Source: https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/May42018/Adopted%20Rules/7.BANKING%20AND%20SECURITIES.html
Timestamp: 2018-09-23 14:49:29
Document Index: 318178509

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The Finance Commission of Texas (the commission), on behalf of the Texas Department of Banking (the department), adopts amendments to §33.27, concerning fees, assessments and reimbursements without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 19, 2018, issue of the Texas Register (43 TexReg 308). The amended rule will not be republished.
Texas Finance Code, §151.207(b)(1) requires a money service business license holder to pay an annual license fee in an amount established by commission rule in order to maintain its license. The department currently has two rules that address what a new license holder that has not yet filed its first annual report must pay to maintain its license. Current §33.27(e)(3) provides that a new license holder that has not yet filed its first annual report must pay the minimum annual assessment as specified by §33.27(e)(1) or (2). In addition, current §33.27(h)(3) provides that a new license holder that has not yet filed its first annual report must pay an examination fee of $75 per hour for each examiner and all associated travel expenses, and that portion of this fee attributable to hourly charges shall be reduced by an amount equal to 50 percent of the annual assessment the license holder paid pursuant to §33.27(e)(3). Having these two rules in different subsections could be confusing to new license holders, particularly because §33.27(h)(3) has to do with the fee to maintain a license, but is under the subsection related to "other fees." Furthermore, the department believes it is more reasonable not to require a new license holder pay the minimum annual assessment shortly after it has paid a $10,000 application fee.
The amendments to §33.27 eliminate §33.27(h)(3) under the other fees subsection, and modify §33.27(e)(3) in the subsection on fees to maintain a license to clarify that a new license holder that has not yet filed its first annual report would only have to pay an examination fee of $75 per hour for each examiner and all associated travel expenses as its annual assessment.
The amendments are adopted pursuant to Finance Code, §151.102, which authorizes the commission to adopt rules to administer and enforce Chapter 151, and under Finance Code, §151.207(b)(1) which authorizes the commission to establish an annual license fee by rule.
TRD-201801729
Proposal publication date: January 19, 2018
The Finance Commission of Texas (commission) adopts amendments to 7 TAC, Chapter 84, §§84.707 - 84.709, concerning Motor Vehicle Installment Sales.
The commission adopts the amendments to §§84.707 - 84.709 with changes to the proposed text as published in the March 2, 2018, issue of the Texas Register (43 TexReg 1199).
The commission received one official written comment on the proposal from the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA). The comment opposes adoption of the requirement in proposed §84.707(d)(2)(Q) to maintain a copy of the privacy notice. The commission's response to this comment is discussed later in this adoption, following the explanation of this proposed provision.
In addition to the official comment from TADA, the commission received a comment from the Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association (TIADA) after the deadline for submitting official comments at 5:00 p.m. on April 2, 2018. This comment opposes adoption of the requirements in proposed §84.707(d)(2)(Q) and §84.708(e)(2)(V) to maintain a copy of the privacy notice. Because the TIADA comment was submitted after the official comment deadline, the commission considers it to be an informal comment. The commission's response to this informal comment is discussed later in this adoption, following the explanation of this proposed provision.
In general, the purpose of the amendments to 7 TAC, Chapter 84 is to update and clarify rules regarding recordkeeping for motor vehicle retail installment transactions. The proposed amendments will help ensure that licensees maintain records that are necessary to verify compliance with the law, while also allowing some flexibility to account for the recordkeeping practices of licensees.
The agency circulated an early draft of proposed changes to interested stakeholders. The agency then held a stakeholder meeting where attendees provided oral precomments. Based on input from stakeholders, the agency circulated a second draft of the proposed changes. In total, the agency received five written precomments. Certain concepts recommended by stakeholders have been incorporated into this adoption, and the agency appreciates the thoughtful input provided by stakeholders.
Amendments to §§84.707(d)(2)(J), 84.708(e)(2)(K), and 84.709(e)(2)(D) specify an alternative method for maintaining copies of debt cancellation agreements. The amendments add the word "complete," in order to specify that a licensee is generally required to maintain a complete copy of the debt cancellation agreement in the retail installment sales transaction file. In addition, an amendment to §84.708(e)(2)(D) adds the phrase "or takes assignment of" to specify that a licensee is required to maintain any debt cancellation agreement that it takes assignment of. As an alternative to the general requirement to maintain the complete agreement in the transaction file, the amendments allow a licensee to maintain any page of the agreement with transaction-specific information, a general master copy of the agreement, and policies and procedures to ensure that the master copy accurately reflects what was used in individual transactions. The alternative method for maintaining agreements is based on precomments in which stakeholders explained that it is typical for licensees to maintain only the first page of a debt cancellation agreement (containing signatures and transaction-specific information) in a particular transaction file, and to maintain a master copy of the agreement in general business files.
One precommenter requests guidance about what would constitute a verifiable method for ensuring that the master copy of the debt cancellation agreement is accurate, and noted that approved debt cancellation agreements are maintained by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC). It is important for a licensee to have a complete master copy of each debt cancellation agreement form it uses, in order to ensure that the licensee can comply with its responsibilities under the agreement. This is also a prudent business practice. For example, the text of the debt cancellation agreement will state the method for calculating refunds, and this will determine how the licensee should calculate the refund in the event of prepayment in full of the retail installment contract. Tex. Fin. Code §354.004(10), §354.007(f). Licensees should not rely on the OCCC to re-create the version of the agreement that was used in a particular transaction. If licensees do not maintain at least a master copy of the debt cancellation agreement, then there is no way to verify that licensees are using approved agreements. Regarding the verifiable method for ensuring accuracy, the method could vary depending on whether a licensee uses a paper system, an electronic system, or a combination. The policies and procedures should describe how the licensee verifies that the master copy is the same version of the agreement that was provided to a particular buyer. In the case of retail sellers that offer debt cancellation agreements, this could include an explanation of how a particular buyer's agreement is generated from the master copy. If a licensee uses multiple forms or multiple revisions of the same form, then the licensee's policies and procedures should include some form of version control, to ensure that the licensee has accounted for differences among forms and can identify the specific form used in any particular transaction.
In the proposed rule amendments published in the Texas Register, proposed new §§84.707(d)(2)(Q), 84.708(e)(2)(V), and 84.709(e)(2)(K) would have specified that a licensee must maintain any privacy notice provided under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, 15 U.S.C. §§6801-6809, and its implementing regulations. The proposal explained that a licensee must either maintain any privacy notice in the transaction file, or must maintain a general master copy of the notice and policies and procedures to ensure that the master copy accurately reflects what was used in individual transactions.
