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Church Plan Clarification Act of 2013

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3433-3434)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · May 14, 2013

Church Plan Clarification Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to declare that an organization otherwise eligible to participate in a church plan shall not be aggregated with another such organization and treated as a single employer with it unless: (1) one organization provides directly or indirectly at least 80% of the operating funds for the other one during the recipient organization's preceding tax year, and (2) there is a degree of common management or supervision between the organizations.

Preempts any state law relating to wage, salary, or payroll payment, collection, deduction, garnishment, assignment, or withholding which would directly or indirectly prohibit or restrict the inclusion in any church plan of an automatic contribution arrangement.

Excludes from gross income for income tax purposes amounts attributable to transfers of and mergers of church plans that are maintained by the same church or convention or association of churches.

Allows church plans and their supporting organizations to invest plan assets in a group trust (as defined by Internal Revenue Service Revenue Rulings).

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Who introduced it

Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] · D–MD

Committees

  • Finance Committee
2 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3433-3434)

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3433)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Aug 12, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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