H.B. 127

This document includes House Committee Amendments incorporated into the bill on Tue, Feb 18, 2014 at 1:15 PM by lerror. -->              1     

CONSUMER LENDING AMENDMENTS

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: James A. Dunnigan

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Curtis S. Bramble

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies provisions related to deferred deposit loans.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    modifies the reporting requirements for deferred deposit lenders;
             13          .    imposes additional requirements before the extension of a deferred deposit loan;
             14          .    prohibits a deferred deposit contract from modifying statutory venue provisions;
             15          .    requires notice before initiating a civil action;
             16          .    modifies provisions related to extended payment plans; and
             17          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             18      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             19          None
             20      Other Special Clauses:
             21          None
             22      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             23      AMENDS:
             24           7-23-201 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 73
             25           7-23-401 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 102
             26           7-23-403 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 102
             27     


             28      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             29          Section 1. Section 7-23-201 is amended to read:
             30           7-23-201. Registration -- Rulemaking.
             31          (1) (a) It is unlawful for a person to engage in the business of cashing checks or the
             32      business of deferred deposit lending in Utah or with a Utah resident unless the person:
             33          (i) registers with the department in accordance with this chapter; and
             34          (ii) maintains a valid registration.
             35          (b) It is unlawful for a person to operate a mobile facility in this state to engage in the
             36      business of:
             37          (i) cashing checks; or
             38          (ii) deferred deposit lending.
             39          (2) (a) A registration and a renewal of a registration expires on December 31 of each
             40      year unless on or before that date the person renews the registration.
             41          (b) To register under this section, a person shall:
             42          (i) pay an original registration fee established under Subsection 7-1-401 (8);
             43          (ii) submit a registration statement containing the information described in Subsection
             44      (2)(d);
             45          (iii) submit evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the person is authorized to
             46      conduct business in this state as a domestic or foreign entity pursuant to filings with the
             47      Division of Corporations and Commercial Code under Title 16, Corporations, or Title 48,
             48      Partnership; and
             49          (iv) if the person engages in the business of deferred deposit lending, submit evidence
             50      satisfactory to the commissioner that the person is registered with the nationwide database.
             51          (c) To renew a registration under this section, a person shall:
             52          (i) pay the annual fee established under Subsection 7-1-401 (5);
             53          (ii) submit a renewal statement containing the information described in Subsection
             54      (2)(d);
             55          (iii) submit evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the person is authorized to
             56      conduct business in this state as a domestic or foreign entity pursuant to filings with the
             57      Division of Corporations and Commercial Code under Title 16, Corporations, or Title 48,
             58      Partnership;


             59          (iv) if the person engages in the business of deferred deposit lending, submit evidence
             60      satisfactory to the commissioner that the person is registered with the nationwide database; and
             61          (v) if the person engages in the business of deferred deposit lending, submit an
             62      operations statement containing the information described in Subsection (2)(e).
             63          (d) A registration or renewal statement shall state:
             64          (i) the name of the person;
             65          (ii) the name in which the business will be transacted if different from that required in
             66      Subsection (2)(d)(i);
             67          (iii) the address of the person's principal business office, which may be outside this
             68      state;
             69          (iv) the addresses of all offices in this state at which the person conducts the business
             70      of:
             71          (A) cashing checks; or
             72          (B) deferred deposit lending;
             73          (v) if the person conducts the business of cashing checks or the business of deferred
             74      deposit lending in this state but does not maintain an office in this state, a brief description of
             75      the manner in which the business is conducted;
             76          (vi) the name and address in this state of a designated agent upon whom service of
             77      process may be made;
             78          (vii) disclosure of an injunction, judgment, administrative order, or conviction of a
             79      crime involving moral turpitude with respect to that person or an officer, director, manager,
             80      operator, or principal of that person; and
             81          (viii) any other information required by the rules of the department.
             82          (e) An operations statement required for a deferred deposit lender to renew a
             83      registration shall state for the immediately preceding calendar year:
             84          (i) the average principal amount of the deferred deposit loans extended by the deferred
             85      deposit lender;
             86          (ii) for deferred deposit loans paid in full, the average number of days a deferred
             87      deposit loan is outstanding for the duration of time that interest is charged;
             88          (iii) the minimum and maximum dollar amount of interest and fees charged by the
             89      deferred deposit lender for a deferred deposit loan of $100 with a loan term of seven days;


