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First Substitute H.B. 53
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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill modifies provisions related to licensure and prohibited conduct for those
11 engaging in foreclosure rescue or loan modification assistance.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This bill:
14 . modifies definitions related to real estate licensing;
15 . modifies prohibited conduct by real estate licensees;
16 . modifies definitions related to mortgage officer licensing;
17 . modifies prohibited conduct by a mortgage officer licensee; and
18 . makes technical and conforming amendments.
19 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 61-2-2, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 257
26 61-2-3, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 356
27 61-2-10, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 352
28 61-2-11, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 352
29 61-2c-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapter 372
30 61-2c-301, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2009, Chapters 72 and 372
31
32 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
33 Section 1. Section 61-2-2 is amended to read:
34 61-2-2. Definitions.
35 As used in this chapter:
36 (1) "Associate real estate broker" and "associate broker" means [
37 (a) is employed or engaged as an independent contractor by or on behalf of a licensed
38 principal real estate broker to perform [
39 consideration[
40 (b) has qualified under this chapter as a principal real estate broker.
41 (2) "Branch office" means a principal broker's real estate brokerage office other than
42 the principal broker's main office.
43 (3) "Business day" means a day other than:
44 (a) a Saturday;
45 (b) a Sunday; or
46 (c) a federal or state holiday.
47 [
48 chapter.
49 [
50 for action to be taken.
51 [
52 [
53 owners acting as a group in accordance with declarations and bylaws.
54 [
55 operated as a hotel.
56 (b) "Condominium hotel" does not mean a hotel consisting of condominium units, all
57 of which are owned by a single entity.
58 [
59 [
60 [
61 (12) "Foreclosure rescue" means, for compensation or with the expectation of receiving
62 valuable consideration, to:
63 (a) engage, or offer to engage, in an act that:
64 (i) the person represents will assist a borrower in preventing a foreclosure; and
65 (ii) relates to a transaction involving the transfer of title to residential real property; or
66 (b) as an employee or agent of another person:
67 (i) solicit, or offer that the other person will engage in an act described in Subsection
68 (12)(a); or
69 (ii) negotiate terms in relationship to an act described in Subsection (12)(a).
70 (13) "Loan modification assistance" means, for compensation or with the expectation
71 of receiving valuable consideration, to:
72 (a) act, or offer to act, on behalf of a person to:
73 (i) obtain a loan term of a residential mortgage loan that is different from an existing
74 loan term including:
75 (A) an increase or decrease in an interest rate;
76 (B) a change to the type of interest rate;
77 (C) an increase or decrease in the principal amount of the residential mortgage loan;
78 (D) a change in the number of required period payments;
79 (E) an addition of collateral;
80 (F) a change to, or addition of, a prepayment penalty;
81 (G) an addition of a cosigner; or
82 (H) a change in persons obligated under the existing residential mortgage loan; or
83 (ii) substitute a new residential mortgage loan for an existing residential mortgage loan;
84 or
85 (b) as an employee or agent of another person:
86 (i) solicit, or offer that the other person will engage in an act described in Subsection
87 (13)(a); or
88 (ii) negotiate terms in relationship to an act described in Subsection (13)(a).
89 [
90 the division as the principal broker's primary brokerage office.
91 [
92 individual who:
93 (a) (i) [
94 (ii) buys, exchanges, or auctions real estate, options on real estate, or improvements on
95 real estate with the expectation of receiving valuable consideration; or
96 [
97 to be engaged in the business described in Subsection [
98 (b) is employed by or on behalf of the owner of real estate or by a prospective
99 purchaser of real estate [
100 Subsection [
101 commission basis, upon a salary and commission basis, or otherwise;
102 (c) (i) [
103 property owned by another person; or [
104 (ii) advertises or otherwise holds [
105 management;
106 (d) [
107 the procurement of prospects for or the negotiation of [
108 Subsections [
109 (e) except for [
110 mortgage lender, title insurance agent, or an employee of a mortgage lender or title insurance
111 agent, assists or directs in the closing of [
112 receiving valuable consideration[
113 (f) (i) engages in foreclosure rescue; or
114 (ii) advertises, offers, attempts, or otherwise holds the person out as being engaged in
115 foreclosure rescue.
