H.R. 2859 — Introduced in House

I 113th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 2859 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 30, 2013 Ms. Duckworth introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs A BILL To amend the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to extend the interest rate limitation on debt entered into during military service to debt incurred during military service to consolidate or refinance student loans incurred before military service. 1. Interest rate limitation on debt entered into during military service to consolidate or refinance student loans incurred before military service (a) In general Subsection (a) of section 207 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 527) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting on debt incurred before service after Limitation to 6 percent; (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as paragraphs (3) and (4), respectively; (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph (2): (2) Limitation to 6 percent on debt incurred during service to consolidate or refinance student loans incurred before service An obligation or liability bearing interest at a rate in excess of 6 percent per year that is incurred by a servicemember, or the servicemember and the servicemember's spouse jointly, during military service to consolidate or refinance one or more student loans incurred by the servicemember before such military service shall not bear an interest at a rate in excess of 6 percent during the period of military service. ; (4) in paragraph (3), as redesignated by paragraph (2) of this subsection, by inserting or (2) after paragraph (1); and (5) in paragraph (4), as so redesignated, by striking paragraph (2) and inserting paragraph (3). (b) Implementation of limitation Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (1) in paragraph (1), by striking the interest rate limitation in subsection (a) and inserting an interest rate limitation in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a); and (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking as of date of order to active duty; and (B) by inserting before the period at the end the following: in the case of an obligation or liability covered by subsection (a)(1), or as of the date the servicemember (or servicemember and spouse jointly) incurs the obligation or liability concerned under subsection (a)(2). (c) Student loan defined Subsection (d) of such section is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (3) Student loan The term student loan means the following: (A) A Federal student loan made, insured, or guaranteed under title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.). (B) A private student loan as that term is defined section 140(a) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1650(a)). .