Transcript Highlights:

• And so the lending, purchasing, and lending shouldn't be different for a physical book than it is for
• And so the lending, purchasing, and lending shouldn't be different for a physical book than it is for
• And so the lending, purchasing, and lending shouldn't be different for a physical book than it is for
• And so the lending, purchasing, and lending shouldn't be different for a physical book than it is for
• And so the lending, purchasing, and lending shouldn't be different for a physical book than it is for

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• MENTORING PROGRAM WITH OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND HAVE REACHED TO THE MAXIMUM CAPACITY OF LENDING
• REVIEWED AND GIVEN MENTOR SHIP TO GROW BUT THEY ARE ALSO ABLE TO ACCESS A POT OF FUNDING THAT CAN LEND
• THE FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED IS THEY STRUGGLE TO FIND THE ACTUAL VALUE THEY LEND OF THE APPOINTMENT.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, you know, homeownership lending is a large part of what we do.
• ,</c> So, in our homeownership lending, So, in our homeownership lending, our<00:05:20.800><c> the</c
• </c><00:05:28.960><c> by</c> of the state's total mortgage lending by of the state's total mortgage lending
• </c> when you get state dollars or you lend when you get state dollars or you lend dollars,<00:47:22.200
• Uh, lending standards are far better than they have been in the past.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• A lot of the attention has been placed upon financial institutions that lend or provide access to credit
• If we allow social scoring to creep into lending decisions, we risk creating a two-tiered economy, one
• them in their low-carbon transition, if those efforts fail, Citi clearly will need to restrict its lending
• Banks continue to discriminate on lending based on emissions.
• Banks that left the NZBA still appear to be using emissions to discriminate in lending, which will harm

Bills: SB312 , SB945 , SB946 , SB1367 , SB1861 , SB2044 , SB2337 , SB2403 , SB2819 , SJR54

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• This reinforces that these are crimes against real property owners, buyers, banks lending on real property
• This bill provides for restitution to the victim, lending agencies, and the title companies who have
• This reinforces that these are crimes against real property owners, buyers, bank lending on real property
• This bill provides for restitution to the victim lending agency and the title companies who have paid
• Thank all three of you for coming and lending your expertise. Appreciate it very much.

Bills: SB127 , SB456 , SB482 , SB659 , SB739 , SB816 , SB1234 , SB1666 , SB1886 , SB1980 , SB2580 , SB2611 , SB2693 , SB2776

Committee: Senate Criminal Justice

Keywords: child abuse, reporting obligation, statute of limitations, negligence, legal professionals, human organs, criminal penalties, physician license, medical ethics, illegal trade, smuggling, human trafficking, felony offenses, law enforcement, authorized peace officer, peace officer definition, tracking equipment, communications access, electronic surveillance, cell phone records

Summary: The committee heard and laid out a series of criminal justice bills, with public and invited testimony on restitution, juvenile justice, child abuse reporting, public-safety protections, organ trafficking, property fraud, disaster-response worker protections, fentanyl exposure, emergency data disclosure, insurance-fraud investigations, blood warrant execution, human smuggling, and TJJD advocacy access. Several measures drew support from prosecutors, clerks, law enforcement, utility companies, and victims who described real-world harms and delays in current law; opposition or caution came from civil-rights and advocacy groups on bills involving expanded criminal liability, data disclosure, and juvenile-facility access. Most bills were left pending after testimony, with the committee later voting out SB 127 favorably and placing it on the local and uncontested calendar. SB 1666 would streamline restitution payments for parole or mandatory supervision cases by requiring TDCJ to include victim information when forwarding payments, shortening the period before unclaimed funds go to the Crime Victims’ Compensation Fund, and clarifying confidentiality and contact procedures; county clerks supported it as an efficiency measure. SB 2776 would let TJJD disclose certain information, with written consent, to support the Credible Messengers Program, and SB 127 would extend limitations periods for failure-to-report child abuse and concealment offenses, with testimony emphasizing delayed discovery of abuse and the need for accountability. SB 1980 would increase penalties for assaulting or interfering with peace officers, parole officers, and community supervision officers, and SB 456 would raise penalties for organ purchasing/trafficking and create a more specific criminal framework for the offense; both drew strong support from law enforcement and victims. The committee also heard SB 2611 on real property theft and deed fraud, which would create separate offenses for real property theft and fraud, add a ten-year limitations period, require criminal judgments to be filed in county property records, and expand restitution and title-clearing remedies. Witnesses described forged deeds, stolen church and family properties, and long, costly efforts to restore title; county clerks and prosecutors said the bill would help victims and streamline civil remedies. SB 482 would increase penalties for offenses against utility workers during declared disasters or evacuation orders, prompted by reports of threats and assaults during Hurricane Beryl; utility representatives said the bill is needed to keep mutual-aid crews coming to Texas. SB 1234 would add fentanyl to the endangerment statute for vulnerable people, while SB 816 would allow providers to disclose electronic data in immediate life-threatening situations; both drew support from prosecutors and criticism from civil-rights advocates concerned about overbreadth and liability protections.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it exists in lending.
• And it exists in lending.
• And it exists in lending.
• And it exists in lending.
• </c> exists in lending. exists in lending.

