H.B. 127 Enrolled

             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      Cosponsors:
             7      Jennifer M. Seelig
             8      Jim Bird
             9      Jon Cox
             10      Susan DuckworthGage Froerer
Lynn N. Hemingway
Dana L. Layton
Mike K. McKell
Lee B. PerryJeremy A. Peterson
Jon E. Stanard
Larry B. Wiley
Brad R. Wilson              11     
             12      LONG TITLE
             13      General Description:
             14          This bill modifies provisions related to deferred deposit loans.
             15      Highlighted Provisions:
             16          This bill:
             17          .    modifies the reporting requirements for deferred deposit lenders;
             18          .    imposes additional requirements before the extension of a deferred deposit loan;
             19          .    prohibits a deferred deposit contract from modifying statutory venue provisions;
             20          .    requires notice before initiating a civil action;
             21          .    modifies provisions related to extended payment plans; and
             22          .    makes technical and conforming amendments.
             23      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             24          None
             25      Other Special Clauses:
             26          None
             27      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             28      AMENDS:


             29           7-23-201 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 73
             30           7-23-401 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 102
             31           7-23-403 , as enacted by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 102
             32     
             33      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             34          Section 1. Section 7-23-201 is amended to read:
             35           7-23-201. Registration -- Rulemaking.
             36          (1) (a) It is unlawful for a person to engage in the business of cashing checks or the
             37      business of deferred deposit lending in Utah or with a Utah resident unless the person:
             38          (i) registers with the department in accordance with this chapter; and
             39          (ii) maintains a valid registration.
             40          (b) It is unlawful for a person to operate a mobile facility in this state to engage in the
             41      business of:
             42          (i) cashing checks; or
             43          (ii) deferred deposit lending.
             44          (2) (a) A registration and a renewal of a registration expires on December 31 of each
             45      year unless on or before that date the person renews the registration.
             46          (b) To register under this section, a person shall:
             47          (i) pay an original registration fee established under Subsection 7-1-401 (8);
             48          (ii) submit a registration statement containing the information described in Subsection
             49      (2)(d);
             50          (iii) submit evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the person is authorized to
             51      conduct business in this state as a domestic or foreign entity pursuant to filings with the
             52      Division of Corporations and Commercial Code under Title 16, Corporations, or Title 48,
             53      Partnership; and
             54          (iv) if the person engages in the business of deferred deposit lending, submit evidence
             55      satisfactory to the commissioner that the person is registered with the nationwide database.
             56          (c) To renew a registration under this section, a person shall:


             57          (i) pay the annual fee established under Subsection 7-1-401 (5);
             58          (ii) submit a renewal statement containing the information described in Subsection
             59      (2)(d);
             60          (iii) submit evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that the person is authorized to
             61      conduct business in this state as a domestic or foreign entity pursuant to filings with the
             62      Division of Corporations and Commercial Code under Title 16, Corporations, or Title 48,
             63      Partnership;
             64          (iv) if the person engages in the business of deferred deposit lending, submit evidence
             65      satisfactory to the commissioner that the person is registered with the nationwide database; and
             66          (v) if the person engages in the business of deferred deposit lending, submit an
             67      operations statement containing the information described in Subsection (2)(e).
             68          (d) A registration or renewal statement shall state:
             69          (i) the name of the person;
             70          (ii) the name in which the business will be transacted if different from that required in
             71      Subsection (2)(d)(i);
             72          (iii) the address of the person's principal business office, which may be outside this
             73      state;
             74          (iv) the addresses of all offices in this state at which the person conducts the business
             75      of:
             76          (A) cashing checks; or
             77          (B) deferred deposit lending;
             78          (v) if the person conducts the business of cashing checks or the business of deferred
             79      deposit lending in this state but does not maintain an office in this state, a brief description of
             80      the manner in which the business is conducted;
             81          (vi) the name and address in this state of a designated agent upon whom service of
             82      process may be made;
             83          (vii) disclosure of an injunction, judgment, administrative order, or conviction of a
             84      crime involving moral turpitude with respect to that person or an officer, director, manager,


