodity contract traded on or subject to the rules of
a contract market designated under the Commodity
Exchange Act or a derivatives transaction execution
facility registered under the Commodity Exchange Act
against any claim arising under, or in connection with,
other instruments, contracts, or agreements listed in
subsection (a) except to the extent that the party has
positive net equity in the commodity accounts at the
debtor, as calculated under that subchapter IV; and
``(B) another commodity broker may not net or
offset an obligation to the debtor arising under, or in
connection with, a commodity contract entered into or
held on behalf of a customer of the debtor and traded
on or subject to the rules of a contract market
designated under the Commodity Exchange Act or a
derivatives transaction execution facility registered
under the Commodity Exchange Act against any claim
arising under, or in connection with, other
instruments, contracts, or agreements listed in
subsection (a).
``(3) Construction.--No provision of subparagraph (A) or
(B) of paragraph (2) shall prohibit the offset of claims and
obligations that arise under--
``(A) a cross-margining or similar arrangement that
has been approved by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission or submitted to the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission under paragraph (1) or (2) of
section 5c(c) of the Commodity Exchange Act and has not
been abrogated or rendered ineffective by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission; or
``(B) any other netting agreement between a
clearing organization, as defined in section 761, and
another entity that has been approved by the Commodity
Futures Trading Commission.
``(c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term `contractual
right' includes a right set forth in a rule or bylaw of a derivatives
clearing organization (as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act), a
multilateral clearing organization (as defined in the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991), a national securities
exchange, a national securities association, a contract market
designated under the Commodity Exchange Act, a derivatives transaction
execution facility registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, or a
board of trade (as defined in the Commodity Exchange Act) or in a
resolution of the governing board thereof, and a right, whether or not
evidenced in writing, arising under common law, under law merchant, or
by reason of normal business practice.
``(d) Cases Ancillary to Foreign Proceedings.--Any provisions of
this title relating to securities contracts, commodity contracts,
forward contracts, repurchase agreements, swap agreements, or master
netting agreements shall apply in a case under chapter 15 of this
title, so that enforcement of contractual provisions of such contracts
and agreements in accordance with their terms will not be stayed or
otherwise limited by operation of any provision of this title or by
order of a court in any case under this title, and to limit avoidance
powers to the same extent as i
2000
n a proceeding under chapter 7 or 11 of
this title (such enforcement not to be limited based on the presence or
absence of assets of the debtor in the United States).''.
(2) Conforming amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 5 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 560 the following:
``561. Contractual right to terminate, liquidate, accelerate, or offset
under a master netting agreement and across
contracts; proceedings under chapter 15.''.
(l) Commodity Broker Liquidations.--Title 11, United States Code,
is amended by inserting after section 766 the following:
``Sec. 767. Commodity broker liquidation and forward contract
merchants, commodity brokers, stockbrokers, financial
institutions, financial participants, securities clearing
agencies, swap participants, repo participants, and
master netting agreement participants
``Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the exercise
of rights by a forward contract merchant, commodity broker,
stockbroker, financial institution, financial participant, securities
clearing agency, swap participant, repo participant, or master netting
agreement participant under this title shall not affect the priority of
any unsecured claim it may have after the exercise of such rights.''.
(m) Stockbroker Liquidations.--Title 11, United States Code, is
amended by inserting after section 752 the following:
``Sec. 753. Stockbroker liquidation and forward contract merchants,
commodity brokers, stockbrokers, financial institutions,
financial participants securities clearing agencies, swap
participants, repo participants, and master netting
agreement participants
``Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, the exercise
of rights by a forward contract merchant, commodity broker,
stockbroker, financial institution, securities clearing agency, swap
participant, repo participant, financial participant, or master netting
agreement participant under this title shall not affect the priority of
any unsecured claim it may have after the exercise of such rights.''.
(n) Setoff.--Section 553 of title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(2)(B)(ii), by inserting before the
semicolon, and in subsection (a)(3)(C), by inserting before the
period, the following: ``(except for a setoff of a kind
described in section 362(b)(6), 362(b)(7), 362(b)(17),
362(b)(28), 555, 556, 559, 560, or 561 of this title)''; and
(2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``362(b)(14),'' and
inserting ``362(b)(17), 362(b)(28), 555, 556, 559, 560, 561,''.
(o) Securities Contracts, Commodity Contracts, and Forward
Contracts.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 362(b)(6), by striking ``financial
institutions,'' each place such term appears and inserting
``financial institution, financial participant,'';
(2) in sections 362(b)(7) and 546(f), by inserting ``or
financial participant'' after ``repo participant'' each time
such term appears;
(3) in section 546(e), by inserting ``financial
participant,'' after ``financial institution,'';
(4) in section 548(d)(2)(B), by inserting ``financial
participant,'' after ``financial institution,'';
(5) in section 548(d)(2)(C), by inserting ``or financial
participant'' after ``repo participant'';
(6) in section 548(d)(2)(D), by inserting ``or financial
participant'' after ``swap participant'';
(7) in section 555--
(A) by inserting ``financial participant,'' after
``financial institution,''; and
(B) by striking the second sentence and inserting
``As used in this section, the term `contractual right'
includes a right set forth in a rule or bylaw of a
derivatives clearing organization (as defined in the
Commodity Exchange Act), a multilateral clearing
organization (as defined in the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991), a
national securities exchange, a national securities
association, a contract market designated under the
Commodity Exchange Act, a derivatives transaction
execution facility registered under the Commodity
Exchange Act, or a board of trade (as defined in the
Commodity Exchange Act) or in a resolution of the
governing board thereof, and a right, whether or not in
writing, arising under common law, under law merchant,
or by reason of normal business practice'';
(8) in section 556, by inserting ``, financial
participant,'' after ``commodity broker'';
(9) in section 559, by inserting ``or financial
participant'' after ``repo participant'' each time such term
appears; and
(10) in section 560, by inserting ``or financial
participant'' after ``swap participant''.
(p) Conforming Amendments.--Title 11, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) in the table of sections for chapter 5--
(A) by amending the items relating to sections 555
and 556 to read as follows:
``555. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a
securities contract.
``556. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a
commodities contract or forward
contract.'';
and
(B) by amending the items relating to sections 559
and 560 to read as follows:
``559. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a
repurchase agreement.
``560. Contractual right to liquidate, terminate, or accelerate a swap
agreement.'';
and
(2) in the table of sections for chapter 7--
(A) by inserting after the item relating to section
766 the following:
``767. Commodity broker liquidation and forward contract merchants,
commodity brokers, stockbrokers, financial
institutions, financial participants,
securities clearing agencies, swap
participants, repo participants, and master
netting agreement participants.'';
and
(B) by inserting after the item relating to section
752 the following:
``753. Stockbroker liquidation and forward contract merchants,
commodity brokers, stockbrokers, financial
institutions, financial participants,
securities clearing agencies, swap
participants, repo participants, and master
netting agreement participants.''.
SEC. 907A. SECURITIES BROKER AND COMMODITY BROKER LIQUIDATION.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures
Trading Commission may consult with each other with respect to--
(1) whether, under what circumstances, and the extent to
which security futures products will be treated as commodity
contracts or securities in a liquidation of a person that is
both a securities broker and a commodity broker; and
(2) the treatment in such a liquidation of accounts in
which both commodity contracts and securities are carried.
SEC. 908. RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS.
Section 11(e)(8) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1821(e)(8
2000
)) is amended by adding at the end the following new
subparagraph:
``(H) Recordkeeping requirements.--The Corporation,
in consultation with the appropriate Federal banking
agencies, may prescribe regulations requiring more
detailed recordkeeping with respect to qualified
financial contracts (including market valuations) by
insured depository institutions.''.
SEC. 909. EXEMPTIONS FROM CONTEMPORANEOUS EXECUTION REQUIREMENT.
Section 13(e)(2) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C.
1823(e)(2)) is amended to read as follows:
``(2) Exemptions from contemporaneous execution
requirement.--An agreement to provide for the lawful
collateralization of--
``(A) deposits of, or other credit extension by, a
Federal, State, or local governmental entity, or of any
depositor referred to in section 11(a)(2), including an
agreement to provide collateral in lieu of a surety
bond;
``(B) bankruptcy estate funds pursuant to section
345(b)(2) of title 11, United States Code;
``(C) extensions of credit, including any
overdraft, from a Federal reserve bank or Federal home
loan bank; or
``(D) one or more qualified financial contracts, as
defined in section 11(e)(8)(D),
shall not be deemed invalid pursuant to paragraph (1)(B) solely
because such agreement was not executed contemporaneously with
the acquisition of the collateral or because of pledges,
delivery, or substitution of the collateral made in accordance
with such agreement.''.
