Transcript Highlights:

• </c> government entity is buying a deed government entity is buying a deed restriction<00:40:53.319><
• </c> eligible for this deed eligible for this deed restriction<00:41:07.119><c> uh</c><00:41:07.359><
• </c><00:41:15.319><c> once</c> requirement once you buy the deed once requirement once you buy the deed
• </c> also when the county purchases the deed also when the county purchases the deed restriction<00:50
• um the government would owe own the deed um the government would owe the<00:53:41.559><c> deed</c><00

Committee: House Housing

Summary: The House Committee on Housing held a public hearing and moved quickly through a long agenda, beginning with HB 606 on the Department of Hawaiian Homelands. DHHL and several community testifiers strongly supported the bill, describing it as a way to fulfill long-standing promises to Native Hawaiians, reduce the DHHL waitlist, keep families in Hawaii, and support housing production and the broader economy. Testifiers emphasized the cultural and economic importance of stable housing and noted the large number of people still waiting for DHHL homes. The committee then heard HB 1086, also relating to DHHL, which would allow the department to use a $75 million appropriation from the dwelling unit revolving fund as collateral for loans. DHHL, HHFDC, and other supporters said the measure would help DHHL obtain better loan terms and preserve trust funds for other uses. Members asked detailed questions about how the collateral would work, whether other agencies use similar structures, and what would happen if the collateral were drawn upon; staff explained that the funds would be encumbered for the loan and that a similar model had been used for a HUD-backed project. The committee also heard HB 739, which would create the COM homes program to fund counties to buy voluntary deed restrictions from eligible homeowners or buyers. Supporters said the program could help keep local workers in Hawaii by using existing housing stock and cited examples from places like Aspen and Vail. The Attorney General’s office recommended amendments to remove duration requirements to avoid right-to-travel concerns, and the Tax Foundation suggested clarifying the conveyance tax exemption so it also covers the instrument imposing the restriction. Members asked whether tax dollars would be used to buy homes, who would be eligible, and how enforcement would work; supporters said the program is voluntary and income-blind, with restrictions tied to living and working in the state. No votes were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• , trick them out of their deeds.
• And this is particularly for cases that have been proven as deed theft in the courts.
• And that's an opportunity for this kind of deed theft. And we hear about it a lot.
• That will probably eliminate a significant portion of deed theft.
• I do have, finally, another bill about the county clerks in this issue of deed theft.

Committee: Senate Banks

Summary: The Senate Banking Committee met with Chair James Sanders Jr. and reviewed a full agenda of banking-related bills. Early action included approval of a bill requiring licensed check cashers to file suspicious activity reports, and a bill on civil penalties for fraud or misrepresentation in financial products or services, though several members objected to removing the intentionality standard and warned it could broaden enforcement too far and discourage lending in New York. The committee also advanced a bill prohibiting fees for periodic paper statements, a bill on asset-based lending transactions, and a bill requiring reporting of suspected financial exploitation. Members spent substantial time on a bill regulating automated lending decision tools. The sponsor and chair said the measure would allow AI use but require a human review or appeal if a borrower is denied, while some senators raised concerns about competitiveness for state-chartered banks and possible overlap with existing human oversight. The bill was reported out and referred to the Internet and Technology Committee for further review. The committee also approved a DFS study bill on the financial stability and licensing of the check-cashing industry, with a suggestion that the study also examine risks of expanding the industry. A major discussion centered on the “Deep Protection Act,” aimed at preventing foreclosures tied to deed theft. The sponsor described cases involving elderly homeowners and fraudulent transfers, while opponents argued the bill was vague, could create unintended consequences or private litigation, and might affect only a small share of mortgages because it applies to state-chartered institutions. The sponsor said the bill would be amended and noted interest in related county clerk reforms. The committee ultimately sent the bill to Judiciary. The final bills addressed mortgage payment schedule fees and unsolicited mail loan checks; both were approved. The meeting ended after the chair emphasized open debate and committee review as part of improving legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• For context, the deed transfer tax applies to any transfer of real estate by deed or instrument.
• </c> and deed transfer tax bundle. and deed transfer tax bundle.
• </c> deeds with an exemption for 2024. deeds with an exemption for 2024.
• </c> application of the deed transfer tax. application of the deed transfer tax.
• </c> deed transfer tax exemptions. deed transfer tax exemptions.

