Transcript Highlights:

• deposits, we issue mortgage revenue bonds, and we use those funds to then work with our participating lenders
• We do hear from some of our lenders that, you know, without that lower interest rate, they would not
• So that's everything from the mortgage lender, the appraiser, the inspector, somebody buying paint, carpet
• There is a bit of a shift from smaller, small-cap E&P companies or private-equity-backed companies to

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division of the budget section and received updates on several Industrial Commission-related agencies and programs. Legislative Council first reviewed base budget materials, then the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported on its current appropriation and staffing, noting that its new FTEs were being filled gradually and that it remained largely funded through special and federal funds. Agency leaders described homeownership lending, loan servicing, and housing incentive fund activity, including below-market mortgage rates, down payment assistance, and a growing servicing portfolio that has increased workload but not yet required additional FTEs. Housing Finance also detailed use of the Housing Incentive Fund and homeless grant dollars. Officials said the multifamily HIF round drew more than $73 million in requests and awarded $25 million, while the single-family program supported rural development and community land trusts. Homeless grant funding was split between emergency shelter, prevention, and rapid rehousing, with performance-based scoring used to renew or reallocate awards. Members discussed housing affordability, aging households, rental assistance, and the need to coordinate housing and site-preparation messaging with Commerce. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased in the next session. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and operations update. Staff said the agency was on track financially, had filled most of its new reclamation FTEs, and was not expecting major litigation costs beyond normal late-biennium invoices. The director reviewed agency initiatives including Project North Star IT modernization, organizational restructuring, succession planning, rulemaking, and implementation of the development incentive well tax program and critical minerals rules. He also discussed oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals, especially three- and four-mile wells and the first five-mile spacing case, are helping keep production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. Members asked about gas capture, hedging, break-even prices, and the effects of Iran and Venezuela on oil markets. The committee also heard about enhanced oil recovery grants and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with total awards reaching about $45.1 million when other fund balances were included, subject to a possible 5% reduction if federal DOE money does not materialize. Officials said the projects are public, reimbursement-based, and will produce results over the next several years. Finally, the Pipeline Authority outlined natural gas transmission projects, including the imminent Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which WBI was selected to advance after an Industrial Commission RFI process. The project is moving through open season, survey permission, and regulatory work, with in-service dates projected for 2029 and 2030.

Transcript Highlights:

• deposits, we issue mortgage revenue bonds, and we use those funds to then work with our participating lenders
• We do hear from some of our lenders that, you know, without that lower interest rate, they would not
• So that's everything from the mortgage lender, the appraiser, the inspector, somebody buying paint, carpet
• There is a bit of a shift from smaller, small-cap E&P companies or private equity-backed companies to

Summary: The committee met as the Budget Section’s Regulatory Division and first reviewed base budget materials for the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Mineral Resources. Legislative Council explained the blue-sheet budget summaries and historical funding trends. The Housing Finance Agency then reported on its ongoing homeownership, housing incentive, and homelessness programs, noting that its new FTEs are being filled, loan servicing remains above benchmark, and the agency is operating largely on special and federal funds rather than general fund dollars. Housing Finance officials said the Housing Incentive Fund continues to be heavily oversubscribed, with requests far exceeding available dollars, and described how funds are being used for multifamily gap financing, rural single-family development, community land trusts, and homeless prevention/rapid rehousing. Members asked about performance measures, the number of people served, and the relationship between housing costs, wages, and homelessness. The agency said it uses scoring criteria tied to performance and outcomes, and requested that the Legislature maintain or increase funding for HIF, single-family housing, and homeless grants. Committee members also discussed the need to coordinate housing finance efforts with Commerce and broader site-preparation and workforce issues. The Department of Mineral Resources reported that it is on track with its budget, has filled most of its newly authorized reclamation positions, and is moving ahead on several initiatives, including IT modernization through Project North Star, organizational succession planning, and rulemaking for critical minerals and oil and gas programs. The director gave an extensive update on oil and gas activity, explaining that longer laterals and operational efficiencies are keeping production relatively flat even as rig counts decline, and that gas capture remains around 95 percent. Members asked about oil prices, hedging, spacing units, and the effects of geopolitical events on markets and state revenues. The committee also received an update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program and the Pipeline Authority. The EOR program’s $25 million appropriation was fully allocated to six projects, with additional oil and gas research funds also committed, and officials said the projects will require public status reports and final reports. The Pipeline Authority described major natural gas transmission projects, including the upcoming Bakken Express line and the proposed Bakken East project, which recently completed a binding open season after the Industrial Commission selected WBI Energy’s proposal to move forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• deposits, we issue mortgage revenue bonds, and we use those funds to then work with our participating lenders
• We do hear from some of our lenders that, you know, without that lower interest rate, they would not
• So that's everything from the mortgage lender, the appraiser, the inspector, somebody buying paint, carpet
• There is a bit of a shift from smaller, small cap E&P companies or private equity-backed companies to

