Transcript Highlights:

• So I would not strike bank from line one, page two. >> That is correct. >> Banking commission. >> Right
• </c> bank and insert financial institutions. bank and insert financial institutions.
• &gt;&gt; Isn't<00:25:38.640><c> bank</c> &gt;&gt; Isn't bank &gt;&gt; Isn't bank didn't<00:25:40.559>
• Let's didn't it say bank credit union?
• &gt;&gt; Banking<00:25:55.600><c> commission.</c> &gt;&gt; Banking commission.

Bills: HB0028 , HB0080

Committee: Senate Labor, Health & Social Services

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, banks and businesses.
• </c> banking access. banking access.
• Our approach does not replace banks. It strengthens the pipeline.
• Sunrise Bank can give them four.
• NDC can Sunrise Bank and give them four.

Bills: HF3707 , HF3732 , HF2581 , HF3731

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

Summary: The committee first adopted the minutes from February 26 and then heard House File 2581, authored by Representative Frazier, which sought $1 million for Fortis Capital, a nonprofit economic development lender. Frazier and Fortis CEO Brian Smith described Fortis as a gap-financing lender that helps underserved entrepreneurs who cannot meet traditional bank underwriting standards. They said the organization has made 37 loans totaling more than $4 million since 2021, leveraged another $29.5 million, and created 314 jobs. Smith said Fortis typically charges around 6.5% interest, has had two defaults, and uses a revolving loan fund model that recycles repayments; members discussed how the proposal fits with other state economic development programs and whether Fortis should instead be part of a competitive grant process. The chair laid HF 2581 over for possible inclusion in a budget bill. The committee then heard House File 3707, brought by Representative Berg, which would extend confidentiality protections to unemployment insurance and paid leave judges and related staff by adding them to the definition of judges for purposes of protecting personal information. Berg and testifiers from the Department of Economic Development and MAPE said the bill responds to harassment and safety concerns, including threats, doxxing, and an attack near an office, and is intended to protect people making sensitive determinations. MAPE supported the bill as an update to existing protections for similar workers. Members raised concerns that the bill’s language was too broad, especially the reference to the paid leave division, and questioned whether it should cover only judges or also call-center and other staff. Department and committee members agreed the language likely needed narrowing and discussed possible amendments and whether to move the bill to Judiciary and then revisit it. No final vote was taken on HF 3707 during the discussion, and the bill remained under consideration for further language work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bank origination fees are probably a big one.
• Northeast Bank is a community bank based in Northeast Minneapolis, with branches in New Brighton and
• Northeast Bank was established in 1947 by a handful of local business people who believed banking services
• Specifically, we are opposed to requiring banks to collect sales tax on certain bank fees.
• banking services.

Summary: The committee took up House File 2437, the governor’s proposed tax bill, and first adopted the A25-Z42 amendment to put the bill in the desired shape. Commissioner Paul Marquardt of the Department of Revenue then presented the bill as part of Governor Walz and Lieutenant Governor Flanagan’s budget, describing it as a response to budget pressures that would make the tax system more fair and stable while supporting economic development and jobs. Marquardt walked through the bill’s major provisions. These included sustainable aviation fuel policy, repeal of K-12 education credit assignment, elimination of the political contribution refund, expansion of the research and development credit, short-line railroad infrastructure modernization, changes to the state airport fund levy, replacement of attachments and appearances with distribution systems, a narrow personal property tax exception for low-income housing tenants, reduced aquatic invasive species aid, and a 34% reduction in PILT payments. He then focused on the sales tax article, saying it would lower the statewide rate by 0.75% while expanding the base to selected professional services such as accounting, banking, brokerage, and legal services, with business-to-business transactions exempt. He said the proposal would be effective for sales and purchases after September 30, 2025, and estimated a first-year rate-cut impact of about $99 million versus $215 million from the service expansion, while arguing that most households would see a net tax cut. He also noted other changes such as landlord penalty adjustments, a 30% reduction in sustainable aviation fuel incentive payments, repeal of local government cannabis aid, and repeal of the tax filing modernization account. Public testimony began with Kyle Playford of the Financial Planning Association of Minnesota, who strongly opposed the proposed sales tax on professional services, especially financial planning. He argued that financial planning is an essential service for retirement, investment, and long-term financial security, and said the tax would raise costs for consumers, reduce access for middle-class families, small business owners, and retirees, and put Minnesota firms at a competitive disadvantage. The chair then indicated that additional public testimony would continue before member questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• employee of the Department of Children and Families; and House Bill 4908, establishing a sick leave bank
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee of the Department of Children
• And an act establishing a sick leave bank for William Blaylock, an employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff's
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee of the Department of Children
• And an act establishing a sick leave bank for William Blaylock, an employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff's

