Capital Briefs: Encryption, Bankruptcy Hearings Scheduled

Two House Judiciary Committee subcommittees on Wednesday will tackle separate bills protecting on-line financial transactions and reforming bankruptcy laws.

The Judiciary Committee's courts and intellectual property subcommittee is expected to approve legislation that would allow U.S. companies to export their strongest encryption technology.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va., also is expected to reject a Clinton administration compromise that would require encryption users to provide the government with "keys" for decoding messages. Similar legislation has been introduced in the Senate.

The commercial and administrative law subcommittee will hold a hearing on more than 30 proposed changes to the bankruptcy code. Most of the provisions are not controversial, according to committee staffers.