Albany Moves On CU Priorities

Yesterday saw some important movement on legislation impacting credit unions.

First, legislation that would permit municipalities to deposit money in credit unions has been placed on the Senate Banking agenda which meets this Tuesday, May 18^th. S670 sponsored by Banking Committee Chairman Sanders is of course a key priority for the industry.

Currently, municipalities, including school districts and local towns throughout the state, are prohibited from placing their money in credit unions even when it could help New York’s taxpayers by generating more interest on public funds and providing much needed competition in an area where banks currently hold a monopoly. We will be coming out with a Call To Action later today.

Secondly, yesterday the Governor signed legislation to exempt from levy and restraint COVID-19 stimulus payments. More specifically, the bill exempts from collection any payment to individuals under the Federal Family First Coronavirus Response Act exemption for emergency relief funds. Any payments to individuals, including tax refunds, recovery rebates, refundable tax credits, and any advances of any tax credits, under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020  (CARES Act), Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act Of 2021 (ARPA). The exemption does not apply to child and family support payments. In addition, the bill prohibits financial institutions from exercising a right-of-set-off on these funds. 

The Association joined with CUNA in advocating for stimulus payments to be exempt from levy and restraint.  Congress did not exempt the latest round of stimulus payments from levy and restraint apparently because doing so would have violated budget reconciliation rules which allowed the measure to be passed in the Senate by a simple majority.