             90          (iv) the total number of deferred deposit loans rescinded by the deferred deposit lender
             91      at the request of the customer pursuant to Subsection 7-23-401 (3)(b);
             92          (v) of the persons to whom the deferred deposit lender extended a deferred deposit
             93      loan, the percentage that entered into an extended payment plan under Section 7-23-403 ;
             94          (vi) the total dollar amount of deferred deposit loans rescinded by the deferred deposit
             95      lender at the request of the customer pursuant to Subsection 7-23-401 (3)(b);
             96          (vii) the average annual percentage rate charged on deferred deposit loans; [and]
             97          (viii) the average dollar amount of extended payment plans entered into under Section
             98      7-23-403 by the deferred deposit lender[.];
             99          (ix) the number of deferred deposit loans carried to the maximum 10 weeks;
             100          (x) the total dollar amount of deferred deposit loans carried to the maximum 10 weeks;
             101          (xi) the number of deferred deposit loans not paid in full at the end of 10 weeks; and
             102          (xii) the total dollar amount of deferred deposit loans not paid in full at the end of 10
             103      weeks.
             104          (f) The commissioner may by rule, made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3,
             105      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, provide for the transition of persons registering with the
             106      nationwide database.
             107          (3) Information provided by a deferred deposit lender under Subsection (2)(e) is:
             108          (a) confidential in accordance with Section 7-1-802 ; and
             109          (b) not subject to Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management
             110      Act.
             111          (4) (a) The commissioner may impose an administrative fine determined under
             112      Subsection (4)(b) on a person if:
             113          (i) the person is required to be registered under this chapter;
             114          (ii) the person fails to register or renew a registration in accordance with this chapter;
             115          (iii) the department notifies the person that the person is in violation of this chapter for
             116      failure to be registered; and
             117          (iv) the person fails to register within 30 days after the day on which the person
             118      receives the notice described in Subsection (4)(a)(iii).
             119          (b) Subject to Subsection (4)(c), the administrative fine imposed under this section is:
             120          (i) $500 if the person:


             121          (A) has no office in this state at which the person conducts the business of:
             122          (I) cashing checks; or
             123          (II) deferred deposit lending; or
             124          (B) has one office in this state at which the person conducts the business of:
             125          (I) cashing checks; or
             126          (II) deferred deposit lending; or
             127          (ii) if the person has two or more offices in this state at which the person conducts the
             128      business of cashing checks or the business of deferred deposit lending, $500 for each office at
             129      which the person conducts the business of:
             130          (A) cashing checks; or
             131          (B) deferred deposit lending.
             132          (c) The commissioner may reduce or waive a fine imposed under this Subsection (4) if
             133      the person shows good cause.
             134          (5) If the information in a registration, renewal, or operations statement required under
             135      Subsection (2) becomes inaccurate after filing, a person is not required to notify the department
             136      until:
             137          (a) that person is required to renew the registration; or
             138          (b) the department specifically requests earlier notification.
             139          (6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             140      department may make rules consistent with this section providing for:
             141          (a) the form, content, and filing of a registration and renewal statement described in
             142      Subsection (2)(d); and
             143          (b) the form and filing of an operations statement described in Subsection (2)(e).
             144          (7) A deferred deposit loan that is made by a person who is required to be registered
             145      under this chapter but who is not registered is void, and the person may not collect, receive, or
             146      retain any principal or other interest or fees in connection with the deferred deposit loan.
             147          Section 2. Section 7-23-401 is amended to read:
             148           7-23-401. Operational requirements for deferred deposit loans.
             149          (1) If a deferred deposit lender extends a deferred deposit loan, the deferred deposit
             150      lender shall:
             151          (a) post in a conspicuous location on its premises that can be viewed by a person