             85      operator, or principal of that person; and
             86          (viii) any other information required by the rules of the department.
             87          (e) An operations statement required for a deferred deposit lender to renew a
             88      registration shall state for the immediately preceding calendar year:
             89          (i) the average principal amount of the deferred deposit loans extended by the deferred
             90      deposit lender;
             91          (ii) for deferred deposit loans paid in full, the average number of days a deferred
             92      deposit loan is outstanding for the duration of time that interest is charged;
             93          (iii) the minimum and maximum dollar amount of interest and fees charged by the
             94      deferred deposit lender for a deferred deposit loan of $100 with a loan term of seven days;
             95          (iv) the total number of deferred deposit loans rescinded by the deferred deposit lender
             96      at the request of the customer pursuant to Subsection 7-23-401 (3)(b);
             97          (v) of the persons to whom the deferred deposit lender extended a deferred deposit
             98      loan, the percentage that entered into an extended payment plan under Section 7-23-403 ;
             99          (vi) the total dollar amount of deferred deposit loans rescinded by the deferred deposit
             100      lender at the request of the customer pursuant to Subsection 7-23-401 (3)(b);
             101          (vii) the average annual percentage rate charged on deferred deposit loans; [and]
             102          (viii) the average dollar amount of extended payment plans entered into under Section
             103      7-23-403 by the deferred deposit lender[.];
             104          (ix) the number of deferred deposit loans carried to the maximum 10 weeks;
             105          (x) the total dollar amount of deferred deposit loans carried to the maximum 10 weeks;
             106          (xi) the number of deferred deposit loans not paid in full at the end of 10 weeks; and
             107          (xii) the total dollar amount of deferred deposit loans not paid in full at the end of 10
             108      weeks.
             109          (f) The commissioner may by rule, made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3,
             110      Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, provide for the transition of persons registering with the
             111      nationwide database.
             112          (3) Information provided by a deferred deposit lender under Subsection (2)(e) is:


             113          (a) confidential in accordance with Section 7-1-802 ; and
             114          (b) not subject to Title 63G, Chapter 2, Government Records Access and Management
             115      Act.
             116          (4) (a) The commissioner may impose an administrative fine determined under
             117      Subsection (4)(b) on a person if:
             118          (i) the person is required to be registered under this chapter;
             119          (ii) the person fails to register or renew a registration in accordance with this chapter;
             120          (iii) the department notifies the person that the person is in violation of this chapter for
             121      failure to be registered; and
             122          (iv) the person fails to register within 30 days after the day on which the person
             123      receives the notice described in Subsection (4)(a)(iii).
             124          (b) Subject to Subsection (4)(c), the administrative fine imposed under this section is:
             125          (i) $500 if the person:
             126          (A) has no office in this state at which the person conducts the business of:
             127          (I) cashing checks; or
             128          (II) deferred deposit lending; or
             129          (B) has one office in this state at which the person conducts the business of:
             130          (I) cashing checks; or
             131          (II) deferred deposit lending; or
             132          (ii) if the person has two or more offices in this state at which the person conducts the
             133      business of cashing checks or the business of deferred deposit lending, $500 for each office at
             134      which the person conducts the business of:
             135          (A) cashing checks; or
             136          (B) deferred deposit lending.
             137          (c) The commissioner may reduce or waive a fine imposed under this Subsection (4) if
             138      the person shows good cause.
             139          (5) If the information in a registration, renewal, or operations statement required under
             140      Subsection (2) becomes inaccurate after filing, a person is not required to notify the department


             141      until:
             142          (a) that person is required to renew the registration; or
             143          (b) the department specifically requests earlier notification.
             144          (6) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             145      department may make rules consistent with this section providing for:
             146          (a) the form, content, and filing of a registration and renewal statement described in
             147      Subsection (2)(d); and
             148          (b) the form and filing of an operations statement described in Subsection (2)(e).
             149          (7) A deferred deposit loan that is made by a person who is required to be registered
             150      under this chapter but who is not registered is void, and the person may not collect, receive, or
             151      retain any principal or other interest or fees in connection with the deferred deposit loan.
             152          Section 2. Section 7-23-401 is amended to read:
             153           7-23-401. Operational requirements for deferred deposit loans.
             154          (1) If a deferred deposit lender extends a deferred deposit loan, the deferred deposit
             155      lender shall:
             156          (a) post in a conspicuous location on its premises that can be viewed by a person
             157      seeking a deferred deposit loan:
             158          (i) a complete schedule of any interest or fees charged for a deferred deposit loan that
             159      states the interest and fees using dollar amounts;
             160          (ii) a number the person can call to make a complaint to the department regarding the
             161      deferred deposit loan; and
             162          (iii) a list of states where the deferred deposit lender is registered or authorized to offer
             163      deferred deposit loans through the Internet or other electronic means;
             164          (b) enter into a written contract for the deferred deposit loan;
             165          (c) conspicuously disclose in the written contract:
             166          (i) that under Subsection (3)(a), a person receiving a deferred deposit loan may make a
             167      partial payment in increments of at least $5 on the principal owed on the deferred deposit loan
             168      without incurring additional charges above the charges provided in the written contract;


