MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Banking and Financial Services
By: Representative Steverson
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE SECURITY INTERESTS IN DIGITAL ASSETS; TO DEFINE CERTAIN TERMS RELATING TO DIGITAL ASSETS; TO CLASSIFY DIGITAL ASSETS AS PROPERTY; TO AUTHORIZE BANKS TO PROVIDE CUSTODIAL SERVICES FOR DIGITAL ASSET PROPERTY; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 75-71-102, 75-71-103, 75-71-104, 75-71-105, 75-71-201, 75-71-202, 75-71-203, 75-71-204, 75-71-301, 75-71-302, 75-71-303, 75-71-304, 75-71-305, 75-71-306, 75-71-307, 75-71-310, 75-71-401, 75-71-402, 75-71-403, 75-71-404, 75-71-405, 75-71-406, 75-71-407, 75-71-408, 75-71-409, 75-71-410, 75-71-411, 75-71-412, 75-71-413, 75-71-501, 75-71-502, 75-71-503, 75-71-504, 75-71-505, 75-71-506, 75-71-507, 75-71-508, 75-71-509, 75-71-510, 75-71-601, 75-71-602, 75-71-603, 75-71-604, 75-71-605, 75-71-606, 75-71-607, 75-71-608, 75-71-609, 75-71-610, 75-71-611, 75-71-612, 75-71-613, 75-71-701, 75-15-3, 75-15-5, 75-15-7, 75-15-9, 75-15-11, 75-15-12, 75-15-13, 75-15-15, 75-15-17, 75-15-19, 75-15-21, 75-15-23, 75-15-25, 75-15-27, 75-15-29, 75-15-31, 75-15-32, 75-15-33 AND 75-15-35, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH RELATE TO THE MISSISSIPPI SECURITIES ACT AND THE MISSISSIPPI MONEY TRANSMITTERS ACT; FOR PURPOSES OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) For purposes of this act, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless context clearly indicates otherwise:
(a) "Digital asset" means a representation of economic, proprietary or access rights that is stored in a computer readable format, and includes digital consumer assets, digital securities and virtual currency;
(b) "Digital consumer asset" means a digital asset that is used or bought primarily for consumptive, personal or household purposes and includes:
(i) An open blockchain token constituting intangible personal property as otherwise provided by law;
(ii) Any other digital asset which does not fall within paragraphs (c) and (d) of this subsection.
(c) "Digital security" means a digital asset which constitutes a security, but shall exclude digital consumer assets and virtual currency;
(d) "Virtual currency" means a digital asset that is:
(i) Used as a medium of exchange, unit of account or store of value; and
(ii) Not recognized as legal tender by the United States government.
(2) The terms in paragraphs (a) (ii) through (iv) of this section are mutually exclusive.
SECTION 2. (1) Digital assets are classified in the following manner:
(a) Digital consumer assets are intangible personal property and shall be considered general intangibles, only for the purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 75, Mississippi Code of 1972;
(b) Digital securities are intangible personal property and shall be considered as securities and investment property, only for the purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 75, Mississippi Code of 1972;
(c) Virtual currency is intangible personal property and shall be considered money, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, only for the purposes of the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 75, Mississippi Code of 1972;
(2) A digital asset may be treated as a financial asset, pursuant to a written agreement with the owner of the digital asset. If treated as a financial asset, the digital asset shall remain intangible personal property.
(3) Classification of digital assets under this section shall be construed in a manner to give the greatest effect to this chapter, but shall not be construed to apply to any other asset.
SECTION 3. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, as otherwise applied to general intangibles or any other provision of law, perfection of a security interest in a digital asset may be achieved through control, as defined in subsection (5)(a) of this section.
A security interest held by a secured party having control of a digital asset has priority over a security interest held by a secured party that does not have control of the asset.
(2) Before a secured party may take control of a digital asset under this section, the secured party shall enter into a control agreement with the debtor. A control agreement may also set forth the terms under which a secured party may pledge its security interest in the digital asset as collateral for another transaction.
(3) A secured party may file a financing statement with the Secretary of State, including to perfect a security interest in proceeds from a digital asset.
(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, including the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 75, Mississippi Code of 1972, a transferee takes a digital asset free of any security interest two (2) years after the transferee takes the asset for value and does not have actual notice of an adverse claim. This subsection only applies to a security interest perfected by a method other than control.
(5) As used in this section:
(a) Consistent with subsection (6) of this section, the term "control" means the following:
(i) A secured party, or an agent, custodian, fiduciary or trustee of the party, has the exclusive legal authority to conduct a transaction relating to a digital asset, including by means of a private key or the use of a multi-signature arrangement authorized by the secured party;
(ii) A smart contract created by a secured party which has the exclusive legal authority to conduct a transaction relating to a digital asset. As used in this subparagraph, "smart contract" means an automated transaction, or any substantially similar analogue, which is comprised of code, script or programming language that executes the terms of an agreement, and which may include taking custody of and transferring an asset, or issuing executable instructions for these actions, based on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of specified conditions.
(b) "Multi-signature arrangement" means a system of access control relating to a digital asset for the purposes of preventing unauthorized transactions relating to the asset, in which two (2) or more private keys are required to conduct a transaction, or any substantially similar analogue;
(c) "Private key" means a unique element of cryptographic data, or any substantially similar analogue, which is:
(i) Held by a person;
(ii) Paired with a unique, publicly available element of cryptographic data; and
(iii) Associated with an algorithm that is necessary to carry out an encryption or decryption required to execute a transaction.
(6) Perfection by control creates a possessory security interest and does not require physical possession. For purposes of this act, a digital asset is located in Mississippi if the asset is held by a Mississippi custodian, the debtor or secured party is physically located in Mississippi or the debtor or secured party is incorporated or organized in Mississippi.
SECTION 4. (1) A bank may provide custodial services consistent with this section upon providing sixty (60) days written notice to the commissioner. The provisions of this section are cumulative and not exclusive as an optional framework for enhanced supervision of digital asset custody. If a bank elects to provide custodial services under this section, it shall comply with all provisions of this section.
(2) A bank may serve as a qualified custodian, as specified by the United States securities and exchange commission in 17 CFR Section 275.206(4)-2. In performing custodial services under this section, a bank shall:
(a) Implement all accounting, account statement, internal control, notice and other standards specified by applicable state or federal law and rules for custodial services;
(b) Maintain information technology best practices relating to digital assets held in custody. The commissioner may specify required best practices by rule;
(c) Fully comply with applicable federal anti-money laundering, customer identification and beneficial ownership requirements; and
(d) Take other actions necessary to carry out this section, which may include exercising fiduciary powers similar to those permitted to national banks and ensuring compliance with federal law governing digital assets classified as commodities.
(3) A bank providing custodial services shall enter into an agreement with an independent public accountant to conduct an examination conforming to the requirements of 17 CFR Section 275.206(4)-2(a)(4) and (6), at the cost of the bank.
The accountant shall transmit the results of the examination to the commissioner within one hundred twenty (120) days of the examination and may file the results with the United States securities and exchange commission as its rules may provide. Material discrepancies in an examination shall be reported to the commissioner within one (1) day. The commissioner shall review examination results upon receipt within a reasonable time and during any regular examination.
(4) Digital assets held in custody under this section are not depository liabilities or assets of the bank. A bank, or a subsidiary, may register as an investment advisor, investment company or broker dealer as necessary. A bank shall maintain control over a digital asset while in custody. A customer shall elect, pursuant to a written agreement with the bank, one (1) of the following relationships for each digital asset held in custody:
(a) Custody under a bailment as a nonfungible or fungible asset. Assets held under this paragraph shall be strictly segregated from other assets; or
(b) Custody under a bailment pursuant to subsection (5) of this section.
(5) If a customer makes an election under subsection (4)(b) of this section, the bank may, based only on customer instructions, undertake transactions with the digital asset.
A bank maintains control pursuant to subsection (4) of this section by entering into an agreement with the counterparty to a transaction which contains a time for return of the asset.
The bank shall not be liable for any loss suffered with respect to a transaction under this subsection, except for liability consistent with fiduciary and trust powers as a custodian under this section.
(6) A bank and a customer shall agree in writing regarding the source code version the bank will use for each digital asset, and the treatment of each asset under the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 75, Mississippi Code of 1972, if necessary. Any ambiguity under this subsection shall be resolved in favor of the customer.
(7) A bank shall provide clear, written notice to each customer, and require written acknowledgement, of the following:
(a) Prior to the implementation of any updates, material source code updates relating to digital assets held in custody, except in emergencies which may include security vulnerabilities;
(b) The heightened risk of loss from transactions under subsection (5) of this section;
(c) That some risk of loss as a pro rata creditor exists as the result of custody as a fungible asset or custody under subsection (4)(b) of this section;
(d) That custody under subsection (4)(b) of this section may not result in the digital assets of the customer being strictly segregated from other customer assets; and
(e) That the bank is not liable for losses suffered under subsection (5) of this section, except for liability consistent with fiduciary and trust powers as a custodian under this section.
(8) A bank and a customer shall agree in writing to a time period within which the bank must return a digital asset held in custody under this section. If a customer makes an election under subsection (4)(b) of this section, the bank and the customer may also agree in writing to the form in which the digital asset shall be returned.
(9) All ancillary or subsidiary proceeds relating to digital assets held in custody under this section shall accrue to the benefit of the customer, except as specified by a written agreement with the customer. The bank may elect not to collect certain ancillary or subsidiary proceeds, as long as the election is disclosed in writing. A customer who makes an election under subsection (4)(a) of this section may withdraw the digital asset in a form that permits the collection of the ancillary or subsidiary proceeds.
(10) A bank shall not authorize or permit rehypothecation of digital assets under this section. The bank shall not engage in any activity to use or exercise discretionary authority relating to a digital asset except based on customer instructions.
(11) A bank shall not take any action under this section which would likely impair the solvency or the safety and soundness of the bank, as determined by the commissioner after considering the nature of custodial services customary in the banking industry.
(12) The commissioner may adopt rules to implement this section.
(13) As used in this section:
(a) "Bank" means any corporation, excluding national banks, having a place of business within this state which engages in banking business, and includes a special purpose depository institution;
(b) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Banking;
(c) "Custodial services" means the safekeeping and management of customer currency and digital assets through the exercise of fiduciary and trust powers under this section as a custodian, and includes fund administration and the execution of customer instructions.
