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S.B. 130 Enrolled

                 

REGULATIONS OF CHECK CASHERS

                 
2003 GENERAL SESSION

                 
STATE OF UTAH

                 
Sponsor: Ed P. Mayne

                 
                  James M. Evans                   This act modifies the Check Cashing Registration Act by requiring deferred deposit
                  lenders to allow borrowers to make partial payments or to rescind the loan by the next
                  business day, applying certain provisions to deferred deposit loans extended through the
                  Internet, and requiring additional disclosures. The act prohibits a deferred deposit
                  lender from threatening to use or using the criminal process to collect a loan, and
                  requires the Department of Financial Institutions to examine every check casher at least
                  once every year. The act makes technical changes.
                  This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
                  AMENDS:
                      7-23-103, as enacted by Chapter 144, Laws of Utah 1999
                      7-23-105, as enacted by Chapter 144, Laws of Utah 1999
                      7-23-106, as enacted by Chapter 144, Laws of Utah 1999
                      7-23-107, as enacted by Chapter 144, Laws of Utah 1999
                  Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
                      Section 1. Section 7-23-103 is amended to read:
                       7-23-103. Registration -- Rulemaking.
                      (1) (a) It is unlawful for a person to engage in the business of a check casher in Utah or
                  with a Utah resident unless the person:
                      (i) registers with the department in accordance with this chapter; and
                      (ii) maintains a valid registration.
                      (b) It is unlawful for a person to operate a mobile facility in this state to engage in the
                  business of a check casher.
                      (c) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(a), a person that is engaged in the business of a
                  check casher in this state on May 3, 1999, is not required to be registered under this section



                  until July 1, 1999.
                      (2) (a) A registration and a renewal of a registration expires on [January 31] April 30 of
                  each year unless on or before that date the person renews the registration.
                      (b) To register under this section, a person shall:
                      (i) pay an original registration fee established under Subsection 7-1-401 (8); and
                      (ii) submit a registration statement containing the information described in Subsection
                  (2)(d).
                      (c) To renew a registration under this section, a person shall:
                      (i) pay the annual fee established under Subsection 7-1-401 (5); and
                      (ii) submit a renewal statement containing the information described in Subsection
                  (2)(d).
                      (d) A registration or renewal statement shall state:
                      (i) the name of the person;
                      (ii) the name in which the business will be transacted if different from that required in
                  Subsection (2)(d)(i);
                      (iii) the address of the person's principal business office, which may be outside this state;
                      (iv) the addresses of all offices in this state at which the person conducts the business of
                  a check casher;
                      (v) if the person conducts the business of a check casher in this state but does not
                  maintain an office in this state, a brief description of the manner in which the business is
                  conducted;
                      (vi) the name and address in this state of a designated agent upon whom service of
                  process may be made;
                      (vii) disclosure of any injunction, judgment, administrative order, or conviction of any
                  crime involving moral turpitude with respect to that person or any officer, director, manager,
                  operator, or principal of that person; and
                      (viii) any other information required by the rules of the department.
                      (3) If the information in a registration or renewal statement required under Subsection (2)

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                  becomes inaccurate after filing, a person is not required to notify the department until:
                      (a) that person is required to renew the registration; or
                      (b) the department specifically requests earlier notification.
                      (4) In accordance with Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
                  department may make rules consistent with this section providing for the form, content, and
                  filing of a registration and renewal statement.
                      Section 2. Section 7-23-105 is amended to read:
                       7-23-105. Operational requirements for deferred deposit loans.
                      (1) If a check casher extends a deferred deposit loan, the check casher shall:
                      (a) post in a conspicuous location on its premises that can be viewed by a person seeking
                  a deferred deposit loan:
                      (i) a complete schedule of any interest or fees charged for a deferred deposit loan that
                  states the interest and fees using dollar amounts; [and]
                      (ii) a number the person can call to make a complaint to the department regarding the
                  deferred deposit loan; and
                      (iii) a list of states where the check casher is registered or authorized to offer deferred
                  deposit loans through the Internet or other electronic means;
                      (b) enter into a written contract for the deferred deposit loan;
                      (c) conspicuously disclose in the written contract that, under Subsection (4)(b), the
                  deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over beyond 12 weeks after the day on which the deferred
                  deposit loan is executed;
                      [(c)] (d) provide the person seeking the deferred deposit loan a copy of the deferred
                  deposit contract;
                      [(d)] (e) orally review with the person seeking the deferred deposit loan the terms of the
                  deferred deposit loan including:
                      (i) the amount of any interest rate or fee; [and]
                      (ii) the date on which the full amount of the deferred deposit loan is due; and
                      (iii) the fact that the deferred deposit loan may not be rolled over beyond 12 weeks after

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                  the day on which the deferred deposit loan is executed; and
                      [(e)] (f) comply with:
                      (i) Truth in Lending Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1601 et. seq.;
                      (ii) Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 1691; and
                      (iii) Title 70C, Utah Consumer Credit Code.
                      (2) If a check casher extends a deferred deposit loan through the Internet or other
                  electronic means, the check casher shall provide the information described in Subsection (1)(a)
                  to the person receiving the deferred deposit loan in a conspicuous manner prior to the
                  completion of the deferred deposit loan.
                      [(2)] (3) A check casher that engages in a deferred deposit loan [may not] shall permit a
                  person receiving a deferred deposit loan to:
                      (a) make partial payments in increments of at least $5 on the principal owed on the
                  deferred deposit loan at any time prior to maturity without incurring additional charges above the
                  charges provided in the written contract; and
                      (b) rescind the deferred deposit loan without incurring any charges by returning the
                  deferred deposit loan amount to the check casher on or before 5 p.m. the next business day
                  following the loan transaction.
                      (4) A check casher that engages in a deferred deposit loan may not:
                      (a) collect additional interest on a deferred deposit loan with an outstanding principal
                  balance 12 weeks after the day on which the deferred deposit loan is executed;
                      (b) rollover a deferred deposit loan if the rollover requires a person to pay the amount
                  owed by the person under a deferred deposit loan in whole or in part more than 12 weeks from
                  the day on which the deferred deposit loan is first executed[.]; or
                      (c) threaten to use or use the criminal process in any state to collect on the deferred
                  deposit loan.
                      (5) Notwithstanding Subsections (4)(a) and (4)(c), a check casher that is the holder of a
                  check, draft, order, or other instrument that has been dishonored may use the remedies and notice
                  procedures provided in Title 7, Chapter 15, Dishonored Instruments.

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                      Section 3. Section 7-23-106 is amended to read:
                       7-23-106. Enforcement by department -- Rulemaking.
                      Subject to the requirements of Title 63, Chapter 46b, Administrative Procedures Act, the
                  department may:
                      (1) (a) receive and act on complaints;
                      (b) take action designed to obtain voluntary compliance with this chapter; [or]
                      (c) commence administrative or judicial proceedings on its own initiative to enforce
                  compliance with this chapter; or
                      (d) take action against any check casher that fails to:
                      (i) respond to the department, in writing within 30 days, to a complaint; or
                      (ii) submit information as requested by the department;
                      (2) counsel persons and groups on their rights and duties under this chapter;
                      (3) make rules to:
                      (a) restrict or prohibit lending or servicing practices that are misleading, unfair, or
                  abusive;
                      (b) promote or assure fair and full disclosure of the terms and conditions of agreements
                  and communications between check cashers and customers; or
                      (c) promote or assure uniform application of or to resolve ambiguities in applicable state
                  or federal laws or federal regulations; and
                      (4) employ hearing examiners, clerks, and other employees and agents as necessary to
                  perform its duties under this chapter.
                      Section 4. Section 7-23-107 is amended to read:
                       7-23-107. Examination of books, accounts, and records by the department.
                      (1) [The department may] At least once every calendar year the department shall, for
                  each premise engaging in the business of a check casher:
                      (a) examine the books, accounts, and records [of a check casher]; and [may]
                      (b) make investigations to determine compliance with this chapter.
                      (2) In accordance with Section 7-1-401 , the [department may charge fees] check casher

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                  shall pay a fee for an examination conducted under Subsection (1).

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