AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning trade regulations; consumer sales and credit and to make an appropriation.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SECTION 1. IC4-4-3-8 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005]: Sec. 8. (a) The department shall develop and promote programs designed to make the best use of the resources of the state so as to assure a balanced economy and continuing economic growth for Indiana and for those purposes may do the following:
(1) Cooperate with federal, state, and local governments and agencies in the coordination of programs to make the best use of the resources of the state.
(2) Receive and expend all funds, grants, gifts, and contributions of money, property, labor, interest accrued from loans made by the department, and other things of value from public and private sources, including grants from agencies and instrumentalities of the state and the federal government. The department:
(A) may accept federal grants for providing planning assistance, making grants, or providing other services or functions necessary to political subdivisions, planning commissions, or other public or private organizations;
(B) shall administer these grants in accordance with their
terms; and
(C) may contract with political subdivisions, planning commissions, or other public or private organizations to carry out the purposes for which the grants were made.
(3) Direct that assistance, information, and advice regarding the duties and functions of the department be given the department by any officer, agent, or employee of the state. The head of any other state department or agency may assign one (1) or more of the department's or agency's employees to the department on a temporary basis, or may direct any division or agency under the department's or agency's supervision and control to make any special study or survey requested by the director.
(b) The department shall perform the following duties:
(1) Disseminate information concerning the industrial, commercial, governmental, educational, cultural, recreational, agricultural, and other advantages of Indiana.
(2) Plan, direct, and conduct research activities.
(3) Develop and implement industrial development programs to encourage expansion of existing industrial, commercial, and business facilities within Indiana and to encourage new industrial, commercial, and business locations within Indiana.
(4) Assist businesses and industries in acquiring, improving, and developing overseas markets and encourage international plant locations within Indiana. The director, with the approval of the governor, may establish foreign offices to assist in this function.
(5) Promote the growth of minority business enterprises by doing the following:
(A) Mobilizing and coordinating the activities, resources, and efforts of governmental and private agencies, businesses, trade associations, institutions, and individuals.
(B) Assisting minority businesses in obtaining governmental or commercial financing for expansion, establishment of new businesses, or individual development projects.
(C) Aiding minority businesses in procuring contracts from governmental or private sources, or both.
(D) Providing technical, managerial, and counseling assistance to minority business enterprises.
(6) Assist in community economic development planning and the implementation of programs designed to further this development.
(7) Assist in the development and promotion of Indiana's tourist
resources, facilities, attractions, and activities.
(8) Assist in the promotion and marketing of Indiana's agricultural products, and provide staff assistance to the director in fulfilling the director's responsibilities as commissioner of agriculture.
(9) Perform the following energy related functions:
(A) Assist in the development and promotion of alternative energy resources, including Indiana coal, oil shale, hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal, and biomass resources.
(B) Encourage the conservation and efficient use of energy, including energy use in commercial, industrial, residential, governmental, agricultural, transportation, recreational, and educational sectors.
(C) Assist in energy emergency preparedness.
(D) Not later than January 1, 1994, establish:
(i) specific goals for increased energy efficiency in the operations of state government and for the use of alternative fuels in vehicles owned by the state; and
(ii) guidelines for achieving the goals established under item (i).
(E) Establish procedures for state agencies to use in reporting to the department on energy issues.
(F) Carry out studies, research projects, and other activities required to:
(i) assess the nature and extent of energy resources required to meet the needs of the state, including coal and other fossil fuels, alcohol fuels produced from agricultural and forest products and resources, renewable energy, and other energy resources;
(ii) promote cooperation among government, utilities, industry, institutions of higher education, consumers, and all other parties interested in energy and recycling market development issues; and
(iii) promote the dissemination of information concerning energy and recycling market development issues.
(10) Implement any federal program delegated to the state to effectuate the purposes of this chapter.
(11) Promote the growth of small businesses by doing the following:
(A) Assisting small businesses in obtaining and preparing the permits required to conduct business in Indiana.
ownership counselors. The attorney general and the entities listed in IC4-6-12-4(a)(1) through IC4-6-12-4(a)(10) shall cooperate with the department in implementing this subdivision.
(c) The department shall submit a report to the general assembly before October 1 of each year concerning the availability of and location of markets for recycled products in Indiana. The report must include the following:
(1) A priority listing of recyclable materials to be targeted for market development. The listing must be based on an examination of the need and opportunities for the marketing of the following:
(A) Paper.
(B) Glass.
(C) Aluminum containers.
(D) Steel containers.
(E) Bi-metal containers.
(F) Glass containers.
(G) Plastic containers.
(H) Landscape waste.
(I) Construction materials.
(J) Waste oil.
(K) Waste tires.
(L) Coal combustion wastes.
(M) Other materials.
(2) A presentation of a market development strategy that:
(A) considers the specific material marketing needs of Indiana; and
(B) makes recommendations for legislative action.
(3) An analysis that examines the cost and effectiveness of future market development options.
SECTION 2. IC4-4-3-23 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005]: Sec. 23. (a) The home ownership education account within the state general fund is established to support the home ownership education programs established under section 8(b)(15) of this chapter. The account is administered by the department.
(b) The home ownership education account consists of fees collected under IC24-9-9.
(c) The expenses of administering the home ownership
education account shall be paid from money in the fund.
(d) The treasurer of state shall invest the money in the home ownership education account not currently needed to meet the obligations of the account in the same manner as other public money may be invested.
(e) Money in the account may be spent only after appropriation by the general assembly.
SECTION 3. IC4-6-3-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.2-2002, SECTION 24, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005]: Sec. 3. If the attorney general has reasonable cause to believe that a person may be in possession, custody, or control of documentary material, or may have knowledge of a fact that is relevant to an investigation conducted to determine if a person is or has been engaged in a violation of IC4-6-9, IC4-6-10, IC13-14-10, IC13-14-12, IC13-24-2, IC13-30-4, IC13-30-5, IC13-30-6, IC13-30-8, IC23-7-8, IC24-1-2, IC24-5-0.5, IC24-5-7, IC24-5-8, IC24-9, IC25-1-7, IC32-34-1, or any other statute enforced by the attorney general, only the attorney general may issue in writing, and cause to be served upon the person or the person's representative or agent, an investigative demand that requires that the person served do any combination of the following:
(1) Produce the documentary material for inspection and copying or reproduction.
(2) Answer under oath and in writing written interrogatories.
(3) Appear and testify under oath before the attorney general or the attorney general's duly authorized representative.
SECTION 4. IC4-6-12 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW CHAPTER TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005]:
Chapter 12. Homeowner Protection Unit
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "unit" refers to the homeowner protection unit established under this chapter.
Sec. 2. The attorney general shall establish a homeowner protection unit to enforce IC24-9 and to carry out this chapter.
Sec. 3. (a) Beginning July 1, 2005, the unit shall do the following:
(1) Investigate deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending.
(2) Investigate violations of IC24-9.
(3) Institute appropriate administrative and civil actions to
redress:
(A) deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending; and
(B) violations of IC24-5-0.5 and IC24-9.
(4) Cooperate with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the investigation of:
(A) deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending;
(B) criminal violations involving deceptive acts in connection with mortgage lending; and
(C) violations of IC24-5-0.5 and IC24-9.
(b) The attorney general shall adopt rules under IC4-22-2 to the extent necessary to organize the unit.
Sec. 4. (a) The following may cooperate with the unit to implement this chapter:
(1) The Indiana professional licensing agency and the appropriate licensing boards with respect to persons licensed under IC25.
(2) The department of financial institutions.
(3) The department of insurance with respect to the sale of insurance in connection with mortgage lending.
(4) The securities division of the office of the secretary of state.
(5) The supreme court disciplinary commission with respect to attorney misconduct.
(6) The Indiana housing finance authority.
(7) The department of state revenue.
(8) The state police department.
(9) A prosecuting attorney.
(10) Local law enforcement agencies.
(11) The department of commerce.
(b) Notwithstanding IC5-14-3, the entities listed in subsection (a) may share information with the unit.
Sec. 5. The attorney general may file complaints with any of the entities listed in section 4 of this chapter to carry out this chapter and IC24-9.
Sec. 6. The establishment of the unit and the unit's powers does not limit the jurisdiction of an entity described in section 4 of this chapter.
Sec. 7. The attorney general and an investigator of the unit may do any of the following when conducting an investigation under section 3 of this chapter:
(1) or more of the foregoing or a certificate of deposit for any of the foregoing.
(2) A security issued or guaranteed by Canada, a Canadian province, a political subdivision of a Canadian province, an agency, or corporate or other instrumentality of one (1) or more of the foregoing, or any other foreign government with which the United States currently maintains diplomatic relations, if the security is recognized as a valid obligation by the issuer or guarantor.
(3) A security issued by and representing an interest in or a debt of, or guaranteed by a bank organized under the laws of the United States, a bank, savings institution, or trust company organized and supervised under the laws of a state, a federal savings association, a savings association organized under the laws of a state and authorized to do business in Indiana, a federal credit union or a credit union, industrial loan association, or similar association organized and supervised under the laws of this state, or a corporation or organization whose issuance of securities is required by any other law to be passed upon and authorized by the department of financial institutions or by a federal agency or authority.
(4) A security issued or guaranteed by a railroad or other common or contract carrier, a public utility, or a common or contract carrier or public utility holding company. However, an issuer or guarantor must be subject to regulation or supervision as to the issuance of its own securities by a public commission, board, or officer of the government of the United States, of a state, territory, or insular possession of the United States, of a municipality located in a state, territory, or insular possession, of the District of Columbia, or of the Dominion of Canada or a province of Canada.
(5) A security listed or approved for listing upon notice of issuance on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange, the Chicago Stock Exchange, or on any other exchange approved and designated by the commissioner, any other security of the same issuer that is of senior rank or substantially equal rank, a security called for by subscription rights or warrants so listed or approved, or a warrant or right to purchase or subscribe to any of the foregoing.
(6) A promissory note, draft, bill of exchange, or banker's
acceptance that is evidence of:
(A) an obligation;
(B) a guarantee of an obligation;
(C) a renewal of an obligation; or
(D) a guarantee of a renewal of an obligation;
to pay cash within nine (9) months after the date of issuance, excluding grace days, that is issued in denominations of at least fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) and receives a rating in one (1) of the three (3) highest rating categories from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization.
(7) A security issued in connection with an employee stock purchase, savings, pension, profit-sharing, or similar benefit plan.
(8) A security issued by an association incorporated under IC15-7-1.
(9) A security that is an industrial development bond (as defined in Section 103(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954) the interest of which is excludable from gross income under Section 103(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 if, by reason of the application of paragraph (4) or (6) of Section 103(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (determined as if paragraphs (4)(A), (5), and (7) were not included in Section 103(b)), paragraph (1) of Section 103(b) does not apply to the security.
