Representative A. Cory Maloy proposes the following substitute bill:


1     
REGULATORY SANDBOX PROGRAM AMENDMENTS

2     
2022 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: A. Cory Maloy

5     
Senate Sponsor: Ann Millner

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill addresses state regulatory sandbox programs.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     define terms;
13          ▸     expands the regulatory sandbox program administered by the Governor's Office of
14     Economic Opportunity (GO Utah office) by allowing a person who offers a
15     financial or insurance product or service to participate in the program;
16          ▸     requires meetings of the GO Utah office's General Regulatory Sandbox Program
17     Advisory Committee to be open to the public;
18          ▸     requires the GO Utah office to make certain information regarding the regulatory
19     sandbox program available to the public;
20          ▸     repeals the regulatory sandbox programs administered by the Department of
21     Commerce and the Department of Insurance; and
22          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
23     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
24          None
25     Other Special Clauses:

26          None
27     Utah Code Sections Affected:
28     AMENDS:
29          52-4-205, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapters 179 and 231
30          63N-16-102, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 373
31          63N-16-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 373
32          63N-16-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 373
33          63N-16-201, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 373
34          63N-16-202, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 373
35          63N-16-206, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 373
36     REPEALS:
37          13-55-101, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 243
38          13-55-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 373
39          13-55-103, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 143
40          13-55-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 243
41          13-55-105, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 243
42          13-55-106, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 243
43          13-55-107, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 243
44          13-55-108, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2019, Chapter 243
45          31A-47-101, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 141
46          31A-47-102, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 373
47          31A-47-103, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 141
48          31A-47-104, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 141
49          31A-47-105, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 141
50          31A-47-106, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 141
51          31A-47-107, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 141
52          31A-47-108, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2020, Chapter 141
53     

54     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
55          Section 1. Section 52-4-205 is amended to read:
56          52-4-205. Purposes of closed meetings -- Certain issues prohibited in closed

57     meetings.
58          (1) A closed meeting described under Section 52-4-204 may only be held for:
59          (a) except as provided in Subsection (3), discussion of the character, professional
60     competence, or physical or mental health of an individual;
61          (b) strategy sessions to discuss collective bargaining;
62          (c) strategy sessions to discuss pending or reasonably imminent litigation;
63          (d) strategy sessions to discuss the purchase, exchange, or lease of real property,
64     including any form of a water right or water shares, if public discussion of the transaction
65     would:
66          (i) disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration; or
67          (ii) prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms;
68          (e) strategy sessions to discuss the sale of real property, including any form of a water
69     right or water shares, if:
70          (i) public discussion of the transaction would:
71          (A) disclose the appraisal or estimated value of the property under consideration; or
72          (B) prevent the public body from completing the transaction on the best possible terms;
73          (ii) the public body previously gave public notice that the property would be offered for
74     sale; and
75          (iii) the terms of the sale are publicly disclosed before the public body approves the
76     sale;
77          (f) discussion regarding deployment of security personnel, devices, or systems;
78          (g) investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct;
79          (h) as relates to the Independent Legislative Ethics Commission, conducting business
80     relating to the receipt or review of ethics complaints;
81          (i) as relates to an ethics committee of the Legislature, a purpose permitted under
82     Subsection 52-4-204(1)(a)(iii)(C);
83          (j) as relates to the Independent Executive Branch Ethics Commission created in
84     Section 63A-14-202, conducting business relating to an ethics complaint;
85          (k) as relates to a county legislative body, discussing commercial information as
86     defined in Section 59-1-404;
87          (l) as relates to the Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority and its appointed

