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H.R.2604 / 105th Congress

Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Protection Act of 1998

Laid on the table. See S. 1244 for further action. (consideration: CR H4005)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Oct 2, 1997

Religious Liberty and Charitable Donation Protection Act of 1997 - Amends Federal bankruptcy law with respect to avoidance by the trustee in bankruptcy of fraudulent transfers and obligations to cite circumstances under which a transfer of a charitable contribution to a qualified religious or charitable unit shall not be considered to be fraudulent. Prohibits the trustee from avoiding such charitable contributions when acting as lien creditors and successor to certain creditor and purchasers. Excludes from "disposable income," for purposes of bankruptcy plan confirmation, up to 15 percent of the gross income of the debtor when it is expended for such charitable contributions. Prohibits the bankruptcy court, when it determines whether to dismiss a case, from taking into consideration whether a debtor makes charitable contributions to any qualified religious or charitable entity.

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Who introduced it

Rep. Packard, Ron [R-CA-48] · R–CA

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
128 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Laid on the table. See S. 1244 for further action. (consideration: CR H4005)

  2. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

  3. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  4. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.

  5. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate.

  6. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3999-4005)

  7. Mr. Gekas moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.

  8. Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 311.

  9. Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-556.

  10. Reported by the Committee on Judiciary. H. Rept. 105-556.

  11. Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.

  12. Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

  13. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E835)

  14. Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law Discharged.

  15. Subcommittee Hearings Held.

  16. Referred to the Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law.

  17. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  18. Introduced in House

  19. Introduced in House

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Apr 7, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.2604 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.2604 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.2604 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.2604 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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