Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act of 2017

Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Dec 5, 2017

Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act of 2017

This bill amends the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act to exclude from the definition of "debt collector" any law firm or licensed attorney: (1) serving, filing, or conveying formal legal pleadings, discovery requests, or other documents pursuant to the applicable rules of civil procedure; or (2) communicating in connection with a legal action to collect a debt on behalf of a client in, or at the direction of, a court of law or in the enforcement of a judgment.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Gonzalez, Vicente [D-TX-15] · D–TX

Committees

Financial Services Committee

1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Rep. Mooney, Alexander X. [R-WV-2]

Legislative record

Actions

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Dec 5, 2017
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Dec 5, 2017
Introduced in House
Dec 5, 2017
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

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Introduced in House · Dec 5, 2017 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.4550 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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Discuss H.R.4550, 115th Congress: Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4550

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-12-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4550/BILLS-115hr4550ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:36:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.4550 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.4550 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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Discuss H.R.4550, 115th Congress: Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4550

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-12-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4550/BILLS-115hr4550ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:36:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4550 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.4550 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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Discuss H.R.4550, 115th Congress: Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4550

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-12-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4550/BILLS-115hr4550ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:36:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4550 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.4550 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.4550, 115th Congress: Practice of Law Technical Clarification Act of 2017

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4550

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2017-12-05.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/115/bills/hr4550/BILLS-115hr4550ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T19:36:58Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.4550 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.