A bill to establish a uniform law on the subject of bankruptcies.

(Measure indefinitely postponed in Senate, H. R. 8200 passed in lieu)

=Title I: Enactment of Title 11 of the United States Code= - =Chapter I: General Provisions= - Makes general provisions for a uniform system of bankruptcy administration including: (1) definitions to be used in this Act; (2) rules of construction; (3) powers of the court; (4) waiver of sovereign immunity; (5) public access to papers; and (6) descriptions of debtors who may proceed under the liquidation, reorganization and debt adjustment provisions of this Act.

=Chapter 3: Case Administration= - States that voluntary and joint cases in bankruptcy shall commence with the filing of a petition by an individual or entity entitled under the appropriate chapter of this Act. Limits the filing of involuntary case petitions against persons in liquidation and reorganization cases to situations in which the claims of three or more holders of non-contingent claims against the debtor, aggregate at least $5,000 more than the value of any security interest held by such holders in any property of such debtor. Makes provisions for the late joining of creditors to the petition. Empowers the court under specified circumstances to enjoin the commencement or continuation of any action against the estate or the enforcement of any judgment against the estate; or to order other appropriate relief where an ancillary foreign proceeding has commenced or is likely to be commenced.

States the qualification and eligibility requirements for trustees in bankruptcy. Requires any attorney who represents a debtor in a proceeding under this Act to file a statement of compensation paid or agreed to be paid.

Requires that, within a reasonable time after the order for relief in a bankruptcy case, there shall be a meeting of creditors at which the debtor shall appear and submit to examination under oath. States duties of the trustees pertaining to money of the estates, payment of taxes, and disposition of unclaimed property. Enunciates the effect of conversion of a case from one chapter of this Act to another and the effect of dismissal upon discharge in a subsequent case.

=Chapter 5: The Estate= - Sets forth the procedure for the filing of proofs of claims or interest. States that such claim or interest is deemed allowable unless a party in interest or a creditor of a partner in a partnership that is a debtor objects. Lists circumstances under which the court, in hearing the objection to a claim, may allow it. Sets forth a procedure by which the court may determine the liability of the estate with respect to a tax incurred during the period of administration. Enunciates the priority ranking of expenses and claims to be paid from the estate.

Charges the debtor with the following duties: (1) to file with the court a schedule of assets and liabilities, and a statement of the debtor's financial affairs; (2) to act in cooperation with trustees as necessary to enable such trustee to perform his duties; and (3) to surrender to the trustee all property of the estate and documents relating to such property.

Specifies property of the debtor which is not available, during or after the case, for the satisfaction of any debt of the debtor that arose before the commencement of the case, except a debt which is not dischargeable. Invalidates any waiver of exemptions executed in favor of a creditor. Permits the debtor to avoid the fixing of specified liens including judicial liens and nonpurchase-money security interests in household goods, instruments of the debtor's trade, or a debtor's interest in property to the extent that such a lien impairs an exemption to which the debtor is entitled. Specifies circumstances under which the debtor may recover transferred property which could have been exempted. Requires the debtor to file a list of property that the debtor claims as exempt under this Act.

Describes the effect of discharge as: (1) voiding any judgment obtained at any time, to the extent that such judgment is a determination of the personal liability of the debtor; and (2) enjoining the commencement or continuation of an action or any act to collect, recover, or set-off any debt as a personal liability of the debtor or any specified interest in community property acquired after the commencement of the case. Permits a debtor to revive or reaffirm a debt extinguished by discharge under this Title. Lists exceptions to discharge including debts incurred by the debtor: (1) by fraud or false written misrepresentations; (2) for certain educational debts; and (3) for specified tax payments.

Protects the debtor against discriminatory treatment of a governmental unit with respect to the denial, revocation, or refusal to renew any license, job, charter, or other similar grants.

Identifies property which becomes a part of the estate upon the commencement of a case including certain property acquired by the debtor within 180 days of the filing of the petition. Excludes from such property of the estate: (1) any property held in trust for, or any power that the debtor may exercise solely for, the benefit of an entity other than the debtor; and (2) Federal, State, or local taxes withheld before commencement of the case. Entitles the trustee in bankruptcy to the rights and powers of a hypothetical lien creditor, and bona fide purchaser of real property as of the commencement of the case.

