Department of Financial Protection and Innovation: document charges.
Impact
The proposed bill is aimed at easing financial burdens on constituents while interacting with financial institutions governed by the DFPI. With lower document fees, it is expected that both consumers and businesses will save money, making compliance with regulations less costly. This change could potentially enhance consumer engagement with financial entities by lowering transactional costs, which could foster greater transparency and better service delivery.
Summary
Assembly Bill 406, introduced by Assembly Member Chen, proposes amendments to Section 374 of the Financial Code regarding the fees that can be charged by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) for document copies. Currently, this department is authorized to charge a maximum of $0.25 for each page copied when providing copies of filed documents. AB 406 seeks to lower this fee to a maximum of $0.10 per page, thereby reducing costs for individuals and businesses needing certified copies of documents from the DFPI.
Contention
While reactions to the bill have been primarily positive, concerns may arise regarding the implications of decreased fees for the department's operational funding. Some lawmakers may worry that less revenue could impact the DFPI’s ability to perform its regulatory duties effectively, thus raising questions about how these changes might affect the department's overall functionality and efficiency in enforcing financial laws.
Tuition-free postsecondary educational program for veterans who have received Purple Heart and the veterans' dependents established, and money appropriated.