SECTION 5. The courts of Mississippi shall have jurisdiction to hear claims in both law and equity relating to digital assets, including those arising from this chapter and the Uniform Commercial Code, Title 75, Mississippi Code of 1972.
SECTION 6. Section 75-71-102, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-102. Definitions. In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Administrator" means the Secretary of State.
(2) "Agent" means an individual, other than a broker-dealer, who represents a broker-dealer in effecting or attempting to effect purchases or sales of securities or represents an issuer in effecting or attempting to effect purchases or sales of the issuer's securities. The term does not include an individual excluded by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter. The term does not include an associated person of an issuer who is deemed not to be a broker under Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 3a4-1.
(3) "Bank" means:
(A) A banking institution organized under the laws of the United States;
(B) A member bank of the Federal Reserve System;
(C) Any other banking institution, whether incorporated or not, doing business under the laws of a state or of the United States, a substantial portion of the business of which consists of receiving deposits or exercising fiduciary powers similar to those permitted to be exercised by national banks under the authority of the Comptroller of the Currency pursuant to Section 1 of Public Law 87-722 (12 USC Section 92a), and which is supervised and examined by a state or federal agency having supervision over banks, and which is not operated for the purpose of evading this chapter; and
(D) A receiver, conservator, or other liquidating agent of any institution or firm included in subparagraph (A), (B) or (C).
(4) "Broker-dealer" means a person engaged in the business of effecting transactions in securities for the account of others or for the person's own account. The term does not include:
(A) An agent;
(B) An issuer;
(C) A bank or savings institution if its activities as a broker-dealer are limited to those specified in subsection 3(a)(4)(B)(i) through (vi), (viii) through (x), and (xi) if limited to unsolicited transactions; 3(a)(5)(B); and 3(a)(5)(C) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78c(a)(4) and (5)) or a bank that satisfies the conditions described in subsection 3(a)(4)(E) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78c(a)(4));
(D) An international banking institution; or
(E) A person excluded by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(5) "Depository institution" means:
(A) A bank; or
(B) A savings institution, trust company, credit union, or similar institution that is organized or chartered under the laws of a state or of the United States, authorized to receive deposits, and supervised and examined by an official or agency of a state or the United States if its deposits or share accounts are insured to the maximum amount authorized by statute by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, or a successor authorized by federal law. The term does not include:
(i) An insurance company or other organization primarily engaged in the business of insurance;
(ii) A Morris Plan bank; or
(iii) An industrial loan company that is not an "insured depository institution" as defined in Section 3(c)(2) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, 12 USC 1813(c)(2), or any successor federal statute.
(6) "Federal covered investment adviser" means a person registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
(7) "Federal covered security" means a security that is, or upon completion of a transaction will be, a covered security under Section 18(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 USC Section 77r(b)) or rules or regulations adopted pursuant to that provision.
(8) "Filing" means the receipt under this chapter of a record by the administrator or a designee of the administrator.
(9) "Fraud," "deceit," and "defraud" are not limited to common law deceit.
(10) "Guaranteed" means guaranteed as to payment of all principal and all interest.
(11) "Institutional investor" means any of the following, whether acting for itself or for others in a fiduciary capacity:
(A) A depository institution or international banking institution;
(B) An insurance company;
(C) A separate account of an insurance company;
(D) An investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(E) A broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
(F) An employee pension, profit-sharing, or benefit plan if the plan has total assets in excess of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) or its investment decisions are made by a named fiduciary, as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, that is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, an investment adviser registered or exempt from registration under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, an investment adviser registered under this chapter, a depository institution, or an insurance company;
(G) A plan established and maintained by a state, a political subdivision of a state, or an agency or instrumentality of a state or a political subdivision of a state for the benefit of its employees, if the plan has total assets in excess of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) or its investment decisions are made by a duly designated public official or by a named fiduciary, as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, that is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, an investment adviser registered or exempt from registration under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, an investment adviser registered under this chapter, a depository institution, or an insurance company;
(H) A trust, if it has total assets in excess of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00), its trustee is a depository institution, and its participants are exclusively plans of the types identified in subparagraph (F) or (G), regardless of the size of their assets, except a trust that includes as participants self-directed individual retirement accounts or similar self-directed plans;
(I) An organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (26 USC Section 501(c)(3)), corporation, Massachusetts trust or similar business trust, limited liability company, or partnership, not formed for the specific purpose of acquiring the securities offered, with total assets in excess of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000);
(J) A small business investment company licensed by the Small Business Administration under Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 USC Section 681(c)) with total assets in excess of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00);
(K) A private business development company as defined in Section 202(a)(22) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-2(a)(22)) with total assets in excess of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00);
(L) A federal covered investment adviser acting for its own account;
(M) A "qualified institutional buyer" as defined in Rule 144A(a)(1), other than Rule 144A(a)(1)(i)(H), adopted under the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.144A);
(N) A "major U.S. institutional investor" as defined in Rule 15a-6(b)(4)(i) adopted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR 240.15a-6);
(O) Any other person, other than an individual, of institutional character with total assets in excess of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000.00) not organized for the specific purpose of evading this chapter; or
(P) Any other person specified by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(12) "Insurance company" means a company organized as an insurance company whose primary business is writing insurance or reinsuring risks underwritten by insurance companies and which is subject to supervision by the insurance commissioner or a similar official or agency of a state.
(13) "Insured" means insured as to payment of all principal and all interest.
(14) "International banking institution" means an international financial institution of which the United States is a member and whose securities are exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933.
(15) "Investment adviser" means a person that, for compensation, engages in the business of advising others, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities or the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities or that, for compensation and as a part of a regular business, issues or promulgates analyses or reports concerning securities. The term includes a financial planner or other person that, as an integral component of other financially related services, provides investment advice to others for compensation as part of a business or that holds itself out as providing investment advice to others for compensation. The term does not include:
(A) An investment adviser representative;
(B) A lawyer, accountant, engineer, or teacher whose performance of investment advice is solely incidental to the practice of the person's profession;
(C) A broker-dealer or its agents whose performance of investment advice is solely incidental to the conduct of business as a broker-dealer and that does not receive special compensation for the investment advice;
(D) A publisher of a bona fide newspaper, news magazine, or business or financial publication of general and regular circulation;
(E) A federal covered investment adviser;
(F) A bank or savings institution;
(G) Any other person that is excluded by the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 from the definition of investment adviser; or
(H) Any other person excluded by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(16) "Investment adviser representative" means an individual employed by or associated with an investment adviser or federal covered investment adviser and who makes any recommendations or otherwise gives investment advice regarding securities, manages accounts or portfolios of clients, determines which recommendation or advice regarding securities should be given, provides investment advice or holds herself or himself out as providing investment advice, receives compensation to solicit, offer, or negotiate for the sale of or for selling investment advice, or supervises employees who perform any of the foregoing. The term does not include an individual who:
(A) Performs only clerical or ministerial acts;
(B) Is an agent whose performance of investment advice is solely incidental to the individual acting as an agent and who does not receive special compensation for investment advisory services;
(C) Is employed by or associated with a federal covered investment adviser, unless the individual has a "place of business" in this state as that term is defined by rule adopted under Section 203A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-3a) and is:
(i) An "investment adviser representative" as that term is defined by rule adopted under Section 203A of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-3a); or
(ii) Not a "supervised person" as that term is defined in Section 202(a)(25) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-2(a)(25)); or
(D) Is excluded by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(17) "Issuer" means a person that issues or proposes to issue a security, subject to the following:
(A) The issuer of a voting trust certificate, collateral trust certificate, certificate of deposit for a security, or share in an investment company without a board of directors or individuals performing similar functions is the person performing the acts and assuming the duties of depositor or manager pursuant to the trust or other agreement or instrument under which the security is issued.
(B) The issuer of an equipment trust certificate or similar security serving the same purpose is the person by which the property is or will be used or to which the property or equipment is or will be leased or conditionally sold or that is otherwise contractually responsible for assuring payment of the certificate.
(C) The issuer of a fractional undivided interest in an oil, gas, or other mineral lease or in payments out of production under a lease, right, or royalty is the owner of an interest in the lease or in payments out of production under a lease, right, or royalty, whether whole or fractional, that creates fractional interests for the purpose of sale.
(18) "Nonissuer transaction" or "nonissuer distribution" means a transaction or distribution not directly or indirectly for the benefit of the issuer.
(19) "Offer to purchase" includes an attempt or offer to obtain, or solicitation of an offer to sell, a security or interest in a security for value. The term does not include a tender offer that is subject to Section 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC 78n(d)).
(20) "Person" means an individual; corporation; business trust; estate; trust; partnership; limited liability company; association or organization, whether incorporated or unincorporated; joint venture; government; governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; or any other legal or commercial entity.
(21) "Place of business" of a broker-dealer, an investment adviser, or a federal covered investment adviser means:
(A) An office at which the broker-dealer, investment adviser, or federal covered investment adviser regularly provides brokerage or investment advice or solicits, meets with, or otherwise communicates with customers or clients; or
(B) Any other location that is held out to the general public as a location at which the broker-dealer, investment adviser, or federal covered investment adviser provides brokerage or investment advice or solicits, meets with, or otherwise communicates with customers or clients.
(22) "Predecessor act" means the act repealed by Section 2, Chapter 528, Laws of 2009.
(23) "Price amendment" means the amendment to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act of 1933 or, if an amendment is not filed, the prospectus or prospectus supplement filed under the Securities Act of 1933 that includes a statement of the offering price, underwriting and selling discounts or commissions, amount of proceeds, conversion rates, call prices, and other matters dependent upon the offering price.
(24) "Principal place of business" of a broker-dealer or an investment adviser means the executive office of the broker-dealer or investment adviser from which the officers, partners, or managers of the broker-dealer or investment adviser direct, control, and coordinate the activities of the broker-dealer or investment adviser.
(25) "Record," except in the phrases "of record," "official record," and "public record," means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.
(26) "Sale" includes every contract of sale, contract to sell, or disposition of, a security or interest in a security for value, and "offer to sell" includes every attempt or offer to dispose of, or solicitation of an offer to purchase, a security or interest in a security for value. Both terms include:
(A) A security given or delivered with, or as a bonus on account of, a purchase of securities or any other thing constituting part of the subject of the purchase and having been offered and sold for value;
(B) A gift of assessable stock involving an offer and sale; and
(C) A sale or offer of a warrant or right to purchase or subscribe to another security of the same or another issuer and a sale or offer of a security that gives the holder a present or future right or privilege to convert the security into another security of the same or another issuer, including an offer of the other security.