Summary: The committee met as the Regulatory Division budget section and first reviewed the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency’s budget and program update. Legislative Council outlined the agency’s base budget and historical funding, and Housing Finance staff reported on homeownership lending, housing incentive fund (HIF) awards, and homeless grant spending. Agency officials said the five new FTEs approved last session are mostly filled, with one homeless program manager still open. They described strong demand for HIF, noting that September 2025 multifamily requests exceeded $73 million while only $25 million was available, and that single-family and homeless programs are also heavily subscribed. Members discussed the agency’s local loan servicing workload, interest-rate benefits, down payment assistance, and the need to coordinate housing discussions with Commerce and site-preparation efforts. The agency asked that HIF, single-family, and homeless funding be maintained or increased, and committee members emphasized accountability and statewide access for homeless prevention and rapid rehousing funds. The Department of Mineral Resources then presented its budget and agency initiatives. Staff reported that the department is on track financially, that most of the five new reclamation-related FTEs are hired, and that litigation costs tied to oil and gas matters are expected to continue appearing late in the biennium. The director reviewed ongoing modernization and organizational efforts, including the North Star IT project, succession planning, training, and rulemaking for oil and gas and critical minerals. Members asked about longer laterals, spacing, and production trends; the department said operators are increasingly drilling three-, four-, and even an initial five-mile lateral, which is helping keep North Dakota oil production relatively flat even as rig counts ease. The director also discussed oil price volatility tied to Middle East conflict, hedging practices among producers, gas capture remaining around 95%, and the likelihood that current production levels will stay near flat unless prices or geopolitical conditions change significantly. An update on the enhanced oil recovery grant program followed. The Industrial Commission’s grant administrator said the full $25 million appropriation was allocated in the fall to six projects, and because the oil and gas research fund also had carryover and biennial tax revenue, total awards reached about $45.1 million. The projects are expected to run two to four years, with meaningful results not likely until mid-2026 or later. Members questioned whether the public would have access to the research findings and how accountability would be maintained; staff said the grants are reimbursement-based, require regular status reports, and will culminate in public final reports. The committee also heard from the North Dakota Pipeline Authority, which updated members on natural gas transmission projects, especially WBI Energy’s proposed Bakken East pipeline. The authority said the project has advanced through a nonbinding and then binding open season, with WBI now securing survey permissions and moving through regulatory and landowner processes, while other related gas transmission projects near Minot and Epping are also in development.

Transcript Highlights:

• parking rules that can hinder a project's ability to meet market demand and to basically comply with lenders
• parking rules that can hinder a project's ability to meet market demand and to basically comply with lenders
• I have seven recommendations for the legislature to consider as part of this work: set a binding cap
• It's often because a lender or financing requires our regulatory review.

