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H.B. 219 Enrolled

             1     

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY ACT PROVISIONS

             2     
2007 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Fred R. Hunsaker

             5     
Senate Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill modifies provisions of the Unclaimed Property Act.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    reduces the time after which the following unclaimed property is considered to be
             13      abandoned from five years to three years:
             14              .    net intangible property;
             15              .    a bank draft;
             16              .    a deposit in a financial institution;
             17              .    a stock, shareholding, or other intangible ownership in a business;
             18              .    intangible property or income held in an agent or fiduciary capacity; or
             19              .    mineral proceeds;
             20          .    provides that all unclaimed funds held or owing under a life or endowment
             21      insurance policy are considered to be abandoned after three years;
             22          .    changes the month in which reports of unclaimed property are to be filed from June
             23      to November;
             24          .    raises the dollar amount at which unclaimed property must be accompanied by
             25      specific information and be reported individually from $25 to $50;
             26          .    permits an electronic book entry to be used as proof of ownership of stock or other
             27      intangible interests;
             28          .    requires that the administrator publish notice of unclaimed property within 12
             29      months of the date the property was received;


             30          .    removes certain content requirements for publication of unclaimed property via
             31      newspaper;
             32          .    permits sale of abandoned property via the Internet;
             33          .    provides procedures for delivery of property and deductions of reasonable fees and
             34      expenses at the time of sale;
             35          .    modifies procedures and requirements for the sale of securities;
             36          .    permits the administrator to examine records pertaining to abandoned or unclaimed
             37      property that are in the possession of an agent of a business association or a
             38      financial association;
             39          .    permits the administrator to require a person to file a verified report stating whether
             40      or not the person is holding any unclaimed property subject to the act;
             41          .    provides that a person who fails to pay or deliver property when required by the act
             42      shall pay interest on the value of the property at the rate of 12% per annum; and
             43          .    makes technical changes.
             44      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             45          None
             46      Other Special Clauses:
             47          None
             48      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             49      AMENDS:
             50          67-4a-201, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             51          67-4a-203, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             52          67-4a-204, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             53          67-4a-205, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             54          67-4a-208, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             55          67-4a-209, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             56          67-4a-214, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             57          67-4a-301, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995


             58          67-4a-302, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             59          67-4a-402, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             60          67-4a-403, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             61          67-4a-601, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             62          67-4a-701, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             63          67-4a-703, as enacted by Chapter 198, Laws of Utah 1995
             64     
             65      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             66          Section 1. Section 67-4a-201 is amended to read:
             67           67-4a-201. Abandoned and unclaimed property -- General rules.
             68          (1) (a) Property is considered to be "abandoned" or "unclaimed" when:
             69          (i) the property is held, issued, or owing by a holder;
             70          (ii) the identity, status, or present location of the apparent owner is unknown; and
             71          (iii) the property cannot be paid, distributed, or given to the apparent owner after the
             72      stated dormancy period for that type of unclaimed property established in this chapter.
             73          (b) Property may not be considered to be "abandoned" or "unclaimed" when:
             74          (i) the character or degree of ownership interest of the apparent owner in the property is
             75      unsettled or in dispute; and
             76          (ii) the holder is notified of this fact.
             77          (2) (a) For purposes of this [subsection] section, property is payable or distributable
             78      even if the owner has failed to demand the property or to present any instrument or document
             79      required to receive payment.
             80          (b) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, net intangible property is considered
             81      abandoned if it is not claimed by the owner within [five] three years after it became payable or
             82      distributable.
             83          Section 2. Section 67-4a-203 is amended to read:
             84           67-4a-203. Checks, drafts, and similar instruments issued or certified by banking
             85      and financial organizations.