(27) "Securities and Exchange Commission" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
(28) "Security" means a note; stock; treasury stock; security future; bond; debenture; evidence of indebtedness; certificate of interest or participation in a profit-sharing agreement; collateral trust certificate; preorganization certificate or subscription; transferable share; investment contract; voting trust certificate; certificate of deposit for a security; fractional undivided interest in oil, gas, or other mineral rights; put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on a security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities, including an interest therein or based on the value thereof; put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency; or, in general, an interest or instrument commonly known as a "security"; or a certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing. The term includes both a certificated and an uncertificated security. The term does not include an insurance or endowment policy or annuity contract under which an insurance company promises to pay a sum of money either in a lump sum or periodically for life or other specified period; or an interest in a contributory or noncontributory pension or welfare plan subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. An "investment contract" includes, among other contracts, an investment in a limited partnership, an interest in a limited liability company, an investment in a viatical settlement or similar agreement, and an investment in a common enterprise with the expectation of profits to be derived primarily from the efforts of a person other than the investor and a "common enterprise" means an enterprise in which the fortunes of the investor are interwoven with those of either the person offering the investment, a third party, or other investors.
(29) "Self-regulatory organization" means a national securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a national securities association of broker-dealers registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board established under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(30) "Sign" means, with present intent to authenticate or adopt a record:
(A) To execute or adopt a tangible symbol; or
(B) To attach or logically associate with the record an electronic symbol, sound, or process.
(31) "State" means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.
SECTION 7. Section 75-71-103, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-103. References to federal statutes. "Securities Act of 1933" (15 USC Section 77a et seq.), "Securities Exchange Act of 1934" (15 USC Section 78a et seq.), "Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935" (15 USC Section 79 et seq.), "Investment Company Act of 1940" (15 USC Section 80a-1 et seq.), "Investment Advisers Act of 1940" (15 USC Section 80b-1 et seq.), "Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974" (29 USC Section 1001 et seq.), "National Housing Act" (12 USC Section 1701 et seq.), "Commodity Exchange Act" (7 USC Section 1 et seq.), "Internal Revenue Code" (26 USC Section 1 et seq.), "Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970" (15 USC Section 78aaa et seq.), "Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act of 1998" (112 Stat. 3227), "Small Business Investment Act of 1958" (15 USC Section 661 et seq.), and "Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act" (15 USC Section 7001 et seq.) mean those statutes and the rules and regulations adopted under those statutes, as in effect on January 1, 2000, or as later amended.
SECTION 8. Section 75-71-104, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-104. References to federal agencies. A reference in this chapter to an agency or department of the United States is also a reference to a successor agency or department.
SECTION 9. Section 75-71-105, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-105. Electronic records and signatures. This chapter modifies, limits, and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, but does not modify, limit, or supersede Section 101(c) of that act (15 USC Section 7001(c)) or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in Section 103(b) of that act (15 USC Section 7003(b)). This chapter authorizes the filing of records and signatures, when specified by provisions of this chapter or by a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, in a manner consistent with Section 104(a) of that act (15 USC Section 7004(a)).
SECTION 10. Section 75-71-201, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-201. Exempt securities. The following securities are exempt from the requirements of Sections 75-71-301 through 75-71-306 and 75-71-504:
(1) A security, including a revenue obligation or a separate security as defined in Rule 131 (17 CFR 230.131) adopted under the Securities Act of 1933, issued, insured, or guaranteed by the United States; a state; a political subdivision of a state; a public authority, agency, or instrumentality of one or more states; a political subdivision of one or more states; or a person controlled or supervised by and acting as an instrumentality of the United States under authority granted by the Congress; or a certificate of deposit for any of the foregoing;
(2) A security issued, insured, or guaranteed by a foreign government with which the United States maintains diplomatic relations, or any of its political subdivisions, if the security is recognized as a valid obligation by the issuer, insurer, or guarantor;
(3) A security issued by and representing or that will represent an interest in or a direct obligation of, or be guaranteed by:
(A) An international banking institution;
(B) A banking institution organized under the laws of the United States; a member bank of the Federal Reserve System; or a depository institution a substantial portion of the business of which consists or will consist of receiving deposits or share accounts that are insured to the maximum amount authorized by statute by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund, or a successor authorized by federal law or exercising fiduciary powers that are similar to those permitted for national banks under the authority of the Comptroller of Currency pursuant to Section 1 of Public Law 87-722 (12 USC Section 92a); or
(C) Any other depository institution, unless by rule or order the administrator proceeds under Section 75-71-204;
(4) A security issued by and representing an interest in, or a debt of, or insured or guaranteed by, an insurance company authorized to do business in this state;
(5) A security issued or guaranteed by a railroad, other common carrier, public utility, or public utility holding company that is:
(A) Regulated in respect to its rates and charges by the United States or a state;
(B) Regulated in respect to the issuance or guarantee of the security by the United States, a state, Canada, or a Canadian province or territory; or
(C) A public utility holding company registered under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 or a subsidiary of such a registered holding company within the meaning of that act;
(6) A federal covered security specified in Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 USC Section 77r(b)(1)) or by rule adopted under that provision or a security listed or approved for listing on another securities market specified by rule under this chapter; a put or a call option contract; a warrant; a subscription right on or with respect to such securities; or an option or similar derivative security on a security or an index of securities or foreign currencies issued by a clearing agency registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and listed or designated for trading on a national securities exchange, a facility of a national securities exchange, or a facility of a national securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or an offer or sale, of the underlying security in connection with the offer, sale, or exercise of an option or other security that was exempt when the option or other security was written or issued; or an option or a derivative security designated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under Section 9(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78i(b));
(7) A security issued by a person organized and operated exclusively for religious, educational, benevolent, fraternal, charitable, social, athletic, or reformatory purposes, or as a chamber of commerce, and not for pecuniary profit, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of a private stockholder or other person, or a security of a company that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under Section 3(c)(10)(B) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80a-3(c)(10)(B)); except that with respect to the offer or sale of a note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness issued by such a person, a rule may be adopted under this chapter limiting the availability of this exemption by classifying securities, persons, and transactions, imposing different requirements for different classes, specifying with respect to (B) the scope of the exemption and the grounds for denial or suspension, and requiring an issuer:
(A) To file a notice specifying the material terms of the proposed offer or sale and copies of any proposed sales and advertising literature to be used and provide that the exemption becomes effective if the administrator does not disallow the exemption within the period established by the rule;
(B) To file a request for exemption authorization for which a rule under this chapter may specify the scope of the exemption, the requirement of an offering statement, the filing of sales and advertising literature, the filing of consent to service of process complying with Section 75-71-611, and grounds for denial or suspension of the exemption; or
(C) To register under Section 75-71-304;
(8) A member's or owner's interest in, or a retention certificate or like security given in lieu of a cash patronage dividend issued by, a cooperative organized and operated as a nonprofit membership cooperative under the cooperative laws of a state, but not a member's or owner's interest, retention certificate, or like security sold to persons other than bona fide members of the cooperative;
(9) An equipment trust certificate with respect to equipment leased or conditionally sold to a person, if any security issued by the person would be exempt under this section or would be a federal covered security under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 USC Section 77r(b)(1)); and
(10) Any oil, gas or mineral lease, working interest, mineral interest or mineral estate, royalty interest or royalty estate, overriding royalty, or an oil payment or net profit interest, regardless of how said interests may be created, provided any vested estate in any working interest shall not be less than one-two-hundredth (1/200) of the whole working interest, and any mineral lease and royalty sales made in exchange for labor, material and machinery used in drilling an oil or gas well.
