2010 Priorities Bill Tracking
Updated February 3, 2010
Predatory Lending
Mortgage Lending
Families all around Washington State have lost their homes to foreclosure, and thousands more may lose their homes in the next three years. SB 6648 will level the playing field between mortgage lenders and families by requiring lenders to offer foreclosure mediation by a neutral third party, and to consider standardized loan modification as an alternative to foreclosure. SB 6648 had a public hearing in the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection on January 28.
Families hit hard by the recession need a lifeline when their homes are threatened with foreclosure. HB 2623 and SB 6694 will postpone for a year foreclosure of homes owned by families receiving unemployment benefits. House Bill 2623 had a hearing in the House Committee on Judiciary on January 20, and SB 6694 had a hearing in the Senate Committee on Financial Institutions on January 27.
Credit Card Lending
Usurious credit card interest rates can keep working families in a cycle of debt. HB 2195 will cap interest rates at reasonable levels so these families can get out of debt. HB 2195 had a hearing in the House Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance on January 12.
Consumer Protections
Unfair Insurance Practices
Drivers face higher premiums because they've been laid off, have a lower level of education or have a bad credit score due to foreclosure, financial hardship or a lack of credit history. HB 2513 and SB 6252 would prohibit insurers from using a person’s credit history, income or education level to determine insurance premiums. HB 2513 did not pass out of the House Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance, but SB 6252 passed out of the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection on February 2.
Debt Collection
Families attempting to pay off their debts should not have to face harassment from debt collectors. SB 6348 will level the playing field by limiting the frequency of debt collector contacts, and by prohibiting dishonest communications. SB 6348 passed out of the Senate Committee on Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection on January 27.
Auto Fraud
Low-income families are frequent targets of fraudulent used car sales practices, and they need protection. HB 1772 and SB 5675 will make purchasing a used car a more fair and transparent process by requiring dealers to inspect cars for defects and disclose their findings to potential buyers. HB 1772 was referred to the House Commerce & Labor Committee, and SB 5675 was referred to the Senate Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection Committee.
Housing
Tenant Screening
Low-income renters can spend hundreds of dollars on application fees, paying multiple times for the same screening report. This wastes money they will need for move-in costs. HB 2622 will provide for a single tenant screening report, good for 60 days, and ensure accuracy and affordability of reports. HB 2622 had a public hearing in the House Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance on January 19.
Critical Social Programs
General Assistance Unemployable (GAU)
We all hope if we become disabled and unable to work that we will have support and opportunities. HB 2782 will provide families further opportunities by assisting eligible disabled workers to receive SSI benefits, by assisting GAU recipients leaving the program to find health care, and by providing housing assistance for the homeless. HB 2782 passed out of the House Committee on Human Services on January 28.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The original version of HB 3141 would help struggling families seeking temporary financial assistance during the economic recovery. It makes critical improvements to the state’s WorkFirst program by providing alternative pathways to self-sufficiency and easing the transition for families leaving the TANF program. An amended and substantially weakened version of HB 3141 passed out of the House Committee on Early Learning & Children’s Services on February 2.
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