House Bill 1298

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 75-17-25, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT CHARGES, FEES AND PREMIUMS FOR VOLUNTARILY PURCHASED CREDIT INSURANCE AND AUTO CLUB MEMBERSHIPS CHARGED BY A SMALL LOAN LICENSEE SHALL NOT BE CONSIDERED TO BE FINANCE CHARGES; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 75-17-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

75-17-25. The term "finance charge" as used in this section, Sections 75-17-1, 75-17-11, 75-17-13, 75-17-15, 75-17-17, 75-17-19, 75-17-21, 75-17-23, 75-17-27, 75-17-29, 75-17-33, 63-19-43, 75-67-127 and 75-67-217 means the amount or rate paid or payable, directly or indirectly, by a debtor for receiving a loan or incident to or as a condition of the extension of credit, including, but not limited to, interest, brokerage fees, finance charges, loan fees, discount, points, service charges, transaction charges, activity charges, carrying charges, time price differential, finder's fees or any other cost or expense to the debtor for services rendered or to be rendered to the debtor in making, arranging or negotiating a loan of money or an extension of credit and for the accounting, guaranteeing, endorsing, collecting and other actual services rendered by the lender; * * * ~~provided,~~ however, * * * ~~that~~recording fees, motor vehicle title fees, attorney's fees, insurance premiums, fees permitted to be charged under the provisions of Section 79-7-7, service charges as provided in Section 81-19-31, and with respect to a debt secured by an interest in land, bona fide closing costs and appraisal fees incidental to the transaction shall not be included in the finance charge. The term "finance charge," as used in this section and the sections enumerated above, shall not include any fees for the set up, establishment, processing or maintenance of a loan to a plan participant from a retirement plan intending to be tax-qualified (within the meaning of 26 USCS Section 401 et seq.) that are paid or payable directly or indirectly by the plan participant to the plan record keeper or third party administrator. In addition, the term "finance charge," as used in this section and the sections enumerated above, shall not include any charges, fees or premiums for voluntarily purchased credit life, health or accident insurance or auto club memberships charged under Section 75-67-121 by a licensee under the Small Loan Regulatory Law (Section 75-67-101 et seq.) and the Small Loan Privilege Tax Law (Section 75-67-201 et seq.).

Subject to the other provisions of this section, Sections 75-17-1, 75-17-13, 75-17-15, 75-17-17, 75-17-19, 75-17-21, 75-17-23, 75-17-27, 75-17-29, 75-17-33, 63-19-43, 75-67-127 and 75-67-217, the finance charge may be calculated on the assumption that the indebtedness will be discharged as it becomes due, and prepayment penalties and statutory default charges shall not be included in the finance charge. Nothing in Section 75-17-1 or Section 75-17-19, 75-17-21, 75-17-23, 75-17-27, 75-17-29 or 75-17-33 shall limit or restrict the manner of contracting for such finance charge, whether by way of add-on, discount or otherwise, so long as the annual percentage rate does not exceed that permitted by law. If a greater finance charge than that authorized by applicable law shall be stipulated for or received in any case, all interest and finance charges shall be forfeited, and may be recovered back, whether the contract be executed or executory. If a finance charge be contracted for or received that exceeds the maximum authorized by law by more than one hundred percent (100%), the principal and all finance charges shall be forfeited and any amount paid may be recovered by suit. The provisions of this section, Section 75-17-1 and Sections 75-17-19, 75-17-21, 75-17-23, 75-17-27, 75-17-29 and 75-17-33 shall not restrict the extension of credit pursuant to any other applicable law. A licensee under the Small Loan Regulatory Law (Section 75-67-101 et seq.), and the Small Loan Privilege Tax Law (Section 75-67-201 et seq.), may contract for and receive finance charges as authorized by Section 75-17-21, and the late payment charge as authorized by Section 75-17-27, regardless of the purpose for which the loan or other extension of credit is made.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2014.