Permits the trustee to avoid any transfer of property of the debtor to or for the benefit of a creditor for or on account of an antecedent debt, made when the debtor was insolvent and within stipulated periods. States exceptions to such rule on preferences. Stipulates the presumption that the debtor was insolvent 90 days before the commencement of the case.

Empowers the trustee, under specified conditions, to avoid any transfer of an interest of the debtor in property or any obligation incurred by the debtor, that was made or incurred on or within one year before the date of the filing of the petition. Permits the court after notice and a hearing to authorize the trustee to abandon any property of the estate that is burdensome or of inconsequential value.

=Chapter 7: Liquidation= - Sets forth provisions for the administration of liquidation proceedings including the: (1) appointment of interim trustees; (2) election of trustees; (3) election of successor trustees; (4) obligations of trustees; and (5) conversion and dismissal of cases.

Enables the court to authorize the trustee to operate the business of the debtor for a limited period, if such operation is in the best interest of the estate and consistent with the orderly liquidation of the estate. Permits an individual debtor to redeem exempted or abandoned property. Sets priorities for the distribution of property of the estate.

Makes provisions for stockbroker and commodity broker liquidation.

=Chapter 9: Adjustment of Debts of a Municipality= - States that this chapter shall in no way limit or impair the power of a State to control, by legislation or otherwise, a municipality of or in such State in the exercise of its political or governmental powers. Prohibits a court from taking any action which would in any way interfere with any of the political or governmental powers of the debtor; any of the property or revenues of the debtor; or the debtor's use or enjoyment of any income-producing property, unless the debtor consents. Requires a municipality or public agency to meet specified conditions before it is eligible for relief under this chapter.

States that a petition may be filed under this chapter by the municipality's officials, or in the case of an unincorporated tax or special assessment district by such district's governing authority or body having authority to levy taxes to meet the obligations of such district. Sets forth procedures for objection to such petition and states that the filing of a petition operates as a stay of the commencement or continuation of a judicial or other proceeding that seeks to enforce a lien arising out of taxes or assessments owed to the debtor. Requires the debtor to submit a list of creditors. Reserves the court's power to dismiss after notice and a hearing, for cause, such as want of prosecution, or failure to propose or accept a plan for the adjustment of the debtor's debts within the time fixed or extended by the court. Requires dismissal if confirmation of such plan is refused. Provides for the appointment by the court of a trustee to pursue a cause of action if the debtor refuses to do so. Sets priority expenses to be paid by the municipality.

Requires the debtor to file a plan for the adjustment of the debts either at the time of the filing of the petition or at such later time as the court shall fix. Directs the debtor to send a copy of such plan to each creditor, and allows each creditor 90 days to accept or reject the plan.

Establishes criteria for the decision to confirm such plan and states that a confirmed plan shall bind both the debtor and any creditors, whether or not such creditor's claim has been allowed. Grants continuing jurisdiction in the court for such time as is necessary for the successful execution of the plan.

Revives Chapter 9 of the Bankruptcy Act as it exists the day before this Act is enacted if Chapter 9 of this Act is found unconstitutional.

=Chapter 11: Reorganization= - Requires the creditors, within a reasonable time after the order for relief under this chapter, to meet and elect a committee of creditors holding unsecured claims. Authorizes the court to appoint additional committees of creditors or equity security holders. Lists the powers and duties of such committees, including investigation of any matter relevant to the case or to the formulation of a plan and the participation in the formulation of such plan. Directs the court to appoint a trustee for a public company. Permits the court to appoint or order the committee to elect a trustee for a non-public company if such appointment would be in the interests of the estate.

Specifies the duties of trustees, independent investigators, and debtors in possession. Sets eligibility requirements for one who may propose a reorganization plan. Requires that each holder of a claim or interest of a particular class be given a disclosure statement before an acceptance or rejection of a plan may be solicited. Grants the court the power to revoke an order of confirmation within 180 days after its entry where such order was procured by fraud. Enumerates situations which are exempt from specified securities laws which require registration for offer or sale of a security or registration or licensing of an issuer of, underwriter of, or broker or dealer in securities.

Provides for the reorganization of railroads subject to the provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act, and orders of State or local regulatory bodies, the Department of Transportation, and the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). Directs the trustee to consider the public interest in the preservation of the debtor's rail service. Sets forth special provisions required in a railroad reorganization plan. Requires the trustee to submit such a plan to the court, which shall refer specified actions under such plan to the ICC for review. Protects the right of owners, leasers, and secured parties to take possession of rolling stock equipment under a security agreement, conditional sale contract, or lease.