SECTION 11. Section 75-71-202, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-202. Exempt transactions. The following transactions are exempt from the requirements of Sections 75-71-301 through 75-71-306 and 75-71-504. The transactions listed below are self-actuating, are not conditioned by rule and require no pre-approval of the administrator, unless otherwise indicated below:
(1) An isolated nonissuer transaction, whether effected by or through a broker-dealer or not;
(2) A nonissuer transaction by or through a broker-dealer registered, or exempt from registration under this chapter, and a resale transaction by a sponsor of a unit investment trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, in a security of a class that has been outstanding in the hands of the public for at least ninety (90) days, if, at the date of the transaction:
(A) The issuer of the security is engaged in business, the issuer is not in the organizational stage or in bankruptcy or receivership, and the issuer is not a blank check, blind pool, or shell company that has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that its primary business plan is to engage in a merger or combination of the business with, or an acquisition of, an unidentified person;
(B) The security is sold at a price reasonably related to its current market price;
(C) The security does not constitute the whole or part of an unsold allotment to, or a subscription or participation by, the broker-dealer as an underwriter of the security or a redistribution;
(D) A nationally recognized securities manual or its electronic equivalent designated by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or a record filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that is publicly available contains:
(i) A description of the business and operations of the issuer;
(ii) The names of the issuer's executive officers and the names of the issuer's directors, if any;
(iii) An audited balance sheet of the issuer as of a date within eighteen (18) months before the date of the transaction or, in the case of a reorganization or merger when the parties to the reorganization or merger each had an audited balance sheet, a pro forma balance sheet for the combined organization; and
(iv) An audited income statement for each of the issuer's two (2) immediately previous fiscal years or for the period of existence of the issuer, whichever is shorter, or, in the case of a reorganization or merger when each party to the reorganization or merger had audited income statements, a pro forma income statement; and
(E) Any one (1) of the following requirements is met:
(i) The issuer of the security has a class of equity securities listed on a national securities exchange registered under Section 6 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or designated for trading on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System;
(ii) The issuer of the security is a unit investment trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940;
(iii) The issuer of the security, including its predecessors, has been engaged in continuous business for at least three (3) years; or
(iv) The issuer of the security has total assets of at least Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) based on an audited balance sheet as of a date within eighteen (18) months before the date of the transaction or, in the case of a reorganization or merger when the parties to the reorganization or merger each had such an audited balance sheet, a pro forma balance sheet for the combined organization;
(3) A nonissuer transaction by or through a broker-dealer registered or exempt from registration under this chapter in a security of a foreign issuer that is a margin security defined in regulations or rules adopted by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;
(4) A nonissuer transaction by or through a broker-dealer registered or exempt from registration under this chapter in an outstanding security if the guarantor of the security files reports with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC 78m or 78o(d));
(5) A nonissuer transaction by or through a broker-dealer registered or exempt from registration under this chapter in a security that:
(A) Is rated at the time of the transaction by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization in one (1) of its four (4) highest rating categories; or
(B) Has a fixed maturity or a fixed interest or dividend, if:
(i) A default has not occurred during the current fiscal year or within the three (3) previous fiscal years or during the existence of the issuer and any predecessor if less than three (3) fiscal years, in the payment of principal, interest, or dividends on the security; and
(ii) The issuer is engaged in business, is not in the organizational stage or in bankruptcy or receivership, and is not and has not been within the previous twelve (12) months a blank check, blind pool, or shell company that has no specific business plan or purpose or has indicated that its primary business plan is to engage in a merger or combination of the business with, or an acquisition of, an unidentified person;
(6) A nonissuer transaction by or through a broker-dealer registered or exempt from registration under this chapter effecting an unsolicited order or offer to purchase;
(7) A nonissuer transaction executed by a bona fide pledgee without the purpose of evading this chapter;
(8) A nonissuer transaction by a federal covered investment adviser with investments under management in excess of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) acting in the exercise of discretionary authority in a signed record for the account of others;
(9) The following transaction requires approval of the administrator: a transaction in a security, whether or not the security or transaction is otherwise exempt, in exchange for one or more bona fide outstanding securities, claims, or property interests, or partly in such exchange and partly for cash, if the terms and conditions of the issuance and exchange or the delivery and exchange and the fairness of the terms and conditions have been approved by the administrator after a hearing;
(10) A transaction between the issuer or other person on whose behalf the offering is made and an underwriter, or among underwriters;
(11) A transaction in a note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness secured by a mortgage or other security agreement if:
(A) The note, bond, debenture, or other evidence of indebtedness is offered and sold with the mortgage or other security agreement as a unit;
(B) A general solicitation or general advertisement of the transaction is not made; and
(C) A commission or other remuneration is not paid or given, directly or indirectly, to a person not registered under this chapter as a broker-dealer or as an agent;
(12) A transaction by an executor, administrator of an estate, sheriff, marshal, receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, guardian, or conservator;
(13) A sale or offer to sell to:
(A) An institutional investor;
(B) A federal covered investment adviser; or
(C) Any other person exempted by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter;
(14) A sale or offer to sell securities by or on behalf of an issuer, if the transaction is part of a single issue in which:
(A) Not more than ten (10) purchasers are present in this state during any twelve (12) consecutive months, other than those designated in paragraph (13);
(B) A general solicitation or general advertising is not made in connection with the offer to sell or sale of the securities;
(C) A commission or other remuneration is not paid or given, directly or indirectly, to a person other than a broker-dealer registered under this chapter or an agent registered under this chapter for soliciting a prospective purchaser in this state; and
(D) The issuer reasonably believes that all the purchasers in this state, other than those designated in paragraph (13), are purchasing for investment;
(15) A transaction under an offer to existing security holders of the issuer, including persons that at the date of the transaction are holders of convertible securities, options, or warrants, if a commission or other remuneration, other than a standby commission, is not paid or given, directly or indirectly, for soliciting a security holder in this state;
(16) An offer to sell, but not a sale, of a security not exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 if:
(A) A registration or offering statement or similar record as required under the Securities Act of 1933 has been filed, but is not effective, or the offer is made in compliance with Rule 165 adopted under the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.165); and
(B) A stop order of which the offeror is aware has not been issued against the offeror by the administrator or the Securities and Exchange Commission, and an audit, inspection, or proceeding that is public and that may culminate in a stop order is not known by the offeror to be pending;
(17) An offer to sell, but not a sale, of a security exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 if:
(A) A registration statement has been filed under this chapter, but is not effective;
(B) A solicitation of interest is provided in a record to offerees in compliance with a rule adopted by the administrator under this chapter; and
(C) A stop order of which the offeror is aware has not been issued by the administrator under this chapter and an audit, inspection, or proceeding that may culminate in a stop order is not known by the offeror to be pending;
(18) A transaction involving the distribution of the securities of an issuer to the security holders of another person in connection with a merger, consolidation, exchange of securities, sale of assets, or other reorganization to which the issuer, or its parent or subsidiary and the other person, or its parent or subsidiary, are parties;
(19) A rescission offer, sale, or purchase under Section 75-71-510;
(20) An offer or sale of a security to a person not a resident of this state and not present in this state if the offer or sale does not constitute a violation of the laws of the state or foreign jurisdiction in which the offeree or purchaser is present and is not part of an unlawful plan or scheme to evade this chapter;
(21) Employees' stock purchase, savings, option, profit-sharing, pension, or similar employees' benefit plan, including any securities, plan interests, and guarantees issued under a compensatory benefit plan or compensation contract, contained in a record, established by the issuer, its parents, its majority-owned subsidiaries, or the majority-owned subsidiaries of the issuer's parent for the participation of their employees including offers or sales of such securities to:
(A) Directors; general partners; trustees, if the issuer is a business trust; officers; consultants; and advisors;
(B) Family members who acquire such securities from those persons through gifts or domestic relations orders;
(C) Former employees, directors, general partners, trustees, if the issuer is a business trust, officers, consultants, and advisors if those individuals were employed by or providing services to the issuer when the securities were offered; and
(D) Insurance agents who are exclusive insurance agents of the issuer, or the issuer's subsidiaries or parents, or who derive more than fifty percent (50%) of their annual income from those organizations;
(22) A transaction involving:
(A) A stock dividend or equivalent equity distribution, whether the corporation or other business organization distributing the dividend or equivalent equity distribution is the issuer or not, if nothing of value is given by stockholders or other equity holders for the dividend or equivalent equity distribution other than the surrender of a right to a cash or property dividend if each stockholder or other equity holder may elect to take the dividend or equivalent equity distribution in cash, property, or stock;
(B) An act incident to a judicially approved reorganization in which a security is issued in exchange for one or more outstanding securities, claims, or property interests, or partly in such exchange and partly for cash; or
(C) The solicitation of tenders of securities by an offeror in a tender offer in compliance with Rule 162 adopted under the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.162); or
(23) A nonissuer transaction in an outstanding security by or through a broker-dealer registered or exempt from registration under this chapter, if the issuer is a reporting issuer in a foreign jurisdiction designated by this paragraph or by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter; has been subject to continuous reporting requirements in the foreign jurisdiction for not less than one hundred eighty (180) days before the transaction; and the security is listed on the foreign jurisdiction's securities exchange that has been designated by this paragraph or by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, or is a security of the same issuer that is of senior or substantially equal rank to the listed security or is a warrant or right to purchase or subscribe to any of the foregoing. For purposes of this paragraph, Canada, together with its provinces and territories, is a designated foreign jurisdiction and The Toronto Stock Exchange, Inc., is a designated securities exchange. After an administrative hearing in compliance with Section 75-71-604, the administrator, by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, may revoke the designation of a securities exchange under this paragraph, if the administrator finds that revocation is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors.
SECTION 12. Section 75-71-203, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-203. Additional exemptions and waivers. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may exempt a security, transaction, or offer; a rule under this chapter may exempt a class of securities, transactions, or offers from any or all of the requirements of Sections 75-71-301 through 75-71-306 and 75-71-504; and an order under this chapter may waive, in whole or in part, any or all of the conditions for an exemption or offer under Sections 75-71-201 and 75-71-202.
SECTION 13. Section 75-71-204, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-204. Denial, suspension, revocation, condition, or limitation of exemptions. (a) Enforcement related powers. Except with respect to a federal covered security or a transaction involving a federal covered security, an order under this chapter may deny, suspend application of, condition, limit, or revoke an exemption created under Section 75-71-201(3)(C), Section 75-71-201(7) or Section 75-71-201 (8) or Section 75-71-202 or an exemption or waiver created under Section 75-71-203 with respect to a specific security, transaction, or offer. An order under this section may be issued only pursuant to the procedures in Section 75-71-306 or Section 75-71-604 and only prospectively.
(b) Knowledge of order required. A person does not violate Section 75-71-301, Sections 75-71-303 through 75-71-306, Section 75-71-504, or Section 75-71-510 by an offer to sell, offer to purchase, sale, or purchase effected after the entry of an order issued under this section if the person did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the order.
SECTION 14. Section 75-71-301, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-301. Securities registration requirement. It is unlawful for a person to offer or sell a security in this state unless:
(1) The security is a federal covered security;
(2) The security, transaction, or offer is exempted from registration under Sections 75-71-201 through 75-71-203; or
(3) The security is registered under this chapter.
SECTION 15. Section 75-71-302, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-302. (a) Required filing of records. With respect to a federal covered security, as defined in Section 18(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 USC Section 77r(b)(2)), that is not otherwise exempt under Sections 75-71-201 through 75-71-203, a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require the filing of any or all of the following records:
(1) Before the initial offer of a federal covered security in this state, all records that are part of a federal registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 and a consent to service of process complying with Section 75-71-611 signed by the issuer and the payment of a fee as set forth in Section 75-71-310; and
(2) After the initial offer of the federal covered security in this state, all records that are part of an amendment to a federal registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933.
(b) Notice filing effectiveness and renewal. A notice filing under subsection (a) is effective for one (1) year commencing on the later of the notice filing or the effectiveness of the offering filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On or before expiration, the issuer may renew a notice filing by filing a copy of those records filed by the issuer with the Securities and Exchange Commission that are required by rule or order under this chapter to be filed and by paying a renewal fee of the amount set forth at Section 75-71-310. A previously filed consent to service of process complying with Section 75-71-611 may be incorporated by reference in a renewal. A renewed notice filing becomes effective upon the expiration of the filing being renewed.
(c) Notice filings for federal covered securities under Section 18(b)(4)(E). With respect to a security that is a federal covered security under Section 18(b)(4)(E) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 USC Section 77r(b)(4)(E)), a rule under this chapter may require a notice filing by or on behalf of an issuer to include a copy of Form D, including the Appendix, as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, and a consent to service of process complying with Section 75-71-611 signed by the issuer not later than fifteen (15) days after the first sale of the federal covered security in this state and the payment of a fee as set forth in Section 75-71-310; and the payment of an additional fee the amount set forth in Section 75-71-310 for any late filing.