             169          (ii) that under Subsection (3)(b), a person receiving a deferred deposit loan may rescind
             170      the deferred deposit loan on or before 5 p.m. of the next business day without incurring any
             171      charges;
             172          (iii) that under Subsection (4)(b), the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over
             173      without the person receiving the deferred deposit loan requesting the rollover of the deferred
             174      deposit loan;
             175          (iv) that under Subsection (4)(c), the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over if the
             176      rollover requires the person to pay the amount owed by the person under the deferred deposit
             177      loan in whole or in part more than 10 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is
             178      executed; and
             179          (v) (A) the name and address of a designated agent required to be provided the
             180      department under Subsection 7-23-201 (2)(d)(vi); and
             181          (B) a statement that service of process may be made to the designated agent;
             182          (d) provide the person seeking the deferred deposit loan:
             183          (i) a copy of the written contract described in Subsection (1)(c); and
             184          (ii) written notice that [if] the person seeking the deferred deposit loan is eligible to
             185      enter into an extended payment plan[, the deferred deposit lender provides an extended
             186      payment plan] described in Section 7-23-403 ;
             187          (e) orally review with the person seeking the deferred deposit loan the terms of the
             188      deferred deposit loan including:
             189          (i) the amount of any interest rate or fee;
             190          (ii) the date on which the full amount of the deferred deposit loan is due;
             191          (iii) that under Subsection (3)(a), a person receiving a deferred deposit loan may make
             192      a partial payment in increments of at least $5 on the principal owed on the deferred deposit
             193      loan without incurring additional charges above the charges provided in the written contract;
             194          (iv) that under Subsection (3)(b), a person receiving a deferred deposit loan may
             195      rescind the deferred deposit loan on or before 5 p.m. of the next business day without incurring
             196      any charges;


             197          (v) that under Subsection (4)(b), the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over
             198      without the person receiving the deferred deposit loan requesting the rollover of the deferred
             199      deposit loan; and
             200          (vi) that under Subsection (4)(c), the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over if the
             201      rollover requires the person to pay the amount owed by the person under the deferred deposit
             202      loan in whole or in part more than 10 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is
             203      executed; [and]
             204          (f) comply with the following as in effect on the date the deferred deposit loan is
             205      extended:
             206          (i) Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et seq., and its implementing federal
             207      regulations;
             208          (ii) Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1691, and its implementing federal
             209      regulations;
             210          (iii) Bank Secrecy Act, 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1829b, 12 U.S.C. Sec. 1951 through 1959, and
             211      31 U.S.C. Sec. 5311 through 5332, and its implementing regulations; and
             212          (iv) Title 70C, Utah Consumer Credit Code[.];
             213          (g) in accordance with Subsection (6), make an inquiry to determine whether a person
             214      attempting to receive a deferred deposit loan has the ability to repay the deferred deposit loan
             215      in the ordinary course, which may include rollovers or extended payment plans as allowed
             216      under this chapter; and
             217          (h) in accordance with Subsection (7), receive a signed acknowledgment from a person
             218      attempting to receive a deferred deposit loan that the person has the ability to repay the
             219      deferred deposit loan, which may include rollovers or extended payment plans as allowed by
             220      this chapter.
             221          (2) If a deferred deposit lender extends a deferred deposit loan through the Internet or
             222      other electronic means, the deferred deposit lender shall provide the information described in
             223      Subsection (1)(a) to the person receiving the deferred deposit loan:
             224          (a) in a conspicuous manner; and