Bills: HB4553

Keywords: energy, water development, appropriations, fiscal year 2026, flood control, infrastructure

Transcript Highlights:

• CalHFA also provides complementary lending and bond issuance, and HCD fills that final funding gap and
• CalHFA also provides complementary lending and bond issuance, and HCD fills that final funding gap and
• We finance or provide permanent lending for multifamily affordable housing, primarily 9% and 4% deals
• So the answer doesn't lend itself to, hey, put some money on a bond or find money from the general fund
• A more predictable entitlement process and lending process in an unpredictable environment, right?

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability held its first hearing of 2025 to examine how California finances affordable housing and homeownership. Co-chairs opened by describing the state’s severe housing shortage, high costs, and the need for the committee to identify practical recommendations. Panelists from the California Housing Partnership, the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Treasurer’s housing finance committees, CalHFA, and Related discussed the layered financing structure used for affordable housing, including federal low-income housing tax credits, tax-exempt bonds, state subsidies, local funds, and rental assistance. Witnesses emphasized that affordable housing projects typically require multiple funding sources and that the system is often slowed by complex applications, overlapping rules, and too many layers of financing. Several speakers noted recent federal changes that expanded the 9% and 4% tax credit programs, including a lower bond-financing threshold for 4% credits, which should allow more projects to move forward. State officials also highlighted ongoing efforts to streamline the system, including the SuperNOFA, AB 519’s one-stop-shop working group, and the planned California Housing and Homeless Agency, which is intended to align housing, homelessness, and civil rights functions. CalHFA described its homeownership and multifamily programs, including My Home, Dream For All, Cal Assist Mortgage Fund, and the Mixed Income Program, and said its financing tools help first-time buyers and developers. Related and other housing providers said the state has made real progress through land-use reform, accountability enforcement, and faster tax credit allocation, but argued that funding remains far below need. They called for more state and permanent funding sources, more efficient administration, more support for ADU and modular financing, and better attention to deeper affordability, the “missing middle,” and equity impacts on renters, women, and communities of color. The hearing was informational only; no votes or formal actions were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• Second, the bill prohibits the use of ESG practices in commercial lending for farmers.
• ESG practices in commercial lending for farmers.
• All lending decisions must be made on standard financial practices, not social engineering.

