Oregon Foreclosure Mediation Updates, Including Weekly Implementation Meetings Open to the Public.

OPB's Think Out Loud had a segment Friday on implementation of Oregon's new foreclosure mediation bill (SB1552 ) yet to be signed by the Governor.  You can download a MP3 audio file HERE (mediation segment starts around 20 minutes into the program); the TOL website for the broadcast is HERE. 

Also, the Oregon Attorney General's Office is holding Friday afternoon weekly stakeholder meetings; the web page for the bill that includes links to materials for these meetings is HERE.  From that website: 

The Attorney General’s Foreclosure Mediation Workgroup is charged with the foreclosure mediation program established under SB 1552.

Topics that will be subject to rulemaking include: mediator role and qualifications, mediation fees, the role of the mediation services provider, mediation notice requirements, and mediation guidelines. Agendas may be amended at any time prior to the meeting.

All workgroup deliberations are open to the public. However, the opportunity for public comment may be limited during these meeting. Persons wishing to submit comments or suggestions regarding the foreclosure mediation program may send an email to foreclosuremediation@doj.state.or.us. For questions or assistance regarding workgroup meetings, please contact Kate Medema at kate.e.medema@doj.state.or.us.

The workgroup convened for the first time on March 23, 2012. Subsequent meetings of this workgroup will be from 1:30 to 3:30 pm in the Justice Building, Kulongoski Room, 1162 Court Street NE, Salem, Oregon on: March 30th; April 6th; April 13th; April 27th; May 11th; May 25th and June 8th.

 Originally created and posted on the Oregon Housing Blog.

Wa. State Foreclosure Mediation and Foreclosure Fairness Fund Programs Bill Is On to Governor for Signature.

Received an update from one of the blog subscribers advising  that Washington State Foreclosure Mediation and Foreclosure Fairness fund bill [HB 1362] has now passed both the House and Senate and is on way to Governor for signature. [My earlier blog post, with links to bill and related materials is HERE].

In re implementation dates, note says: 

Unless [governor] vetoes the emergency clause section, parts of the bill will become effective immediately.  Those parts relate to collecting the fees and getting the Department of Commerce who will be administering the program up to speed. The substantive portions of the law dealing with mediation and other substantive rights, as well as the disbursement of funds to housing counselors, the AG, and OCLA, will be effective 90 days from the Governor’s signature.  Consequently, it could become completely effective in early July.

Originally created and posted on the Oregon Housing Blog. 

Washington State Foreclosure Mediation and Foreclosure Fairness Fund Programs Moving Toward Final Legislative Action.

TheNewstribune.com story is HERE.

A " Second Substitute Senate Bill Report" from the Washington State legislature on the underlying bill is HERE. I recommend reading to fully understand the mediation AND "Foreclosure Fairness fund" provisions of this legislation.

The Washington state legislative page for all actions related to HB 1362 is HERE.

My prior January 2011 blog post about an earlier version of the bill is HERE.

Originally created and posted on the Oregon Housing Blog.