(d) Stop orders. Except with respect to a federal security under Section 18(b)(1) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 USC Section 77r(b)(1)), if the administrator finds that there is a failure to comply with a notice or fee requirement of this section, the administrator may issue a stop order suspending the offer and sale of a federal covered security in this state. If the deficiency is corrected, the stop order is void as of the time of its issuance and no penalty may be imposed by the administrator.
(e) Notice filings for other federal covered securities. Unless the administrator provides otherwise by rule, any other federal covered security may be offered and sold in this state in reliance on its being a federal covered security without the filing of a notice or the payment of a fee. A rule under this chapter may require a notice filing with respect to other federal covered securities by or on behalf of an issuer and the payment of a fee set forth in Section 75-71-310; and the payment of an additional late fee in the amount set forth in Section 75-71-310 for any late filing.
SECTION 16. Section 75-71-303, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-303. Securities registration by coordination. (a) Registration permitted. A security for which a registration statement has been filed under the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the same offering may be registered by coordination under this section.
(b) Required records. A registration statement and accompanying records under this section must contain or be accompanied by the following records in addition to the information specified in Section 75-71-305 and a consent to service of process complying with Section 75-71-611:
(1) A copy of the latest form of prospectus filed under the Securities Act of 1933;
(2) A copy of the articles of incorporation and bylaws or their substantial equivalents currently in effect; a copy of any agreement with or among underwriters; a copy of any indenture or other instrument governing the issuance of the security to be registered; and a specimen, copy, or description of the security that is required by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter;
(3) Copies of any other information or any other records filed by the issuer under the Securities Act of 1933 requested by the administrator; and
(4) An undertaking to forward each amendment to the federal prospectus, other than an amendment that delays the effective date of the registration statement, promptly after it is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(c) Conditions for effectiveness of registration statement. A registration statement under this section becomes effective simultaneously with or subsequent to the federal registration statement when all the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) A stop order under subsection (d) or Section 75-71-306 or issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission is not in effect and a proceeding is not pending against the issuer under Section 75-71-306; and
(2) The registration statement has been on file for at least twenty (20) days or a shorter period provided by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(d) Notice of federal registration statement effectiveness. The registrant shall promptly notify the administrator in a record of the date when the federal registration statement becomes effective and the content of any price amendment and shall promptly file a record containing the price amendment. If the notice is not timely received, the administrator may issue a stop order, without prior notice or hearing, retroactively denying effectiveness to the registration statement or suspending its effectiveness until compliance with this section. The administrator shall promptly notify the registrant of an order by telephone, facsimile or electronic means and promptly confirm this notice by a record. If the registrant subsequently complies with the notice requirements of this section, the stop order is void as of the date of its issuance.
(e) Effectiveness of registration statement. If the federal registration statement becomes effective before each of the conditions in this section is satisfied or is waived by the administrator, the registration statement is automatically effective under this chapter when all the conditions are satisfied or waived. If the registrant notifies the administrator of the date when the federal registration statement is expected to become effective, the administrator shall promptly notify the registrant by telephone, facsimile or electronic means and promptly confirm this notice by a record, indicating whether all the conditions are satisfied or waived and whether the administrator intends the institution of a proceeding under Section 75-71-306. The notice by the administrator does not preclude the institution of such a proceeding.
SECTION 17. Section 75-71-304, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-304. Securities registration by qualification. (a) Registration permitted. A security may be registered by qualification under this section.
(b) Required records. A registration statement under this section must contain the information or records specified in Section 75-71-305, a consent to service of process complying with Section 75-71-611, and, if required by rule adopted under this chapter, the following information or records:
(1) With respect to the issuer and any significant subsidiary, its name, address, and form of organization; the state or foreign jurisdiction and date of its organization; the general character and location of its business; a description of its physical properties and equipment; and a statement of the general competitive conditions in the industry or business in which it is or will be engaged;
(2) With respect to each director and officer of the issuer, and other person having a similar status or performing similar functions, the person's name, address, and principal occupation for the previous five (5) years; the amount of securities of the issuer held by the person as of the thirtieth day before the filing of the registration statement; the amount of the securities covered by the registration statement to which the person has indicated an intention to subscribe; and a description of any material interest of the person in any material transaction with the issuer or a significant subsidiary effected within the previous three (3) years or proposed to be effected;
(3) With respect to persons covered by paragraph (2), the aggregate sum of the remuneration paid to those persons during the previous twelve (12) months and estimated to be paid during the next twelve (12) months, directly or indirectly, by the issuer, and all predecessors, parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates of the issuer;
(4) With respect to a person owning of record or owning beneficially, if known, ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding shares of any class of equity security of the issuer, the information specified in paragraph (2) other than the person's occupation;
(5) With respect to a promoter, if the issuer was organized within the previous three (3) years, the information or records specified in paragraph (2), any amount paid to the promoter within that period or intended to be paid to the promoter, and the consideration for the payment;
(6) With respect to a person on whose behalf any part of the offering is to be made in a nonissuer distribution, the person's name and address; the amount of securities of the issuer held by the person as of the date of the filing of the registration statement; a description of any material interest of the person in any material transaction with the issuer or any significant subsidiary effected within the previous three (3) years or proposed to be effected; and a statement of the reasons for making the offering;
(7) The capitalization and long-term debt, on both a current and pro forma basis, of the issuer and any significant subsidiary, including a description of each security outstanding or being registered or otherwise offered, and a statement of the amount and kind of consideration, whether in the form of cash, physical assets, services, patents, goodwill, or anything else of value, for which the issuer or any subsidiary has issued its securities within the previous two (2) years or is obligated to issue its securities;
(8) The kind and amount of securities to be offered; the proposed offering price or the method by which it is to be computed; any variation at which a proportion of the offering is to be made to a person or class of persons other than the underwriters, with a specification of the person or class; the basis on which the offering is to be made if otherwise than for cash; the estimated aggregate underwriting and selling discounts or commissions and finders' fees, including separately cash, securities, contracts, or anything else of value to accrue to the underwriters or finders in connection with the offering or, if the selling discounts or commissions are variable, the basis of determining them and their maximum and minimum amounts; the estimated amounts of other selling expenses, including legal, engineering, and accounting charges; the name and address of each underwriter and each recipient of a finder's fee; a copy of any underwriting or selling group agreement under which the distribution is to be made or the proposed form of any such agreement whose terms have not yet been determined; and a description of the plan of distribution of any securities that are to be offered otherwise than through an underwriter;
(9) The estimated monetary proceeds to be received by the issuer from the offering; the purposes for which the proceeds are to be used by the issuer; the estimated amount to be used for each purpose; the order or priority in which the proceeds will be used for the purposes stated; the amounts of any funds to be raised from other sources to achieve the purposes stated; the sources of the funds; and, if a part of the proceeds is to be used to acquire property, including goodwill, otherwise than in the ordinary course of business, the names and addresses of the vendors, the purchase price, the names of any persons that have received commissions in connection with the acquisition, and the amounts of the commissions and other expenses in connection with the acquisition, including the cost of borrowing money to finance the acquisition;
(10) A description of any stock options or other security options outstanding, or to be created in connection with the offering, and the amount of those options held or to be held by each person required to be named in paragraph (2), (4), (5), (6), or (8) and by any person that holds or will hold ten percent (10%) or more in the aggregate of those options;
(11) The dates of, parties to, and general effect concisely stated of each managerial or other material contract made or to be made otherwise than in the ordinary course of business to be performed in whole or in part at or after the filing of the registration statement or that was made within the previous two (2) years, and a copy of the contract;
(12) A description of any pending litigation, action, or proceeding to which the issuer is a party and that materially affects its business or assets, and any litigation, action, or proceeding known to be contemplated by governmental authorities;
(13) A copy of any prospectus, pamphlet, circular, form letter, advertisement, or other sales literature intended as of the effective date to be used in connection with the offering and any solicitation of interest used in compliance with Section 75-71-202(17)(B);
(14) A specimen or copy of the security being registered, unless the security is uncertificated; a copy of the issuer's articles of incorporation and bylaws or their substantial equivalents, in effect; and a copy of any indenture or other instrument covering the security to be registered;
(15) A signed or conformed copy of an opinion of counsel concerning the legality of the security being registered, with an English translation if it is in a language other than English, which states whether the security when sold will be validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable and, if a debt security, a binding obligation of the issuer;
(16) A signed or conformed copy of a consent of any accountant, engineer, appraiser, or other person whose profession gives authority for a statement made by the person, if the person is named as having prepared or certified a report or valuation, other than an official record, that is public, which is used in connection with the registration statement;
(17) A balance sheet of the issuer as of a date within four (4) months before the filing of the registration statement; a statement of income and a statement of cash flows for each of the three (3) fiscal years preceding the date of the balance sheet and for any period between the close of the immediately previous fiscal year and the date of the balance sheet, or for the period of the issuer's and any predecessor's existence if less than three (3) years; and, if any part of the proceeds of the offering is to be applied to the purchase of a business, the financial statements that would be required if that business were the registrant; and
(18) Any additional information or records required by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(c) Conditions for effectiveness of registration statement. A registration statement under this section becomes effective thirty (30) days, or any shorter period provided by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, after the date the registration statement or the last amendment other than a price amendment is filed, if:
(1) A stop order is not in effect and a proceeding is not pending under Section 75-71-306;
(2) The administrator has not issued an order under Section 75-71-306 delaying effectiveness; or
(3) The applicant or registrant has not requested that effectiveness be delayed.
(d) Delay of effectiveness of registration statement. The administrator may delay effectiveness once for not more than ninety (90) days if the administrator determines the registration statement is not complete in all material respects and promptly notifies the applicant or registrant of that determination by telephone, facsimile, or electronic means and promptly confirms this notice by a record. The administrator may also delay effectiveness for a further period of not more than thirty (30) days if the administrator determines that the delay is necessary or appropriate and promptly notifies the applicant or registrant of that determination by telephone, facsimile, or electronic means and promptly confirms this notice by a record.
