Transcript Highlights:

• Commercial banks.
• It is a wholesale bank, so it does not compete with local banks or community banks.
• The state regulations were finalized in 2022. This was the nation's first municipal banking law.
• So California public banks, similar to the Bank of North Dakota model, are wholesale banks.
• In the U.S., we only have one bank: that's Bank of North Dakota.

Bills: SB5754

Keywords: public bank, state bank, finance, banking regulations, economic development, state investment, 904, all

Summary: The Senate Ways and Means Committee met on January 15 for two work sessions and a public hearing. The first work session featured the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee’s 2025 tax preference performance reviews, covering nine tax preferences. JLARC recommended legislative action on eight of the nine reviews. Topics included natural gas transportation fuel preferences, preferential B&O rates for travel agents and tour operators, a property tax exemption for nonprofit low-income housing developers, a property tax exemption for nonprofit multipurpose senior centers, a sales and use tax remittance for disabled veteran adapted housing, a trade convention attendance preference, a B&O exemption for wholesale sales of certain agricultural products, a hazardous substance tax exemption for pesticides stored for out-of-state shipment, and energy tax preferences for a silicon smelter. JLARC generally found that some preferences met their stated or inferred objectives while others did not, and recommended continuations, modifications, or expiration depending on the review. Committee members asked a few questions about industry consolidation in the travel sector and about the housing exemption’s performance measures and reporting issues. The second work session was an overview of public banking, with a presentation from California public banking advocates and testimony from the Bank of North Dakota’s president. Speakers described public banks as government-owned financial institutions that could keep public deposits working in-state, support local lending, and finance infrastructure, housing, disaster recovery, and other public priorities. They cited the Bank of North Dakota as a model and discussed California’s municipal public banking efforts. Committee questions focused on how deposits could be leveraged, how public banks would manage liquidity and risk, and how public banking would interact with existing state investment and pension systems. The committee then held a public hearing on Senate Bill 5754, which would create a Washington State public bank. Staff explained the bill’s activation process, governance structure, powers, and fiscal impacts, noting that startup costs and broader fiscal effects were largely indeterminate. Supporters included statewide elected officials, county and city officials, labor representatives, public banking advocates, and private citizens, who argued the bank could lower borrowing costs, keep public funds in Washington, expand financing for infrastructure and disaster resilience, and help address the state’s debt and capital needs. Opponents, including a community bankers representative and a county treasurer, argued the proposal posed risks to safety and liquidity, lacked a proven track record, and was unnecessary given existing state lending and investment programs. The hearing concluded without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• bank.
• And again, that would all be following national bank rules and regulations at the federal level.
• And again, that would all be following national bank rules and regulations at the federal level.
• And again, that would all be following national bank rules and regulations at the federal level.
• And again, that would all be following national bank rules and regulations at the federal level.

Bills: SF0021, SF0022, SF0054, SF0055

Keywords: stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation, state commission, decentralized, nonprofit association, merger, conversion, liability, membership, governance, indemnification, banking regulation, special purpose depository institution, conversion process, Wyoming state laws, financial services

Bills: SF0021, SF0022, SF0054, SF0055

Keywords: stable token, liquidity, trust account, Wyoming, fund distribution, financial regulation, state commission, decentralized, nonprofit association, merger, conversion, liability, membership, governance, indemnification, banking regulation, special purpose depository institution, conversion process, Wyoming state laws, financial services

Transcript Highlights:

• including the appointment of the director, the creation of policies for wildlife management, and the regulation
• The department aids Fish and Wildlife with that, so those regulations... ...are not set by the Game and
• Chair and members, Senate Bill 1335 requires the Arizona Water Banking Authority Commission to post a
• Starting in 2015, post-Sigma in California, and in 2017, post-groundwater regulations in the Arabian
• They didn't ask for regulation. They asked for education.