The official commenter opposes the requirement in §84.707(d)(2)(Q) to maintain a copy of the privacy notice. The commenter states: "The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has jurisdiction and enforcement authority regarding the GLB privacy notice and the OCCC's jurisdiction does not extend to a requirement regarding this federal statute or its implementing regulations. . . . The GLB privacy notice is not part of a retail installment transaction and should not be included in the agency's audit and examination. . . . The privacy notice is not a form that enables the agency to determine if the license holder is complying with [Chapter 348 of the Texas Finance Code] as [Chapter 348's] purpose is motor vehicle retail installment transactions and the privacy notice is a discussion of the dealership's privacy practices--not financing terms or itemized charges. . . . The FTC is the agency with jurisdiction over the use, language, interpretation, enforcement, and retention of the privacy notice. . . . The FTC does not require a financial institution to retain a copy of the privacy notice in its files. . . . Finally, a federal privacy notice does not pertain to a Chapter 348 retail installment transaction merely because it describes how a licensee uses personal financial information."
Similarly, the informal commenter argues that the federal privacy notice is outside of the OCCC's jurisdiction, and that the proposed amendments impose additional requirements not present in federal law. For this reason, the informal commenter opposes the requirements to maintain the privacy notice in both proposed §84.707(d)(2)(Q) and proposed §84.708(e)(2)(V).
The adoption does not include the requirements to maintain the privacy notice that appeared in proposed §§84.707(d)(2)(Q), 84.708(e)(2)(V), and 84.709(e)(2)(K). The commenters correctly state that the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its implementing regulations do not require motor vehicle licensees to maintain a copy of the privacy notice. The commission has determined that the amendments requiring a motor vehicle licensee to maintain the privacy notice are unnecessary at this time.
The commission disagrees with the commenters' statements that the privacy notice is entirely outside the OCCC's authority, and also disagrees with the commenters' statements that the privacy notice does not pertain to Chapter 348 transactions. First, privacy notices pertain to retail installment transactions because the practice of entering retail installment transactions causes a person to be subject to the requirements for privacy notices. See Federal Trade Commission, FTC's Privacy Rule and Auto Dealers: FAQs (Jan. 2005) (explaining that the "Privacy Rule applies to car dealers who: Extend credit to someone (for example, through a retail installment contract)"). Second, the privacy notice describes how the licensee will use the buyer's personal financial information obtained in connection with the retail installment transaction. Third, under Texas Finance Code, §11.307(b), the commission has the authority to require any entity regulated by the OCCC to include information on filing complaints with the OCCC in a privacy notice required under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. For motor vehicle licensees, this complaint notice is currently required to be included in the retail installment contract under 7 TAC §86.101. Section 11.307(b) acknowledges that the commission has authority to require licensees to add text to the federal privacy notice. This authority necessarily relates to the OCCC's authority under Chapter 348 and shows that the privacy notice pertains to Chapter 348 retail installment transactions. The OCCC will consider whether future rulemaking is appropriate to implement Section 11.307(b) and require a complaint notice in motor vehicle licensees' privacy notices.
As part of its current examination procedures for motor vehicle licensees, the OCCC reviews the licensee's compliance with the privacy notice requirements of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and its implementing regulations. If the OCCC finds that a licensee is violating these requirements, the agency instructs the licensee about the violation in the exam report. Violations of privacy notice requirements were one of the five most common types of violations cited in OCCC exam reports for motor vehicle licensees during fiscal year 2017. These violations include licensees that do not provide the privacy notice at all, licensees that provide a noncompliant notice, and licensees that provide a notice that does not accurately describe the licensee's practices. The commission and OCCC believe that these examination instructions are appropriate and consistent with the OCCC's general responsibility to determine that a licensee has the financial responsibility and general fitness to operate lawfully and fairly, as provided by Texas Finance Code, §348.504. The OCCC intends to continue instructing licensees if it discovers violations of the privacy notice requirements during an examination. It is a best practice for licensees to be able to reproduce the privacy notice that they provide to consumers, in order to show that they are complying with federal law.
Amendments to §84.708(e)(3)(A)(iv) and §84.709(e)(3)(A)(iv) specify that a licensee must maintain payment histories with itemized payment entries and payment breakdowns. The purpose of these amendments is to ensure that the licensee can demonstrate compliance with the provisions of the Texas Finance Code that limit authorized charges.
These amendments are adopted under Texas Finance Code, §11.304, which authorizes the commission to adopt rules to enforce Title 4 of the Texas Finance Code. Additionally, Texas Finance Code, §348.513 grants the commission the authority to adopt rules to enforce the motor vehicle installment sales chapter.
The statutory provisions affected by the adopted amendments are contained in Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348.
(a) Applicability. The recordkeeping requirements of this section apply to retail sellers that immediately assign or transfer all retail installment sales contracts to another authorized creditor. If a retail seller collects any installments, excluding downpayments, on a retail installment sales contract, the retail seller must comply with the recordkeeping requirements established under §84.708 of this title (relating to Files and Records Required (Retail Sellers Collecting Installments on Retail Installment Sales Contracts)). The recordkeeping requirements of this section do not apply to motor vehicle retail installment sales transactions involving commercial vehicles.
(b) Records required for each retail installment sales transaction. Each licensee must maintain records with respect to the licensee's compliance with Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 for each motor vehicle retail installment sales contract made, acquired, serviced, or held under Chapter 348 and make those records available for examination. This requirement includes any retail installment sales contract signed by a retail buyer for a vehicle that has been delivered, including contracts that are subsequently voided or canceled after a seller regains possession and ownership of the vehicle.
(c) Recordkeeping systems. The records required by this section may be maintained by using either a legible paper or manual recordkeeping system, electronic recordkeeping system, optically imaged recordkeeping system, or a combination of the preceding types of systems, unless otherwise specified by statute or regulation. Licensees may maintain records on one or more recordkeeping systems, so long as the licensee is able to integrate records pertaining to an account into one or more reports as required by this section. If federal law requirements for record retention are different from the provisions contained in this section, the federal law requirements prevail only to the extent of the conflict with the provisions of this section.
(1) Retail installment sales transaction report.
(A) General requirements. Each licensee must maintain records sufficient to produce a retail installment sales transaction report that contains a listing of each Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 retail installment sales contract entered into by the licensee. The report is only required to include those retail installment sales contracts that are subject to the record retention period of paragraph (6) of this subsection.
(B) Recordkeeping systems. The retail installment sales transaction report can be maintained either as a paper record or may be generated from an electronic system or systems so long as the licensee can integrate the following information into a report. If the retail installment sales transaction report is maintained under a manual recordkeeping system, the retail installment sales transaction report must be updated within a reasonable time from the date the contract is entered into by the licensee.
(C) Dealer's Motor Vehicle Inventory Tax Statement option.