SEC. 910. DAMAGE MEASURE.
(a) In General.--Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting after section 561, as added by this Act,
the following:
``Sec. 562. Damage measure in connection with swap agreements,
securities contracts, forward contracts, commodity
contracts, repurchase agreements, or master netting
agreements
``If the trustee rejects a swap agreement, securities contract (as
defined in section 741), forward contract, commodity contract (as
defined in section 761), repurchase agreement, or master netting
agreement pursuant to section 365(a), or if a forward contract
merchant, stockbroker, financial institution, securities clearing
agency, repo participant, financial participant, master netting
agreement participant, or swap participant liquidates, terminates, or
accelerates such contract or agreement, damages shall be measured as of
the earlier of--
``(1) the date of such rejection; or
``(2) the date of such liquidation, termination, or
acceleration.''; and
(2) in the table of sections for chapter 5, by inserting
after the item relating to section 561 (as added by this Act)
the following:
``562. Damage measure in connection with swap agreements, securities
contracts, forward contracts, commodity
contracts, repurchase agreements, or master
netting agreements.''.
(b) Claims Arising From Rejection.--Section 502(g) of title 11,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(g)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) A claim for damages calculated in accordance with section 562
of this title shall be allowed under subsection (a), (b), or (c), or
disallowed under subsection (d) or (e), as if such claim had arisen
before the date of the filing of the petition.''.
SEC. 911. SIPC STAY.
Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970
(15 U.S.C. 78eee(b)(2)) is amended by adding at the end the following
new subparagraph:
``(C) Exception from stay.--
``(i) Notwithstanding section 362 of title
11, United States Code, neither the filing of
an application under subsection (a)(3) nor any
order or decree obtained by SIPC from the court
shall operate as a stay of any contractual
rights of a creditor to liquidate, terminate,
or accelerate a securities contract, commodity
contract, forward contract, repurchase
agreement, swap agreement, or master netting
agreement, as those terms are defined in
sections 101, 741, and 761 of title 11, United
States Code, to offset or net termination
values, payment amounts, or other transfer
obligations arising under or in connection with
one or more of such contracts or agreements, or
to foreclose on any cash collateral pledged by
the debtor, whether or not with respect to one
or more of such contracts or agreements.
``(ii) Notwithstanding clause (i), such
application, order, or decree may operate as a
stay of the foreclosure on, or disposition of,
securities collateral pledged by the debtor,
whether or not with respect to one or more of
such contracts or agreements, securities sold
by the debtor under a repurchase agreement, or
securities lent under a securities lending
agreement.
``(iii) As used in this subparagraph, the
term `contractual right' includes a right set
forth in a rule or bylaw of a national
securities exchange, a national securities
association, or a securities clearing agency, a
right set forth in a bylaw of a clearing
organization or contract market or in a
resolution of the governing board thereof, and
a right, whether or not in writing, arising
under common law, under law merchant, or by
reason of normal business practice.''.
SEC. 912. ASSET-BACKED SECURITIZATIONS.
Section 541 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by inserting after paragraph (7), as
added by this Act, the following:
``(8) any eligible asset (or proceeds thereof), to the
extent that such eligible asset was transferred by the debtor,
before the date of commencement of the case, to an eligible
entity in connection with an asset-backed securitization,
except to the extent such asset (or proceeds or value thereof)
may be recovered by the trustee under section 550 by virtue of
avoidance under section 548(a);''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
``(f) For purposes of this section--
``(1) the term `asset-backed securitization' means a
transaction in which eligible assets transferred to an eligible
entity are used as the source of payment on securities,
including, without limitation, all securities issued by
governmental units, at least one class or tranche of which was
rated investment grade by one or more nationally recognized
securities rating organizations, when the securities were
initially issued by an issuer;
``(2) the term `eligible asset' means--
``(A) financial assets (including interests therein
and proceeds thereof), either fixed or revo
2000
lving,
whether or not the same are in existence as of the date
of the transfer, including residential and commercial
mortgage loans, consumer receivables, trade
receivables, assets of governmental units, including
payment obligations relating to taxes, receipts, fines,
tickets, and other sources of revenue, and lease
receivables, that, by their terms, convert into cash
within a finite time period, plus any residual interest
in property subject to receivables included in such
financial assets plus any rights or other assets
designed to assure the servicing or timely distribution
of proceeds to security holders;
``(B) cash; and
``(C) securities, including without limitation, all
securities issued by governmental units;
``(3) the term `eligible entity' means--
``(A) an issuer; or
``(B) a trust, corporation, partnership,
governmental unit, limited liability company (including
a single member limited liability company), or other
entity engaged exclusively in the business of acquiring
and transferring eligible assets directly or indirectly
to an issuer and taking actions ancillary thereto;
``(4) the term `issuer' means a trust, corporation,
partnership, or other entity engaged exclusively in the
business of acquiring and holding eligible assets, issuing
securities backed by eligible assets, and taking actions
ancillary thereto; and
``(5) the term `transferred' means the debtor, under a
written agreement, represented and warranted that eligible
assets were sold, contributed, or otherwise conveyed with the
intention of removing them from the estate of the debtor
pursuant to subsection (b)(8) (whether or not reference is made
to this title or any section hereof), irrespective and without
limitation of--
``(A) whether the debtor directly or indirectly
obtained or held an interest in the issuer or in any
securities issued by the issuer;
``(B) whether the debtor had an obligation to
repurchase or to service or supervise the servicing of
all or any portion of such eligible assets; or
``(C) the characterization of such sale,
contribution, or other conveyance for tax, accounting,
regulatory reporting, or other purposes.''.
TITLE X--PROTECTION OF FAMILY FARMERS
SEC. 1001. PERMANENT REENACTMENT OF CHAPTER 12.
(a) Reenactment.--
(1) In general.--Chapter 12 of title 11, United States
Code, as reenacted by section 149 of division C of the Omnibus
Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act,
1999 (Public Law 105-277), is hereby reenacted, and as here
reenacted is amended by this Act.
(2) Effective date.--Subsection (a) shall take effect on
July 1, 2000.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 302 of the Bankruptcy Judges,
United States Trustees, and Family Farmer Bankruptcy Act of 1986 (28
U.S.C. 581 note) is amended by striking subsection (f).
SEC. 1002. DEBT LIMIT INCREASE.
Section 104(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(4) The dollar amount in section 101(18) shall be adjusted at the
same times and in the same manner as the dollar amounts in paragraph
(1) of this subsection, beginning with the adjustment to be made on
April 1, 2004.''.
SEC. 1003. CERTAIN CLAIMS OWED TO GOVERNMENTAL UNITS.
(a) Contents of Plan.--Section 1222(a)(2) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(2) provide for the full payment, in deferred cash
payments, of all claims entitled to priority under section 507,
unless--
``(A) the claim is a claim owed to a governmental
unit that arises as a result of the sale, transfer,
exchange, or other disposition of any farm asset used
in the debtor's farming operation, in which case the
claim shall be treated as an unsecured claim that is
not entitled to priority under section 507, but the
debt shall be treated in such manner only if the debtor
receives a discharge; or
``(B) the holder of a particular claim agrees to a
different treatment of that claim;''.
(b) Special Notice Provisions.--Section 1231(b) of title 11, United
States Code, as so designated by this Act, is amended by striking ``a
State or local governmental unit'' and inserting ``any governmental
unit''.
TITLE XI--HEALTH CARE AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
SEC. 1101. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Health Care Business Defined.--Section 101 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraph (27A), as added by this Act,
as paragraph (27B); and
(2) by inserting after paragraph (27) the following:
``(27A) `health care business'--
``(A) means any public or private entity (without
regard to whether that entity is organized for profit
or not for profit) that is primarily engaged in
offering to the general public facilities and services
for--
``(i) the diagnosis or treatment of injury,
deformity, or disease; and
``(ii) surgical, drug treatment,
psychiatric, or obstetric care; and
``(B) includes--
``(i) any--
``(I) general or specialized
hospital;
``(II) ancillary ambulatory,
emergency, or surgical treatment
facility;
``(III) hospice;
``(IV) home health agency; and
``(V) other health care institution
that is similar to an entity referred
to in subclause (I), (II), (III), or
(IV); and
``(ii) any long-term care facility,
including any--
``(I) skilled nursing facility;
``(II) intermediate care facility;
``(III) assisted living facility;
``(IV) home for the aged;
``(V) domiciliary care facility;
and
``(VI) health care institution that
is related to a facility referred to in
subclause (I), (II), (III), (IV), or
(V), if that institution is primarily
engaged in offering room, board,
laundry, or personal assistance with
activities of daily living and
incidentals to activities of daily
living;''.