88     board of directors, discussing fiduciary or commercial information as defined in Section
89     53B-12-102;
90          (m) deliberations, not including any information gathering activities, of a public body
91     acting in the capacity of:
92          (i) an evaluation committee under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code,
93     during the process of evaluating responses to a solicitation, as defined in Section 63G-6a-103;
94          (ii) a protest officer, defined in Section 63G-6a-103, during the process of making a
95     decision on a protest under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Part 16, Protests; or
96          (iii) a procurement appeals panel under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement
97     Code, during the process of deciding an appeal under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Part 17,
98     Procurement Appeals Board;
99          (n) the purpose of considering information that is designated as a trade secret, as
100     defined in Section 13-24-2, if the public body's consideration of the information is necessary in
101     order to properly conduct a procurement under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code;
102          (o) the purpose of discussing information provided to the public body during the
103     procurement process under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, if, at the time of
104     the meeting:
105          (i) the information may not, under Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, be
106     disclosed to a member of the public or to a participant in the procurement process; and
107          (ii) the public body needs to review or discuss the information in order to properly
108     fulfill its role and responsibilities in the procurement process;
109          (p) as relates to the governing board of a governmental nonprofit corporation, as that
110     term is defined in Section 11-13a-102, the purpose of discussing information that is designated
111     as a trade secret, as that term is defined in Section 13-24-2, if:
112          (i) public knowledge of the discussion would reasonably be expected to result in injury
113     to the owner of the trade secret; and
114          (ii) discussion of the information is necessary for the governing board to properly
115     discharge the board's duties and conduct the board's business; or
116          (q) a purpose for which a meeting is required to be closed under Subsection (2).
117          (2) The following meetings shall be closed:
118          (a) a meeting of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee to review a report

119     described in Subsection 62A-16-301(1)(a), and the responses to the report described in
120     Subsections 62A-16-301(2) and (4);
121          (b) a meeting of the Child Welfare Legislative Oversight Panel to:
122          (i) review a report described in Subsection 62A-16-301(1)(a), and the responses to the
123     report described in Subsections 62A-16-301(2) and (4); or
124          (ii) review and discuss an individual case, as described in Subsection 62A-4a-207(5);
125          (c) a meeting of the Opioid and Overdose Fatality Review Committee, created in
126     Section 26-7-13, to review and discuss an individual case, as described in Subsection
127     26-7-13(10);
128          (d) a meeting of a conservation district as defined in Section 17D-3-102 for the
129     purpose of advising the Natural Resource Conservation Service of the United States
130     Department of Agriculture on a farm improvement project if the discussed information is
131     protected information under federal law;
132          (e) a meeting of the Compassionate Use Board established in Section 26-61a-105 for
133     the purpose of reviewing petitions for a medical cannabis card in accordance with Section
134     26-61a-105; [and]
135          (f) a meeting of the Colorado River Authority of Utah if:
136          (i) the purpose of the meeting is to discuss an interstate claim to the use of the water in
137     the Colorado River system; and
138          (ii) failing to close the meeting would:
139          (A) reveal the contents of a record classified as protected under Subsection
140     63G-2-305(82);
141          (B) reveal a legal strategy relating to the state's claim to the use of the water in the
142     Colorado River system;
143          (C) harm the ability of the Colorado River Authority of Utah or river commissioner to
144     negotiate the best terms and conditions regarding the use of water in the Colorado River
145     system; or
146          (D) give an advantage to another state or to the federal government in negotiations
147     regarding the use of water in the Colorado River system[.]; and
148          (g) a meeting of the General Regulatory Sandbox Program Advisory Committee if:
149          (i) the purpose of the meeting is to discuss an application for participation in the

150     regulatory sandbox as defined in Section 63N-16-102; and
151          (ii) failing to close the meeting would reveal the contents of a record classified as
152     protected under Subsection 63G-2-305(83).
153          (3) In a closed meeting, a public body may not:
154          (a) interview a person applying to fill an elected position;
155          (b) discuss filling a midterm vacancy or temporary absence governed by Title 20A,
156     Chapter 1, Part 5, Candidate Vacancy and Vacancy and Temporary Absence in Elected Office;
157     or
158          (c) discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of the
159     person whose name was submitted for consideration to fill a midterm vacancy or temporary
160     absence governed by Title 20A, Chapter 1, Part 5, Candidate Vacancy and Vacancy and
161     Temporary Absence in Elected Office.
162          Section 2. Section 63N-16-102 is amended to read:
163          63N-16-102. Definitions.
164          As used in this chapter:
165          (1) "Advisory committee" means the General Regulatory Sandbox Program Advisory
166     Committee created in Section 63N-16-104.
167          (2) "Applicable agency" means a department or agency of the state that by law
168     regulates a business activity and persons engaged in such business activity, including the
169     issuance of licenses or other types of authorization, which the office determines would
170     otherwise regulate a sandbox participant.
171          (3) "Applicant" means a person that applies to participate in the regulatory sandbox.
172          (4) "Blockchain technology" means the use of a digital database containing records of
173     financial transactions, which can be simultaneously used and shared within a decentralized,
174     publicly accessible network and can record transactions between two parties in a verifiable and
175     permanent way.
176          [(4)] (5) "Consumer" means a person that purchases or otherwise enters into a
177     transaction or agreement to receive an offering pursuant to a demonstration by a sandbox
178     participant.
179          [(5)] (6) "Demonstrate" or "demonstration" means to temporarily provide an offering in
180     accordance with the provisions of the regulatory sandbox program described in this chapter.