Summary: The Assembly Select Committee on Regulatory Authority held its first hearing to examine how California’s regulatory framework affects housing availability and affordability. Chair Pacheco and Assembly Member Haney framed the discussion around the state’s housing shortage, rising costs, and the need to reduce unnecessary delays and burdens while still protecting public health, safety, and environmental goals. The first panel included housing policy experts and industry representatives, who argued that overlapping state and regional rules, complex code requirements, utility delays, and lengthy review processes add substantial cost to new housing. Bill Fulton described California’s land use system as a “big Rubik’s Cube” of competing goals, while CBIA’s Chris Ochoa and Bob Raymer urged more attention to affordability impacts in code adoption and state agency rulemaking. The Bay Area Council’s Louis Marante called for a statewide cost target for housing and stronger accountability for state agencies, citing project review delays, regulatory costs, and indirect impacts from water, stormwater, and transportation policies. State agency witnesses generally defended their roles as balancing housing with other statutory mandates. HCD said its enforcement of housing element law, streamlining statutes, and technical assistance has helped increase production, reduce entitlement times, and approve tens of thousands of homes that might otherwise have faced discretionary review. CARB said SB 375 does not regulate local land use or reduce housing supply, and that sustainable community strategies are planning tools that could support housing if fully implemented. The Coastal Commission said it has worked with local governments to streamline coastal housing approvals, approve density bonus and ADU ordinances, and support legislation to exempt some affordable housing from coastal permits, while still protecting coastal resources and sea-level-rise hazards. The Energy Commission said its building energy standards are required by statute to be cost-effective and save consumers money over time, though they can add some design complexity and upfront cost. Other agencies emphasized collaboration and early engagement as the best way to reduce delays. Fish and Wildlife said its mission is to protect California’s natural diversity and that better early coordination with developers can improve outcomes. DTSC said brownfield cleanup and vapor intrusion review are necessary to protect public health, but that early engagement, workshops, and site-specific approaches can help projects move forward; it also noted grant funding supporting affordable housing on contaminated sites. The Water Board said it uses general orders and basin planning to streamline permitting while meeting federal and state water-quality obligations, and that its infrastructure grants and loans support housing affordability. In response to Assembly Member Haney’s questions, several agencies said they already coordinate across departments, but he pressed for more cross-agency clarity and less siloed decision-making. No votes or formal actions were taken at the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Placing caps on services may prevent some children from ever reaching their full potential.
• <c> may</c><00:50:43.320><c> prevent</c> Placing caps on services may prevent Placing caps on services
• We ultimately secured a line of credit through a non-traditional lender with significant fees.
• </c> lender with significant fees. lender with significant fees.
• ,</c><01:13:18.560><c> no</c> that there is absolutely no cap, no that there is absolutely no cap, no

Bills: HF4207 , HF4338

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: housing aid, local housing trust, funding projects, income provisions, technical changes, human services, medical assistance, Medicaid, provider enrollment, provider revalidation, fraud prevention, program integrity, background study, background check, fingerprinting, licensing, license revocation, payment withholding, payment suspension, prepayment review

Transcript Highlights:

• Mortgage lenders are opposed for a slightly different reason outlined in our letter.
• It has been nearly a decade since the passage of AB 617, which as part of the cap and trade negotiations
• Property owners are often forced either to reduce the size of their design to stay under the cap, which
• To stay under the cap, which limits the potential usefulness, or abandon their ADU plans altogether.
• The lender has confirmed it. ...is exactly what's killing their financing situation.

Committee: Senate Local Government

Transcript Highlights:

• Lenders can foreclose on someone's home without going to court.
• And the America Wholesale Lender, that's another entity that is the lender that never existed.
• But so far, this person that did this, created this America Wholesale Lender, is in jail.
• Even the person that owned the lender, the mortgage broker, they were closed down.
• We will provide you with the information on America Wholesale Lender. Thank you. Thank you.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Financial Services

Summary: The Committee on Financial Services heard testimony on several bills focused on consumer debt, mortgage regulation, credit unions, and foreclosure prevention. The Attorney General’s Office strongly supported the Debt Collection Fairness Act (S. 735/H. 1275), saying it would curb abusive debt collection, prevent stale claims, limit civil arrest warrants, modernize wage garnishment rules, and reduce judgment interest rates. Senator Eldridge and legal aid advocates echoed that support, while the Massachusetts Bankers Association and the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association supported bills on credit union mission/competition, consumer privacy in mortgage applications, subprime loan definitions, UCC updates, and protections for vulnerable adults, but opposed foreclosure mediation proposals and several credit union expansion measures, arguing they would distort competition and add unnecessary burdens. A large portion of the hearing focused on foreclosure prevention bills (S. 765/H. 1090), with testimony from homeowners, housing organizers, and legal advocates describing predatory lending, confusing servicing practices, health harms, and displacement caused by foreclosure. Supporters said a statewide pre-foreclosure mediation program would give borrowers and lenders a chance to reach alternatives such as loan modifications or repayment plans, and cited local experience in Lynn where mediation reportedly produced high rates of foreclosure alternatives. Opponents from the banking industry argued Massachusetts already has strong foreclosure protections and that a new mandatory process could delay resolution without added benefit, though they also noted a 2024 pilot should be evaluated first. The committee also heard strong support for H. 1282/S. 684, which would update the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code. State Street and a bankruptcy attorney said the changes are needed to keep commercial law current with electronic transactions, tokenized assets, and blockchain technology, and to maintain competitiveness with other states. The hearing concluded after public testimony, with no bill votes taken during the session; the chair thanked speakers and the committee voted to adjourn.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, for example, if I am the first lender, I hold first position.
• So, this will protect the lender in some regards on that.
• could lose their position that a lender could lose their position on<00:11:25.680><c> the</c><00:11:
• So for example if I am the<00:11:28.560><c> first</c><00:11:28.959><c> lender</c><00:11:29.440><c> I<
• There is a benefit, like I say, to the lenders as well because now all of a sudden they don't have to