(b) Patient and Patient Records Defined.--Section 101 of title 11,
United States Code, is amended by inserting after paragraph (40) the
following:
``(40A) `patient' means any person who obtains or receives
services from a health care business;
``(40B) `patient records
2000
' means any written document
relating to a patient or a record recorded in a magnetic,
optical, or other form of electronic medium;''.
(c) Rule of Construction.--The amendments made by subsection (a) of
this section shall not affect the interpretation of section 109(b) of
title 11, United States Code.
SEC. 1102. DISPOSAL OF PATIENT RECORDS.
(a) In General.--Subchapter III of chapter 3 of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 351. Disposal of patient records
``If a health care business commences a case under chapter 7, 9, or
11, and the trustee does not have a sufficient amount of funds to pay
for the storage of patient records in the manner required under
applicable Federal or State law, the following requirements shall
apply:
``(1) The trustee shall--
``(A) promptly publish notice, in 1 or more
appropriate newspapers, that if patient records are not
claimed by the patient or an insurance provider (if
applicable law permits the insurance provider to make
that claim) by the date that is 365 days after the date
of that notification, the trustee will destroy the
patient records; and
``(B) during the first 180 days of the 365-day
period described in subparagraph (A), promptly attempt
to notify directly each patient that is the subject of
the patient records and appropriate insurance carrier
concerning the patient records by mailing to the last
known address of that patient, or a family member or
contact person for that patient, and to the appropriate
insurance carrier an appropriate notice regarding the
claiming or disposing of patient records.
``(2) If, after providing the notification under paragraph
(1), patient records are not claimed during the 365-day period
described under that paragraph, the trustee shall mail, by
certified mail, at the end of such 365-day period a written
request to each appropriate Federal agency to request
permission from that agency to deposit the patient records with
that agency, except that no Federal agency is required to
accept patient records under this paragraph.
``(3) If, following the 365-day period described in
paragraph (2) and after providing the notification under
paragraph (1), patient records are not claimed by a patient or
insurance provider, or request is not granted by a Federal
agency to deposit such records with that agency, the trustee
shall destroy those records by--
``(A) if the records are written, shredding or
burning the records; or
``(B) if the records are magnetic, optical, or
other electronic records, by otherwise destroying those
records so that those records cannot be retrieved.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 3 of
title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 350 the following:
``351. Disposal of patient records.''.
SEC. 1103. ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE CLAIM FOR COSTS OF CLOSING A HEALTH
CARE BUSINESS AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
Section 503(b) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(8) the actual, necessary costs and expenses of closing a
health care business incurred by a trustee or by a Federal
agency (as that term is defined in section 551(1) of title 5)
or a department or agency of a State or political subdivision
thereof, including any cost or expense incurred--
``(A) in disposing of patient records in accordance
with section 351; or
``(B) in connection with transferring patients from
the health care business that is in the process of
being closed to another health care business;
``(9) with respect to a nonresidential real property lease
previously assumed under section 365, and subsequently
rejected, a sum equal to all monetary obligations due,
excluding those arising from or related to a failure to operate
or penalty provisions, for the period of 2 years following the
later of the rejection date or date of actual turnover of the
premises, without reduction or setoff for any reason whatsoever
except for sums actually received or to be received from a
nondebtor, and the claim for remaining sums due for the balance
of the term of the lease shall be a claim under section
502(b)(6); and''.
SEC. 1104. APPOINTMENT OF OMBUDSMAN TO ACT AS PATIENT ADVOCATE.
(a) In General.--
(1) Appointment of ombudsman.--Subchapter II of chapter 3
of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting after
section 331 the following:
``Sec. 332. Appointment of ombudsman
``(a) In General.--
``(1) Authority to appoint.--Not later than 30 days after a
case is commenced by a health care business under chapter 7, 9,
or 11, the court shall order the appointment of an ombudsman to
monitor the quality of patient care to represent the interests
of the patients of the health care business, unless the court
finds that the appointment of the ombudsman is not necessary
for the protection of patients under the specific facts of the
case.
``(2) Qualifications.--If the court orders the appointment
of an ombudsman, the United States trustee shall appoint 1
disinterested person, other than the United States trustee, to
serve as an ombudsman, including a person who is serving as a
State Long-Term Care Ombudsman appointed under title III or VII
of the Older Americans Act of 1965.
``(b) Duties.--An ombudsman appointed under subsection (a) shall--
``(1) monitor the quality of patient care, to the extent
necessary under the circumstances, including interviewing
patients and physicians;
``(2) not later than 60 days after the date of appointment,
and not less frequently than every 60 days thereafter, report
to the court, at a hearing or in writing, regarding the quality
of patient care at the health care business involved; and
``(3) if the ombudsman determines that the quality of
patient care is declining significantly or is otherwise being
materially compromised, notify the court by motion or written
report, with notice to appropriate parties in interest,
immediately upon making that determination.
``(c) Confidentiality.--An ombudsman shall maintain any information
obtained by the ombudsman under this section that relates to patients
(including information relating to patient records) as confidential
information. The ombudsman may not review confidential patient records,
unless the court provides prior approval, with restrictions on the
ombudsman to protect the confidentiality of patient records.''.
(2) Clerical amendment.--The table of sections for chapter
3 of title 11, United States Code, is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 331 the following:
``332. Appointment of ombudsman.''.
(b) Compensation of Ombudsman.--Section 330(a)(1) of title 11,
United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter proceeding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``an ombudsman appointed under section 331, or'' before ``a
professional person''; and
(2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``ombudsman,'' before
``professional person''.
SEC. 1105. DEBTOR IN P
2000
OSSESSION; DUTY OF TRUSTEE TO TRANSFER PATIENTS.
(a) In General.--Section 704(a) of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(11) use all reasonable and best efforts to transfer
patients from a health care business that is in the process of
being closed to an appropriate health care business that--
``(A) is in the vicinity of the health care
business that is closing;
``(B) provides the patient with services that are
substantially similar to those provided by the health
care business that is in the process of being closed;
and
``(C) maintains a reasonable quality of care.''.
(b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 1106(a)(1) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``sections 704(2), 704(5), 704(7),
704(8), and 704(9)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (2), (5), (7), (8),
(9), and (11) of section 704(a)''.
SEC. 1106. EXCLUSION FROM PROGRAM PARTICIPATION NOT SUBJECT TO
AUTOMATIC STAY.
Section 362(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after paragraph (28), as added by this Act, the following:
``(29) under subsection (a), of the exclusion by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services of the debtor from
participation in the medicare program or any other Federal
health care program (as defined in section 1128B(f) of the
Social Security Act pursuant to title XI of such Act or title
XVIII of such Act.''.
TITLE XII--TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS
SEC. 1201. DEFINITIONS.
Section 101 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, is amended--
(1) by striking ``In this title--'' and inserting ``In this
title the following definitions shall apply:'';
(2) in each paragraph, by inserting ``The term'' after the
paragraph designation;
(3) in paragraph (35)(B), by striking ``paragraphs (21B)
and (33)(A)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (23) and (35)'';
(4) in each of paragraphs (35A), (38), and (54A), by
striking ``; and'' at the end and inserting a period;
(5) in paragraph (51B)--
(A) by inserting ``who is not a family farmer''
after ``debtor'' the first place it appears; and
(B) by striking ``thereto having aggregate'' and
all that follows through the end of the paragraph and
inserting a semicolon;
(6) by striking paragraph (54) and inserting the following:
``(54) The term `transfer' means--
``(A) the creation of a lien;
``(B) the retention of title as a security
interest;
``(C) the foreclosure of a debtor's equity of
redemption; or
``(D) each mode, direct or indirect, absolute or
conditional, voluntary or involuntary, of disposing of
or parting with--
``(i) property; or
``(ii) an interest in property;''; and
(7) in each of paragraphs (1) through (35), in each of
paragraphs (36), (37), (38A), and (38B), and in each of
paragraphs (40) through (55), by striking the semicolon at the
end and inserting a period.