             152      seeking a deferred deposit loan:
             153          (i) a complete schedule of any interest or fees charged for a deferred deposit loan that
             154      states the interest and fees using dollar amounts;
             155          (ii) a number the person can call to make a complaint to the department regarding the
             156      deferred deposit loan; and
             157          (iii) a list of states where the deferred deposit lender is registered or authorized to offer
             158      deferred deposit loans through the Internet or other electronic means;
             159          (b) enter into a written contract for the deferred deposit loan;
             160          (c) conspicuously disclose in the written contract:
             161          (i) that under Subsection (3)(a), a person receiving a deferred deposit loan may make a
             162      partial payment in increments of at least $5 on the principal owed on the deferred deposit loan
             163      without incurring additional charges above the charges provided in the written contract;
             164          (ii) that under Subsection (3)(b), a person receiving a deferred deposit loan may rescind
             165      the deferred deposit loan on or before 5 p.m. of the next business day without incurring any
             166      charges;
             167          (iii) that under Subsection (4)(b), the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over
             168      without the person receiving the deferred deposit loan requesting the rollover of the deferred
             169      deposit loan;
             170          (iv) that under Subsection (4)(c), the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over if the
             171      rollover requires the person to pay the amount owed by the person under the deferred deposit
             172      loan in whole or in part more than 10 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is
             173      executed; and
             174          (v) (A) the name and address of a designated agent required to be provided the
             175      department under Subsection 7-23-201 (2)(d)(vi); and
             176          (B) a statement that service of process may be made to the designated agent;
             177          (d) provide the person seeking the deferred deposit loan:
             178          (i) a copy of the written contract described in Subsection (1)(c); and
             179          (ii) written notice that [if] the person seeking the deferred deposit loan is eligible to
             180      enter into an extended payment plan[, the deferred deposit lender provides an extended
             181      payment plan] described in Section 7-23-403 ;
             182          (e) orally review with the person seeking the deferred deposit loan the terms of the


             183      deferred deposit loan including:
             184          (i) the amount of any interest rate or fee;
             185          (ii) the date on which the full amount of the deferred deposit loan is due;
             186          (iii) that under Subsection (3)(a), a person receiving a deferred deposit loan may make
             187      a partial payment in increments of at least $5 on the principal owed on the deferred deposit
             188      loan without incurring additional charges above the charges provided in the written contract;
             189          (iv) that under Subsection (3)(b), a person receiving a deferred deposit loan may
             190      rescind the deferred deposit loan on or before 5 p.m. of the next business day without incurring
             191      any charges;
             192          (v) that under Subsection (4)(b), the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over
             193      without the person receiving the deferred deposit loan requesting the rollover of the deferred
             194      deposit loan; and
             195          (vi) that under Subsection (4)(c), the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over if the
             196      rollover requires the person to pay the amount owed by the person under the deferred deposit
             197      loan in whole or in part more than 10 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is
             198      executed; and
             199          (f) comply with the following as in effect on the date the deferred deposit loan is
             200      extended:
             201          (i) Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and its implementing federal
             202      regulations;
             203          (ii) Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1691, and its implementing federal
             204      regulations;
             205          (iii) Bank Secrecy Act, 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1829b, 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1951 through 1959, and
             206      31 U.S.C. Sec. 5311 through 5332, and its implementing regulations; and
             207          (iv) Title 70C, Utah Consumer Credit Code[.];
             208          (g) in accordance with Subsection (6), make an inquiry to determine whether a person
             209      attempting to receive a deferred deposit loan has the ability to repay the deferred deposit loan
             210      in the ordinary course, which may include rollovers or extended payment plans as allowed
             211      under this chapter; and
             212          (h) in accordance with Subsection (7), receive a signed acknowledgment from a person
             213      attempting to receive a deferred deposit loan that the person has the ability to repay the


