BENEFIT PROTECTION ACT House SponsorsRep. Kurt M. Granberg-Dan Reitz-Brandon W. Phelps-Mike Bost-John E. Bradley, Daniel V. Beiser, Patrick J Verschoore and Jack McGuire Senate Sponsors(Sen. Pamela J. Althoff) 1/9/2007HouseSession Sine Die New Act Creates the Employee and Retiree Benefit Protection Act. Provides that unsecured claims for contributions to employee and retiree benefit plans, including health and pension benefits, arising from all past, present, and future obligations of an employer to fully funds those plans, have a higher priority in bankruptcy proceedings than the priorities set forth in the federal Bankruptcy Code. Provides that employee and retiree health and pension benefits provided to an employee or retiree shall be continued to be provided to the employee or retiree in the same manner and with the same benefits that would otherwise have been provided to that employee or retiree if the employer has not been subject to bankruptcy proceedings. Effective immediately. 2/18/2005HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. John E. Bradley 2/18/2005HouseFirst Reading 2/18/2005HouseReferred to Rules Committee 2/23/2005HouseAssigned to Labor Committee 3/1/2005HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Dan Reitz 3/1/2005HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Brandon W. Phelps 3/1/2005HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mike Bost 3/2/2005HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Labor Committee; 012-007-000 3/3/2005HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 3/3/2005HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mike Boland 4/5/2005HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Daniel V. Beiser 4/5/2005HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Patrick J Verschoore 4/5/2005HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jack McGuire 4/8/2005HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 4/8/2005HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate 4/13/2005HouseChief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Kurt M. Granberg 4/13/2005HouseRemove Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mike Boland 4/13/2005HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. John E. Bradley 4/13/2005HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate 4/14/2005HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 106-011-000 4/15/2005SenateArrive in Senate 4/15/2005SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading April 19, 2005 5/26/2005SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Pamela J. Althoff 5/26/2005SenateFirst Reading 5/26/2005SenateReferred to Rules 1/9/2007HouseSession Sine Die