December 10, 2024

Dear Credit Union Leaders, 

The Holidays are approaching, and Lame Duck session is in full. As we look to the end of the year, here are the updates you need.

Announcements

The next edition of “Cheers! To Compliance” will be held on Dec. 13, speakers to be announced. For more information, please contact Brad (Bradley.Willett@mcul.org).

Advocacy

 In Lansing, the legislature has returned for its final weeks in Lame Duck session. The greater business community is still focused on HB 6056-6057, by Reps. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) and Graham Filler (R-Dewitt), as vehicle bills for possible amendments to address some implementation concerns with the newly re-instated mandatory paid sick leave provisions and minimum wage increase. While there appears to be strong interest among legislators to enact some relief, as the last days of session approach, concern is growing among business groups that the issue may be put off until next year. This week, there has also been a flurry of activity on significant amendments to workers compensation provisions, unemployment insurance and family medical leave as the House Democrats move closer to the loss of their majority. As mentioned previously, our team remains focused on SB 408-409, the garnishment and collections reform package. Stakeholders are still looking for amendments, as the sponsors try to patch together votes to clear the Senate in time to avoid state Constitutional deadlines for passage. The full text of the current version of the bill can be found at 2023-SCVBS-0408-0B735.PDF. SB 1022, which would amend the Michigan Consumer Protection Act and expose credit unions (and many other businesses) to both lawsuits and regulatory action by the Office of Attorney General on products and processes that could be deemed “deceptive” or “unfair,” passed the Senate on a party-line 20-18 vote and awaits referral to a House Committee. The Committee destination for this bill should reveal much about its future prospects in the last week.

As mentioned in our prior update, in Washington D.C., lawmakers remain focused on passage of two “must pass” bills in the Lame Duck period, a FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government for a period of time – likely six months. A CR is necessary once again to avoid government shutdown, as Congress has failed to pass any of the 12 annual appropriation bills.  Our team continues to spend a considerable amount of effort educating our delegation on credit card interchange and making sure the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA), or a variation of it, does not get included in any such “must pass” measure.  Currently, every member of Michigan’s delegation has confirmed their opposition to the CCCA.

For a full update on state and federal regulatory action, please see the “Reg Corner” update in this edition of MILeague Minute.  

Grassroots and Advocacy Funding

Thank you to those credit unions that participated in this year’s Rivalry Week against the Ohio Credit Union League. The event took place over Thanksgiving week until Nov. 30. While we did not emerge victorious against OCUL, the “Curse of the PAC Challenge” continues as U of M defeated OSU in exchange. Most importantly, it was a record success for this event in support of our advocacy funding efforts.

As mentioned in the last edition, with regard to permission agreements, please keep an eye out for a communication in early December about renewal if you are currently expired or about to. Completing and submitting these forms is not an agreement to participate in any particular programs, and we will not solicit your members or employees without the permission of your credit union. This is purely a compliance requirement on our end. Please feel free to contact Todd or any member of our team with any questions. Also as mentioned in prior editions, the new design for the 2025 Lapel Pin Program has been selected, and pins will become available right after the New Year.  Upon returning from the holidays, current donors and participating credit unions will receive an email as well as a letter communication about how to participate in the program.  In the meantime, if you have any questions please contact DaeSean (DaeSean.Ashby@mcul.org) or Kieran (Kieran.Marion@mcul.org). For those participating in the 2024-25 Plush Program, all of our current toys and backstock from previous years is still sold out. Our team is taking waitlist orders for any returned animals, and please contact Laura (Laura.Osminski@mcul.org) to be added.

As always, thank you for all that you do for Michigan’s credit unions!  

Sincerely,

Patty Corkery and the MCUL Advocacy Team

« Return to "Roundup"