April 2, 2024
Dear Credit Union Leaders,
Well, Spring was almost here – hopefully it will get warm soon. But our Tigers are 4-0 to start baseball season! As April begins, here are the updates you need.
Announcements
Calling All CMN Champions!! We need your help raising funds for this year’s Silent and Live Auction, and we need participants and donors for the CMN Fun Run – all taking place at this year’s AC&E! The funds we raise through these important events stay here in Michigan, supporting our four CMN hospitals. We’re excited for another successful year, but we still have work to do. Not going to the AC&E? You can register for, donate, and participate in the Fun Run virtually! And, send us a photo from your run back at home!! If you or your credit union is interested in donating or participating, please contact Kieran (Kieran.Marion@mcul.org) for details.
Advocacy
In Lansing, things have quieted down at the state legislature during the annual spring in-district work period. Behind the scenes, work continues on the FY 2025 state budget and we anticipate action at the sub-committee and committee levels as action resumes in April. The state House will be back to full membership strength before the end of this month, with two special elections to fill vacancies taking place on April 19. Prior to the break, the Senate passed a pair of measures dealing with payday lending. Legislation to require DIFS to conduct a study of the payday lending industry should be concurred in, enrolled, and sent to the Governor for her signature upon the legislature’s return. Senate-originated legislation to place a 36% APR cap on the existing payday product in the Deferred Presentment Service Transactions Act of 2005 has been referred to the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee. Our team is closely monitoring and working with stakeholders on legislation purporting to reform Michigan’s garnishment and collections system, as well as state-law bankruptcy exemption thresholds. As introduced, these bills are very concerning. Work has been ongoing between the bills’ sponsors and stakeholder groups, however, and we remain hopeful that progress can be made on changing these measures before they move. Our team does anticipate at least a hearing in the Senate this Spring.
In Washington, D.C., H.R. 7531, the Secure Payments Act of 2024, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer. As previously mentioned, this is a “stop and study” directive aimed at the Federal Reserve on their Reg II proposal to raise the three interchange components for debit transactions. With the comment deadline for the Fed’s proposal due in mid-May, we are hopeful to see some action on the measure. No Michigan members have yet co-sponsored the legislation, but a letter to the agency advancing similar concerns was previously signed by U.S. Reps. Bill Huizenga, Jack Bergman, and Lisa McClain. Our Advocacy Team along with America’s Credit Unions continues to push for support.
filed comments on the CFPB’s Overdraft proposal at the April 1 deadline, and we are reviewing upcoming proposals from FinCEN and the Federal Reserve. For a full update on state and federal regulatory action, please see the “Reg Corner” update in this edition of MI League Minute.
Grassroots and Advocacy Funding
With America’s Credit Unions’ GAC behind us, we look forward now to the 2024 MCUL State GAC! Our event will take place in Lansing on May 1, at our State Capitol’s new Heritage Hall. We are anticipating a great lineup of speakers, panels, and discussions. The night before, on April 30, we will be holding our 4th Annual “PAC the Pub!” event in support of our state political advocacy funding efforts as well. For more information on either event, please contact DaeSean (DaeSean.Ashby@mcul.org), and registration information can be found at MCUL GAC - Michigan Credit Union League.
Also, keep an eye out for information on the Annual ASFM Golf Outing, held to support the Michele Myrick Scholarship Fund. Mark your calendars for July 10 in East Lansing!
For those still looking for information, please visit Lapel Pin - Michigan Credit Union League (mcul.org). As a reminder, with regard to substantive or compliance questions on state PAC issues, or state PAC remittance questions, please contact DaeSean (DaeSean.Ashby@mcul.org); for federal PAC questions please contact Todd (Todd.Jorns@mcul.org). Kieran is also able to assist with these, as is Aria (Aria.Ottenbreit@mcul.org) on processing issues.
The America’s Credit Unions’ GAC was a huge success for Michigan’s credit unions! MCUL’s Advocacy Team was joined by over 160 Michigan attendees, combining with thousands of credit union officials and volunteers from around the country to make our industry’s voice resound in Washington D.C. We met with our federal lawmakers and their staff on Wednesday and Thursday of that week, and were pleased to hear strong support for our positions on interchange reform, FCUA modernizations, and “junk fee” rhetoric. Our group also met with new NCUA Board Member Tonya Otsuka for important dialogue on examinations, fees, and other hot topics. event was highlighted by a nighttime tour of the U.S. Capitol for our Michigan group led by our own U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga! Thank you to everyone that attended, and a special thank you to our young professionals and “first-timers” – great job all around and we hope to see you back with us soon!
Elections
Courts have now approved the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission newly redrawn state House Districts to rectify constitutional issues with several in Southeast Michigan/Detroit. As a reminder, all state House and U.S. House seats will stand for election this year, along with the now-open U.S. Senate seat being vacated upon U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow’s retirement. The field for that vacant seat has narrowed by one on the Republican side, with State Board of Education member Nikki Snyder announcing she will run instead for the opening 8th U.S. House District. With last cycle’s changes to Michigan’s term limits approved by ballot, several state Representatives are opting out of running for re-election (or at least considering opting out) in favor of waiting on state Senate openings in 2026. The deadline for candidate filings at the state and federal level is later this month.
As per our normal practice during election cycles, a full list of endorsed state and federal candidates will continue to be included at the bottom of this update and will be updated onto our website once our new site is unveiled early next year.
As always, thank you for all that you do for Michigan’s credit unions!
Sincerely,
2024 Election Endorsements:
U.S. Senate
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin
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