116 [
117 receiving valuable consideration, the management of property owned by another person, or
118 advertising or otherwise claiming to be engaged in property management by:
119 (i) advertising for, arranging, negotiating, offering, or otherwise attempting or
120 participating in a transaction calculated to secure the rental or leasing of real estate;
121 (ii) collecting, agreeing, offering, or otherwise attempting to collect rent for the real
122 estate and accounting for and disbursing the money collected; or
123 (iii) authorizing expenditures for repairs to the real estate.
124 (b) "Property management" does not include:
125 (i) hotel or motel management;
126 (ii) rental of tourist accommodations, including hotels, motels, tourist homes,
127 condominiums, condominium hotels, mobile home park accommodations, campgrounds, or
128 similar public accommodations for any period of less than 30 consecutive days, and the
129 management activities associated with these rentals; or
130 (iii) the leasing or management of surface or subsurface minerals or oil and gas
131 interests, if the leasing or management is separate from a sale or lease of the surface estate.
132 [
133 property.
134 [
135 affiliated with a licensed principal real estate broker, either as an independent contractor or an
136 employee as provided in Section 61-2-25 , to perform for valuable consideration any act set out
137 in Subsection [
138 [
139 service for wages or other remuneration, whose employer withholds federal employment taxes
140 under a contract of hire, written or oral, express or implied.
141 (b) "Regular salaried employee" does not include [
142 performs services on a project-by-project basis or on a commission basis.
143 [
144 suspended.
145 [
146 following revocation of the license.
147 [
148 or before the date the license expires.
149 [
150 in real property by two or more persons that is a:
151 (i) tenancy in common; or
152 (ii) any other legal form of undivided estate in real property including:
153 (A) a fee estate;
154 (B) a life estate; or
155 (C) other long-term estate.
156 (b) "Undivided fractionalized long-term estate" does not include a joint tenancy.
157 Section 2. Section 61-2-3 is amended to read:
158 61-2-3. Exempt persons and transactions.
159 (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), a license under this chapter is not
160 required for:
161 (i) a person who as owner or lessor performs the acts described in Subsection
162 61-2-2 [
163 (ii) a regular salaried employee of the owner or lessor of real estate who, with reference
164 to nonresidential real estate owned or leased by the employer, performs the acts enumerated in
165 Subsections 61-2-2 [
166 (iii) a regular salaried employee of the owner of real estate who performs property
167 management services with reference to real estate owned by the employer, except that the
168 employee may only manage property for one employer;
169 (iv) a person who performs property management services for the apartments at which
170 that person resides in exchange for free or reduced rent on that person's apartment;
171 (v) a regular salaried employee of a condominium homeowners' association who
172 manages real property subject to the declaration of condominium that established the
173 homeowners' association, except that the employee may only manage property for one
174 condominium homeowners' association; and
175 (vi) a regular salaried employee of a licensed property management company who
176 performs support services, as prescribed by rule, for the property management company.
177 (b) Subsection (1)(a) does not exempt from licensing:
178 (i) an employee engaged in the sale of properties regulated under:
179 (A) Title 57, Chapter 11, Utah Uniform Land Sales Practices Act; and
180 (B) Title 57, Chapter 19, Timeshare and Camp Resort Act;
181 (ii) an employee engaged in the sale of cooperative interests regulated under Title 57,
182 Chapter 23, Real Estate Cooperative Marketing Act; or
183 (iii) a person whose interest as an owner or lessor is obtained by that person or
184 transferred to that person for the purpose of evading the application of this chapter, and not for
185 any other legitimate business reason.
186 (2) A license under this chapter is not required for:
187 (a) an isolated transaction by a person holding a duly executed power of attorney from
188 the owner;
189 (b) services rendered by an attorney in performing the attorney's duties as an attorney;
190 (c) a receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, administrator, executor, or a person acting under
191 order of any court;
192 (d) a trustee or employee of a trustee under a deed of trust or a will;
193 (e) a public utility, officer of a public utility, or regular salaried employee of a public
194 utility, unless performance of any of the acts set out in Subsection 61-2-2 [
195 connection with the sale, purchase, lease, or other disposition of real estate or investment in
196 real estate unrelated to the principal business activity of that public utility;
197 (f) a regular salaried employee or authorized agent working under the oversight of the
198 Department of Transportation when performing an act on behalf of the Department of
199 Transportation in connection with one or more of the following:
200 (i) the acquisition of real property pursuant to Section 72-5-103 ;
201 (ii) the disposal of real property pursuant to Section 72-5-111 ;
202 (iii) services that constitute property management; or
203 (iv) the leasing of real property;
204 (g) a regular salaried employee of a county, city, or town when performing an act on
205 behalf of the county, city, or town:
206 (i) in accordance with:
207 (A) if a regular salaried employee of a city or town:
208 (I) Title 10, Utah Municipal Code; or
209 (II) Title 11, Cities, Counties, and Local Taxing Units; and
210 (B) if a regular salaried employee of a county:
211 (I) Title 11, Cities, Counties, and Local Taxing Units; and
212 (II) Title 17, Counties; and
213 (ii) in connection with one or more of the following:
214 (A) the acquisition of real property, including by eminent domain;
215 (B) the disposal of real property;
216 (C) services that constitute property management; or
217 (D) the leasing of real property.