             86          (1) Any sum payable on a bank draft that has been outstanding for more [that five] than
             87      three years after it was payable or after its issuance, if payable on demand, is considered
             88      abandoned unless the owner, within [five] three years, has communicated in writing with the
             89      banking or financial organization concerning it or otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced
             90      by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the banking or financial
             91      organization.
             92          (2) A holder may not deduct from the amount of a bank draft any charge imposed
             93      because of the failure to present the instrument for payment unless:
             94          (a) there is a valid and enforceable written contract between the issuer and the owner of
             95      the instrument that authorizes the issuer to impose a charge; and
             96          (b) the issuer regularly imposes those charges and does not regularly reverse or
             97      otherwise cancel them.
             98          Section 3. Section 67-4a-204 is amended to read:
             99           67-4a-204. Deposits in a financial institution and funds in financial organizations.
             100          (1) Each deposit in a financial institution and any ownership purchase funds held by a
             101      banking or financial organization are considered abandoned after [five] three years if the
             102      location of the owner is unknown, unless:
             103          (a) the owner, within the [five] three years, has:
             104          (i) in the case of a deposit in a financial institution, increased or decreased its amount
             105      or presented the passbook or other similar evidence of the deposit for the crediting of interest;
             106          (ii) communicated in writing with the banking or financial organization concerning the
             107      property; and
             108          (iii) otherwise indicated an interest in the property as evidenced by a memorandum or
             109      other record on file prepared by an employee of the banking or financial organization;
             110          (b) (i) the owner, within [five] three years, has owned other property to which
             111      Subsection (1)(a)(i), (ii), or (iii) apply; and
             112          (ii) the banking or financial organization communicates in writing with the owner with
             113      regard to the property that would otherwise be considered abandoned at the address to which


             114      communications regarding the other property regularly are sent; or
             115          (c) (i) the owner, within [five] three years, has had another relationship with the
             116      banking or financial organization concerning which the owner has communicated in writing
             117      with the banking or financial organization; and
             118          (ii) the banking or financial organization communicates in writing with the owner with
             119      regard to the property that would otherwise be considered abandoned at the address to which
             120      communications regarding the other relationship regularly are sent.
             121          (2) A holder may not impose any charge due to dormancy or inactivity or cease
             122      payment of interest on any property described in Subsection (1) unless:
             123          (a) the holder is specifically exempted by federal law; or
             124          (b) (i) there is a valid and enforceable written contract between the issuer and the
             125      owner of the instrument that authorizes the issuer to impose a charge; and
             126          (ii) the issuer regularly imposes those charges and does not regularly reverse or
             127      otherwise cancel them.
             128          (3) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (3)(b), any property described in Subsection
             129      (1) that is automatically renewable is considered matured for purposes of Subsection (1) when
             130      its initial time period expires.
             131          (b) If the owner consents to any renewal at or about the time of renewal by
             132      communicating in writing with the banking or financial organization or otherwise indicating
             133      consent as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on file prepared by an employee of the
             134      organization, the property is considered matured for purposes of Subsection (1) when the last
             135      time period for which consent was given expires.
             136          (c) If, at the time provided for delivery in Section 67-4a-302 , a penalty or forfeiture in
             137      the payment of interest would result from the delivery of the property, the time for delivery is
             138      extended until the time when no penalty or forfeiture would result.
             139          Section 4. Section 67-4a-205 is amended to read:
             140           67-4a-205. Funds owing under life insurance policies.
             141          (1) [(a) Except as provided in Subsection (b), funds] Funds held or owing under any


             142      life or endowment insurance policy or annuity contract that has terminated or matured as
             143      defined in Subsection (3)(a) or (3)(b) are considered [abandoned if unclaimed for more than
             144      five years after the funds became due and payable as established from the records of the
             145      insurance company holding or owing the funds. (b) Funds held or owing under any life or
             146      endowment insurance policy or annuity contract that has matured as defined in Subsection
             147      (3)(b) are considered] abandoned if unclaimed for more than [two] three years.
             148          (2) The insurance company shall presume that the last-known address of the person
             149      entitled to the funds is the same as the last-known address of the insured or annuitant according
             150      to the records of the company if:
             151          (a) a person other than the insured or annuitant is entitled to the funds and an address
             152      of the person is not known to the company; or
             153          (b) it is not definite and certain from the records of the company who is entitled to the
             154      funds.
             155          (3) For purposes of this section, a life or endowment insurance policy or annuity
             156      contract not matured by actual proof of the death of the insured or annuitant according to the
             157      records of the company is matured and the proceeds are due and payable if the company:
             158          (a) knows that the insured or annuitant has died; or
             159          (b) determines that:
             160          (i) the insured has attained, or would have attained if living, the limiting age under the
             161      mortality table on which the reserve is based;
             162          (ii) the policy was in force at the time the insured attained, or would have attained, the
             163      limiting age specified [in] under Subsection (3)(b)(i); and
             164          (iii) according to the records of the company, neither the insured nor any other person
             165      appearing to have an interest in the policy has, within the last two years:
             166          (A) assigned, readjusted, or paid premiums on the policy;
             167          (B) subjected the policy to a loan;
             168          (C) corresponded in writing with the company concerning the policy; or
             169          (D) otherwise indicated an interest in the policy as evidenced by a memorandum or


