Transcript Highlights:

• about the Division of Finance is that I was at a meeting this past summer with a couple of consumer lending
• in statute is kind of from a bygone era when brick-and-mortar locations were the only place that lending
• And even though the location numbers are down, the volume of lending and the complexity of lending has
• Well, back in 1991, in the 80s, when a lot of these lending laws were passed, we didn't have online lending
• Well, back in 1991, in the 80s, when a lot of these lending laws were passed, we didn't have online lending

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes multifamily financing that supports affordable rental housing and single-family lending
• with lending activity, but we are very engaged with the homeowners group through our CalHFA Mortgage
• And to that end, looking at our existing lending authority and infrastructure, there are some options
• Part of the way that you can do that is by reducing the cost associated with construction lending.
• Thank you. ...construction lending experience and capability to take on this program.

Summary: The subcommittee heard several May Revision proposals related to the state’s housing and homelessness reorganization. On the first item, administration and Finance staff described technical adjustments to move administrative positions and resources between the California Housing and Homelessness Agency, HCD, and Cal ICH, plus authority for a chief deputy director at the new Housing Development Finance Committee. The LAO recommended approval but asked for clarification on funding for the chief deputy position. Several senators questioned whether the staffing shifts would reduce Cal ICH’s capacity and whether adding communications support and a new executive position was appropriate absent new housing funding; the item was held open. The second item proposed a new $100 million CalHFA Disaster Rebuilding Fund, with $56 million General Fund and $44 million in existing National Mortgage Settlement funds, to help disaster-impacted homeowners access construction financing through tools such as a loan loss guarantee and interest rate buy-downs. CalHFA said the fund would help close the gap between insurance proceeds and rebuilding costs and would work through approved lenders. The LAO raised concerns about the lack of alternatives analysis, the broad delegation in the trailer bill, and the General Fund cost. Senators pressed for more detail on the estimated number of homeowners served, lender and homeowner eligibility, equity safeguards, and the role of the Legislature in program design; the item was held open. The third item was trailer bill language for HAP Round 7, including accountability metrics, pro-housing designation requirements for certain large cities and counties, local match requirements, and a mechanism to recapture unspent funds. HCD said the proposal would streamline reporting by using one consistent set of system performance measures and would phase in the new requirements. The LAO questioned the timing, the burden of pro-housing designation, the size and source of the local match, and whether the proposal conflicted with the Legislature’s prior goal of getting funds out quickly. Several senators criticized the added requirements and the lack of new funding, while others said the proposal could improve accountability and reduce administrative burden by reusing existing plans. The item was also held open. The fourth item began a proposal to reduce local development impact fees on state-funded affordable housing projects, framed as a condition on competitive multifamily funding rather than a statewide mandate. The presentation started but the transcript cuts off before questions or action on that item.

Transcript Highlights:

• disincentivizing lending to happen here in the state.”
• All of our loan, all of our lending capital comes from lines of credit with banks.
• We have to do it responsibly; we have to lend responsibly.
• You can't lend the money unless the borrower can show the ability to repay the loan.
• In other words, you can't just lend money knowing that the borrower can't repay it.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on March 17, 2026, adopted its rules again because they had not been properly posted, and voluntarily deferred several bills before taking up the day’s agenda. The committee then moved through a series of commerce and financial services measures, with members repeatedly noting the bills had been worked on jointly by authors and stakeholders. HB 489, on transfer-on-death securities, was amended to make the transfer requirements mandatory and to remove a liability limitation for registering entities, then reported favorable. HB 545, which narrowed a consumer-loan bill to origination fees only, was amended and reported favorable. HB 555, expanding protections for eligible adults from financial exploitation, was amended with technical changes and an amendment from Rep. Boyd, then reported favorable after testimony from bankers and advocates describing scams targeting seniors and the need for delayed transactions, trusted contacts, and training. HB 797, creating the Bayou Gold Program, was amended to clarify electronic payment platforms and reported favorable after questions about state involvement, insurance, and consumer protections. HB 952, modernizing the consumer loan framework, was amended to a three-tier rate structure and to add ability-to-repay and disaster-relief provisions, then reported favorable. The committee also considered two economic development bills from Rep. Owen. HB 672 would encourage brick manufacturing in Louisiana; after an amendment changed LED’s role from directing a priority industry to allowing support through existing programs and guidance, the bill was reported favorable. Testimony emphasized Louisiana’s clay deposits, limited in-state brick production, and potential benefits for housing costs and jobs. HB 670, on wood pellet manufacturing, received a similar amendment limiting LED to support and guidance rather than mandates, and was also reported favorable. A consultant testified that a proposed North Louisiana pellet facility could generate significant payroll, local spending, and revenue from timber that is currently underused, while LED described the sector as part of the state’s agribusiness and energy strategy and discussed global demand, carbon footprint requirements, and the role of CCUS in attracting large projects. The discussion on HB 670 continued at the end of the transcript, with members probing how the industry works and how Louisiana could benefit from it.

