PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Became Public Law No: 106-244.
Congressional Research Service
Version 35 · Passed Senate amended · Nov 19, 1999
Sets forth requirements for determining the status of a church plan that is a welfare plan under any State insurance law that: (1) requires licensing of a church plan or other organization described under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to the extent that it is administering or funding such a plan; or (2) relates solely to the solvency or insolvency of a church plan (including participation in State guaranty funds and associations).Requires such a plan, and any trust under it, to be deemed a plan sponsored by a single employer that reimburses costs from general church assets, or purchases insurance coverage with general church assets, or both.Requires such a church plan to be subject to State enforcement as if it were an insurer licensed by the State.Limits the application of this Act to determining such a church plan's status under such State insurance laws. Prohibits construing this Act to recharacterize the status, or modify or affect the rights, of any plan participant or beneficiary, including those who make plan contributions.
People & committees
Sen. Sessions, Jeff [R-AL] · R–AL
Legislative record
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Became Public Law No: 106-244.
Became Public Law No: 106-244.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H5100)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H5100)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 1309.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5100-5101)
Mr. Boehner moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Held at the desk.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S14890)
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S14890)
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S14889-14891)
Senate Committee on HELP discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Senate Committee on HELP discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on HELP.
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7938)
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze S.1309 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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