Summary: The House opened with the Wellesley High School girls’ swim team leading the Pledge of Allegiance and being formally recognized for winning its sixth Division Two State Swim and Diving Championship. The chamber also received a resignation letter from Representative Natalie M. Blais of the First Franklin District, effective January 19, 2026, which was placed on file. The House then acted on several procedural and local matters. It adopted committee reports extending reporting deadlines for the Education and Public Service committees to March 18, 2026, and advanced three bills to third reading: a Boston Police age-waiver bill for Louis Cabral and sick leave bank bills for Marnie Jean Goldstein and William Blaylock. The House also passed to enactment charter amendments for Provincetown and Greenfield, concurred in a Senate amendment to a Wellesley land-conveyance bill, and engrossed bills concerning the Dalton Fire District Board of Water Commissioners and Milton alcohol licensing. On House No. 4717, relating to the annual town meeting for Orange, the House adopted an amendment offered by Representative Walsh and then passed the bill as amended. Later, on House No. 1110 concerning subprime loans, the House adopted an amendment discharging the bill from the Bills in the Third Reading committee and referred it to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House also adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Salvatore Semino and adjourned to meet Tuesday at 11 a.m. in informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• Banks excused.
• Banks excused.
• Banks excused.
• Banks.<04:29:04.239><c> Excused</c><04:29:04.800><c> to</c><04:29:05.760><c> I.</c> Banks.
• Banks. Excused to I.

Transcript Highlights:

• And one way in which, if anyone's ever been to a food bank, a lot of the foods in food banks are also
• And I thought, wouldn't it be great if the food bank could just be there and hand them a slip and say
• Last session we changed the definition of food bank, and the bill used the old definition.
• Now, uh and I'm going out by food banks.
• </c> two together to update the food bank two together to update the food bank definition<00:42:53.599

Bills: HB187 , HB341 , HB4 , HB175 , HB326 , HB187 , HB341 , HB4 , HB175 , HB326

Committee: House Ways and Means Education

Keywords: HB187, court fees, docket fee, sheriff's fund, sheriff's office, jail operations, law enforcement, county sheriff, court filing fees, Alabama Code 12-19-312, solicitor's fund, clerk's fund, forensic services trust fund, budget flexibility, public safety, municipal court, district court, circuit court, cosmetology, makeup application

Transcript Highlights:

• going through your bank.
• Bank Department of Banking and our DOR will they be establishing...?
• It gives the DOR and the Banking Commission the authority to promulgate rules.
• every I and cross every T when it comes to banking issues.
• The idea was that the Department of Banking and DOR—” “The Department of Banking and DOR would be better

Transcript Highlights:

• Generally, nonprofits such as food banks owe sales tax on purchases. Bill report.
• We're the state's largest statewide food bank, partnering with more than 350 food banks and pantries
• , which is the largest food bank here in Pierce County.
• Food banks are not revenue-generating entities.
• Food banks are dedicated to alleviating hunger in our communities.

Bills: SB5808 , HB2254 , HB2385 , SB6006 , SB6351 , SB6198 , SB6260 , SB6353 , SB5949 , SB6129 , SB6228 , SB6231 , SB6229 , SB6173

Committee: Senate Ways & Means

Keywords: health insurance, premium assistance, funding, healthcare access, state budget, HB 2254, Washington, Health Care Authority, partnership access line, psychiatric consultation line, first approach skills training, behavioral health, mental health, assessment, administrative costs, health carriers, self-funded plans, multiple employer welfare arrangement, MEWA, employers

Transcript Highlights:

• account to bank account.
• Think of it more like a bank account.
• I want to send money from my bank account to this bank account, and that bank account happens to be a
• To your bank account, it just takes one to three business days.
• Others sync with users' bank accounts to analyze paycheck deposits to verify— employee earnings.

Bills: HB1453 , HB1718 , HB2043 , HB2207 , HB2798

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: local governments, anticipation notes, certificates of obligation, public works, flood control, financial management, local government, municipal financing, private activity bonds, closing definition, real estate finance, bond issuance, government regulation, bond election, general obligation bonds, GO bonds, political subdivision, city bonds, county bonds, school district bonds

Transcript Highlights:

• That is a request for bank records on a bank customer.
• And that was with the bank, so let’s say Hibernia.
• The witness said, “Let’s take the bank out of it and let’s do the PayPal.
• So banks and credit unions are exempt.” Representative Jordan said, “Okay.
• So banks and credit unions are exempted. Oh, no, we appreciate that always.

