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HR 1399 99th Congress House Finance and Financial Sector Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bankruptcy Family farms Farmers Farms

Family Farmer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1985

Introduced: March 5, 1985 See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 27, 1985
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Mar 8, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Monopolies and Commercial Law.
Mar 5, 1985
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Mar 5, 1985
Introduced in House
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Family Farmer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1985 - Defines a "family farmer" for purposes of Federal bankruptcy law as a person who received more than 50 percent of gross income from farming operations, including a person that is a corporation that issues stock: (1) which is not publicly traded; and (2) the majority of which is held by one family.

Allows a family farmer that owes secured and unsecured debts totaling less than $1,000,000 to qualify as a debtor under bankruptcy provisions providing for the adjustment of debts of an individual with regular income. Authorizes a plan filed under such provisions to modify the rights of holders of claims secured only by a security interest in real property which is a family farmer's principal residence and which such family farmer uses for farming operations. Prohibits the court from granting a discharge of any debt for payment on a claim if the rights of the claim holder are so modified. Permits the court to approve a plan providing for payment over a period of up to ten years in the case of a debtor who is a family farmer. Provides for the confirmation of a family farmer's plan with respect to allowed secured claims on a basis similar to that provided under bankruptcy reorganization provisions. Allows a family farmer up to 270 days after such a plan is filed to commence making payments proposed by the plan.

What's happening now March 27, 1985

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 1399: Family Farmer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-1399/
MLA
"H.R. 1399: Family Farmer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-1399/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 1399, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-1399/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 1399: Family Farmer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-1399/)
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