(10) A security issued by a nonprofit corporation that meets the requirements of Section 103(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and is designated by the governor as the secondary market for guaranteed student loans under IC20-12-21.2.
(11) A security designated or approved for designation upon notice of issuance on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation National Market System or any other national market system approved and designated by the commissioner, any other security of the same issuer that is of senior rank or substantially equal rank, a security called for by subscription rights or warrants so listed or approved, or a warrant or right to purchase or subscribe to any of the foregoing.
(12) A security that is a "qualified bond" (as defined in Section 141(e) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended).
(b) The following transactions are exempted from the registration requirements of section 3 of this chapter:
(1) An isolated nonissuer offer or sale, whether effected through a broker-dealer or not.
filing is withdrawn or is not completed by the issuer, the commissioner must retain the filing fee.
(D) There has been compliance with section 6(l) of this chapter.
(E) Unless the issuer is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, all the following must be true at the time of the transaction:
(i) The security belongs to a class that has been in the hands of the public for at least ninety (90) days.
(ii) The issuer of the security is a going concern, is actually engaged in business, and is not in bankruptcy or receivership.
(iii) Except as permitted by order of the commissioner, the issuer and any predecessors have been in continuous operation for at least five (5) years. An issuer or predecessor is in continuous operation only if the issuer or predecessor has gross operating revenue in each of the five (5) years immediately preceding the issuer's or predecessor's claim of exemption and has had total gross operating revenue of at least two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) for those five (5) years or has had gross operating revenue of at least five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in not less than three (3) of those five (5) years.
The commissioner may revoke the exemption afforded by this subdivision with respect to any securities by issuing an order:
(i) if the commissioner finds that the further sale of the securities in this state would work or tend to work a fraud on purchasers of the securities;
(ii) if the commissioner finds that the financial condition of the issuer is such that it is in the public interest and is necessary for the protection of investors to revoke or restrict the exemption afforded by this subsection; or
(iii) if the commissioner finds that, due to the limited number of shares in the hands of the public or due to the limited number of broker-dealers making a market in the securities, there is not a sufficient market for the securities so that there is not a current market price for the securities.
(4) A transaction between the issuer or other person on whose behalf the offering is made by an underwriter, or among underwriters.
the limited liability company or affiliated limited liability company) issued and outstanding.
(10) The offer or sale of a security by the issuer of the security if all of the following conditions are satisfied:
(A) The issuer reasonably believes that either:
(i) there are no more than thirty-five (35) purchasers of the securities from the issuer in an offering pursuant to this subsection, including purchasers outside Indiana; or
(ii) there are no more than twenty (20) purchasers in Indiana.
In either case, there shall be excluded in determining the number of purchasers a purchaser whom the issuer reasonably believes to be an accredited investor or who purchases the securities after they are registered under this chapter.
(B) The issuer does not offer or sell the securities by means of a form of general advertisement or general solicitation.
(C) The issuer reasonably believes that each purchaser of the securities is acquiring the securities for the purchaser's own investment and is aware of any restrictions imposed on transferability and resale of the securities. The basis for reasonable belief may include:
(i) obtaining a written representation signed by the purchaser that the purchaser is acquiring the securities for the purchaser's own investment and is aware of any restrictions imposed on the transferability and resale of the securities; and
(ii) placement of a legend on the certificate or other document that evidences the securities stating that the securities have not been registered under section 3 of this chapter, and setting forth or referring to the restrictions on transferability and sale of the securities.
(D) The issuer:
(i) files with the commissioner and provides to each purchaser in this state an offering statement that sets forth all material facts with respect to the securities; and
(ii) reasonably believes immediately before making a sale that each purchaser who is not an accredited investor either alone or with a purchaser representative has knowledge and experience in financial and business matters to the extent that the purchaser is capable of evaluating the merits and
risks of the prospective investment.
(E) If the aggregate offering price of the securities in an offering pursuant to this subdivision (including securities sold outside of Indiana) does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), the issuer is not required to comply with clause (D) if the issuer files with the commissioner and provides to each purchaser in Indiana the following information and materials:
(i) copies of all written materials, if any, concerning the securities that have been provided by the issuer to any purchaser; and
(ii) unless clearly presented in all written materials, a written notification setting forth the name, address, and form of organization of the issuer and any affiliate, the nature of the principal businesses of the issuer and any affiliate, and the information required in section 5(b)(1)(B), 5(b)(1)(C), 5(b)(1)(D), 5(b)(1)(E), 5(b)(1)(H), and 5(b)(1)(I) of this chapter.
(F) The commissioner does not disallow the exemption provided by this subdivision within ten (10) full business days after receipt of the filing required by clause (D) or (E). The issuer may make offers (but not sales) before and during the ten (10) day period, if:
(i) each prospective purchaser is advised in writing that the offer is preliminary and subject to material change; and
(ii) no enforceable offer to purchase the securities may be made by a prospective purchaser, and no consideration in any form may be accepted or received (directly or indirectly) from a prospective purchaser, before the expiration of the ten (10) day period and the vacation of an order disallowing the exemption.
(G) The issuer need not comply with clause (D), (E), or (F) if:
(i) each purchaser has access to all the material facts with respect to the securities by reason of the purchaser's active involvement in the organization or management of the issuer or the purchaser's family relationship with a person actively involved in the organization or management of the issuer;
(ii) there are not more than fifteen (15) purchasers in Indiana and each Indiana purchaser is an accredited investor or is a purchaser described in item (i); or
issuance of securities of the same or another issuer.
(16) A limited offering transactional exemption, which may be created by rule adopted by the commissioner. The exemption must further the objectives of compatibility with federal exemptions and uniformity among the states.
(c) The commissioner may consider and determine if a proposed sale, transaction, issue, or security is entitled to an exemption accorded by this section. The commissioner may decline to exercise the commissioner's authority as to a proposed sale, transaction, issue, or security. An interested party desiring the commissioner to exercise the commissioner's authority must submit to the commissioner a verified statement of all material facts relating to the proposed sale, transaction, issue, or security, which must be accompanied by a request for a ruling as to the particular exemption claimed, together with a filing fee of one hundred dollars ($100). After notice to the interested parties as the commissioner determines is proper and after a hearing, if any, the commissioner may enter an order finding the proposed sale, transaction, issue, or security entitled or not entitled to the exemption claimed. An order entered, unless an appeal is taken from it in the manner prescribed in section 20 of this chapter, is binding upon the commissioner and upon all interested parties, provided that the proposed sale, transaction, issue, or security when consummated or issued conforms in every relevant and material particular with the facts as set forth in the verified statement submitted.
(d) The commissioner may by order deny or revoke an exemption specified in subsection (a)(6), (a)(7), or (b) with respect to a specific security or transaction, if the commissioner finds that the securities to which the exemption applies would not qualify for registration under sections 4 and 5 of this chapter. No order may be entered without appropriate prior notice to all interested parties, opportunity for hearing, and written findings of fact and conclusions of law, except that the commissioner may by order summarily deny or revoke any of the specific exemptions pending final determination of a proceeding under this subsection. Upon the entry of a summary order, the commissioner shall promptly notify all interested parties that it has been entered, of the reasons for the order, and that within fifteen (15) days of the receipt of a written request the matter will be set down for hearing. If no hearing is requested and none is ordered by the commissioner, the order will remain in effect until it is modified or vacated by the commissioner. If a hearing is requested or ordered, the commissioner,
after notice of and opportunity for hearing to all interested persons, may modify or vacate the order or extend it until final determination. No order under this subsection may operate retroactively. No person may be considered to have violated section 3 of this chapter by reason of an offer or sale effected after the entry of an order under this subsection if the person sustains the burden of proof that the person did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the order.
(e) If, with respect to an offering of securities, any notices or written statements are required to be filed with the commissioner under subsection (b)(10), the first filing made with respect to the offering must be accompanied by a filing fee of one hundred dollars ($100).
(f) A condition, stipulation, or provision requiring a person acquiring a security to waive compliance with this chapter or a rule or order under this chapter is void.
SECTION 6. IC23-2-1-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 6. (a) An application for registration may be filed by:
(1) the issuer;
(2) any other person on whose behalf the offering is to be made; or
(3) a registered broker-dealer.
(b) A person filing an application for registration shall pay a filing fee of one-twentieth of one percent (0.05%) of the maximum aggregate offering price at which the registered securities are to be offered in Indiana, but the fee may not be less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and may not be more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).
(c) When an application for registration under subsection (b) is withdrawn before the effective date or a preeffective stop order is entered under section 7 of this chapter, the commissioner shall retain two hundred fifty dollars ($250) of the fee.
(d) A person filing an amendment to an effective registration which requires an order of the commissioner shall pay a twenty-five dollar ($25) filing fee.
(e) An application for registration shall specify:
(1) the amount of securities to be offered in this state;
(2) the states in which a registration statement or similar document in connection with the offering has been or is to be filed; and
(3) an adverse order, judgment, or decree entered in connection
with the offering by the regulatory authorities in each state or by a court or the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(f) A document filed under this chapter within five (5) years preceding the filing of an application for registration may be incorporated by reference in the application for registration if the document is currently accurate.
(g) The commissioner may by rule or otherwise permit the omission of an item of information or document from an application for registration.
(h) In the case of a nonissuer distribution, any part of the information that might otherwise be required under section 5 of this chapter or subsection (i) need not be furnished if the person filing the application for registration produces evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the commissioner that the person, or the persons on whose behalf the distribution is to be made, cannot furnish that part of the required information without unreasonable effort or expense.
(i) A registration is effective for:
(1) two (2) years from its effective date; or
(2) a shorter period during which the security is being offered or distributed in a nonexempted transaction by or for the account of the issuer or the person on whose behalf the offering is being made or by an underwriter or broker-dealer who is still offering part of an unsold allotment or subscription taken by the underwriter or broker-dealer as a participant in the distribution, except during the time a stop order is in effect under section 7 of this chapter.
(j) So long as a registration is effective, the commissioner may by rule or order require the person who filed the application for registration to file reports, not more often than quarterly, to keep reasonably current the information contained in the application for registration and to disclose the progress of the offering.
(k) The commissioner may by rule or order require as a condition of registration by qualification or coordination:
(1) that a security issued within the past three (3) years or to be issued to a promoter for a consideration substantially different from the public offering price, or to a person for a consideration other than cash, be deposited in escrow; and
(2) that the proceeds from the sale of the registered security be impounded until the issuer receives a specified amount.
The commissioner may by rule or order determine the conditions of an
escrow or impounding required under this subsection, but the commissioner may not reject a depository solely because of location in another state.