(e) Prospectus distribution may be required. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require as a condition of registration under this section that a prospectus containing a specified part of the information or record specified in subsection (b) be sent or given to each person to which an offer is made, before or concurrently, with the earliest of:
(1) The first offer made in a record to the person otherwise than by means of a public advertisement, by or for the account of the issuer or another person on whose behalf the offering is being made or by an underwriter or broker-dealer that is offering part of an unsold allotment or subscription taken by the person as a participant in the distribution;
(2) The confirmation of a sale made by or for the account of the person;
(3) Payment pursuant to such a sale; or
(4) Delivery of the security pursuant to such a sale.
SECTION 18. Section 75-71-305, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-305. Securities registration filings. (a) Who may file. A registration statement may be filed by the issuer, a person on whose behalf the offering is to be made, or a broker-dealer registered under this chapter.
(b) Filing fee. A person filing a registration statement shall pay a filing fee as set forth in Section 75-71-310. This fee shall be nonrefundable.
(c) Status of offering. A registration statement filed under Section 75-71-303 or 75-71-304 must specify:
(1) The amount of securities to be offered in this state;
(2) The states in which a registration statement or similar record in connection with the offering has been or is to be filed; and
(3) Any adverse order, judgment, or decree issued in connection with the offering by a state securities regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or a court.
(d) Incorporation by reference. A record filed under this chapter or the predecessor act within five (5) years preceding the filing of a registration statement may be incorporated by reference in the registration statement to the extent that the record is currently accurate.
(e) Nonissuer distribution. In the case of a nonissuer distribution, information or a record may not be required under subsection (i) or Section 75-71-304, unless it is known to the person filing the registration statement or to the person on whose behalf the distribution is to be made or unless it can be furnished by those persons without unreasonable effort or expense.
(f) Escrow and impoundment. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require as a condition of registration that a security issued within the previous five (5) years or to be issued to a promoter for a consideration substantially less than the public offering price or to a person for a consideration other than cash be deposited in escrow; and that the proceeds from the sale of the registered security in this state be impounded until the issuer receives a specified amount from the sale of the security either in this state or elsewhere. The conditions of any escrow or impoundment required under this subsection may be established by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, but the administrator may not reject a depository institution solely because of its location in another state.
(g) Form of subscription. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require as a condition of registration that a security registered under this chapter be sold only on a specified form of subscription or sale contract and that a signed or conformed copy of each contract be filed under this chapter or preserved for a period specified by the rule or order, which may not be longer than five (5) years.
(h) Effective period. Except while a stop order is in effect under Section 75-71-306, a registration statement is effective for one (1) year after its effective date, or for any longer period designated in an order under this chapter during which the security is being offered or distributed in a nonexempted transaction by or for the account of the issuer or other person on whose behalf the offering is being made or by an underwriter or broker-dealer that is still offering part of an unsold allotment or subscription taken as a participant in the distribution. For the purposes of a nonissuer transaction, all outstanding securities of the same class identified in the registration statement as a security registered under this chapter are considered to be registered while the registration statement is effective. If any securities of the same class are outstanding, a registration statement may not be withdrawn until one (1) year after its effective date. A registration statement may be withdrawn only with the approval of the administrator.
(i) Periodic reports. While a registration statement is effective, a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require the person that filed the registration statement to file reports, not more often than quarterly, to keep the information or other record in the registration statement reasonably current and to disclose the progress of the offering.
(j) Posteffective amendments. A registration statement may be amended after its effective date. The posteffective amendment becomes effective when the administrator so orders. A posteffective amendment relates back to the date of the offering of the additional securities being registered if, within one (1) year after the date of the sale, the amendment is filed and the additional registration fee is paid.
SECTION 19. Section 75-71-306, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-306. Denial, suspension, and revocation of securities registration. (a) Stop orders. The administrator may issue a stop order denying effectiveness to, or suspending or revoking the effectiveness of, a registration statement if the administrator finds that the order is in the public interest and that:
(1) The registration statement as of its effective date or before the effective date in the case of an order denying effectiveness, an amendment under Section 75-71-305(j) as of its effective date, or a report under Section 75-71-305(i), is incomplete in a material respect or contains a statement that, in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, was false or misleading with respect to a material fact;
(2) This chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or a condition imposed under this chapter has been willfully violated, in connection with the offering, by the person filing the registration statement; by the issuer, a partner, officer, or director of the issuer or a person having a similar status or performing a similar function; a promoter of the issuer; or a person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by the issuer; but only if the person filing the registration statement is directly or indirectly controlled by or acting for the issuer; or by an underwriter;
(3) The security registered or sought to be registered is the subject of a permanent or temporary injunction of a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative stop order or similar order issued under any federal, foreign, or state law other than this chapter applicable to the offering, but the administrator may not institute a proceeding against an effective registration statement under this subsection (a) more than one (1) year after the date of the order or injunction on which it is based, and the administrator may not issue an order under this subsection (a) on the basis of an order or injunction issued under the securities act of another state unless the order or injunction was based on conduct that would constitute, as of the date of the order, a ground for a stop order under this section;
(4) The issuer's enterprise or method of business includes or would include activities that are unlawful where performed;
(5) With respect to a security sought to be registered under Section 75-71-303, there has been a failure to comply with the undertaking required by Section 75-71-303(b)(4);
(6) The applicant or registrant has not paid the filing fee, but the administrator shall void the order if the deficiency is corrected; or
(7) The offering:
(A) Will work or tend to work a fraud upon purchasers or would so operate;
(B) Has been or would be made with unreasonable amounts of underwriters' and sellers' discounts, commissions, or other compensation, or promoters' profits or participations, or unreasonable amounts or kinds of options; or
(C) Is being made on terms that are unfair, unjust, or inequitable.
(b) Enforcement of subsection (a)(7). To the extent practicable, the administrator by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter shall publish standards that provide notice of conduct that violates subsection (a)(7).
(c) Institution of stop order. The administrator may not institute a stop order proceeding against an effective registration statement on the basis of conduct or a transaction known to the administrator when the registration statement became effective unless the proceeding is instituted within thirty (30) days after the registration statement became effective.
(d) Summary process. The administrator may summarily revoke, deny, postpone, or suspend the effectiveness of a registration statement pending final determination of an administrative proceeding. Upon the issuance of the order, the administrator, in accordance with Section 75-71-611, shall promptly notify each person specified in subsection (e) that the order has been issued, the reasons for the revocation, denial, postponement, or suspension, and that within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of a request in a record from the person the matter will be scheduled for a hearing. If a hearing is not requested and none is ordered by the administrator, within thirty (30) days after the date of service of the order, the order becomes final. If a hearing is requested or ordered, the administrator, after notice of and opportunity for hearing for each person subject to the order, may modify or vacate the order or extend the order until final determination.
(e) Procedural requirements for stop order. A stop order may not be issued under this section without:
(1) Appropriate notice, in accordance with Section 75-71-611, to the applicant or registrant, the issuer, and the person on whose behalf the securities are to be or have been offered;
(2) An opportunity for hearing; and
(3) Findings of fact and conclusions of law in a record in accordance with the administrative hearing procedures set forth in the rules.
(f) Modification or vacation of stop order. The administrator may modify or vacate a stop order issued under this section if the administrator finds that the conditions that caused its issuance have changed or that it is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors.
SECTION 20. Section 75-71-307, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-307. Waiver and modification. The administrator may waive or modify, in whole or in part, any or all of the requirements of Sections 75-71-302, 75-71-303, and 75-71-304(b) or the requirement of any information or record in a registration statement or in a periodic report filed pursuant to Section 75-71-305(i).
SECTION 21. Section 75-71-310, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-310. (a) Required fees for notice filing for federal covered securities under Section 18(b)(2). The initial filing fee for a notice filing with respect to a federal covered security described in subsection (a) of Section 75-71-302 is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
(b) Required fees for notice filings for federal covered securities. The filing fee for a notice filing with respect to a security that is a federal covered security described in Section 75-71-302(c) and (e) is Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00). The fee for a late filing, which is an additional fee, is one percent (1%) of the dollar amount of the offering sold in the state up to a maximum of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00).
(c) Required fees for securities registration filings under Section 75-71-305. The filing fee for a registration statement under Section 75-71-305 is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
(d) Renewals. The fee for any renewal required under this chapter or rule of the administrator is Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00).
(e) Termination or Withdrawal. The fee for filing a notification of completion, termination, or withdrawal of an offering required under this chapter or rule of the administrator if Fifty Dollars ($50.00).
SECTION 22. Section 75-71-401, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-401. Broker-dealer registration requirement and exemptions. (a) Registration requirement. It is unlawful for a person to transact business in this state as a broker-dealer unless the person is registered under this chapter as a broker-dealer or is exempt from registration as a broker-dealer under subsection (b) or (d).
(b) Exemptions from registration. The following persons are exempt from the registration requirement of subsection (a):
(1) A broker-dealer without a place of business in this state if its only transactions effected in this state are with:
(A) The issuer of the securities involved in the transactions;
(B) A broker-dealer registered as a broker-dealer under this chapter or not required to be registered as a broker-dealer under this chapter;
(C) An institutional investor;
(D) A nonaffiliated federal covered investment adviser with investments under management in excess of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) acting for the account of others pursuant to discretionary authority in a signed record;
(E) A bona fide preexisting customer whose principal place of residence is not in this state and the person is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or not required to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is registered under the securities act of the state in which the customer maintains a principal place of residence;
(F) A bona fide preexisting customer whose principal place of residence is in this state but was not present in this state when the customer relationship was established, if:
(i) The broker-dealer is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or not required to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is registered under the securities laws of the state in which the customer relationship was established and where the customer had maintained a principal place of residence; and
(ii) Within forty-five (45) days after the customer's first transaction in this state, the person files an application for registration as a broker-dealer in this state and a further transaction is not effected more than seventy-five (75) days after the date on which the application is filed, or, if earlier, the date on which the administrator notifies the person that the administrator has denied the application for registration or has stayed the pendency of the application for good cause;
(G) Not more than three (3) customers in this state during the previous twelve (12) months, in addition to those customers specified in subparagraphs (A) through (F) and under subparagraph (H), if the broker-dealer is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or not required to be registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is registered under the securities act of the state in which the broker-dealer has its principal place of business; and
(H) Any other person exempted by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter;
(2) A person that deals solely in United States government securities and is supervised as a dealer in government securities by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or the Office of Thrift Supervision.
