JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Protecting credit unions’ interest with federal and state legislators and regulatory agencies is one of our priorities. We strive to build and preserve relationships with lawmakers and policymakers to ensure credit unions and their members are represented in the legislative and regulatory process.
Earlier this week, some members from our staff along with Heartland Credit Union Association took to the Hill in Jefferson City to discuss several legislative topics that affect our membership with our state representatives. The Missouri Advocacy Meeting brought credit union leaders from across the state to Jefferson City at an unusual time, with the Missouri Senate engaging in a multi-day filibuster that gained national attention.
Even with senators occupied, credit union advocates met and shared the credit union difference with dozens of lawmakers and staff during the Heartland Credit Union Association (HCUA) legislative reception and dinner on March 7, and Capitol visits on March 8.
A highlight of the Missouri Advocacy Meeting was an unscheduled visit by U.S. Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-District 3), who addressed regulatory relief issues on the federal level and answered questions from attendees during the legislative reception on March 7. Luetkemeyer recently signed a letter to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from Congress, encouraging them to use their exemption authority for financial institutions like credit unions.
“The CFPB has the exemption authority, and it needs to be used for credit unions and other financial institutions that did not cause the problems in the first place,” said Luetkemeyer, who serves on the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.
Nearly 60 lawmakers and staff attended the reception and dinner. In advance of legislative visits, HCUA hosted an afternoon of presentations from political and advocacy experts on March 7.
Our legislative priorities this year include a credit union account verification parity bill, the Missouri Savings Promotion Act, a transportation network company (TNC, i.e. Uber and Lyft) bill , and Department of Revenue Technology Fund.
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