H.R. 2540 – Reading Mode

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2540

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 14, 2021

Ms. Velázquez (for herself and Mr. Schneider) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

A BILL

To amend the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit certain unfair credit practices, and for other purposes.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Small Business Lending Fairness Act.

Obligor transactions

(a)

In general

Chapter 2 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

140B.

Unfair credit practices

(a)

In general

In connection with the extension of credit or creation of debt in or affecting commerce, as defined in section 4 of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 44), including any advance of funds or sale or assignment of future income or receivables that may or may not be credit, no person may directly or indirectly take or receive from another person an obligation that constitutes or contains a cognovit or confession of judgment (for purposes other than executory process in the State of Louisiana), warrant of attorney, or other waiver of the right to notice and the opportunity to be heard in the event of suit or process thereon.

(b)

Exemption

The exemption in section 104(1) shall not apply to this section.

(b)

Technical and conforming amendments

(1)

Section 103 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(ff)

The term debt means any obligation of a person to pay to another person money—

(1)

regardless of whether such obligation is absolute or contingent if the understanding between the parties is that any part of the money shall be or may be returned;

(2)

that includes the right of the person providing the money to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if the breach gives rise to a right to payment; and

(3)

regardless of whether the obligation or right to an equitable remedy described in paragraph (2) has been reduced to judgment, fixed, contingent, matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured, or unsecured.

(2)

Section 130(a) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1640) is amended by striking creditor each place the term appears and inserting person.

(3)

The table of sections in chapter 2 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1631 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

140B. Unfair credit practices.