Transcript Highlights:

• Well, Senator Deeds. Madam Chair, Madam Chair, I was just going to move that we... Senator Deeds.
• Senator Deeds.
• Senator Deeds.
• Senator Deeds. Madam Chair, I want to amend my motion one more time. Senator Deeds.
• Senator Deeds: no. Senator Hackworth: no. Senator Deeds? 10 ayes, 5 noes. Delegate Phillips: no.

Committee: House Privileges and Elections

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator Deeds. Mr. Chair, aye. You have a quorum. Thank you, sir. Delegate Phillips.
• Senator Deeds.
• Senator Deeds. Madam Chair, I want to amend my motion one more time.
• Madam Chair, Senator Deeds: I move we add question two to the H.J. 3 language.
• Senator Deeds: No. Senator Hackworth: No. Senator Deeds: 10 yeas, 5 nays. Delegate Phillips: No.

Committee: House Privileges and Elections

Summary: The joint meeting of the Privileges and Elections Committees convened with a quorum present to approve explanatory ballot language for three proposed constitutional amendments scheduled for the November ballot. The committee reviewed the amendments on reproductive freedom, the right to vote, and the right to marry, with staff explaining that the committee was only approving neutral voter-facing explanation language, not the constitutional text itself. Members raised questions about wording, ballot order, and whether the explanations were sufficiently clear or potentially leading, especially on the reproductive freedom amendment. For HJ 1/SJ 1, the committee debated the explanation at length, including objections that it was misleading or incomplete and responses from counsel and supporters that it accurately tracked the amendment text. A motion to insert “Question 1” into the explanation was adopted, and the amended explainer language for the reproductive freedom amendment was then approved. The committee then moved through the right-to-vote and right-to-marry amendments, similarly adding question numbers to the explanatory language before approving the amended explanations. Recorded votes showed the amendments to the explanatory language passing on party-line divisions in both chambers, generally with Senate support from the majority and House support from the majority, while several members voted no. After approving the amended explainer language for all three amendments, the committee concluded the meeting and adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• an ombudsman under the DEED agency.
• </c> uh of that additional expense that deed uh of that additional expense that deed would<00:03:40.000
• </c><00:10:52.320><c> as</c> bringing uh that office to deed as bringing uh that office to deed as opposed
• One is the location of the ombudsman at DEED.
• This is a DEED agency question, so that would be fine.

Bills: HF8 , HF1416

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

Transcript Highlights:

• For example, contracts for deed sold by one family member to another were exempted.
• We sell tax-forfeited land on contract for deed, and we should have been exempted.
• 00:32:48.440><c> have</c> contract for deed and we should have contract for deed and we should have been
• I've used contract for deeds a lot.
• </c> um are going to be on contract for Deeds um are going to be on contract for Deeds but<00:43:09.400

Committee: Senate Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:

• He is coming to present about how DEED handles grants management oversight.
• </c><00:06:44.199><c> to</c> there anything that you do at deed to there anything that you do at deed
• </c> government relations director at deed government relations director at deed there<00:42:38.319><
• </c><00:44:42.319><c> Finance</c> uh and then review by our deed Finance uh and then review by our deed
• </c><01:15:38.040><c> in</c> uh roughly 1500 at deed in uh roughly 1500 at deed in total<01:15:40.600

