Legislative Highlights Apr 1998

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<p>Reprinted from April 1998 <i>ABI Journal</i>

</p><p><small><b>Web posted and Copyright © April 2, 1998, American Bankruptcy Institute.</b></small>

</p><p>¶March was a busy month for <b>bankruptcy reform hearings</b>: four in the House and one in the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts may mark up its bill (S. 1301) as early as April 2; the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Commercial Law will wait until after the April 2-20 recess to mark up H.R. 3150.

</p><p>¶A bill to permit <b>religious tithing </b>and other charitable contributions in bankruptcy cases (S. 1244) is expected to pass the full Senate before the Senate’s April 4-19 Spring break. The bill allows up to 15 percent of income to be beyond the reach of trustees and creditors in chapter 7 and 13 cases.
</p><p>¶Sen. Grassley (R-IA) has drafted, but not yet introduced, legislation covering a number of <b>business bankruptcy</b> issues. Some of the issues are similar to those found in H.R. 3150 (<i>e.g.,</i> tax, small business) while others are new (<i>e.g.,</i> health care insolvencies, swap agreements). A hearing may be held in late April.
</p><p>¶Legislation to authorize 18 <b>new bankruptcy judges</b> is still pending in the Senate. Sen. Grassley’s approach would require pre-approval of all non-case-related judge travel. The Judicial Conference is opposed.

</p><p>¶The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation scheduled a hearing on the <b>future of</b> <b>Amtrak</b>, including the impact of a possible liquidation under the bankruptcy laws for the troubled rail line.
</p><p>¶ The AOUSC has announced the<b> automatic adjustment of certain dollar amounts</b>, required every three years pursuant to the 1994 Reform Act. Affected sections include chapter 13 eligibility, exemptions, priority claims and luxury goods limits within 60 days of a consumer filing.

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