Committee: Senate Agriculture

Summary: The Senate Committee on Agriculture met and considered four bills. SB 178, by Senator Rouson, created an agronomic study to be conducted by Florida A&M University, subject to appropriation, to identify viable crops or products for land taken out of production by disease or weather and to assess environmental and economic impacts; it passed unanimously and was reported favorably. SB 980, by Senator Bernard, created a one-year Hunger-Free Campus Pilot Program within FDACS to help postsecondary institutions address student hunger through task forces, SNAP assistance, food pantries, and related measures; DACS support was noted, one student government representative appeared in support, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 786, by Chair Truenow, prohibited assignment of assessments on agricultural improvements for agricultural purposes on lands classified as agriculture; it also passed unanimously and was reported favorably. The committee then took up SB 700, the FDACS “farm bill,” via a strike-all amendment. The amendment included a broad package of technical and substantive changes, including restrictions on additives to public water systems, limits on ESG considerations in agricultural lending, criminal penalties related to drone harassment, updates to disaster loan programs, truth-in-labeling provisions, charity registration changes, on-farm worker housing provisions, and support for FFA and 4-H dues. A major point of discussion was the provision preempting local governments from deciding whether to fluoridate water; supporters argued for statewide consistency and consumer choice, while opponents, including the Florida Dental Association and local officials, warned it would remove local control and harm public health, especially for low-income residents. Other speakers addressed concealed carry due process concerns, landowner rights, and labeling issues. The strike-all was adopted, and CS/SB 700 was reported favorably, with some senators noting they would continue working on concerns before later stops. At the end of the meeting, Senator Burton asked to be recorded as voting yes on SB 178, SB 980, and SB 786, and the committee agreed. The chair also welcomed Warner University agriculture policy students visiting the Capitol, and the meeting adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• We represent about 8% of the mortgage lending industry across the state.
• </c><00:08:53.399><c> uh</c> part of what allows us to do lending uh part of what allows us to do lending
• We saw that with the agent lending. We had a billion dollars during the pandemic.
• We saw that with the agent lending. We had a billion dollars during the pandemic.
• We saw that with the agent lending. We had a billion dollars during the pandemic.

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• The proposed amendment in section one pertains to the lending and investing authority of a risk retention
• Specifically, it prohibits a risk retention group from lending to or investing in its members or the
• to the lending and investing authority<00:19:15.200><c> of</c><00:19:15.360><c> a</c><00:19:15.600><
• </c><00:19:21.039><c> to</c><00:19:21.520><c> or</c> retention group from lending to or retention group
• from lending to or investing<00:19:22.320><c> in</c><00:19:22.720><c> its</c><00:19:23.039><c> members

Transcript Highlights:

• MMCDC brought experience and scale to the program, having decades of experience in lending and housing
• development, with 27 years of mortgage lending and down payment assistance.
• </c> having Decades of experience in lending having Decades of experience in lending and<01:02:50.720
• </c><01:02:53.880><c> and</c><01:02:54.039><c> down</c><01:02:54.319><c> payment</c> mortgage lending
• and down payment mortgage lending and down payment assistance<01:02:55.839><c> due</c><01:02:56.039>

Committee: House Housing Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• cost comes in the form of legal fees, excuse me, interest fees, and other charges that go into the lending
• A necessary part of their willingness to lend against the potential settlement of return.
• When you think of where this might come into play, you know, there's lending in advance to a plaintiff
• um and I forget the terminology there's um and I forget the terminology there's<01:06:47.720><c> lending
• in advance to a there's lending in advance to a plaintiff<01:06:50.880><c> who</c><01:06:51.240><c>

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on HB 733-FN, a bill on third-party litigation financing (TPLF). Representative Cole, the prime sponsor, described TPLF as outside investors financing lawsuits in which they have no personal stake, arguing that the practice is largely unregulated, can involve foreign entities, and contributes to litigation abuse, higher insurance costs, and what he called a “tort tax.” He said the bill is modeled on an NCOIL proposal and would require disclosure of TPLF agreements, with specific references to foreign-entity restrictions, consumer-protection guardrails, and reporting requirements. He also noted a few technical fixes to the draft, including adding the word “knowingly” and restoring a section that had been omitted. Committee members questioned how the bill’s foreign-entity language would work, including whether a governor or the Department of Safety would designate countries of concern, and whether the bill would bar foreign parties from using litigation funding. Cole and others clarified that the bill was intended as a reporting measure, not a ban on litigation funding itself, and that the goal was to disclose who is funding lawsuits and to what extent. Representative Sal asked whether the bill would prevent a litigant from getting outside financing; Cole answered no, emphasizing disclosure rather than prohibition. Brandon Grat of the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection and Antitrust Bureau testified that the bill’s enforcement provisions were too limited. He said the draft appears to give the Attorney General only a civil-penalty remedy, likely too small to deter violations, and not the broader Consumer Protection Act tools such as injunctions, restitution, or investigation authority. He also raised concerns about whether the Attorney General or Insurance Department would have proper jurisdiction, given that the product may be financial or insurance-related. Insurance Commissioner DJ Benton Court said the department sees possible benefits from transparency because disclosure of litigation funding could help insurers assess risk, improve underwriting, and potentially ease hard-market pressures, especially for nonprofits and child care providers. He also said the bill’s language likely needs further work to clarify agency authority and suggested involving the Attorney General, Insurance Department, and banking regulators. Opposition testimony came from the New Hampshire Trial Lawyers Association. Marissa Chase and Samantha Hering argued the bill is one-sided because it requires disclosure only on the plaintiff side and not from defendants or insurers. They said New Hampshire already has court rules and discovery procedures that cover relevant disclosures, making the bill unnecessary, and questioned whether the existence of a funding contract is even relevant in litigation. The hearing ended with the committee continuing to discuss possible revisions and enforcement options, but no vote or final action was taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, Senate Bill 85, read the bank lending limits, and I've got no cards yet.
• Um the other thing legal lending limit.
• Uh, so you guys are lending more money, right? Right now the capital is—she's not lending.
• It just allows them to lend a little bit more.
• </c> allows them to lend a little bit more. allows them to lend a little bit more.