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm here to lend my support to House Bill 2862 as well as answer any questions.
• This bill closes a dangerous loophole by making it illegal to lend a vehicle to someone with a prior
• This bill closes a dangerous loophole by making it illegal to lend a vehicle to someone with a prior
• This would bump it up to a class six felony in the case that lending that vehicle illegally ends up in
• I mean, that gives me, the person who wants to lend the car, the option of saying yes or no. Mr.

Bills: HB2495 , HB2557 , HB2594 , HB2615 , HB2800 , HB2861 , HB2862 , HB2931 , HB2995 , HB4042 , HB4070 , HB4117 , HB4136

Committees: House Judiciary , House House Judiciary Committee of Reference

Keywords: vulnerable adults, sentencing, felonies, criminal justice, enhanced penalties, medical records, patient rights, healthcare access, privacy, healthcare providers, timeliness, address confidentiality, domestic violence, privacy protection, voter registration, court proceedings, parenting time, supervised visitation, family court, high-risk cases

Transcript Highlights:

• We also spend a lot of time on lending, especially.
• We're also spending a fair amount of time in our office relating to predatory mortgage lending issues
• Darryl Cafe, Director of Retail Lending and Collections at Webster Five.
• A public bank could lend to those unable to borrow adequately from commercial banks today.
• By directly lending to them, they're lending to institutions that have reserves, strong balance sheets

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The committee held an informational opening hearing for the Financial Services Committee, with Chair Murphy and Senator Feeney introducing new and returning members and explaining that no bills were being heard that day beyond brief introductory testimony. Commissioner of Banks Mary Gallagher thanked the committee for last session’s money transmission modernization law, and several members echoed appreciation for her office’s work. The hearing then featured a long series of stakeholder introductions and overviews of their priorities for the session. Testimony covered a wide range of financial, insurance, housing, health care, and consumer issues. Banking and mortgage groups discussed housing affordability, foreclosure delinquencies, flood insurance, regulatory changes, and the impact of federal policy shifts. Insurance representatives raised concerns about auto and homeowners market pressures, labor rates, tariffs, rebates, e-titling, third-party litigation funding, and public adjuster restrictions. Consumer and advocacy groups highlighted debt collection reform, earned wage access, retirement savings access, public banking, and consumer protections in financial services. Several speakers also emphasized the need for committee expertise and offered themselves as resources for future bills. Health-related organizations focused on insurance mandates, prior authorization, behavioral health access, pharmacy benefit manager reform, community health center funding, maternal health and midwifery reimbursement, and anesthesia reimbursement parity. Other groups, including credit unions, retailers, auto dealers, dental and medical associations, and behavioral health providers, described their roles in the Commonwealth and previewed legislation or policy areas they expect to follow this session. No votes were taken; the meeting was informational and ended after testimony from the sign-up list and a few late additions.