Committee: House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Summary: The committee began by deferring six bills en bloc, then took up House Bill 1103, which would exempt certain industrial facility construction or improvement projects—especially aerospace-related facilities—from some local permitting requirements. Supporters said the goal was to reduce red tape and help Louisiana compete with states like Texas and Florida for aerospace investment, while members raised concerns about safety, home rule authority, and whether fewer permits could reduce oversight. The bill was reported favorably. Members then heard extensive testimony on House Bill 1212, which would require utilities to assess large electric transformers for vulnerability to electromagnetic threats and report findings to GOSEP, with a public version of the report. The sponsor and a retired Marine officer argued the bill was a limited “scoping” measure to identify vulnerabilities to solar storms or EMP attacks and estimate hardening costs; they said the current federal standard is too low and that protection technology exists. Committee members and utility representatives questioned whether the bill duplicated existing federal/NERC requirements, whether the information could create security risks if disclosed, whether the PSC had already studied the issue, and whether the costs would be passed to ratepayers. The PSC said it had previously opened a docket and studied EMP/physical security issues but never issued a final recommendation. After discussion, the sponsor agreed to defer the bill, and the committee deferred HB 1212. The committee then reported several technical or narrower bills favorably: House Bill 241 updated bank records disclosure citations and replaced a reference to the defunct Office of Thrift Supervision with the CFPB; House Bill 1091 shifted local fire departments to direct reporting into the federal emergency response system; and House Bill 1027 extended existing liability protection for real estate agents to licensed appraisers regarding smoke and carbon monoxide detector compliance in one- and two-family homes. Finally, House Bill 1096, dealing with electrical cooperative bylaws and board authority versus member approval, was introduced with testimony from cooperative representatives explaining it was intended to restore member control or allow cooperatives to opt out of the 2012 change that had expanded board authority. The transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1096.

Transcript Highlights:

• By the thin air that you now owe the bank.
• The existing system, where you have your bank account, money comes from your bank account, either goes
• You look at the current banking system, and it's more than double that.
• You go to where the money is—in the banks.
• So much like Silicon Valley Bank, in 2023, when we saw a number of people at that bank lose their assets

Committee: House Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• So now what is in the land bank? And there's basically... So now what is in the land bank?
• The first is obviously the operation of the land bank.
• Nobody wants them, which leads me into part two of the land bank.
• And so what Chapter 141 does is it is you treat a sale of real estate as a bank foreclosure.
• Well, gentlemen, I think we've talked about land banks for the last four or five years.

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the House Journal by roll call vote, 135-1. Members then observed a moment of silence for a constituent killed in a roadway tragedy, and several members introduced guests, including family members, veterans, students, and a child celebrating his birthday on the dais. The chamber then considered a series of bills. HB 2944, dealing with automatic continuation of a senior property tax freeze without annual reapplication, passed 145-0. HB 2230/2978, addressing school instructional methods by limiting excessive screen-based instruction and promoting cursive writing, passed 143-10 after extended debate over technology use in elementary schools. HB 1825, removing sheriffs and prosecutors from county salary commissions with a Boone County carve-out, passed 152-0. HB 1840, creating a Purple Alert system for missing individuals with developmental disabilities, passed 153-0, and its emergency clause was adopted 143-8. HB 1623, allowing emergency suspension or restriction of licenses for massage therapists and chiropractors, passed 103-48. HB 3279, moving the Community Service Commission to the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development, passed 151-0. HB 2508, clarifying certificates of good standing for series LLCs and making them searchable, passed 152-0. HB 1963, allowing social workers to supervise after three years of practice, passed 151-0. HB 2408, removing the appropriation cap for grants serving the deaf-blind community, was perfected and printed. HB 3113, requiring Narcan in public buildings, designating October as Fentanyl Poisoning Awareness Month, and expanding school-law enforcement prevention efforts, was perfected and printed after discussion about funding and Narcan shelf life. HB 3000, fixing signature requirements for local audits based on population at the start of petitioning and adding a fire district surplus-sale amendment, was perfected and printed as amended. HB 2898, reviving and refining land bank authority and Chapter 141 judicial foreclosure tools, was perfected and printed after debate about neighborhood cleanup and title clearing. HB 1740, renamed Melanie’s Law, increasing penalties for intoxicated driving and strengthening ignition interlock requirements, was perfected and printed following emotional testimony from members and the sponsor’s explanation of the bill’s origins. At the end of the session, the House moved to announcements, including committee meetings and a fish fry notice. A member also issued a correction and apology regarding an earlier false report about Willie McGee. The House then adjourned until 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• up an automatic payment, electronic payment option, either a credit card, a debit account, or their bank
• I basically... ...attach my bank account, either through the app or through the purchasing mechanism,
• And they also, as I said earlier, have to provide access to the information about their bank account
• Also, as I said earlier, they have to provide access to the information about their bank account or their
• that is if you’ve, you know, bought anything online, that’s the point where it says debit, credit, bank