218 (3) A license under this chapter is not required for a person registered to act as a
219 broker-dealer, agent, or investment adviser under the Utah and federal securities laws in the
220 sale or the offer for sale of real estate if:
221 (a) (i) the real estate is a necessary element of a "security" as that term is defined by the
222 Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
223 (ii) the security is registered for sale:
224 (A) pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933; or
225 (B) by Title 61, Chapter 1, Utah Uniform Securities Act; or
226 (b) (i) it is a transaction in a security for which a Form D, described in 17 C.F.R. Sec.
227 239.500, has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation
228 D, Rule 506, 17 C.F.R. Sec. 230.506; and
229 (ii) the selling agent and the purchaser are not residents of this state.
230 Section 3. Section 61-2-10 is amended to read:
231 61-2-10. Restriction on commissions -- Affiliation with more than one broker --
232 Specialized licenses -- Designation of agents or brokers.
233 (1) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (1)(b), an associate broker or sales agent may
234 not accept valuable consideration for the performance of an act specified in this chapter from a
235 person except the principal broker with whom the associate broker or sales agent is affiliated
236 and licensed.
237 (b) An associate broker or sales agent may receive valuable consideration for the
238 performance of an act specified in this chapter from a person other than the principal broker
239 with whom the associate broker or sales agent is affiliated if:
240 (i) the valuable consideration is paid with a payment instrument prepared by a title
241 insurance agent;
242 (ii) the title insurance agent provides the payment instrument to the principal broker;
243 (iii) the title insurance agent complies with the written instructions of the principal
244 broker:
245 (A) in preparing the payment instrument; and
246 (B) delivering the payment instrument to the principal broker; and
247 (iv) the principal broker directly delivers the payment instrument to the associate
248 broker or sales agent.
249 (c) The commission, with the concurrence of the division, shall make rules in
250 accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act:
251 (i) defining what constitutes a "payment instrument" for purposes of this Subsection
252 (1); or
253 (ii) the form and contents of the written instructions required by Subsection (1)(b),
254 including providing that the contents of the written instructions indicate that the payment
255 instrument process is an assignment to the associate broker or sales agent by the principal
256 broker of a portion of the consideration the title insurance agent is obligated to pay the
257 principal broker.
258 (2) An inactive associate broker or sales agent may not conduct a real estate transaction
259 until the inactive associate broker or sales agent becomes affiliated with a licensed principal
260 broker and submits the required documentation to the division. An inactive principal broker
261 may not conduct a real estate transaction until the principal broker's license is activated with
262 the division.
263 (3) A sales agent or associate broker may not affiliate with more than one principal
264 broker at the same time.
265 (4) (a) Except as provided by rule, a principal broker may not be responsible for more
266 than one real estate brokerage at the same time.
267 (b) (i) In addition to issuing principal broker, associate broker, and sales agent licenses
268 authorizing the performance of all of the acts set forth in Subsection 61-2-2 [
269 division may issue specialized sales licenses and specialized property management licenses
270 with the scope of practice limited to the specialty.
271 (ii) An individual may hold a specialized license in addition to a license to act as a
272 principal broker, an associate broker, or a sales agent.
273 (iii) The commission may adopt rules pursuant to Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
274 Administrative Procedures Act, for the administration of this Subsection (4), including:
275 (A) prelicensing and postlicensing education requirements;
276 (B) examination requirements;
277 (C) affiliation with real estate brokerages or property management companies; and
278 (D) other licensing procedures.
279 (c) An individual may not be a principal broker of a brokerage and a sales agent or
280 associate broker for a different brokerage at the same time.
281 (5) An owner, purchaser, lessor, or lessee who engages the services of a principal
282 broker may designate which sales agents or associate brokers affiliated with that principal
283 broker will also represent that owner, purchaser, lessor, or lessee in the purchase, sale, lease, or
284 exchange of real estate, or in exercising an option relating to real estate.