(l) No transferable share is exempt from registration under section 2(b)(3) of this chapter or is qualified for registration under sections 4 or 5 of this chapter unless the issuer has designated a qualified transfer agent to handle all transfers. The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this subsection. The commissioner may by rule or order exempt an issuer, wholly or partially, from the requirements of this subsection.
(m) A registration statement may be amended after its effective date to increase the securities specified to be offered and sold if the public offering price and underwriters' discounts and commissions are not changed from the amounts reported to the commissioner. An amendment becomes effective upon an order of the commissioner. A person filing an amendment must pay a late registration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) and a filing fee under subsection (b) for the additional securities proposed to be offered. An amendment relates back to the date of the sale of additional securities being registered if the amendment is filed within three (3) months after the date of the sale and the additional filing fee and late registration fee are paid.
(n) As permitted by Section 106(c) of the Secondary Mortgage Market Enhancement Act of 1984 (15 U.S.C. 77r-1(c)), securities that are offered and sold pursuant to Section 4(5) of the Securities Act of 1933 or that are mortgage-related securities (as that term is defined in Section 3(a)(41) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(41)):
(1) must comply with all applicable:
(A) registration and qualification requirements of this chapter; and
(B) rules adopted by the commissioner; and
(2) shall not be treated as obligations issued by the United States for the purposes of this chapter.
(o) If:
(1) the division:
(A) does not approve an application for registration by coordination or qualification; and
(B) notifies the applicant not later than ten (10) days after the date the application was not approved of a deficiency in the application that, if satisfied, would allow the
approval of the application;
the applicant may satisfy the deficiency within sixty (60) days after the date described in clause (B); and
(2) an applicant does not satisfy the deficiency described in subdivision (1):
(A) the application is considered abandoned;
(B) the issuer does not receive a refund of the application fee; and
(C) no further action is required by the division.
SECTION 7. IC23-2-1-15, AS AMENDED BY P.L.270-2003, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 15. (a) This chapter shall be administered by a division of the office of the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall appoint a securities commissioner who shall be responsible for the direction and supervision of the division and the administration of this chapter under the direction and control of the secretary of state. The salary of the securities commissioner shall be paid out of the funds appropriated for the administration of this chapter. The commissioner shall serve at the will of the secretary of state.
(b) The secretary of state:
(1) shall employ a chief deputy, a senior investigator, a senior accountant, and other deputies, investigators, accountants, clerks, stenographers, and other employees necessary for the administration of this chapter; and
(2) shall fix their compensation with the approval of the budget agency.
The chief deputy, other deputies, the senior investigator, and the senior accountant, once employed under this chapter, may be dismissed only for cause by the secretary of state upon ten (10) days notice in writing stating the reasons for dismissal. Within fifteen (15) days after dismissal, the chief deputy, other deputies, the senior investigator, and the senior accountant may appeal to the state personnel board. The state personnel board shall hold a hearing, and if it finds that the appealing party was dismissed for a political, social, religious, or racial reason, the appealing party shall be reinstated to the appealing party's position without loss of pay. In all other cases, if the decision is favorable to the appealing party, the secretary of state shall follow the findings and recommendations of the board, which may include reinstatement and payment of salary or wages lost. The hearing and any subsequent proceedings or appeals shall be governed by the provisions
of IC4-15-2 and IC4-21.5.
(c) Fees and funds of whatever character accruing from the administration of this chapter shall be accounted for by the secretary of state and shall be deposited with the treasurer of state to be deposited by the treasurer of state in the general fund of the state. Expenses incurred in the administration of this chapter shall be paid from the general fund upon appropriation being made for the expenses in the manner provided by law for the making of those appropriations. However, costs of investigations recovered under sections 16(d) and 17.1(c) of this chapter shall be deposited with the treasurer of state to be deposited by the treasurer of state in a separate account to be known as the securities division enforcement account. The funds in the account shall be available, with the approval of the budget agency, to augment and supplement the funds appropriated for the administration of this chapter. The funds in the account do not revert to the general fund at the end of any fiscal year.
(d) In connection with the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this chapter, the attorney general shall render all necessary assistance to the securities commissioner upon the commissioner's request, and to that end, the attorney general shall employ legal and other professional services as are necessary to adequately and fully perform the service under the direction of the securities commissioner as the demands of the securities division shall require. Expenses incurred by the attorney general for the purposes stated in this subsection shall be chargeable against and paid out of funds appropriated to the attorney general for the administration of the attorney general's office.
(e) Neither the secretary of state, the securities commissioner, nor an employee of the securities division shall be liable in their individual capacity, except to the state, for an act done or omitted in connection with the performance of their respective duties under this chapter.
(f) The commissioner, subject to the approval of the secretary of state, may adopt rules, orders, and forms necessary to carry out this chapter, including rules and forms concerning registration statements, applications, reports, and the definitions of any terms if the definitions are consistent with this chapter. The commissioner may by rule or order allow for exemptions from registration requirements under sections 3 and 8 of this chapter if the exemptions are consistent with the public interest and this chapter.
(g) The provisions of this chapter delegating and granting power to
the secretary of state, the securities division, and the securities commissioner shall be liberally construed to the end that:
(1) the practice or commission of fraud may be prohibited and prevented;
(2) disclosure of sufficient and reliable information in order to afford reasonable opportunity for the exercise of independent judgment of the persons involved may be assured; and
(3) the qualifications may be prescribed to assure availability of reliable broker-dealers, investment advisers, and agents engaged in and in connection with the issuance, barter, sale, purchase, transfer, or disposition of securities in this state.
It is the intent and purpose of this chapter to delegate and grant to and vest in the secretary of state, the securities division, and the securities commissioner full and complete power to carry into effect and accomplish the purpose of this chapter and to charge them with full and complete responsibility for its effective administration.
(h) It is the duty of a prosecuting attorney, as well as of the attorney general, to assist the securities commissioner upon the commissioner's request in the prosecution to final judgment of a violation of the penal provisions of this chapter and in a civil proceeding or action arising under this chapter. If the commissioner determines that an action based on the securities division's investigations is meritorious:
(1) the commissioner or a designee empowered by the commissioner shall certify the facts drawn from the investigation to the prosecuting attorney of the judicial circuit in which the crime may have been committed;
(2) the commissioner and the securities division shall assist the prosecuting attorney in prosecuting an action under this section, which may include a securities division attorney serving as a special deputy prosecutor appointed by the prosecuting attorney;
(3) a prosecuting attorney to whom facts concerning fraud are certified under subdivision (1) may refer the matter to the attorney general; and
(4) if a matter has been referred to the attorney general under subdivision (3), the attorney general may:
(A) file an information in a court with jurisdiction over the matter in the county in which the offense is alleged to have been committed; and
(B) prosecute the alleged offense.
FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 19. (a) A person who offers or sells a security in violation of this chapter, and who does not sustain the burden of proof that the person did not know and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known of the violation, is liable to any other party to the transaction who did not knowingly participate in the violation or who did not have, at the time of the transaction, knowledge of the violation, who may sue either at law or in equity to rescind the transaction or to recover the consideration paid, together, in either case, with interest as computed in subsection (g)(1), plus costs, and reasonable attorney's fees, less the amount of any cash or other property received on the security upon the tender of the security by the person bringing the action or for damages if the person no longer owns the security. Damages are the amount that would be recoverable upon a tender less:
(1) the value of the security when the buyer disposed of the security; and
(2) the interest as computed in subsection (g)(1) on the value of the security from the date of disposition.
(b) A person who purchases a security in violation of this chapter, and who does not sustain the burden of proof that the person did not know and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known of the violation, is liable to any other party to the transaction who did not knowingly participate in the violation or who did not have, at the time of the transaction, knowledge of the violation. The other party to the transaction may bring an action to rescind the transaction or for damages, together, in either case, with reasonable attorney's fees, upon the tender of the consideration received by the person bringing the action.
(c) A person who, for compensation, engages in the business of advising others, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities or as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, or who, for compensation and as a part of a regular business, issues analyses or reports concerning securities and:
(1) violates section 8, 12.1(b), or 14, or 26 of this chapter;
(2) employs a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud a person; or
(3) engages in an act that operates or would operate as fraud or deceit upon a person;
is liable to the other person, who may bring an action to recover any consideration paid for advice, any loss due to advice, interest at eight
percent (8%) each year from the date consideration was paid, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees less the value of cash or property received due to the advice. It is a defense to an action brought for a violation of section 12.1(b) or 26 of this chapter that the person accused of the violation did not know of the violation and, exercising reasonable care, could not have known of the violation.
(d) A person who directly or indirectly controls a person liable under subsection (a), (b), or (c), a partner, officer, or director of the person, a person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, an employee of a person who materially aids in the conduct creating the liability, and a broker-dealer or agent who materially aids in the conduct are also liable jointly and severally with and to the same extent as the person, unless the person who is liable sustains the burden of proof that the person did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the existence of the facts by reason of which the liability is alleged to exist. There is contribution as in cases of contract among the several persons liable.
(e) A tender specified in this section may be made at any time before entry of judgment.
(f) A cause of action under this statute survives the death of a person who might have been a plaintiff or defendant.
(g) Action under this section shall be commenced within three (3) years after discovery by the person bringing the action of a violation of this chapter, and not afterwards. No person may sue under this section:
(1) if that person received a written offer, before suit and at a time when the person owned the security, to refund the consideration paid together with interest on that amount from the date of payment to the date of repayment, with interest on:
(A) interest-bearing obligations to be computed at the same rate as provided on the security; and
(B) all other securities at the rate of eight percent (8%) per year;
less the amount of any income received on the security, and the person failed to accept the offer within thirty (30) days of its receipt; or
(2) if the person received an offer before suit and at a time when the person did not own the security, unless the person rejected the offer in writing within thirty (30) days of its receipt.
(h) No person who has made or engaged in the performance of a contract in violation of this chapter or a rule or order under this
chapter, or who has acquired a purported right under a contract with knowledge of the facts by reason of which its making or performance was in violation, may base a suit on the contract.
(i) A condition, stipulation, or provision binding a person acquiring a security to waive compliance with this chapter or a rule or order under this chapter is void.
(j) The rights and remedies specifically prescribed by this chapter are the only rights and remedies created by this chapter, but are in addition to any other rights or remedies that exist at law or in equity.
SECTION 9. IC23-2-1-19.5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 19.5. (a) If the commissioner determines, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, that any person has violated this chapter, the commissioner may, in addition to or in lieu of all other remedies, impose a civil penalty upon any person who has violated this chapter. This penalty may not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for each violation of this chapter found to have been committed. An appeal from the decision of the commissioner imposing a civil penalty under this subsection may be taken by any aggrieved party pursuant to section 20 of this chapter.
