Transcript Highlights:

• Consumers don't pay interchange fees.
• Under the four points that have been raised, there's potential harm for consumers as consumers... ...
• Consumers pay 20%.
• We do loan the money that the consumer uses to purchase these goods.
• Will consumers have to have multiple transactions on the same purchase?

Bills: HB245 , HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: property tax, delinquent taxes, ad valorem, penalties, interest cap, military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees

Transcript Highlights:

• Mortgage loans in amounts set by the finance code or the finance commission by rule.
• But that is completely more consumer financing versus what you call business financing, correct?
• They don't have access to the best kind of financing, you know, bond financing, bank loans, SBA loans
• Our members provide revenue-based financing. Many of our members also provide additional financing.
• That's the reason that consumers, and again, the consumers keep being left out of...

Bills: HB245 , HB700 , HB2783 , HB3526 , HB3900 , HB4061 , HB4124 , HB4166 , HB4395 , HB4534 , HB4609 , HB4641 , HB4736 , HB4738 , HB4739 , HB4945 , HB5015 , HJR175 , HB245

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: military service, retirement, law enforcement, custodial officer, Employees Retirement System, commercial financing, brokers, registration, disclosures, finance, consumer protection, fees, deferred compensation, automatic participation, county employees, payroll deductions, retirement plans, fiscal transparency, local government, bond issuance

Bills: HSB514 , HSB524 , HSB603 , HF781 , SF572

Committee: Joint Commerce

Keywords: expungement, investment adviser, commissioner of insurance, regulatory process, financial services, loans, interest rates, consumer credit, regulations, debt management, debt settlement, debt relief, consumer finance, credit counseling, creditor negotiation, fee regulation, third-party compensation, trust account, dedicated account, licensee requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• Jonathan McKernan, nominated to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, is clearly being sent
• Bill Pulte, the nominee to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency, failed to assure us that he would
• William Polte to be the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
• a roll call vote to vote on the honorable Jonathan McKernan to be the director of the Bureau of Consumer

Committee: Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Keywords: nomination, Senator Warren, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Housing Finance Agency, Undersecretary of Commerce, accountability, oversight

Summary: The committee convened to discuss several nominations, notably for key positions including the directors of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Housing Finance Agency, and Undersecretary of Commerce. Senator Warren raised significant concerns during her opposition to all four nominees, citing their failure to provide satisfactory answers regarding their qualifications and policy perspectives. She expressed particular alarm over Jonathan McKernan's ties to external influences and Jeffrey Kessler's hesitance to acknowledge geopolitical threats, leading to discussions about accountability in nominations and oversight. The votes resulted in a mixed outcome, with some nominees being approved while others faced substantial opposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:03:54.079><c> to</c> which makes it easier for consumers to which makes it easier for consumers
• These challenges impact Minnesota consumers who may be turned away from subordinate lien financing and
• </c> challenges impact Minnesota consumers challenges impact Minnesota consumers who<00:07:49.680><c>
• </c><01:30:07.520><c> I've</c> consumer and I'm a smart consumer I've consumer and I'm a smart consumer
• And I'm 100% with you on finance and consumer advocacy in high school because we are missing that, and

Bills: HF1865 , HF2014 , HF2028

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: mortgage, qualified mortgage, QM, points and fees, conventional loan, consumer lending, home loan, residential real estate, lender fees, service charge, finance charge, closing costs, Minnesota Statutes 47.20, housing finance, borrower protections, cooperative apartment loan, contract for deed, real estate lending, foreclosure, notice requirements

Transcript Highlights:

• charges for a consumer loan other than a credit card, to provide for maximum origination fees on a consumer
• I mean, it kind of goes back to the education piece and to the consumer piece of making them aware of
• And so what happens when these rates are not expanded is that consumers get left out.
• But to your question, how would those consumers have the benefit? The benefit is access.
• I think ultimately that's the real issue here: what choice are we giving consumers?

