Summary: Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2012 - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing expenses and claims to increase to $20,000: (1) allowed unsecured claims in the fourth order of priority (wages, salaries, or commissions); and (2) the factor multiplied by the number of employees covered with respect to employee benefit plan contributions in the fifth order of priority. Includes within the scope of a claim in bankruptcy certain equity securities held in a defined contribution plan for the benefit of certain individuals, but only if an employer or plan sponsor who has commenced a case in bankruptcy has committed fraud regarding the plan or has otherwise breached a duty to the participant that has proximately caused the loss of value. Allows as an administrative expense of the estate: (1) severance pay owed to certain employees of the debtor for layoff or termination (which pay shall be deemed earned in full), and (2) damages as a result of violation of law by the debtor. Includes among prerequisites for confirmation of a business reorganization bankruptcy plan (Chapter 11) provision for: (1) recovery of damages payable for the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement, or other financial returns as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative; (2) continued payment of retiree benefits maintained or established by the debtor before the petition filing date if no modifications are made before confirmation of the plan; and (3) recovery of claims arising from the modification of retiree benefits or for certain financial returns, as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative. Revises requirements governing: (1) rejection of collective bargaining agreements; (2) payment of insurance benefits to retired employees, including benefit modifications proposed by the trustee; and (3) a trustee's administrative power to dispose of property. Requires the court, in approving a sale of business assets, to consider the extent to which a bidder has offered to maintain existing jobs, preserve terms and conditions of employment, and assume or match pension and retiree health benefit obligations in determining whether an offer constitutes the highest or best offer for such property. Requires the bankruptcy court to allow certain claims asserted by an active or retired participant, or by a labor organization representing such participant, for any shortfall in pension benefits accrued as a result of the termination of the plan and limitations upon the payment of certain statutory benefits. States that, if employees have not received wages and benefits for services rendered on and after the date of the commencement of the case in bankruptcy, such unpaid obligations shall be deemed necessary costs and expenses of preserving, or disposing of, property securing an allowed secured claim and shall be recovered even if the trustee has otherwise waived certain provisions under an agreement with the holder of the allowed secured claim. Allows reduction of a debtor's time frame for filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan in the event of: (1) the filing of a motion seeking rejection of a collective bargaining agreement if a plan based upon an alternative proposal by the labor organization is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time; or (2) the proposed filing of a plan by a proponent other than the debtor, which incorporates the terms of a settlement with a labor organization, if such plan is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time. Modifies requirements for confirmation of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan to prohibit approval of: (1) payments or other distributions for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, and certain highly compensated employees or consultants providing services to the debtor, except as part of those generally applicable to the debtor's employees if the court determines that such payments are not excessive or disproportionate compared to distributions to the debtor's nonmanagement workforce; and (2) insider compensation unless approved by the court as reasonable according to specified criteria. Restricts: (1) certain executive compensation enhancements as part of the allowance of administrative expenses; (2) trustee assumption of certain deferred compensation arrangements for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor; and (3) trustee assumption of retiree benefits for insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor if the debtor has obtained relief to impose reductions in retiree benefits, or health benefits of active employees of the debtor, or has reduced or eliminated health benefits for active or retired employees within 180 days before the date of the commencement of the case. Requires the court, where a debtor has obtained relief by which it reduces the cost of its obligations under a collective bargaining agreement or a retiree plan, fund, or program of retiree benefits, to determine before granting relief the percentage diminution in the value of the obligations when compared to the debtor's obligations under the collective bargaining agreement, or with respect to retiree benefits. Authorizes the trustee in bankruptcy to avoid a transfer made in anticipation of bankruptcy to or for the benefit of an insider, including certain consultants who were formerly insiders and who are retained to provide services to an entity that becomes a debtor. Grants a labor organization creditor status for purposes of filing a proof of claim. Declares that the filing of a petition for relief does not operate as an automatic stay of the commencement or continuation of a dispute resolution proceeding established by a collective bargaining agreement that was or could have been commenced against the debtor before the filing of a petition, including payment or enforcement of an award or settlement under such proceeding.

protecting_employees retirees business bankruptcies act amends federal bankruptcy law governing expenses claims increase allowed unsecured claims fourth order priority wages salaries commissions factor multiplied number employees covered respect employee benefit plan contributions fifth order priority includes scope claim bankruptcy certain equity securities held defined contribution plan benefit certain individuals employer plan sponsor commenced case bankruptcy committed fraud plan breached duty participant proximately caused loss value allows administrative expense estate severance pay owed certain employees debtor layoff termination pay shall deemed earned damages result violation law debtor includes prerequisites confirmation business reorganization bankruptcy plan chapter provision recovery damages payable rejection collective bargaining agreement financial returns negotiated debtor authorized representative continued payment retiree benefits maintained established debtor petition filing date modifications confirmation plan recovery claims arising modification retiree benefits certain financial returns negotiated debtor authorized representative revises requirements governing rejection collective bargaining agreements payment insurance benefits retired employees including benefit modifications proposed trustee trustee administrative power dispose property requires court approving sale business assets consider extent bidder offered maintain existing jobs preserve terms conditions employment assume match pension retiree health benefit obligations determining offer constitutes highest best offer property requires bankruptcy court allow certain claims asserted active retired participant labor organization representing participant shortfall pension benefits accrued result termination plan limitations payment certain statutory benefits states employees received wages benefits services rendered date commencement case bankruptcy unpaid obligations shall deemed necessary costs expenses preserving disposing property securing allowed secured claim shall recovered trustee waived certain provisions agreement holder allowed secured claim allows reduction debtor time frame filing chapter bankruptcy plan event filing motion seeking rejection collective bargaining agreement plan based alternative proposal labor organization reasonably likely confirmed reasonable time proposed filing plan proponent debtor incorporates terms settlement labor organization plan reasonably likely confirmed reasonable time modifies requirements confirmation chapter bankruptcy plan prohibit approval payments distributions benefit insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees consultants providing services debtor generally applicable debtor employees court determines payments excessive disproportionate compared distributions debtor workforce insider compensation approved court reasonable according specified criteria restricts certain executive compensation enhancements allowance administrative expenses trustee assumption certain deferred compensation arrangements benefit insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees debtor trustee assumption retiree benefits insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees debtor debtor obtained relief impose reductions retiree benefits health benefits active employees debtor reduced eliminated health benefits active retired employees days date commencement case requires court debtor obtained relief reduces cost obligations collective bargaining agreement retiree plan fund program retiree benefits determine granting relief percentage diminution value obligations compared debtor obligations collective bargaining agreement respect retiree benefits authorizes trustee bankruptcy avoid transfer anticipation bankruptcy benefit insider including certain consultants insiders retained provide services entity debtor grants labor organization creditor status purposes filing proof claim declares filing petition relief operate automatic stay commencement continuation dispute resolution proceeding established collective bargaining agreement commenced debtor filing petition including payment enforcement award settlement proceeding


Summary: Fighting Fraud in Bankruptcy Act of 2011 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to prescribe remedies, including civil penalties, for a negligent, reckless, or fraudulent assertion of claim in a bankruptcy proceeding under either chapter 7 (liquidation) or chapter 13 (adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income). Prohibits the court, in any case involving a service member, from granting relief from an automatic stay upon request of a party in interest unless such party certifies under penalty of perjury that the requirements of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act pertaining to mortgages used as security on real or personal property have been met. Amends the federal judicial code to confer upon the U.S. trustee the duty to exercise the trustee's powers and authorities to prevent or remedy any negligent, reckless, or fraudulent assertion of a claim. Requires the Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees to establish specified audit procedures to determine the accuracy, veracity, and completeness of proofs of claim filed under federal bankruptcy laws.

fighting fraud bankruptcy act amends federal bankruptcy law prescribe remedies including civil penalties negligent reckless fraudulent assertion claim bankruptcy proceeding chapter liquidation chapter adjustment debts individual regular income prohibits court case involving service member granting relief automatic stay request party interest party certifies penalty perjury requirements servicemembers_civil_relief_act pertaining mortgages security real personal property met amends federal judicial code confer trustee duty exercise trustee powers authorities prevent remedy negligent reckless fraudulent assertion claim requires director executive_office trustees establish specified audit procedures determine accuracy completeness claim filed federal bankruptcy laws


Summary: Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2011 - Revises federal bankruptcy law with respect to the exemption from the exception to discharge in bankruptcy for certain educational loans if excepting such debt from discharge would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and debtor's dependents. Limits such exemption to the existing ones for: (1) 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; and (2) an obligation to repay funds received from a governmental unit as an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend. Repeals the current exemption for: (1) any loan made under any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit or nonprofit institution; and (2) any other qualified education loan incurred by an individual debtor on behalf of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or any dependent, including indebtedness used to refinance a qualified education loan. (Thus makes both kinds of loans nondischargeable in bankruptcy.)

