(Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H.R. 5541) Authorizes the Attorney General to make contracts retaining private counsel to furnish legal services in the case of any claim of indebtedness owed the United States. Requires the Attorney General, in making such a contract in any judicial district, to make an effort to make at least four such contracts with attorneys regularly engaged in private practice in such district. Prohibits the legal fee payable for such services from exceeding the fee typically charged in the area for the collection of claims of indebtedness. Requires the Attorney General to enter into contracts with law firms owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. Permits the head of an executive or legislative agency, subject to the approval of the Attorney General, to refer to a private counsel any claims of indebtedness owed the United States arising out of such agency's activities. Declares that, for the purposes of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a private counsel performing collection services under this Act shall be considered a debt collector. Requires the Attorney General to transmit to the Congress an annual report on the activities of the Department of Justice to recover indebtedness owed the United States. Requires the Attorney General, within 180 days after the enactment of this Act, to transmit to the Congress a report on the actions taken under this Act. Requires the Attorney General to carry out this Act through a pilot program in at least five and not more than ten judicial districts. Requires the Attorney General to issue regulations to carry out this Act and to submit such regulations to the Congress at least 60 days before they become effective. Declares this Act to be effective for a period of three years, beginning on the date on which the regulations become effective. Requires the Comptroller General to audit the actions taken by the Attorney General under the pilot program to determine: (1) the extent to which there is competition among private counsel to obtain contracts; (2) the reasonableness of the fees provided in such contracts; (3) the efforts of the Attorney General to retain private counsel; and (4) the results of the debt collection efforts. Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on the findings and conclusions resulting from the audit.
S 209 - 99Federal Debt Recovery Act of 1985
Became Public Law No: 99-578.
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Summary
Sponsors
Timeline
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Became Public Law No: 99-578.
Became Public Law No: 99-578.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Measure Signed in Senate.
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House amendments by Voice Vote.
Senate agreed to the House amendments by Voice Vote.
House Committee on The Judiciary Discharged by Unanimous Consent.
House Committee on The Judiciary Discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Called up by House by Unanimous Consent.
Passed/agreed to in House: Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
House Incorporated H.R.5541 in This Measure as an Amendment.
Message on House action received in Senate and held at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Referred to Subcommittee on Administrative Law and Governmental Relations.
Referred to House Committee on The Judiciary.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with amendments and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 95-1. Record Vote No: 42.
Passed Senate with amendments and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 95-1. Record Vote No: 42.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Roth with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 99-256.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Reported to Senate by Senator Roth with amendments and an amendment to the title. With written report No. 99-256.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 554.
Committee on Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
Subcommittee on Energy and Government Processes. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 99-358.
Committee on Governmental Affairs received executive comment from OMB.
Committee on Governmental Affairs received executive comment from Education Department.
Committee on Governmental Affairs requested executive comment from SBA, VA, GAO, OMB, HUD, Agriculture Department, Education Department.
Referred to Subcommittee on Energy and Government Processes.
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.