Title III — Pub. L. 114-187

SEC. 301. Applicability of Other Laws; Definitions.

(a)

Sections Applicable to Cases Under This Title.— Sections 101 (except as otherwise provided in this section), 102, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 112, 333, 344, 347(b), 349, 350(b), 351, 361, 362, 364(c), 364(d), 364(e), 364(f), 365, 366, 501, 502, 503, 504, 506, 507(a)(2), 509, 510, 524(a)(1), 524(a)(2), 544, 545, 546, 547, 548, 549(a), 549(c), 549(d), 550, 551, 552, 553, 555, 556, 557, 559, 560, 561, 562, 902 (except as otherwise provided in this section), 922, 923, 924, 925, 926, 927, 928, 942, 944, 945, 946, 1102, 1103, 1109, 1111(b), 1122, 1123(a)(1), 1123(a)(2), 1123(a)(3), 1123(a)(4), 1123(a)(5), 1123(b), 1123(d), 1124, 1125, 1126(a), 1126(b), 1126(c), 1126(e), 1126(f), 1126(g), 1127(d), 1128, 1129(a)(2), 1129(a)(3), 1129(a)(6), 1129(a)(8), 1129(a)(10), 1129(b)(1), 1129(b)(2)(A), 1129(b)(2)(B), 1142(b), 1143, 1144, 1145, and 1146(a) of title 11, United States Code, apply in a case under this title and section 930 of title 11, United States Code, applies in a case under this title; however, section 930 shall not apply in any case during the first 120 days after the date on which such case is commenced under this title.

(b)

Meanings of Terms.— A term used in a section of title 11, United States Code, made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a), has the meaning given to the term for the purpose of the applicable section, unless the term is otherwise defined in this title.

(c)

Definitions.— In this title:

(1)

Affiliate.— The term “affiliate” means, in addition to the definition made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a)—

(A)

for a territory, any territorial instrumentality; and

(B)

for a territorial instrumentality, the governing territory and any of the other territorial instrumentalities of the territory.

(2)

Debtor.— The term “debtor” means the territory or covered territorial instrumentality concerning which a case under this title has been commenced.

(3)

Holder of a claim or interest.— The term “holder of a claim or interest”, when used in section 1126 of title 11, United States Code, made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a)—

(A)

shall exclude any Issuer or Authorized Instrumentality of the Territory Government Issuer (as defined under Title VI of this Act) or a corporation, trust or other legal entity that is controlled by the Issuer or an Authorized Territorial Instrumentality of the Territory Government Issuer, provided that the beneficiaries of such claims, to the extent they are not referenced in this subparagraph, shall not be excluded, and that, for each excluded trust or other legal entity, the court shall, upon the request of any participant or beneficiary of such trust or entity, at any time after the commencement of the case, order the appointment of a separate committee of creditors pursuant to section 1102(a)(2) of title 11, United States Code; and

(B)

with reference to Insured Bonds, shall mean the monoline insurer insuring such Insured Bond to the extent such insurer is granted the right to vote Insured Bonds for purposes of directing remedies or consenting to proposed amendments or modifications as provided in the applicable documents pursuant to which such Insured Bond was issued and insured.

(4)

Insured bond.— The term “Insured Bond” means a bond subject to a financial guarantee or similar insurance contract, policy and/or surety issued by a monoline insurer.

(5)

Property of the estate.— The term “property of the estate”, when used in a section of title 11, United States Code, made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a), means property of the debtor.

(6)

State.— The term “State” when used in a section of title 11, United States Code, made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a) means State or territory when used in reference to the relationship of a State to the municipality of the State or the territorial instrumentality of a territory, as applicable.

(7)

Trustee.— The term “trustee”, when used in a section of title 11, United States Code, made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a), means the Oversight Board, except as provided in section 926 of title 11, United States Code. The term “trustee” as described in this paragraph does not mean the U.S. Trustee, an official of the United States Trustee Program, which is a component of the United States Department of Justice.