285 Section 4. Section 61-2-11 is amended to read:
286 61-2-11. Grounds for disciplinary action.
287 The following acts are unlawful for a person required to be licensed under this chapter:
288 (1) making a substantial misrepresentation;
289 (2) making a false promise of a character likely to influence, persuade, or induce;
290 (3) pursuing a continued and flagrant course of misrepresentation, or of making false
291 promises through agents, sales agents, advertising, or otherwise;
292 (4) acting for more than one party in a transaction without the informed consent of all
293 parties;
294 (5) (a) acting as an associate broker or sales agent while not licensed with a licensed
295 principal broker;
296 (b) representing or attempting to represent a broker other than the principal broker with
297 whom the person is affiliated; or
298 (c) representing as sales agent or having a contractual relationship similar to that of
299 sales agent with other than a licensed principal broker;
300 (6) (a) failing, within a reasonable time, to account for or to remit monies coming into
301 the person's possession that belong to others;
302 (b) commingling the monies described in Subsection (6)(a) with the person's own
303 monies; or
304 (c) diverting the monies described in Subsection (6)(a) from the purpose for which they
305 were received;
306 (7) paying or offering to pay valuable consideration, as defined by the commission, to a
307 person not licensed under this chapter, except that valuable consideration may be shared:
308 (a) with a licensed principal broker of another jurisdiction; or
309 (b) as provided under:
310 (i) Title 16, Chapter 10a, Utah Revised Business Corporation Act;
311 (ii) Title 16, Chapter 11, Professional Corporation Act; or
312 (iii) Title 48, Chapter 2c, Utah Revised Limited Liability Company Act;
313 (8) being unworthy or incompetent to act as a principal broker, associate broker, or
314 sales agent in such manner as to safeguard the interests of the public;
315 (9) failing to voluntarily furnish a copy of a document to all parties executing the
316 document;
317 (10) failing to keep and make available for inspection by the division a record of each
318 transaction, including:
319 (a) the names of buyers and sellers or lessees and lessors;
320 (b) the identification of the property;
321 (c) the sale or rental price;
322 (d) monies received in trust;
323 (e) agreements or instructions from buyers and sellers or lessees and lessors; and
324 (f) any other information required by rule;
325 (11) failing to disclose, in writing, in the purchase, sale, or rental of property, whether
326 the purchase, sale, or rental is made for that person or for an undisclosed principal;
327 (12) regardless of whether the crime is related to real estate, being convicted of a
328 criminal offense involving moral turpitude within five years of the most recent application,
329 including:
330 (a) a conviction based upon a plea of nolo contendere; or
331 (b) a plea held in abeyance to a criminal offense involving moral turpitude;
332 (13) advertising the availability of real estate or the services of a licensee in a false,
333 misleading, or deceptive manner;
334 (14) in the case of a principal broker or a licensee who is a branch manager, failing to
335 exercise reasonable supervision over the activities of the principal broker's or branch manager's
336 licensee or unlicensed staff;
337 (15) violating or disregarding:
338 (a) this chapter;
339 (b) an order of the commission; or
340 (c) the rules adopted by the commission and the division;
341 (16) breaching a fiduciary duty owed by a licensee to the licensee's principal in a real
342 estate transaction;
343 (17) any other conduct which constitutes dishonest dealing;
344 (18) unprofessional conduct as defined by statute or rule;
345 (19) on the basis of misconduct in a professional capacity that relates to character,
346 honesty, integrity, or truthfulness, having one of the following suspended, revoked,
347 surrendered, or cancelled:
348 (a) a real estate license issued by another jurisdiction; or
349 (b) another professional license issued by this or another jurisdiction;
350 (20) failing to respond to a request by the division in an investigation authorized under
351 this chapter, including:
352 (a) failing to respond to a subpoena;
353 (b) withholding evidence; or
354 (c) failing to produce documents or records;
355 (21) in the case of a dual licensed title licensee as defined in Section 31A-2-402 :
356 (a) providing a title insurance product or service without the approval required by
357 Section 31A-2-405 ; or
358 (b) knowingly providing false or misleading information in the statement required by
359 Subsection 31A-2-405 (2); [
360 (22) violating an independent contractor agreement between a principal broker and a
361 sales agent as evidenced by a final judgment of a court[
362 (23) (a) engaging in a foreclosure rescue if not licensed under this chapter;
363 (b) engaging in an act of loan modification assistance that requires licensure as a