fairness struggling students act revises federal bankruptcy law respect exemption exception discharge bankruptcy certain educational loans excepting debt discharge impose undue hardship debtor debtor dependents limits exemption existing ones educational benefit overpayment loan insured guaranteed governmental unit program funded governmental unit obligation repay funds received governmental unit educational benefit scholarship stipend repeals current exemption loan program funded governmental unit nonprofit institution qualified education loan incurred individual debtor behalf taxpayer taxpayer spouse dependent including indebtedness refinance qualified education loan makes kinds loans bankruptcy


Summary: Small Business Reorganization Efficiency and Clarity Act - (Sec. 2) Amends federal bankruptcy law to extend from 45 to 90 days the time within which the bankruptcy court must confirm a small business bankruptcy plan under chapter 11 (Reorganization). (Sec. 3) Modifies small business debtor reporting requirements to repeal the requirement for periodic filing of financial and other reports containing such other matters as are in the best interests of the debtor and creditors and in the public interest. (Sec. 4) Modifies restrictions on employment by a trustee of professional persons to declare a person is not disqualified for such employment by a small business debtor solely because the person holds a claim of less than $5,000 that arose before commencement of the case in bankruptcy. (Sec. 5) Modifies requirements for debtor conversion from chapter 11 to chapter 7 (Liquidation), or for dismissal in chapter 11, for cause to include within the scope of "cause" the failure of a small business debtor to designate itself as a small business debtor. (Sec. 6) Instructs the Comptroller General to report to Congress detailing: (1) the number and percentage of all cases filed under chapter 11 in which the debtor is a small business debtor, and (2) recommendations for improving the confirmation rate for small business debtors.

small business reorganization efficiency clarity act sec amends federal bankruptcy law extend days time bankruptcy court confirm small business bankruptcy plan chapter reorganization sec modifies small business debtor reporting requirements repeal requirement periodic filing financial reports containing matters best interests debtor creditors public interest sec modifies restrictions employment trustee professional persons declare person disqualified employment small business debtor solely person holds claim arose commencement case bankruptcy sec modifies requirements debtor conversion chapter chapter liquidation dismissal chapter cause include scope cause failure small business debtor designate small business debtor sec instructs comptroller_general report congress detailing number percentage cases filed chapter debtor small business debtor recommendations improving confirmation rate small business debtors


Summary: Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2012 - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing expenses and claims to increase to $20,000: (1) allowed unsecured claims in the fourth order of priority (wages, salaries, or commissions); and (2) the factor multiplied by the number of employees covered with respect to employee benefit plan contributions in the fifth order of priority. Includes within the scope of a claim in bankruptcy certain equity securities held in a defined contribution plan for the benefit of certain individuals, but only if an employer or plan sponsor who has commenced a case in bankruptcy has committed fraud regarding the plan or has otherwise breached a duty to the participant that has proximately caused the loss of value. Allows as an administrative expense of the estate: (1) severance pay owed to certain employees of the debtor for layoff or termination (which pay shall be deemed earned in full), and (2) damages as a result of violation of law by the debtor. Includes among prerequisites for confirmation of a business reorganization bankruptcy plan (Chapter 11) provision for: (1) recovery of damages payable for the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement, or other financial returns as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative; (2) continued payment of retiree benefits maintained or established by the debtor before the petition filing date if no modifications are made before confirmation of the plan; and (3) recovery of claims arising from the modification of retiree benefits or for certain financial returns, as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative. Revises requirements governing: (1) rejection of collective bargaining agreements; (2) payment of insurance benefits to retired employees, including benefit modifications proposed by the trustee; and (3) a trustee's administrative power to dispose of property. Requires the court, in approving a sale of business assets, to consider the extent to which a bidder has offered to maintain existing jobs, preserve terms and conditions of employment, and assume or match pension and retiree health benefit obligations in determining whether an offer constitutes the highest or best offer for such property. Requires the bankruptcy court to allow certain claims asserted by an active or retired participant, or by a labor organization representing such participant, for any shortfall in pension benefits accrued as a result of the termination of the plan and limitations upon the payment of certain statutory benefits. States that, if employees have not received wages and benefits for services rendered on and after the date of the commencement of the case in bankruptcy, such unpaid obligations shall be deemed necessary costs and expenses of preserving, or disposing of, property securing an allowed secured claim and shall be recovered even if the trustee has otherwise waived certain provisions under an agreement with the holder of the allowed secured claim. Allows reduction of a debtor's time frame for filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan in the event of: (1) the filing of a motion seeking rejection of a collective bargaining agreement if a plan based upon an alternative proposal by the labor organization is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time; or (2) the proposed filing of a plan by a proponent other than the debtor, which incorporates the terms of a settlement with a labor organization, if such plan is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time. Allows as an administrative expense, with respect to an employer's liability to a multiemployer pension plan for the employer's complete or partial withdrawal from the plan, where the withdrawal occurs on or after commencement of the case in bankruptcy, the amount of vested benefits payable from the pension plan that accrued as a result of employees' services rendered to the debtor between the date of commencement of the case in bankruptcy and the date of withdrawal from the plan. Modifies requirements for confirmation of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan to prohibit approval of: (1) payments or other distributions for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, and certain highly compensated employees or consultants providing services to the debtor, except as part of those generally applicable to the debtor's employees if the court determines that such payments are not excessive or disproportionate compared to distributions to the debtor's nonmanagement workforce; and (2) insider compensation unless approved by the court as reasonable according to specified criteria. Restricts: (1) certain executive compensation enhancements as part of the allowance of administrative expenses; (2) trustee assumption of certain deferred compensation arrangements for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor; and (3) trustee assumption of retiree benefits for insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor if the debtor has obtained relief to impose reductions in retiree benefits, or health benefits of active employees of the debtor, or has reduced or eliminated health benefits for active or retired employees within 180 days before the date of the commencement of the case. Requires the court, where a debtor has obtained relief by which it reduces the cost of its obligations under a collective bargaining agreement or a retiree plan, fund, or program of retiree benefits, to determine before granting relief the percentage diminution in the value of the obligations when compared to the debtor's obligations under the collective bargaining agreement, or with respect to retiree benefits. Authorizes the trustee in bankruptcy to avoid a transfer made in anticipation of bankruptcy to or for the benefit of an insider, including certain consultants who were formerly insiders and who are retained to provide services to an entity that becomes a debtor. Grants a labor organization creditor status for purposes of filing a proof of claim. Declares that the filing of a petition for relief does not operate as an automatic stay of the commencement or continuation of a dispute resolution proceeding established by a collective bargaining agreement that was or could have been commenced against the debtor before the filing of a petition, including payment or enforcement of an award or settlement under such proceeding.

protecting_employees retirees business bankruptcies act amends federal bankruptcy law governing expenses claims increase allowed unsecured claims fourth order priority wages salaries commissions factor multiplied number employees covered respect employee benefit plan contributions fifth order priority includes scope claim bankruptcy certain equity securities held defined contribution plan benefit certain individuals employer plan sponsor commenced case bankruptcy committed fraud plan breached duty participant proximately caused loss value allows administrative expense estate severance pay owed certain employees debtor layoff termination pay shall deemed earned damages result violation law debtor includes prerequisites confirmation business reorganization bankruptcy plan chapter provision recovery damages payable rejection collective bargaining agreement financial returns negotiated debtor authorized representative continued payment retiree benefits maintained established debtor petition filing date modifications confirmation plan recovery claims arising modification retiree benefits certain financial returns negotiated debtor authorized representative revises requirements governing rejection collective bargaining agreements payment insurance benefits retired employees including benefit modifications proposed trustee trustee administrative power dispose property requires court approving sale business assets consider extent bidder offered maintain existing jobs preserve terms conditions employment assume match pension retiree health benefit obligations determining offer constitutes highest best offer property requires bankruptcy court allow certain claims asserted active retired participant labor organization representing participant shortfall pension benefits accrued result termination plan limitations payment certain statutory benefits states employees received wages benefits services rendered date commencement case bankruptcy unpaid obligations shall deemed necessary costs expenses preserving disposing property securing allowed secured claim shall recovered trustee waived certain provisions agreement holder allowed secured claim allows reduction debtor time frame filing chapter bankruptcy plan event filing motion seeking rejection collective bargaining agreement plan based alternative proposal labor organization reasonably likely confirmed reasonable time proposed filing plan proponent debtor incorporates terms settlement labor organization plan reasonably likely confirmed reasonable time allows administrative expense respect employer liability multiemployer pension plan employer complete partial withdrawal plan withdrawal occurs commencement case bankruptcy vested benefits payable pension plan accrued result employees services rendered debtor date commencement case bankruptcy date withdrawal plan modifies requirements confirmation chapter bankruptcy plan prohibit approval payments distributions benefit insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees consultants providing services debtor generally applicable debtor employees court determines payments excessive disproportionate compared distributions debtor workforce insider compensation approved court reasonable according specified criteria restricts certain executive compensation enhancements allowance administrative expenses trustee assumption certain deferred compensation arrangements benefit insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees debtor trustee assumption retiree benefits insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees debtor debtor obtained relief impose reductions retiree benefits health benefits active employees debtor reduced eliminated health benefits active retired employees days date commencement case requires court debtor obtained relief reduces cost obligations collective bargaining agreement retiree plan fund program retiree benefits determine granting relief percentage diminution value obligations compared debtor obligations collective bargaining agreement respect retiree benefits authorizes trustee bankruptcy avoid transfer anticipation bankruptcy benefit insider including certain consultants insiders retained provide services entity debtor grants labor organization creditor status purposes filing proof claim declares filing petition relief operate automatic stay commencement continuation dispute resolution proceeding established collective bargaining agreement commenced debtor filing petition including payment enforcement award settlement proceeding


