HB 2007 Requires mortgage lenders complete education on racial bias

VOTE:NO
Signed into Law by Gov Brown on 07-19-21
Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/HB2007

This bill requires mortgage loan originators applying for or renewing a license to complete continuing education requirements including on topics of implicit bias and racial bias. Allows Department of Consumer and Business Services to establish educational requirements on implicit bias and racial bias. Establishes Joint Task Force on Addressing Racial Disparities in Home Ownership.

Personal Choice and Responsibility
This does nothing to help low-income families to increase their income to afford a house payment even if they are given loans to buy.

Fiscal Responsibility
Appropriates moneys to Legislative Policy and Research Committee to compensate task force on racial disparities in home ownership and recommend solutions and legislation to eliminate discrimination and other barriers in order to ameliorate conditions reducing or preventing home ownership among people of color in this state. The task force is a feel good move that has no purpose but create problems that the continuing education program is intended to resolve.

Limited Government
Allows Department of Consumer and Business Services to add to continuing education requirements implicit bias and racial bias training for mortgage loan originators. Requires implicit bias component to real estate licensing exam and continuing education credits, appraiser certification or licensure.

Free Markets
There is nothing about this bill that will increase the ability of the underprivileged to be able to buy a home. Loan originators serve people coming to them with their resources. This bill makes every loan originator an agent for government programs, which implies they are bias in calculating loans or applying risk analysis that are prescribed. They work for the sale, so why would they refuse to inform low-income of available programs. People should have their resources figured out before approaching a loan originator.