(i) A licensee may utilize a copy of the Dealer's Motor Vehicle Inventory Tax Statement (VIT Statement) submitted to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to satisfy the requirements of this paragraph if the following two conditions are met when the VIT Statement is provided to the commissioner's representative:
(I) on a copy of the submitted VIT Statement, the licensee identifies (e.g., highlights, marks with abbreviations) which transactions were cash transactions and which were retail installment sales transactions; and
(II) the licensee supplements the VIT Statement with the identification of all transactions in which VIT was not charged or collected.
(ii) A licensee who assigns account numbers and utilizes the Dealer's Motor Vehicle Inventory Tax Statement option must provide the account numbers for all retail installment sales transactions contained in the VIT Statement.
(D) Required information. A retail installment sales transaction report must contain the following information:
(i) the date of contract or date of sale (day, month, and year);
(ii) the retail buyer's name(s);
(iii) a method of identifying the vehicle, such as the last six digits of the vehicle identification number or the stock number; and
(iv) the account number, if the retail seller assigns an account number.
(A) for all retail installment sales transactions:
(i) the retail installment sales contract signed by the retail buyer and the retail seller as required by Texas Finance Code, §348.101;
(ii) if prepared by the retail seller, the purchase or buyer's order reflecting a written computation of the cash price of the vehicle and itemized charges, a description of the motor vehicle being purchased, and a description of each motor vehicle being traded in;
(iii) the credit application and any other written or recorded information used in evaluating the application;
(iv) the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles' Title Application Receipt (Form VTR-500-RTS), Tax Assessor's Tax Collector's Receipt for Title Application/Registration/Motor Vehicle Tax handwritten receipt (Form 31-RTS), or similar document evidencing the disbursement of the sales tax, and fees for license, title, and registration of the vehicle;
(v) copies of other agreements or disclosures signed by the retail buyer applicable to the retail installment sales transaction; and
(vi) any records applicable to the retail installment transaction outlined by subparagraphs (B) - (L) of this paragraph.
(B) for a vehicle titled in Texas, a copy of the completed Texas Department of Motor Vehicles'/Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Application for Texas Certificate of Title (Form 130-U) signed by the retail buyer and seller that was filed with the appropriate county tax assessor-collector.
(C) for a vehicle titled outside of Texas, a copy of the application for certificate of title for the buyer or the properly assigned evidence of ownership to the buyer including the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Texas Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption Certificate (Form 14-312).
(D) for a retail installment sales transaction in which a power of attorney is necessary to transfer title to the buyer, a copy of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles' Power of Attorney to Transfer a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-271) or any other similar document used as a power of attorney.
(E) for a retail installment sales transaction in which the retail buyer elects to have the vehicle registered in another county as permitted by Texas Transportation Code, §501.0234, a completed copy of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles' County of Title Issuance form (Form VTR-136) signed by the retail buyer.
(F) for a retail installment sales transaction involving a downpayment, a copy of any document relating to the downpayment including:
(i) receipts for cash downpayments;
(ii) promissory notes or other documents evidencing the retail buyer's agreement to pay the cash downpayment over time;
(iii) documents or forms signed by the retail buyer relating to a manufacturer's or distributor's rebate as permitted by the Texas Finance Code, §348.404(a); and
(iv) documents or forms evidencing the payoff of any trade-in vehicle shown on the retail installment sales contract as required by Texas Finance Code, §348.408(c).
(G) for a retail installment sales transaction involving a trade-in motor vehicle, a copy of the Texas Disclosure of Equity in Trade-In Motor Vehicle required by Texas Finance Code, §348.0091 and §84.204 of this title (relating to Disclosure of Equity in Retail Buyer's Trade-in Motor Vehicle).
(H) for a retail installment sales transaction involving the disbursement of funds for money advanced pursuant to Texas Finance Code, §348.404(b) and (c), a copy of any document relating to the disbursement of funds for money advanced.
(I) for a retail installment sales transaction in which the licensee issues a certificate of insurance regarding insurance policies issued by or through the licensee in connection with the retail installment sales transaction, copies of the certificates of insurance.
(J) for a retail installment sales transaction in which the licensee issues a debt cancellation agreement, a complete copy of the debt cancellation agreement provided to the retail buyer. As an alternative to maintaining a complete copy of the debt cancellation agreement in the retail installment sales transaction file, the licensee may maintain all of the following:
(i) in the retail installment sales transaction file, a copy of any page of the debt cancellation agreement with a signature, a transaction-specific term, the cost of the debt cancellation agreement, or any blank space that has been filled in;
(ii) in the licensee's general business files, a complete master copy of each debt cancellation agreement form used by the licensee during the period described by paragraph (7) of this subsection;
(iii) in the licensee's general business files, policies and procedures that show a verifiable method for ensuring that the master copy of the debt cancellation agreement accurately reflects the debt cancellation agreement used in each individual transaction.
(K) for a retail installment sales transaction in which the licensee issues a certificate of coverage regarding ancillary products issued by or through the licensee in connection with the retail installment sales transaction, records of the ancillary products (motor vehicle theft protection plans, service contracts, maintenance agreements, identity recovery service contracts, etc.) including all certificates of coverage.
(L) for a retail installment sales transaction where separate disclosures are required by federal or state law including the following:
(i) a transaction where disclosures required by the Truth in Lending Act are not incorporated into the text of the retail installment sales contract and the credit was extended for primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, a copy of the Truth in Lending statement required by Regulation Z, Truth in Lending, 12 C.F.R. §226.18;
(ii) a transaction involving a cosigner, the notice to cosigner required by the Federal Trade Commission's Credit Practices Trade regulation, 16 C.F.R. §444.3.
(M) for a retail installment sales contract that has an itemized charge for the inspection of a used motor vehicle, access to a copy of the work order, inspection receipt, or other verifiable evidence that reflects that the inspection was performed including the date and cost of the inspection.
(O)for a retail installment sales transaction in which a retail buyer requests or receives a benefit under a trade-in credit agreement under Texas Finance Code, §348.125:
(3) Assignment information.
(A) Required information. Assignment information must cover any Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 retail installment sales contract made by or acquired by the licensee that is assigned from its licensed or registered location. The assignment information must show the name of the retail buyer, the account number or other unique number given to the retail buyer, the date of assignment, and the name and address to which the accounts are assigned.
(B) Electronic recordkeeping systems. If a licensee is able to produce an assignment report containing the required information provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph electronically without any additional programming costs, the licensee must produce the report upon request. If the licensee's software programs are unable to produce an assignment report containing the required information provided in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the licensee may maintain assignment information for each individual retail installment sales transaction in the retail installment sales transaction file. A licensee must be able to access assignment information for a specific transaction as requested by the commissioner's representative.