Summary: Family Farmer Bankruptcy Tax Clarification Act of 2012 - Amends chapter 12 (Debt Adjustment of a Family Farmer or Fisherman with Regular Annual Income) of federal bankruptcy law to revise the exclusion from the requirement of full payment under a discharged debtor's plan of any claim owed to a governmental unit arising as a result of the sale, transfer, exchange, or other disposition of a farm asset used in the debtor's farming operation (in which case the claim is treated as unsecured and not entitled to priority payment). Requires the debtor's plan to provide for: (1) the treatment as a non-priority unsecured claim of any claim owed to a governmental unit by the debtor or the estate arising as a result of the sale, transfer, exchange, or other disposition of a farm asset; but also (2) the payment of that claim. Repeals the precondition that such treatment may be made only if the debtor receives a discharge in bankruptcy. Authorizes a governmental unit to file postpetition claims relating to the disposition of farm assets. Authorizes the trustee or the debtor, also, to file such postpetition claims (including a claim for a tax for which a return is due) if the governmental unit has not filed by a specified deadline. Authorizes modification of the bankruptcy plan after its confirmation in order to provide for the payment of a non-priority unsecured claim presented by a governmental unit that arose after the petition filing date.

family farmer bankruptcy tax clarification act amends chapter debt adjustment family farmer fisherman regular annual income federal bankruptcy law revise exclusion requirement payment discharged debtor plan claim owed governmental unit arising result sale transfer exchange disposition farm asset debtor farming operation case claim treated unsecured entitled priority payment requires debtor plan provide treatment non priority unsecured claim claim owed governmental unit debtor estate arising result sale transfer exchange disposition farm asset payment claim repeals treatment debtor receives discharge bankruptcy authorizes governmental unit file claims relating disposition farm assets authorizes trustee debtor file claims including claim tax return governmental unit filed specified deadline authorizes modification bankruptcy plan confirmation order provide payment non priority unsecured claim presented governmental unit arose petition filing date


Summary:
Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2013 - Revises federal bankruptcy law with respect to the exemption from the exception to discharge in bankruptcy for certain educational loans if excepting such debt from discharge would impose an undue hardship on the debtor and debtor's dependents.

Limits such exemption to the existing ones for: (1) 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; and (2) an obligation to repay funds received from a governmental unit as an educational benefit, scholarship, or stipend.

Repeals the current exemption for: (1) any loan made under any program funded in whole or in part by a nonprofit institution; and (2) any other qualified education loan incurred by an individual debtor on behalf of the taxpayer, the taxpayer's spouse, or any dependent, including indebtedness used to refinance a qualified education loan. (Thus makes both kinds of loans nondischargeable in bankruptcy.)

fairness struggling students act revises federal bankruptcy law respect exemption exception discharge bankruptcy certain educational loans excepting debt discharge impose undue hardship debtor debtor dependents limits exemption existing ones educational benefit overpayment loan insured guaranteed governmental unit program funded governmental unit obligation repay funds received governmental unit educational benefit scholarship stipend repeals current exemption loan program funded nonprofit institution qualified education loan incurred individual debtor behalf taxpayer taxpayer spouse dependent including indebtedness refinance qualified education loan makes kinds loans bankruptcy


Summary:
Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2013 - Amends chapter 12 of federal bankruptcy law (Debt Adjustment of a Family Farmer or Fisherman with Regular Annual Income) with respect to discharge of governmental claims based upon the disposition of property used in a farming operation.

Treats any unsecured claim of a governmental unit against the debtor or debtor's estate as an unsecured debt (hence, not entitled to priority payment), if it results from the sale, transfer, exchange, or other disposition of any property used in the debtor's farming operation and it arises either: (1) before the petition in bankruptcy is filed, or (2) after such filing but before the debtor's discharge.

Authorizes a governmental unit to file a proof for a claim that arises after the date on which the petition is filed.

Requires such debt to be discharged in accordance with specified discharge procedures.

States that, for purposes of applying procedures governing plan confirmation, discharge, and modification after plan confirmation, the amount that would be paid on the claim if the estate were liquidated under chapter 7 shall be the amount that would be paid by the estate in a chapter 7 case if the claim were an unsecured claim arising before the date on which the petition was filed and not entitled to priority payment status.

family farmer bankruptcy clarification act amends chapter federal bankruptcy law debt adjustment family farmer fisherman regular annual income respect discharge governmental claims based disposition property farming operation treats unsecured claim governmental unit debtor debtor estate unsecured debt entitled priority payment results sale transfer exchange disposition property debtor farming operation arises petition bankruptcy filed filing debtor discharge authorizes governmental unit file proof claim arises date petition filed requires debt discharged accordance specified discharge procedures states purposes applying procedures governing plan confirmation discharge modification plan confirmation paid claim estate liquidated chapter shall paid estate chapter case claim unsecured claim arising date petition filed entitled priority payment status


Summary:
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2014 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to cite circumstances under which a medically distressed debtor may elect to exempt from the property of the estate in bankruptcy up to $250,000 of the debtor's aggregate interest in: (1) specified real or personal property that the debtor (or debtor's dependent) uses as a residence, (2) a cooperative that owns the property used as a residence by the debtor or a dependent of the debtor, or (3) a burial plot for the debtor or debtor's dependent.

Applies the same election to certain other property of a medically distressed debtor, including certain retirement funds held in a tax-exempt account.

Declares inapplicable to a medically distressed debtor: (1) certain presumptions that granting relief under Chapter 7 would constitute abuse of Chapter 7, and (2) mandatory court disapproval of a debtor's plan under chapter 13 upon objection by the trustee or the holder of an allowed unsecured claim.

Waives the credit counseling prerequisite for filing for debt relief in the case of a medically distressed debtor.

Permits a medically distressed debtor to discharge in bankruptcy debts for certain educational loans. Requires a debtor who seeks relief as a medically distressed debtor to attest in writing, and under penalty of perjury, that debtor's medical expenses are genuine, and are not specifically incurred to bring the debtor within the meaning of "medically distressed debtor."

medical bankruptcy fairness act amends federal bankruptcy law cite circumstances medically distressed debtor elect exempt property estate bankruptcy debtor aggregate interest specified real personal property debtor debtor dependent uses residence cooperative owns property residence debtor dependent debtor burial plot debtor debtor dependent applies election certain property medically distressed debtor including certain retirement funds held tax exempt account declares inapplicable medically distressed debtor certain presumptions granting relief chapter constitute abuse chapter mandatory court disapproval debtor plan chapter objection trustee holder allowed unsecured claim waives credit counseling prerequisite filing debt relief case medically distressed debtor permits medically distressed debtor discharge bankruptcy debts certain educational loans requires debtor seeks relief medically distressed debtor attest writing penalty perjury debtor medical expenses genuine specifically incurred bring debtor meaning medically distressed debtor


Summary:
Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2014 - Amends federal bankruptcy law governing expenses and claims to increase to $20,000: (1) allowed unsecured claims in the fourth order of priority (wages, salaries, or commissions), and (2) the factor multiplied by the number of employees covered with respect to employee benefit plan contributions in the fifth order of priority.

