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HOUSE 2891118th CongressReferred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.

SAFE Banking Act of 2023

Last Action
5/3/2023

Actions

  • 2023-05-03Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
  • 2023-04-26Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • 2023-04-26Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • 2023-04-26Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, and Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
  • 2023-04-26Introduced in House
  • 2023-04-26Introduced in House

CRS Summary

As of 2023-04-26 (00)

Secure and Fair Enforcement Banking Act of 2023 or the SAFE Banking Act of 2023

This bill provides protections for federally regulated financial institutions that serve state-sanctioned marijuana businesses. Currently, many financial institutions do not provide services to state-sanctioned marijuana businesses due to the federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Under the bill, a federal banking regulator may not penalize a depository institution for providing banking services to a state-sanctioned marijuana business. For example, regulators may not terminate or limit the deposit or share insurance of a depository institution solely because the institution provides financial services to a state-sanctioned marijuana business.

The bill also prohibits a federal banking regulator from requesting or ordering a depository institution to terminate a customer account unless (1) the regulator has determined that the depository institution is engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice or is violating a law or regulation, and (2) that determination is not based primarily on reputation risk.

Additionally, proceeds from a transaction involving activities of a state-sanctioned marijuana business are no longer considered proceeds from unlawful activity. (Financial institutions that handle proceeds from unlawful activity are subject to anti-money laundering laws. Violators of these laws are subject to fines and imprisonment.)

Furthermore, a financial institution, insurer, or federal agency may not be held liable or subject to asset forfeiture under federal law for providing a loan, mortgage, or other financial service to a state-sanctioned marijuana business.

Subjects

  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Asia
  • Bank accounts, deposits, capital
  • Banking and financial institutions regulation
  • Business records
  • Congressional oversight
  • Consumer affairs
  • Credit and credit markets
  • Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
  • Department of the Treasury
  • Drug trafficking and controlled substances
  • Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
  • Evidence and witnesses
  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
  • Federal Reserve System
  • Financial services and investments
  • Fraud offenses and financial crimes
  • Government information and archives
  • Government liability
Read on Congress.gov

Sourced from Congress.gov (public domain).

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.