2023 Utah Code › Title 61 - Securities Division - Real Estate Division › Chapter 2g - Real Estate Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act › Part 5 - Enforcement › Section 501 - Enforcement -- Investigation -- Orders -- Hearings.

Effective 7/1/2024
61-2g-501.
Enforcement -- Investigation -- Orders -- Hearings.
(1)
(a) The division may conduct a public or private investigation of the actions of:
(i) a person registered, licensed, or certified under this chapter;
(ii) an applicant for registration, licensure, or certification;
(iii) an applicant for renewal of registration, licensure, or certification; or
(iv) a person required to be registered, licensed, or certified under this chapter.
(b) The division may initiate an agency action against a person described in Subsection (1)(a) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act, to:
(i) impose disciplinary action;
(ii) deny issuance to an applicant of:
(A) an original registration, license, or certification; or
(B) a renewal of a registration, license, or certification; or
(iii) issue a cease and desist order as provided in Subsection (3).
(2)
(a) The division may:
(i) administer an oath or affirmation;
(ii) issue a subpoena that requires:
(A) the attendance and testimony of a witness; or
(B) the production of evidence;
(iii) take evidence; and
(iv) require the production of a book, paper, contract, record, document, information, or evidence relevant to the investigation described in Subsection (1).
(b) The division may serve a subpoena by certified mail.
(c) A failure to respond to a request by the division in an investigation authorized under this chapter within 10 days after the day on which the request is served is considered to be a separate violation of this chapter, including:
(i) failing to respond to a subpoena as a witness;
(ii) withholding evidence; or
(iii) failing to produce a book, paper, contract, document, information, or record.
(d)
(i) A court of competent jurisdiction shall enforce, according to the practice and procedure of the court, a subpoena issued by the division.
(ii) The division shall pay any witness fee, travel expense, mileage, or any other fee required by the service statutes of the state where the witness or evidence is located.
(e)
(i) If a person is found to have violated this chapter or a rule made under this chapter, the person shall pay the costs incurred by the division to copy a book, paper, contract, document, information, or record required under this chapter, including the costs incurred to copy an electronic book, paper, contract, document, information, or record in a universally readable format.
(ii) If a person fails to pay the costs described in Subsection (2)(e)(i) when due, the person's license, certification, or registration is automatically suspended:
(A) beginning the day on which the payment of costs is due; and
(B) ending the day on which the costs are paid.
(3)
(a) The director shall issue and serve upon a person an order directing that person to cease and desist from an act if:
(i) the director has reason to believe that the person has been engaging, is about to engage, or is engaging in the act constituting a violation of this chapter; and
(ii) it appears to the director that it would be in the public interest to stop the act.
(b) Within 10 days after the day on which the order is served, the person upon whom the order is served may request a hearing.
(c) Pending a hearing requested under Subsection (3)(b), a cease and desist order shall remain in effect.
(d) If a request for hearing is made, the division shall follow the procedures and requirements of Title 63G, Chapter 4, Administrative Procedures Act.
(4)
(a) After a hearing requested under Subsection (3), if the board and division concur that an act of the person violates this chapter, the board, with the concurrence of the division:
(i) shall issue an order making the cease and desist order permanent; and
(ii) may impose another disciplinary action under Section 61-2g-502.
(b) The director shall bring an action in a court with jurisdiction under Title 78A, Judiciary and Judicial Administration, in the name of the Department of Commerce and Division of Real Estate to enjoin and restrain the individual from violating this chapter if:
(i)
(A) a hearing is not requested under Subsection (3); and
(B) the individual fails to cease the act described in Subsection (3); or
(ii) after discontinuing the act described in Subsection (3), the individual again commences the act.
(5) A remedy or action provided in this section does not limit, interfere with, or prevent the prosecution of another remedy or action, including a criminal proceeding.
(6)
(a) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(b), the division shall commence a disciplinary action under this chapter no later than the earlier of the following:
(i) four years after the day on which the violation is reported to the division; or
(ii) 10 years after the day on which the violation occurred.
(b) The division may commence a disciplinary action under this chapter after the time period described in Subsection (6)(a) expires if:
(i)
(A) the disciplinary action is in response to a civil or criminal judgment or settlement; and
(B) the division initiates the disciplinary action no later than one year after the day on which the judgment is issued or the settlement is final; or
(ii) the division and the individual subject to a disciplinary action enter into a written stipulation to extend the time period described in Subsection (6)(a).
Amended by Chapter 401, 2023 General Session