MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Banking and Financial Services

By: Representative Warren

House Bill 688

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 75-67-435, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO EXTEND THE DATE OF REPEAL FOR THE PROVISION OF LAW THAT PROVIDES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF BANKING AND CONSUMER FINANCE'S AUTHORITY TO REGULATE TITLE PLEDGE LENDERS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  Section 75-67-435, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

     75-67-435.  (1)  The Commissioner of Banking and Consumer Finance shall develop and provide any necessary forms to carry out the provisions of this article.

     (2)  The department may adopt reasonable administrative regulations, not inconsistent with law, for the enforcement of this article.

     (3)  To assure compliance with the provision of this article, the department may examine the books and records of any licensee without notice during normal business hours.  The commissioner may charge the licensee an examination fee in an amount not less than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) nor more than Six Hundred Dollars ($600.00) for each office or location within the State of Mississippi, plus any actual expenses incurred while examining the licensee's records or books that are located outside the State of Mississippi.  However, in no event shall a licensee be examined more than once in a two-year period unless for cause shown based upon consumer complaint and/or other exigent reasons as determined by the commissioner.

     (4)  On or before July 1, 2007, the commissioner shall file with the Chairman of the Senate Business and Financial Institutions Committee and the Chairman of the House Banking Committee a report containing the total number of examinations or audits of licensees conducted by the department for each year, the total cost of such examinations, the number of examinations grouped by range of costs, and any other information the commissioner deems relevant to substantiate the examination fee authorized in this section.

     (5)  This section shall stand repealed from and after July 1, 2009.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.