(d)

Reference to Title.— Solely for purposes of this title, a reference to “this title”, “this chapter”, or words of similar import in a section of title 11, United States Code, made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a) or to “this title”, “title 11”, “Chapter 9”, “Chapter 11”, “the Code”, or words of similar import in the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure made applicable in a case under this title shall be deemed to be a reference to this title.

(e)

Substantially Similar.— In determining whether claims are “substantially similar” for the purpose of section 1122 of title 11, United States Code, made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a), the Oversight Board shall consider whether such claims are secured and whether such claims have priority over other claims.

(f)

Operative Clauses.— A section made applicable in a case under this title by subsection (a) that is operative if the business of the debtor is authorized to be operated is operative in a case under this title.

SEC. 302. Who May Be a Debtor.

An entity may be a debtor under this title if—

(1)

the entity is—

(A)

a territory that has requested the establishment of an Oversight Board or has had an Oversight Board established for it by the United States Congress in accordance with section 101 of this Act; or

(B)

a covered territorial instrumentality of a territory described in paragraph (1)(A);

(2)

the Oversight Board has issued a certification under section 206(b) of this Act for such entity; and

(3)

the entity desires to effect a plan to adjust its debts.

SEC. 303. Reservation of Territorial Power to Control Territory and Territorial Instrumentalities.

Subject to the limitations set forth in titles I and II of this Act, this title does not limit or impair the power of a covered territory to control, by legislation or otherwise, the territory or any territorial instrumentality thereof in the exercise of the political or governmental powers of the territory or territorial instrumentality, including expenditures for such exercise, but whether or not a case has been or can be commenced under this title—

(1)

a territory law prescribing a method of composition of indebtedness or a moratorium law, but solely to the extent that it prohibits the payment of principal or interest by an entity not described in section 109(b)(2) of title 11, United States Code, may not bind any creditor of a covered territory or any covered territorial instrumentality thereof that does not consent to the composition or moratorium;

(2)

a judgment entered under a law described in paragraph (1) may not bind a creditor that does not consent to the composition; and

(3)

unlawful executive orders that alter, amend, or modify rights of holders of any debt of the territory or territorial instrumentality, or that divert funds from one territorial instrumentality to another or to the territory, shall be preempted by this Act.

SEC. 304. Petition and Proceedings Relating to Petition.

(a)

Commencement of Case.— A voluntary case under this title is commenced by the filing with the district court of a petition by the Oversight Board pursuant to the determination under section 206 of this Act.

(b)

Objection to Petition.— After any objection to the petition, the court, after notice and a hearing, may dismiss the petition if the petition does not meet the requirements of this title; however, this subsection shall not apply in any case during the first 120 days after the date on which such case is commenced under this title.

(c)

Order for Relief.— The commencement of a case under this title constitutes an order for relief.

(d)

Appeal.— The court may not, on account of an appeal from an order for relief, delay any proceeding under this title in the case in which the appeal is being taken, nor shall any court order a stay of such proceeding pending such appeal.

(e)

Validity of Debt.— The reversal on appeal of a finding of jurisdiction shall not affect the validity of any debt incurred that is authorized by the court under section 364(c) or 364(d) of title 11, United States Code.

(f)

Joint Filing of Petitions and Plans Permitted.— The Oversight Board, on behalf of debtors under this title, may file petitions or submit or modify plans of adjustment jointly if the debtors are affiliates; provided, however, that nothing in this title shall be construed as authorizing substantive consolidation of the cases of affiliated debtors.

(g)

Joint Administration of Affiliated Cases.— If the Oversight Board, on behalf of a debtor and one or more affiliates, has filed separate cases and the Oversight Board, on behalf of the debtor or one of the affiliates, files a motion to administer the cases jointly, the court may order a joint administration of the cases.

(h)

Public Safety.— This Act may not be construed to permit the discharge of obligations arising under Federal police or regulatory laws, including laws relating to the environment, public health or safety, or territorial laws implementing such Federal legal provisions. This includes compliance obligations, requirements under consent decrees or judicial orders, and obligations to pay associated administrative, civil, or other penalties.