             170      other record on file prepared by an employee of the company.
             171          (4) For purposes of this section, the application of an automatic premium loan
             172      provision or other nonforfeiture provision contained in an insurance policy does not prevent a
             173      policy from being matured or terminated under Subsection (1) if the insured has died or the
             174      insured or the beneficiary of the policy otherwise has become entitled to the proceeds of the
             175      policy before the depletion of the cash surrender value of the policy by the application of those
             176      provisions.
             177          Section 5. Section 67-4a-208 is amended to read:
             178           67-4a-208. Stock and other intangible interests in business associations.
             179          (1) Any stock, shareholding, or other intangible ownership interest in a business
             180      association that is evidenced by records available to the association is considered abandoned if:
             181          (a) the interest in the association is owned by a person who for more than [five] three
             182      years has failed to:
             183          (i) claim a dividend, distribution, or other sum payable as a result of the interest; or
             184          (ii) communicate with the association regarding the interest or a dividend, distribution,
             185      or other sum payable as the result of the interest, as evidenced by a memorandum or other
             186      record on file with the association prepared by an employee of the association; and
             187          (b) the association does not know the location of the owner at the end of the [five-year]
             188      three-year period.
             189          (2) The return of official shareholder notifications or communications by the postal
             190      service as undeliverable is evidence that the association does not know the location of the
             191      owner.
             192          (3) This section applies to:
             193          (a) the underlying stock, shareholdings, or other intangible ownership interests of an
             194      owner;
             195          (b) any stock, shareholdings, or other intangible ownership interest of an owner when
             196      the business association is in possession of the certificate or other evidence of ownership; and
             197          (c) the stock, shareholdings, or other intangible ownership interests of dividend and


             198      nondividend paying business associations whether or not the interest is represented by a
             199      certificate.
             200          (4) At the time an interest is considered abandoned under this section, any dividend,
             201      distribution, or other sum then held for or owing to the owner as a result of the interest, and not
             202      previously considered abandoned, is considered abandoned.
             203          (5) (a) This section does not apply to any stock or other intangible ownership interest
             204      enrolled in a plan that provides for the automatic reinvestment of dividends, distributions, or
             205      other sums payable as a result of the interest unless:
             206          (i) the records available to the administrator of the plan show, with respect to any
             207      intangible ownership interest not enrolled in the reinvestment plan, that the owner has not
             208      communicated in any manner described in this section within [five] three years; or
             209          (ii) [five] three years have elapsed since the location of the owner became unknown to
             210      the association, as evidenced by the return of official shareholder notifications or
             211      communications by the postal service as undeliverable, and the owner has not within those
             212      [five] three years communicated in any manner described in this section.
             213          (b) The [five-year] three-year period from the return of official shareholder
             214      notifications or communications begins at the earlier of the return of the second of those
             215      notifications or communications or the time the holder discontinues mailings to the
             216      shareholder.
             217          Section 6. Section 67-4a-209 is amended to read:
             218           67-4a-209. Property held by agents and fiduciaries.
             219          (1) All intangible property, and any income or increment derived from it, that is held in
             220      a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of another person is considered abandoned unless the owner
             221      has, within [five] three years after it has become payable or distributable:
             222          (a) increased or decreased the principal;
             223          (b) accepted payment of principal or income;
             224          (c) communicated concerning the property; or
             225          (d) otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or other record on