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Business Committee held a work session on buy now, pay later (BNPL) transactions, focusing on how the products work, how they are used in Washington, and whether existing state law adequately protects consumers. Department of Financial Institutions staff described BNPL as short-term, usually no-interest installment financing offered at checkout, often with automatic payments, late fees, and varying credit-reporting practices. Members asked how BNPL compares with payday lending and earned wage access, whether it is effectively a loan or credit product, and whether Washington law already covers it. DFI explained that some BNPL structures may fall into a legal gray area under the Retail Installment Sales of Goods and Services Act because pay-in-four products may not meet the statute’s “more than four installments” language, while other structures may be covered; they also noted the Attorney General can enforce the act. DFI and committee members discussed consumer risks such as overextension, automatic debits, and lack of standardized disclosures, and DFI said it would follow up with additional data on defaults and related issues. Molly Gallagher of the Poverty Action Network and Nadine Chabrier of the Center for Responsible Lending argued that BNPL can help consumers but also poses significant risks, especially for lower-income consumers and consumers of color who already carry debt or use other alternative financial products. They said BNPL use has grown rapidly, often involves multiple simultaneous loans across providers, and can lead to overdrafts, late fees, and difficulty tracking obligations because payments are spread across different schedules. They emphasized concerns about weak disclosures, limited dispute protections, automatic payment structures, credit reporting inconsistencies, consumer overextension, and data privacy/dark-pattern marketing. They also described federal retrenchment, including the CFPB’s withdrawal of an interpretive rule that would have treated BNPL like a digital credit card, and pointed to state responses in places like New York, California, and Maryland. Committee members signaled interest in possible Washington legislation and stronger state oversight. Retail and business witnesses offered a more favorable view of BNPL as a cash-flow and sales tool. A Washington Retail Association representative described BNPL as an evolution of layaway and credit-card-style installment purchasing, noting that merchants receive payment up front minus fees while consumers get goods or services immediately and repay over time. A representative from a business using deferred-payment financing said the tool helps customers obtain equipment and helps the business manage inventory and cash flow, while NFIB said small businesses also use BNPL to bridge expenses and avoid higher-interest credit card debt. Members asked about merchant fees, consumer education, and whether BNPL is being used for impulse purchases or essential expenses like rent, car repairs, medical care, and travel. The chair concluded by saying the committee intends to pursue regulatory language and continue working with stakeholders, while also hearing from retailers to avoid eliminating legitimate financing tools.

Transcript Highlights:

• As Ventura County's food bank for nearly 50 years, our organization has been on the front line combating
• want to share how federal funding cuts are causing unprecedented challenges, not only for our food bank
• want to share how federal funding cuts are causing unprecedented challenges, not only for our food bank
• These reductions will add immense pressure on food banks that historically provide one meal for every
• In closing, the work of food banks like Food Share is more vital than ever, but we can't do it alone.