(b) The commissioner may bring any action in the circuit or superior court of Marion County to enforce payment of any penalty imposed under subsection (a).
(c) Penalties collected under this section shall be deposited in the securities division enforcement account established under section 15(c) of this chapter.
SECTION 10. IC23-2-1-26 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 26. (a) This section applies to a person engaged in the business of providing advice to others, directly or by means of analyses, reports, or other publications, concerning:
(1) the value of securities; or
(2) the advisability of:
(A) investing in;
(B) purchasing; or
(C) selling;
securities.
(b) A person described in subsection (a) may not:
(1) employ a device, a scheme, or an artifice to defraud a person; or
(2) engage in an act, a practice, or a course of business that
operates or would operate as fraud or deceit upon a person.
SECTION 11. IC23-2-1-27 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 27. An administrative action under this chapter survives the death of a person who might have been a respondent.
SECTION 12. IC23-2-5-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.115-2001, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 3. (a) As used in this chapter, "certificate of registration" means a certificate issued by the commissioner authorizing an individual to engage in origination activities on behalf of a licensee.
(b) As used in this chapter, "creditor" means a person:
(1) that loans funds of the person in connection with a loan; and
(2) to whom the loan is initially payable on the face of the note or contract evidencing the loan.
(c) As used in this chapter, "license" means a license issued by the commissioner authorizing a person to engage in the loan brokerage business.
(d) As used in this chapter, "licensee" means a person that is issued a license under this chapter.
(e) As used in this chapter, "loan broker" means any person who, in return for any consideration from any source procures, attempts to procure, or assists in procuring a loan from a third party or any other person, promises to procure a loan for any person or assist any person in procuring a loan from any third party, or who promises to consider whether or not to make a loan to any person. whether or not the person seeking the loan actually obtains the loan. "Loan broker" does not include:
(1) any bank, savings bank, trust company, savings association, credit union, or any other financial institution that is:
(A) regulated by any agency of the United States or any state; and
(B) regularly actively engaged in the business of making consumer loans that are not secured by real estate or taking assignment of consumer sales contracts that are not secured by real estate;
(2) any person authorized to sell and service loans for the Federal National Mortgage Association or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, issue securities backed by the Government National Mortgage Association, make loans insured by the United
States Department of Housing and Urban Development, act as a supervised lender or nonsupervised automatic lender of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, or act as a correspondent of loans insured by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(3) (2) any insurance company; or
(4) (3) any person arranging financing for the sale of the person's product.
(f) As used in this chapter, "loan brokerage business" means a person acting as a loan broker.
(g) As used in this chapter, "origination activities" means establishing the terms or conditions of a loan with a borrower or prospective borrower communication with or assistance of a borrower or prospective borrower in the selection of loan products or terms.
(h) As used in this chapter, "originator" means a person engaged in origination activities. The term "originator" does not include a person who performs origination activities for any entity that is not a loan broker under subsection (e).
(i) As used in this chapter, "person" means an individual, a partnership, a trust, a corporation, a limited liability company, a limited liability partnership, a sole proprietorship, a joint venture, a joint stock company, or another group or entity, however organized.
(i) (j) As used in this chapter, "registrant" means an individual who is registered to engage in origination activities under this chapter.
(j) (k) As used in this chapter, "ultimate equitable owner" means a person who, directly or indirectly, owns or controls any ownership interest in a person, regardless of whether the person owns or controls the ownership interest through one (1) or more other persons or one (1) or more proxies, powers of attorney, or variances.
SECTION 13. IC23-2-5-19, AS AMENDED BY P.L.230-1999, SECTION 11, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 19. (a) The following persons are exempt from the requirements of sections 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 17, and 18, and 21 of this chapter:
(1) Any attorney while engaging in the practice of law.
(2) Any certified public accountant, public accountant, or accountant practitioner holding a certificate or registered under IC25-2.1 while performing the practice of accountancy (as defined by IC25-2.1-1-10).
dissolution on the business entity.
(e) A business entity administratively dissolved under this section may carry on only those activities necessary to wind up and liquidate the business entity's affairs.
SECTION 15. IC24-4.5-1-102, AS AMENDED BY P.L.258-2003, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2004 (RETROACTIVE)]: Sec. 102. Purposes; Rules of Construction.(1) This article shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies.
(2) The underlying purposes and policies of this article are:
(a) to simplify, clarify, and modernize the law governing retail installment sales, consumer credit, small loans, and usury;
(b) to provide rate ceilings to assure an adequate supply of credit to consumers;
(c) to further consumer understanding of the terms of credit transactions and to foster competition among suppliers of consumer credit so that consumers may obtain credit at reasonable cost;
(d) to protect consumer buyers, lessees, and borrowers against unfair practices by some suppliers of consumer credit, having due regard for the interests of legitimate and scrupulous creditors;
(e) to permit and encourage the development of fair and economically sound consumer credit practices;
(f) to conform the regulation of consumer credit transactions to the policies of the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act; and
(g) to make uniform the law including administrative rules among the various jurisdictions.
(3) A reference to a requirement imposed by this article includes reference to a related rule of the department adopted pursuant to this article.
(4) A reference to a federal law in IC24-4.5 is a reference to the law in effect December 31, 2002. 2003.
SECTION 16. IC24-4.5-1-202 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 202. This article does not apply to the following:
(1) Extensions of credit to government or governmental agencies or instrumentalities.
(2) The sale of insurance by an insurer, except as otherwise provided in the chapter on insurance (IC24-4.5-4).
(3) Transactions under public utility, municipal utility, or
common carrier tariffs if a subdivision or agency of this state or of the United States regulates the charges for the services involved, the charges for delayed payment, and any discount allowed for early payment.
(4) The rates and charges and the disclosure of rates and charges of a licensed pawnbroker established in accordance with a statute or ordinance concerning these matters.
(5) A sale of goods, services, or an interest in land in which the goods, services, or interest in land are purchased primarily for a purpose other than a personal, family, or household purpose.
(6) A loan in which the debt is incurred primarily for a purpose other than a personal, family, or household purpose.
(7) An extension of credit primarily for a business, a commercial, or an agricultural purpose.
(8) An installment agreement for the purchase of home fuels in which a finance charge is not imposed.
(9) Loans made, insured, or guaranteed under a program authorized by Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1070 et seq.).
(10) Transactions in securities or commodities accounts in which credit is extended by a broker-dealer registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
(11) A loan made:
(A) in compliance with the requirements of; and
(B) by a community development corporation (as defined in IC4-4-28-2) acting as a subrecipient of funds from;
the Indiana housing finance authority established by IC5-20-1-3.
SECTION 17. IC24-4.5-7-104, AS ADDED BY P.L.38-2002, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 104. "Small loan" means a loan:
(a) with a principal loan amount that is more than at least fifty dollars ($50) and less than four not more than five hundred one dollars ($401); ($500); and
(b) in which the lender holds the borrower's check or receives the borrower's written authorization to debit the borrower's account under an agreement, either express or implied, for a specific period before the lender:
(i) offers the check for deposit or presentment; or
(30) day period preceding the consumer's borrower's application for a small loan under this chapter and exclusive of any income other than regular net gross pay received, or as otherwise determined by the department.
SECTION 23. IC24-4.5-7-201, AS ADDED BY P.L.38-2002, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 201. (1) Finance charges on the first one two hundred fifty dollars ($100) ($250) of a small loan are limited to fifteen percent (15%) of the principal.
(2) Finance charges on the amount of a small loan greater than one two hundred fifty dollars ($100) ($250) and less than or equal to four hundred dollars ($400) are limited to ten thirteen percent (10%) (13%) of the amount over one two hundred fifty dollars ($100). ($250) and less than four hundred dollars ($400).
(3) The total amount of finance charges may not exceed thirty-five dollars ($35). Finance charges on the amount of the small loan greater than four hundred dollars ($400) and less than or equal to five hundred dollars ($500) are limited to ten percent (10%) of the amount over four hundred dollars ($400) and less than five hundred dollars ($500).
SECTION 24. IC24-4.5-7-202, AS ADDED BY P.L.38-2002, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 202. (1) Notwithstanding any other law, only the following fees the only fee that may be contracted for and received by the lender on a small loan or subsequent refinancing:
(a) The parties may contract for a delinquency charge of not more than five dollars ($5) on any installment not paid in full within ten (10) days after its scheduled due date.
(b) A delinquency charge under this section may be collected only once on an installment, however long it remains in default. A delinquency charge may be collected any time after it accrues.
(2) an additional charge may be made is a charge, not to exceed twenty dollars ($20), for each:
(a) return by a bank or other depository institution of a:
(i) dishonored check;
(ii) negotiable order of withdrawal; or
(iii) share draft issued by the consumer; borrower; or
(b) time an authorization to debit the borrower's account is dishonored.
This additional charge may be assessed one (1) time regardless of how
many times a check or an authorization to debit the borrower's account may be submitted by the lender and dishonored.
SECTION 25. IC24-4.5-7-301, AS ADDED BY P.L.38-2002, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 301. (1) For purposes of this section, the lender shall disclose to the consumer borrower to whom credit is extended with respect to a small loan the information required by the Federal Consumer Credit Protection Act.
(2) In addition to the requirements of subsection (1), the lender must conspicuously display in bold type a notice to the public both in the lending area of each business location and in the loan documents the following statement:
"WARNING: A small loan is not intended to meet long term financial needs. A small loan should be used only to meet short term cash needs. Renewing the small loan rather than paying the debt in full will require additional finance charges. The cost of your small loan may be higher than loans offered by other lending institutions. Small loans are regulated by the State of Indiana Department of Financial Institutions.
A consumer borrower may rescind a small loan without cost not later than the end of the business day immediately following the day on which the small loan was made. To rescind a small loan, a consumer borrower must inform the lender that the consumer borrower wants to rescind the small loan, and the consumer borrower must return the cash amount of the principal of the small loan to the lender.".
(3) The statement required in subsection (2) must be in:
(a) 14 point bold face type in the loan documents; and
(b) not less than one (1) inch bold print in the lending area of the business location.
(4) When a borrower enters into a small loan, the lender shall provide the borrower with a pamphlet approved by the department that describes:
(a) the availability of debt management and credit counseling services; and
(b) the borrower's rights and responsibilities in the transaction.
SECTION 26. IC24-4.5-7-401, AS AMENDED BY P.L.258-2003, SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 401. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), A
small loan may not be made for a term of less than fourteen (14) days.
(2) After the consumer's third borrower's fifth consecutive small loan, another small loan may not be made to that consumer borrower within seven (7) days after the due date of the third fifth consecutive small loan. unless the new small loan is for a term of twenty-eight (28) days or longer. After the borrower's fifth consecutive small loan, the balance must be paid in full. However, the borrower and lender may agree to enter into a simple interest loan, payable in installments, under IC24-4.5-3 within seven (7) days after the due date of the fifth consecutive small loan.
