119-S-3424 Journalist Public Summary

Public Summary

Headline Summary: A bipartisan bill to raise Chapter 7 trustee pay to $120 per case, tweak how big Chapter 11 cases are charged quarterly fees, and keep temporary bankruptcy judgeships in place longer. [1]Congress.gov — S.3424 — Text as Considered and Passed Senate (Dec. 10, 2025)

What It Does: The bill doubles the flat payment most Chapter 7 trustees receive—from $60 to $120 per case—by increasing the statutory $45 component to $105 (the other $15 piece remains), without raising the Chapter 7 filing fee itself. It also updates Chapter 11 quarterly fee rules by extending a temporary fee framework to 10 years and raising a cap to 0.9% of disbursements for the largest cases, and it extends several temporary bankruptcy judgeships from five to ten years. [1]Congress.gov — S.3424 — Text as Considered and Passed Senate (Dec. 10, 2025)

• Who’s For It: Sponsored by Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) with Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) as original cosponsors—signaling bipartisan backing. [2]Congress.gov — S.3424 — All Information, actions and cosponsors
• The Senate passed it by unanimous consent on December 10, 2025, indicating broad support. [2]Congress.gov — S.3424 — All Information, actions and cosponsors
• Supporters say the raise is overdue (trustee pay hasn’t changed since 1994) and helps keep the bankruptcy system self-funded without shifting costs to taxpayers. These points come from the bill’s own findings. [1]Congress.gov — S.3424 — Text as Considered and Passed Senate (Dec. 10, 2025)

• Who’s Against It: No formal opposition was recorded in the Senate; it passed by unanimous consent. [2]Congress.gov — S.3424 — All Information, actions and cosponsors
• Potential concerns to watch: some large Chapter 11 debtors could see slightly higher quarterly fees under the updated cap and 10‑year window, though small-business cases under Subchapter V are unaffected by these particular fee changes. (This reflects the bill’s text, not an official opposition statement.) [1]Congress.gov — S.3424 — Text as Considered and Passed Senate (Dec. 10, 2025)

What’s Next: As of December 12, 2025, the bill has been received in the House and is being held at the desk. The House can take it up directly or route it through committee; if it passes, it goes to the President. [2]Congress.gov — S.3424 — All Information, actions and cosponsors