The bankruptcy code defines a municipality as a “political subdivision or public agency or instrumentality of a State.” A municipality must meet four other requirements to file for Chapter 9:
Alternate name: Municipal bankruptcy
The city of Detroit, Michigan filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in June of 2013. It had been plagued by several issues that had led to the filing, including a weakened tax base, high unemployment, and a lot of debt.
How Chapter 9 Bankruptcy Works
When Detroit filed for Chapter 9, there were several steps the city was required to take in order to get rid of some debt and restructure the rest. In most Chapter 9 cases, there are several key aspects of the Chapter 9 bankruptcy process.
Prior to and Filing
Prior to the filing of a bankruptcy petition, some states require municipalities to engage in pre-bankruptcy activities, such as attempting to negotiate with creditors. Once those requirements are met, the municipality may file for Chapter 9. The municipality must prepare and file all of the necessary bankruptcy paperwork with the clerk of the bankruptcy court. If the municipality fails to fulfill the requirements set forth by the state in which it is located, it may have to defend an objection to its filing under Chapter 9. In some cases, the court can decide that a chapter 9 filing is improper. This usually occurs when a creditor objects and argues that the municipality has not followed the procedures laid down in state law, the court finds that the municipality was not insolvent, or the court determines that more appropriate options are available to the municipality.
Bankruptcy Judge
Unlike other bankruptcy cases, wherein a bankruptcy judge is chosen at random by the clerk, in Chapter 9, the chief judge of the court of appeals where the bankruptcy court is located must choose the judge to oversee the case. This is because Chapter 9 cases can be very complex and may involve elements of politics.
Automatic Stay
The automatic stay also goes into effect to halt any actions to collect on debts against the municipality. Under certain circumstances, the stay also protects officers and officials of the municipality.
Power of the Court
Normally, a bankruptcy court has broad power over a Chapter 11 corporate debtor that wishes to reorganize. However, the bankruptcy code imposes limits on that power in connection with Chapter 9 cases, because municipalities are unique entities with constitutional protection.
Chapter 9 Plan
Similar to a Chapter 11 case, a Chapter 9 debtor must file a plan. The plan sets forth how the municipality is going to reorganize its debts within the limits of bankruptcy. Also similar to Chapter 11, the plan must be confirmed by the bankruptcy court.
Discharge
A municipality receives a bankruptcy discharge at a point after the plan is confirmed and the debtor deposits any required funds or property with the court-appointed disbursing agent. In just 13 months, Detroit was able to emerge from Chapter 9. Through Chapter 9, Detroit was able to get rid of $7 billion in debt, restructure $3 billion, and put $1.7 billion into badly needed city services improvements.
Notable Happenings
From 1937 to 2018, American municipalities filed only about 680 cases of Chapter 9 bankruptcy. Usually, there are fewer than 10 Chapter 9 cases each year. Some recent cases include:
Vallejo, California, in 2008Jefferson County, Alabama, in 2011Stockton, California, in 2012Mammoth Lakes, California, in 2012San Bernardino County, California, in 2012Central Falls, Rhode Island, in 2011Detroit, Michigan, in 2013