SECTION 27. IC24-4.5-7-402, AS ADDED BY P.L.38-2002, SECTION 1, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 402. (1) A lender is prohibited from making a small loan to a consumer borrower if the total payable amount of the small loan exceeds twenty fifteen percent (20%) (15%) of the consumer's borrower's monthly net gross income.
(2) A small loan may be secured by only one (1) check or electronic authorization to debit the borrower's account per small loan. The check or electronic debit may not exceed the amount advanced to or on behalf of the consumer borrower plus loan finance charges contracted for and permitted.
(3) A consumer borrower may make partial payments in any amount on the small loan without charge at any time before the due date of the small loan. After each payment is made on a small loan, whether the payment is in part or in full, the lender shall give a signed and dated receipt to the consumer borrower making a payment showing the amount paid and the balance due on the small loan.
(4) The lender shall provide to each consumer borrower a copy of the required loan documents before the disbursement of the loan proceeds.
(5) A consumer borrower may rescind a small loan without cost not later than the end of the business day immediately following the day on which the small loan was made. To rescind a small loan, a consumer borrower must:
(a) inform the lender that the consumer borrower wants to rescind the small loan; and
(b) return the cash amount of the principal of the small loan to the lender.
(6) A lender shall not enter into a renewal with a borrower. If a loan is paid in full, a subsequent loan is not a renewal.
claims and defenses of the maker.".
SECTION 33. IC24-9 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW ARTICLE TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005]:
ARTICLE 9. HOME LOAN PRACTICES
Chapter 1. Application
Sec. 1. Except for IC24-9-3-7(3), this article does not apply to:
(1) a loan made or acquired by a person organized or chartered under the laws of this state, any other state, or the United States relating to banks, trust companies, savings associations, savings banks, credit unions, or industrial loan and investment companies; or
(2) a loan:
(A) that can be purchased by the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association, or the Federal Home Loan Bank;
(B) to be insured by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(C) to be guaranteed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs;
(D) to be made or guaranteed by the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service;
(E) to be funded by the Indiana housing finance authority; or
(F) with a principal amount that exceeds the conforming loan size limit for a single family dwelling as established by the Federal National Mortgage Association.
Chapter 2. Definitions
Sec. 1. The definitions in this chapter apply throughout this article.
Sec. 2. "Benchmark rate" means the interest rate established under Section 152 of the Federal Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act of 1994 (15 U.S.C. 1602 (aa)) and the regulations adopted under that act by the Federal Reserve Board, including 12 CFR 226.32 and the Official Staff Commentary to the regulations as amended.
Sec. 3. "Bona fide discount points" means loan discount points that:
(1) are knowingly paid by the borrower;
(2) are paid for the express purpose of reducing the interest rate applicable to the loan;
a consumer credit mortgage transaction involving real property located in Indiana in which a person at the time of the transaction knowingly or intentionally:
(1) makes a material misrepresentation; or
(2) conceals material information regarding the terms or conditions of the transaction.
(b) For purposes of this section, "knowingly" means having actual knowledge at the time of the transaction.
Sec. 8. (a) "High cost home loan" means a home loan with:
(1) a trigger rate that exceeds the benchmark rate; or
(2) total points and fees that exceed:
(A) five percent (5%) of the loan principal for a home loan having a loan principal of at least forty thousand dollars ($40,000); or
(B) six percent (6%) of the loan principal for a home loan having a loan principal of less than forty thousand dollars ($40,000).
(b) Beginning July 1, 2006, the dollar amounts set forth in this section are subject to change at the times and according to the procedure set forth in the provisions of IC24-4.5-1-106 concerning the adjustment of dollar amounts in IC24-4.5.
Sec. 9. "Home loan" means a loan, other than an open end credit plan or a reverse mortgage transaction, that is secured by a mortgage or deed of trust on real estate in Indiana on which there is located or will be located a structure or structures:
(1) designed primarily for occupancy of one (1) to four (4) families; and
(2) that is or will be occupied by a borrower as the borrower's principal dwelling.
Sec. 10. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), "points and fees" means the total of the following:
(1) Points and fees (as defined in 12 CFR 226.32(b)(1) on January 1, 2004).
(2) All compensation paid directly or indirectly to a mortgage broker, including a broker that originates a loan in the broker's own name.
As used in subdivision (2), "compensation" does not include a payment included in subdivision (1).
(b) The term does not include the following:
(1) Bona fide discount points.
(2) An amount not to exceed one and one-half (1 1/2) points in
indirect broker compensation, if the terms of the loan do not include a prepayment penalty that exceeds two percent (2%) of the home loan principle.
(3) Reasonable fees paid to an affiliate of the creditor.
(4) Interest prepaid by the borrower for the month in which the home loan is closed.
Sec. 11. "Political subdivision" means a municipality, school district, public library, local housing authority, fire protection district, public transportation corporation, local building authority, local hospital authority or corporation, local airport authority, special service district, special taxing district, or any other type of local governmental corporate entity.
Sec. 12. "Rate" means the interest rate charged on a home loan, based on an annual simple interest yield.
Sec. 13. "Total loan amount" means the principal of the home loan minus the points and fees that are included in the principal amount of the loan.
Sec. 14. "Trigger rate" means:
(1) for fixed rate home loans in which the interest rate will not vary during the term of the loan, the rate as of the date of closing;
(2) for home loans in which the interest varies according to an index, the sum of the index rate as of the date of closing plus the maximum margin permitted at any time under the loan agreement; or
(3) for all other home loans in which the rate may vary at any time during the term of the loan, the maximum rate that may be charged during the term of the home loan.
Chapter 3. Prohibited Lending Practices Generally
Sec. 1. (a) A creditor making a home loan may not finance, directly or indirectly, any:
(1) credit life insurance;
(2) credit disability insurance;
(3) credit unemployment insurance;
(4) credit property insurance; or
(5) payments directly or indirectly for any cancellation suspension agreement or contract.
(b) Insurance premiums, debt cancellation fees, or suspension fees calculated and paid on a monthly basis are not considered to be financed by the creditor for purposes of this chapter.
Sec. 2. (a) A creditor may not knowingly or intentionally replace
or consolidate a zero (0) interest rate or other subsidized low rate loan made by a governmental or nonprofit lender with a high cost home loan within the first ten (10) years of the subsidized low rate loan unless the current holder of the loan consents in writing to the refinancing.
(b) For purposes of this section, a "subsidized low rate loan" is a loan that carries a current interest rate of at least two (2) percentage points below the current yield on treasury securities with a comparable maturity. If the loan's current interest rate is either a discounted introductory rate or a rate that automatically steps up over time, the fully indexed rate or the fully stepped up rate, as appropriate, should be used instead of the current rate to determine whether a loan is a subsidized low rate loan.
(c) Each mortgage or deed of trust securing a zero (0) interest rate or other subsidized low rate loan executed after January 1, 2005, must prominently display the following on the face of the instrument:
"This instrument secures a zero (0) interest rate or other subsidized low rate loan subject to IC24-9-3-2.".
(d) A creditor may reasonably rely on the presence or absence of the statement described in subsection (c) on the face of an instrument executed after January 1, 2005, as conclusive proof of the existence or nonexistence of a zero (0) interest rate or other subsidized low rate loan.
Sec. 3. A creditor may not recommend or encourage default on an existing loan or other debt before and in connection with the closing or planned closing of a home loan that refinances all or part of the existing loan or debt.
Sec. 4. A creditor shall treat each payment made by a borrower in regard to a home loan as posted on the same business day as the payment was received by the creditor, servicer, or creditor's agent, or at the address provided to the borrower by the creditor, servicer, or creditor's agent for making payments.
Sec. 5. (a) A home loan agreement may not contain a provision that permits the creditor, in the creditor's sole discretion, to accelerate the indebtedness without material cause.
(b) This section does not prohibit acceleration of a home loan in good faith due to the borrower's failure to abide by the material terms of the loan.
Sec. 6. (a) A creditor may not charge a fee for informing or transmitting to a person the balance due to pay off a home loan or
to provide a written release upon prepayment. A creditor must provide a payoff balance not later than ten (10) business days after the request is received by the creditor.
(b) For purposes of this section, "fee" does not include actual charges incurred by a creditor for express or priority delivery requested by the borrower of home loan documents to the borrower.
Sec. 7. A person may not:
(1) divide a loan transaction into separate parts with the intent of evading a provision of this article;
(2) structure a home loan transaction as an open-end loan with the intent of evading the provisions of this article if the loan would be a high cost home loan if the home loan had been structured as a closed-end loan; or
(3) engage in a deceptive act in connection with a home loan.
Sec. 8. A person seeking to enforce section 7(3) of this chapter, may not knowingly or intentionally intimidate, coerce, or harass another person.
Sec. 9. It is unlawful for a creditor to discriminate against any applicant with respect to any aspect of a credit transaction on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, or age, if the applicant has the ability to contract.
Chapter 4. Additional Prohibitions for High Cost Home Loans
Sec. 1. The following additional limitations and prohibited practices apply to a high cost home loan:
(1) A creditor making a high cost home loan may not directly or indirectly finance any points and fees.
(2) Prepayment fees or penalties may not be included in the loan documents for a high cost home loan or charged to the borrower if the fees or penalties exceed in total two percent (2%) of the high cost home loan amount prepaid during the first twenty-four (24) months after the high cost home loan closing.
(3) A prepayment penalty may not be contracted for after the second year following the high cost home loan closing.
(4) A creditor may not include a prepayment penalty fee in a high cost home loan unless the creditor offers the borrower the option of choosing a loan product without a prepayment fee. The terms of the offer must be made in writing and must be initialed by the borrower. The document containing the offer must be clearly labeled in large bold type and must
include the following disclosure:
"
LOAN PRODUCT CHOICE
I was provided with an offer to accept a product both with and without a prepayment penalty provision. I have chosen to accept the product with a prepayment penalty.".
(5) A creditor shall not sell or otherwise assign a high cost home loan without furnishing the following statement to the purchaser or assignee:
"NOTICE: This is a loan subject to special rules under IC24-9. Purchasers or assignees may be liable for all claims and defenses with respect to the loan that the borrower could assert against the lender.".
(6) A mortgage or deed of trust that secures a high cost home loan at the time the mortgage or deed of trust is recorded must prominently display the following on the face of the instrument:
"This instrument secures a high cost home loan as defined in IC24-9-2-8.".
(7) A creditor making a high cost home loan may not finance, directly or indirectly, any life or health insurance.