Summary: The joint Senate and Assembly select committee hearing focused on the challenges facing California nonprofits in 2025 and possible state responses. Opening remarks emphasized the sector’s size and importance, the impact of federal funding disruptions and tax policy changes, and the need for stronger public-private partnerships, especially in disaster response and recovery. Witnesses from community foundations, food banks, Cal OES, long-term recovery groups, CalNonprofits, and nonprofit finance organizations described funding uncertainty, delayed reimbursements, reduced indirect cost coverage, staffing strain, and the effects of climate disasters and immigration-related fear on service delivery. Testimony highlighted several policy ideas, including advance payments for state grants and contracts, prompt payment standards, sustainable indirect cost rates, contract flexibility in emergencies, streamlined registration and reporting, and a possible new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment to serve as a central point of contact and coordination within state government. Speakers also described how nonprofits and VOAD networks support wildfire response and long-term recovery, but noted that recovery groups often lack stable operating funding even when they are recognized as best practice. A food bank leader described federal food aid cuts and disruptions to deliveries, while other witnesses stressed that nonprofits are increasingly forced to use reserves, loans, or service reductions to manage cash flow gaps. Committee members generally expressed support for the sector and asked how the state could better partner with nonprofits during both disasters and budget crises. Several members raised the possibility of incremental steps if full legislative changes are not immediately feasible, and witnesses suggested pilots, better sharing of best practices, and stronger state leadership on payment timelines. Public commenters echoed the need for better contracting practices, support for community-based organizations, and attention to nonprofit worker compensation and protections. No formal votes or committee actions were taken in the hearing, which concluded with adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 465, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to virtual currency, out of Banking
• House Bill 465, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to virtual currency, out of Banking
• 1, an act to amend Titles 4 and 16 of the Delaware Code relating to alcohol and marijuana, out of Banking
• House Bill 465, an act to amend Title 11 of the Delaware Code relating to virtual currency, out of Banking
• 1, an act to amend Titles 4 and 16 of the Delaware Code relating to alcohol and marijuana, out of Banking

Summary: The Senate received a large number of House communications and committee reports, including several nominations and many bills and resolutions returned from House committees or passed by the House. Committee reports covered a wide range of topics, including education, health, judiciary, finance, housing, transportation, emergency management, and business/technology. The Senate also assigned several measures to committees for further consideration and noted upcoming committee meetings. The chamber confirmed three nominations by roll call: Michael T. Scuse to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, J. Eric Firewold to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees, and Joan F. Coker to the University of Delaware Board of Trustees. The Senate also passed Consent Calendar 66, which included Senate Concurrent Resolution 223 on DIA broadcast access for playoff and championship games and House Concurrent Resolution 149 designating June 12, 2026, as Loving Day in Delaware. Members discussed Loving Day and the importance of recognizing interracial marriage rights, with Senator Huxstable, Senator Buckson, and Senator Townsend offering remarks. On the floor, the Senate passed House Bill 141, requiring a firearm responsibilities notice for gun purchasers, after debate over gun safety and industry burden; House Substitute 1 for House Bill 200, as amended, expanding insurance coverage for HIV prevention medications PrEP and PEP; House Bill 426, modernizing municipal street-aid reporting; and Senate Resolution 21, directing a study of portable solar generation devices and related safety and utility issues. The Senate also passed Consent Agenda O, a large package of bills covering topics such as money transmission and stablecoins, nursing advancement, pilot licenses, commerce and trade, subaqueous lands, driver’s license loss due to medical issues, residential speed limits, electronic bidding, family court jurisdiction, agency regulations, technical corrections to multiple local charters, and other measures. The Senate then recessed until June 25, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, I mean, there's bank draft, other ways to pay, but this is people that are using their credit card
• And so ABC is trying to recoup some of the expenditures that they have, uh, incurred with their bank
• Uh I mean there's<00:09:13.440><c> bank</c><00:09:13.760><c> draft</c><00:09:14.160><c> other</c><00:
• draft other ways to pay but there's bank draft other ways to pay but this<00:09:15.760><c> is</c><00
• incurred expenditures that they have uh incurred with<00:09:25.279><c> their</c><00:09:25.440><c> bank

Bills: SB277 , HB395 , HB482 , SB251 , HB513

Committee: House Economic Development and Tourism

Keywords: decentralized nonprofit association, unincorporated nonprofit association, blockchain, distributed ledger technology, smart contract, digital asset, crypto, web3, DAO, decentralized autonomous organization, nonprofit governance, digital membership, consensus mechanism, ledger, Alabama nonprofit law, entity formation, liability protection, service of process, real property, winding up

Transcript Highlights:

• THE FRAUD HAPPENING AT SOME OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE A BAD ACTOR WOULD REQUEST CHANGES OF THE BANKING
• THE SPECIFIC FINAL AMOUNTS I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HERE ARE RELATED TO BANK RECONCILIATIONS.
• FAMU HAD FINDINGS IN THIS AREA RELATED TO BANK RECONCILIATIONS BEING PROPERLY TIMELY PREPARED INCLUDING
• WAS ACTUALLY A FINANCIAL AUDIT WHERE WE IDENTIFIED THAT THEY REPORTED TO US SOME DISCREPANCIES AND BANK
• THE PERSON THAT BALANCES THE CHECKBOOKS HAS NO ACCESS TO THE BANK.