(c) Limits on employment or association. It is unlawful for a broker-dealer, or for an issuer engaged in offering, offering to purchase, purchasing, or selling securities in this state, directly or indirectly, to employ or associate with an individual to engage in an activity related to securities transactions in this state if the registration of the individual is suspended or revoked or the individual is barred from employment or association with a broker-dealer, an issuer, an investment adviser, or a federal covered investment adviser by an order of the administrator under this chapter, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or a self-regulatory organization. A broker-dealer or issuer does not violate this subsection if the broker-dealer or issuer did not know and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the suspension, revocation, or bar. Upon request from a broker-dealer or issuer and for good cause, an order under this chapter may modify or waive, in whole or in part, the application of the prohibitions of this subsection to the broker-dealer.
(d) Foreign transactions. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may permit:
(1) A broker-dealer that is registered in Canada or other foreign jurisdiction and that does not have a place of business in this state to effect transactions in securities with or for, or attempt to effect the purchase or sale of any securities by:
(A) An individual from Canada or other foreign jurisdiction who is temporarily present in this state and with whom the broker-dealer had a bona fide customer relationship before the individual entered the United States;
(B) An individual from Canada or other foreign jurisdiction who is present in this state and whose transactions are in a self-directed tax advantaged retirement plan of which the individual is the holder or contributor in that foreign jurisdiction; or
(C) An individual who is present in this state, with whom the broker-dealer customer relationship arose while the individual was temporarily or permanently resident in Canada or the other foreign jurisdiction; and
(2) An agent who represents a broker-dealer that is exempt under this subsection (d) to effect transactions in securities or attempt to effect the purchase or sale of securities in this state as permitted for a broker-dealer described in paragraph (1).
SECTION 23. Section 75-71-402, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-402. Agent registration requirement and exemptions. (a) Registration requirement. It is unlawful for an individual to transact business in this state as an agent unless the individual is registered under this chapter as an agent or is exempt from registration as an agent under subsection (b).
(b) Exemptions from registration. The following individuals are exempt from the registration requirement of subsection (a):
(1) An individual who represents a broker-dealer in effecting transactions in this state limited to those described in Section 15(h)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78o(h)(2));
(2) An individual who represents a broker-dealer that is exempt under Section 75-71-401(b) or 75-71-401(d);
(3) An individual who represents an issuer with respect to an offer or sale of the issuer's own securities or those of the issuer's parent or any of the issuer's subsidiaries, and who is not compensated in connection with the individual's participation by the payment of commissions or other remuneration based, directly or indirectly, on transactions in those securities;
(4) An individual who represents an issuer and who effects transactions in the issuer's securities exempted by Section 75-71-202, other than Section 75-71-202(11) and (14);
(5) An individual who represents an issuer that effects transactions solely in federal covered securities of the issuer, but an individual who effects transactions in a federal covered security under Section 18(b)(3) or 18(b)(4)(D) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 USC Section 77r(b)(3) or 77r(b)(4)(D)) is not exempt if the individual is compensated in connection with the agent's participation by the payment of commissions or other remuneration based, directly or indirectly, on transactions in those securities;
(6) An individual who represents a broker-dealer registered in this state under Section 75-71-401(a) or exempt from registration under Section 75-71-401(b) in the offer and sale of securities for an account of a nonaffiliated federal covered investment adviser with investments under management in excess of One Hundred Million Dollars ($100,000,000.00) acting for the account of others pursuant to discretionary authority in a signed record;
(7) An individual who represents an issuer in connection with the purchase of the issuer's own securities;
(8) An individual who represents an issuer and who restricts participation to performing clerical or ministerial acts; or
(9) Any other individual exempted by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(c) Registration effective only while employed or associated. The registration of an agent is effective only while the agent is employed by or associated with a broker-dealer registered under this chapter or an issuer that is offering, selling, or purchasing its securities in this state.
(d) Limit on employment or association. It is unlawful for a broker-dealer, or an issuer engaged in offering, selling, or purchasing securities in this state, to employ or associate with an agent who transacts business in this state on behalf of broker-dealers or issuers unless the agent is registered under subsection (a) or exempt from registration under subsection (b).
(e) Limit on affiliations. An individual may not act as an agent for more than one (1) broker-dealer or one (1) issuer at a time, unless the broker-dealer or the issuer for which the agent acts are affiliated by direct or indirect common control or are authorized by rule or order under this chapter.
SECTION 24. Section 75-71-403, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-403. Investment adviser registration requirement and exemptions. (a) Registration requirement. It is unlawful for a person to transact business in this state as an investment adviser unless the person is registered under this chapter as an investment adviser or is exempt from registration as an investment adviser under subsection (b).
(b) Exemptions from registration. The following persons are exempt from the registration requirement of subsection (a):
(1) A person without a place of business in this state that is registered under the securities act of the state in which the person has its principal place of business if its only clients in this state are:
(A) Federal covered investment advisers, investment advisers registered under this chapter, or broker-dealers registered under this chapter;
(B) Institutional investors;
(C) Bona fide preexisting clients whose principal places of residence are not in this state if the investment adviser is registered under the securities act of the state in which the clients maintain principal places of residence; or
(D) Any other client exempted by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter;
(2) A person without a place of business in this state if the person has had, during the preceding twelve (12) months, not more than five (5) clients that are resident in this state in addition to those specified under paragraph (1); or
(3) Any other person exempted by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(c) Limits on employment or association. It is unlawful for an investment adviser, directly or indirectly, to employ or associate with an individual to engage in an activity related to investment advice in this state if the registration of the individual is suspended or revoked or the individual is barred from employment or association with an investment adviser, federal covered investment adviser, or broker-dealer by an order under this chapter, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or a self-regulatory organization, unless the investment adviser did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the suspension, revocation, or bar. Upon request from the investment adviser and for good cause, the administrator, by order, may waive, in whole or in part, the application of the prohibitions of this subsection to the investment adviser.
(d) Investment adviser representative registration required. It is unlawful for an investment adviser to employ or associate with an individual required to be registered under this chapter as an investment adviser representative who transacts business in this state on behalf of the investment adviser unless the individual is registered under Section 75-71-404(a) or is exempt from registration under Section 75-71-404(b).
SECTION 25. Section 75-71-404, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-404. Investment adviser representative registration requirement and exemptions. (a) Registration requirement. It is unlawful for an individual to transact business in this state as an investment adviser representative unless the individual is registered under this chapter as an investment adviser representative or is exempt from registration as an investment adviser representative under subsection (b).
(b) Exemptions from registration. The following individuals are exempt from the registration requirement of subsection (a):
(1) An individual who is employed by or associated with an investment adviser that is exempt from registration under Section 75-71-403(b) or a federal covered investment adviser that is excluded from the notice filing requirements of Section 75-71-405; and
(2) Any other individual exempted by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(c) Registration effective only while employed or associated. The registration of an investment adviser representative is not effective while the investment adviser representative is not employed by or associated with an investment adviser registered under this chapter or a federal covered investment adviser that has made or is required to make a notice filing under Section 75-71-405.
(d) Limit on affiliations. An individual may transact business as an investment adviser representative for more than one (1) investment adviser or federal covered investment adviser unless a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter prohibits or limits an individual from acting as an investment adviser representative for more than one (1) investment adviser or federal covered investment adviser.
(e) Limits on employment or association. It is unlawful for an individual acting as an investment adviser representative, directly or indirectly, to conduct business in this state on behalf of an investment adviser or a federal covered investment adviser if the registration of the individual as an investment adviser representative is suspended or revoked or the individual is barred from employment or association with an investment adviser or a federal covered investment adviser by an order under this chapter, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or a self-regulatory organization. Upon request from a federal covered investment adviser and for good cause, the administrator, by order issued, may waive, in whole or in part, the application of the requirements of this subsection to the federal covered investment adviser.
(f) Referral fees. An investment adviser registered under this chapter, a federal covered investment adviser that has filed a notice under Section 75-71-405, or a broker-dealer registered under this chapter is not required to employ or associate with an individual as an investment adviser representative if the only compensation paid to the individual for a referral of investment advisory clients is paid to an investment adviser registered under this chapter, a federal covered investment adviser who has filed a notice under Section 75-71-405, or a broker-dealer registered under this chapter with which the individual is employed or associated as an investment adviser representative.
SECTION 26. Section 75-71-405, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-405. (a) Notice filing requirement. Except with respect to a federal covered investment adviser described in subsection (b), it is unlawful for a federal covered investment adviser to transact business in this state as a federal covered investment adviser unless the federal covered investment adviser complies with subsection (c).
(b) Notice filing requirement not required. The following federal covered investment advisers are not required to comply with subsection (c):
(1) A federal covered investment adviser without a place of business in this state if its only clients in this state are:
(A) Federal covered investment advisers, investment advisers registered under this chapter, and broker-dealers registered under this chapter;
(B) Institutional investors;
(C) Bona fide preexisting clients whose principal places of residence are not in this state; or
(D) Other clients specified by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter;
(2) A federal covered investment adviser without a place of business in this state if the person has had, during the preceding twelve (12) months, not more than five (5) clients that are resident in this state in addition to those specified under paragraph (1); and
(3) Any other person excluded by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(c) Notice filing procedure. A person acting as a federal covered investment adviser, not excluded under subsection (b), shall file a notice, a consent to service of process complying with Section 75-71-611, and such records as have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 required by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter and pay the fees specified in Section 75-71-410.
(d) Effectiveness of filing. The notice under subsection (c) becomes effective upon its filing.
SECTION 27. Section 75-71-406, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-406. Registration by broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, and investment adviser representative. (a) Application for initial registration. A person shall register as a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative by filing an application and a consent to service of process complying with Section 75-71-611, and paying the fee specified in Section 75-71-410 and any reasonable fees charged by the designee of the administrator for processing the filing. The application must contain:
(1) The information or record required for the filing of a uniform application; and
(2) Upon request by the administrator, any other financial or other information or record that the administrator determines is appropriate.
(b) Amendment. If the information or record contained in an application filed under subsection (a) is or becomes inaccurate or incomplete in a material respect, the registrant shall promptly file a correcting amendment.
(c) Effectiveness of registration. If an order is not in effect and a proceeding is not pending under Section 75-71-412, registration becomes effective at noon on the forty-fifth day after a completed application is filed, unless the registration is denied. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may set an earlier effective date or may defer the effective date until noon on the forty-fifth day after the filing of any amendment completing the application.