181          [(6)] (7) "Director" means the director of the Utah Office of Regulatory Relief created
182     in Section 63N-16-103.
183          [(7)] (8) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Governor's Office of
184     Economic Opportunity.
185          (9) "Financial product or service" means:
186          (a) a financial product or financial service that requires state licensure or registration;
187     or
188          (b) a financial product, financial service, or banking business that includes a business
189     model, delivery mechanism, offering of deposit accounts, or element that may require a license
190     or other authorization to act as a financial institution, enterprise, or other entity that is regulated
191     by Title 7, Financial Institutions Act, or other related provisions.
192          [(8)] (10) "Innovation" means the use or incorporation of a new idea, a new or
193     emerging technology, or a new use of existing technology [to address a problem, provide a
194     benefit, or otherwise offer a product, production method, or service], including blockchain
195     technology.
196          [(9) "Innovative offering" means an offering that includes an innovation.]
197          (11) "Insurance product or service" means an insurance product or insurance service
198     that requires state licensure, registration, or other authorization as regulated by Title 31A,
199     Insurance Code, including an insurance product or insurance service that includes a business
200     model, delivery mechanism, or element that requires a license, registration, or other
201     authorization to do an insurance business, act as an insurance producer or consultant, or engage
202     in insurance adjusting as regulated by Title 31A, Insurance Code.
203          [(10)] (12) (a) "Offering" means a product, production method, [or] service, or
204     including a financial product or service or an insurance product or service, that addresses a
205     problem or provides a benefit.
206          (b) "Offering" does not include a product, production method, or service that is
207     governed by[:] Title 61, Chapter 1, Utah Uniform Securities Act.
208          [(i) Title 31A, Insurance Code, as determined by the insurance commissioner; or]
209          [(ii) Title 61, Chapter 1, Utah Uniform Securities Act.]
210          [(11)] (13) "Product" means a commercially distributed good that is:
211          (a) tangible personal property;

212          (b) the result of a production process; and
213          (c) passed through the distribution channel before consumption.
214          [(12)] (14) "Production" means the method or process of creating or obtaining a good,
215     which may include assembling, breeding, capturing, collecting, extracting, fabricating, farming,
216     fishing, gathering, growing, harvesting, hunting, manufacturing, mining, processing, raising, or
217     trapping a good.
218          [(13)] (15) "Regulatory relief office" means the Utah Office of Regulatory Relief
219     created in Section 63N-16-103.
220          [(14)] (16) "Regulatory sandbox" means the General Regulatory Sandbox Program
221     created in Section 63N-16-201, which allows a person to temporarily demonstrate an offering
222     under a waiver or suspension of one or more state laws or regulations.
223          [(15)] (17) "Sandbox participant" means a person whose application to participate in
224     the regulatory sandbox is approved in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
225          [(16)] (18) "Service" means any commercial activity, duty, or labor performed for
226     another person.
227          Section 3. Section 63N-16-103 is amended to read:
228          63N-16-103. Creation of regulatory relief office and appointment of director --
229     Responsibilities of regulatory relief office.
230          (1) There is created within the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity the Utah
231     Office of Regulatory Relief.
232          (2) (a) The regulatory relief office shall be administered by a director.
233          (b) The director shall report to the executive director and may appoint staff subject to
234     the approval of the executive director.
235          (3) The regulatory relief office shall:
236          (a) administer the provisions of this chapter;
237          (b) administer the regulatory sandbox program; and
238          (c) act as a liaison between private businesses and applicable agencies to identify state
239     laws or regulations that could potentially be waived or suspended under the regulatory sandbox
240     program.
241          (4) The regulatory relief office may:
242          (a) review state laws and regulations that may unnecessarily inhibit the creation and