Includes within the scope of a claim in bankruptcy certain equity securities held in a defined contribution plan for the benefit of certain individuals, but only if an employer or plan sponsor who has commenced a case in bankruptcy has committed fraud regarding the plan or has otherwise breached a duty to the participant that has proximately caused the loss of value.

Allows as an administrative expense of the estate: (1) severance pay owed to certain employees of the debtor for layoff or termination (which pay shall be deemed earned in full), and (2) damages as a result of violation of law by the debtor.

Includes among prerequisites for confirmation of a business reorganization bankruptcy plan (Chapter 11) provision for: (1) recovery of damages payable for the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement, or other financial returns as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative; (2) continued payment of retiree benefits maintained or established by the debtor before the petition filing date if no modifications are made before confirmation of the plan; and (3) recovery of claims arising from the modification of retiree benefits or for certain financial returns, as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative.

Revises requirements governing: (1) rejection of collective bargaining agreements; (2) payment of insurance benefits to retired employees, including benefit modifications proposed by the trustee; and (3) a trustee's administrative power to dispose of property. Requires the court, in approving a sale of business assets, to consider the extent to which a bidder has offered to maintain existing jobs, preserve terms and conditions of employment, and assume or match pension and retiree health benefit obligations in determining whether an offer constitutes the highest or best offer for such property.

Requires the bankruptcy court to allow certain claims asserted by an active or retired participant, or by a labor organization representing such participant, for any shortfall in pension benefits accrued as a result of the termination of the plan and limitations upon the payment of certain statutory benefits.

States that, if employees have not received wages and benefits for services rendered on and after the date of the commencement of the case in bankruptcy, such unpaid obligations shall be deemed necessary costs and expenses of preserving, or disposing of, property securing an allowed secured claim and shall be recovered even if the trustee has otherwise waived certain provisions under an agreement with the holder of the allowed secured claim.

Allows reduction of a debtor's time frame for filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan in the event of: (1) the filing of a motion seeking rejection of a collective bargaining agreement if a plan based upon an alternative proposal by the labor organization is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time; or (2) the proposed filing of a plan by a proponent other than the debtor, which incorporates the terms of a settlement with a labor organization, if such plan is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time.

Modifies requirements for confirmation of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan to prohibit approval of: (1) payments or other distributions for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, and certain highly compensated employees or consultants providing services to the debtor, except as part of those generally applicable to the debtor's employees if the court determines that such payments are not excessive or disproportionate compared to distributions to the debtor's nonmanagement workforce; and (2) insider compensation unless approved by the court as reasonable according to specified criteria.

Restricts: (1) certain executive compensation enhancements as part of the allowance of administrative expenses; (2) trustee assumption of certain deferred compensation arrangements for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor; and (3) trustee assumption of retiree benefits for insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor if the debtor has obtained relief to impose reductions in retiree benefits, or health benefits of active employees of the debtor, or has reduced or eliminated health benefits for active or retired employees within 180 days before the date of the commencement of the case.

Allows as an administrative expense of a debtor's estate, with respect to withdrawal liability owed to a multiemployer pension plan for a complete or partial withdrawal under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), an amount equal to the amount of vested benefits payable from the plan that accrued as a result of employees' services rendered to the debtor during the period between the commencement of the case and the date of the withdrawal from the plan.

Requires the court, where a debtor has obtained relief by which it reduces the cost of its obligations under a collective bargaining agreement or a retiree plan, fund, or program of retiree benefits, to determine before granting relief the percentage diminution in the value of the obligations when compared to the debtor's obligations under the collective bargaining agreement, or with respect to retiree benefits.

Authorizes the trustee in bankruptcy to avoid a transfer made or incurred, on or within one year before the filing of the petition for relief, in anticipation of bankruptcy to or for the benefit of an insider, including certain consultants who were formerly insiders and who are retained to provide services to an entity that becomes a debtor.

Grants a labor organization creditor status for purposes of filing a proof of claim.

Declares that the filing of a petition for relief does not operate as an automatic stay of the commencement or continuation of a dispute resolution proceeding established by a collective bargaining agreement that was or could have been commenced against the debtor before the filing of a petition, including payment or enforcement of an award or settlement under such proceeding.

protecting_employees retirees business bankruptcies act amends federal bankruptcy law governing expenses claims increase allowed unsecured claims fourth order priority wages salaries commissions factor multiplied number employees covered respect employee benefit plan contributions fifth order priority includes scope claim bankruptcy certain equity securities held defined contribution plan benefit certain individuals employer plan sponsor commenced case bankruptcy committed fraud plan breached duty participant proximately caused loss value allows administrative expense estate severance pay owed certain employees debtor layoff termination pay shall deemed earned damages result violation law debtor includes prerequisites confirmation business reorganization bankruptcy plan chapter provision recovery damages payable rejection collective bargaining agreement financial returns negotiated debtor authorized representative continued payment retiree benefits maintained established debtor petition filing date modifications confirmation plan recovery claims arising modification retiree benefits certain financial returns negotiated debtor authorized representative revises requirements governing rejection collective bargaining agreements payment insurance benefits retired employees including benefit modifications proposed trustee trustee administrative power dispose property requires court approving sale business assets consider extent bidder offered maintain existing jobs preserve terms conditions employment assume match pension retiree health benefit obligations determining offer constitutes highest best offer property requires bankruptcy court allow certain claims asserted active retired participant labor organization representing participant shortfall pension benefits accrued result termination plan limitations payment certain statutory benefits states employees received wages benefits services rendered date commencement case bankruptcy unpaid obligations shall deemed necessary costs expenses preserving disposing property securing allowed secured claim shall recovered trustee waived certain provisions agreement holder allowed secured claim allows reduction debtor time frame filing chapter bankruptcy plan event filing motion seeking rejection collective bargaining agreement plan based alternative proposal labor organization reasonably likely confirmed reasonable time proposed filing plan proponent debtor incorporates terms settlement labor organization plan reasonably likely confirmed reasonable time modifies requirements confirmation chapter bankruptcy plan prohibit approval payments distributions benefit insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees consultants providing services debtor generally applicable debtor employees court determines payments excessive disproportionate compared distributions debtor workforce insider compensation approved court reasonable according specified criteria restricts certain executive compensation enhancements allowance administrative expenses trustee assumption certain deferred compensation arrangements benefit insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees debtor trustee assumption retiree benefits insiders senior executive officers certain highly compensated employees debtor debtor obtained relief impose reductions retiree benefits health benefits active employees debtor reduced eliminated health benefits active retired employees days date commencement case allows administrative expense debtor estate respect withdrawal liability owed multiemployer pension plan complete partial withdrawal employee retirement income security act erisa equal vested benefits payable plan accrued result employees services rendered debtor period commencement case date withdrawal plan requires court debtor obtained relief reduces cost obligations collective bargaining agreement retiree plan fund program retiree benefits determine granting relief percentage diminution value obligations compared debtor obligations collective bargaining agreement respect retiree benefits authorizes trustee bankruptcy avoid transfer incurred year filing petition relief anticipation bankruptcy benefit insider including certain consultants insiders retained provide services entity debtor grants labor organization creditor status purposes filing proof claim declares filing petition relief operate automatic stay commencement continuation dispute resolution proceeding established collective bargaining agreement commenced debtor filing petition including payment enforcement award settlement proceeding


Summary:
Consumer Debt Forgiveness Tax Relief Act of 2015

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income, for income tax purposes, income that is imputed to the discharge of qualified consumer indebtedness. Defines "qualified consumer indebtedness" as any indebtedness of a natural person arising out of a transaction in which the money, property, or services that are the subject of the transaction are primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Provides that the aggregate amount of discharged indebtedness excludible from gross income shall not exceed the excess of $2,500 over the aggregate amounts treated as qualified consumer indebtedness for all prior taxable years.

consumer debt forgiveness tax relief_act amends_the_internal_revenue_code exclude gross income income tax purposes income imputed discharge qualified consumer indebtedness defines qualified consumer indebtedness indebtedness natural person arising transaction money property services subject transaction primarily personal family household purposes provides aggregate discharged indebtedness excludible gross income shall exceed excess aggregate amounts treated qualified consumer indebtedness prior taxable years


Summary:
Stop Corporate Earnings Stripping Act of 2016

This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to limit the tax deduction available to certain foreign-controlled U.S. multinational corporations for excess interest on debt incurred by such corporation (i.e., earnings stripping) by: (1) repealing the debt-to-equity ratio threshold required for such deduction, (2) reducing the permitted net interest expense threshold from 50% to 25% of the corporation's adjusted taxable income, (3) repealing the carryforward of excess amounts of interest, and (4) limiting to five years the carryforward of disallowed interest expense.