(C) Manual recordkeeping systems. If a licensee is not able to produce an assignment report as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, the licensee may maintain assignment information for each individual retail installment sales transaction in the retail installment sales transaction file. A licensee must be able to access assignment information for a specific transaction as requested by the commissioner's representative.
(4) General business and accounting records. General business and accounting records concerning retail installment sales transactions must be maintained. The licensee is not required to produce information protected under the attorney-client privilege or work product privilege. The business and accounting records must include receipts, documents, or other records for each disbursement made by the licensee at the retail buyer's direction or request, on his behalf, or for his benefit, that is charged to the retail buyer, including:
(A) Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Dealer Motor Vehicle Inventory Tax Statement (Form 50-246); and
(B) Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Texas Motor Vehicle Seller-Financed Sales Tax Report (Form 14-117).
(5) Adverse action records. Each licensee must maintain adverse action records regarding all applications relating to Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 retail installment sales transactions. Adverse action records must be maintained according to the record retention requirements contained in Regulation B, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 12 C.F.R. §1002.12(b). The current retention periods are 25 months for consumer credit and 12 months for business credit.
(7) Retention and availability of records. All books and records required by this subsection must be available for inspection at any time by Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner staff, and must be retained for a period of four years from the date of the contract, two years from the date of the final entry made thereon by the licensee, whichever is later, or a different period of time if required by federal law. For licensees who assign retail installment sales contracts, the final entry may be the date of the assignment if the licensee makes no other entries on the account after the assignment. Upon notification of an examination pursuant to Texas Finance Code, §348.514(f), the licensee must be able to produce or access required books and records within a reasonable time at the licensed location or registered office specified on the license. The records required by this subsection must be available or accessible at an office in the state designated by the licensee except when the retail installment sales transactions are transferred under an agreement which gives the commissioner access to the documents. Documents may be maintained out of state if the licensee has in writing acknowledged responsibility for either making the records available within the state for examination or by acknowledging responsibility for additional examination costs associated with examinations conducted out of state.
(a) Applicability. The recordkeeping requirements of this section apply to retail sellers that service or collect installments on retail installment sales contracts involving ordinary vehicles. The recordkeeping requirements of this section do not apply to motor vehicle retail installment sales transactions involving commercial vehicles.
(d) Record search requirements.
(1) Open retail installment sales transactions. A licensee must be able to access or produce a list of all open retail installment sales transactions. If the list of open transactions is accessed through an electronic system, the licensee must be able to generate a separate report of open transactions. Alternatively, a licensee may provide a list containing open and closed retail installment sales transactions as long as the open transactions are designated as "open."
(2) Alphabetical search. A licensee must be able to access records in alphabetical order by retail buyer name for open and closed transactions during the record retention period required by subsection (e)(9) of this section. A licensee may comply with the alphabetical requirement by providing the commissioner's representative files by retail buyer name upon request by the commissioner's representative.
(A) General requirements. Each licensee must maintain records sufficient to produce a retail installment sales transaction report that contains a listing of each Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 retail installment sales contract made or acquired by the licensee. The report is only required to include those retail installment sales contracts that are subject to the record retention period of paragraph (9) of this subsection.
(B) Recordkeeping systems. The retail installment sales transaction report can be maintained either as a paper record or may be generated from an electronic system or systems so long as the licensee can integrate the following information into a report. If the retail installment sales transaction report is maintained under a manual recordkeeping system, the retail installment sales transaction report must be updated within a reasonable time from the date the contract is made or acquired.
(iv) the account number.
(iv) the original certificate of title to the vehicle, a certified copy of the negotiable certificate of title, or a copy of the front and back of either the original or certified copy of the title;
(v) the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles' Title Application Receipt (Form VTR-500-RTS), Tax Assessor's Tax Collector's Receipt for Title Application/Registration/Motor Vehicle Tax handwritten receipt (Form 31-RTS), or similar document evidencing the disbursement of the sales tax, and fees for license, title, and registration of the vehicle;
(vi) copies of other agreements or disclosures signed by the retail buyer applicable to the retail installment sales transaction; and
(vii) any records applicable to the retail installment transaction outlined by subparagraphs (B) - (Q) of this paragraph.
(F) for a retail installment sales transaction involving a downpayment, a copy of any record or document relating to the downpayment including:
(iii) documents or forms signed by the retail buyer relating to a manufacturer's or distributor's rebate as permitted by Texas Finance Code, §348.404(a); and
(H) for a retail installment sales contract that has an itemized charge for the inspection of a new or used motor vehicle, a copy of or access to the work order, inspection receipt, or other verifiable evidence that reflects that the inspection was performed including the date and cost of the inspection.
(I) for a retail installment sales transaction involving the disbursement of funds for money advanced pursuant to Texas Finance Code, §348.404(b) and (c), a copy of any document, form, or agreement relating to the disbursement of funds for money advanced.
(J) for a retail installment sales transaction in which the licensee issues a certificate of insurance regarding insurance policies issued by or through the licensee in connection with the retail installment sales transaction, copies of the certificates of insurance.
(K) for a retail installment sales transaction in which the licensee issues a debt cancellation agreement, a complete copy of the debt cancellation agreement provided to the retail buyer. As an alternative to maintaining a complete copy of the debt cancellation agreement in the retail installment sales transaction file, the licensee may maintain all of the following:
(ii) in the licensee's general business files, a complete master copy of each debt cancellation agreement form used by the licensee during the period described by paragraph (10) of this subsection;
(L) for a retail installment sales transaction in which the licensee issues a certificate of coverage regarding ancillary products issued by or through the licensee in connection with the retail installment sales transaction, records of the ancillary products (motor vehicle theft protection plans, service contracts, maintenance agreements, identity recovery service contracts, etc.) including all certificates of coverage.
(M) for a retail installment sales transaction involving insurance claims for credit life, credit accident and health, credit property, credit involuntary unemployment, collateral protection, or credit gap insurance:
(i) if the licensee does not negotiate or transact insurance claims on behalf of the retail buyer, records are not required to be maintained under this subparagraph.
(ii) if the licensee negotiates or transacts insurance claims on behalf of the retail buyer, supplemental insurance records, to the extent received by the licensee, supporting the settlement or denials of claims reported in the insurance loss records provided by paragraph (6) of this subsection including:
(I) Credit life insurance claims. The supplemental insurance records for credit life insurance claims must include the death certificate or other written records relating to the death of the retail buyer; proof of loss or claim form that discloses the amount of indebtedness at the time of death; check copies or electronic payment receipts that reflect the gross amount of the claim paid, including the amount of insurance benefits paid to beneficiaries other than the licensee which is in excess of the net amount necessary to pay the indebtedness; and the amount that is paid to beneficiaries other than the licensee.