Summary: The committee held a public hearing on Senate Bill 25, which would allow New Hampshire state-chartered credit unions to choose, by member vote, to compensate their board members. Prime sponsor Senator Dan Innis said the bill is enabling only, does not require compensation, and is intended to align New Hampshire with other states that already permit this. He argued that credit union board service now requires more time and expertise, and that compensation could help attract stronger candidates and improve governance. Representatives from the Cooperative Credit Union Association and St. Mary’s Bank testified in support. They said the change would not create salaries, but could cover modest compensation or reimbursements such as daycare, education, cybersecurity, or accounting training. They emphasized that credit unions remain nonprofit and member-driven, that board members must be credit union members and elected by members, and that any compensation decision would be made by the membership at an annual meeting or through the credit union’s voting process. Witnesses also said the bill would help with recruitment and retention, especially as credit union operations have become more complex and digital, and noted that similar authority exists in 16 other states, including Rhode Island. Committee members asked about the historical reason credit unions were excluded, the amount and structure of compensation, whether there would be a cap, and how voting would work. Witnesses said the bill does not set a statutory maximum, but in practice the amount would be disclosed to members and set through the vote; they also described St. Mary’s Bank’s ballot process and said proxy or ballot procedures depend on each credit union’s bylaws. One witness noted that federally chartered credit unions are subject to different limits. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the public hearing on Senate Bill 25 and then moved on to Senate Bill 26.

Transcript Highlights:

• there are some, I think, in the sponsor memo, talks about vulture hedge funds who are maybe predatory lending
• two sophisticated business entities, countries, individuals, enter into an agreement where somebody lends
• Unjustifiable returns on money that they knew they were only lending so that they could sue to get back

Committee: Senate Judiciary

Summary: The Judiciary Committee met for its fourth meeting of the year and considered a series of bills, mostly on civil practice, real property, and court administration. SB 26A on extreme risk protection orders drew some concern about possible unintended consequences and broad exclusions for minors, but it was moved and reported to Codes. SB 1116, designating April 20 as New York State Constitution Day, was moved quickly and reported to the floor. The committee spent the most time on SB 1477, which would limit certain debt-collection practices involving sovereign debt and so-called vulture investors. Senator Krueger explained that the bill is narrowly targeted at investors who buy distressed sovereign bonds with the intent to sue in New York courts, while Senator Palumbo raised concerns about breadth and possible effects on legitimate lending and contract rights. After extended discussion and assurances that the bill would not affect ordinary investors or credit-card debt, it was moved and reported to Finance. Members also discussed SB 7541 on transparency for co-ops and condos; some members warned of unintended consequences and opposition from the co-op/condo community, while others argued it would improve disclosure. The bill was ultimately reported to the floor. Several other bills were approved with little or no opposition: SB 2546 on abandoned multiple dwellings, SB 8294 requiring more detailed judicial determinations on motions, SB 8372 on expenses in matrimonial actions, SB 8870 extending supervision requirements for a real estate license application, and SB 9482 creating a New York City Civil Court subpart for eviction matters involving affordable housing providers and small landlords. SB 9482 drew supportive comments, with a note that funding and staffing would be needed in the budget for it to function effectively. All bills considered were moved out of committee and reported to the appropriate next committee or to the floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• I rise today on behalf of the Jewish Caucus to lend my voice to the chorus of those who rise in support
• And we lend our voices to the chorus and respectfully request a strong aye vote on ACR 30.
• And then we started the Lend-Lease Program, so that if you were incarcerated, we'd lease you back to
• He made frequent phone calls to family, friends, and colleagues, always offering to lend a hand wherever