             226      file with the fiduciary.
             227          (2) (a) As used in this [subsection] section, "distribution date" means the earliest of:
             228          (i) the actual date of distribution or attempted distribution;
             229          (ii) the date contracted for distribution in the plan or trust agreement governing the
             230      account or plan; or
             231          (iii) the date specified in the internal revenue law of the United States by which
             232      distribution must begin in order to avoid a tax penalty.
             233          (b) All intangible property and any income or increment derived from it that is held in
             234      an individual retirement account, a retirement plan for self-employed individuals, or similar
             235      account or plan established under the internal revenue laws of the United States that has not
             236      been paid or distributed for more than 90 days after the distribution date is considered
             237      abandoned unless the owner or beneficiary has, within [five] three preceding years:
             238          (i) made additional payments or transfers of property to the account or plan;
             239          (ii) been paid or received a distribution;
             240          (iii) communicated concerning the property; or
             241          (iv) otherwise indicated an interest as evidenced by a memorandum or
             242      other record on file with the account or plan fiduciary.
             243          (3) For the purpose of this section, a person who holds property as an agent for a
             244      business association is considered to hold the property in a fiduciary capacity for that business
             245      association alone, unless the agreement between him and the business association provides
             246      otherwise.
             247          (4) For the purposes of this section, a person who is considered to hold property in a
             248      fiduciary capacity for a business association alone is the holder of the property only for the
             249      interest of the business association in the property, and the business association is the holder of
             250      the property for the interest of any other person in the property.
             251          Section 7. Section 67-4a-214 is amended to read:
             252           67-4a-214. Mineral proceeds.
             253          (1) (a) Any sum payable as mineral proceeds that has remained unclaimed by the


             254      owner for more than [five] three years after it became payable or distributable is considered
             255      abandoned.
             256          (b) The owner's underlying right to receive those mineral proceeds is considered
             257      abandoned when any sum payable as mineral proceeds has remained unclaimed by the owner
             258      for more than [five] three years.
             259          (2) At the time an owner's underlying right to receive mineral proceeds is considered
             260      abandoned, any mineral proceeds then owing to the owner and any proceeds accruing after that
             261      time are considered abandoned.
             262          (3) The sum considered abandoned is subject to the custody of this state as unclaimed
             263      property if:
             264          (a) the last-known address of the apparent owner, as shown on the records of the
             265      holder, is in Utah;
             266          (b) the records of the holder do not identify the last-known address and it is established
             267      that the last-known address of the apparent owner is in Utah;
             268          (c) the records of the holder do not reflect the last-known address, and the holder is
             269      domiciled in or is a government or governmental subdivision or agency of Utah; or
             270          (d) the mineral interest is located in Utah and:
             271          (i) the last-known address of the apparent owner, as shown on the records of the
             272      holder, is in a state that does not provide by law for the escheat or custodial taking of the
             273      property or is in a state in which the state's escheat or unclaimed property law is not applicable
             274      to the property; or
             275          (ii) the last-known address of the apparent owner is unknown and the holder is
             276      domiciled in a state that does not provide by law for the escheat or custodial taking of the
             277      property or a state in which the state escheat or unclaimed property law is not applicable to the
             278      property.
             279          (4) A holder may not deduct from mineral proceeds any charge due to dormancy unless
             280      there is an enforceable written contract between the holder and the owner of the mineral
             281      proceeds under which the holder may impose a charge.


             282          Section 8. Section 67-4a-301 is amended to read:
             283           67-4a-301. Report of abandoned property -- Notice.
             284          (1) (a) A person holding tangible or intangible property that is considered abandoned
             285      and subject to the state's custody as abandoned or unclaimed property under this chapter shall:
             286          (i) file a report concerning the property with the administrator before [May] November
             287      1 of each year as of the preceding [December 31] June 30 containing the information required
             288      by this section; and
             289          (ii) transfer the property identified in the report, including all interest, dividends,
             290      increments, and accretions due, payable, or distributable on the property as of [May] November
             291      1 of the year in which the report is required to the administrator as required by Section
             292      67-4a-302 .
             293          (b) The administrator may postpone the reporting date if he receives a written request
             294      to extend the time of the report from any person required to file a report.
             295          (2) (a) The report shall include:
             296          (i) except with respect to traveler's checks and money orders, the name, if known, and
             297      last-known address, if any, of each person appearing from the records of the holder to be the
             298      owner of property with a value of [$25] $50 or more that is considered abandoned under
             299      requirements of this chapter;
             300          (ii) for unclaimed funds of [$25] $50 or more held or owing under any insurance policy
             301      or annuity contract, the full name and last-known address of the insured policy owner or
             302      annuitant and of the beneficiary according to the records of the insurance company holding or
             303      owing the funds;
             304          (iii) for the contents of a safe deposit box or other safekeeping repository or of other
             305      tangible property, a description of the property and any amounts owing to the holder;
             306          (iv) the nature and identifying number, if any, or description of the property and the
             307      amount appearing from the records to be due;
             308          (v) the date the property became payable, demandable, or returnable and the date of the
             309      last transaction with the apparent owner with respect to the property;