(II) Credit accident and health insurance claims. The supplemental insurance records for credit accident and health insurance claims must include any written records relating to the disability, including statements from the physician, employer, and retail buyer; the proof of loss or claim form filed by the retail buyer; and copies of the checks or electronic payment receipts reflecting disability payments paid by the insurance carrier.
(III) Credit involuntary unemployment insurance claims. The supplemental insurance records for credit involuntary unemployment insurance claims must include any written document relating to the termination, layoff, or dismissal of the retail buyer; the proof of loss or claim form filed by the retail buyer; copies of the checks or electronic payment receipts reflecting the payment of the claim by the insurance carrier; and any other pertinent written record relating to the involuntary unemployment insurance claim.
(IV) Collateral protection insurance claims. The supplemental insurance records for collateral protection insurance claims must include the law enforcement report, fire department report, or other written record reflecting the loss or destruction of any covered motor vehicle; the proof of loss or claim form filed by the retail buyer; copies of the checks or electronic payment receipts reflecting the payment of the claim by the insurance carrier; and any other pertinent written record relating to the collateral protection insurance claim.
(V) Credit gap insurance claims. The supplemental insurance records for credit gap insurance claims must include the gap insurance claim form; proof of loss and settlement check from the retail buyer's basic comprehensive, collision, or uninsured/underinsured policy or other parties' liability insurance policy for the settlement of the insured total loss of the motor vehicle; documents that provide verification of the retail buyer's primary insurance deductible; if the accident was investigated by a law enforcement officer, a copy of the offense or police report filed in connection with the total loss of the motor vehicle; if the accident was not investigated by a law enforcement officer, a copy of the Texas Department of Public Safety's "Crash Report" (Form CR-2) filed in connection with the total loss of the motor vehicle; and copies of the checks reflecting the settlement amount paid by the licensee for the gap insurance claim.
(N) for a retail installment sales transaction involving the cancellation of a full or partial balance under a debt cancellation agreement for total loss or theft of an ordinary vehicle:
(i) the licensee must maintain copies of the following records on debt cancellation agreements for total loss or theft of ordinary vehicles that include insurance coverage as part of the retail buyer's responsibility to the holder:
(I) supplemental claim records supporting the settlement or denials of claims reported in the debt cancellation agreement loss records provided by paragraph (7) of this subsection including the debt cancellation request form;
(II) proof of loss and settlement payment from the retail buyer's primary comprehensive, collision, or uninsured/underinsured policy or other parties' liability insurance policy for the settlement of the insured total loss of the motor vehicle;
(III) documents that provide verification of the retail buyer's primary insurance deductible;
(IV) if the accident was investigated by a law enforcement officer, a copy of the offense or police report filed in connection with the total loss of the motor vehicle;
(V) if the accident was not investigated by a law enforcement officer, a copy of the Texas Department of Public Safety's "Crash Report" (Form CR-2) filed in connection with the total loss of the motor vehicle; and
(VI) evidence of the credit for the debt cancellation applied to the account or a copy of the check reflecting the balance canceled by the licensee; or
(ii) the licensee must maintain copies of the following records on debt cancellation agreements for total loss or theft of ordinary vehicles in which the holder bears complete responsibility for the balance canceled after the total loss or theft:
(I) if the accident was investigated by a law enforcement officer, a copy of the offense or police report filed in connection with the total loss of the motor vehicle;
(II) if the accident was not investigated by a law enforcement officer, a copy of the Texas Department of Public Safety's "Crash Report" (Form CR-2) filed in connection with the total loss of the motor vehicle; and
(III) any records relating to the denial of the cancellation of the balance under the debt cancellation agreement for total loss or theft of any ordinary vehicle.
(O) for a retail installment sales transaction where separate disclosures are required by federal or state law including the following:
(i) a transaction where disclosures required by the Truth in Lending Act are not incorporated into the text of the retail installment sales contract and the credit was extended for primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, a copy of the Truth in Lending statement required by Regulation Z, Truth in Lending, 12 C.F.R. §1026.18;
(P) for a retail installment sales transaction that has been repaid in full, evidence of the discharge or release of lien as prescribed by 43 TAC §217.106 (relating to Discharge of Lien).
(Q) for a retail installment sales transaction involving a repossession, the records required by subsection (f) of this section.
(i) account number as recorded in the retail installment sales transaction report;
(ii) date of contract;
(iii) name and address of retail buyer;
(iv) payment history information:
(I) itemized payment entries showing date payment received; dual postings are acceptable if date of posting is other than date of receipt;
(II) for a transaction using the true daily earnings method, if requested during an examination or investigation, a breakdown for each payment showing the amount applied toward principal, time price differential, late charges, and any other charges;
(III) if requested during an examination or investigation, a payoff amount that denotes amounts applied to principal, time price differential, default, deferment, or other authorized charges;
(v) for a retail installment sales contract where the licensee receives or issues a refund of insurance charges, debt cancellation agreements, or authorized ancillary products, a licensee is responsible for maintaining sufficient documentation of any refund including final entries and is also responsible for providing refunds to the retail buyer or correctly applying refunds to the retail buyer's account. Refund amounts must be itemized to show:
(I) time price differential refunded, if any;
(II) the amount of any insurance charges refunded;
(III) the amount of any debt cancellation agreement fees refunded;
(IV) the amount of any authorized ancillary products charges refunded;
(vi) collection contact history, including a written record of:
(I) all collection contacts made by a licensee with the retail buyer or any other person in connection with the collection of amounts due under a motor vehicle retail installment sales contract;
(II) all collection contacts made by the retail buyer with the licensee in connection with the collection of amounts due under a motor vehicle retail installment sales contract;
(III) for the collection contacts in subclauses (I) and (II) of this clause, the written record must include the date, method of contact, contacted party, person initiating the contact, and a summary of the contact;
(IV) copies of individual collection notices or letters or references to standard collection letters sent to the retail buyer.
(B) Recommended information. In addition to the required information under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, it is recommended that the account record for each retail installment sales contract contain the following information:
(i) retail installment sales contract payment schedule and terms itemized to show:
(I) number of installments;
(II) due date of installments;
(III) amount of each installment; and
(ii) telephone number of retail buyer;
(iii) names and addresses of co-retail buyer or other obligors, if any;
(iv) amount financed;
(v) total time price differential charge;
(vi) total of payments;
(vii) amount of premium charges for insurance products;
(viii) amount of fees charged for debt cancellation agreements.
(C) Corrective entries. A licensee may make corrective entries to the account record for each retail installment sales contract if the corrective entry is justified. A licensee must maintain the reason and supporting documentation for each corrective entry made to the account record. The reason for the corrective entry may be recorded in the collection contact history of the account record. The supporting documentation justifying the corrective entry can be maintained in the individual account record for each retail installment sales contract or properly stored and indexed in a licensee's optically imaged recordkeeping system. If a licensee manually maintains the account record, the licensee must properly correct an improper entry by drawing a single line through the improper entry and entering the correct information above or below the improper entry. No erasures or other obliterations may be made on the payments received or collection contact history section of the manual account record for each retail installment sales contract.
