SUBCHAPTER III—ADJUSTMENTS OF DEBTS
§2161. Applicability of other laws; definitions
(a) Sections applicable to cases under this subchapter
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 apply in a case under this subchapter and
(b) Meanings of terms
A term used in a section of title 11, made applicable in a case under this subchapter 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 subchapter.
(c) Definitions
In this subchapter:
(1) Affiliate
The term "affiliate" means, in addition to the definition made applicable in a case under this subchapter 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 subchapter has been commenced.
(3) Holder of a claim or interest
The term "holder of a claim or interest", when used in
(A) shall exclude any Issuer or Authorized Instrumentality of the Territory Government Issuer (as defined under subchapter VI of this chapter) 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
(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 made applicable in a case under this subchapter by subsection (a), means property of the debtor.
(6) State
The term "State" 1 when used in a section of title 11 made applicable in a case under this subchapter by subsection (a) 1 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 made applicable in a case under this subchapter by subsection (a), means the Oversight Board, except as provided in
(d) Reference to subchapter
Solely for purposes of this subchapter, a reference to "this title", "this chapter", or words of similar import in a section of title 11 made applicable in a case under this subchapter by subsection (a) or to "this title", "title 11", "
(e) Substantially similar
In determining whether claims are "substantially similar" for the purpose of
(f) Operative clauses
A section made applicable in a case under this subchapter by subsection (a) that is operative if the business of the debtor is authorized to be operated is operative in a case under this subchapter.
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1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§2162. Who may be a debtor
An entity may be a debtor under this subchapter 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
(B) a covered territorial instrumentality of a territory described in paragraph (1)(A);
(2) the Oversight Board has issued a certification under
(3) the entity desires to effect a plan to adjust its debts.
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§2163. Reservation of territorial power to control territory and territorial instrumentalities
Subject to the limitations set forth in subchapters I and II of this chapter, this subchapter 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 subchapter—
(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
(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 chapter.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in par. (3), was in the original "this Act", meaning
§2164. Petition and proceedings relating to petition
(a) Commencement of case
A voluntary case under this subchapter is commenced by the filing with the district court of a petition by the Oversight Board pursuant to the determination under
(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 subchapter; 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 subchapter.
(c) Order for relief
The commencement of a case under this subchapter 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 subchapter 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
(f) Joint filing of petitions and plans permitted
The Oversight Board, on behalf of debtors under this subchapter, may file petitions or submit or modify plans of adjustment jointly if the debtors are affiliates; provided, however, that nothing in this subchapter 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 chapter 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 subchapter to the contrary, including sections of title 11 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 subchapter VI of this chapter.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (h), was in the original "This Act", meaning
§2165. Limitation on jurisdiction and powers of court
Subject to the limitations set forth in subchapters I and II of this chapter, 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.
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§2166. 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 subchapter; 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 subchapter, or arising in or related to cases under this subchapter.
(b) Property jurisdiction
The district court in which a case under this subchapter 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 subchapter 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
(3) Transfer
A district court shall transfer any civil proceeding arising under this subchapter, or arising in or related to a case under this subchapter, to the district court in which the case under this subchapter 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 subchapter has venue pursuant to
(3) The court of appeals for the circuit in which a case under this subchapter has venue pursuant to
(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
(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.
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§2167. 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.
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§2168. 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.
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§2169. Abstention
Nothing in this subchapter 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 subchapter.
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§2170. Applicable rules of procedure
The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure shall apply to a case under this subchapter and to all civil proceedings arising in or related to cases under this subchapter.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, referred to in text, are set out in the Appendix to Title 11, Bankruptcy.
§2171. Leases
A lease to a territory or territorial instrumentality shall not be treated as an executory contract or unexpired lease for the purposes of
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§2172. Filing of plan of adjustment
(a) Exclusivity
Only the Oversight Board, after the issuance of a certificate pursuant to
(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.
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§2173. Modification of plan
The Oversight Board, after the issuance of a certification pursuant to
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§2174. 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, made applicable to a case under this subchapter by
(2) the plan complies with the provisions of this subchapter;
(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) 1 of title 11 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 subchapter II.
(c) Confirmation for debtors with a single class of claims
If all of the requirements of
(1) with respect to which all claims are substantially similar under
(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
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1 So in original. Probably should be preceded by "section".
§2175. Role and capacity of Oversight Board
(a) Actions of Oversight Board
For the purposes of this subchapter, 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
(2) submitting or modifying a plan of adjustment under
(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 subchapter is the representative of the debtor.
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§2176. Compensation of professionals
(a) Compensation for services rendered and reimbursement for expenses
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
(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) Award of compensation less than amount requested
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) Factors considered
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; 1
(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 subchapter or title 11.
(d) Services ineligible for compensation
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) Offset for interim compensation under section 2177 of this title
The court shall reduce the amount of compensation awarded under this section by the amount of any interim compensation awarded under
(f) Compensation for preparation of fee application
Any compensation awarded for the preparation of a fee application shall be based on the level and skill reasonably required to prepare the application.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), was so in the original, but probably should have been a reference to "this title", meaning title III of
1 See References in Text note below.
§2177. 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
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§2178. Disclosure by professional persons seeking approval of compensation under section 2176 or 2177 of this title
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) List of Material Interested Parties
The term "List of Material Interested Parties" means the List of Material Interested Parties established under subsection (c)(1).
(2) Oversight Board
The term "Oversight Board" has the meaning given the term in
(b) Required disclosure
(1) In general
In a case commenced under
(2) Supplement
A professional person that submits a statement under paragraph (1) shall promptly supplement the statement with any additional relevant information that becomes known to the person.
(3) Disclosure
Subject to any other applicable law, rule, or regulation, a professional person that fails to file or update a statement required under paragraph (1) or files a statement that the court determines does not represent a good faith effort to comply with this section shall disclose such failure in any filing required to conform to the disclosure requirements under rule 2014(a) of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
(c) List of Material Interested Parties
(1) Preparation
Not later than 30 days after January 20, 2022, the Oversight Board shall establish a List of Material Interested Parties subject to—
(A) the approval of the court; and
(B) the right of the United States trustee or any party in interest to be heard on the approval.
(2) Inclusions
Except as provided in paragraph (3), the List of Material Interested Parties shall include—
(A) the debtor;
(B) any creditor;
(C) any other party in interest;
(D) any attorney or accountant of—
(i) the debtor;
(ii) any creditor; or
(iii) any other party in interest;
(E) the United States trustee and any person employed in the office of the United States trustee; and
(F) the Oversight Board, including the members, the Executive Director, and the employees of the Oversight Board.
(3) Exclusions
The List of Material Interested Parties may not include any person with a claim, the amount of which is below a threshold dollar amount established by the court that is consistent with the purpose of this section.
(d) Review
(1) In general
The United States trustee shall review each verified statement submitted pursuant to subsection (b) and may file with the court comments on such verified statements before the professionals filing such statements seek compensation under
(2) Objection
The United States trustee may object to applications filed under
(e) Limitation on compensation
In a case commenced under
(1) the professional person has failed to file the verified disclosure statements required under subsection (b)(1) or has filed inadequate disclosure statements under that subsection; or
(2) during the professional person's employment in connection with the case, the professional person—
(A) is not a disinterested person (as defined in
(B) represents or holds an adverse interest in connection with the case.
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Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), (3), are set out in the Appendix to Title 11, Bankruptcy.
This section, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), was in the original "this Act", meaning
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy in Disclosures Act of 2021, also known as PRRADA, and not as part of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act, also known as PROMESA, which comprises this chapter.