             214      deferred deposit loan, which may include rollovers or extended payment plans as allowed by
             215      this chapter.
             216          (2) If a deferred deposit lender extends a deferred deposit loan through the Internet or
             217      other electronic means, the deferred deposit lender shall provide the information described in
             218      Subsection (1)(a) to the person receiving the deferred deposit loan:
             219          (a) in a conspicuous manner; and
             220          (b) prior to the person entering into the deferred deposit loan.
             221          (3) A deferred deposit lender that engages in a deferred deposit loan shall permit a
             222      person receiving a deferred deposit loan to:
             223          (a) make partial payments in increments of at least $5 on the principal owed on the
             224      deferred deposit loan at any time prior to maturity without incurring additional charges above
             225      the charges provided in the written contract; and
             226          (b) rescind the deferred deposit loan without incurring any charges by returning the
             227      deferred deposit loan amount to the deferred deposit lender on or before 5 p.m. the next
             228      business day following the deferred deposit loan transaction.
             229          (4) A deferred deposit lender that engages in a deferred deposit loan may not:
             230          (a) collect additional interest on a deferred deposit loan with an outstanding principal
             231      balance 10 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is executed;
             232          (b) roll over a deferred deposit loan without the person receiving the deferred deposit
             233      loan requesting the rollover of the deferred deposit loan;
             234          (c) roll over a deferred deposit loan if the rollover requires a person to pay the amount
             235      owed by the person under a deferred deposit loan in whole or in part more than 10 weeks from
             236      the day on which the deferred deposit loan is first executed;
             237          (d) extend a new deferred deposit loan to a person on the same business day that the
             238      person makes a payment on another deferred deposit loan if the payment:
             239          (i) is made at least 10 weeks after the day on which that deferred deposit loan is
             240      extended; and
             241          (ii) results in the principal of that deferred deposit loan being paid in full;
             242          (e) threaten to use or use the criminal process in any state to collect on the deferred
             243      deposit loan; [or]
             244          (f) in connection with the collection of money owed on a deferred deposit loan,


             245      communicate with a person who owes money on a deferred deposit loan at the person's place of
             246      employment if the person or the person's employer communicates, orally or in writing, to the
             247      deferred deposit lender that the person's employer prohibits the person from receiving these
             248      communications[.]; or
             249          (g) modify by contract the venue provisions in Title 78B, Chapter 3, Actions and
             250      Venue.
             251          (5) Notwithstanding Subsections (4)(a) and (e), a deferred deposit lender that is the
             252      holder of a check used to obtain a deferred deposit loan that is dishonored may use the
             253      remedies and notice procedures provided in Chapter 15, Dishonored Instruments, except that
             254      the issuer, as defined in Section 7-15-1 , of the check may not be:
             255          (a) asked by the holder to pay the amount described in Subsection 7-15-1 (6)(a)(iii) as a
             256      condition of the holder not filing a civil action; or
             257          (b) held liable for the damages described in Subsection 7-15-1 (7)(b)(vi).
             258          (6) (a) The inquiry required by Subsection (1)(g) applies solely to the initial
             258a      H. period of a .H deferred
             259      deposit loan transaction with a person and does not apply to any rollover H. or extended
             259a      payment plan .H of a deferred deposit
             260      loan.
             261          (b) A deferred deposit lender is in compliance with Subsection (1)(g) if the deferred
             262      deposit lender H. , .H at the time of the initial H. period of the deferred deposit loan .H
             262a      transaction H. [ with ] , obtains one of the following regarding .H the person seeking the
             262b      deferred deposit
             263      loan H. [ obtains one of the following ] .H :
             264          (i) a consumer report, as defined in 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681a, from a consumer reporting
             265      agency, as defined in 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1681a;
             266          (ii) written proof or verification of income from the person seeking the deferred deposit
             267      loan; or
             268          (iii) prior repayment history with the deferred deposit loan from the records of the
             269      deferred deposit lender.
             270          (7) A deferred deposit lender is in compliance with Subsection (1)(h) if the deferred
             271      deposit lender obtains from the person seeking the deferred deposit loan a signed
             272      acknowledgment that is in 14-point bold font, that the person seeking the deferred deposit loan
             273      has:
             274          (a) reviewed the payment terms of the deferred deposit loan agreement;
             275          (b) received a disclosure that a deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over if the