Transcript Highlights:

• That includes multifamily financing that supports affordable rental housing and single-family lending
• with lending activity, but we are very engaged with the homeowners group through our CalHFA Mortgage
• And to that end, looking at our existing lending authority and infrastructure, there are some options
• Part of the way that you can do that is by reducing the cost associated with construction lending.
• Thank you. ...construction lending experience and capability to take on this program.

Transcript Highlights:

• We lend anywhere from $5,000 up to $250,000, and we charge 7% interest over five-year terms.
• And that's the orientation we have towards lending.
• We are no longer able to use those SBA dollars to lend to those businesses.
• My third ask would be to continue to invest in micro-lending programs.
• That’s grant funding that CDFIs like Dorchester Bay get that we lend and don’t have to pay back.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses

Summary: The Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Business held an informational hearing focused on the conditions facing small and micro businesses in Massachusetts and the state programs intended to support them. Chairs Andy Vargas and Adam Gomez opened by emphasizing equitable economic development, the importance of CDFIs, and the need to help underserved entrepreneurs, especially women, minorities, veterans, immigrants, and other groups facing barriers. Committee members noted the hearing would not take up bills, and testimony was limited to 10 minutes per organization. State and quasi-public agency witnesses described current programs and funding. Dico Gibral of the Executive Office of Economic Development highlighted the Business Front Door, multilingual access, small business office hours in Gateway Cities, and funding in the Mass Leads Act, including support for CDFIs, small business technology, and capital grants. Tom Hooper of Commonwealth Corporation described workforce training programs such as the Workforce Training Fund, Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, and Career Technical Initiative, saying they help small businesses train workers, fill labor shortages, and support returning citizens and people with disabilities. Committee members asked about federal funding uncertainty, workforce migration, training schedules, and program uptake. Business and advocacy groups focused on cost pressures and regulatory burdens. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association urged continuation of outdoor dining and takeout alcohol sales, and pressed for relief from high credit card swipe fees, support for surcharging, and streamlining municipal licensing. The Retailers Association of Massachusetts cited survey results showing inflation, utility costs, payroll taxes, health insurance, and interchange fees as major concerns, and said many members might sell or close within five years; it also backed ending the state prohibition on surcharging and creating an Office of Main Streets Massachusetts. MACDC, BECKMA, and the Coalition for an Equitable Economy emphasized the need for more technical assistance, CDFI and small business funding, and protections against rising costs, tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and immigration enforcement impacts on immigrant-heavy business districts. No votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• statewide infrastructure for micro-lending support organizations serving the private employment sector
• The bill would allow the department to contract with statewide micro-lending support organizations and
• provided by microloan delivery organizations or innovation hubs, and coordination with commercial lending
• provided by microloan delivery organizations or innovation hubs, and coordination with commercial lending
• make loans to micro-owned enterprises and provide grants, guarantees, and loans made by commercial lending

Bills: LB737 , LB753 , LB788 , LB913 , LB1055 , LB1195 , LB1216 , LB1256 , LB429 , LB721 , LB722 , LB727 , LB743 , LB745 , LB749 , LB778 , LB787 , LB365A , LB823 , LB900 , LB903 , LB940 , LB954 , LB1127 , LB1127A , LB1205 , LB1240 , LR293 , LR296 , LR422 , LR505 , LR507

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:14.800><c> our</c><00:03:15.120><c> support</c> them know that we're lending our support them
• know that we're lending our support as<00:03:16.000><c> their</c><00:03:16.319><c> legislators.
• We need to prioritize, but also I do want to take it on because I do think I can lend myself to helping
• do</c><00:07:30.080><c> think</c><00:07:30.240><c> I</c><00:07:30.479><c> can</c><00:07:30.560><c> lend
• </c> it on because I do think I can lend it on because I do think I can lend myself<00:07:31.280><c>

Transcript Highlights:

• Lenders don't want to lend.
• So construction lending is the engine that makes a development possible.
• So construction lending is the engine that makes a development possible.
• So think of construction lending as the first domino.
• And our lending is the old traditional model from back in the 30s, right?