             225          (b) prior to the person entering into the deferred deposit loan.
             226          (3) A deferred deposit lender that engages in a deferred deposit loan shall permit a
             227      person receiving a deferred deposit loan to:
             228          (a) make partial payments in increments of at least $5 on the principal owed on the
             229      deferred deposit loan at any time prior to maturity without incurring additional charges above
             230      the charges provided in the written contract; and
             231          (b) rescind the deferred deposit loan without incurring any charges by returning the
             232      deferred deposit loan amount to the deferred deposit lender on or before 5 p.m. the next
             233      business day following the deferred deposit loan transaction.
             234          (4) A deferred deposit lender that engages in a deferred deposit loan may not:
             235          (a) collect additional interest on a deferred deposit loan with an outstanding principal
             236      balance 10 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is executed;
             237          (b) roll over a deferred deposit loan without the person receiving the deferred deposit
             238      loan requesting the rollover of the deferred deposit loan;
             239          (c) roll over a deferred deposit loan if the rollover requires a person to pay the amount
             240      owed by the person under a deferred deposit loan in whole or in part more than 10 weeks from
             241      the day on which the deferred deposit loan is first executed;
             242          (d) extend a new deferred deposit loan to a person on the same business day that the
             243      person makes a payment on another deferred deposit loan if the payment:
             244          (i) is made at least 10 weeks after the day on which that deferred deposit loan is
             245      extended; and
             246          (ii) results in the principal of that deferred deposit loan being paid in full;
             247          (e) threaten to use or use the criminal process in any state to collect on the deferred
             248      deposit loan; [or]
             249          (f) in connection with the collection of money owed on a deferred deposit loan,
             250      communicate with a person who owes money on a deferred deposit loan at the person's place of
             251      employment if the person or the person's employer communicates, orally or in writing, to the
             252      deferred deposit lender that the person's employer prohibits the person from receiving these


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


             281      rollover requires the person to pay the amount owed by the person under the deferred deposit
             282      loan in whole or in part more than 10 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is
             283      first executed;
             284          (c) received a disclosure explaining the extended payment plan options; and
             285          (d) acknowledged the ability to repay the deferred deposit loan in the ordinary course,
             286      which may include rollovers, or extended payment plans as allowed under this chapter.
             287          (8) (a) Before initiating a civil action against a person who owes money on a deferred
             288      deposit loan, a deferred deposit lender shall provide the person at least 10 days notice of
             289      default, describing that the person must remedy the default and that the deferred deposit lender
             290      intends to initiate a civil action against the person if the person fails to cure the default within
             291      the 10-day period.
             292          (b) A deferred deposit lender may provide the notice required under this Subsection
             293      (8):
             294          (i) by sending written notice to the address provided by the person to the deferred
             295      deposit lender;
             296          (ii) by sending an electronic transmission to a person if electronic contact information
             297      is provided to the deferred deposit lender; or
             298          (iii) pursuant to the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure.
             299          Section 3. Section 7-23-403 is amended to read:
             300           7-23-403. Extended payment plan.
             301          (1) (a) If a person who owes money on a deferred deposit loan requests to enter into an
             302      extended payment plan, the deferred deposit lender who extended the deferred deposit loan
             303      shall allow the person to enter into an extended payment plan that meets the requirements of
             304      this section at least once during a 12-month period to pay the money owed.
             305          (b) A deferred deposit lender is not required to enter into an extended payment plan
             306      with a person who owes money on a deferred deposit loan more than one time during a
             307      12-month period.
             308          (c) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Subsection (1), if a person is charged


             309      10 continuous weeks of interest or fees on a deferred deposit loan, including rollovers, at the
             310      end of the 10-week period:
             311          (i) the person may request to repay the deferred deposit loan and rollovers under an
             312      extended payment plan that meets the requirements of this section; and
             313          (ii) the deferred deposit lender shall execute the extended payment plan in accordance
             314      with this section.
             315          (2) An extended payment plan shall include the following:
             316          (a) A deferred deposit lender shall require a person who receives a deferred deposit
             317      loan and wants to enter an extended payment plan to enter into a written agreement:
             318          (i) with the deferred deposit lender;
             319          (ii) that is executed:
             320          (A) no sooner than the day before the last day of the initial term of the deferred deposit
             321      loan; and
             322          (B) no later than the end of the deferred deposit lender's business day before the day on
             323      which the deferred deposit loan is due; and
             324          (iii) that states:
             325          (A) a payment schedule; and
             326          (B) the money owed under the extended payment plan.
             327          (b) A payment schedule for an extended payment plan shall provide that the money
             328      owed may be paid:
             329          (i) in at least four equal payments; and
             330          (ii) over a time period that is at least 60 days.
             331          (c) The money owed under an extended payment plan shall equal the money owed
             332      under the deferred deposit loan, including interest and fees, that would be due if the deferred
             333      deposit loan is paid in full on the last day of the most current term of the deferred deposit loan.
             334          (3) (a) A deferred deposit lender may not charge interest or fees as part of an extended
             335      payment plan[, except that if].
             336          (b) A deferred deposit loan may not be considered in default during the extended


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


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]