Bills: HB489 , HB545 , HB555 , HB583 , HB670 , HB672 , HB797 , HB814 , HB913 , HB952

Committees: House Commerce , House Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Keywords: transfer on death, TOD, beneficiary designation, investment accounts, brokerage accounts, securities, nonprobate transfer, estate planning, succession, probate, community property, forced heirship, financial advisor, broker-dealer, custodian, transfer agent, banking, wealth transfer, inheritance, Louisiana Revised Statutes

Transcript Highlights:

• if they made a decision to issue bonds and the debtor, the school, that said, "We would like some financing

Bills: HB315 , HB152 , HB205 , SB184 , SB209 , HB309 , SB280 , SB267

Committee: Senate Finance and Taxation Education

Keywords: sales tax, local exemption, Consumer Price Index, tax holiday, clothing tax exemption, school supplies, sales tax exemption, baby supplies, baby formula, maternity clothing, menstrual hygiene products, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications

Transcript Highlights:

• Third-party financing enables consumers to lease solar panels and a battery, which spreads lease payments
• </c> priority consumer protection issue. priority consumer protection issue.
• Third-party<01:14:26.000><c> financing</c><01:14:26.680><c> enables</c><01:14:27.120><c> consumers</c
• > Third-party financing enables consumers Third-party financing enables consumers to<01:14:27.800><c>
• </c> Golf courses consume our water. Golf courses consume our water.

Bills: HF4560 , HF4559 , HF2317 , HF3179 , HF4880 , HF2862 , HF4374

Committee: House Energy Finance and Policy

Keywords: Public Utilities Commission, PUC, energy regulation, utility regulation, electric utility, public utility, rate case, multiyear rate plan, decoupling, rate decoupling, greenhouse gas, social cost of carbon, environmental cost, resource planning, certificate of need, distributed renewable energy, interconnection, budget billing, electronic filing, contested case

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, House Bill 2113 requires the director of the Residential Utility Consumer Office to
• That program is one of the most important consumer protections we have for homeowners and for responsible
• The assured water supply program is one of the most important consumer protections we have for homeowners
• water augmentation authorities to enter into a loan repayment agreement with a Water Infrastructure Finance
• This bill will let us get financing on the best terms possible.

Bills: HB2013 , HB2026 , HB2056 , HB2098 , HB2113 , HB2156 , HB2158 , HCM2011 , HCR2057

Committees: Senate Natural Resources , Senate Senate Natural Resources Committee of Reference

Keywords: air pollution, wildfires, environmental standards, public health, Arizona Revised Statutes, assured water supply, groundwater, commingling, commingled water, water supply, Arizona Department of Water Resources, ADWR, active management area, AMA, subdivision plat, development approval, water rights, municipal provider, private water company, certificate of assured water supply

Transcript Highlights:

• For the Town of Flower Mound, I was also the finance director for the Town of North Lake and the Town
• But I'm also the past president of the Government Finance Officers Association of Texas.
• And so we're gonna finance the project over three to five years.
• Tax notes are available, but schools have a lot less flexibility than cities do, even on finances.
• One to finance the cleanup, mitigation, or remediation of a natural disaster.

Bills: SB512 , SB1024

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: SB 512, Texas Finance Code, money transmission, money services business, money transmitter, money transmission licensee, terms of service, consumer protection, civil penalty, attorney general enforcement, account closure, refund of balance, financial services regulation, payments industry, fintech, prepaid accounts, remittance, licensee compliance, local government debt, municipal finance

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate Committee on Finance will come to order.
• Yes, good morning, and thank you first off to the Senate Finance Committee.
• code or by the Finance Commission rule for each fee collected The Finance Code or by the Finance Commission
• So House Bill 4738 would repeal these administrative fees: the $1 from non-real-property and consumer
• I want to address several areas of concern regarding HB 1056, particularly as it relates to consumer

Bills: SB524 , SB782 , HB42 , HB 1056 , HB2894 , HB3033 , HB3474 , HB3594 , HB4738 , HB5246 , HB42

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: SB 524, Texas franchise tax, veteran-owned business, new veteran-owned business, business tax exemption, filing fee exemption, Tax Code Chapter 171, Business Organizations Code, Comptroller, small business, veterans, entrepreneurship, tax repeal, privilege tax, beginning date, franchise tax exemption, severance tax, oil, gas, restimulation wells