SEC. 1202. ADJUSTMENT OF DOLLAR AMOUNTS.
Section 104 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by section
322 of this Act, is amended by inserting ``522(f)(3),'' after
``522(d),'' each place it appears.
SEC. 1203. EXTENSION OF TIME.
Section 108(c)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``922'' and all that follows through ``or'', and inserting
``922, 1201, or''.
SEC. 1204. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in section 109(b)(2), by striking ``subsection (c) or
(d) of''; and
(2) in section 552(b)(1), by striking ``product'' each
place it appears and inserting ``products''.
SEC. 1205. PENALTY FOR PERSONS WHO NEGLIGENTLY OR FRAUDULENTLY PREPARE
BANKRUPTCY PETITIONS.
Section 110(j)(4) of title 11, United States Code, as so designated
by this Act, is amended by striking ``attorney's'' and inserting
``attorneys'''.
SEC. 1206. LIMITATION ON COMPENSATION OF PROFESSIONAL PERSONS.
Section 328(a) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``on a fixed or percentage fee basis,'' after ``hourly
basis,''.
SEC. 1207. EFFECT OF CONVERSION.
Section 348(f)(2) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``of the estate'' after ``property'' the first place it
appears.
SEC. 1208. ALLOWANCE OF ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
Section 503(b)(4) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting ``subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of'' before
``paragraph (3)''.
SEC. 1209. EXCEPTIONS TO DISCHARGE.
Section 523 of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, is amended--
(1) by transferring paragraph (15), as added by section
304(e) of Public Law 103-394 (108 Stat. 4133), so as to insert
such paragraph after subsection (a)(14);
(2) in subsection (a)(9), by striking ``motor vehicle'' and
inserting ``motor vehicle, vessel, or aircraft''; and
(3) in subsection (e), by striking ``a insured'' and
inserting ``an insured''.
SEC. 1210. EFFECT OF DISCHARGE.
Section 524(a)(3) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``section 523'' and all that follows through ``or that'' and
inserting ``section 523, 1228(a)(1), or 1328(a)(1), or that''.
SEC. 1211. PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY TREATMENT.
Section 525(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``student'' before
``grant'' the second place it appears; and
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking ``the program operated
under part B, D, or E of'' and inserting ``any program operated
under''.
SEC. 1212. PROPERTY OF THE ESTATE.
Section 541(b)(4)(B)(ii) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by inserting ``365 or'' before ``542''.
SEC. 1213. PREFERENCES.
(a) In General.--Section 547 of title 11, United States Code, as
amended by this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by striking ``subsection (c)'' and
inserting ``subsections (c) and (i)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(i) If the trustee avoids under subsection (b) a transfer made
between 90 days and 1 year before the date of the filing of the
petition, by the debtor to an entity that is not an insider for the
benefit of a creditor that is an insider, such transfer shall be
considered to be avoided under this section only with respect to the
creditor that is an insider.''.
(b) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply
to any case that is pending or commenced on or after the date of
enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1214. POSTPETITION TRANSACTIONS.
Section 549(c) of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``an interest in'' after ``transfer of''
each place it appears;
(2) by striking ``such property'' and inserting ``such real
property''; and
(3) by striking ``the interest'' and inserting ``such
interest''.
SEC. 1215. DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY OF THE ESTATE.
Section 726(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``1009,''.
SEC. 1216. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
Section 901(a) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this
Act, is amended by inserting ``1123(d),'' after ``1123(b),''.
SEC. 1217. ABANDONMENT OF RAILROAD LINE.
Section 1170(e)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``section 11347'' and inserting ``section 11326(a)''.
SEC. 1218. CONTENTS OF P
2000
LAN.
Section 1172(c)(1) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``section 11347'' and inserting ``section 11326(a)''.
SEC. 1219. DISCHARGE UNDER CHAPTER 12.
Subsections (a) and (c) of section 1228 of title 11, United States
Code, are amended by striking ``1222(b)(10)'' each place it appears and
inserting ``1222(b)(9)''.
SEC. 1220. BANKRUPTCY CASES AND PROCEEDINGS.
Section 1334(d) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by striking ``made under this subsection'' and
inserting ``made under subsection (c)''; and
(2) by striking ``This subsection'' and inserting
``Subsection (c) and this subsection''.
SEC. 1221. KNOWING DISREGARD OF BANKRUPTCY LAW OR RULE.
Section 156(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in the first undesignated paragraph--
(A) by inserting ``(1) the term'' before
```bankruptcy''; and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
``; and''; and
(2) in the second undesignated paragraph--
(A) by inserting ``(2) the term'' before
```document''; and
(B) by striking ``this title'' and inserting
``title 11''.
SEC. 1222. TRANSFERS MADE BY NONPROFIT CHARITABLE CORPORATIONS.
(a) Sale of Property of Estate.--Section 363(d) of title 11, United
States Code, is amended by striking ``only'' and all that follows
through the end of the subsection and inserting ``only--
``(1) in accordance with applicable nonbankruptcy law that
governs the transfer of property by a corporation or trust that
is not a moneyed, business, or commercial corporation or trust;
and
``(2) to the extent not inconsistent with any relief
granted under subsection (c), (d), (e), or (f) of section
362.''.
(b) Confirmation of Plan for Reorganization.--Section 1129(a) of
title 11, United States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(16) All transfers of property of the plan shall be made
in accordance with any applicable provisions of nonbankruptcy
law that govern the transfer of property by a corporation or
trust that is not a moneyed, business, or commercial
corporation or trust.''.
(c) Transfer of Property.--Section 541 of title 11, United States
Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, property
that is held by a debtor that is a corporation described in section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax
under section 501(a) of such Code may be transferred to an entity that
is not such a corporation, but only under the same conditions as would
apply if the debtor had not filed a case under this title.''.
(d) Applicability.--The amendments made by this section shall apply
to a case pending under title 11, United States Code, on the date of
enactment of this Act, or filed under that title on or after that date
of enactment, except that the court shall not confirm a plan under
chapter 11 of title 11, United States Code, without considering whether
this section would substantially affect the rights of a party in
interest who first acquired rights with respect to the debtor after the
date of the petition. The parties who may appear and be heard in a
proceeding under this section include the attorney general of the State
in which the debtor is incorporated, was formed, or does business.
(e) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to require the court in which a case under chapter 11 of
title 11, United States Code, is pending to remand or refer any
proceeding, issue, or controversy to any other court or to require the
approval of any other court for the transfer of property.
SEC. 1223. PROTECTION OF VALID PURCHASE MONEY SECURITY INTERESTS.
Section 547(c)(3)(B) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
striking ``20'' and inserting ``30''.
SEC. 1224. BANKRUPTCY JUDGESHIPS.
(a) Short Title.--This section may be cited as the ``Bankruptcy
Judgeship Act of 2001''.
(b) Temporary Judgeships.--
(1) Appointments.--The following bankruptcy judges shall be
appointed in the manner prescribed in section 152(a)(1) of
title 28, United States Code, for the appointment of bankruptcy
judges provided for in section 152(a)(2) of such title:
(A) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of California.
(B) Four additional bankruptcy judges for the
central district of California.
(C) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
district of Delaware.
(D) Two additional bankruptcy judges for the
southern district of Florida.
(E) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
southern district of Georgia.
(F) Two additional bankruptcy judges for the
district of Maryland.
(G) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of Michigan.
(H) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
southern district of Mississippi.
(I) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
district of New Jersey.
(J) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of New York.
(K) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
northern district of New York.
(L) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
southern district of New York.
(M) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of North Carolina.
(N) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of Pennsylvania.
(O) One additional bankruptcy judge for the middle
district of Pennsylvania.
(P) One additional bankruptcy judge for the
district of Puerto Rico.
(Q) One additional bankruptcy judge for the western
district of Tennessee.
(R) One additional bankruptcy judge for the eastern
district of Virginia.
(2) Vacancies.--The first vacancy occurring in the office
of a bankruptcy judge in each of the judicial districts set
forth in paragraph (1) shall not be filled if the vacancy--
(A) results from the death, retirement,
resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy judge; and
(B) occurs 5 years or more after the appointment
date of a bankruptcy judge appointed under paragraph
(1).