Bills: SB1082, SB1200, SB1335, SB1336, SB1559, SB1761, SB1762, SB1785, SCM1007

Keywords: petting zoos, animal encounters, public health, handwashing, supervision, sanitization, safety regulations, civil penalties, water supply, groundwater, Phoenix, certificates, long-term storage credits, water conservation, municipal provider, replenishment obligation, water banking, annual report, Arizona Water Banking Authority, water supply management

Transcript Highlights:

• We do have a presentation this morning from the Arizona Water Banking Authority.
• Arizona Water Banking Authority and its role today.
• And future shortages may trigger firming from the Water Banking Authority...
• You mentioned that the Arizona Water Banking Authority hasn't had excess water to bank since 2020.
• When municipalities bank excess water for themselves... 2020, when municipalities bank excess water for

Bills: SB1137, SB1176, SB1287, SB1335, SB1336, SB1445, SB1677

Keywords: underground utilities, utility locating, dig safe, call before you dig, 811, excavation safety, damage prevention, one-call center, locate request, white lining, large project coordination, buried infrastructure, subsurface utilities, utility marking, locator wire, locator strip, interactive positive response system, landlord duties, apartment community, mobile home park

Transcript Highlights:

• in front of her talking about a lot of the things that were going on in life as she was doing her banking
• one section and some lines that related to the use of the Safe at Home address when opening business bank
• . and my wife has been doing her banking. and my wife has been given<00:02:22.800><c> permission</c><
• </c> um when opening business bank accounts. um when opening business bank accounts. um<00:05:26.479>
• So, this bill would clarify exactly what they are and how they should be both regulated and enforced

Bills: HF3676, HF3593, HF3785, HF3774, HF4111, HF3513

Keywords: Safe at Home, address confidentiality, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, victim privacy, survivor protection, confidential address, protected address, secret address, identity protection, residential confidentiality, program participant, nondiscrimination, court disclosure, protective order, service of process, driver's license, state ID

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill allows certain entities to act as land banks.
• Land banks must prepare an annual report containing information.
• I am with the Spokane Regional Land Bank.
• will mean to the Spokane Land Bank and land banks across the state.
• And so while everybody can land bank, this coordinated land banking allows us to create a pipeline of

Bills: HB1974, HB2265, HB2452

Keywords: land bank, land banking authority, affordable housing, housing crisis, housing supply, public corporation, public housing authority, nonprofit housing, tax-foreclosed property, blight remediation, redevelopment, anti-displacement, equity, redlining, racial segregation, deed restriction, affordability covenant, property tax exemption, excise tax exemption, predevelopment

Summary: The Housing Committee held public hearings on three bills. HB 2265, sponsored by Rep. Mena, would add tenant protections during extreme heat by allowing portable cooling devices, requiring landlords in the RLTA to provide cooling as reasonably required, and barring physical evictions during declared extreme heat periods. Committee members and the sponsor raised questions about how “reasonably required” cooling would be defined, how the eviction pause would work with sheriffs and unlawful detainer timelines, and whether the bill could raise rents or create liability and operational problems for landlords. Public testimony was split: supporters cited the 2021 heat dome, climate projections, and deaths from overheating, while opponents from landlord and property manager groups warned about costs, safety, building capacity, and eviction delays. Several witnesses asked for amendments, and the sponsor said she was open to further work on implementation details. The committee then heard HB 1974, a proposed substitute authorizing land banks in county urban growth areas to acquire, hold, improve, and transfer property for affordable housing, with tax exemptions and affordability requirements. The bill sponsor described it as a scaled-back version developed through an interim work group, and supporters from land banks, housing authorities, developers, youth shelter providers, and housing advocates said it would help assemble land, reduce costs, and support affordable and starter-home production. A counties representative also testified in support but said the grant program removed from the substitute would be worth restoring. One member asked staff about the bill’s priority transfer of tax-foreclosed property to land banks and whether that could affect surplus proceeds, and staff said the language applies to properties that have already gone through the auction process, though the terminology may need further review. Finally, the committee heard HB 2452, which would change service requirements for rent increase notices by allowing personal delivery, regular mail, or posting on the dwelling unit, instead of the current certified-mail-style requirement tied to unlawful detainer notices. The sponsor said the current system has led to notices not reaching tenants and unnecessary costs, and supporters from landlord, property management, realtor, and business groups said certified mail is expensive, inefficient, and often ineffective. Tenant advocates opposed the bill, arguing that mail-only service weakens notice protections and can cause tenants to miss time-sensitive rent increases; they said any reform should preserve door posting or personal service. The committee took no votes on any of the bills and closed the public hearings after testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• Troxler, Senate Bill 621 seeks a prohibition on the establishment, operation, or ownership of a public bank
• Endeavors outside of those core functions, like running one or more public banks, siphon away finite
• duties, while it aggressively pursues all manner of social justice initiatives, including public banking
• , but I was just going to be curious as to what services and to what level of involvement a public bank
• What we all understand and basically know about what our banking system is all about.

