Supporters of "payday loan" legislation fight to keep bills alive

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Two bills that would further regulate and lower interest rates on payday loan and title pawn industries have been referred to subcommittee, a process that sometimes means death for legislation. But supporters say they remain hopeful that something will be done in the current session to make the loan transactions more consumer-friendly. The House Financial Services Committee voted after a public hearing Wednesday to send the bills to a subcommittee. Committee chairman Republican Rep. Lesley Vance of Phenix City said the purpose was to give the bills more study, not kill them. But some legislators said sending bills to subcommittee is a tactic often used to kill legislation.