Transcript Highlights:

• This legislation prohibits usury in lending by non-regulated entities.
• It’s called predatory lending, in my opinion. And I have an example of that.
• There are points where it gets... ...too high that it is predatory lending, and you take advantage of
• So, in my view, it’s a serious justice issue facing many Idaho people in the form of payday lending.
• That's predatory lending, and that's going to be the opinion of this committee, whether that is usury

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• Our underwriting team, our credit analysts, and lending team are outstanding.
• We've made loans to child care centers through our commercial lending program.
• I mean, that's so—I mean, I'm almost ready to ask you if you're lending for mortuaries because I just
• NMFA is only concerned about the lending portion of this. process.
• I mean, that's really what we are, is the lending institution.

Committee: House New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• This lending takes place and the local government's role is to, after all of the agreements are made
• </c> participate in the CPACE lending participate in the CPACE lending program.<00:03:52.080><c> This
• </c> finish line with specific lending finish line with specific lending targeted<00:04:24.320><c> at
• takes place and the local lending takes place and the local government's<00:04:36.479><c> role</c><00
• This lending takes place, and the local government's role is to, after all of the agreements are made

Committee: House County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:

• them to amplify loan participations, guarantees, and other support so they can expand public purpose lending
• I would posit that the ninth wonder might be fractional reserve lending.
• The Legislature may want to ensure that the lending programs already authorized by this Legislature here
• The Legislature may want to ensure that the lending programs already authorized by this Legislature are
• The question is how we, in a smart way, in a way that interacts with other types of lending and private

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met and first approved the consent calendar, which included AB 2028, AB 2425, and committee bill AB 2795, all sent to the Committee on Appropriations. The committee also noted that AB 2558 and AB 2746 had been pulled from the agenda. The chair reviewed hearing procedures, including acceptance of written testimony and rules against disruptive conduct. The committee then heard AB 2116, which would require registration and basic conduct standards for certain small-business financing providers, including merchant cash advance companies, and prohibit confessions of judgment and power-of-attorney provisions before default. Supporters argued the bill would close an oversight gap and improve transparency for small businesses; a small business owner testified that a purported 13% loan turned out to have a 235% APR. Opponents said the bill mixed consumer and commercial regulation and could restrict access to capital, though they supported banning confessions of judgment. The bill passed on a roll call vote and was sent to Appropriations. AB 2243, by Assembly Member Haney, proposed creating a state bank commission to study whether California should establish a state bank or other public financing tools. Supporters said a public banking model could reduce borrowing costs, keep more public money in-state, and better finance housing, infrastructure, and other public priorities; opponents from banking groups raised concerns about taxpayer exposure, deposit guarantees, and the use of public funds and existing lending structures. The bill passed and was sent to Appropriations. The committee also heard AB 2350, which would set guardrails on rent-now-pay-later products for rental housing; supporters said these products can lead to high fees, debt, and eviction risk, while industry groups opposed the bill unless amended. AB 2350 passed as amended and was sent to Appropriations. At the end of the meeting, the committee completed roll calls for absent members and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Protection framework, and without additional resources or alignment, the department's commercial lending
• I would posit that the ninth wonder might be fractional reserve lending.
• The Legislature may want to ensure that the lending programs already authorized by this Legislature here
• The Legislature may want to ensure that the lending programs already authorized by this Legislature are
• The question is how we, in a smart way, in a way that interacts with other types of lending and private

Committee: House Banking and Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• in this state, and they will abide by all the standard lending practices of how they verify income and
• This is a lending contract.
• That's how lending works, and that's why we have a premier state-funded lending program with Housing
• They have the same standards and lending practices.
• Yes, we tried to set this bill up so that they have their standard procedures of lending procedures of

Committee: House House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• Adrian is the Vice President of Lending for MAA, and so when you get an opportunity, state your name
• </c> little bit about from The Lending little bit about from The Lending standpoint<00:42:51.800><c>
• </c> resources we took up the entire lending resources we took up the entire lending and<00:58:05.039
• I echo all the suggestions from the other team members about the lending program.
• </c> other team members about the lending other team members about the lending program<01:21:12.960><