(i)

Voting on Debt Adjustment Plans Not Stayed.— Notwithstanding any provision in this title to the contrary, including sections of title 11, United States Code, incorporated by reference, nothing in this section shall prevent the holder of a claim from voting on or consenting to a proposed modification of such claim under title VI of this Act.

SEC. 305. Limitation on Jurisdiction and Powers of Court.

Subject to the limitations set forth in titles I and II of this Act, notwithstanding any power of the court, unless the Oversight Board consents or the plan so provides, the court may not, by any stay, order, or decree, in the case or otherwise, interfere with—

(1)

any of the political or governmental powers of the debtor;

(2)

any of the property or revenues of the debtor; or

(3)

the use or enjoyment by the debtor of any income-producing property.

SEC. 306. Jurisdiction.

(a)

Federal Subject Matter Jurisdiction.— The district courts shall have—

(1)

except as provided in paragraph (2), original and exclusive jurisdiction of all cases under this title; and

(2)

except as provided in subsection (b), and notwithstanding any Act of Congress that confers exclusive jurisdiction on a court or courts other than the district courts, original but not exclusive jurisdiction of all civil proceedings arising under this title, or arising in or related to cases under this title.

(b)

Property Jurisdiction.— The district court in which a case under this title is commenced or is pending shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all property, wherever located, of the debtor as of the commencement of the case.

(c)

Personal Jurisdiction.— The district court in which a case under this title is pending shall have personal jurisdiction over any person or entity.

(d)

Removal, Remand, and Transfer.—

(1)

Removal.— A party may remove any claim or cause of action in a civil action, other than a proceeding before the United States Tax Court or a civil action by a governmental unit to enforce the police or regulatory power of the governmental unit, to the district court for the district in which the civil action is pending, if the district court has jurisdiction of the claim or cause of action under this section.

(2)

Remand.— The district court to which the claim or cause of action is removed under paragraph (1) may remand the claim or cause of action on any equitable ground. An order entered under this subsection remanding a claim or cause of action, or a decision not to remand, is not reviewable by appeal or otherwise by the court of appeals under section 158(d), 1291 or 1292 of title 28, United States Code, or by the Supreme Court of the United States under section 1254 of title 28, United States Code.

(3)

Transfer.— A district court shall transfer any civil proceeding arising under this title, or arising in or related to a case under this title, to the district court in which the case under this title is pending.

(e)

Appeal.—

(1)

An appeal shall be taken in the same manner as appeals in civil proceedings generally are taken to the courts of appeals from the district court.

(2)

The court of appeals for the circuit in which a case under this title has venue pursuant to section 307 of this title shall have jurisdiction of appeals from all final decisions, judgments, orders and decrees entered under this title by the district court.

(3)

The court of appeals for the circuit in which a case under this title has venue pursuant to section 307 of this title shall have jurisdiction to hear appeals of interlocutory orders or decrees if—

(A)

the district court on its own motion or on the request of a party to the order or decree certifies that—

(i)

the order or decree involves a question of law as to which there is no controlling decision of the court of appeals for the circuit or of the Supreme Court of the United States, or involves a matter of public importance;

(ii)

the order or decree involves a question of law requiring the resolution of conflicting decisions; or

(iii)

an immediate appeal from the order or decree may materially advance the progress of the case or proceeding in which the appeal is taken; and

(B)

the court of appeals authorizes the direct appeal of the order or decree.

(4)

If the district court on its own motion or on the request of a party determines that a circumstance specified in clauses (i), (ii), or (iii) of paragraph (3)(A) exists, then the district court shall make the certification described in paragraph (3).

(5)

The parties may supplement the certification with a short statement of the basis for the certification issued by the district court under paragraph (3)(A).