stop corporate earnings act bill amends_the_internal_revenue_code limit tax deduction available certain foreign controlled multinational corporations excess interest debt incurred corporation earnings repealing debt equity ratio threshold required deduction reducing permitted net interest expense threshold corporation adjusted taxable income repealing excess amounts interest limiting years disallowed interest expense


Summary:
Enhancing United States Trustee Oversight Act of 2016

This bill authorizes U.S. trustees (who are appointed by the Attorney General to oversee certain bankruptcy cases and private trustees) to perform investigations, and to contract with auditors to perform audits, of trusts established as part of a reorganization plan confirmed under chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy code, including a trust with respect to which an injunction is issued to carry out a discharge and enjoin entities from taking legal action to collect payment on a claim or demand to be paid by the trust.

enhancing united_states trustee oversight act bill authorizes trustees appointed attorney general oversee certain bankruptcy cases private trustees perform investigations contract auditors perform audits trusts established reorganization plan confirmed chapter federal bankruptcy code including trust respect injunction issued carry discharge enjoin entities taking legal action collect payment claim demand paid trust


Summary:
Copyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement Act of 2016 or the CASE Act of 2016

This bill establishes in the U.S. Copyright Office a small claims board to serve as an alternative forum for parties to voluntarily seek to resolve certain copyright claims if the total monetary recovery sought by a party does not exceed $30,000.

The board is authorized to: (1) conduct hearings and conferences to facilitate parties' settlement of claims and counterclaims; (2) render independent determinations based on copyright laws and regulations; (3) award monetary relief; and (4) require cessation or mitigation of infringing activity, including the takedown or destruction of infringing materials, where the parties agree.

The bill preserves the right of parties to instead pursue a claim or defense in court.

Board proceedings shall not require in-person appearances by parties. Proceedings may take place through Internet-based teleconference applications.

Discovery shall be limited to the production of relevant information and documents, written interrogatories, and written requests for admission. But the board may consider a party's request for additional limited discovery.

A party may request: (1) the claims board to reconsider its determinations, and (2) the Register of Copyrights to review a claims board determination if the board denies reconsideration.

A final determination precludes relitigation of the claims before a court or the board, but parties may apply for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to vacate, modify, or correct a determination that: (1) was issued as a result of fraud, corruption, misrepresentation, or misconduct; (2) exceeds the board's authority or fails to render a definite determination; or (3) was based on a default determination or failure to prosecute that was due to excusable neglect.

If a party fails to pay or comply with relief awarded in a final board determination, the aggrieved party may apply for a court order confirming the final award.

copyright alternative small claims enforcement act case act bill establishes copyright office small claims board serve alternative forum parties voluntarily seek resolve certain copyright claims total monetary recovery sought party exceed board authorized conduct hearings conferences facilitate parties settlement claims render independent determinations based copyright laws regulations award monetary relief require cessation mitigation infringing activity including destruction infringing materials parties agree bill preserves right parties instead pursue claim defense court board proceedings shall require person appearances parties proceedings place internet based applications discovery shall limited production relevant information documents written written requests admission board consider party request additional limited discovery party request claims board reconsider determinations register copyrights review claims board determination board denies reconsideration final determination precludes claims court board parties apply district_court district_of_columbia vacate modify correct determination issued result fraud corruption misrepresentation misconduct exceeds board authority fails render definite determination based default determination failure prosecute neglect party fails pay comply relief awarded final board determination aggrieved party apply court order confirming final award


Summary:
Patents for Humanity Program Improvement Act

This bill allows the holder or successor of an acceleration certificate issued pursuant to the Patents for Humanity Program (a pilot awards program established by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office [USPTO] entitling awardees to accelerate certain USPTO proceedings for patented technologies addressing humanitarian needs among an impoverished population or for further research on humanitarian technologies) to transfer, including by sale, the entitlement to such certificate to another person.

patents humanity program improvement act bill allows holder successor acceleration certificate issued pursuant patents humanity program pilot awards program established patent trademark_office uspto awardees accelerate certain uspto proceedings patented technologies addressing humanitarian needs impoverished population research humanitarian technologies transfer including sale entitlement certificate person


Summary:
Fairness for American Small Creators Act

This bill establishes in the U.S. Copyright Office a copyright claims board to serve as an alternative forum for parties to choose to resolve certain copyright claims if the total damages sought by a party do not exceed $30,000.

The board must certify its determinations on copyright claims, counterclaims, and defenses for confirmation by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.

The board is authorized to: (1) conduct hearings and conferences; (2) facilitate settlements; (3) render independent determinations based on copyright laws and regulations without consultation from the Register of Copyrights regarding the facts of a case; (4) award damages; and (5) require cessation or mitigation of infringing activity, including the takedown or destruction of infringing materials, where the parties agree.

The bill preserves the right of parties to instead pursue a claim or defense in court.

The board may conduct proceedings through Internet-based teleconference applications.

Discovery shall be limited to the production of relevant information and documents, written interrogatories, and written requests for admission. But the board may request specific information or approve a party's request for additional limited discovery.

A party may request: (1) the claims board to reconsider its determinations, and (2) the Register of Copyrights to review whether the claims board abused its discretion in denying any requested reconsideration.

The Register of Copyrights may issue regulations to dispose of any claim with total damages of $5,000 or less through a process that provides for: (1) one copyright claims officer to consider the claim and issue a determination, and (2) a copyright claims attorney to determine whether the case shall be heard by one officer or the board.

A party may not assert before a court or tribunal any claim resolved by the board's final determination, but parties may petition the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to vacate, modify, or correct a determination that: (1) was issued as a result of fraud, corruption, misconduct, or undue means; (2) exceeds the board's authority or was executed so imperfectly that the determination was neither final nor definite; or (3) was based on a default determination or failure to prosecute that was due to excusable neglect.

If a party fails to pay damages or comply with relief awarded in a final board determination, the aggrieved party may apply for a court order confirming the final award.

fairness american small act bill establishes copyright office copyright claims board serve alternative forum parties choose resolve certain copyright claims total damages sought party exceed board certify determinations copyright claims defenses confirmation district_court district_of_columbia board authorized conduct hearings conferences facilitate settlements render independent determinations based copyright laws regulations consultation register copyrights facts case award damages require cessation mitigation infringing activity including destruction infringing materials parties agree bill preserves right parties instead pursue claim defense court board conduct proceedings internet based applications discovery shall limited production relevant information documents written written requests admission board request specific information approve party request additional limited discovery party request claims board reconsider determinations register copyrights review claims board abused discretion denying requested reconsideration register copyrights issue regulations dispose claim total damages process provides copyright claims officer consider claim issue determination copyright claims attorney determine case shall heard officer board party assert court tribunal claim resolved board final determination parties petition district_court district_of_columbia vacate modify correct determination issued result fraud corruption misconduct undue means exceeds board authority executed determination final definite based default determination failure prosecute neglect party fails pay damages comply relief awarded final board determination aggrieved party apply court order confirming final award


Summary:
Family Farmer Bankruptcy Clarification Act of 2015

 Amends chapter 12 of federal bankruptcy law (Debt Adjustment of a Family Farmer or Fisherman with Regular Annual Income) with respect to discharge of governmental claims based upon the disposition of property used in a farming operation.

Treats any unsecured claim of a governmental unit against the debtor or debtor's estate as an unsecured debt (hence, not entitled to priority payment), if it results from the sale, transfer, exchange, or other disposition of any property used in the debtor's farming operation and it arises either: (1) before the petition in bankruptcy is filed, or (2) after such filing but before the debtor's discharge.

Authorizes a governmental unit to file a proof for a claim that arises after the date on which the petition is filed.

Requires such debt to be discharged in accordance with specified discharge procedures.

States that, for purposes of applying procedures governing plan confirmation, discharge, and modification after plan confirmation, the amount that would be paid on the claim if the estate were liquidated under chapter 7 shall be the amount that would be paid by the estate in a chapter 7 case if the claim were an unsecured claim arising before the date on which the petition was filed and not entitled to priority payment status.


Summary:
Fairness for Struggling Students Act of 2015

This bill amends federal bankruptcy law to make privately issued student loans dischargeable in bankruptcy. Under current law, student loans (whether issued privately or by a governmental unit) are dischargeable only if excepting the loans from dischargeability would impose undue hardship on the debtor and the debtor's dependents.

fairness struggling students act bill amends federal bankruptcy law privately issued student loans dischargeable bankruptcy current law student loans issued privately governmental unit dischargeable excepting loans impose undue hardship debtor debtor dependents


Summary:
Protecting Employees and Retirees in Business Bankruptcies Act of 2015

Amends federal bankruptcy law governing expenses and claims to increase to $20,000: (1) allowed unsecured claims in the fourth order of priority (wages, salaries, or commissions), and (2) the factor multiplied by the number of employees covered with respect to employee benefit plan contributions in the fifth order of priority.

