House District 43 Rep. Chris Chandler. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com

HOUSE DISTRICT 43 NEWS

HB 386, Installment and Small-Load Maximum Interest, sponsored by Representatives Susan Herrera, Patricia Roybal Caballero and Christine Chandler passed its first committee Friday.

The bill caps so-called “payday” lending at 36 percent – currently payday lenders can charge up to 175 percent interest. After the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs committee, the bill will move onto House Judiciary.

Several organizations have been actively working to pass a percent cap for several years in the legislature arguing that the small loans are targeting vulnerable New Mexicans who become entrapped by high compounding interest. In 2016, Pew Research showed that the average “payday” lending customer pays out an average of $520 for an average of $375 in borrowed money to cover unexpected expenses. More than 80 percent of payday lending customers have to immediately borrow the money they just paid off due to high fees eating into their ability to pay basic expenses.

Of the bill, Representative Chandler said, “We have taken a first step in stopping payday lenders who prey on New Mexicans with the least amount of resources. While 36 percent is still high, the cap will prevent the outrageous and insurmountable interest rates favored by an industry designed to keep working families trapped in debt.”

Representative Chandler can be reached during the session in her office Room 203B, by phone at 505-986-4226 or via email christine.chandler@nmlegis.gov. Please join the email list at www.Christine4StateHouse.com to keep up to date.