Summary: The committee heard Senator Flores lay out the committee substitute for HB 2894, which would expand state reimbursement eligibility for local governments disproportionately affected by the disabled veterans homestead exemption. Flores said the bill would add certain municipalities in Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties if lost ad valorem tax revenue equals or exceeds 10% of general revenue, while existing recipients would remain under the current 2% threshold. Lampasas and Bell County officials and the City of Killeen testified in support, describing significant revenue losses and urging adequate funding. One witness, Howard Avery, argued any reimbursement should be counted as property tax revenue for voter-approval rate purposes to avoid a windfall. The committee later adopted the substitute and reported the bill favorably, with one nay. The committee also heard SB 782, which would create a temporary severance tax exemption for restimulated inactive oil and gas wells, intended to encourage investment in mature wells. The Comptroller explained the revised fiscal note as effectively zero because the wells are currently marginal and not generating meaningful tax revenue, while industry witnesses said the bill could extend well life, support local economies, and reduce orphan-well liabilities. Public testimony was supportive, and the bill was left pending. Members then heard HB 3033, a DPS-related grant program funded by voluntary $3 donations on driver’s license and ID applications to support nonprofits aiding injured or fallen DPS officers and their families, including memorial highway signs. The DPS Officers Association supported the bill, citing existing foundation assistance and the need for a steady funding stream. The committee later reported the bill favorably. The committee also considered SB 524, which would permanently extend the franchise tax and fee exemption for qualifying veteran-owned businesses for their first five years; testimony from a veteran business owner and veterans advocates supported the measure, and the committee adopted the substitute and reported it favorably. Additional measures were laid out and left pending or voted out: HB 3594, a local San Antonio retiree health care fund bill with agreed changes for contributions, spouse benefits, and remarriage rules, was supported by stakeholders and reported favorably; HB 4738 would repeal small administrative fees tied to certain loans and was reported favorably; HB 42 on HEAF funding and HB 5246 on the Texas Space Commission were heard and left pending. The committee also reported HB 3474, a cleanup bill for the Pension Review Board’s investment performance review schedule, and HB 2802, the Austin firefighter retirement fund bill, both favorably. Finally, the committee took up HB 1056, which would allow gold and silver held in the Texas Bullion Depository to function as legal tender through debit-card transactions. Supporters framed it as a way to use hard assets and expand financial options, while bankers and some senators raised major operational, consumer-protection, tax, and constitutional questions; the bill remained under discussion as testimony began.

Transcript Highlights:

• purposes, collectively consumer purpose loans, are important, the ability to finance these closing costs
• </c> restrictions only apply to consumer restrictions only apply to consumer purpose<01:18:35.520><c>
• c> are</c> collectively consumer purpose loans are collectively consumer purpose loans are important,
• </c> undue financial burden on consumers. undue financial burden on consumers.
• And finances.

Bills: HF3766 , HF3972 , HF3437 , HF4118

Committee: House Commerce Finance and Policy

Keywords: travel insurance, regulation, insurance licensing, consumer protection, travel assistance, short-term rental, vacation rental, home sharing, rental marketplace, online platform, property damage guarantee, damage waiver, reimbursement insurance, insurance regulation, commerce department, platform user, Airbnb, Vrbo, host protection, rental home marketplace

Transcript Highlights:

• It is a bill with language supported by the Department of Consumer Credit and also fixes a typo that

Bills: SB1873 , SB1948 , SB540 , SB1653 , SB1061 , SB1534

Committee: House Business

Keywords: roofing, contractor registration, continuing education, endorsement, construction industry, fireworks, consumer safety, local governance, emergency declaration, public safety, dentist, dental hygienist, dentistry, dental hygiene, licensure compact, interstate compact, professional licensing, license portability, health workforce, workforce shortage

Transcript Highlights:

• So the first of those bills is Senate File 1959, which is the veterans finance bill.
• So the first of those bills is Senate File 1959, which is the veterans finance bill.
• When we heard the commerce finance bill on Tuesday, we adopted an amendment which members can find in
• </c> House File 2443, the Commerce Finance House File 2443, the Commerce Finance Bill.
• We will start with House File 1943, the elections finance bill.