Includes within the scope of a claim in bankruptcy certain equity securities held in a defined contribution plan for the benefit of certain individuals, but only if an employer or plan sponsor who has commenced a case in bankruptcy has committed fraud regarding the plan or has otherwise breached a duty to the participant that has proximately caused the loss of value.

Allows as an administrative expense of the estate: (1) severance pay owed to certain employees of the debtor for layoff or termination (which pay shall be deemed earned in full), and (2) damages as a result of violation of law by the debtor.

Includes among prerequisites for confirmation of a business reorganization bankruptcy plan (Chapter 11) provision for: (1) recovery of damages payable for the rejection of a collective bargaining agreement, or other financial returns as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative; (2) continued payment of retiree benefits maintained or established by the debtor before the petition filing date if no modifications are made before confirmation of the plan; and (3) recovery of claims arising from the modification of retiree benefits or for certain financial returns, as negotiated by the debtor and the authorized representative.

Revises requirements governing: (1) rejection of collective bargaining agreements; (2) payment of insurance benefits to retired employees, including benefit modifications proposed by the trustee; and (3) a trustee's administrative power to dispose of property. Requires the court, in approving a sale of business assets, to consider the extent to which a bidder has offered to maintain existing jobs, preserve terms and conditions of employment, and assume or match pension and retiree health benefit obligations in determining whether an offer constitutes the highest or best offer for such property.

Requires the bankruptcy court to allow certain claims asserted by an active or retired participant, or by a labor organization representing such participant, for any shortfall in pension benefits accrued as a result of the termination of the plan and limitations upon the payment of certain statutory benefits.

States that, if employees have not received wages and benefits for services rendered on and after the date of the commencement of the case in bankruptcy, such unpaid obligations shall be deemed necessary costs and expenses of preserving, or disposing of, property securing an allowed secured claim and shall be recovered even if the trustee has otherwise waived certain provisions under an agreement with the holder of the allowed secured claim.

Allows reduction of a debtor's time frame for filing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan in the event of: (1) the filing of a motion seeking rejection of a collective bargaining agreement if a plan based upon an alternative proposal by the labor organization is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time; or (2) the proposed filing of a plan by a proponent other than the debtor, which incorporates the terms of a settlement with a labor organization, if such plan is reasonably likely to be confirmed within a reasonable time.

Modifies requirements for confirmation of a Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan to prohibit approval of: (1) payments or other distributions for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, and certain highly compensated employees or consultants providing services to the debtor, except as part of those generally applicable to the debtor's employees if the court determines that such payments are not excessive or disproportionate compared to distributions to the debtor's nonmanagement workforce; and (2) insider compensation unless approved by the court as reasonable according to specified criteria.

Restricts: (1) certain executive compensation enhancements as part of the allowance of administrative expenses; (2) trustee assumption of certain deferred compensation arrangements for the benefit of insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor; and (3) trustee assumption of retiree benefits for insiders, senior executive officers, or certain highly compensated employees of the debtor if the debtor has obtained relief to impose reductions in retiree benefits, or health benefits of active employees of the debtor, or has reduced or eliminated health benefits for active or retired employees within 180 days before the date of the commencement of the case.

Allows as an administrative expense of a debtor's estate, with respect to withdrawal liability owed to a multiemployer pension plan for a complete or partial withdrawal under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), an amount equal to the amount of vested benefits payable from the plan that accrued as a result of employees' services rendered to the debtor during the period between the commencement of the case and the date of the withdrawal from the plan.

Requires the court, where a debtor has obtained relief by which it reduces the cost of its obligations under a collective bargaining agreement or a retiree plan, fund, or program of retiree benefits, to determine before granting relief the percentage diminution in the value of the obligations when compared to the debtor's obligations under the collective bargaining agreement, or with respect to retiree benefits.

Authorizes the trustee in bankruptcy to avoid a transfer made or incurred, on or within one year before the filing of the petition for relief, in anticipation of bankruptcy to or for the benefit of an insider, including certain consultants who were formerly insiders and who are retained to provide services to an entity that becomes a debtor.

Grants a labor organization creditor status for purposes of filing a proof of claim.

Declares that the filing of a petition for relief does not operate as an automatic stay of the commencement or continuation of a dispute resolution proceeding established by a collective bargaining agreement that was or could have been commenced against the debtor before the filing of a petition, including payment or enforcement of an award or settlement under such proceeding.


Summary:
Consumer Reporting Fairness Act of 2015

This bill requires a creditor that has provided or furnished to a consumer reporting agency any item of information pertaining to an account based on a debt discharged in a case under the federal bankruptcy code to inform such agency that the debt has been discharged in bankruptcy and has a zero balance.

An individual injured by any willful violation of this provision shall recover actual damages, including costs and attorneys' fees, and may recover punitive damages in appropriate circumstances.

consumer reporting fairness act bill requires creditor provided furnished consumer reporting agency item information pertaining account based debt discharged case federal bankruptcy code inform agency debt discharged bankruptcy zero balance individual injured willful violation provision shall recover actual damages including costs attorneys fees recover punitive damages appropriate circumstances


Summary:
Taxpayer Protection and Responsible Resolution Act

This bill amends federal bankruptcy law with respect to a "covered financial corporation" incorporated or organized under any federal or state law (other than a stockbroker, a commodity broker, or a domestic or foreign insurance company or financial institution meeting certain criteria) that is: (1) a bank holding company; or (2) a corporation that exists for the primary purpose of owning, controlling, and financing subsidiaries predominantly engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to such an activity.

The bill adds "Chapter 14 - Liquidation, Reorganization, or Recapitalization of a Covered Financial Corporation," setting forth requirements and prohibitions regarding: (1) commencement of a case concerning a covered financial corporation; (2) a special trustee and bridge company; (3) special transfer of the property of the estate in bankruptcy; (4) treatment of qualified financial contracts and affiliate contracts; (5) licenses, permits, and registrations; (6) exemption from securities laws; and (7) inapplicability of certain avoiding powers.

A court may convert a case under chapter 14 to chapter 7 (Liquidation) if certain conditions are met.

The Judicial Code is amended to require the Chief Justice of the United States to designate at least 10 bankruptcy judges to be available to hear a bankruptcy case under chapter 14.

The bill prescribes requirements for assignment of bankruptcy judges to chapter 14 cases.

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is amended to repeal Title II (Orderly Liquidation Authority), governing the bankruptcy of financial institutions. Makes conforming amendments to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the Federal Reserve Act. The Federal Reserve Act is amended to prohibit a Federal Reserve bank from making advances for the purpose of providing debtor-in-possession financing to either: (1) a bridge company, or (2) a covered financial corporation that is a debtor in a pending case under Chapter 14. No funds appropriated to the federal government may be paid to a covered financial corporation or to any of its creditors to satisfy a claim in a case under chapter 14.

taxpayer protection responsible resolution act bill amends federal bankruptcy law respect covered financial corporation incorporated organized federal state law commodity broker domestic foreign insurance company financial institution meeting certain criteria bank holding company corporation exists primary purpose owning controlling financing subsidiaries predominantly engaged activities financial nature incidental activity bill adds chapter liquidation reorganization recapitalization covered financial corporation setting forth requirements prohibitions commencement case concerning covered financial corporation special trustee bridge company special transfer property estate bankruptcy treatment qualified financial contracts affiliate contracts licenses permits registrations exemption securities laws inapplicability certain avoiding powers court convert case chapter chapter liquidation certain conditions met judicial code amended require chief justice united_states designate bankruptcy judges available hear bankruptcy case chapter bill prescribes requirements assignment bankruptcy judges chapter cases dodd-frank_wall_street_reform consumer protection act amended repeal title orderly liquidation authority governing bankruptcy financial institutions makes conforming amendments federal_deposit_insurance_act federal_reserve_act federal_reserve_act amended prohibit federal_reserve_bank making advances purpose providing debtor possession financing bridge company covered financial corporation debtor pending case chapter funds appropriated federal_government paid covered financial corporation creditors satisfy claim case chapter


Summary:
Taxpayer Protection and Responsible Resolution Act

This bill amends federal bankruptcy law with respect to a "covered financial corporation" incorporated or organized under any federal or state law (other than a stockbroker, a commodity broker, or a domestic or foreign insurance company or financial institution meeting certain criteria) that is: (1) a bank holding company; or (2) a corporation that exists for the primary purpose of owning, controlling, and financing subsidiaries predominantly engaged in activities that are financial in nature or incidental to such an activity.