(6)

Except as provided in section 304(d), an appeal of an interlocutory order or decree does not stay any proceeding of the district court from which the appeal is taken unless the district court, or the court of appeals in which the appeal is pending, issues a stay of such proceedings pending the appeal.

(7)

Any request for a certification in respect to an interlocutory appeal of an order or decree shall be made not later than 60 days after the entry of the order or decree.

(f)

Reallocation of Court Staff.— Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the clerk of the court in which a case is pending shall reallocate as many staff and assistants as the clerk deems necessary to ensure that the court has adequate resources to provide for proper case management.

SEC. 307. Venue.

(a)

In General.— Venue shall be proper in—

(1)

with respect to a territory, the district court for the territory or, for any territory that does not have a district court, the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii; and

(2)

with respect to a covered territorial instrumentality, the district court for the territory in which the covered territorial instrumentality is located or, for any territory that does not have a district court, the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii.

(b)

Alternative Venue.—

(1)

If the Oversight Board so determines in its sole discretion, then venue shall be proper in the district court for the jurisdiction in which the Oversight Board maintains an office that is located outside the territory.

(2)

With respect to paragraph (1), the Oversight Board may consider, among other things—

(A)

the resources of the district court to adjudicate a case or proceeding; and

(B)

the impact on witnesses who may be called in such a case or proceeding.

SEC. 308. Selection of Presiding Judge.

(a)

For cases in which the debtor is a territory, the Chief Justice of the United States shall designate a district court judge to sit by designation to conduct the case.

(b)

For cases in which the debtor is not a territory, and no motion for joint administration of the debtor’s case with the case of its affiliate territory has been filed or there is no case in which the affiliate territory is a debtor, the chief judge of the court of appeals for the circuit embracing the district in which the case is commenced shall designate a district court judge to conduct the case.

SEC. 309. Abstention.

Nothing in this title prevents a district court in the interests of justice from abstaining from hearing a particular proceeding arising in or related to a case under this title.

SEC. 310. Applicable Rules of Procedure.

The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure shall apply to a case under this title and to all civil proceedings arising in or related to cases under this title.

SEC. 311. Leases.

A lease to a territory or territorial instrumentality shall not be treated as an executory contract or unexpired lease for the purposes of section 365 or 502(b)(6) of title 11, United States Code, solely by reason of the lease being subject to termination in the event the debtor fails to appropriate rent.

SEC. 312. Filing of Plan of Adjustment.

(a)

Exclusivity.— Only the Oversight Board, after the issuance of a certificate pursuant to section 104(j) of this Act, may file a plan of adjustment of the debts of the debtor.

(b)

Deadline for Filing Plan.— If the Oversight Board does not file a plan of adjustment with the petition, the Oversight Board shall file a plan of adjustment at the time set by the court.

SEC. 313. Modification of Plan.

The Oversight Board, after the issuance of a certification pursuant to section 104(j) of this Act, may modify the plan at any time before confirmation, but may not modify the plan so that the plan as modified fails to meet the requirements of this title. After the Oversight Board files a modification, the plan as modified becomes the plan.

SEC. 314. Confirmation.

(a)

Objection.— A special tax payer may object to confirmation of a plan.

(b)

Confirmation.— The court shall confirm the plan if—

(1)

the plan complies with the provisions of title 11 of the United States Code, made applicable to a case under this title by section 301 of this Act;

(2)

the plan complies with the provisions of this title;

(3)

the debtor is not prohibited by law from taking any action necessary to carry out the plan;

(4)

except to the extent that the holder of a particular claim has agreed to a different treatment of such claim, the plan provides that on the effective date of the plan each holder of a claim of a kind specified in 507(a)(2) of title 11, United States Code, will receive on account of such claim cash equal to the allowed amount of such claim;

(5)

any legislative, regulatory, or electoral approval necessary under applicable law in order to carry out any provision of the plan has been obtained, or such provision is expressly conditioned on such approval;

(6)

the plan is feasible and in the best interests of creditors, which shall require the court to consider whether available remedies under the non-bankruptcy laws and constitution of the territory would result in a greater recovery for the creditors than is provided by such plan; and

(7)

the plan is consistent with the applicable Fiscal Plan certified by the Oversight Board under title II.

