PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 105-183.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 1, 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 creditor and successor to certain creditor and purchasers. Redefines "disposable income," for purposes of bankruptcy plan confirmation, to include charitable contributions which do not exceed 15 percent of the debtor's gross income for the year in which the contributions are made. 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.
People & committees
Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R–IA
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 105-183.
Became Public Law No: 105-183.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
A similar measure H.R. 2604 was laid on the table without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed without objection.
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
Mr. Gekas asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider.
Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H4005)
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 100-0. Record Vote No: 132.
Senate roll call 132 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 100-0. Record Vote No: 132.
Senate roll call 132 · Individual votesMeasure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S4769-4772)
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 314.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Judiciary. Reported to Senate by Senator Hatch with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10294)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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