364 mortgage officer under Chapter 2c, Utah Residential Mortgage Practices and Licensing Act,
365 without being licensed under that chapter;
366 (c) requesting or requiring a person to pay a fee if:
367 (i) the person is required to pay the fee before entering into a written agreement
368 specifying what one or more acts of foreclosure rescue will be completed if the fee is paid; or
369 (ii) in a case when the financing that is the subject of the foreclosure rescue is
370 foreclosed within one year from the day on which the person enters into a written agreement,
371 the person is required to forfeit the fee for any reason;
372 (d) inducing a person who is at risk of foreclosure to hire the licensee to engage in an
373 act of foreclosure rescue by:
374 (i) suggesting to the person that the licensee has a special relationship with the person's
375 lender or loan servicer; or
376 (ii) falsely representing or advertising that the licensee is acting on behalf of:
377 (A) a government agency;
378 (B) the person's lender or loan servicer; or
379 (C) a nonprofit or charitable institution; or
380 (e) recommending or participating in a foreclosure rescue that requires a person to:
381 (i) transfer title to real property to the licensee or to a third party with whom the
382 licensee has a business relationship or financial interest;
383 (ii) make a mortgage payment to a person other than the person's loan servicer; or
384 (iii) refrain from contacting the person's:
385 (A) lender;
386 (B) loan servicer;
387 (C) attorney;
388 (D) credit counselor; or
389 (E) housing counselor; or
390 (24) for an agreement for foreclosure rescue entered into on or after May 11, 2010,
391 engaging in an act of foreclosure rescue without offering in writing to the person entering into
392 the agreement for foreclosure rescue a right to cancel the agreement within three business days
393 after the day on which the person enters the agreement.
394 Section 5. Section 61-2c-102 is amended to read:
395 61-2c-102. Definitions.
396 (1) As used in this chapter:
397 (a) "Affiliate" means a person who directly, or indirectly through one or more
398 intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, a specified
399 individual or entity.
400 (b) "Applicant" means a person applying for a license under this chapter.
401 (c) "Approved examination provider" means a person approved by the nationwide
402 database as an approved test provider.
403 (d) "Associate lending manager" means an individual who:
404 (i) qualifies under this chapter as a principal lending manager; and
405 (ii) works by or on behalf of another principal lending manager in transacting the
406 business of residential mortgage loans.
407 (e) "Branch office" means a licensed entity's office:
408 (i) for the transaction of the business of residential mortgage loans regulated under this
409 chapter;
410 (ii) other than the main office of the licensed entity; and
411 (iii) that operates under the same business name as the licensed entity.
412 (f) "Business day" means a day other than:
413 (i) a Saturday;
414 (ii) a Sunday; or
415 (iii) a federal or state holiday.
416 [
417 expectation of compensation to:
418 (A) engage in an act that makes an individual a loan originator;
419 (B) make or originate a residential mortgage loan;
420 (C) directly or indirectly solicit a residential mortgage loan for another; [
421 (D) unless excluded under Subsection (1)[
422 origination of a residential mortgage loan including:
423 (I) preparing a loan package;
424 (II) communicating with the borrower and lender; or
425 (III) advising on a loan term[
426 (E) engage in loan modification assistance.
427 (ii) "Business of residential mortgage loans" does not include:
428 (A) if working as an employee under the direction of and subject to the supervision and
429 instruction of a person licensed under this chapter, the performance of a clerical or support duty
430 such as:
431 (I) the receipt, collection, or distribution of information common for the processing or
432 underwriting of a loan in the mortgage industry other than taking an application;
433 (II) communicating with a consumer to obtain information necessary for the processing
434 or underwriting of a residential mortgage loan;
435 (III) word processing;
436 (IV) sending correspondence; or
437 (V) assembling files;
438 (B) ownership of an entity that engages in the business of residential mortgage loans if
439 the owner does not personally perform the acts listed in Subsection (1)[
440 (C) except if an individual will engage in an activity as a loan originator, acting in one
441 or more of the following capacities:
442 (I) a loan wholesaler;
443 (II) an account executive for a loan wholesaler;
444 (III) a loan underwriter;
445 (IV) a loan closer; or
446 (V) funding a loan[
447 (D) if employed by a person who owns or services an exiting residential mortgage loan,
448 as defined in Section 70D-2-102 , the direct negotiation with the borrower for the purpose of
449 loan modification.