(c) Extensions.--
(1) In general.--The temporary office of bankruptcy judges
authorized for the northern district of Alabama, the district
of Delaware, the district of Puerto Rico, the district of South
Carolina, and the eastern district of Tennessee under
paragraphs (1), (3), (7), (8), and (9) of section 3(a) of the
Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1992 (28 U.S.C. 152 note) are
extended until the first vacancy occurring in the office of a
bankruptcy judge in the applicable district resulting from the
death, retirement, resignation, or removal of a bankruptcy
judge and occurring--
(A) 8 years or more after November 8, 1993, with
respect to the northern district of Alabama;
(B) 10 years or more after October 28, 1993, with
respect to the district of Delaware;
(C) 8 years or more after August 29, 1994, with
respect to the distr
2000
ict of Puerto Rico;
(D) 8 years or more after June 27, 1994, with
respect to the district of South Carolina; and
(E) 8 years or more after November 23, 1993, with
respect to the eastern district of Tennessee.
(2) Applicability of other provisions.--All other
provisions of section 3 of the Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1992
(28 U.S.C. 152 note) remain applicable to temporary office of
bankruptcy judges referred to in paragraph (1).
(d) Technical Amendments.--Section 152(a) of title 28, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking the first sentence and
inserting the following: ``Each bankruptcy judge to be
appointed for a judicial district, as provided in paragraph
(2), shall be appointed by the United States court of appeals
for the circuit in which such district is located.''; and
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in the item relating to the middle district of
Georgia, by striking ``2'' and inserting ``3''; and
(B) in the collective item relating to the middle
and southern districts of Georgia, by striking ``Middle
and Southern . . . . . . 1''.
(e) Effective Dates.--(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), this
section and the amendments made by this section shall take effect on
the date of the enactment of this Act.
(2) With respect to the temporary bankruptcy judgeship authorized
for the district of South Carolina under paragraph (8) of the
Bankruptcy Judgeship Act of 1992 (28 U.S.C. 152 note), subsection
(c)(1) as it applies to the extension specified in subparagraph (D) of
such subsection shall take effect immediately before December 31, 2000.
SEC. 1225. COMPENSATING TRUSTEES.
Section 1326 of title 11, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'';
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) if a chapter 7 trustee has been allowed compensation
due to the conversion or dismissal of the debtor's prior case
pursuant to section 707(b), and some portion of that
compensation remains unpaid in a case converted to this chapter
or in the case dismissed under section 707(b) and refiled under
this chapter, the amount of any such unpaid compensation, which
shall be paid monthly--
``(A) by prorating such amount over the remaining
duration of the plan; and
``(B) by monthly payments not to exceed the greater
of--
``(i) $25; or
``(ii) the amount payable to unsecured
nonpriority creditors, as provided by the plan,
multiplied by 5 percent, and the result divided
by the number of months in the plan.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title--
``(1) compensation referred to in subsection (b)(3) is
payable and may be collected by the trustee under that
paragraph, even if such amount has been discharged in a prior
proceeding under this title; and
``(2) such compensation is payable in a case under this
chapter only to the extent permitted by subsection (b)(3).''.
SEC. 1226. AMENDMENT TO SECTION 362 OF TITLE 11, UNITED STATES CODE.
Section 362(b)(18) of title 11, United States Code, is amended to
read as follows:
``(18) under subsection (a) of the creation or perfection
of a statutory lien for an ad valorem property tax, or a
special tax or special assessment on real property whether or
not ad valorem, imposed by a governmental unit, if such tax or
assessment comes due after the filing of the petition;''.
SEC. 1227. JUDICIAL EDUCATION.
The Director of the Federal Judicial Center, in consultation with
the Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees, shall
develop materials and conduct such training as may be useful to courts
in implementing this Act and the amendments made by this Act, including
the requirements relating to the means test and reaffirmations under
section 707(b) of title 11, United States Code, as amended by this Act.
SEC. 1228. RECLAMATION.
(a) Rights and Powers of the Trustee.--Section 546(c) of title 11,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(c)(1) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section and
subsection (c) of section 507, and subject to the prior rights of
holders of security interests in such goods or the proceeds thereof,
the rights and powers of the trustee under sections 544(a), 545, 547,
and 549 are subject to the right of a seller of goods that has sold
goods to the debtor, in the ordinary course of such seller's business,
to reclaim such goods if the debtor has received such goods while
insolvent, not later than 45 days after the date of the commencement of
a case under this title, but such seller may not reclaim such goods
unless such seller demands in writing reclamation of such goods--
``(A) not later than 45 days after the date of receipt of
such goods by the debtor; or
``(B) not later than 20 days after the date of commencement
of the case, if the 45-day period expires after the
commencement of the case.
``(2) If a seller of goods fails to provide notice in the manner
described in paragraph (1), the seller still may assert the rights
contained in section 503(b)(7).''.
(b) Administrative Expenses.--Section 503(b) of title 11, United
States Code, as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(10) the value of any goods received by the debtor not
later than 20 days after the date of commencement of a case
under this title in which the goods have been sold to the
debtor in the ordinary course of such debtor's business.''.
SEC. 1229. PROVIDING REQUESTED TAX DOCUMENTS TO THE COURT.
(a) Chapter 7 Cases.--The court shall not grant a discharge in the
case of an individual seeking bankruptcy under chapter 7 of title 11,
United States Code, unless requested tax documents have been provided
to the court.
(b) Chapter 11 and Chapter 13 Cases.--The court shall not confirm a
plan of reorganization in the case of an individual under chapter 11 or
13 of title 11, United States Code, unless requested tax documents have
been filed with the court.
(c) Document Retention.--The court shall destroy documents
submitted in support of a bankruptcy claim not sooner than 3 years
after the date of the conclusion of a bankruptcy case filed by an
individual under chapter 7, 11, or 13 of title 11, United States Code.
In the event of a pending audit or enforcement action, the court may
extend the time for destruction of such requested tax documents.
SEC. 1230. ENCOURAGING CREDITWORTHINESS.
(a) Sense of the Congress.--It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) certain lenders may sometimes offer credit to consumers
indiscriminately, without taking steps to ensure that consumers
are capable of repaying the resulting debt, and in a manner
which may encourage certain consumers to accumulate additional
debt; and
(2) resulting consumer debt may increasingly be a major
contributing factor to consumer insolvency.
(b) Study Required.--The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System (hereafter in this section referred to as the ``Board'') shall
conduct a study of--
(1) consumer credit industry practices of soliciting and
extending credit--
(A) i
2000
ndiscriminately;
(B) without taking steps to ensure that consumers
are capable of repaying the resulting debt; and
(C) in a manner that encourages consumers to
accumulate additional debt; and
(2) the effects of such practices on consumer debt and
insolvency.
(c) Report and Regulations.--Not later than 12 months after the
date of enactment of this Act, the Board--
(1) shall make public a report on its findings with respect
to the indiscriminate solicitation and extension of credit by
the credit industry;
(2) may issue regulations that would require additional
disclosures to consumers; and
(3) may take any other actions, consistent with its
existing statutory authority, that the Board finds necessary to
ensure responsible industrywide practices and to prevent
resulting consumer debt and insolvency.
SEC. 1231. PROPERTY NO LONGER SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION.
Section 541(b) of title 11, United States Code, is amended by
inserting after paragraph (8), as added by this Act, the following:
``(9) subject to subchapter III of chapter 5, any interest
of the debtor in property where the debtor pledged or sold
tangible personal property (other than securities or written or
printed evidences of indebtedness or title) as collateral for a
loan or advance of money given by a person licensed under law
to make such loans or advances, where--
``(A) the tangible personal property is in the
possession of the pledgee or transferee;
``(B) the debtor has no obligation to repay the
money, redeem the collateral, or buy back the property
at a stipulated price; and
``(C) neither the debtor nor the trustee have
exercised any right to redeem provided under the
contract or State law, in a timely manner as provided
under State law and section 108(b) of this title; or''.
SEC. 1232. TRUSTEES.
(a) Suspension and Termination of Panel Trustees and Standing
Trustees.--Section 586(d) of title 28, United States Code, is amended--
(1) by inserting ``(1)'' after ``(d)''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) A trustee whose appointment under subsection (a)(1) or under
subsection (b) is terminated or who ceases to be assigned to cases
filed under title 11, United States Code, may obtain judicial review of
the final agency decision by commencing an action in the United States
district court for the district for which the panel to which the
trustee is appointed under subsection (a)(1), or in the United States
district court for the district in which the trustee is appointed under
subsection (b) resides, after first exhausting all available
administrative remedies, which if the trustee so elects, shall also
include an administrative hearing on the record. Unless the trustee
elects to have an administrative hearing on the record, the trustee
shall be deemed to have exhausted all administrative remedies for
purposes of this paragraph if the agency fails to make a final agency
decision within 90 days after the trustee requests administrative
remedies. The Attorney General shall prescribe procedures to implement
this paragraph. The decision of the agency shall be affirmed by the
district court unless it is unreasonable and without cause based on the
administrative record before the agency.''.