Bills: SF1959 , HF2444 , SF2298 , HF2445 , SF2216 , HF2443 , HF2130 , HF1943 , HF2436 , HF2442

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: veterans, military affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military Affairs, omnibus veterans bill, appropriations, National Guard, state active service, armory, State Armory Building Commission, veterans homes, veterans cemeteries, county veterans service office, Minnesota GI Bill, Gold Star families, Blue Star families, Secret War in Laos, Hmong veterans, Laos veterans, special guerrilla units

Bills: HB27 , HB290 , HB308 , HB311 , HB382 , HB417 , HB575 , HB755 , HB980

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: HB 290, Act 426, sunset law, Department of the Treasury, Louisiana Treasury, re-creation, reauthorization, statutory entities, termination date, sunset review, Title 49, fiscal administration, state finance, agency continuation, legislative authority, insurance premiums, Municipal Fire and Police, dedicated fund, assessments, Louisiana legislation

Transcript Highlights:

• In finance, I can close anywhere I choose.
• As assets have grown recently, we need access to additional financing tools.
• , consumers of their rights and responsibilities.
• What goes out to the consumer, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau nationally promulgated a standardized
• Again, members, HB3002 is a consumer protection bill.

Bills: HB1342 , HB2889 , HB3002 , HB3254 , HB4820 , HJR40 , HJR40

Committee: House Pensions, Investments & Financial Services

Keywords: private activity bonds, housing, residential rental projects, low-income, affordable housing, bond measures, funding equality, political subdivisions, public communications, election fairness, debt collection, consumer rights, disclosures, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, settlement agreements, State Board of Education, group benefits program, health insurance, state employees, dependents eligibility

Transcript Highlights:

• Tomorrow, uh, we have on the agenda the education finance bill and the human services finance bill, and
• an amendment for the human services finance bill will be posted later this afternoon. amazing.
• bill and the human education finance bill and the human services<00:03:20.239><c> finance</c><00:03:
• ><c> human</c><00:03:22.480><c> services</c><00:03:22.800><c> finance</c><00:03:23.120><c> bill</c><00
• :03:23.200><c> will</c> for the human services finance bill will for the human services finance bill

Bills: SF3045 , HF2783 , HF1943

Committee: House Ways and Means

Keywords: omnibus, state government, local government, elections, campaign finance, voter registration, absentee voting, election administration, electronic rosters, lobbying, lobbyist disclosure, state budget, appropriations, biennial budget, Minnesota Secretary of State, Minnesota Management and Budget, state personnel, civil service, affirmative action, disability employment

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is typically part of a high-dollar-value transaction that a Washington consumer will likely
• That a Washington consumer will likely only participate in a handful of times over the course of their
• In that context, it is virtually imperceptible to lenders and consumers in individual transactions.
• Jackie, in what year do we operationalize the consumer-directed employer? I had a question.
• Jackie, what year do we operationalize the consumer-directed employer?

Bills: SB5109 , SB5835 , SB6065

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: mortgage lending, fraud, prosecution, financial regulations, consumer protection, retirement, lump sum payment, benefits, pension, financial security, SB 6065, school district transportation, transportation vehicle fund, pupil transportation, school buses, electric school buses, zero-emission buses, bus fleet electrification, charging stations, vehicle replacement

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair and members, Senate Bill 1689 increases the defined loan amounts for consumer loans and consumer
• revolving loans from $10,000 to $50,000 for consumer loans and from $10,000 to $30,000 for consumer
• The bill allows consumer lender licensees to collect finance charges on guaranteed asset protection waivers
• How a state structures its consumer finance statute determines how consistently the framework operates
• We are here today to advocate for modernizing Arizona's consumer finance statute so that more households

Bills: SB1165 , SB1206 , SB1212 , SB1291 , SB1347 , SB1516 , SB1554 , SB1649 , SB1689 , SB1812

Committees: Senate Finance , Senate Senate Finance Committee of Reference

Keywords: breast cancer, screening services, health insurance, cost sharing, preventive care, storm damage, catastrophic storm, hail damage, wind damage, roof repair, roof replacement, post-storm repairs, insurance claim, property and casualty insurance, adjuster, public adjuster, contractor licensing, homeowner protections, deductible waiver, insurance fraud prevention

Bills: SF119 , SSB1103 , SF46 , SSB1047 , SSB1070 , SF121

Committee: Joint Commerce

Keywords: auto insurance, motor vehicle insurance, financial responsibility, liability coverage, minimum coverage limits, bodily injury, property damage, uninsured driving, proof of insurance, insurance reform, car insurance, vehicle registration, transportation network company, rideshare, TNC, Iowa Code chapter 321A, insurance penalties, mandatory insurance, mortgage, mortgage banker