243     success of new companies or industries and provide recommendations to the governor and the
244     Legislature on modifying such state laws and regulations;
245          (b) create a framework for analyzing the risk level to the health, safety, and financial
246     well-being of consumers related to permanently removing or temporarily waiving laws and
247     regulations inhibiting the creation or success of new and existing companies or industries;
248          (c) propose potential reciprocity agreements between states that use or are proposing to
249     use similar regulatory sandbox programs as described in this chapter[, Section 13-55-103, or
250     Section 31A-47-103]; and
251          (d) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, and
252     the provisions of this chapter, make rules regarding:
253          (i) administering the regulatory sandbox, including making rules regarding the
254     application process and the reporting requirements of sandbox participants; and
255          (ii) cooperating and consulting with other agencies in the state that administer sandbox
256     programs.
257          Section 4. Section 63N-16-104 is amended to read:
258          63N-16-104. Creation and duties of advisory committee.
259          (1) There is created the General Regulatory Sandbox Program Advisory Committee.
260          (2) The advisory committee shall have 11 members as follows:
261          (a) six members appointed by the director who represent businesses interests and are
262     selected from a variety of industry clusters;
263          (b) three members appointed by the director who represent state agencies that regulate
264     businesses;
265          (c) one member of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate; and
266          (d) one member of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the
267     House of Representatives.
268          (3) (a) Subject to Subsection (3)(b), members of the advisory committee who are not
269     legislators shall be appointed to a four-year term.
270          (b) Notwithstanding the requirements of Subsection (3)(a), the director may adjust the
271     length of terms of appointments and reappointments to the advisory committee so that
272     approximately half of the advisory committee is appointed every two years.
273          (4) The director shall select a chair of the advisory committee on an annual basis.

274          (5) A majority of the advisory committee constitutes a quorum for the purpose of
275     conducting advisory committee business, and the action of the majority of a quorum constitutes
276     the action of the advisory committee.
277          (6) The advisory committee shall advise and make recommendations to the regulatory
278     relief office as described in this chapter.
279          (7) The regulatory relief office shall provide administrative staff support for the
280     advisory committee.
281          (8) (a) A member may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service,
282     but a member appointed under Subsection (2)(a) may receive per diem and travel expenses in
283     accordance with:
284          (i) Sections 63A-3-106 and 63A-3-107; and
285          (ii) rules made by the Division of Finance pursuant to Sections 63A-3-106 and
286     63A-3-107.
287          (b) Compensation and expenses of a member who is a legislator are governed by
288     Section 36-2-2 and Legislative Joint Rules, Title 5, Legislative Compensation and Expenses.
289          [(9) Meetings of the advisory committee are not subject to Title 52, Chapter 4, Open
290     and Public Meetings Act.]
291          Section 5. Section 63N-16-201 is amended to read:
292          63N-16-201. General Regulatory Sandbox Program -- Application requirements.
293          (1) There is created in the regulatory relief office the General Regulatory Sandbox
294     Program.
295          (2) In administering the regulatory sandbox, the regulatory relief office:
296          (a) shall consult with each applicable agency;
297          (b) shall establish a program to enable a person to obtain legal protections and limited
298     access to the market in the state to demonstrate an [innovative] offering without obtaining a
299     license or other authorization that might otherwise be required;
300          (c) may enter into agreements with or adopt the best practices of corresponding federal
301     regulatory agencies or other states that are administering similar programs; and
302          (d) may consult with businesses in the state about existing or potential proposals for
303     the regulatory sandbox.
304          (3) (a) An applicant for the regulatory sandbox may contact the regulatory relief office

305     to request a consultation regarding the regulatory sandbox before submitting an application.
306          (b) The regulatory relief office shall provide relevant information regarding the
307     regulatory sandbox program[, including informing an applicant whether it would be better to
308     apply for the programs described in Section 13-55-103 or Section 31A-47-103].
309          (c) The regulatory relief office may provide assistance to an applicant in preparing an
310     application for submission.
311          (4) An applicant for the regulatory sandbox shall provide to the regulatory relief office
312     an application in a form prescribed by the regulatory relief office that:
313          (a) confirms the applicant is subject to the jurisdiction of the state;
314          (b) confirms the applicant has established a physical or virtual location in the state,
315     from which the demonstration of an [innovative] offering will be developed and performed and
316     where all required records, documents, and data will be maintained;
317          (c) contains relevant personal and contact information for the applicant, including legal
318     names, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, website addresses, and other
319     information required by the regulatory relief office;
320          (d) discloses criminal convictions of the applicant or other participating personnel, if
321     any;
322          (e) contains a description of the [innovative] offering to be demonstrated, including
323     statements regarding:
324          (i) how the offering is subject to licensing, legal prohibition, or other authorization
325     requirements outside of the regulatory sandbox;
326          (ii) each law or regulation that the applicant seeks to have waived or suspended while
327     participating in the regulatory sandbox program;
328          (iii) how the offering would benefit consumers;
329          (iv) how the offering is different from other offerings available in the state;
330          (v) what risks might exist for consumers who use or purchase the offering;
331          (vi) how participating in the regulatory sandbox would enable a successful
332     demonstration of the offering;
333          (vii) a description of the proposed demonstration plan, including estimated time
334     periods for beginning and ending the demonstration;
335          (viii) recognition that the applicant will be subject to all laws and regulations

336     pertaining to the applicant's offering after conclusion of the demonstration; and
337          (ix) how the applicant will end the demonstration and protect consumers if the
338     demonstration fails;
339          (f) lists each government agency, if any, that the applicant knows regulates the
340     applicant's business; and
341          (g) provides any other required information as determined by the regulatory relief
342     office.
343          (5) The regulatory relief office may collect an application fee from an applicant that is
344     set in accordance with Section 63J-1-504.
345          (6) An applicant shall file a separate application for each [innovative] offering that the
346     applicant wishes to demonstrate.
347          (7) After an application is filed, the regulatory relief office shall:
348          (a) [shall classify the application and any related information provided by the applicant
349     as a protected record] classify, as a protected record, any part of the application that the office
350     determines is nonpublic, confidential information that if disclosed would result in actual
351     economic harm to the applicant in accordance with Subsection 63G-2-305[(82)](83);
352          (b) consult with each applicable government agency that regulates the applicant's
353     business regarding whether more information is needed from the applicant; and
354          (c) seek additional information from the applicant that the regulatory relief office
355     determines is necessary.
356          (8) No later than five business days after the day on which a complete application is
357     received by the regulatory relief office, the regulatory relief office shall:
358          (a) review the application and refer the application to each applicable government
359     agency that regulates the applicant's business; [and]
360          (b) provide to the applicant:
361          (i) an acknowledgment of receipt of the application; and
362          (ii) the identity and contact information of each regulatory agency to which the
363     application has been referred for review[.]; and
364          (c) provide public notice, on the office's website and through other appropriate means,
365     of each law or regulation that the office is considering to suspend or waive under the
366     application.

367          (9) (a) Subject to Subsections (9)(c) and (9)(g), no later than 30 days after the day on
368     which an applicable agency receives a complete application for review, the applicable agency
369     shall provide a written report to the director of the applicable agency's findings.
370          (b) The report shall:
371          (i) describe any identifiable, likely, and significant harm to the health, safety, or
372     financial well-being of consumers that the relevant law or regulation protects against; and
373          (ii) make a recommendation to the regulatory relief office that the applicant either be
374     admitted or denied entrance into the regulatory sandbox.
375          (c) (i) The applicable agency may request an additional five business days to deliver
376     the written report by providing notice to the director, which request shall automatically be
377     granted.
378          (ii) The applicable agency may only request one extension per application.
379          (d) If the applicable agency recommends an applicant under this section be denied
380     entrance into the regulatory sandbox, the written report shall include a description of the
381     reasons for the recommendation, including why a temporary waiver or suspension of the
382     relevant laws or regulations would potentially significantly harm the health, safety, or financial
383     well-being of consumers or the public and the likelihood of such harm occurring.
384          (e) If the agency determines that the consumer's or public's health, safety, or financial
385     well-being can be protected through less restrictive means than the existing relevant laws or
386     regulations, then the applicable agency shall provide a recommendation of how that can be
387     achieved.
388          (f) If an applicable agency fails to deliver a written report as described in this
389     Subsection (9), the director shall assume that the applicable agency does not object to the
390     temporary waiver or suspension of the relevant laws or regulations for an applicant seeking to
391     participate in the regulatory sandbox.
392          (g) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an applicable agency may by
393     written notice to the regulatory relief office:
394          (i) within the 30 days after the day on which the applicable agency receives a complete
395     application for review, or within 35 days if an extension has been requested by the applicable
396     agency, reject an application if the applicable agency determines, in the applicable agency's
397     sole discretion, that the applicant's offering fails to comply with standards or specifications:

398          (A) required by federal law or regulation; or
399          (B) previously approved for use by a federal agency; or
400          (ii) reject an application preliminarily approved by the regulatory relief office, if the
401     applicable agency:
402          (A) recommended rejection of the application in accordance with Subsection (9)(d) in
403     the agency's written report; and
404          (B) provides in the written notice under this Subsection (9)(g), a description of the
405     applicable agency's reasons why approval of the application would create a substantial risk of
406     harm to the health or safety of the public, or create unreasonable expenses for taxpayers in the
407     state.
408          (h) If an applicable agency rejects an application under Subsection (9)(g), the
409     regulatory relief office may not approve the application.
410          (10) (a) Upon receiving a written report described in Subsection (9), the director shall
411     provide the application and the written report to the advisory committee.
412          (b) The director may call the advisory committee to meet as needed, but not less than
413     once per quarter if applications are available for review.
414          (c) After receiving and reviewing the application and each written report, the advisory
415     committee shall provide to the director the advisory committee's recommendation as to whether
416     or not the applicant should be admitted as a sandbox participant under this chapter.
417          (d) As part of the advisory committee's review of each written report, the advisory
418     committee shall use the criteria required for an applicable agency as described in Subsection
419     (9).
420          (11) (a) In reviewing an application and each applicable agency's written report, the
421     regulatory relief office shall consult with each applicable agency and the advisory committee
422     before admitting an applicant into the regulatory sandbox.
423          (b) The consultation with each applicable agency and the consultation with the
424     advisory committee may include seeking information about whether:
425          (i) the applicable agency has previously issued a license or other authorization to the
426     applicant; and
427          (ii) the applicable agency has previously investigated, sanctioned, or pursued legal
428     action against the applicant.

429          (12) In reviewing an application under this section, the regulatory relief office and each
430     applicable agency shall consider whether a competitor to the applicant is or has been a sandbox
431     participant and, if so, weigh that as a factor in favor of allowing the applicant to also become a
432     sandbox participant.
433          (13) In reviewing an application under this section, the regulatory relief office shall
434     consider whether:
435          (a) the applicant's plan will adequately protect consumers from potential harm
436     identified by an applicable agency in the applicable agency's written report;
437          (b) the risk of harm to consumers is outweighed by the potential benefits to consumers
438     from the applicant's participation in the regulatory sandbox; and
439          (c) certain state laws or regulations that regulate an offering should not be waived or
440     suspended even if the applicant is approved as a sandbox participant, including applicable
441     antifraud or disclosure provisions.
442          (14) (a) An applicant becomes a sandbox participant if the regulatory relief office
443     approves the application for the regulatory sandbox and enters into a written agreement with
444     the applicant describing the specific laws and regulations that are waived or suspended as part
445     of participation in the regulatory sandbox.
446          (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the regulatory relief office may
447     not enter into a written agreement with an applicant that waives or suspends a tax, fee, or
448     charge that is administered by the State Tax Commission or that is described in Title 59,
449     Revenue and Taxation.
450          (15) (a) The director may deny at the director's sole discretion any application
451     submitted under this section for any reason, including if the director determines that the
452     preponderance of evidence demonstrates that suspending or waiving enforcement of a law or
453     regulation would cause a significant risk of harm to consumers or residents of the state.
454          (b) If the director denies an application submitted under this section, the regulatory
455     relief office shall provide to the applicant a written description of the reasons for not allowing
456     the applicant to be a sandbox participant.
457          (c) The denial of an application submitted under this section is not subject to:
458          (i) agency or judicial review; or
459          (ii) the provisions of Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.