Bills: SB414, SB621, SB2395

Keywords: bond election, ballot proposition, debt obligation, municipal bonds, local government finance, property tax, ad valorem tax, school district bonds, county bonds, special taxing district, voter information document, public debt, municipal finance, tax-supported debt, election ballot language, bond transparency, homestead tax impact, capital improvements, general obligation bonds, public bank

Transcript Highlights:

• Netflix does not have access to my bank account.
• I'm for taking it to the banks with a lot of the stuff that the banking system does to us.
• , operations, or otherwise regulating drones.
• This is saying that the banks or the state can't regulate or force a bank to do this.
• This is saying that the banks or the state can't regulate or force a bank to do this.

Bills: HB2118, HB2181, HB2308, HB2309, HB2402, HB2476, HB2682, HB2698, HB2875, HB2877, HB2903, HB2910

Keywords: mobile food vendors, licensure, food safety, statewide regulations, health standards, zoning, temporary vendors, HB2181, death certificate, death certificates, vital records, funeral establishment, funeral home, human remains, medical certification of death, death registration, state registrar, local registrar, county medical examiner, alternate medical examiner

Transcript Highlights:

• Bank regulators have this authority. stablecoin regulators would not, and I think that's a mistake.
• to right-size regulations for community banks.
• Instead, bank regulators should consider the damage which may occur if a bank does business with dictators
• or their families, or bank regulators should consider the negative impacts to a bank that provides.
• supervision and abuse by bank regulators.

Bills: SB875

Keywords: banking regulation, federal agencies, reputational risk, financial services, supervision, FIRM Act, bank supervision, depository institutions, federal banking agencies, FDIC, OCC, Federal Reserve, NCUA, CFPB, credit unions, Operation Choke Point, financial discrimination, safety and soundness, supervisory guidance, examination manual

Summary: This meeting focused on the markup of the Genius Act and the FIRM Act, two significant pieces of legislation addressing stablecoin regulation and the financial industry's regulatory framework. The Chairman noted the importance of providing clarity to the digital asset community and protecting American consumers, while also promoting innovation and competition within the financial sector. Members of both parties expressed varying viewpoints, with some highlighting concerns related to national security and the potential risks associated with stablecoins.

Transcript Highlights:

• We're a rate regulator, essentially. It certifies the utilities.
• That is a request for bank records on a bank customer.
• I'm usually up here talking about banks and credit unions, but my office actually regulates 20 different
• And that was with the bank, so let’s say Hibernia.
• So banks and credit unions are exempt.”

Bills: HB241, HB267, HB467, HB673, HB744, HB798, HB1026, HB1027, HB1091, HB1096, HB1103, HB1212, HB1230

Keywords: financial records, consumer protection, banking law, disclosure, service of process, home inspectors, board membership, licensing, term limits, Louisiana State Board, residential roof, coastal zone, fortified roof, building standards, construction code, insurance, hurricane resilience, safety, security cameras, abandoned property

Bills: HB418, SB138, SB215, HB418, SB138, SB215

Keywords: financial services, banking, insurance, debanking, social credit score, ESG, environmental, social, and governance, diversity, equity, and inclusion, DEI, religious freedom, free speech, viewpoint discrimination, political discrimination, firearms, gun industry, ammunition, fossil fuels, oil and gas, mining, timber

Bills: SCR74, SR68, SCR108, SCR76, SCR150, SR141, SCR69, SR64, SCR25, SR22

Keywords: no-bid contracts, emergency procurement, audit, state agencies, public funds, accountability, auditor, state and county agencies, government accountability, emergency declarations, easement, submerged lands, drainage, Kahala Hotel, Oahu, state land regulations, biomarker testing, health insurance, precision medicine, H.B. No. 1971

Transcript Highlights:

• Under Chapter 712 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, the Texas Department of Banking regulates perpetual
• However, Chapter 154... of the Finance Code, which states that the Department of Banking shall regulate
• The Department of Banking regulates entities that are both permitted PFC sellers and registered perpetual
• I would hope they put their faith in the Department of Banking, and we would regulate that entity.
• I appreciate the opportunity to lay out House Bill 3804, relating to the regulation of state banks.