Sec. 2. A creditor may not knowingly or intentionally:
(1) refinance a high cost home loan by charging points and fees on the part of the proceeds of the new high cost home loan that is used to refinance the existing high cost loan within four (4) years of the origination of the existing high cost home loan; or
(2) divide a home loan transaction into multiple transactions with the effect of evading this article. Where multiple transactions are involved, the total points and fees charged in all transactions shall be considered when determining whether the protections of this section apply.
Sec. 3. Notwithstanding IC24-4.5-3-402, a high cost home loan agreement may not require a scheduled payment that is more than twice as large as the average of earlier scheduled monthly payments under the high cost home loan agreement unless the payment becomes due and payable at least one hundred twenty (120) months after the date of the high cost home loan. This prohibition does not apply if:
(1) the payment schedule is adjusted to account for the seasonal or irregular income of the borrower; or
(2) the loan is a bridge loan connected with or related to the
acquisition or construction of a dwelling intended to become the borrower's principal dwelling.
Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), a high cost home loan may not include payment terms under which the outstanding principal balance will increase at any time over the course of the high cost home loan because the regular periodic payments do not cover the full amount of interest due.
(b) This section does not apply to a temporary forbearance that is requested by a borrower regarding a high cost home loan.
Sec. 5. A high cost home loan may not contain a provision that increases the interest rate after default. However, this section does not apply to interest rate changes in a variable rate loan otherwise consistent with the provisions of the high cost home loan documents if the change in the interest rate is not triggered by the event of default or the acceleration of the indebtedness.
Sec. 6. A high cost home loan may not include terms under which more than two (2) periodic payments required under the high cost home loan are consolidated and paid in advance from the high cost home loan proceeds provided to the borrower.
Sec. 7. A creditor may not make a high cost home loan without first providing the borrower information to facilitate contact with a nonprofit counseling agency certified by:
(1) the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; or
(2) the department of commerce under IC4-4-3-8(b)(15);
at the same time as the good faith estimates are provided to the borrower in accordance with the requirements of the federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (12 U.S.C. 2601 et seq.) as amended.
Sec. 8. (a) A creditor may not make a high cost home loan without regard to repayment ability.
(b) If a creditor presents evidence that the creditor followed commercially reasonable practices in determining the borrower's debt to income ratio, there is a rebuttable presumption that the creditor made the high cost home loan with due regard to repayment ability. For purposes of this section, there is a rebuttable presumption that the borrower's statement of income provided to the creditor is true and complete.
(c) Commercially reasonable practices include the use of:
(1) the debt to income ratio:
(A) listed in 38 CFR 36.4337(c)(1); and
PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE LOAN.
YOU SHOULD CONSULT AN ATTORNEY AND A QUALIFIED INDEPENDENT CREDIT COUNSELOR OR OTHER EXPERIENCED FINANCIAL ADVISER REGARDING THE RATE, FEES, AND PROVISIONS OF THIS MORTGAGE LOAN BEFORE YOU PROCEED. A LIST OF QUALIFIED COUNSELORS IS AVAILABLE FROM THE INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THIS LOAN AGREEMENT MERELY BECAUSE YOU HAVE RECEIVED THIS DISCLOSURE OR HAVE SIGNED A LOAN APPLICATION. REMEMBER, PROPERTY TAXES AND HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE ARE YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. NOT ALL CREDITORS PROVIDE ESCROW SERVICES FOR THESE PAYMENTS. YOU SHOULD ASK YOUR CREDITOR ABOUT THESE SERVICES.
ALSO, YOUR PAYMENTS ON EXISTING DEBTS CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR CREDIT RATINGS. YOU SHOULD NOT ACCEPT ANY ADVICE TO IGNORE YOUR REGULAR PAYMENTS TO YOUR EXISTING CREDITORS.".
Sec. 12. Without regard to whether a borrower is acting individually or on behalf of others similarly situated, a provision of a high cost home loan agreement that:
(1) requires arbitration of a claim or defense;
(2) allows a party to require a borrower to assert a claim or defense in a forum that is:
(A) less convenient;
(B) more costly; or
(C) more dilatory;
for the resolution of the dispute than an Indiana court in which the borrower may otherwise bring a claim or defense; or
(3) limits in any way any claim or defense the borrower may have;
is unconscionable and void.
Chapter 5. Claims, Defenses, Remedies
Sec. 1. (a) A person who purchases or is otherwise assigned a high cost home loan is subject to all affirmative claims and any defenses with respect to the high cost home loan that the borrower
could assert against a creditor or broker of the high cost home loan. However, this section does not apply if the purchaser or assignee demonstrates by a preponderance of the evidence that a reasonable person exercising ordinary due diligence could not determine that the loan was a high cost home loan. A purchaser or an assignee is presumed to have exercised reasonable due diligence if the purchaser or assignee:
(1) has in place at the time of the purchase or assignment of the subject loans, policies that expressly prohibit the purchase or acceptance of the assignment of any high cost home loans;
(2) requires by contract that a seller or an assignor of home loans to the purchaser or assignee represents and warrants to the purchaser or assignee that either:
(A) the seller or assignor will not sell or reassign any high cost home loans to the purchaser or assignee; or
(B) the seller or assignor is a beneficiary of a representation and warranty from a previous seller or assignor to that effect;
(3) exercises reasonable due diligence:
(A) at the time of purchase or assignment of home loans; or
(B) within a reasonable period after the purchase or assignment of home loans;
intended by the purchaser or assignee to prevent the purchaser or assignee from purchasing or taking assignment of any high cost home loans; or
(4) satisfies the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) and establishes that a reasonable person exercising ordinary due diligence could not determine that the loan was a high cost home loan based on the:
(A) documentation required by the federal Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.); and
(B) itemization of the amount financed and other disbursement disclosures.
(b) A borrower acting only in an individual capacity may assert against the creditor or any subsequent holder or assignee of a high cost home loan:
(1) a violation of IC24-9-4-2 as a defense, claim, or counterclaim, after:
(A) an action to enjoin foreclosure or to preserve or obtain possession of the dwelling that secures the loan is initiated;
right to foreclose must use the judicial foreclosure procedures of the state in which the property securing the high cost home loan is located. The borrower has the right to assert in the proceeding the nonexistence of a default and any other claim or defense to acceleration and foreclosure, including any claim or defense based on any violations of this article.
(b) This section is not intended and shall not be construed to allow any claim or defense otherwise barred by any statute of limitation or repose.
Sec. 4. (a) A person who violates this article is liable to a person who is a party to the home loan transaction that gave rise to the violation for the following:
(1) Actual damages, including consequential damages. A person is not required to demonstrate reliance in order to receive actual damages.
(2) Statutory damages equal to two (2) times the finance charges agreed to in the home loan agreement.
(3) Costs and reasonable attorney's fees.
(b) A person may be granted injunctive, declaratory, and other equitable relief as the court determines appropriate in an action to enforce compliance with this chapter.
(c) The right of rescission granted under 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. for a violation of law is available to a person acting only in an individual capacity by way of recoupment as a defense against a party foreclosing on a home loan at any time during the term of the loan. Any recoupment claim asserted under this provision is limited to the amount required to reduce or extinguish the person's liability under the home loan plus amounts required to recover costs, including reasonable attorney's fees. This article shall not be construed to limit the recoupment rights available to a person under any other law.
(d) The remedies provided in this section are cumulative but are not intended to be the exclusive remedies available to a person. Except as provided in subsection (e), a person is not required to exhaust any administrative remedies under this article or under any other applicable law.
(e) Before bringing an action regarding an alleged deceptive act under this chapter, a person must:
(1) notify the homeowner protection unit established by IC4-6-12-2 of the alleged violation giving rise to the action; and
payments due to the creditor on a high cost home loan.
(b) This section does not prohibit a servicer from agreeing with the borrower not to report specified payment history information in the event of a resolved or an unresolved dispute with a borrower and does not apply to high cost home loans held or serviced by a lender for less than ninety (90) days.
Chapter 7. State Power to Regulate Lending
Sec. 1. The state is the sole regulator of the business of originating, granting, servicing, and collecting loans and other forms of credit in Indiana and the manner in which the business is conducted. This regulation preempts all other regulation of these activities by any political subdivision.
Sec. 2. Political subdivisions may not:
(1) enact, issue, or enforce ordinances, resolutions, regulations, orders, requests for proposals, or requests for bids pertaining to financial or lending activities, including ordinances, resolutions, and rules that disqualify persons from doing business with a municipality and that are based upon lending terms or practices; or
(2) impose reporting requirements or any other obligations upon persons regarding financial services or lending practices or upon subsidiaries or affiliates that:
(A) are subject to the jurisdiction of the department of financial institutions;
(B) are subject to the jurisdiction or regulatory supervision of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Office of Thrift Supervision, the National Credit Union Administration, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Trade Commission, or the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development;
(C) are chartered by the United States Congress to engage in secondary market mortgage transactions;
(D) are created by the Indiana housing finance authority; or
(E) originate, purchase, sell, assign, securitize, or service property interests or obligations created by financial transactions or loans made, executed, originated, or purchased by persons referred to in clauses (A), (B), (C), or (D).
Chapter 8. Penalties and Enforcement
Sec. 1. A person who knowingly or intentionally violates this article commits:
(1) a Class A misdemeanor; and
(2) an act that is actionable by the attorney general under IC24-5-0.5 and is subject to the penalties listed in IC24-5-0.5.
Sec. 2. (a) Beginning July 1, 2005, the attorney general and the attorney general's homeowner protection unit established under IC4-6-12 shall enforce this article for any violation occurring within five (5) years after the making of a home loan.
(b) The attorney general may refer a matter under section 1 of this chapter to a prosecuting attorney for enforcement.
Sec. 3. (a) The attorney general may bring an action to enjoin a violation of this article. A court in which the action is brought may:
(1) issue an injunction;
(2) order a person to make restitution;
(3) order a person to reimburse the state for reasonable costs of the attorney general's investigation and prosecution of the violation of this article; and
(4) impose a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation.
(b) A person who violates an injunction under this section is subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per violation.
(c) The court that issues an injunction retains jurisdiction over a proceeding seeking the imposition of a civil penalty under this section.
Sec. 4. The attorney general may file complaints with any of the agencies listed in IC4-6-12-4 to implement this chapter.
Chapter 9. Fees
Sec. 1. The county recorder shall assess a fee of three dollars ($3) under IC36-2-7-10(b)(11) for each mortgage recorded. The fee shall be paid to the county treasurer at the end of each calendar month as provided in IC36-2-7-10(a).
Sec. 2. The county auditor shall credit fifty cents ($0.50) of the fee collected under IC36-2-7-10(b)(11) for each mortgage recorded to the county recorder's records perpetuation fund established under IC36-2-7-10(c).
