119th Congress · House bill · Last action May 21, 2026
H.R. 4544Passed HouseFinance and Financial Sector
American Access to Banking Act
Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine (D-CA)Introduced Jul 17, 2025
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In plain English
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) sponsored this bill to require federal financial regulators to streamline the process for starting new banks and credit unions, including reviewing how these institutions raise capital while protecting investors and coordinating information requests across agencies. The bill requires regulators to assign a caseworker to help applicants and provide lists of established institutions willing to mentor new ones. It also requires regulators to develop plans to help states and stakeholders understand the regulatory process. The bill passed the House on May 20, 2026.
What’s in the bill (6 sections)
- Sec. 2. Streamlining application process and review of capital raising
- Sec. 3. Improving communication with de novo regulated institutions
- Sec. 4. De novo mentor-protege partnerships
- Sec. 5. State and stakeholder engagement plan
- Sec. 6. Definitions
- Sec. 7. Discretionary surplus fund
Generated by ThePolitibase from the bill text and CRS summary. Read the official text →
Note: the official CRS summary for this bill was written on 2025-07-17, but the bill text was revised on 2026-05-21T04:00:00Z. Provisions may have been added since the summary was written — the section list above reflects the current text.
Where it is in the process
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Introduced
Jul 17
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House committee
Jul 23
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House floor
May 20
4
Senate
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5
Signed
-
What happens next: Cleared the House. Now goes to the Senate for consideration.
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Activity timeline
May 21
May 21
May 21
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
May 20
May 20
May 20
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 20
May 20
May 20
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 4 (Roll no. 178).
May 20
May 20
May 20
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 4 (Roll no. 178).
May 20
May 20
May 20
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)
May 19
May 19
May 19
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 19
May 19
May 19
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.
May 19
May 19
May 19
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)
May 19
May 19
May 19
Mr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Sep 8
Sep 8, 2025
Sep 8, 2025
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 210.
Read the bill text
Official text via Congress.gov. Opens in a new tab.
Full action log
All 18 recorded actions since introduction · Source: Congress.gov
2026
May 21
SENATEReceived in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
May 20
HOUSEMotion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
May 20
HOUSEOn motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 4 (Roll no. 178).
May 20
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 4 (Roll no. 178).
May 20
HOUSEConsidered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3645)
May 19
HOUSEAt the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
May 19
HOUSEDEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4544.
May 19
HOUSEConsidered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3584-3586; text: CR H3584-3585)
May 19
HOUSEMr. Hill (AR) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
2025
Sep 8
HOUSEPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 210.
Sep 8
HOUSEReported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.
Sep 8
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-253.
Jul 23
HOUSEOrdered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 49 - 0.
Jul 23
HOUSECommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 22
HOUSECommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Jul 17
HOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Jul 17
Introduced in House
Jul 17
Introduced in House
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