(b) Expenses of Standing Trustees.--Section 586(e) of title 28,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(3) After first exhausting all available administrative remedies,
an individual appointed under subsection (b) may obtain judicial review
of final agency action to deny a claim of actual, necessary expenses
under this subsection by commencing an action in the United States
district court in the district where the individual resides. The
decision of the agency shall be affirmed by the district court unless
it is unreasonable and without cause based upon the administrative
record before the agency.
``(4) The Attorney General shall prescribe procedures to implement
this subsection.''.
SEC. 1233. BANKRUPTCY FORMS.
Section 2075 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``The bankruptcy rules promulgated under this section shall prescribe a
form for the statement required under section 707(b)(2)(C) of title 11
and may provide general rules on the content of such statement.''.
SEC. 1234. EXPEDITED APPEALS OF BANKRUPTCY CASES TO COURTS OF APPEALS.
(a) In General.--Section 158 of title 28, United States Code, is
amended--
(1) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following:
``(d)(1) In a case in which the appeal is heard by the district
court, the judgment, decision, order, or decree of the bankruptcy judge
shall be deemed a judgment, decision, order, or decree of the district
court entered 31 days after such appeal is filed with the district
court, unless not later than 30 days after such appeal is filed with
the district court--
``(A) the district court--
``(i) files a decision on the appeal from the
judgment, decision, order, or decree of the bankruptcy
judge; or
``(ii) enters an order extending such 30-day period
for cause upon motion of a party or upon the court's
own motion; or
``(B) all parties to the appeal file written consent that
the district court may retain such appeal until it enters a
decision.
``(2) For the purpose of this subsection, an appeal shall be
considered filed with the district court on the date on which the
notice of appeal is filed, except that in a case in which the appeal is
heard by the district court because a party has made an election under
subsection (c)(1)(B), the appeal shall be considered filed with the
district court on the date on which such election is made.
``(e) The courts of appeals shall have jurisdiction of appeals
from--
``(1) all final judgments, decisions, orders, and decrees
of district courts entered under subsection (a);
``(2) all final judgments, decisions, orders, and decrees
of bankruptcy appellate panels entered under subsection (b);
and
``(3) all judgments, decisions, orders, and decrees of
district courts entered under subsection (d) to the extent that
such judgments, decisions, orders, and decrees would be
reviewable by a district court under subsection (a).
``(f) In accordance with rules prescribed by the Supreme Court of
the United States under sections 2072 through 2077, the court of
appeals may, in its discretion, exercise jurisdiction over an appeal
from an interlocutory judgment, decision, order, or decree under
subsection (e)(3).''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Section 305(c) of title 11, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``section 158(d)'' and inserting
``subsection (e) or (f) of section 158''.
(2) Section 1334(d) of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``section 158(d)'' and inserting
``subsection (e) or (f) of section 158''.
(3) Section 1452(b) of title 28, United States Code, is
amended by striking ``section 158(d)'' and inserting
``subsection (e) or (f) of section 158''.
TITLE XIII--CONSUMER CREDIT DISCLOSURE
SEC. 1301. ENHANCED DISCLOSURES UNDER AN OPEN END CREDIT PLAN.
(a) Minimum Payment Disclosures.--Section 127(b) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(b)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(11)(A) In the case of an open end credit plan that
requires a minimum monthly payment of n
2000
ot more than 4 percent
of the balance on which finance charges are accruing, the
following statement, located on the front of the billing
statement, disclosed clearly and conspicuously: `Minimum
Payment Warning: Making only the minimum payment will increase
the interest you pay and the time it takes to repay your
balance. For example, making only the typical 2% minimum
monthly payment on a balance of $1,000 at an interest rate of
17% would take 88 months to repay the balance in full. For an
estimate of the time it would take to repay your balance,
making only minimum payments, call this toll-free number:
____________.' (the blank space to be filled in by the
creditor).
``(B) In the case of an open end credit plan that requires
a minimum monthly payment of more than 4 percent of the balance
on which finance charges are accruing, the following statement,
in a prominent location on the front of the billing statement,
disclosed clearly and conspicuously: `Minimum Payment Warning:
Making only the required minimum payment will increase the
interest you pay and the time it takes to repay your balance.
Making a typical 5% minimum monthly payment on a balance of
$300 at an interest rate of 17% would take 24 months to repay
the balance in full. For an estimate of the time it would take
to repay your balance, making only minimum monthly payments,
call this toll-free number: ____________.' (the blank space to
be filled in by the creditor).
``(C) Notwithstanding subparagraphs (A) and (B), in the
case of a creditor with respect to which compliance with this
title is enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, the
following statement, in a prominent location on the front of
the billing statement, disclosed clearly and conspicuously:
`Minimum Payment Warning: Making only the required minimum
payment will increase the interest you pay and the time it
takes to repay your balance. For example, making only the
typical 5% minimum monthly payment on a balance of $300 at an
interest rate of 17% would take 24 months to repay the balance
in full. For an estimate of the time it would take to repay
your balance, making only minimum monthly payments, call the
Federal Trade Commission at this toll-free number:
____________.' (the blank space to be filled in by the
creditor). A creditor who is subject to this subparagraph shall
not be subject to subparagraph (A) or (B).
``(D) Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), in
complying with any such subparagraph, a creditor may substitute
an example based on an interest rate that is greater than 17
percent. Any creditor that is subject to subparagraph (B) may
elect to provide the disclosure required under subparagraph (A)
in lieu of the disclosure required under subparagraph (B).
``(E) The Board shall, by rule, periodically recalculate,
as necessary, the interest rate and repayment period under
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
``(F)(i) The toll-free telephone number disclosed by a
creditor or the Federal Trade Commission under subparagraph
(A), (B), or (G), as appropriate, may be a toll-free telephone
number established and maintained by the creditor or the
Federal Trade Commission, as appropriate, or may be a toll-free
telephone number established and maintained by a third party
for use by the creditor or multiple creditors or the Federal
Trade Commission, as appropriate. The toll-free telephone
number may connect consumers to an automated device through
which consumers may obtain information described in
subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), by inputting information using a
touch-tone telephone or similar device, if consumers whose
telephones are not equipped to use such automated device are
provided the opportunity to be connected to an individual from
whom the information described in subparagraph (A), (B), or
(C), as applicable, may be obtained. A person that receives a
request for information described in subparagraph (A), (B), or
(C) from an obligor through the toll-free telephone number
disclosed under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C), as applicable,
shall disclose in response to such request only the information
set forth in the table promulgated by the Board under
subparagraph (H)(i).
``(ii)(I) The Board shall establish and maintain for a
period not to exceed 24 months following the effective date of
the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of
2001, a toll-free telephone number, or provide a toll-free
telephone number established and maintained by a third party,
for use by creditors that are depository institutions (as
defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act),
including a Federal credit union or State credit union (as
defined in section 101 of the Federal Credit Union Act (12
U.S.C. 1752)), with total assets not exceeding $250,000,000.
The toll-free telephone number may connect consumers to an
automated device through which consumers may obtain information
described in subparagraph (A) or (B), as applicable, by
inputting information using a touch-tone telephone or similar
device, if consumers whose telephones are not equipped to use
such automated device are provided the opportunity to be
connected to an individual from whom the information described
in subparagraph (A) or (B), as applicable, may be obtained. A
person that receives a request for information described in
subparagraph (A) or (B) from an obligor through the toll-free
telephone number disclosed under subparagraph (A) or (B), as
applicable, shall disclose in response to such request only the
information set forth in the table promulgated by the Board
under subparagraph (H)(i). The dollar amount contained in this
subclause shall be adjusted according to an indexing mechanism
established by the Board.
``(II) Not later than 6 months prior to the expiration of
the 24-month period referenced in subclause (I), the Board
shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Banking and
Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report on
the program described in subclause (I).
``(G) The Federal Trade Commission shall establish and
maintain a toll-free number for the purpose of providing to
consumers the information required to be disclosed under
subparagraph (C).