Bills: SF0114 , SF0102 , SF0117

Committee: House Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, there is no cap on that.
• Uh, there is no cap on that.
• So<02:51:12.640><c> lenders</c><02:51:13.600><c> typically</c><02:51:14.240><c> underwrite</c> So lenders
• typically underwrite So lenders typically underwrite uh<02:51:16.160><c> financing</c><02:51:16.800>
• </c><04:16:11.920><c> the</c> to us because it effectively caps the to us because it effectively caps

Committee: House Science, Technology and Energy

Transcript Highlights:

• Not a means at all for any lenders to be predatory or take advantage of folks in Minnesota.
• </c><00:02:49.519><c> And</c><00:02:49.680><c> so</c> closing costs and lender fees.
• And so closing costs and lender fees.
• the lender, consider various options,<00:03:01.120><c> and</c><00:03:01.360><c> pick</c><00:03:01.519
• </c><00:04:11.040><c> or</c><00:04:11.200><c> take</c> lenders to be predatory or take lenders to be

Summary: The discussion focused on two Minnesota Senate bills authored by the senator: Senate File 4168 and Senate File 4652. SF 4168 would give buyers of investment properties more flexibility in financing, including the ability to roll certain closing costs and lender fees into the loan, with the senator emphasizing that the measure is limited to investment properties and is not intended for primary residences. He stressed that the bill is meant to provide options, not force borrowers into any particular structure, and repeatedly distinguished it from predatory lending, saying it has nothing to do with fraudulent or abusive mortgage practices. SF 4652 addresses fraud prevention at banks by allowing account holders to designate an additional contact person who can be notified if a bank suspects suspicious activity and cannot reach the account owner. The senator described it as a common-sense, no-cost, anti-fraud measure aimed at early detection and protecting both banks and customers. He said fraud is a widespread problem and that the bill would help institutions act quickly when something appears wrong. The senator said both bills moved quickly because he wanted to get them heard and passed this session, and he noted that he was the sole author on each. He said the bills passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House. In broader comments, he credited bipartisan relationships and committee cooperation for helping the bills advance, and said the session showed House-Senate collaboration on practical legislation, with more political items being pushed toward compromise and further discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um first is the farmer-lender mediation appropriation related to hiring of one full-time employee.
• Um first is the farmer-lender mediation appropriation related to hiring of one full-time employee.
• This relates to Senate File 3583, which is a policy element that extends the farmer-lender mediation
• Um first is the farmer-lender<00:03:50.320><c> mediation</c><00:03:51.040><c> appropriation</c> farmer-lender
• </c><00:04:17.680><c> mediation</c> there is another farmer-lender mediation there is another farmer-lender

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• ABILITIES SCHOLARSHIP BEING 2019 2020 AND IN THAT YEAR UNDER FLORIDA STATUTE THERE WAS SOME LEVEL OR CAP
• WE DO RECOMMEND THE LEGISLATURE EVALUATE THE TIMING OF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION LENDERS TO BETTER
• IS PRESENTED TALKED ABOUT FUNDS BEING DEVELOPED DEPOSITED IN UA ACCOUNTS BE ON THE 50,000 STATUTORY CAP
• IN A POLICY THAT DOESN'T HAVE A CAP FOR SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS IF THEY ARE MOVED IN THEIR OWN POP.
• TRUST ME, THERE WILL BE A CAP AND THOSE FUNDS WOULD BE TARGETED.