             276      rollover requires the person to pay the amount owed by the person under the deferred deposit
             277      loan in whole or in part more than 10 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is
             278      first executed;
             279          (c) received a disclosure explaining the extended payment plan options; and
             280          (d) acknowledged the ability to repay the deferred deposit loan in the ordinary course,
             281      which may include rollovers, or extended payment plans as allowed under this chapter.
             282          (8) (a) Before initiating a civil action against a person who owes money on a deferred
             283      deposit loan, a deferred deposit lender shall provide the person at least 10 days notice of
             284      default, describing that the person must remedy the default and that the deferred deposit lender
             285      intends to initiate a civil action against the person if the person fails to cure the default within
             286      the 10-day period.
             287          (b) A deferred deposit lender may provide the notice required under this Subsection
             288      (8):
             289          (i) by sending written notice to the address provided by the person to the deferred
             290      deposit lender;
             291          (ii) by sending an electronic transmission to a person if electronic contact information
             292      is provided to the deferred deposit lender; or
             293          (iii) pursuant to the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
             294          Section 3. Section 7-23-403 is amended to read:
             295           7-23-403. Extended payment plan.
             296          (1) (a) If a person who owes money on a deferred deposit loan requests to enter into an
             297      extended payment plan, the deferred deposit lender who extended the deferred deposit loan
             298      shall allow the person to enter into an extended payment plan that meets the requirements of
             299      this section at least once during a 12-month period to pay the money owed.
             300          (b) A deferred deposit lender is not required to enter into an extended payment plan
             301      with a person who owes money on a deferred deposit loan more than one time during a
             302      12-month period.
             303          (c) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Subsection (1), if a person is charged
             304      10 continuous weeks of interest or fees on a deferred deposit loan, including rollovers, at the
             305      end of the 10-week period:
             306          (i) the person may request to repay the deferred deposit loan and rollovers under an


             307      extended payment plan that meets the requirements of this section; and
             308          (ii) the deferred deposit lender shall execute the extended payment plan in accordance
             309      with this section.
             310          (2) An extended payment plan shall include the following:
             311          (a) A deferred deposit lender shall require a person who receives a deferred deposit
             312      loan and wants to enter an extended payment plan to enter into a written agreement:
             313          (i) with the deferred deposit lender;
             314          (ii) that is executed:
             315          (A) no sooner than the day before the last day of the initial term of the deferred deposit
             316      loan; and
             317          (B) no later than the end of the deferred deposit lender's business day before the day on
             318      which the deferred deposit loan is due; and
             319          (iii) that states:
             320          (A) a payment schedule; and
             321          (B) the money owed under the extended payment plan.
             322          (b) A payment schedule for an extended payment plan shall provide that the money
             323      owed may be paid:
             324          (i) in at least four equal payments; and
             325          (ii) over a time period that is at least 60 days.
             326          (c) The money owed under an extended payment plan shall equal the money owed
             327      under the deferred deposit loan, including interest and fees, that would be due if the deferred
             328      deposit loan is paid in full on the last day of the most current term of the deferred deposit loan.
             329          (3) (a) A deferred deposit lender may not charge interest or fees as part of an extended
             330      payment plan[, except that if].
             331          (b) A deferred deposit loan may not be considered in default during the extended
             332      payment plan period if the person who receives the deferred deposit loan complies with the
             333      terms of the extended payment plan.
             334          (c) If a person who receives a deferred deposit loan defaults [under] during the
             335      extended payment plan period, the deferred deposit lender may:
             336          [(a)] (i) accelerate the requirement to pay the money owed under the extended payment
             337      plan;


             338          [(b)] (ii) charge a fee not to exceed $20;
             339          [(c)] (iii) terminate the extended payment plan; and
             340          [(d)] (iv) subject to the other requirements of this chapter, reinstate the original
             341      deferred deposit loan terms.
             342          (4) A deferred deposit loan may not penalize a person who enters into an extended
             343      payment plan for paying to the deferred deposit lender money owed under the extended
             344      payment plan before the money is due.
             345          (5) A deferred deposit lender may not initiate collection activities for a deferred deposit
             346      loan that is subject to an extended payment plan during the period that the person owing money
             347      under the extended payment plan is in compliance with the extended payment plan.
             347a           H. (6) A deferred deposit lender may not collect additional interest or fees on a
             347b      deferred deposit loan, except for the fee imposed under Subsection (3)(c)(ii), from a person
             347c      who has been charged 10 weeks interest and defaults under the extended payment plan
             347d      described in Subsection (1)(c). .H




Legislative Review Note
    as of 2-11-14 5:48 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]