             310          (vi) a verification by the person completing the report that the information contained in
             311      it is true and accurate; [and]
             312          (vii) all known names and addresses of each previous holder of the property if:
             313          (A) the person holding property considered abandoned and subject to custody as
             314      unclaimed property is a successor to other persons who previously held the property for the
             315      apparent owner; or
             316          (B) the holder has changed a name while holding the property; and
             317          (viii) other information required by the administrator.
             318          (b) When reporting the nature and identifying number, if any, or description of the
             319      property and the amount appearing from the records to be due, items of value under [$25] $50
             320      each may be reported in the aggregate.
             321          (3) Not more than 120 days before filing the report required by this section, the holder
             322      in possession of property considered abandoned and subject to the state's custody as unclaimed
             323      property under this chapter shall send written notice to the apparent owner at that owner's
             324      last-known address informing the owner that the holder is in possession of property subject to
             325      this chapter if:
             326          (a) the holder has in its records an address for the apparent owner which the holder's
             327      records do not disclose to be inaccurate; or
             328          (b) the property has a value of $50 or more.
             329          Section 9. Section 67-4a-302 is amended to read:
             330           67-4a-302. Payment or delivery of abandoned property.
             331          (1) (a) Each person holding property considered abandoned and subject to the state's
             332      custody as unclaimed property shall pay or deliver to the administrator all of the property
             333      shown on the report required by this part.
             334          (b) The administrator may:
             335          (i) postpone the payment or delivery of the property if requested by the person holding
             336      the property; and
             337          (ii) impose terms and for payment and delivery upon the person holding the property.


             338          (c) If the administrator authorizes postponement of payment or delivery of the property,
             339      the property paid or delivered to the administrator shall include all interest, dividends,
             340      increments and accretions due, payable, or distributable on the day that the property is paid or
             341      delivered to the administrator.
             342          (2) (a) The holder of stocks and other intangible interests under Section 67-4a-208
             343      shall issue and deliver or transmit to the administrator a duplicate certificate, or other evidence
             344      of ownership if the holder does not issue certificates of ownership, [that is] including an
             345      electronic book entry registered in the name prescribed by the state treasurer.
             346          (b) Upon delivery of a duplicate certificate or transmittance of a book entry to the
             347      administrator, the holder and any transfer agent, registrar, or other person acting for or on
             348      behalf of a holder in executing or delivering the duplicate certificate or other evidence of
             349      ownership is relieved of all liability in accordance with Section 67-4a-303 to every person,
             350      including any person acquiring the original certificate or the duplicate certificate issued to the
             351      administrator, for any losses or damages resulting to any person by the issuance and delivery of
             352      the duplicate certificate or other evidence of ownership to the administrator.
             353          (3) (a) When a certificate or other evidence of ownership, or a bond or other debt
             354      security, registered in the name of a person is delivered to the administrator according to the
             355      procedures and requirements of this chapter and is presented by the administrator to the issuer
             356      or the issuer's agent, the issuer shall:
             357          (i) transfer and register it in the name as prescribed by the state treasurer; and
             358          (ii) deliver a new certificate or security registered in that name to the administrator.
             359          (b) The issuer and its transfer agent, registrar, or other person acting on behalf of the
             360      issuer in executing and delivering the certificate or security is relieved from any liability to any
             361      person in accordance with Section 67-4a-303 for any loss or damage caused by the transfer,
             362      issuance, and delivery of the certificate or security to the administrator.
             363          (4) (a) A holder, with the written consent of the administrator and upon conditions and
             364      terms prescribed by the administrator, may report and deliver property before the property is
             365      considered abandoned under this chapter.