Sec. 3. On or before June 20 and December 20 of each year, after completing an audit of the county treasurer's monthly reports required by IC36-2-10-16, the county auditor shall distribute to the auditor of state two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) of the
mortgage recording fee collected under IC36-2-7-10(b)(11) for each mortgage recorded by the county recorder. The auditor of state shall deposit the money in the state general fund to be distributed as described in section 4 of this chapter.
Sec. 4. On or before June 30 and December 31 of each year the auditor of state shall distribute one dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) of the mortgage recording fee to the home ownership education account established by IC4-4-3-23 and one dollar and twenty-five cents ($1.25) of the mortgage recording fee to the homeowner protection unit account established by IC4-6-12-9.
SECTION 34. IC28-1-11-3.2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 3.2. (a) As used in this section, "rights and privileges" means the power:
(1) to:
(1) (A) create;
(2) (B) deliver;
(3) (C) acquire; or
(4) (D) sell;
a product, a service, or an investment that is available to or offered by; or
(2) to engage in other activities authorized for;
national banks domiciled in Indiana.
(b) A bank that intends to exercise any rights and privileges that are:
(1) granted to national banks; but
(2) not authorized for banks under the Indiana Code (except for this section) or any rule adopted under the Indiana Code;
shall submit a letter to the department describing in detail the requested rights and privileges granted to national banks that the bank intends to exercise. If available, copies of relevant federal law, regulations, and interpretive letters must be attached to the letter submitted by the bank.
(c) The department shall promptly notify the requesting bank of the department's receipt of the letter submitted under subsection (b). Except as provided in subsection (e), the bank may exercise the requested rights and privileges sixty (60) days after the date on which the department receives the letter unless otherwise notified by the department.
(d) The department, through its members, may prohibit the bank from exercising the requested rights and privileges only if the members find that:
(1) national banks domiciled in Indiana do not possess the
requested rights and privileges; or
(2) the exercise of the requested rights and privileges by the bank would adversely affect the safety and soundness of the bank.
(e) The sixty (60) day period referred to in subsection (c) may be extended by the department based on a determination that the bank's letter raised issues requiring additional information or additional time for analysis. If the sixty (60) day period is extended under this subsection, the bank may exercise the requested rights and privileges only if the bank receives prior written approval from the department. However:
(1) the members must:
(A) approve or deny the requested rights and privileges; or
(B) convene a hearing;
not later than sixty (60) days after the department receives the bank's letter; and
(2) if a hearing is convened, the members must approve or deny the requested rights and privileges not later than sixty (60) days after the hearing is concluded.
(f) The exercise of rights and privileges by a bank in compliance with and in the manner authorized by this section is not a violation of any provision of the Indiana Code or rules adopted under IC4-22-2.
(g) Whenever, in compliance with this section, a bank exercises rights and privileges granted to national banks domiciled in Indiana, all banks may exercise the same rights and privileges if the department by order determines that the exercise of the rights and privileges by all banks would not adversely affect their safety and soundness.
(h) If the department denies the request of a bank under this section to exercise any rights and privileges that are granted to national banks, the bank may appeal the decision of the department to the circuit court with jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the bank is located. In an appeal under this section, the court shall determine the matter de novo.
SECTION 35. IC28-1-20-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.258-2003, SECTION 6, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 4. (a) Except as provided in subsections (c), (d), (g), and (k), it is unlawful for any person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation (other than a bank or trust company, a bank holding company, a subsidiary of a bank or trust company, a subsidiary of a bank holding company, a subsidiary of a savings bank, a subsidiary of a savings association, or a corporate fiduciary
organized or reorganized under IC28 or statutes in effect at the time of organization or reorganization or under the laws of the United States):
(1) to use the word "bank", "banc", or "banco" as a part of the name or title of the person, firm, or corporation; or
(2) to advertise or represent the person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation to the public:
(A) as a bank or trust company or a corporate fiduciary; or
(B) as affording the services or performing the duties which by law only a bank or trust company or a corporate fiduciary is entitled to afford and perform.
(b) A financial institution organized under the laws of any state or the United States that establishes a branch office under this title is authorized to do business at that branch using a name other than the name of its home office.
(c) Notwithstanding the prohibitions of this section, an out-of-state financial institution with the word "bank" in its legal name may use the word "bank" if the financial institution is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or its successor.
(d) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a building and loan association organized under IC28-4 (before its repeal) may include in its name or title:
(1) the words "savings bank"; or
(2) the word "bank" if the name or title also includes either the words "savings bank" or letters "SB".
A building and loan association that includes "savings bank" in its title under this section does not by that action become a savings bank for purposes of IC28-6.1.
(e) The name or title of a savings bank governed by IC28-6.1 must include the words "savings bank" or the letters "SB".
(f) A savings association may include in its name the words "building and loan association".
(g) Notwithstanding subsection (a), a bank holding company (as defined in 12 U.S.C. 1841) may use the word "bank" or "banks" as a part of its name. However, this subsection does not permit a bank holding company to advertise or represent itself to the public as affording the services or performing the duties that by law a bank or trust company only is entitled to afford and perform.
(h) The department is authorized to investigate the business affairs of any person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation that uses "bank", "banc", or "banco" in its title or holds itself out as a bank,
corporate fiduciary, or trust company for the purpose of determining whether the person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation is violating any of the provisions of this article, and, for that purpose, the department and its agents shall have access to any and all of the books, records, papers, and effects of the person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation. In making its examination, the department may examine any person and the partners, officers, members, or agents of the firm, limited liability company, or corporation under oath, subpoena witnesses, and require the production of the books, records, papers, and effects considered necessary. On application of the department, the circuit or superior court of the county in which the person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation maintains a place of business shall, by proper proceedings, enforce the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production and examination of books, papers, records, and effects.
(i) The department is authorized to exercise the powers under IC28-11-4 against a person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation that improperly holds itself out as a financial institution.
(j) A person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation who violates this section is subject to a penalty of five hundred dollars ($500) per day for each and every day during which the violation continues. The penalty imposed shall be recovered in the name of the state on relation of the department and, when recovered, shall be paid into the financial institutions fund established by IC28-11-2-9.
(k) The word "bank", "banc", or "banco" may not be included in the name of a corporate fiduciary.
(l) A person, firm, limited liability company, or corporation may not use the name of an existing bank or bank holding company or a name confusingly similar to that of an existing bank or bank holding company when marketing to or soliciting business from a customer or prospective customer if the reference to the existing bank or bank holding company is:
(1) without the consent of the existing bank or bank holding company; and
(2) in a manner that could cause a reasonable person to believe that the marketing material or solicitation:
(A) originated from;
(B) is endorsed by; or
(C) is in any other way the responsibility of;
the existing bank or bank holding company.
twenty percent (20%) of the unimpaired capital and surplus of the credit union;
(C) the loan is approved by the credit committee or loan officer; and
(D) the borrower takes no part in the consideration of or vote on the application.
(4) To invest in any of the following:
(A) Bonds, notes, or certificates that are the direct or indirect obligations of the United States, or of the state, or the direct obligations of a county, township, city, town, or other taxing district or municipality or instrumentality of Indiana and that are not in default.
(B) Bonds or debentures issued by the Federal Home Loan Bank Act (12 U.S.C. 1421 through 1449) or the Home Owners' Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 1461 through 1468).
(C) Interest-bearing obligations of the FSLIC Resolution Fund and obligations of national mortgage associations issued under the authority of the National Housing Act.
(D) Mortgages on real estate situated in Indiana which are fully insured under Title 2 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 through 1715z).
(E) Obligations issued by farm credit banks and banks for cooperatives under the Farm Credit Act of 1971 (12 U.S.C. 2001 through 2279aa-14).
(F) In savings and loan associations, other credit unions that are insured under IC28-7-1-31.5 and certificates of indebtedness or investment of an industrial loan and investment company if the association or company is federally insured. Not more than twenty percent (20%) of the assets of a credit union may be invested in the shares or certificates of an association or company; nor more than forty percent (40%) in all such associations and companies.
(G) Corporate credit unions.
(H) Federal funds or similar types of daily funds transactions with other financial institutions.
(I) Mutual funds created and controlled by credit unions, credit union associations, or their subsidiaries. Mutual funds referred to in this clause may invest only in instruments that are approved for credit union purchase under this chapter.
(J) Shares, stocks, or obligations of any credit union service
organization (as defined in Section 712 of the Rules and Regulations of the National Credit Union Administration) with the approval of the department. Not more than five percent (5%) of the total paid in and unimpaired capital of the credit union may be invested under this clause.
(5) To deposit its funds into:
(A) depository institutions that are federally insured; or
(B) state chartered credit unions that are privately insured by an insurer approved by the department.
(6) To purchase, hold, own, or convey real estate as may be conveyed to the credit union in satisfaction of debts previously contracted or in exchange for real estate conveyed to the credit union.
(7) To own, hold, or convey real estate as may be purchased by the credit union upon judgment in its favor or decrees of foreclosure upon mortgages.
(8) To issue shares of stock and upon the terms, conditions, limitations, and restrictions and with the relative rights as may be stated in the bylaws of the credit union, but no stock may have preference or priority over the other to share in the assets of the credit union upon liquidation or dissolution or for the payment of dividends except as to the amount of the dividends and the time for the payment of the dividends as provided in the bylaws.
(9) To charge the member's share account for the actual cost of necessary locator service when the member has failed to keep the credit union informed about the member's current address. The charge shall be made only for amounts paid to a person or concern normally engaged in providing such service, and shall be made against the account or accounts of any one (1) member not more than once in any twelve (12) month period.
(10) To transfer to an accounts payable, a dormant account, or a special account share accounts which have been inactive, except for dividend credits, for a period of two (2) years. The credit union shall not consider the payment of dividends on the transferred account.
(11) To invest in fixed assets with the funds of the credit union. An investment in fixed assets in excess of five percent (5%) of its assets is subject to the approval of the department.
(12) To establish branch offices, upon approval of the department, provided that all books of account shall be maintained at the
principal office.
(13) To pay an interest refund on loans proportionate to the interest paid during the dividend period by borrowers who are members at the end of the dividend period.
(14) To purchase life savings and loan protection insurance for the benefit of the credit union and its members, if:
(A) the coverage is placed with an insurance company licensed to do business in Indiana; and
(B) no officer, director, or employee of the credit union personally benefits, directly or indirectly, from the sale or purchase of the coverage.
(15) To sell and cash negotiable checks, travelers checks, and money orders for members.
(16) To purchase members' notes from any liquidating credit union, with written approval from the department, at prices agreed upon by the boards of directors of both the liquidating and the purchasing credit unions. However, the aggregate of the unpaid balances of all notes of liquidating credit unions purchased by any one (1) credit union shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of its unimpaired capital and surplus unless special written authorization has been granted by the department.