460          (16) The director shall deny an application for participation in the regulatory sandbox
461     described by this section if[: (a) the director determines that the applicant should instead apply
462     for the Regulatory Sandbox Program created in Section 13-55-103 for a financial product or
463     service or the Insurance Regulatory Sandbox Program created in Section 31A-47-103 for an
464     insurance product or service; or (b)] the applicant or any person who seeks to participate with
465     the applicant in demonstrating an offering has been convicted, entered a plea of nolo
466     contendere, or entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere held in abeyance, for any crime
467     involving significant theft, fraud, or dishonesty if the crime bears a significant relationship to
468     the applicant's or other participant's ability to safely and competently participate in the
469     regulatory sandbox program.
470          (17) (a) When an applicant is approved for participation in the regulatory sandbox, the
471     director [may provide] shall provide public notice of the approval [to competitors of the
472     applicant and to the public] on the office's website and through other appropriate means.
473          (b) The public notice described in Subsection (17)(a) shall state:
474          (i) the name of the sandbox participant;
475          (ii) the industries the sandbox participant represents; and
476          (iii) each law or regulation that is suspended or waived for the sandbox participant as
477     allowed by the regulatory sandbox.
478          (18) In addition to the information described in Subsection (17), the office shall make
479     the following information available on the office's website and through other appropriate
480     means:
481          (a) documentation regarding the office's determination and grounds for approving each
482     sandbox participant; and
483          (b) public notice regarding any sandbox participant's revocation to participate in the
484     regulatory sandbox.
485          Section 6. Section 63N-16-202 is amended to read:
486          63N-16-202. Scope of the regulatory sandbox.
487          (1) If the regulatory relief office approves an application under this part, the sandbox
488     participant has 12 months after the day on which the application was approved to demonstrate
489     the offering described in the sandbox participant's application.
490          (2) An offering that is demonstrated within the regulatory sandbox is subject to the

491     following:
492          (a) each consumer shall be a resident of the state; and
493          (b) no law or regulation may be waived or suspended if waiving or suspending the law
494     or regulation would prevent a consumer from seeking restitution in the event that the consumer
495     is harmed.
496          (3) This part does not restrict a sandbox participant who holds a license or other
497     authorization in another jurisdiction from acting in accordance with that license or other
498     authorization.
499          (4) A sandbox participant is deemed to possess an appropriate license or other
500     authorization under the laws of the state for the purposes of any provision of federal law
501     requiring licensure or other authorization by the state.
502          (5) Subject to Subsection (6):
503          (a) during the demonstration period, a sandbox participant is not subject to the
504     enforcement of state laws or regulations identified in the written agreement between the
505     regulatory relief office and the sandbox participant described in Subsection 63N-16-201(14);
506          (b) a prosecutor may not file or pursue charges pertaining to a law or regulation
507     identified in the written agreement between the regulatory relief office and the sandbox
508     participant described in Subsection 63N-16-201(14) that occurs during the demonstration
509     period; and
510          (c) a state agency may not file or pursue any punitive action against a sandbox
511     participant, including a fine or license suspension or revocation, for the violation of a law or
512     regulation that:
513          (i) is identified as being waived or suspended in the written agreement between the
514     regulatory relief office and the sandbox participant described in Subsection 63N-16-201(14);
515     and
516          (ii) occurs during the demonstration period.
517          (6) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part[,]:
518          (a) a sandbox participant does not have immunity related to any criminal offense
519     committed during the sandbox participant's participation in the regulatory sandbox[.]; and
520          (b) a sandbox participant that provides an offering that is a financial product or service
521     shall comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations governing consumer protection.