             366          (b) Property delivered under this Subsection (4) is presumed abandoned.
             367          (c) The administrator shall advertise and dispose of the property according to the
             368      requirements of this chapter.
             369          Section 10. Section 67-4a-402 is amended to read:
             370           67-4a-402. Publication of notice.
             371          [(1) In the calendar year in which] Within 12 months of the date the unclaimed
             372      property was paid or delivered to the administrator, the administrator shall:
             373          [(a)] (1) cause a notice to be published once in a newspaper having general circulation
             374      in Utah; and
             375          [(b)] (2) ensure that the notice is in a form that is likely to attract the attention of the
             376      apparent owner of the unclaimed property[;].
             377          [(c) unless exempted by Subsection (2), ensure that the notice contains:]
             378          [(i) the name of each person appearing to be the owner of property considered
             379      abandoned, as set forth in the report filed by the holder;]
             380          [(ii) the last-known address or location of each person appearing to be the owner of
             381      property considered abandoned, if an address or location is set forth in the report filed by the
             382      holder;]
             383          [(iii) a statement explaining that property of the owner is considered to be abandoned
             384      and has been taken into the protective custody of the administrator; and]
             385          [(iv) a statement that information about the abandoned property and its return to the
             386      apparent owner can be obtained at any time by a person having a legal interest in that property
             387      by making an inquiry to the administrator.]
             388          [(2) The administrator need not advertise:]
             389          [(a) the name and address or location of an owner of abandoned property having a total
             390      value less than $50; or]
             391          [(b) information concerning traveler's checks, money orders, and other similar written
             392      instruments considered abandoned under Section 67-4a-202 .]
             393          Section 11. Section 67-4a-403 is amended to read:


             394           67-4a-403. Disposition of abandoned property -- Sale.
             395          (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsections (2)[,] and (3)[, and (4)], the administrator
             396      shall:
             397          (i) within three years after the receipt of abandoned property, sell the property to the
             398      highest bidder at a public sale, which may include sale via the Internet; and
             399          (ii) if the sale is held at a specified physical location, publish notice of the sale in a
             400      newspaper of general circulation in this state at least three weeks before the sale.
             401          (b) The administrator may hold the sale in whatever city in Utah he believes will
             402      provide the most favorable market for the property.
             403          (c) The administrator may decline the highest bid and reoffer the property for sale if the
             404      bid is insufficient.
             405          (d) If the administrator determines that the probable cost of sale exceeds the value of
             406      the property, the administrator need not offer the property for sale.
             407          (e) When any person makes a claim, the administrator shall provide the person with:
             408          (i) the property delivered by the holder to the administrator; or
             409          (ii) the proceeds received from the sale.
             410          (f) The administrator may, in the administrator's discretion, deduct reasonable fees and
             411      expenses incurred from the sale.
             412          (2) (a) The administrator shall sell:
             413          [(a)] (i) securities listed on an established stock exchange at prices prevailing at the
             414      time of sale on the exchange; and
             415          [(b)] (ii) securities not listed on an established stock exchange:
             416          [(i)] (A) over-the-counter at prices prevailing at the time of sale; or
             417          [(ii)] (B) by any other method the administrator considers to be in the best interest of
             418      the state.
             419          [(3) Unless the administrator considers it to be in the best interest of the state to do
             420      otherwise, all securities received by the administrator, other than those considered abandoned
             421      under Section 67-4a-208 , shall be held for at least one year before they may be sold.]