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Representative<00:10:00.600><c> Deeds.</c><00:10:01.120><c> Yes.</c> Representative Deeds. Yes.
• Deeds.
• Representative<00:21:19.560><c> Deeds.</c> Representative Deeds. Representative Deeds. Yes. Yes.
• Representative Deeds. Yes. &gt;&gt; Yes. Representative Deeds. Yes.
• Representative<01:02:13.320><c> Deeds.</c> Representative Deeds. Representative Deeds.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• And we're in close communication with DEED.
• Deeds Deeds perspective<00:53:08.359><c> Mr</c><00:53:08.599><c> chair</c><00:53:09.440><c> members<
• </c><00:54:38.319><c> when</c><00:54:38.480><c> he</c> from deed when he from deed when he called<00:
• That's the goal, that's the whole goal of DEED and C-?
• </c><01:09:03.839><c> to</c> don't think it's a big ask for deed to don't think it's a big ask for deed

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• He said they will continue to support DEED and that, from his vantage point, DEED is not perfect but
• He said they will continue to support DEED and that, from his vantage point, DEED is not perfect but
• </c><00:41:16.200><c> Champion</c> uh deed deed bill that Senator Champion uh deed deed bill that Senator
• </c> DEED that we expect. DEED that we expect.
• DEED. DEED.

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Transcript Highlights:

• They could do owner-occupied deed restrictions.
• We don't have deed restrictions on any of this stuff.
• I think that we have the potential without deed restrictions.
• I want to point out that this does allow developers to deed-restrict, and indeed some of them are deed-restricting
• Market-based deed restrictions can be done at the local level.

Committee: House Business

Transcript Highlights:

• We have combined the last civil deed fraud work we need to do with the criminal deed fraud work we need
• The remainder of the bill addresses the criminal aspects of deed fraud and...
• It took three years to get all those deeds cleared up.
• Right now, all deed fraud is prosecuted under traditional theft statutes.
• Relative to deed fraud, you get four things.

Bills: SB15 , SB 15

Committee: Senate Business & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> not seen a deed transfer and death deed not seen a deed transfer and death deed that<00:07:42.240
• and original death original death deed and original death deed<00:08:04.199><c> reference</c><00:08:
• We received the original deed, but we don't know when that deed is really going to become effective because
• </c> original deed original deed but<00:08:30.840><c> we</c><00:08:31.000><c> don't</c><00:08:31.280>
• ><c> is</c> but we don't know when that deed is but we don't know when that deed is really<00:08:32.560

Committee: Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a deed gets recorded, the clerk of court records it.
• And let's talk about the deed filing.
• “By the filing of the deed at the clerk of court’s office.
• You can let them know when you do the deed.
• So my bill just says this: if you file a deed, like Mr.

Bills: HR217 , HB66 , HB204 , HB208 , HB326 , HB472 , HB483 , HB484 , HB793 , HB1051 , HB1080 , HB1087 , HB1111 , HB1215 , SB78 , SB148