(c)

Confirmation for Debtors With a Single Class of Claims.— If all of the requirements of section 314(b) of this title and section 1129(a) of title 11, United States Code, incorporated into this title by section 301 other than sections 1129(a)(8) and 1129(a)(10) are met with respect to a plan—

(1)

with respect to which all claims are substantially similar under section 301(e) of this title;

(2)

that includes only one class of claims, which claims are impaired claims; and

(3)

that was not accepted by such impaired class,

the court shall confirm the plan notwithstanding the requirements of such sections 1129(a)(8) and 1129(a)(10) of title 11, United States Code if the plan is fair and equitable and does not discriminate unfairly with respect to such impaired class.

SEC. 315. Role and Capacity of Oversight Board.

(a)

Actions of Oversight Board.— For the purposes of this title, the Oversight Board may take any action necessary on behalf of the debtor to prosecute the case of the debtor, including—

(1)

filing a petition under section 304 of this Act;

(2)

submitting or modifying a plan of adjustment under sections 312 and 313; or

(3)

otherwise generally submitting filings in relation to the case with the court.

(b)

Representative of Debtor.— The Oversight Board in a case under this title is the representative of the debtor.

SEC. 316. Compensation of Professionals.

(a)

After notice to the parties in interest and the United States Trustee and a hearing, the court may award to a professional person employed by the debtor (in the debtor’s sole discretion), the Oversight Board (in the Oversight Board’s sole discretion), a committee under section 1103 of title 11, United States Code, or a trustee appointed by the court under section 926 of title 11, United States Code—

(1)

reasonable compensation for actual, necessary services rendered by the professional person, or attorney and by any paraprofessional person employed by any such person; and

(2)

reimbursement for actual, necessary expenses.

(b)

The court may, on its own motion or on the motion of the United States Trustee or any other party in interest, award compensation that is less than the amount of compensation that is requested.

(c)

In determining the amount of reasonable compensation to be awarded to a professional person, the court shall consider the nature, the extent, and the value of such services, taking into account all relevant factors, including—

(1)

the time spent on such services;

(2)

the rates charged for such services;

(3)

whether the services were necessary to the administration of, or beneficial at the time at which the service was rendered toward the completion of, a case under this chapter;

(4)

whether the services were performed within a reasonable amount of time commensurate with the complexity, importance, and nature of the problem, issue, or task addressed;

(5)

with respect to a professional person, whether the person is board certified or otherwise has demonstrated skill and experience in the restructuring field; and

(6)

whether the compensation is reasonable based on the customary compensation charged by comparably skilled practitioners in cases other than cases under this title or title 11, United States Code.

(d)

The court shall not allow compensation for—

(1)

unnecessary duplication of services; or

(2)

services that were not—

(A)

reasonably likely to benefit the debtor; or

(B)

necessary to the administration of the case.

(e)

The court shall reduce the amount of compensation awarded under this section by the amount of any interim compensation awarded under section 317 of this title, and, if the amount of such interim compensation exceeds the amount of compensation awarded under this section, may order the return of the excess to the debtor.

(f)

Any compensation awarded for the preparation of a fee application shall be based on the level and skill reasonably required to prepare the application.

SEC. 317. Interim Compensation.

A debtor’s attorney, or any professional person employed by the debtor (in the debtor’s sole discretion), the Oversight Board (in the Oversight Board’s sole discretion), a committee under section 1103 of title 11, United States Code, or a trustee appointed by the court under section 926 of title 11, United States Code, may apply to the court not more than once every 120 days after an order for relief in a case under this title, or more often if the court permits, for such compensation for services rendered before the date of such an application or reimbursement for expenses incurred before such date as is provided under section 316 of this title.

Title III — Adjustments of Debts

TITLE III Adjustments of Debts