(4) Assignment information.
(D) Securitization or financing exception. If the servicing rights are retained by the licensee, then the licensee is not required to include in the assignment report retail installment sales transactions that were assigned to a legal entity as part of a securitization agreement. A licensee is also not required to include in the assignment report retail installment sales transactions that have been pledged as collateral for a bona fide financing arrangement to the licensee.
(5) General business and accounting records. General business and accounting records concerning retail installment sales transactions must be maintained. The licensee is not required to produce information protected under the attorney-client privilege or work product privilege. The business and accounting records must include receipts, documents, or other records for each disbursement made by the licensee at the retail buyer's direction or request, on his behalf, or for his benefit, that is charged to the retail buyer, including:
(A) Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Dealer Motor Vehicle Inventory Tax Statement (Form 50-246);
(B) Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Texas Motor Vehicle Seller-Financed Sales Tax Report (Form 14-117); and
(C) repossession, sequestration, disposition, or legal fees relating to repossession, sequestration, or disposition.
(6) Insurance loss records. Each licensee who negotiates or transacts the filing of insurance claims must maintain a register or be able to generate a report, paper or electronic, reflecting information to the extent received by the licensee on credit life, credit accident and health, credit property, credit involuntary unemployment, and single-interest insurance claims whether paid or denied by the insurance carrier. If the reason for the denial of a credit life insurance or credit accident and health insurance claim is based upon the medical records of the retail buyer, supplemental records supporting the denial of the claim must be made available upon request.
(A) Credit life insurance claims. The register or report pertaining to credit life insurance claims must show the name of the retail buyer, the account number, and the date of death.
(B) Credit accident and health insurance claims. The register or report pertaining to credit accident and health insurance claims must show the name of the retail buyer, the account number, and the date of the initial filing of a claim for any continuous period of disability.
(C) Credit involuntary unemployment insurance claims. The register or report pertaining to credit involuntary unemployment insurance claims must show the name of the retail buyer, the account number, and the date of the initial filing of the claim.
(D) Credit gap insurance claims. The register or report pertaining to credit gap insurance claims must show the name of the retail buyer, the account number, and the date of the claim.
(E) Collateral protection insurance claims. The register or report pertaining to collateral protection insurance claims must show the name of the retail buyer, the account number, and the amount of the insurance written on the motor vehicle.
(7) Debt cancellation agreement for total loss or theft loss records. Each licensee who cancels entire balances or who cancels only partial balances under debt cancellation agreements must maintain a register or be able to generate a report, paper or electronic, that reflects agreements that were either satisfied or denied. This register or report must show the name of the retail buyer, the account number, and the date of satisfaction or denial.
(8) Adverse action records. Each licensee must maintain adverse action records regarding all applications relating to Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 retail installment sales transactions. Adverse action records must be maintained according to the record retention requirements contained in Regulation B, Equal Credit Opportunity Act, 12 C.F.R. §1002.12(b). The current retention periods are 25 months for consumer credit and 12 months for business credit.
(10) Retention and availability of records. All books and records required by this subsection must be available for inspection at any time by Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner staff, and must be retained for a period of four years from the date of the contract, two years from the date of the final entry made thereon, whichever is later, or a different period of time if required by federal law. Upon notification of an examination pursuant to Texas Finance Code, §348.514(f), the licensee must be able to produce or access required books and records within a reasonable time at the licensed location or registered office specified on the license. The records required by this subsection must be available or accessible at an office in the state designated by the licensee except when the retail installment sales transactions are transferred under an agreement which gives the commissioner access to the documents. Documents may be maintained out of state if the licensee has in writing acknowledged responsibility for either making the records available within the state for examination or by acknowledging responsibility for additional examination costs associated with examinations conducted out of state.
(f) Repossession records.
(1) Repossession report. A licensee must be able to access or produce a list of all retail installment sales transactions involving repossession by the licensee. If the list of repossessions is accessed through an electronic system, the licensee must be able to generate a separate report of repossessions. If the repossession report is maintained under a manual recordkeeping system, the licensee must maintain a current list of accounts in repossession. A manual repossession report must be updated within a reasonable time from the date of repossession. The repossession report must include the retail buyer's name, account number, and date of repossession. If accounts have been subsequently assigned, the assignment must be noted in the repossession report as well as on the record of assigned accounts as prescribed in subsection (e)(4) of this section.
(2) Required information. For a retail installment sales transaction involving the repossession of the vehicle, the following records must be maintained, unless otherwise specified:
(A) a condition report indicating the condition of the collateral, if prepared by the licensee, the licensee's agent, or any independent contractor hired to perform the repossession;
(B) any invoices or receipts for any reasonable and authorized out-of-pocket expenses that are assessed to the buyer and incurred in connection with the repossession or sequestration of the vehicle including cost of storing, reconditioning, and reselling the vehicle;
(C) for a vehicle disposed of in a public or private sale as permitted by the Texas Business and Commerce Code, §9.610, the following documents:
(i) one of the three following notices:
(I) for a transaction not involving consumer goods, a copy of any Notification of Disposition of Collateral letter sent to the retail buyer and other obligors as required by Texas Business and Commerce Code, §9.613;
(II) for a transaction involving consumer goods, a copy of any Notice of Our Plan to Sell Property as sent to the retail buyer and other obligors as required by Texas Business and Commerce Code, §9.614; or
(III) a copy of the waiver of the notice of intended disposition prescribed by subclause (I) or (II) of this clause, as applicable, signed by the retail buyer and other obligors after default;
(ii) copies of evidence of the type or manner of private sale that was conducted. These records must show that the manner of the disposition was commercially reasonable, such as circumstances surrounding a dealer only auction, internet sale or other type of private disposition;
(iii) copies of evidence of the type or manner of public sale that was conducted. These records must show that the manner of the disposition was commercially reasonable, such as documentation of the date, place, manner of sale of the vehicle, and amounts received for disposition of the vehicle;
(iv) the bill of sale showing the name and address of the purchaser of the repossessed collateral and the purchase price of the vehicle;
(v) for a disposition or sale of collateral creating a surplus balance, a copy of the check representing the payment of the surplus balance paid to the retail buyer or other person entitled to the surplus;
(vi) for a disposition or sale of collateral resulting in a surplus or deficiency, a copy of the explanation of calculation of surplus or deficiency as required by Texas Business and Commerce Code, §9.616, if applicable;
(vii) a copy of the waiver of the deficiency letter if the retail seller elects to waive the deficiency balance in lieu of sending the explanation of calculation of surplus or deficiency form, if applicable;
(D) for a vehicle disposed of using the strict foreclosure method as permitted by the Texas Business and Commerce Code, §9.620 and §9.621, the following documents:
(i) one of the three following notices;
(I) for a transaction not involving consumer goods and where less than 60% of the cash price of the vehicle has been paid, a copy of the notice of proposal to accept collateral in full or partial satisfaction of the obligation;
(II) for a transaction involving consumer goods, a copy of the notice of proposal to accept collateral in full satisfaction of the obligation; or
(III) for a transaction where more than 60% of the cash price of the vehicle has been paid, a copy of the debtor or obligor's waiver of compulsory disposition of collateral signed by the retail buyers and other obligors after default;
(ii) for a transaction where the retail buyer rejects the offer under clause (i)(I) or (II) of this subparagraph, a copy of the retail buyer's signed objection to retention of the collateral;
(iii) copies of the records reflecting the partial or total satisfaction of the obligation; and
(E) for a vehicle disposed by another authorized method pursuant to the Texas Business and Commerce Code, Chapter 9, a copy of any and all records or documents relating to the disposition of the collateral.