Committee: House Municipal

Summary: The committee met on April 29 and considered a series of local and special bills affecting municipal and parish governance, blight enforcement, development districts, and term limits. Early action included a motion to apply a three-minute rule. House Bill 483, concerning the Fulberg/Marini Security and Improvement District in Orleans Parish, was voluntarily deferred after discussion and no support cards. House Bill 484, which revised the New Orleans Regional Business Park board by reducing membership from 12 to 11 and giving the mayor four direct appointments with removal authority, was adopted as a substitute and reported favorably. Senate Bill 78, dealing with the Shreveport Downtown Development District, was amended to correct a legislative district reference and then reported favorably. The committee also heard announcements that several previously deferred bills would not be heard that day. Several Shreveport-related blight bills were advanced. House Bill 1051, authorizing demolition of certain dilapidated properties in Shreveport, was amended to allow the city to rely on findings from code enforcement, fire, police, or other public safety officials, and then reported favorably. House Bill 1080, addressing condemned commercial property in Shreveport, was also reported favorably, though the author said he would continue consulting with the city attorney before floor consideration. House Bill 66 for Alexandria expanded the city’s administrative adjudication authority to cover a broader range of ordinance violations, including building, zoning, vegetation, nuisance, sewer, drainage, licensing, and permit matters; it was supported by the city and reported favorably. House Bill 326, requiring the Tickfaw police chief candidate to reside within the village, also passed favorably. House Bill 793, a contentious bill concerning recorded subdivision plats and prescription, drew extensive testimony from the author, parish officials, a former appellate judge, and the McCormick family. Supporters said the bill closes a loophole exposed by recent court rulings that could let noncompliant plats become enforceable after five years without actual notice to local governments, while opponents argued the current substitute still creates uncertainty and could burden property owners; the author said the bill was prospective only and would also go to the Law Institute. Despite the debate, the committee moved the substitute favorably. Senate Bill 148, allowing municipalities to pay a modest per diem to planning and zoning commission members by local ordinance, was reported favorably with support from Lake Charles. The committee rejected House Bill 208, which would have let St. Helena Parish voters decide whether to impose term limits on parish governing authority members. The bill’s author argued the people should decide, but the St. Helena Police Jury opposed it and committee members emphasized local control; the final vote was 3 yeas to 10 nays. House Bill 1215, concerning the disposition of historical statues and monuments, was amended to bar the Office of State Parks from placing transferred monuments back in the parish from which they were removed, and then was reported favorably. House Bill 472, authorizing local rent stabilization ordinances during a governor-declared emergency, was amended to limit such ordinances to the emergency period, tie increases to the consumer price index, and cap them at 365 days; discussion continued on whether the measure duplicated existing price-gouging laws and whether a broader study would be preferable.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if a deed gets recorded, the clerk of court records it.
• And let's talk about the deed filing.
• By the filing of the deed at the clerk of court's office.
• That's sufficient enough that you filed the deed, and...
• If you file a deed, like Mr.

Bills: HR217 , HB66 , HB204 , HB208 , HB326 , HB472 , HB483 , HB484 , HB793 , HB1051 , HB1080 , HB1087 , HB1111 , HB1215 , SB78 , SB148

Committee: House Municipal

Keywords: rent stabilization, affordable housing, cost burdened, Louisiana housing, housing policy, emergency rental protections, Alexandria, municipal ordinances, administrative adjudication, code enforcement, housing violations, building codes, zoning, nuisance ordinances, vegetation ordinances, sewerage, drainage, licensing, permits, local government

Transcript Highlights:

• directly from DEED.
• directly from DEED.
• directly from DEED.
• directly from DEED.
• directly from DEED.

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

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> through quick claim deeds. through quick claim deeds.
• </c> quick claim deed fraud in New Hampshire. quick claim deed fraud in New Hampshire.
• from warranty deeds in any official way, and registers of deeds have no ability to not file a deed that
• </c> deeds have no ability to not file a deed deeds have no ability to not file a deed that<03:46:09.440
• </c> the person did use a quick claim deed. the person did use a quick claim deed.

Committee: House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate Bill 1734 addresses the growing issue of deed fraud.
• For those of us unfamiliar with this, deed fraud is when someone, through fraudulent means, uses fake
• One of the most famous cases of deed fraud occurred with Elvis Presley's home in Memphis, Graceland,
• Senate Bill 1734 is a self-help bill for victims of deed fraud.
• Even the grantee can be defrauded as well because a void deed is void as a matter of law, and a deed

Bills: SB302 , SB1335 , SB1734 , SB1760 , SB1975 , SB2127

Committee: Senate Jurisprudence

Transcript Highlights:

• They do not submit this to DEED.
• And DEED has a role there as well.
• </c> on to the business um and uh and deed on to the business um and uh and deed has<00:24:46.080><c>
• We've not been asked to do that by DEED. That is not part of our guidance from DEED. Okay.
• </c> document and shared those with deed. document and shared those with deed.

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