``(H) The Board shall--
``(i) establish a detailed table illustrating the
approximate number of months that it would take to
repay an outstanding balance if a consumer pays only
the required minimum monthly payments and if no other
advances are made, which table shall clearly present
standardized information to be used to disclose the
information required to be disclosed under subparagraph
(A), (B), or (C), as applicable;
``(ii) establish the table required under clause
(i) by assuming--
``(I) a significant number of different
annual percentage rates;
``(II) a significant number of different
account balances;
``(III)
2000
a significant number of different
minimum payment amounts; and
``(IV) that only minimum monthly payments
are made and no additional extensions of credit
are obtained; and
``(iii) promulgate regulations that provide
instructional guidance regarding the manner in which
the information contained in the table established
under clause (i) should be used in responding to the
request of an obligor for any information required to
be disclosed under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
``(I) The disclosure requirements of this paragraph do not
apply to any charge card account, the primary purpose of which
is to require payment of charges in full each month.
``(J) A creditor that maintains a toll-free telephone
number for the purpose of providing customers with the actual
number of months that it will take to repay the customer's
outstanding balance is not subject to the requirements of
subparagraph (A) or (B).
``(K) A creditor that maintains a toll-free telephone
number for the purpose of providing customers with the actual
number of months that it will take to repay an outstanding
balance shall include the following statement on each billing
statement: `Making only the minimum payment will increase the
interest you pay and the time it takes to repay your balance.
For more information, call this toll-free number: ________.'
(the blank space to be filled in by the creditor).''.
(b) Regulatory Implementation.--
(1) In general.--The Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve System (hereafter in this title referred to as the
``Board'') shall promulgate regulations implementing the
requirements of section 127(b)(11) of the Truth in Lending Act,
as added by subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Effective date.--Section 127(b)(11) of the Truth in
Lending Act, as added by subsection (a) of this section, and
the regulations issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection
shall not take effect until the later of--
(A) 18 months after the date of enactment of this
Act; or
(B) 12 months after the publication of such final
regulations by the Board.
(c) Study of Financial Disclosures.--
(1) In general.--The Board may conduct a study to determine
the types of information available to potential borrowers from
consumer credit lending institutions regarding factors
qualifying potential borrowers for credit, repayment
requirements, and the consequences of default.
(2) Factors for consideration.--In conducting a study under
paragraph (1), the Board should, in consultation with the other
Federal banking agencies (as defined in section 3 of the
Federal Deposit Insurance Act), the National Credit Union
Administration, and the Federal Trade Commission, consider the
extent to which--
(A) consumers, in establishing new credit
arrangements, are aware of their existing payment
obligations, the need to consider those obligations in
deciding to take on new credit, and how taking on
excessive credit can result in financial difficulty;
(B) minimum periodic payment features offered in
connection with open end credit plans impact consumer
default rates;
(C) consumers make only the required minimum
payment under open end credit plans;
(D) consumers are aware that making only required
minimum payments will increase the cost and repayment
period of an open end credit obligation; and
(E) the availability of low minimum payment options
is a cause of consumers experiencing financial
difficulty.
(3) Report to congress.--Findings of the Board in
connection with any study conducted under this subsection shall
be submitted to Congress. Such report shall also include
recommendations for legislative initiatives, if any, of the
Board, based on its findings.
SEC. 1302. ENHANCED DISCLOSURE FOR CREDIT EXTENSIONS SECURED BY A
DWELLING.
(a) Open End Credit Extensions.--
(1) Credit applications.--Section 127A(a)(13) of the Truth
in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637a(a)(13)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``consultation of tax adviser.--A
statement that the'' and inserting the following: ``tax
deductibility.--A statement that--
``(A) the''; and
(B) by striking the period at the end and inserting
the following: ``; and
``(B) in any case in which the extension of credit
exceeds the fair market value (as defined under the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of the dwelling, the
interest on the portion of the credit extension that is
greater than the fair market value of the dwelling is
not tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes.''.
(2) Credit advertisements.--Section 147(b) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1665b(b)) is amended--
(A) by striking ``If any'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--If any''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Credit in excess of fair market value.--Each
advertisement described in subsection (a) that relates to an
extension of credit that may exceed the fair market value of
the dwelling, and which advertisement is disseminated in paper
form to the public or through the Internet, as opposed to by
radio or television, shall include a clear and conspicuous
statement that--
``(A) the interest on the portion of the credit
extension that is greater than the fair market value of
the dwelling is not tax deductible for Federal income
tax purposes; and
``(B) the consumer should consult a tax adviser for
further information regarding the deductibility of
interest and charges.''.
(b) Non-Open End Credit Extensions.--
(1) Credit applications.--Section 128 of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1638) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the
following:
``(15) In the case of a consumer credit transaction that is
secured by the principal dwelling of the consumer, in which the
extension of credit may exceed the fair market value of the
dwelling, a clear and conspicuous statement that--
``(A) the interest on the portion of the credit
extension that is greater than the fair market value of
the dwelling is not tax deductible for Federal income
tax purposes; and
``(B) the consumer should consult a tax adviser for
further information regarding the deductibility of
interest and charges.''; and
(B) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the
following:
``(3) In the case of a credit transaction described in paragraph
(15) of subsection (a), disclosures required by that paragraph shall be
made to the consumer at the time of application for such extension of
credit.''.
(2) Credit advertisements.--Section 144
2000
of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1664) is amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(e) Each advertisement to which this section applies that relates
to a consumer credit transaction that is secured by the principal
dwelling of a consumer in which the extension of credit may exceed the
fair market value of the dwelling, and which advertisement is
disseminated in paper form to the public or through the Internet, as
opposed to by radio or television, shall clearly and conspicuously
state that--
``(1) the interest on the portion of the credit extension
that is greater than the fair market value of the dwelling is
not tax deductible for Federal income tax purposes; and
``(2) the consumer should consult a tax adviser for further
information regarding the deductibility of interest and
charges.''.
(c) Regulatory Implementation.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations
implementing the amendments made by this section.
(2) Effective date.--Regulations issued under paragraph (1)
shall not take effect until the later of--
(A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this
Act; or
(B) 12 months after the date of publication of such
final regulations by the Board.
SEC. 1303. DISCLOSURES RELATED TO ``INTRODUCTORY RATES''.
(a) Introductory Rate Disclosures.--Section 127(c) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(6) Additional notice concerning `introductory rates'.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), an application or solicitation to
open a credit card account and all promotional
materials accompanying such application or solicitation
for which a disclosure is required under paragraph (1),
and that offers a temporary annual percentage rate of
interest, shall--
``(i) use the term `introductory' in
immediate proximity to each listing of the
temporary annual percentage rate applicable to
such account, which term shall appear clearly
and conspicuously;
``(ii) if the annual percentage rate of
interest that will apply after the end of the
temporary rate period will be a fixed rate,
state in a clear and conspicuous manner in a
prominent location closely proximate to the
first listing of the temporary annual
percentage rate (other than a listing of the
temporary annual percentage rate in the tabular
format described in section 122(c)), the time
period in which the introductory period will
end and the annual percentage rate that will
apply after the end of the introductory period;
and
``(iii) if the annual percentage rate that
will apply after the end of the temporary rate
period will vary in accordance with an index,
state in a clear and conspicuous manner in a
prominent location closely proximate to the
first listing of the temporary annual
percentage rate (other than a listing in the
tabular format prescribed by section 122(c)),
the time period in which the introductory
period will end and the rate that will apply
after that, based on an annual percentage rate
that was in effect within 60 days before the
date of mailing the application or
solicitation.
``(B) Exception.--Clauses (ii) and (iii) of
subparagraph (A) do not apply with respect to any
listing of a temporary annual percentage rate on an
envelope or other enclosure in which an application or
solicitation to open a credit card account is mailed.
``(C) Conditions for introductory rates.--An
application or solicitation to open a credit card
account for which a disclosure is required under
paragraph (1), and that offers a temporary annual
percentage rate of interest shall, if that rate of
interest is revocable under any circumstance or upon
any event, clearly and conspicuously disclose, in a
prominent manner on or with such application or
solicitation--
``(i) a general description of the
circumstances that may result in the revocation
of the temporary annual percentage rate; and
``(ii) if the annual percentage rate that
will apply upon the revocation of the temporary
annual percentage rate--
``(I) will be a fixed rate, the
annual percentage rate that will apply
upon the revocation of the temporary
annual percentage rate; or
``(II) will vary in accordance with
an index, the rate that will apply
after the temporary rate, based on an
annual percentage rate that was in
effect within 60 days before the date
of mailing the application or
solicitation.