(a) Applicability. The recordkeeping requirements of this section apply to holders who are not retail sellers that service or collect installments on retail installment sales contracts involving ordinary vehicles. The recordkeeping requirements of this section do not apply to motor vehicle retail installment sales transactions involving commercial vehicles.
(b) Records required for each retail installment sales transaction. Each licensee must maintain records with respect to the licensee's compliance with Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 for each motor vehicle retail installment sales contract made, acquired, serviced, or held under Chapter 348 and make those records available for examination.
(1) Retail installment sales transaction report. Each licensee must maintain records sufficient to produce a retail installment sales transaction report that contains a listing of each Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 retail installment sales contract acquired by the licensee. The report is only required to include those retail installment sales contracts that are subject to the record retention period of paragraph (9) of this subsection. The retail installment sales transaction report can be maintained either as a paper record or may be generated from an electronic system or systems so long as the licensee can integrate the following information into a report. If the retail installment sales transaction report is maintained under a manual recordkeeping system, the retail installment sales transaction report must be updated within a reasonable time from the date the contract is acquired. A retail installment sales transaction report must contain the following information:
(A) the date of contract (day, month, and year);
(B) the retail buyer's name(s);
(C) a method of identifying the vehicle, such as the last six digits of the vehicle identification number or the stock number; and
(D) the account number.
(ii) the credit application and any other written or recorded information used in evaluating the application;
(iii) the original certificate of title to the vehicle, a certified copy of the negotiable certificate of title, or a copy of the front of either the original or certified copy of the title; and
(iv) any records applicable to the retail installment transaction outlined by subparagraphs (B) - (I) of this paragraph.
(C) for a retail installment sales transaction in which insurance policies are issued by or through the licensee in connection with the retail installment sales transaction, copies of the certificates of insurance.
(D) for a retail installment sales transaction in which the licensee issues or takes assignment of a debt cancellation agreement, a complete copy of the debt cancellation agreement provided to the retail buyer. As an alternative to maintaining a complete copy of the debt cancellation agreement in the retail installment sales transaction file, the licensee may maintain all of the following:
(ii) in the licensee's general business files, a complete master copy of each debt cancellation agreement form used by the licensee during the period described by paragraph (9) of this subsection;
(E) for a retail installment sales transaction involving insurance claims for credit life, credit accident and health, credit property, credit involuntary unemployment, collateral protection, or credit gap insurance:
(F) for a retail installment sales transaction involving the cancellation of a full or partial balance under a debt cancellation agreement for total loss or theft of an ordinary vehicle, the licensee must:
(i) maintain any documents that come into its possession relating to the creation, processing, or resolution of a debt cancellation agreement; and
(ii) upon request of the agency, cooperate in requesting and obtaining access to the type of documents described in clause (i) of this subparagraph that are not in its possession.
(G) for a retail installment sales transaction where separate disclosures are required by federal or state law including the following:
(H) for a retail installment sales transaction that has been repaid in full, evidence of the discharge or release of lien as prescribed by 43 TAC §217.106 (relating to Discharge of Lien).
(I) for a retail installment sales transaction involving repossession, the records required by subsection (f) of this section.
(III) the amount of debt cancellation agreement fees refunded;
(4) Assignment report.
(A) Required information. A licensee must maintain or produce an assignment report, whether paper or electronic, including any Texas Finance Code, Chapter 348 retail installment sales contract made by or acquired by the licensee that is assigned from its licensed or registered location. The assignment report must show the name of the retail buyer, the account number or other unique number given to the retail buyer, the date of assignment, and the name and address to which the accounts are assigned.
(B) Securitization or financing exception. If the servicing rights are retained by the licensee, then the licensee is not required to include in the assignment report retail installment sales transactions that were assigned to a legal entity as part of a securitization agreement. A licensee is also not required to include in the assignment report retail installment sales transactions that have been pledged as collateral for a bona fide financing arrangement to the licensee.
(5) General business and accounting records. General business and accounting records concerning retail installment sales transactions must be maintained. The business and accounting records must include receipts, documents, or other records for each disbursement made by the licensee at the retail buyer's direction or request, on his behalf, or for his benefit, that is charged to the retail buyer, including repossession, sequestration, disposition, or legal fees relating to repossession, sequestration, or disposition. The licensee is not required to produce information protected under the attorney-client privilege or work product privilege.
(9) Retention and availability of records. All books and records required by this subsection must be available for inspection at any time by Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner staff, and must be retained for a period of four years from the date of the contract, two years from the date of the final entry made thereon, whichever is later, or a different period of time if required by federal law. Upon notification of an examination pursuant to Texas Finance Code, §348.514(f), the licensee must be able to produce or access required books and records within a reasonable time at the licensed location or registered office specified on the license. The records required by this subsection must be available or accessible at an office in the state designated by the licensee except when the retail installment sales transactions are transferred under an agreement which gives the commissioner access to the documents. Documents may be maintained out of state if the licensee has in writing acknowledged responsibility for either making the records available within the state for examination or by acknowledging responsibility for additional examination costs associated with examinations conducted out of state.
TRD-201801742
SUBCHAPTER B. RULES FOR CRAFTED PRECIOUS METAL DEALERS
The Finance Commission of Texas (commission) adopts amendments to §§85.1002 - 85.1005, 85.1008, 85.1011, and 85.2002; adopts new 85.1007 and 85.1012; and adopts the repeal of 85.1007 in Subchapter B of 7 TAC, Chapter 85, concerning the registration of crafted precious metal dealers.