Bills: HB3803, HB3804, HB3805, HB3806, HB3833, HB4134, HB4233, HB4238, HB4243

Keywords: HB 3803, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 712, perpetual care cemetery, perpetual care trust fund, cemetery regulation, financial confidentiality, confidential records, regulatory examination, Texas Department of Banking, commissioner disclosure, interagency information sharing, state agency enforcement, federal agency disclosure, trust fund oversight, burial services, cemetery trust, consumer protection, state banks, Texas Finance Code

Transcript Highlights:

• And then also, in light of weakening PFAS health regulations by the national administration, I think
• ><00:26:48.320><c> 1802</c> Um, on the agenda, House Bill 1802 relating to conservation mitigation banks
• We're going to move this requirement into HRS 321 to match with our current existing statute that regulates
• And for House Bill 1802 relating to conservation mitigation banks, we are going to adopt all the amendments

Bills: HB644, HB1802, HB1569, HB1619, HB1620, HB1730, HB1749

Keywords: PFAS, single-use plastics, environmental health, food ware, pollution reduction, HB1802, conservation banking, conservation bank, mitigation banking, compensatory mitigation, incidental take permit, incidental take license, habitat conservation plan, HCP, DLNR, BLNR, Board of Land and Natural Resources, endangered species recovery committee, threatened species, endangered species

Summary: The committee heard several environmental and energy bills, beginning with HB 644 on single-use plastics. DLNR and DOH supported the measure, and environmental advocates said it would reduce plastic waste in oceans and landfills. Testifiers urged the bill to avoid weakening existing county ordinances, and some supported delaying implementation to use up inventory, while Upstream opposed compostable-plastic exemptions and urged prompt passage. Committee members asked whether reusable and refillable foodware could be added to the PFAS prohibition, and Upstream said that would be consistent with the bill’s goals. The committee then took up HB 1802 on conservation mitigation banks, HB 1569 on microfiber filters for newly manufactured washing machines, and HB 1619 on electric vehicle infrastructure. HB 1802 drew mostly agency testimony from DLNR, with opposition testimony noted from environmental groups, and members discussed whether suggested amendments would address concerns. HB 1569 received limited testimony, with support from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition and opposition from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. HB 1619 was supported by the PUC, Hawaiian Electric, the Department of Transportation, and several advocacy groups; Earthjustice said the bill was needed to address a widening EV charging shortfall and described the funding increase as relatively small compared with the benefits. The committee also heard HB 1620, which would increase the barrel tax to fund the EV charging rebate program. The State Energy Office and PUC offered comments, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii opposed the special-fund approach and said the bill should also address the non-petroleum fossil-fuel portion of the barrel tax. Earthjustice and youth transportation advocates supported the measure, and the chair asked for information on unused hydrogen fueling subaccount funds; PUC said no hydrogen program funds had been deployed and estimated the balance was likely around $2 million, with exact figures to be provided later. Finally, the committee heard HB 1730 on wastewater systems, which would create a wastewater technical advisory group and fund positions at DOH. DLNR, DOH, OPSD, UH, and several environmental groups supported the bill, emphasizing cesspool pollution, affordability, and the need for more staffing and technical assistance. Testifiers suggested amendments to create a separate cesspool conversion implementation working group and debated the size and composition of the advisory group, including whether to include outside engineers and whether SHIP should be on the panel. No votes were taken during the hearing segment provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• conduct commerce and it's a hardship on residents in rural areas, and we've seen it from our rural area banks

Bills: HB375, HB986, HB1098, SCR35, SB97, SB123, SB466

Keywords: liability, regional transit, streetcars, trolley cars, motor vehicles, HB986, vehicular homicide, child support, surviving child, minor child, parent killed in crash, criminal restitution, family law, Louisiana child support schedule, R.S. 9:315.48, R.S. 14:32.1, victim compensation, traffic fatality, wrongful death, sentencing enhancement

Transcript Highlights:

• except as otherwise provided in this act, no governmental entity may adopt an ordinance, resolution, regulation
• Um, the LP gas industry is regulated by the National Fire Protection Association 58 and 54, and every
• The LP Gas Board is already the regulatory body to regulate those standards.
• Um, we are self-regulated. Most safety. Um, we are self-regulated.
• Most of our industry is self-regulated.