The bill adds "Chapter 14 - Liquidation, Reorganization, or Recapitalization of a Covered Financial Corporation," setting forth requirements and prohibitions regarding: (1) commencement of a case concerning a covered financial corporation; (2) a special trustee and bridge company; (3) special transfer of the property of the estate in bankruptcy; (4) treatment of qualified financial contracts and affiliate contracts; (5) licenses, permits, and registrations; (6) exemption from securities laws; and (7) inapplicability of certain avoiding powers.

A court may convert a case under chapter 14 to chapter 7 (Liquidation) if certain conditions are met.

The Judicial Code is amended to require the Chief Justice of the United States to designate at least 10 bankruptcy judges to be available to hear a bankruptcy case under chapter 14 .

The bill prescribes requirements for assignment of bankruptcy judges to chapter 14 cases.

No funds appropriated to the federal government may be paid to a covered financial corporation or to any of its creditors to satisfy a claim in a case under chapter 14.

taxpayer protection responsible resolution act bill amends federal bankruptcy law respect covered financial corporation incorporated organized federal state law commodity broker domestic foreign insurance company financial institution meeting certain criteria bank holding company corporation exists primary purpose owning controlling financing subsidiaries predominantly engaged activities financial nature incidental activity bill adds chapter liquidation reorganization recapitalization covered financial corporation setting forth requirements prohibitions commencement case concerning covered financial corporation special trustee bridge company special transfer property estate bankruptcy treatment qualified financial contracts affiliate contracts licenses permits registrations exemption securities laws inapplicability certain avoiding powers court convert case chapter chapter liquidation certain conditions met judicial code amended require chief justice united_states designate bankruptcy judges available hear bankruptcy case chapter bill prescribes requirements assignment bankruptcy judges chapter cases funds appropriated federal_government paid covered financial corporation creditors satisfy claim case chapter


Summary:
DUE PROCESS Act of 2016 or the Deterring Undue Enforcement by Protecting Rights of Citizens from Excessive Searches and Seizures Act of 2016

This bill amends the federal criminal code to revise provisions related to federal civil forfeiture cases. Specifically, the bill:

 raises the evidentiary standard in such cases from "preponderance of the evidence" to "clear and convincing evidence"; with respect to property owners who are indigent, provides for the appointment of counsel; provides for recovery of attorney's fees with respect to settled claims in which the claimant prevails; adds notice requirements; and expedites and otherwise modifies certain procedures. The Department of Justice must: (1) annually audit federal civil forfeiture cases, and (2) establish a publicly available database with respect to seizures in such cases.

process act deterring undue enforcement protecting rights citizens excessive searches seizures act bill amends federal criminal code revise provisions related federal civil forfeiture cases specifically bill raises evidentiary standard cases preponderance evidence clear convincing evidence respect property owners indigent provides appointment counsel provides recovery attorney fees respect settled claims claimant prevails adds notice requirements modifies certain procedures department_of_justice annually audit federal civil forfeiture cases establish publicly available database respect seizures cases


Summary:
Wage and Garnishment Equity Act of 2016 or the WAGE Act

This bill amends the Consumer Credit Protection Act to define "assignment" (of wages and earnings) to exclude payroll deductions or preauthorized payment plans and any assignment applicable only to earnings already earned.

 The bill adjusts the maximum part of a person's aggregate disposable earnings for any workweek that is subject to garnishment or assignment. Such amount shall not exceed the lesser of: (1) 10% of earnings for an individual earning $1200 or less weekly (15% for an individual earning more than $1200), or (2) the amount by which the earnings exceed 80 (currently, 30) times the federal minimum hourly wage in effect.

No employer may take any adverse employment action against an employee because the employee's earnings have been subject to garnishment or assignment.

The Department of Labor may provide the same exemption from maximum allowable garnishment requirements for state-regulated assignments as it does for state-regulated garnishments.

The bill requires specified delays of garnishment pursuant to an order directed at an employer with fewer than 50 employees.

Of the aggregate amount of an individual's funds in deposit accounts, $10,000 (as adjusted for inflation every three years) shall be exempt and immune from attachment or seizure for any judgment related to a debt.

wage garnishment equity act wage act bill amends consumer_credit_protection_act define assignment wages earnings exclude payroll deductions preauthorized payment plans assignment applicable earnings earned bill adjusts maximum person aggregate disposable earnings workweek subject garnishment assignment shall exceed lesser earnings individual earning weekly individual earning earnings exceed currently times federal minimum hourly wage effect employer adverse employment action employee employee earnings subject garnishment assignment department_of_labor provide exemption maximum allowable garnishment requirements state regulated assignments state regulated bill requires specified delays garnishment pursuant order directed employer fewer employees aggregate individual funds deposit accounts adjusted inflation years shall exempt immune attachment seizure judgment related debt


Summary:
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2016

This bill amends federal bankruptcy law to allow a medically distressed debtor to exempt, from the property of the estate in bankruptcy, up to $250,000 of the debtor's aggregate interest in: (1) specified real or personal property that the debtor or debtor's dependent uses as a residence, (2) a cooperative that owns such property, or (3) a burial plot for the debtor or debtor's dependent.

With respect to a medically distressed debtor, the bill waives certain administrative and procedural requirements.

In addition, the bill allows a medically distressed debtor to discharge in bankruptcy debts for certain educational loans.

A debtor who seeks relief as a medically distressed debtor must attest in writing, under penalty of perjury, that the debtor's medical expenses are genuine and were not specifically incurred to bring the debtor within the meaning of "medically distressed debtor."

medical bankruptcy fairness act bill amends federal bankruptcy law allow medically distressed debtor exempt property estate bankruptcy debtor aggregate interest specified real personal property debtor debtor dependent uses residence cooperative owns property burial plot debtor debtor dependent respect medically distressed debtor bill waives certain administrative procedural requirements addition bill allows medically distressed debtor discharge bankruptcy debts certain educational loans debtor seeks relief medically distressed debtor attest writing penalty perjury debtor medical expenses genuine specifically incurred bring debtor meaning medically distressed debtor


Summary:
Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2016

This bill requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees, and the Federal Judicial Center to jointly develop and periodically update recommendations regarding the judicial expertise that is required to oversee the bankruptcy process for financial companies and other specified issues related to the bankruptcy process.

After the recommendations are submitted, the U.S. Supreme Court must issue a rule that provides for the orderly appointment of a bankruptcy judge or district court judge with expertise in the resolution of financial companies under the federal bankruptcy code to oversee a bankruptcy case involving a financial company.

The bill amends the federal bankruptcy code to permit specified financial regulators to raise, appear, and be heard on any issues in a bankruptcy case or proceeding in which the debtor is a financial company.

The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation must nominate five disinterested individuals to serve as trustees for a financial company debtor. The U.S. trustee must appoint one of the nominees as a trustee, and the trustee is exempt from the requirements for residency or an office in the judicial district where the case is pending.

The Office of Financial Research must submit to Congress a report summarizing and evaluating various analytical works that examine bankruptcy policies. The report must address the effectiveness of the bankruptcy code, a bridge company study, a financing and liquidity study, and a master netting agreement study. It must also include recommendations regarding any legislative or regulatory changes that could address gaps or vulnerabilities identified.

bankruptcy fairness act bill requires administrative office courts executive_office trustees federal judicial center jointly develop periodically update recommendations judicial expertise required oversee bankruptcy process financial companies specified issues related bankruptcy process recommendations submitted supreme_court issue rule provides orderly appointment bankruptcy judge district_court judge expertise resolution financial companies federal bankruptcy code oversee bankruptcy case involving financial company bill amends federal bankruptcy code permit specified financial regulators raise appear heard issues bankruptcy case proceeding debtor financial company board_of_governors federal_reserve_system federal_deposit_insurance_corporation nominate individuals serve trustees financial company debtor trustee appoint nominees trustee trustee exempt requirements residency office judicial district case pending office_of_financial_research submit congress report summarizing evaluating analytical works examine bankruptcy policies report address effectiveness bankruptcy code bridge company study financing liquidity study master agreement study include recommendations legislative regulatory changes address gaps vulnerabilities identified


Summary: Community Action Rebuilding Effort Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to provide with respect to the California wildfires of October 2007 tax treatment of employer leave-based donation programs similar to the tax treatment provided for such programs after Hurricane Katrina by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2005-68 (i.e., cash payments by employers to charitable organizations for disaster relief purposes in exchange for foregone employee leave is not taxed as income to participating employees and is deductible by employers as a necessary business expense.)