``(D) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
``(i) the terms `temporary annual
percentage rate of interest' and `temporary
annual percentage rate' mean any rate of
interest applicable to a credit card account
for an introductory period of less than 1 year,
if that rate is less than an annual percentage
rate that was in effect within 60 days before
the date of mailing the application or
solicitation; and
``(ii) the term `introductory period' means
the maximum time period for which the temporary
annual percentage rate may be applicable.
``(E) Relation to other disclosure requirements.--
Nothing in this paragraph may be construed to supersede
subsection (a) of section 122, or any disclosure
required by paragraph (1) or any other provision of
this subsection.''.
(b) Regulatory Implementation.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations
implementing the requirements of section 127(c)(6) of the Truth
in Lending Act, as added by this section.
(2) Effective date.--Section 127(c)(6) of the Truth in
Lending Act, as added by this section, and regulations issued
under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall not take effect
until the later of--
(A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this
Act; or
(B) 12 months after the date of publication of such
final regulations by the Board.
SEC. 1304. INTERNET-BASED CREDIT CAR
2000
D SOLICITATIONS.
(a) Internet-Based Solicitations.--Section 127(c) of the Truth in
Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(c)) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(7) Internet-based solicitations.--
``(A) In general.--In any solicitation to open a
credit card account for any person under an open end
consumer credit plan using the Internet or other
interactive computer service, the person making the
solicitation shall clearly and conspicuously disclose--
``(i) the information described in
subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1); and
``(ii) the information described in
paragraph (6).
``(B) Form of disclosure.--The disclosures required
by subparagraph (A) shall be--
``(i) readily accessible to consumers in
close proximity to the solicitation to open a
credit card account; and
``(ii) updated regularly to reflect the
current policies, terms, and fee amounts
applicable to the credit card account.
``(C) Definitions.--For purposes of this
paragraph--
``(i) the term `Internet' means the
international computer network of both Federal
and non-Federal interoperable packet switched
data networks; and
``(ii) the term `interactive computer
service' means any information service, system,
or access software provider that provides or
enables computer access by multiple users to a
computer server, including specifically a
service or system that provides access to the
Internet and such systems operated or services
offered by libraries or educational
institutions.''.
(b) Regulatory Implementation.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations
implementing the requirements of section 127(c)(7) of the Truth
in Lending Act, as added by this section.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
and the regulations issued under paragraph (1) of this
subsection shall not take effect until the later of--
(A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this
Act; or
(B) 12 months after the date of publication of such
final regulations by the Board.
SEC. 1305. DISCLOSURES RELATED TO LATE PAYMENT DEADLINES AND PENALTIES.
(a) Disclosures Related to Late Payment Deadlines and Penalties.--
Section 127(b) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637(b)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(12) If a late payment fee is to be imposed due to the
failure of the obligor to make payment on or before a required
payment due date, the following shall be stated clearly and
conspicuously on the billing statement:
``(A) The date on which that payment is due or, if
different, the earliest date on which a late payment
fee may be charged.
``(B) The amount of the late payment fee to be
imposed if payment is made after such date.''.
(b) Regulatory Implementation.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations
implementing the requirements of section 127(b)(12) of the
Truth in Lending Act, as added by this section.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
and regulations issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection
shall not take effect until the later of--
(A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this
Act; or
(B) 12 months after the date of publication of such
final regulations by the Board.
SEC. 1306. PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR FAILURE TO INCUR FINANCE
CHARGES.
(a) Prohibition on Certain Actions for Failure To Incur Finance
Charges.--Section 127 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1637) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Prohibition on Certain Actions for Failure To Incur Finance
Charges.--A creditor of an account under an open end consumer credit
plan may not terminate an account prior to its expiration date solely
because the consumer has not incurred finance charges on the account.
Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit a creditor from terminating
an account for inactivity in 3 or more consecutive months.''.
(b) Regulatory Implementation.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall promulgate regulations
implementing the requirements of section 127(h) of the Truth in
Lending Act, as added by this section.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
and regulations issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection
shall not take effect until the later of--
(A) 12 months after the date of enactment of this
Act; or
(B) 12 months after the date of publication of such
final regulations by the Board.
SEC. 1307. DUAL USE DEBIT CARD.
(a) Report.--The Board may conduct a study of, and present to
Congress a report containing its analysis of, consumer protections
under existing law to limit the liability of consumers for unauthorized
use of a debit card or similar access device. Such report, if
submitted, shall include recommendations for legislative initiatives,
if any, of the Board, based on its findings.
(b) Considerations.--In preparing a report under subsection (a),
the Board may include--
(1) the extent to which section 909 of the Electronic Fund
Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693g), as in effect at the time of the
report, and the implementing regulations promulgated by the
Board to carry out that section provide adequate unauthorized
use liability protection for consumers;
(2) the extent to which any voluntary industry rules have
enhanced or may enhance the level of protection afforded
consumers in connection with such unauthorized use liability;
and
(3) whether amendments to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act
(15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq.), or revisions to regulations
promulgated by the Board to carry out that Act, are necessary
to further address adequate protection for consumers concerning
unauthorized use liability.
SEC. 1308. STUDY OF BANKRUPTCY IMPACT OF CREDIT EXTENDED TO DEPENDENT
STUDENTS.
(a) Study.--
(1) In general.--The Board shall conduct a study regarding
the impact that the extension of credit described in paragraph
(2) has on the rate of bankruptcy cases filed under title 11,
United States Code.
(2) Extension of credit.--The extension of credit described
in this paragraph is the extension of credit to individuals who
are--
(A) claimed as dependents for purposes of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and
(B) enrolled within 1 year of successfully
completing all required secondary education
requirements and on a full-time basis, in postsecondary
educational institutions.
(b) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Board shall submit to the Senate and the House of
Representatives a report summarizing the results of the study conducted
under subsection (a).
SEC. 1309. CLARI
dd3
FICATION OF CLEAR AND CONSPICUOUS.
(a) Regulations.--Not later than 6 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Board, in consultation with the other
Federal banking agencies (as defined in section 3 of the Federal
Deposit Insurance Act), the National Credit Union Administration Board,
and the Federal Trade Commission, shall promulgate regulations to
provide guidance regarding the meaning of the term ``clear and
conspicuous'', as used in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of section
127(b)(11) and clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 127(c)(6)(A) of the
Truth in Lending Act.
(b) Examples.--Regulations promulgated under subsection (a) shall
include examples of clear and conspicuous model disclosures for the
purposes of disclosures required by the provisions of the Truth in
Lending Act referred to in subsection (a).
(c) Standards.--In promulgating regulations under this section, the
Board shall ensure that the clear and conspicuous standard required for
disclosures made under the provisions of the Truth in Lending Act
referred to in subsection (a) can be implemented in a manner which
results in disclosures which are reasonably understandable and designed
to call attention to the nature and significance of the information in
the notice.
SEC. 1310. ENFORCEMENT OF CERTAIN FOREIGN JUDGMENTS BARRED.
(a) In General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law or
contract, a court within the United States shall not recognize or
enforce any judgment rendered in a foreign court if, by clear and
convincing evidence, the court in which recognition or enforcement of
the judgment is sought determines that the judgment gives effect to any
purported right or interest derived, directly or indirectly, from any
fraudulent misrepresentation or fraudulent omission that occurred in
the United States during the period beginning on January 1, 1975, and
ending on December 31, 1993.
(b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not prevent recognition or
enforcement of a judgment rendered in a foreign court if the foreign
tribunal rendering judgment giving effect to the right or interest
concerned determines that no fraudulent misrepresentation or fraudulent
omission described in subsection (a) occurred.
TITLE XIV--GENERAL EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS
SEC. 1401. EFFECTIVE DATE; APPLICATION OF AMENDMENTS.
(a) Effective Date.--Except as otherwise provided in this Act, this
Act and the amendments made by this Act shall take effect 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act.
(b) Application of Amendments.--Except as otherwise provided in
this Act, the amendments made by this Act shall not apply with respect
to cases commenced under title 11, United States Code, before the
effective date of this Act.
Passed the House of Representatives March 1, 2001.
Attest:
JEFF TRANDAHL,
Clerk.
Calendar No. 17
107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 333
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To amend title 11, United States Code, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
March 5, 2001
Received; read twice and placed on the calendar
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