450 [
451 61-2c-204.1 to provide one or more of the following:
452 (i) prelicensing education; or
453 (ii) continuing education.
454 [
455 (i) with a fixed amount borrowed; and
456 (ii) that does not permit additional borrowing secured by the same collateral.
457 [
458 created in Section 61-2c-104 .
459 [
460 granted, given, donated, or transferred to an individual or entity for or in consideration of:
461 (i) services;
462 (ii) personal or real property; or
463 (iii) another thing of value.
464 [
465 this chapter in order to meet the education requirements imposed by Sections 61-2c-204.1 and
466 61-2c-205 to renew a license under this chapter.
467 [
468 indirectly:
469 (i) direct or exercise a controlling interest over:
470 (A) the management or policies of an entity; or
471 (B) the election of a majority of the directors, officers, managers, or managing partners
472 of an entity;
473 (ii) vote 20% or more of a class of voting securities of an entity by an individual; or
474 (iii) vote more than 5% of a class of voting securities of an entity by another entity.
475 [
476 [
477 [
478 [
479 one to four units including any of the following if used as a residence:
480 (i) a condominium unit;
481 (ii) a cooperative unit;
482 (iii) a manufactured home; or
483 (iv) a house.
484 [
485 (i) a corporation;
486 (ii) a limited liability company;
487 (iii) a partnership;
488 (iv) a company;
489 (v) an association;
490 (vi) a joint venture;
491 (vii) a business trust;
492 (viii) a trust; or
493 (ix) another organization.
494 [
495 Commerce.
496 (t) "Foreclosure rescue" means, for compensation or with the expectation of receiving
497 valuable consideration, to:
498 (i) engage, or offer to engage, in an act that:
499 (A) the person represents will assist a borrower in preventing a foreclosure; and
500 (B) relates to a transaction involving the transfer of title to residential real property; or
501 (ii) as an employee or agent of another person:
502 (A) solicit, or offer that the other person will engage in an act described in Subsection
503 (1)(t)(i); or
504 (B) negotiate terms in relationship to an act described in Subsection (1)(t)(i).
505 [
506 placed when the holder of the license is not currently engaging in the business of residential
507 mortgage loans.
508 [
509 [
510 61-2c-204.1 or 61-2c-206 for an individual to obtain a license under this chapter.
511 (x) "Loan modification assistance" means, for compensation or with the expectation of
512 receiving valuable consideration, to:
513 (i) act, or offer to act, on behalf of a person to:
514 (A) obtain a loan term of a residential mortgage loan that is different from an existing
515 loan term including:
516 (I) an increase or decrease in an interest rate;
517 (II) a change to the type of interest rate;
518 (III) an increase or decrease in the principal amount of the residential mortgage loan;
519 (IV) a change in the number of required period payments;
520 (V) an addition of collateral;
521 (VI) a change to, or addition of, a prepayment penalty;
522 (VII) an addition of a cosigner; or
523 (VIII) a change in persons obligated under the existing residential mortgage loan; or
524 (B) substitute a new residential mortgage loan for an existing residential mortgage
525 loan; or
526 (ii) as an employee or agent of another person:
527 (A) solicit, or offer that the other person will engage in an act described in Subsection
528 (1)(x)(i); or
529 (B) negotiate terms in relationship to an act described in Subsection (1)(x)(i).
530 [
531 individual who for compensation or in expectation of compensation:
532 (A) takes a residential mortgage loan application; or
533 (B) offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan[
534 (I) a purchase;
535 (II) a refinance;
536 (III) loan modification assistance; or
537 (IV) a foreclosure rescue.
538 (ii) "Loan originator" does not include a person who:
539 (A) is described in Subsection (1)[
540 administrative or clerical tasks as described in Subsection (1)[
541 (B) unless compensated by a lender, a principal lending manager, or an agent of a
542 lender or principal lending manager:
543 (I) only performs real estate brokerage activities; and
544 (II) is licensed under Chapter 2, Division of Real Estate; and
545 (C) is solely involved in extension of credit relating to a timeshare plan, as defined in
546 11 U.S.C. Sec. 101(53D).
547 [
548 transact the business of residential mortgage loans through a principal lending manager.
549 [
550 and Registry, authorized under Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing, 12
551 U.S.C. Sec. 5101, et seq.
552 [
553 30-year fixed rate mortgage.