522          (7) By written notice, the regulatory relief office may end a sandbox participant's
523     participation in the regulatory sandbox at any time and for any reason, including if the director
524     determines that a sandbox participant is not operating in good faith to bring an [innovative]
525     offering to market.
526          (8) The regulatory relief office and the regulatory relief office's employees are not
527     liable for any business losses or the recouping of application expenses or other expenses related
528     to the regulatory sandbox, including for:
529          (a) denying an applicant's application to participate in the regulatory sandbox for any
530     reason; or
531          (b) ending a sandbox participant's participation in the regulatory sandbox at any time
532     and for any reason.
533          Section 7. Section 63N-16-206 is amended to read:
534          63N-16-206. Record keeping and reporting requirements.
535          (1) A sandbox participant shall retain records, documents, and data produced in the
536     ordinary course of business regarding an offering demonstrated in the regulatory sandbox.
537          (2) If a sandbox participant ceases to provide an offering before the end of a
538     demonstration period, the sandbox participant shall notify the regulatory relief office and each
539     applicable agency and report on actions taken by the sandbox participant to ensure consumers
540     have not been harmed as a result.
541          (3) The regulatory relief office shall establish quarterly reporting requirements for a
542     sandbox participant, including information about any consumer complaints.
543          (4) The regulatory relief office may request records, documents, and data from a
544     sandbox participant and, upon the regulatory relief office's request, the sandbox participant
545     shall make such records, documents, and data available for inspection by the regulatory relief
546     office.
547          (5) (a) The sandbox participant shall notify the regulatory relief office and each
548     applicable agency of any incidents that result in harm to the health, safety, or financial
549     well-being of a consumer.
550          (b) If a sandbox participant fails to notify the regulatory relief office and each
551     applicable agency of any incidents as described in Subsection (5)(a), or the regulatory relief
552     office or an applicable agency has evidence that significant harm to a consumer has occurred,

553     the regulatory relief office may immediately remove the sandbox participant from the
554     regulatory sandbox.
555          (6) (a) No later than 30 days after the day on which a sandbox participant exits the
556     regulatory sandbox, the sandbox participant shall submit a written report to the regulatory relief
557     office and each applicable agency describing an overview of the sandbox participant's
558     demonstration, including any:
559          (i) incidents of harm to consumers;
560          (ii) legal action filed against the participant as a result of the participant's
561     demonstration; and
562          (iii) complaints filed with an applicable agency as a result of the participant's
563     demonstration.
564          (b) No later than 30 days after the day on which an applicable agency receives the
565     quarterly reporting described in Subsection (3) or a written report from a sandbox participant as
566     described in Subsection [(5)] (6)(a), the applicable agency shall provide a written report to the
567     regulatory relief office on the demonstration that describes any statutory or regulatory reform
568     the applicable agency recommends as a result of the demonstration.
569          (7) The regulatory relief office may remove a sandbox participant from the regulatory
570     sandbox at any time if the regulatory relief office determines that a sandbox participant has
571     engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in any practice or transaction that is in
572     violation of this chapter or that constitutes a violation of a law or regulation for which
573     suspension or waiver has not been granted.
574          Section 8. Repealer.
575          This bill repeals:
576          Section 13-55-101, Title.
577          Section 13-55-102, Definitions.
578          Section 13-55-103, Regulatory Sandbox Program -- Application requirements.
579          Section 13-55-104, Scope of the regulatory sandbox.
580          Section 13-55-105, Consumer protection for regulatory sandbox.
581          Section 13-55-106, Requirements for exiting regulatory sandbox.
582          Section 13-55-107, Extensions.
583          Section 13-55-108, Record keeping and reporting requirements.

584          Section 31A-47-101, Title.
585          Section 31A-47-102, Definitions.
586          Section 31A-47-103, Insurance Regulatory Sandbox Program -- Application
587     requirements.
588          Section 31A-47-104, Scope of the insurance regulatory sandbox.
589          Section 31A-47-105, Consumer protection for insurance regulatory sandbox.
590          Section 31A-47-106, Requirements for exiting insurance regulatory sandbox.
591          Section 31A-47-107, Extensions.
592          Section 31A-47-108, Record keeping and reporting requirements.