Bills: HB407, SB306, SB320, SB321

Keywords: local redevelopment, tax payments, transient occupancy, state revenue, authority powers, transparency, discretionary accounts, government accountability, public access, online publication, liquefied petroleum gas, safety regulations, public gathering places, cylinder storage, proximity regulations, drycleaning, environmental remediation, pollution, hazardous waste, trust fund

Transcript Highlights:

• I've enjoyed it with 40 some years of banking experience.
• This is a banking association request bill.
• Any new regulation could potentially harm them.
• I've talked with the banking association on this.
• will and not over-regulate or heap heavy licenses on these folks.

Bills: HB4322, HB4202, HB4203, HB4457, HB3983, HB3660, HB3802, HB2933, HB2955, HB2956, HB3781, HB3521, HB3794, HB3796, HB3800

Keywords: funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer, funeral director in charge, dual licensure, mortuary science, Oklahoma Funeral Board, funeral establishment, commercial embalming establishment, crematory, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, apprenticeship, licensing requirements, professional regulation, undertaker, mortician, burial services, death care industry, workers' compensation

Transcript Highlights:

• bank.
• We are regulated out the wazoo.
• The 17th most regulated state in the union.
• that currently, the way it is set up right now, the Banking Association can regulate.
• That currently, the way it is set up right now, the Banking Association can regulate and can require

Bills: HB4322, HB4202, HB4203, HB4457, HB3983, HB3660, HB3802, HB2933, HB2955, HB2956, HB3781, HB3521, HB3794, HB3796, HB3800

Keywords: funeral services licensing, funeral director, embalmer, funeral director in charge, dual licensure, mortuary science, Oklahoma Funeral Board, funeral establishment, commercial embalming establishment, crematory, cremation, alkaline hydrolysis, apprenticeship, licensing requirements, professional regulation, undertaker, mortician, burial services, death care industry, workers' compensation

Summary: The Business and Insurance Committee first handled a series of executive nominations, including appointments or reappointments to the Oklahoma Securities Commission, Real Estate Commission, State Athletic Commission, Accountancy Board, Commission on Consumer Credit, Uniform Building Code Commission, Abstractors Board, Used Motor Vehicle Dismantler and Manufactured Housing Commission, and State Banking Board. Most nominees briefly addressed the committee, and the nominations were advanced by unanimous or near-unanimous votes. One HB 4488 was laid over at the start of the meeting. The committee then considered several bills. HB 4322, which would remove a dual-licensure requirement for funeral directors and embalmers, drew questions about consumer protection and body care procedures and passed 6-3. HB 4202, changing workers’ compensation fee schedule treatment for radiology, passed unanimously. HB 4203, directing the Uniform Building Code Commission to explore guidelines for single-exit configurations in certain buildings up to four stories, passed 7-2 after concerns were raised about fire safety. HB 4457, dealing with specialty pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and access to specialty medications, passed unanimously. Members also debated HB 3983, which would move Oklahoma’s moist smokeless tobacco tax to a weight-based system; supporters argued it would improve fairness and revenue stability, while opponents said it would raise taxes on some products and lacked consumer protections. It passed 6-3. HB 3660, authorizing natural organic reduction as an additional end-of-life option, prompted a lengthy debate over dignity, religious concerns, and consumer choice; it passed 5-4. HB 3802, prohibiting auto insurers from raising premiums solely because a spouse died, passed unanimously. HB 2933, a consumer protection insurance bill, passed 9-0 after extensive discussion of claims handling and insurer accountability. Additional insurance and regulatory measures—HB 2955, HB 2956, HB 3781, HB 3521, HB 3796, HB 3794, and HB 3800—were also advanced, most with little or no opposition. The chair closed by noting all executive nominations and legislation had been cleared from the committee for the year.

Transcript Highlights:

• So the model is still being regulated.
• And so there's no gaps in regulation.
• And so there's no gaps in regulation.
• It's just when we present our models, then they regulate us.
• are supposed to follow, and banks are scratching their heads.

Bills: HB2016, HB2104, HB2105, HB2174, HB2256, HB2289, HB2477, HB2903, HB2939, HB2979, HB2996, HB4103

Keywords: tax penalties, filing, tax returns, administration, Arizona Revised Statutes, agricultural property, classification, county assessor, property inspection, appeal process, property tax, agricultural classification, Department of Revenue, property valuation, inspection notice, inspection report, on-site inspection, full cash value, rural land, farm land