554 [
555 [
556 be licensed under this chapter in order to meet the education requirements imposed by Section
557 61-2c-204.1 or 61-2c-206 for an individual to obtain a license under this chapter.
558 [
559 lending manager under Section 61-2c-206 to transact the business of residential mortgage
560 loans.
561 (ii) An individual licensed as a principal lending manager may transact the business of
562 residential mortgage loans as a mortgage officer.
563 [
564 (i) prepared, owned, received, or retained by a person; and
565 (ii) (A) inscribed on a tangible medium; or
566 (B) (I) stored in an electronic or other medium; and
567 (II) retrievable in perceivable form.
568 [
569 (i) the loan or extension of credit is secured by a:
570 (A) mortgage;
571 (B) deed of trust; or
572 (C) consensual security interest;
573 (ii) the mortgage, deed of trust, or consensual security interest described in Subsection
574 (1)[
575 (A) is on a dwelling located in the state; and
576 (B) is created with the consent of the owner of the residential real property; and
577 (iii) solely for the purposes of defining "loan originator," the extension of credit is
578 primarily for personal, family, or household use.
579 [
580 (i) a state, territory, or possession of the United States;
581 (ii) the District of Columbia; or
582 (iii) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
583 [
584 (2) (a) If a term not defined in this section is defined by rule, the term shall have the
585 meaning established by the division by rule made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3,
586 Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.
587 (b) If a term not defined in this section is not defined by rule, the term shall have the
588 meaning commonly accepted in the business community.
589 Section 6. Section 61-2c-301 is amended to read:
590 61-2c-301. Prohibited conduct -- Violations of the chapter.
591 (1) A person transacting the business of residential mortgage loans in this state may
592 not:
593 (a) give or receive compensation or anything of value in exchange for a referral of
594 residential mortgage loan business;
595 (b) charge a fee in connection with a residential mortgage loan transaction:
596 (i) that is excessive; or
597 (ii) if the person does not comply with Section 70D-2-305 ;
598 (c) give or receive compensation or anything of value in exchange for a referral of
599 settlement or loan closing services related to a residential mortgage loan transaction;
600 (d) do any of the following to induce a lender to extend credit as part of a residential
601 mortgage loan transaction:
602 (i) make a false statement or representation;
603 (ii) cause false documents to be generated; or
604 (iii) knowingly permit false information to be submitted by any party;
605 (e) give or receive compensation or anything of value, or withhold or threaten to
606 withhold payment of an appraiser fee, to influence the independent judgment of an appraiser in
607 reaching a value conclusion in a residential mortgage loan transaction, except that it is not a
608 violation of this section for a licensee to withhold payment because of a bona fide dispute
609 regarding a failure of the appraiser to comply with the licensing law or the Uniform Standards
610 of Professional Appraisal Practice;
611 (f) violate or not comply with:
612 (i) this chapter;
613 (ii) an order of the commission or division; or
614 (iii) a rule made by the division;
615 (g) fail to respond within the required time period to:
616 (i) a notice or complaint of the division; or
617 (ii) a request for information from the division;
618 (h) make false representations to the division, including in a licensure statement;
619 (i) for a residential mortgage loan transaction beginning on or after January 1, 2004,
620 engage in the business of residential mortgage loans with respect to the transaction if the
621 person also acts in any of the following capacities with respect to the same residential mortgage
622 loan transaction:
623 (i) appraiser;
624 (ii) escrow agent;
625 (iii) real estate agent;
626 (iv) general contractor; or
627 (v) title insurance agent;
628 (j) order a title insurance report or hold a title insurance policy unless the person
629 provides to the title insurer a copy of a valid, current license under this chapter;
630 (k) engage in unprofessional conduct as defined by rule;
631 (l) engage in an act or omission in transacting the business of residential mortgage
632 loans that constitutes dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation;
633 (m) engage in false or misleading advertising;
634 (n) (i) fail to account for monies received in connection with a residential mortgage
635 loan;
636 (ii) use monies for a different purpose from the purpose for which the monies are
637 received; or
638 (iii) except as provided in Subsection (4), retain monies paid for services if the services
639 are not performed;
640 (o) fail, within 90 calendar days of a request from a borrower who has paid for an
641 appraisal, to give a copy of an appraisal ordered and used for a transaction to the borrower;
642 (p) engage in an act that is performed to:
643 (i) evade this chapter; or
644 (ii) assist another person to evade this chapter;