=Chapter 13: Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income= - Creates a procedure whereby an individual, who is a wage earner or is self-employed and is a debtor under this Act, may, with the advice and assistance of the trustee appointed by the court, formulate a plan for readjustment of the debts of such individual. Lists provisions that may be present in such plan.

States than an order for relief under this chapter shall stay all actions against codebtors.

Conditions the confirmation of a plan on the good faith of the debtor in proposing such plan. Allows discharge of debts upon the completion by the debtor of all payments under the plan. Permits post-confirmation modification of such plan if necessary in light of stated considerations.

=Title II: Amendments to Title 28 of the United States Code and to the Federal Rules of Evidence - Chapter 6: Bankruptcy Judges= - Creates, as an adjunct to the district court for each judicial district, a court of record to be known as the bankruptcy court for such district. Specifies that each bankruptcy court shall consist of the bankruptcy judge or judges for the district in regular active service. Directs each circuit court to appoint bankruptcy judges for each district of the circuit. Sets forth the qualifications for appointment of bankruptcy judges, and rules governing tenure, residence, and removal of such judges. Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to conduct studies to determine the number of such judges to be appointed in each district. Empowers the Director to establish a panel of trustees for each bankruptcy court.

Makes provisions concerning the holding and adjournment of bankruptcy court sessions. Permits a party to any proceeding in a bankruptcy court to make and timely file an affidavit that the presiding judge is biased or prejudiced and prohibits such judge to proceed further in the case. Sets forth the general powers of a bankruptcy judge concerning the judicial functions of the bankruptcy court.

Enables each bankruptcy court to appoint a clerk, law clerks, secretaries, reporters, criers and bailiffs, and states that the chief judge shall make such appointments whenever a majority of the bankruptcy judges of any court cannot agree.

Grants the district courts original and exclusive jurisdiction of all cases under Title 11 of the United States Code. States that notwithstanding any Act of Congress, that confers exclusive jurisdiction on a court or courts other than the district courts, the district court shall have original, but not exclusive jurisdiction, of all civil proceedings arising under or related to bankruptcy cases; however, such court may abstain from hearing a particular proceeding in the interest of justice. Gives a bankruptcy judge all powers of the district court except the powers of enjoining another court or imposing punishment for contempt of court.

Places venue, for purposes of bankruptcy proceedings, in the judicial district which is either the domicile, residence, principal place of business, or situs of the principal assets of the debtor; or the site of a pending bankruptcy case concerning such debtor's affiliate, general partner, or partnership. Creates an exception to this rule in the following instances: (1) a case to enjoin the commencement or continuation of an action or proceeding in a State or Federal court, or the enforcement of a judgement; (2) a case to enjoin the enforcement of a lien against property, or to require turnover of property of an estate; and (3) cases ancillary to foreign proceedings.

Permits a party to remove any claim or cause of action in a bankruptcy proceeding to the district court for the district where such proceeding is pending, if the district courts have jursidiction over such claim or cause of action.

Preserves the right to a trial by jury in a bankruptcy case or in a proceeding arising thereunder, except that the bankruptcy court may order the issues arising under the initiation of an involuntary proceeding to be tried without a jury.

Authorizes a bankruptcy court to issue a writ of habeas corpus: (1) when appropriate to bring a person before the court for examination, to testify, or to perform a duty imposed on such person by this Title; and (2) to release the debtor when such debtor was arrested or imprisoned on process in any civil action which was issued for the collection of a debt dischargeable under this Act where notice and a hearing have been afforded to the adverse party of such debtor to contest the issuance of such writ.

=Title III: Amendments to Other Acts= - Sets forth conforming amendments to certain affected Acts. Amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 to prevent recapture of investment credits on the transfer of assets by a debtor corporation in a bankruptcy or railroad reorganization.

=Title IV: Transition; General Provisions= - Repeals the Bankruptcy Act. States that this Act shall take effect on October 1, 1979. Extends the terms of office of referees in bankruptcy in office on the day of enactment of this Act to September 30, 1982. Establishes for each State a merit screening committee to evaluate the qualifications of each incumbent referee to serve during such extended terms. States that cases commenced under prior law are not affected by this Act.

Requires the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts to complete and submit to Congress and the Judicial Conference before July 1, 1982, a study to determine the number of bankruptcy judges needed to carry out the provisions of this Act.