Committee passes three financial-institutions bills by consent

The Missouri House Committee on Financial Institutions voted unanimously by consent to pass three bills during an executive session, recording 13 yes votes and no nays on each measure.

The three bills passed by consent were House Bill 596, House Bill 707 and House Bill 754. Chairman Owen moved each bill to a roll-call vote and the committee recorded a unanimous affirmative tally for each motion.

Why it matters: HB 596 makes a targeted change to when a buyer’s agency agreement must be obtained before a showing, a revision the sponsor said implements compliance from the recent Burnett v. NAR settlement. A committee member said HB 754 contains a one-word change, from “person” to “customer,” that was initially restrictive but is accessible through public reporting online, information that satisfied that member.

Key discussion and votes: Representative Clemens asked that HB 596 be isolated without further changes and queried how it may fare in the Senate; the bill sponsor asked the committee to rely on sponsor outreach. Clemens also asked that, in the future, the majority consult minority members before bringing bills to consent. Chairman Owen said he would attempt to do that going forward. After discussion the committee took roll-call votes. The committee recorded 13 yes, 0 no on HB 596, 13 yes, 0 no on HB 707, and 13 yes, 0 no on HB 754; each bill was announced as passed by consent.

Votes at a glance: HB 596 — Motion to pass (mover: Chairman Owen); tally 13 yes, 0 no; outcome: passed by consent. HB 707 — Motion to pass (mover: Chairman Owen); tally 13 yes, 0 no; outcome: passed by consent. HB 754 — Motion to pass (mover: Chairman Owen); tally 13 yes, 0 no; outcome: passed by consent.

Committee next steps: The committee left executive session after the votes and proceeded to scheduled hearings.