Transcript Highlights:

• Mortgage rates and other long-term rates also respond to lenders' inflation expectations.
• </c><00:14:38.720><c> inflation</c> also respond to lenders inflation also respond to lenders inflation
• </c><00:29:38.480><c> of</c> a cap of a cap of 3%<00:29:41.159><c> and</c><00:29:41.399><c> what</c><
• A number of options have been discussed, such as capping the growth in the federal share of Medicaid
• the growth in the federal share capping the growth in the federal share of<00:31:55.480><c> Medicaid

Committee: Senate Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• Believe it or not, this proposal is actually good for lenders too.
• , and the lenders expect to be paid back.
• , and the lenders expect to be paid back.
• He also had a passion for baseball memorabilia, including baseball caps and signed baseballs.
• INCLUDING BASEBALL CAPS AND SIGNED BASEBALLS, ONE BASEBALL WAS SIGNED ACTUALLY BY THE ST.

Summary: The Senate convened, approved the prior day’s journal, and then processed a large number of motions to discharge bills from committees and substitute identical Senate or Assembly versions for third reading. The chamber also adopted the resolution calendar with exceptions and took up several resolutions and ceremonial recognitions, including a resolution mourning Hudson Talbott, a Dairy Month resolution highlighting New York’s dairy industry, and introductions honoring Niskayuna academic teams, Gabriella Scheer for receiving the Liberty Medal, the Hartstein family’s civic engagement, and Diana Cochran’s advocacy for safe firearm storage. The Senate then moved through the calendar and passed many bills on topics including insurance, public health, education, labor, social services, banking, local government, veterans, public service, consumer protection, criminal procedure, cannabis, parks, taxation, election law, and highway matters. Several members explained votes on notable measures: support for acupuncture insurance coverage, consumer protections for doorbell-camera data sharing, expanded protections in debt collection cases, trauma-informed procedures for sexual assault survivors, a Legionnaires’ disease awareness program, changes to mandatory minimum sentencing, and universal safe storage of firearms. A number of home rule and local authorization bills were also approved, including parkland alienation measures and local tax exemption authorizations. Most measures passed with broad bipartisan support, though some drew recorded opposition. Notable roll calls included the consumer debt uniformity bill, the mandatory minimum sentencing bill, the safe storage/firearms bill, and the public housing and public health measures, each with more divided votes. The chamber also accepted a lengthy Rules Committee report sending many additional bills directly to third reading, and then began the supplemental calendar, passing at least the first items before the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• By mandating low-density sprawl around our transit stations, cities have capped how many people are even
• unit, the tenant, that they can transfer that to the same area to another unit by law, not the rent caps
• And when you go to a lender and say, hey, we want you to lend on this project, they're going to be like
• And when you go to a lender and say, hey, we want you to lend on this project, they're going to be like
• And when you go to a lender and say, hey, we want you to lend on this project, they're going to be like

Committee: House Housing and Community Development

Summary: The committee heard several housing-related bills, with the longest discussion on SB 79, which would allow more housing near major transit stops and on transit agency land. The author and supporters argued it would address California’s housing shortage, support transit ridership, and reduce vehicle miles traveled, while opponents from cities, housing advocates, and legal aid groups raised concerns about affordability requirements, demolition and displacement protections, and local control. After extensive debate and amendments, the committee approved SB 79 on a roll call vote of 8-1, with one member not voting, and sent it to the Assembly Local Government Committee. The committee also heard SB 21, which would allow limited reductions in unit count when converting deed-restricted SRO buildings into larger, more livable affordable units with kitchens, bathrooms, and supportive services. Supporters said the bill would preserve aging nonprofit-owned SRO housing and prevent building failures like the Skid Row Housing Trust portfolio, while no opposition witnesses testified. The bill was moved on a unanimous 8-0 vote to Local Government. SB 92 was heard next and would close a density bonus loophole by limiting how much commercial floor area can be increased through the law. The author said the bill responds to a proposed Pacific Beach project that would have used a small number of affordable units to justify a very large hotel tower; the City of San Diego and labor groups supported the fix, and some housing groups withdrew opposition after amendments. The committee passed SB 92 on a 7-0 vote, with the roll left open. Later, the committee took up SB 522, which would extend just-cause eviction protections to rebuilt units that were previously covered by the Tenant Protection Act after a disaster. The author and Los Angeles City Attorney Heidi Feldstein Soto said the bill would preserve tenant protections in rebuilt communities like Pacific Palisades, while apartment, realtor, and property owner groups opposed it, arguing it would add burdens and discourage rebuilding. Members questioned whether the bill was necessary given existing Housing Crisis Act right-of-return protections, and the discussion was still ongoing when the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• More specifically, the proposal is to take the overall volume cap of bonds at the state.
• We recommend a similar needs-based framework to guide any future allocation of bond cap.
• And there's a cap. Is there a cap to when the 3% applies? There wouldn't be a cap, per se.
• There wouldn't be a cap, per se.
• Harrison Lender with LeadingAge California.

Summary: Assembly Budget Subcommittee 5 on State Administration heard two housing-related trailer bill items tied to the Governor’s reorganization plan. The first item would codify the creation of a new Housing and Homelessness Agency and a Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency structure; the second would further streamline the state housing finance system by creating a Housing Development and Finance Committee and reserving most private activity bond capacity for affordable housing. Administration officials said the changes are intended to reduce duplication, speed awards to construction, and make housing funding more predictable and efficient. Agency leaders described recent housing investments and implementation steps, including work groups, coordination with Finance, the Controller, and the Treasurer’s Office, and development of new guidelines and staffing. Members raised concerns about limited funding, the need for better program-by-program outcome data, youth homelessness, excess sites, and fraud prevention. The Interagency Council on Homelessness presented new three-year action plan metrics, including goals to increase exits from unsheltered homelessness to 70% and move more people into permanent housing, while also noting current performance data and quarterly public reporting. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said it had no concerns with the first trailer bill, but supported the general concept of the second while recommending changes, including removing or revising the proposed 50% bond-cap floor for the new committee and adding attention to 9% and state tax credits. Public commenters, including local governments, nonprofit developers, housing authorities, and advocacy groups, largely supported the reorganization and streamlining goals, but several urged stronger protections for deeply affordable housing, earlier reallocation of unused bond authority, continued access to 9% credits, and more funding for housing programs. No votes were taken in the portion provided; the chair closed item one and moved to item two after member and public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds language saying that the retail seller would not be out of compliance if the lender chosen by
• Retail sellers of new motor vehicles work with a variety of lenders to finance cars, including captive
• , no matter what the policies of that lender are.
• I can kind of see you don't want to have to deal with a lender that might not be a good lender, and so
• The speaker raises concerns about forcing dealers to accept certain lenders and begins to pivot to the

Bills: HB12 , HB149 , HB 12 , HB149 , SB229 , SB1361 , SB1749 , SB1897 , SB2113 , SB2566 , SB2677 , SB1652 , SB2327 , SB2344 , SB2696

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Keywords: election law, attorney general, prosecution, criminal offenses, law enforcement, jurisdiction, voter fraud, local prosecuting attorney, public safety, communication, governor approval, interoperability, political subdivision, radio systems, artificial intelligence, regulation, biometric data, ethical AI, consumer protection, AI governance