645 (q) recommend or encourage default, delinquency, or continuation of an existing
646 default or delinquency, by a mortgage applicant on an existing indebtedness before the closing
647 of a residential mortgage loan that will refinance all or part of the indebtedness;
648 (r) in the case of the principal lending manager of an entity or a branch office of an
649 entity, fail to exercise reasonable supervision over the activities of:
650 (i) unlicensed staff; and
651 (ii) a mortgage officer who is licensed with the principal lending manager;
652 (s) pay or offer to pay an individual who does not hold a license under this chapter for
653 work that requires the individual to hold a license under this chapter;
654 (t) in the case of a dual licensed title licensee as defined in Section 31A-2-402 :
655 (i) provide a title insurance product or service without the approval required by Section
656 31A-2-405 ; or
657 (ii) knowingly provide false or misleading information in the statement required by
658 Subsection 31A-2-405 (2); [
659 (u) represent to the public that the person can or will perform any act of a loan
660 originator if that person is not licensed under this chapter because the person is exempt under
661 Subsection 61-2c-102 (1)[
662 (i) advertising;
663 (ii) a business card;
664 (iii) stationary;
665 (iv) a brochure;
666 (v) a sign;
667 (vi) a rate list; or
668 (vii) other promotional item[
669 (v) (i) engage in an act of loan modification assistance without being licensed under
670 this chapter;
671 (ii) engage in an act of foreclosure rescue that requires licensure as a real estate agent
672 or real estate broker under Chapter 2, Division of Real Estate, without being licensed under
673 that chapter;
674 (iii) request or require a person to pay a fee if:
675 (A) the person is required to pay the fee before entering into a written agreement
676 specifying what one or more acts of loan modification assistance will be completed if the fee is
677 paid; or
678 (B) in a case when the residential mortgage loan that is the subject of the loan
679 modification assistance is foreclosed within one year of the day on which the person enters into
680 a written agreement, the person is required to forfeit the fee for any reason;
681 (iv) induce a person seeking a loan modification to hire the licensee to engage in an act
682 of loan modification assistance by:
683 (A) suggesting to the person that the licensee has a special relationship with the
684 person's lender or loan servicer; or
685 (B) falsely representing or advertising that the licensee is acting on behalf of:
686 (I) a government agency;
687 (II) the person's lender or loan servicer; or
688 (III) a nonprofit or charitable institution;
689 (v) recommend or participate in a loan modification that requires a person to:
690 (A) transfer title to real property to the licensee or to a third party with whom the
691 licensee has a business relationship or financial interest;
692 (B) make a mortgage payment to a person other than the person's loan servicer; or
693 (C) refrain from contacting the person's:
694 (I) lender;
695 (II) loan servicer;
696 (III) attorney;
697 (IV) credit counselor; or
698 (V) housing counselor; or
699 (vi) for an agreement for loan modification assistance entered into on or after May 11,
700 2010, engage in an act of loan modification assistance without offering in writing to the person
701 entering into the agreement for loan modification assistance a right to cancel the agreement
702 within three business days after the day on which the person enters the agreement.
703 (2) Whether or not the crime is related to the business of residential mortgage loans, it
704 is a violation of this chapter for a licensee or a person who is a certified education provider to
705 do any of the following with respect to a criminal offense that involves moral turpitude:
706 (a) be convicted;
707 (b) plead guilty or nolo contendere;
708 (c) enter a plea in abeyance; or
709 (d) be subjected to a criminal disposition similar to the ones described in Subsections
710 (2)(a) through (c).
711 (3) A principal lending manager does not violate Subsection (1)(r) if:
712 (a) in contravention of the principal lending manager's written policies and
713 instructions, an affiliated licensee of the principal lending manager violates:
714 (i) this chapter; or
715 (ii) rules made by the division under this chapter;
716 (b) the principal lending manager established and followed reasonable procedures to
717 ensure that affiliated licensees receive adequate supervision;
718 (c) upon learning of a violation by an affiliated licensee, the principal lending manager
719 attempted to prevent or mitigate the damage;
720 (d) the principal lending manager did not participate in or ratify the violation by an
721 affiliated licensee; and
722 (e) the principal lending manager did not attempt to avoid learning of the violation.
723 (4) Notwithstanding Subsection (1)(n)(iii), a licensee may, upon compliance with
724 Section 70D-2-305 , charge a reasonable cancellation fee for work done originating a mortgage
725 if the mortgage is not closed.
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