Transcript Highlights:

• I began my career in financial services in 1999, where I started off in retail banking as a teller and
• a personal banker with then-First National Bank in Brookings, South Dakota.
• They are now First Bank and Trust.”
• I’m a commission national bank examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
• We oversee over 15 industries: banks, credit unions, trust companies, mortgage companies, collection

Committee: Senate Commerce and Human Resources

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 4888, establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee of the Department
• House Bill 4888, establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee of the Department
• of Children and Families; and House Bill 4908, establishing a sick leave bank for William Blaylock,
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for Marnie Jean Goldstein, an employee of the Department of Children
• An act establishing a sick leave bank for William Blaylock, an employee of the Suffolk County Sheriff's

Summary: The House opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by the Wellesley High School girls’ swim team, which was formally recognized for winning its sixth Division Two State Swim and Diving Championship. The chamber also received a resignation letter from Representative Natalie M. Blay of the First Franklin District, effective January 19, 2026, and placed it on file. The House then acted on several committee reports and scheduling orders, including extensions of reporting deadlines for the Education and Public Service committees, all adopted by voice vote after suspension of the rules. The Steering, Policy and Scheduling Committee recommended three local matters for consideration: H.4349, waiving the maximum age requirement for a Boston police officer candidate; H.4888, establishing a sick leave bank for a Department of Children and Families employee; and H.4908, establishing a sick leave bank for a Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office employee. These bills were read, ordered to a third reading, and later advanced. The House passed to be enacted H.4175, amending the Provincetown charter, and H.4379, amending the Greenfield charter. It also concurred in a Senate amendment to H.4363, authorizing a land conveyance in Wellesley, and engrossed H.4721, relating to the Dalton Fire District Board of Water Commissioners, and H.4813, authorizing Milton to grant on-premises all-alcohol licenses. H.4717, concerning Orange’s annual town meeting, was amended on the floor and then passed to be engrossed as amended. Finally, H.1110, a consumer protection bill concerning subprime loans, was amended to discharge the bill from further consideration and then referred to the Committee on Ways and Means. The House adopted a special adjournment in memory of former Representative Salvatore Semino and adjourned to meet the following Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in an informal session.

Transcript Highlights:

• We also reached out to the Attorney General's office and the Banking Department.
• </c> and I do not know whether um the bank and I do not know whether um the bank ever<00:23:13.080><c
• We represent 40 member banks that employ 6,000 employees.
• </c><00:35:45.400><c> platform</c> more of a a platform a banking platform more of a a platform a banking
• In Florida, they're considering a third-party custodian of their banking, their gold and silver banking

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 437, which would change New Hampshire law on undischarged mortgages by creating a shorter period after which certain old mortgages would be treated as unenforceable. Prime sponsor Representative Bill Boyd said the bill was developed with input from bankers, lawyers, realtors, the Attorney General’s office, and the Banking Department, and he noted a drafting correction needed on line 18. He explained that the proposal would replace current law with a new framework modeled partly on Massachusetts, including a five-year expiration after a stated maturity date and a 35-year period for mortgages without an expiration date. Supporters said the bill would help clear obsolete title defects, reduce costly quiet-title litigation, and make real estate transactions easier for consumers, attorneys, and conveyancers. Representative Mary Hakken-Phillips, Susan Cole of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, and Michelle Coffin all testified in support, describing the bill as a consumer protection measure. They said undischarged or improperly discharged mortgages often surface during title searches, causing delays, legal expenses, and failed or delayed closings. Coffin and Hakken-Phillips emphasized that many of these cases involve old, effectively obsolete mortgages and that the current process often requires expensive court action even when no one contests the title. Cole described a recent transaction in which a title defect caused a buyer to walk away and later restart the financing process, creating costs for both buyer and seller. A committee member asked about notice to mortgage holders; the response was that the lender bears responsibility for recording and extending the mortgage, and that due process rights would remain if a lender later contested the discharge. Ryan Hill of the New Hampshire Bankers Association said the banking industry had reviewed the bill and was generally comfortable with it, while requesting a delayed effective date so members would have time to adjust their recording practices. He said the bill’s January 1, 2028 effective date reflected that request. After closing the hearing on HB 437, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 721, the Gold and Silver Legal Tender Act. Representative Juliet Harvey-Bolia introduced it as a bipartisan economic justice bill intended to recognize gold and silver as legal tender, protect against inflation, and address concerns about trust, taxes, and government taking. She argued that gold is a stable store of value and discussed tax treatment in neighboring states, federal history, and digital gold platforms. The hearing on HB 721 was still in progress when the transcript ended, with the chair limiting questions because of time.