(17) To exercise such incidental powers necessary or requisite to enable it to carry on effectively the business for which it is incorporated.
(18) To act as a custodian or trustee of any trust created or organized in the United States and forming part of a stock bonus, pension, or profit sharing plan which qualifies or qualified for specific tax treatment under Section 408(a) or Section 401(d) of the Internal Revenue Code, if the funds of the trust are invested only in share accounts or insured certificates of the credit union.
(19) To issue shares of its capital stock or insured certificates to a trustee or custodian of a pension plan, profit sharing plan, or stock bonus plan which qualifies for specific tax treatment under Sections 401(d) or 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code.
(20) A credit union may exercise any rights and privileges that are:
(A) granted to federal credit unions; but
(B) not authorized for credit unions under the Indiana Code (except for this section) or any rule adopted under the Indiana Code;
automated teller machine is to be located.
(27) To demand and receive, for the faithful performance and discharge of services performed under the powers vested in the credit union by this article:
(A) reasonable compensation, or compensation as fixed by agreement of the parties;
(B) all advances necessarily paid out and expended in the discharge and performance of its duties; and
(C) unless otherwise agreed upon, interest at the legal rate on the advances referred to in clause (B).
(28) Subject to any restrictions the department may impose, to become the owner or lessor of personal property acquired upon the request and for the use of a member and to incur additional obligations as may be incident to becoming an owner or lessor of such property.
SECTION 37. IC28-7-1-9.2, AS ADDED BY P.L.134-2001, SECTION 19, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 9.2. (a) As used in this section, "rights and privileges" means the power:
(1) to:
(1) (A) create;
(2) (B) deliver;
(3) (C) acquire; or
(4) (D) sell;
a product, a service, or an investment that is available to or offered by; or
(2) to engage in other activities authorized for;
federal credit unions domiciled in Indiana.
(b) A credit union that intends to exercise any rights and privileges that are:
(1) granted to federal credit unions; but
(2) not authorized for credit unions under the Indiana Code (except for this section) or any rule adopted under the Indiana Code;
shall submit a letter to the department describing in detail the requested rights and privileges granted to federal credit unions that the credit union intends to exercise. If available, copies of relevant federal law, regulations, and interpretive letters must be attached to the letter submitted by the credit union.
(c) The department shall promptly notify the requesting credit union
of the department's receipt of the letter submitted under subsection (b). Except as provided in subsection (e), the credit union may exercise the requested rights and privileges sixty (60) days after the date on which the department receives the letter unless otherwise notified by the department.
(d) The department, through its members, may prohibit the credit union from exercising the requested rights and privileges only if the members find that:
(1) federal credit unions domiciled in Indiana do not possess the requested rights and privileges; or
(2) the exercise of the requested rights and privileges by the credit union would adversely affect the safety and soundness of the credit union.
(e) The sixty (60) day period referred to in subsection (c) may be extended by the department based on a determination that the credit union's letter raised issues requiring additional information or additional time for analysis. If the sixty (60) day period is extended under this subsection, the credit union may exercise the requested rights and privileges only if the credit union receives prior written approval from the department. However:
(1) the members must:
(A) approve or deny the requested rights and privileges; or
(B) convene a hearing;
not later than sixty (60) days after the department receives the credit union's letter; and
(2) if a hearing is convened, the members must approve or deny the requested rights and privileges not later than sixty (60) days after the hearing is concluded.
(f) The exercise of rights and privileges by a credit union in compliance with and in the manner authorized by this section is not a violation of any provision of the Indiana Code or rules adopted under IC4-22-2.
(g) Whenever, in compliance with this section, a credit union exercises rights and privileges granted to federal credit unions domiciled in Indiana, all credit unions may exercise the same rights and privileges if the department by order determines that the exercise of the rights and privileges by all credit unions would not adversely affect their safety and soundness.
(h) If the department denies the request of a credit union under this section to exercise any rights and privileges that are granted to federal
credit unions, the credit union may appeal the decision of the department to the circuit court with jurisdiction in the county in which the principal office of the credit union is located. In an appeal under this section, the court shall determine the matter de novo.
SECTION 38. IC28-8-4-27 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 27. (a) Except as provided in section 29 of this chapter, an application must be accompanied by a security device that secures the faithful performance of the obligations of the licensee to receive, handle, transmit, and pay money in connection with the:
(1) sale and issuance of payment instruments; or
(2) transmission of money.
(b) The security device required under subsection (a) must:
(1) be in an amount as provided under subsection (c);
(2) run to the state; and
(3) be in a form acceptable to the director.
(c) The security device must be in an amount calculated as follows:
STEP ONE: Subtract one (1) from the number of locations where the applicant proposes to engage in business under the license.
STEP TWO: Multiply the difference determined under STEP ONE by ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
STEP THREE: Add one two hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) ($200,000) to the product determined under STEP TWO.
STEP FOUR: Pay the amount that is the lesser of:
(1) the sum determined in STEP THREE; or
(2) two three hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). ($300,000).
(d) If the security device filed is a bond, the aggregate liability of the surety shall not exceed the principal sum of the bond.
SECTION 39. IC28-8-4-33 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 33. (a) A license granted under this chapter permits a licensee to conduct business:
(1) at one (1) or more locations directly or indirectly owned by the licensee; or
(2) through one (1) or more authorized delegates.
(b) Each licensee shall maintain a policy of insurance issued by an insurer authorized to do business in Indiana that insures the applicant against loss by a criminal act or act of dishonesty. The principal sum of the policy shall be equivalent to one-half (1/2) the amount of the required security device required under section 27 of this chapter or deposit required under section 29 of this chapter.
financial institution of the department's receipt of the notice.
(b) A subsidiary may exercise a power or engage in an activity permitted to be performed by a financial institution under the same conditions and restrictions as if the power or activity is performed by the financial institution itself, or the activity has been authorized by as "activity eligible for notice" procedures under 12 CFR 5.34(e)(2)(ii). 5.34(e).
(c) The qualified subsidiary may exercise or engage in the activity thirty (30) days after the date on which the department receives the notification unless otherwise notified by the department.
SECTION 43. IC28-13-16-5, AS ADDED BY P.L.215-1999, SECTION 10, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 5. A financial institution may acquire or establish a nonqualifying subsidiary by submitting an application to the department containing:
(1) a complete description of the financial institution's investment in the subsidiary;
(2) the activity to be conducted; and
(3) a representation that the activity:
(A) could be performed by a financial institution under statutory authority of this title;
(B) is a part of or incidental to the business of banking as determined by the director; or
(C) has been authorized by as "activity eligible for notice" procedures under 12 CFR 5.34(e)(2)(ii). 5.34(e).
The department shall notify the requesting financial institution of the department's receipt of the application.
SECTION 44. IC28-15-2-2 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 2. (a) As used in this section, "rights and privileges" means the power:
(1) to:
(1) (A) create;
(2) (B) deliver;
(3) (C) acquire; or
(4) (D) sell;
a product or service product, a service, or an investment that is available to or offered by; or
(2) to engage in other activities authorized for;
federal savings associations domiciled in Indiana.
(b) Subject to this section, savings associations may exercise the
rights and privileges that are granted to federal savings associations.
(c) A savings association that intends to exercise any rights and privileges that are:
(1) granted to federal savings associations; but
(2) not authorized for savings associations under:
(A) the Indiana Code (except for this section); or
(B) a rule adopted under IC4-22-2;
shall submit a letter to the department, describing in detail the requested rights and privileges granted to federal savings associations that the savings association intends to exercise. If available, copies of relevant federal law, regulations, and interpretive letters must be attached to the letter.
(d) The department shall promptly notify the requesting savings association of its receipt of the letter submitted under subsection (c). Except as provided in subsection (f), the savings association may exercise the requested rights and privileges sixty (60) days after the date on which the department receives the letter unless otherwise notified by the department.
(e) The department, through its members, may prohibit the savings association from exercising the requested rights and privileges only if the members find that:
(1) federal savings associations in Indiana do not possess the requested rights and privileges; or
(2) the exercise of the requested rights and privileges by the savings association would adversely affect the safety and soundness of the savings association.
(f) The sixty (60) day period referred to in subsection (d) may be extended by the department based on a determination that the savings association letter raises issues requiring additional information or additional time for analysis. If the sixty (60) day period is extended under this subsection, the savings association may exercise the requested rights and privileges only if the savings association receives prior written approval from the department. However:
(1) the members must:
(A) approve or deny the requested rights and privileges; or
(B) convene a hearing;
not later than sixty (60) days after the department receives the savings association's letter; and
(2) if a hearing is convened, the members must approve or deny the requested rights and privileges not later than sixty (60) days
after the hearing is concluded.
(g) The exercise of rights and privileges by a savings association in compliance with and in the manner authorized by this section does not constitute a violation of any provision of the Indiana Code or rules adopted under IC4-22-2.
(h) Whenever, in compliance with this section, a savings association exercises rights and privileges granted to national savings associations domiciled in Indiana, all savings associations may exercise the same rights and privileges if the department by order determines that the exercise of the rights and privileges by all savings associations would not adversely affect their safety and soundness.
SECTION 45. IC32-29-1-2.5 IS ADDED TO THE INDIANA CODE AS A NEW SECTION TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2004]: Sec. 2.5. A mortgagee or a mortgagee's assignee or representative may not require a mortgagor, as a condition of receiving or maintaining a mortgage, to obtain hazard insurance coverage against risks to improvements on the mortgaged property in an amount exceeding the replacement value of the improvements.
SECTION 46. IC34-7-4-2, AS AMENDED BY SEA 263-2004, SECTION 120, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2005]: Sec. 2. Statutes outside IC34 providing causes of action or procedures include the following:
(1) IC4-21.5-5 (Judicial review of administrative agency actions).
(2) IC22-3-4 (Worker's compensation administration and procedures).
(3) IC22-4-17 (Unemployment compensation system, employee's claims for benefits).
(4) IC22-4-32 (Unemployment compensation system, employer's appeal process).
(5) IC22-9 (Civil rights actions).
(6) IC24-9 (Home loans).
(7) IC31-14 (Paternity).
(7) (8) IC31-15 (Dissolution of marriage and legal separation).
(8) (9) IC31-16 (Support of children and other dependants).
(9) (10) IC31-17 (Custody and visitation).
(10) (11) IC31-19 (Adoption).
(11) (12) IC32-27-2, IC32-30-1, IC32-30-2, IC32-30-2.1, IC32-30-2, IC32-30-4, IC32-30-9, IC32-30-10, IC32-30-12, IC32-30-13, and IC32-30-14 (Real property).
Approved: