Economic Continuity and Stability Act

12/29/2022, 10:33 PM

Economic Continuity and Stability Act

This bill provides for the transition of certain financial contracts away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a reference interest rate based upon the lending terms certain banks offer to each other for various lengths of time. LIBOR is set to be retired in 2023. Various financial contracts reference LIBOR as a benchmark for prevailing interest rates and use LIBOR in calculating certain payments or obligations.

In the event a contract referencing LIBOR does not have a fallback or replacement rate provision in effect when LIBOR is retired, or a replacement rate is not selected by a determining person as defined by the bill, the bill provides for a transition to a replacement rate selected by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The bill also provides for conforming changes to these contracts, the continuity and enforceability of these contracts, tax treatment, and protections against liability as a result of such a transition.

Congress
117

Number
S - 3844

Introduced on
2022-03-15

# Amendments
0

Sponsors
+5

Cosponsors
+5

Variations and Revisions

3/15/2022

Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Economic Continuity and Stability Act

This bill provides for the transition of certain financial contracts away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a reference interest rate based upon the lending terms certain banks offer to each other for various lengths of time. LIBOR is set to be retired in 2023. Various financial contracts reference LIBOR as a benchmark for prevailing interest rates and use LIBOR in calculating certain payments or obligations.

In the event a contract referencing LIBOR does not have a fallback or replacement rate provision in effect when LIBOR is retired, or a replacement rate is not selected by a determining person as defined by the bill, the bill provides for a transition to a replacement rate selected by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The bill also provides for conforming changes to these contracts, the continuity and enforceability of these contracts, tax treatment, and protections against liability as a result of such a transition.

Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to establish a clear and uniform process, on a nationwide basis, for replacing the London interbank offered rate in existing contracts, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Finance and Financial Sector

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary9/8/2022

Economic Continuity and Stability Act

This bill provides for the transition of certain financial contracts away from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), a reference interest rate based upon the lending terms certain...


Latest Action3/15/2022
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.