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• But for the mortgage lending piece, that would be like for the direct lending that the commercial banks
• But by removing the statute's 1983-era restrictions on direct lending and use of public funds, SSB 6018
• We are not lending on the entire development. We are a participant lender as envisioned here.
• We are not lending on the entire development. We are a participant lender as envisioned here.
• For decades, we know that state and federal policies, including redlining, exclusionary lending, and

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on a series of housing, education, workforce, and court-related bills. On Substitute Senate Bill 5884, staff described changes to a sales and use tax deferral for redeveloping vacant or underused land into affordable housing, including broader eligible property definitions and lower affordability thresholds in designated areas. Testimony was mixed: builders opposed language they feared could encourage project labor agreements, while Spokane and Kent representatives supported the bill but asked for flexibility on affordability mix requirements. On Senate Bill 6256, which expands a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income rental housing to include certain co-located community uses during construction and extends the pre-construction exemption period, testimony was strongly supportive from housing nonprofits and local housing partners, with questions focused on clawback provisions. The committee also heard Substitute Senate Bill 6027, which expands allowable uses of local housing and supportive housing sales tax revenue, adjusts a REET exemption timeline, broadens emergency housing definitions, and changes use of the Affordable Housing for All account. County, housing, and nonprofit witnesses said the bill would help preserve housing and services amid federal funding uncertainty, though Snohomish County asked for an amendment to allow rental assistance. Substitute Senate Bill 6018 would revise the Housing Finance Commission’s authority, including direct lending and bond counsel terms; commission staff said it would modernize outdated restrictions and improve financing flexibility. Substitute Senate Bill 6028 would create a revolving loan fund for mixed-income homeownership projects; supporters said it would help smaller infill projects pencil, while staff noted the loans would be subordinate and carry some risk. Later, the committee heard Senate Bill 6275 on the community reinvestment program, which would require periodic plan updates, reporting, and a WSIPP study, while also expressing legislative intent to continue at least $100 million annually in the account. Advocates, workforce groups, legal aid providers, and small business owners testified that the program supports communities harmed by past disinvestment and should be made permanent and more accountable. Substitute Senate Bill 5961 would move the Imagination Library program from DCYF to OSPI; early literacy advocates and local partners supported the transfer as better aligned with school readiness. Substitute Senate Bill 5969 would integrate IEP transition plans with high school and beyond plans, and a prior critic said amendments addressed her concerns. Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292 would shift PFML premium rate-setting to the annual actuarial report and raise the reserve target; labor and industry witnesses supported the change, while a policy group opposed the program’s costs. The committee also heard Senate Bill 5868 to add one superior court judge each in Skagit and Yakima counties. Judges and county officials testified that caseloads, population growth, and backlogs justify the additions, and county leaders said they had already budgeted for their share. Finally, Substitute Senate Bill 5827 would allow service members to use pre-discharge certification to claim veterans’ civil service preference; the sponsor said it would solve a timing problem for transitioning service members. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the transcript, as the meeting consisted of bill briefings and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all really great things that we advertise on the tourism side, but also lend themselves well
• These are all really great things that we advertise on the tourism side, but also lend themselves well
• These are all really great things that we advertise on the tourism side, but also lend themselves well
• These are all really great things that we advertise on the tourism side, but also lend themselves well
• These are all really great things that we advertise on the tourism side, but also lend themselves well

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• and CDFIs, using participation loans to expand their balance sheet and capacity to do more of the lending
• and CDFIs, using participation loans to expand their balance sheet and capacity to do more of the lending
• and CDFIs, using participation loans to expand their balance sheet and capacity to do more of the lending
• It's framed as a commission to rearrange the state's banking and lending functions.
• It's framed as a commission to rearrange the state's banking and lending functions.

Committee: House Economic Development, Growth, and Household Impact