Transcript Highlights:

• So they don't lend. They're not a lending bank.
• So they don't lend. They're not a lending bank.
• So they don't lend. They're not a lending bank.
• So you don't have the capacity to lend and therefore you don't have the risk on the fiat assets.
• So you don't have the capacity<00:23:46.880><c> to</c><00:23:47.120><c> lend</c><00:23:47.679><c> and

Bills: HB0116 , HB0056

Committee: House Minerals, Business & Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• COVID-19 pandemic hit and combined with the dramatic increases in construction costs, a difficult lending
• COVID-19 pandemic hit and combined with the dramatic increases in construction costs, a difficult lending
• COVID-19 pandemic hit and combined with the dramatic increases in construction costs, a difficult lending
• COVID-19 pandemic hit and combined with the dramatic increases in construction costs, a difficult lending
• COVID-19 pandemic hit and combined with the dramatic increases in construction costs, a difficult lending

Committee: Senate Taxes

Transcript Highlights:

• Committee on Financial Services and held his position throughout the mortgage lending crisis and the
• Committee on Financial Services and held his position throughout the mortgage lending crisis and the
• critical guardrails on financial institutions to help address the underlying causes of the 2008 mortgage lending

Transcript Highlights:

• by teaching fraud prevention, helping protect families from scams, identity theft, and predatory lending
• We've done a lot of things on mortgage lending.
• successful entrepreneurs, strengthening Missouri's small business economy, more responsible borrowing, and lending

Committee: House Financial Institutions

Summary: The committee first met in executive session and approved House Bill 2863 by a 14-0 vote. It then took up House Bill 2967, adopted a committee amendment that removed a fixed one-third allocation and allowed funds to be allocated by the body as needed, rolled the amendment into a substitute, and passed the House Committee Substitute for House Bill 2967 by a 15-0 vote. Members discussed how the bill related to another expungement-fund measure already passed by the House, and were told the two bills were intended to mirror each other and would not conflict. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 2303 and the mirrored House Bill 2867, both aimed at expanding Missouri’s personal finance education requirements. Sponsor testimony said the bills would require a half-credit in personal finance for graduation beginning in 2027-28, broaden instruction to include budgeting, credit, investing, fraud prevention, taxes, contracts, and major purchases, and create a DESE work group with industry and educator input to update standards every seven years. Sponsors and supporters said the goal was to better prepare students for real-world financial decisions, reduce debt traps, and improve workforce readiness. Witnesses from the Missouri Bankers Association, mortgage bankers, consumer credit groups, financial advisors, and individual advocates testified in support, emphasizing the need for updated, practical financial literacy instruction and regular curriculum review as financial products change. Committee members asked about the bill’s interaction with existing personal finance requirements, whether it would apply to public, private, homeschool, and GED pathways, and how early course completion waivers would work. Members also suggested adding insurance and gambling/probability topics to the curriculum discussion. No opposition testimony was offered, and House Bill 2119 was postponed to a future hearing before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• So only folks that had perhaps, you know, cash at hand or could have family members that could lend them
• that folks who are acquiring this form of affordable property should have access to more competitive lending
• I want to thank the... ...to more competitive lending, and that is an affordability issue.
• call attention to the committee amendments on pages 7 and 8 of the analysis. to more competitive lending
• Right now, for lenders that lend to a mobile home park owner, in the instance of a foreclosure, they

Committee: Senate Housing