community action rebuilding effort act authorizes secretary treasury provide respect california wildfires october tax treatment employer leave based donation programs similar tax treatment provided programs hurricane katrina internal_revenue_service irs notice cash payments employers charitable organizations disaster relief purposes exchange employee leave taxed income participating employees deductible employers necessary business expense


Summary: Telework Improvements Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Requires: (1) the head of each executive agency to establish a policy under which employees may be authorized to telework; (2) such policies to conform to telework regulations prescribed by the Administrator of General Services; and (3) such policies to ensure that all employees are authorized to telework to the maximum extent possible and without diminishing employee performance or agency operations.Declares that nothing in this Act shall: (1) require agency heads to authorize teleworking in the case of employees whose duties and responsibilities require daily access to classified information, daily face-to-face contact with the public or other persons, or the use of equipment at the employee's regular place of employment or the performance of which from a site removed from the employee's regular place of employment is not feasible; or (2) prevent the temporarily denial of permission for an employee to telework if the employee is needed to respond to an emergency or requires additional training or if the denial is necessary to achieve goals and objectives of agency programs.Requires agency heads to: (1) provide training to teleworkers; and (2) ensure no distinction is made between teleworkers and nonteleworkers for the purposes of performance appraisals. Requires the General Service Administration (GSA) to: (1) provide teleworking assistance and guidance to agencies; and (2) prescribe regulations to ensure the adequacy of security protections for information and information systems used in, or otherwise affected by, teleworking. Requires GSA to maintain a central, publicly available telework website to be jointly controlled and funded by GSA and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).Authorizes each agency to have a Telework Managing Officer to: (1) serve as an advisor, a resource, and the agency's primary point of contact on teleworking matters; (2) ensure that the agency's teleworking policy and programs are communicated effectively to employees; (3) administer a tracking system for compliance with governmentwide telework reporting requirements; (4) provide to the Comptroller General and to the Administrator of General Services information for annual reports; (5) establish a system for receiving feedback from employees on the agency's telework policy; (6) implement a program to remove barriers and to maximize opportunities to telework; and (7) ensure that employees are notified of grievance procedures for telework disputes.Requires the duties and responsibilities of the Telework Managing Officer to be carried out by the agency's Chief Human Capital Officer or by a career employee in any agency that doesn't appoint such an Officer.Requires the Comptroller General to: (1) establish a system for evaluating each agency's telework policy and employee participation in each agency's telework programs; and (2) report annually to specified congressional committees on agency telework policies, participation, and practices.Declares that an agency is not in compliance with this Act unless its authorized employees were permitted to telework for at least 20% of the hours that they worked in every two administrative workweeks (disregarding workweeks for which such employees did not submit a request or for which they were otherwise ineligible to telework.)Requires agency heads to ensure that: (1) telework is incorporated into the continuity of operations planning; and (2) mission critical personnel are equipped to telework in time of a catastrophe. Provides that agencies' continuity of operations plans supersede their telework policies to the extent that they are inconsistent.(Sec. 3) Establishes a Chief Human Capital Officers Council consisting of specified personnel from OPM, the Office of Management and Budget, GSA, and others who are designated by the Director of OPM. Directs the Council to advise and coordinate the activities of member agencies on such matters as modernization of human resources systems, improved quality of human resources information, telework, and legislation affecting human resources operations and organizations. Requires the Council to: (1) ensure that representatives of federal employee labor organizations are present at a minimum of one of the Council's meetings each year; and (2) report to Congress on its activities.(Sec. 4) Requires the GSA to report to specified congressional committees within 12 months after the effective date of the government telework regulations on the incorporation of telework into agencies' continuity of operations planning.

telework improvements act sec requires head executive agency establish policy employees authorized telework policies conform telework regulations prescribed administrator general_services policies ensure employees authorized telework maximum extent possible diminishing employee performance agency operations declares act shall require agency heads authorize teleworking case employees duties responsibilities require daily access classified information daily face face contact public persons use equipment employee regular place employment performance site removed employee regular place employment feasible prevent temporarily denial permission employee telework employee needed respond emergency requires additional training denial necessary achieve goals objectives agency programs requires agency heads provide training ensure distinction purposes performance appraisals requires general service administration gsa provide teleworking assistance guidance agencies prescribe regulations ensure adequacy security protections information information systems affected teleworking requires gsa maintain central publicly available telework website jointly controlled funded gsa office_of_personnel_management agency telework managing officer serve advisor resource agency primary point contact teleworking matters ensure agency teleworking policy programs communicated effectively employees administer tracking system compliance governmentwide telework reporting requirements provide comptroller_general administrator general_services information annual reports establish system receiving feedback employees agency telework policy implement program remove barriers maximize opportunities telework ensure employees notified grievance procedures telework disputes requires duties responsibilities telework managing officer carried agency chief human capital officer career employee agency appoint officer requires comptroller_general establish system evaluating agency telework policy employee participation agency telework programs report annually specified congressional committees agency telework policies participation practices declares agency compliance act authorized employees permitted telework hours worked administrative workweeks disregarding workweeks employees submit request ineligible agency heads ensure telework incorporated continuity operations planning mission critical personnel equipped telework time catastrophe provides agencies continuity operations plans supersede telework policies extent establishes chief human capital officers council consisting specified personnel opm office_of_management_and_budget gsa designated director opm directs council advise coordinate activities member agencies matters modernization human resources systems improved quality human resources information telework legislation affecting human resources operations organizations requires council ensure representatives federal employee labor organizations present minimum council meetings year report congress requires gsa report specified congressional committees months effective date government telework regulations incorporation telework agencies continuity operations planning


Summary: Repeals a provision requiring both a vessel and its master to have a license to engage in the business of salvaging on the coast of Florida.

repeals provision requiring vessel master license engage business coast florida


Summary:
United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act of 2013 - Requires a business enterprise that employs 50 or more employees, excluding part-time employees, or 50 or more employees who in the aggregate work at least 1,500 hours per week, exclusive of overtime, in a call center to notify the Secretary of Labor at least 120 days before relocating such center outside of the United States. Subjects violators to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 a day. Directs the Secretary to establish, maintain, and make publicly available a list of all such employers that relocate a call center. Authorizes the Secretary to remove from the list an employer that has relocated the call center from a location outside the United States to a location inside the United States.

Requires such an employer to remain on the list for up to three years after each relocation. Makes such an employer ineligible for federal grants or federal guaranteed loans for five years after being added to the list, except where the employer demonstrates that a lack of such loan or grant would threaten national security, result in substantial job loss in the United States, or harm the environment. Requires the head of federal or state executive agency or military department, when awarding a civilian or defense-related contract, to give preference to a U.S. employer that does not appear on the list.

Requires a business entity that initiates or receives a customer service communication to require each of its employees or agents participating in the communication to disclose their physical location at the beginning of each such communication unless all involved employees or agents are located in the United States. Exempts any communication: (1) initiated by a consumer if the consumer knows or reasonably should know that the employee or agent is located outside the United States, or (2) related to the provision of emergency services. Requires such a business entity, upon request, to transfer a customer to a customer service agent who is physically located in the United States.

Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to exclude certain classes or types of business entities or customer services communications from the requirements of this Act under exceptionally compelling circumstances. Sets forth enforcement provisions.

united_states center worker consumer protection act requires business enterprise employs employees excluding time employees employees aggregate work hours week exclusive overtime center notify secretary labor days relocating center outside united_states subjects violators civil penalty day directs secretary establish maintain publicly available list employers relocate center authorizes secretary remove list employer relocated center location outside united_states location inside united_states requires employer remain list years relocation makes employer ineligible federal grants federal guaranteed loans years added list employer demonstrates lack loan grant threaten national security result substantial job loss united_states harm environment requires head federal state executive agency military department awarding civilian defense related contract preference employer appear list requires business entity initiates receives customer service communication require employees agents participating communication disclose physical location beginning communication involved employees agents located united_states exempts communication initiated consumer consumer knows reasonably know employee agent located outside united_states related provision emergency services requires business entity request transfer customer customer service agent physically located united_states authorizes federal_trade_commission ftc exclude certain classes types business entities customer services communications requirements act exceptionally compelling circumstances sets forth enforcement provisions


Summary:
Voluntary Protection Program Act

This bill provides statutory authority for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) voluntary protection program, under which management, labor, and OSHA establish cooperative relationships at workplaces that have implemented a comprehensive safety and health management system.

voluntary protection program act bill provides statutory authority occupational_safety_and_health_administration osha voluntary protection program management labor osha establish cooperative relationships workplaces implemented comprehensive safety health management system