16 Continued from page 15 legislation, including legislation to provide regulatory relief on the community bank leverage ratio, the current state of the IRS reporting proposal, and efforts to oppose postal banking. Mr. Orel gave a state election outlook and updated attendees on statehouse efforts to reduce the tax burden on KBA's Association Health Plan, increasing penalties for ATM "smash-and-grabs," modernize the Kansas trust code, and efforts to make housing development more attainable. Following the issues update, KBA's EVP & General Counsel Kathy Taylor and KBA Board Chairman Ewy welcomed Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael J. Hsu to Kansas. This was the first time an OCC Comptroller has attended the Public Affairs Conference. Ewy and Taylor held a fireside chat with Comptroller Hsu, where he highlighted initiatives in Washington D.C. and within the OCC. In addition, Mr. Hsu talked about the banking industry's challenges that keep him up at night, bank capital ratios, fintech companies growing into the banking space, and CRA. After the fireside chat, Mr. Hsu held a separate roundtable with those national bank participants in attendance. The day concluded with a packed special legislative reception for bankers, state legislators, staff, and other state leaders at the Topeka Country Club. Thank you to everyone that made it to Topeka in February, and it was great to see everyone. Go ahead and mark your calendars for next year's Public Affairs Conference, scheduled for Feb. 8, 2023, at Topeka Country Club! ... while the state general fund is looking very healthy and that there needs to be some action on tax policy and helping fund the Kansas Public Employee Retirement System (KPERS), the legislature needs to remain diligent in their discussions with so much uncertainty that continues to exist.
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