The commission adopts the amendments to §§85.1002 - 85.1005, 85.1008, 85.1011, and 85.2002; adopts new 85.1007 and 85.1012; and adopts the repeal of 85.1007 without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 2, 2018, issue of the Texas Register (43 TexReg 1203).
The purpose of the adopted rule changes is to implement the registration system transition to the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner's (OCCC) online registration portal, to update and streamline registration procedures, to require current application and contact information, to update late renewal procedures, and to make technical corrections.
The OCCC circulated an early draft of proposed changes to interested stakeholders, and then held a stakeholder meeting and webinar regarding the registration system transition and accompanying rule changes. The OCCC did not receive any informal oral or written precomments on the rule text draft.
The individual purposes of the adopted changes to each section are provided in the following paragraphs.
Section 85.1002 outlines the requirements to file a new application. Adopted amendments throughout §85.1002 add references to the agency's acronym, OCCC. The agency believes that the use of "OCCC" will provide better clarity to the rules when the context calls for action by the agency, as opposed to the commissioner specifically.
Also in §85.1002, amendments remove unnecessary language related to the current registration system that is being replaced. In particular, the phrase "online Metals Registration Program" has been deleted from subsections (a) and (b). In subsection (c)(3), the requirement to provide a list of locations has also been deleted, as each permanent and temporary location will be registered separately by the crafted precious metal dealer.
In §85.1002(c)(4), an amendment removes the requirement to provide hours of operation for temporary locations. Additionally, duplicative language regarding responsible persons has been deleted.
Section 85.1003 concerns the processing of an application. Corresponding changes to those described under §85.1002 are also included in §85.1003(a)(1) to continue use of the agency's acronym. Former subsections (b) and (c) have been deleted to update registration procedures, as they relate to application notification and withdrawal procedures that are no longer needed.
Also in §85.1003, an amendment describes how a crafted precious metal dealer must print its registration certificate and display it in accordance with current rule §85.1006.
Section 85.1004 concerns the relocation of a permanent registered location. An adopted amendment to this section removes references to the DPS system and updates the process for relocating a permanent registered location.
Section 85.1005 relates to notice requirements for a registered dealer. The language of former §85.1005 has been reorganized into adopted subsection (c), regarding the OCCC's reasonable reliance on the dealer's mailing and e-mail addresses currently on file. The addition of subsection (a) requires a dealer to notify the OCCC of material changes in application information, including a change in assumed name or the person responsible for day-to-day operations. The addition of subsection (b) explains that each dealer must keep its contact information up-to-date. This provision is intended to ensure that the agency can contact registered dealers, and so that the agency can carry out its responsibility to monitor dealers and ensure compliance, as provided by Texas Occupations Code, §1956.0613.
Section 85.1007 has been repealed and replaced with a revised and reorganized rule that reflects the amended procedures for annual renewals. The new rule incorporates renewal and expiration based on the calendar year, as opposed to being based on the anniversary date of each particular registration.
Adopted new §85.1007(a) outlines annual renewal generally for permanent registered locations. Each calendar year after initial registration, a dealer must renew permanent locations, as these locations will expire on December 31 of each year.
In adopted new §85.1007(b), the information necessary to complete the renewal procedure is described, including required fees and other necessary information.
Several changes have been adopted in new §85.1007(c) concerning the late renewal process for permanent locations. In subsection (c)(1), there is no additional late renewal fee if a dealer renews by the 30th day after expiration (i.e., January 30 of the following year). Under subsection (c)(2), if a dealer renews between 31 and 180 days after expiration, there is a late renewal fee of $50. This maintains the current late renewal fee, but extends the late renewal period by 30 days. The requirement to obtain a new permanent registered location if not renewed by the late renewal deadline is maintained in adopted subsection (c)(3) (former (c)(2)).
The administrative penalty provision authorized by Texas Occupations Code, §1956.0615 has been maintained in adopted §85.1007(d) (former (c)(3)). Adopted §85.1007(e) adds a specific statement that a registration for a temporary location is not renewable.
Section 85.1008 concerns temporary location amendments. Adopted amendments to this section revise language to relocate a temporary location, and remove the requirement to provide hours of operation for temporary locations, consistent with the change adopted in §85.1002. Additionally, language related to renewal of a temporary location has been deleted, as temporary locations will not be renewable under adopted new §85.1007.
Section 85.1011 outlines the fees required for permanent and temporary locations, as well as amendments to each type of registration. The dollar amounts required for all registration fees have been maintained in this adoption. The amendments in §85.1011 relate to updating the process to be used regarding renewal, amendments, and relocation.
Adopted new 85.1012 is a temporary rule specifically related to the registration system transition. Subsection (a) describes how registrations obtained on or before June 30, 2018 will be effective for one year, and will expire on the anniversary of the registration. Subsection (b) outlines the registration start date of July 1, 2018, and the first renewal period under the OCCC online portal with registrations expiring on December 31, 2019. Subsection (c) states that §85.1012, i.e. the rule itself, would expire on January 1, 2020.
Section 85.2002 outlines the process for submitting required transaction reports to local law enforcement. Under Texas Occupations Code, §1956.062(d)(2) and §1956.063, a crafted precious metal dealer is required to submit a report to local law enforcement for each transaction no later than 48 hours after the transaction. An adopted amendment to §85.2002(b) deletes former paragraph (3), which states that a dealer may submit transaction reports through the Metals Registration Program. Crafted precious metal dealers do not currently report individual transactions through DPS's system. The adoption retains the provisions in current §85.2002(b)(1) and (2) stating that the dealer may submit transaction reports to local law enforcement by paper or electronically, in a manner agreed to by local law enforcement.
DIVISION 1. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES
7 TAC §§85.1002 - 85.1005, 85.1007, 85.1008, 85.1011, 85.1012
The rule changes are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §1956.0611, which authorizes the Finance Commission to adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1956, Subchapter B, regarding Sale of Crafted Precious Metal to Dealers. The rule changes are also adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §1956.0612(f), which authorizes the Consumer Credit Commissioner to prescribe the registration form.
The statutory provisions affected by the adopted rule changes are contained in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1956, Subchapter B, concerning Sale of Crafted Precious Metal to Dealers.
TRD-201801739
7 TAC §85.1007
The repeal is adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §1956.0611, which authorizes the Finance Commission to adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1956, Subchapter B, regarding Sale of Crafted Precious Metal to Dealers. The repeal is also adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §1956.0612(f), which authorizes the Consumer Credit Commissioner to prescribe the registration form.
The statutory provisions affected by the adopted repeal are contained in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1956, Subchapter B, concerning Sale of Crafted Precious Metal to Dealers.
TRD-201801740
DIVISION 2. OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
7 TAC §85.2002
TRD-201801741