Summary: The Senate Committee on Business and Commerce heard testimony on HB 149, the Artificial Intelligence Governance Act. Senator Schwertner described the bill as an outcomes-based AI framework that would require disclosure when people interact with AI, prohibit manipulative or social-scoring systems, address biometric capture, discrimination, and deepfake child exploitation, and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. It would also create an AI Sandbox and AI Council. Witnesses from the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a Houston attorney, TechNet, and the Texas Association of Business strongly supported the bill, praising its stakeholder process and pro-innovation approach, while Texas Appleseed suggested regulators should have more examination authority over sandbox participants. The bill was left pending. The committee then heard SB 229, which would prohibit motor vehicle dealers from conditioning a sale on dealer-offered financing or charging more because a buyer uses outside financing or cash. Senator West said the bill is meant to stop forced financing and bait-and-switch pricing, and he noted the bill passed the committee and Senate in the prior session. The Texas Automobile Dealers Association opposed the bill, arguing it would force dealers to accept any third-party lender or cash transaction on terms they cannot control. The Texas Credit Union Association supported the bill, saying consumers should be able to choose outside financing without hidden fees or pressure. After questions about cash purchases and dealer practices, the bill was left pending. The committee also took up SB 2566, which would clarify legislators’ access to information from executive agencies, including confidential information, by setting response deadlines, limiting confidentiality agreements to statutory terms, requiring a standard AG form, and creating a complaint and penalty process for noncompliance. No witnesses testified, and the bill was left pending. Finally, SB 1749, as substituted, would let certain court-related employees and judicial conduct commission personnel keep personal information such as home addresses and phone numbers confidential, with work addresses used in place of home addresses for certain purposes. District clerk and judicial conduct commission witnesses described threats and harassment as the reason for the bill, and a court administration witness answered questions about how the address protections would work with voter registration and precinct records. That bill was also left pending, and the committee recessed without further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> predatory lenders. predatory lenders.
• </c><01:23:54.639><c> It</c> impose a hard cap on this fee. It impose a hard cap on this fee.
• So, again, the cap is and 35.
• </c><01:43:02.159><c> over</c> reality, the CFPB's rule capping over reality, the CFPB's rule capping
• </c><02:10:14.719><c> on</c> agree that there should be a cap on agree that there should be a cap on

Bills: HR981 , HR1228 , HB1526 , HCR14 , SJR18 , SJR28 , HR313

Keywords: federal budget, deficit reduction, economic growth, national debt, bipartisan support, House resolution, congressional subpoena, subpoena enforcement, Oversight Committee, House Oversight and Government Reform, judicial proceedings, declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, House counsel, private counsel, contempt of Congress, Pamela J. Bondi, Department of Justice, DOJ records, Jeffrey Epstein

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh farmers and their lenders. members.
• </c> extend Minnesota's farmer lender extend Minnesota's farmer lender mediation<00:04:36.000><c> program
• So you'll see in your packets lenders.
• </c> benefit for uh lenders and homeowners. benefit for uh lenders and homeowners.
• Lenders are more likely to be break.

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 801 is a smart, future-facing solution by expanding the reinvestment obligation to all lenders and
• The study also found that independent mortgage banks outperform banks and other depository lenders in
• The study also found that independent mortgage banks outperform banks and other depository lenders in
• The bottom line is that subjecting non-bank mortgage lenders to costly new CRA regulatory obligations
• The bottom line is that subjecting non-bank mortgage lenders to costly new CRA regulatory obligations

Summary: The Assembly Banking and Finance Committee met to hear several bills, beginning with a consent calendar that included AB 665 and AB 866, both adopted on a do pass basis and referred to Appropriations. The committee then took up AB 801, which would create a California Community Reinvestment Act to require covered financial institutions, including state-chartered banks, credit unions, residential mortgage lenders, and money transmitters, to meet the financial needs of low- and moderate-income communities and communities of color. The author and supporters argued the bill would close gaps left by the federal CRA, address redlining and discriminatory lending, and expand investment in housing, small business, and community development. Support came from community groups, CDFIs, labor, and housing advocates, while opposition from mortgage bankers and credit unions argued the bill would impose costly new reporting and regulatory burdens, especially on institutions they said already serve underserved borrowers well. Committee members discussed the scope of the bill, the experience of other states with state CRA laws, and possible carve-outs or tiered treatment for smaller credit unions. AB 801 was passed as amended and referred to Appropriations, with the roll left open and later completed; one member voted no and others were not voting or voted aye as the roll was finalized. The committee also heard AB 743, which would require licensing and surety bonds for commercial lawsuit financing and bring those transactions under DFPI oversight. The author said the bill was aimed at a largely unregulated, multi-billion-dollar industry and was intended to increase transparency and address concerns about foreign interests, fraud, and abusive litigation funding practices, while not affecting consumer legal funding. Supporters, including Unified Patents, the Civil Justice Association of California, the California Chamber of Commerce, the California Trucking Association, and the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, said the bill was an important first step toward disclosure and regulation. There was no opposition testimony. AB 743 passed unanimously as amended and was referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open briefly for absent members before the committee adjourned.