             422          [(4) (a) Unless the administrator considers it to be in the best interest of the state to do
             423      otherwise, all securities considered abandoned under Section 67-4a-208 and delivered to the
             424      administrator shall be held for at least three years before the administrator may sell them.]
             425          [(b) (i) If the administrator sells any of those securities before the expiration of the
             426      three years, the administrator shall pay any person claiming the securities before the end of the
             427      three years either the proceeds of the sale of the securities or the market value of the securities
             428      at the time the claim is made, whichever is greater.]
             429          (b) The administrator may sell securities upon receipt.
             430          [(ii)] (c) When any person makes a claim [after three years], the administrator shall
             431      provide the person with:
             432          [(A)] (i) the securities delivered to the administrator by the holder, if they still remain
             433      in the hands of the administrator; or
             434          [(B)] (ii) the proceeds received from the sale.
             435          (d) The administrator may, in the administrator's discretion, deduct reasonable fees and
             436      expenses incurred from the sale.
             437          [(c)] (e) A person making a claim under this [subsection] section may not make any
             438      claim against the state, the holder, any transfer agent, registrar or other person acting for or on
             439      behalf of a holder for any appreciation in the value of the property occurring after delivery by
             440      the holder to the administrator.
             441          [(5)] (3) (a) The purchaser of any property at any sale conducted by the administrator
             442      under the authority of this chapter takes the property free of all claims of the owner or previous
             443      holder of the property and of all persons claiming through or under them.
             444          (b) The administrator shall execute all documents necessary to complete the transfer of
             445      ownership.
             446          Section 12. Section 67-4a-601 is amended to read:
             447           67-4a-601. Records retention.
             448          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), each holder required to file a report under
             449      Part 3 shall maintain a record of the name and last-known address of the owner for five years


             450      after the [property becomes reportable] date the holder files the report.
             451          (2) Any business association that sells in this state its traveler's checks, money orders,
             452      or other similar written instruments, other than third-party bank checks on which the business
             453      association is directly liable, or that provides such instruments to others for sale in this state,
             454      shall maintain a record of those instruments while they remain outstanding, indicating the state
             455      and date of issue for three years after the date the property is reportable.
             456          Section 13. Section 67-4a-701 is amended to read:
             457           67-4a-701. Examination of records.
             458          (1) (a) The administrator may examine at reasonable times and upon reasonable notice,
             459      the records pertaining to abandoned or unclaimed property of any person, including the records
             460      of an agent of a business association or financial association, to determine whether the person
             461      has complied with the provisions of this chapter.
             462          (b) If an examination of the records of a person results in the disclosure of property
             463      reportable and deliverable under this chapter, and the unreported amount is more than $12,500,
             464      the administrator:
             465          (i) may assess the cost of the examination against the holder at the rate of up to $200 a
             466      day for each examiner; and
             467          (ii) may not charge more than $5,000 or 10% of the value of the property found to be
             468      reportable and deliverable.
             469          (2) If a holder fails to maintain the records required by Part 6, Duties of All Holders,
             470      and the records of the holder available for the periods subject to this act are insufficient to
             471      permit the preparation of a report, the administrator may require the holder to report and pay
             472      whatever amounts can be reasonably estimated from any available records.
             473          (3) The administrator may require any person who has not filed a report to file a
             474      verified report stating whether or not the person is holding any unclaimed property reportable
             475      or deliverable under this chapter.
             476          Section 14. Section 67-4a-703 is amended to read:
             477           67-4a-703. Interest and penalties.


             478          (1) A person who fails to pay or deliver property within the time required by this
             479      chapter shall pay interest to the administrator at the [annual] rate of [2% above the local prime
             480      lending rate] 12% per annum on the property or value of the property from the date the
             481      property should have been paid or delivered.
             482          (2) (a) A person who willfully fails to file any report, or perform a duty required by this
             483      chapter, or to pay or deliver property to the administrator as required by this chapter shall pay a
             484      civil penalty equal to 20% of the value of the property that should have been paid or delivered.
             485          (b) The administrator shall comply with the procedures and requirements of Title 63,
             486      Chapter 46b, Administrative Procedures Act, in imposing civil penalties under this section.
             487          (3) (a) It is unlawful for any person to willfully refuse to pay or deliver property to the
             488      administrator after written demand by the administrator as required by this chapter.
             489          (b) Any person who violates this Subsection (3) is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
             490          (4) The administrator may, in appropriate circumstances:
             491          (a) waive the payment of civil penalties;
             492          (b) waive the payment of interest; or
             493          (c) reduce the amount of the interest.


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