(d) Registration renewal. A registration is effective until midnight on December 31 of the year for which the application for registration is filed. Unless an order is in effect under Section 75-71-412, a registration may be automatically renewed each year by filing such records as are required by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, by paying the fee specified in Section 75-71-410, and by paying costs charged by the designee of the administrator for processing the filings.
(e) Additional conditions or waivers. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may impose such other conditions, not inconsistent with the National Securities Markets Improvement Act of 1996. An order issued under this chapter may waive, in whole or in part, specific requirements in connection with registration as are in the public interest and for the protection of investors.
SECTION 28. Section 75-71-407, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-407. Succession and change in registration of broker-dealer or investment adviser. (a) Succession. A broker-dealer or investment adviser may succeed to the current registration of another broker-dealer or investment adviser or a notice filing of a federal covered investment adviser, and a federal covered investment adviser may succeed to the current registration of an investment adviser or notice filing of another federal covered investment adviser, by filing as a successor an application for registration pursuant to Section 75-71-401 or 75-71-403 or a notice pursuant to Section 75-71-405 for the unexpired portion of the current registration or notice filing.
(b) Organizational change. A broker-dealer or investment adviser that changes its form of organization or state of incorporation or organization may continue its registration by filing an amendment to its registration if the change does not involve a material change in its financial condition or management. The amendment becomes effective when filed or on a date designated by the registrant in its filing. The new organization is a successor to the original registrant for the purposes of this chapter. If there is a material change in financial condition or management, the broker-dealer or investment adviser shall file a new application for registration. A predecessor registered under this chapter shall stop conducting its securities business other than winding down transactions and shall file for withdrawal of broker-dealer or investment adviser registration within forty-five (45) days after filing its amendment to effect succession.
(c) Name change. A broker-dealer or investment adviser that changes its name may continue its registration by filing an amendment to its registration. The amendment becomes effective when filed or on a date designated by the registrant.
(d) Change of control. A change of control of a broker-dealer or investment adviser may be made in accordance with a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
SECTION 29. Section 75-71-408, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-408. Termination of employment or association of agent and investment adviser representative and transfer of employment or association. (a) Notice of termination. If an agent registered under this chapter terminates employment by or association with a broker-dealer or issuer, or if an investment adviser representative registered under this chapter terminates employment by or association with an investment adviser or federal covered investment adviser, or if either registrant terminates activities that require registration as an agent or investment adviser representative, the broker-dealer, issuer, investment adviser, or federal covered investment adviser shall promptly file a notice of termination. If the registrant learns that the broker-dealer, issuer, investment adviser, or federal covered investment adviser has not filed the notice, the registrant may do so.
(b) Transfer of employment or association. If an agent registered under this chapter terminates employment by or association with a broker-dealer registered under this chapter and begins employment by or association with another broker-dealer registered under this chapter; or if an investment adviser representative registered under this chapter terminates employment by or association with an investment adviser registered under this chapter; or a federal covered investment adviser that has filed a notice under Section 75-71-405 and begins employment by or association with another investment adviser registered under this chapter or a federal covered investment adviser that has filed a notice under Section 75-71-405; then upon the filing by or on behalf of the registrant, within thirty (30) days after the termination, of an application for registration that complies with the requirement of Section 75-71-406(a) and payment of the filing fee required under Section 75-71-410, the registration of the agent or investment adviser representative is:
(1) Immediately effective as of the date of the completed filing, if the agent's Central Registration Depository record or successor record or the investment adviser representative's Investment Adviser Registration Depository record or successor record does not contain a new or amended disciplinary disclosure within the previous twelve (12) months; or
(2) Temporarily effective as of the date of the completed filing, if the agent's Central Registration Depository record or successor record or the investment adviser representative's Investment Adviser Registration Depository record or successor record contains a new or amended disciplinary disclosure within the preceding twelve (12) months.
(c) Withdrawal of temporary registration. The administrator may withdraw a temporary registration if there are or were grounds for discipline as specified in Section 75-71-412 and the administrator does so within thirty (30) days after the filing of the application. If the administrator does not withdraw the temporary registration within the thirty-day period, registration becomes automatically effective on the thirty-first day after filing.
(d) Power to prevent registration. The administrator may prevent the effectiveness of a transfer of an agent or investment adviser representative under subsection (b)(1) or (2) based on the public interest and the protection of investors.
(e) Termination of registration or application for registration. If the administrator determines that a registrant or applicant for registration is no longer in existence or has ceased to act as a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, or is the subject of an adjudication of incapacity or is subject to the control of a committee, conservator, or guardian, or cannot reasonably be located, a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require the registration be canceled or terminated or the application denied. The administrator may reinstate a canceled or terminated registration, with or without hearing, and may make the registration retroactive.
SECTION 30. Section 75-71-409, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-409. Withdrawal of registration of broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, and investment adviser representative. Withdrawal of registration by a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative becomes effective sixty (60) days after the filing of the application to withdraw or within any shorter period as provided by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter unless a revocation or suspension proceeding is pending when the application is filed. If a proceeding is pending, withdrawal becomes effective when and upon such conditions as required by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter. The administrator may institute a revocation or suspension proceeding under Section 75-71-412 within one (1) year after the withdrawal became effective automatically and issue a revocation or suspension order as of the last date on which registration was effective if a proceeding is not pending.
SECTION 31. Section 75-71-410, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-410. Filing fees. (a) Fee established by administrator. The administrator shall establish fees by rule pursuant to the Mississippi Administrative Procedures Law for:
(1) An initial filing of an application as a broker-dealer and renewal of an application by a broker-dealer for registration;
(2) An application for registration as an agent and renewal of registration as an agent;
(3) An application for registration as an investment adviser and renewal of registration as an investment adviser.
(4) An application for registration as an investment adviser representative, a renewal of registration as an investment adviser representative, and a change of registration as an investment adviser representative; and
(5) An initial fee and annual notice fee for a federal covered investment adviser required to file a notice under Section 75-71-405.
(b) Payment. A person required to pay a filing or notice fee under this section may transmit the fee through or to a designee as a rule or order provides under this chapter.
SECTION 32. Section 75-71-411, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-411. Postregistration requirements. (a) Financial requirements. Subject to Section 15(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78o(h)) or Section 222 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-22), a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may establish minimum financial requirements for broker-dealers registered or required to be registered under this chapter and investment advisers registered or required to be registered under this chapter.
(b) Financial reports. Subject to Section 15(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78o(h)) or Section 222(b) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-22), a broker-dealer registered or required to be registered under this chapter and an investment adviser registered or required to be registered under this chapter shall file such financial reports as are required by a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter. If the information contained in a record filed under this subsection is or becomes inaccurate or incomplete in a material respect, the registrant shall promptly file a correcting amendment.
(c) Recordkeeping. Subject to Section 15(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78o(h)) or Section 222 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-22):
(1) A broker-dealer registered or required to be registered under this chapter and an investment adviser registered or required to be registered under this chapter shall make and maintain the accounts, correspondence, memoranda, papers, books, and other records required by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter;
(2) Broker-dealer records required to be maintained under paragraph (1) may be maintained in any form of data storage acceptable under Section 17(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78q(a)) if they are readily accessible to the administrator; and
(3) Investment adviser records required to be maintained under paragraph (1) may be maintained in any form of data storage required by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(d) Audits or inspections. The records of a broker-dealer registered or required to be registered under this chapter and of an investment adviser registered or required to be registered under this chapter are subject to such reasonable periodic, special, or other audits or inspections by a representative of the administrator, within or without this state, as the administrator considers necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors. An audit or inspection may be made at any time and without prior notice. The administrator may copy, and remove for audit or inspection copies of, all records the administrator reasonably considers necessary or appropriate to conduct the audit or inspection. The administrator may assess a reasonable charge for conducting an audit or inspection under this subsection.
(e) Custody and discretionary authority bond or insurance. Subject to the limitations of Section 15(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78o(h)) and Section 222 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-22), the administrator may by rule require a broker-dealer or investment adviser that has custody of or discretionary authority over funds or securities of a customer or client to obtain insurance or post a bond or other satisfactory form of security in an amount as prescribed by rule. The administrator may determine the requirements of the insurance, bond, or other satisfactory form of security. Insurance or a bond or other satisfactory form of security may not be required of a broker-dealer registered under this chapter whose net capital exceeds, or of an investment adviser registered under this chapter whose minimum financial requirements exceed, the amounts required by rule or order under this chapter. The insurance, bond, or other satisfactory form of security must permit an action by a person to enforce any liability on the insurance, bond, or other satisfactory form of security if instituted within the time limitations in Section 75-71-509(j)(2).
(f) Requirements for custody. Subject to Section 15(h) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 USC Section 78o(h)) or Section 222 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 USC Section 80b-22), an agent may not have custody of funds or securities of a customer except under the supervision of a broker-dealer and an investment adviser representative may not have custody of funds or securities of a client except under the supervision of an investment adviser or a federal covered investment adviser. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may prohibit, limit, or impose conditions on a broker-dealer regarding custody of funds or securities of a customer and on an investment adviser regarding custody of securities or funds of a client.
(g) Investment adviser brochure rule. With respect to an investment adviser registered or required to be registered under this chapter, a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require that information or other record be furnished or disseminated to clients or prospective clients in this state as necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors and advisory clients.
(h) Continuing education. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require an individual registered under Section 75-71-402 or Section 75-71-404 to participate in a continuing education program approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and administered by a self-regulatory organization or, in the absence of such a program, a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require continuing education for an individual registered under Section 75-71-404.
SECTION 33. Section 75-71-412, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-412. (a) Disciplinary conditions-applicants. If the administrator finds that the order is in the public interest and subsection (d) authorizes the action, an order issued under this chapter may deny an application, or may condition or limit registration of an applicant to be a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, and, if the applicant is a broker-dealer or investment adviser, of a partner, officer, director, or person having a similar status or performing similar functions, or a person directly or indirectly in control, of the broker-dealer or investment adviser.
(b) Disciplinary conditions-registrants. If the administrator finds that the order is in the public interest and subsection (d) authorizes the action, an order issued under this chapter may revoke, suspend, condition, or limit the registration of a registrant and, if the registrant is a broker-dealer or investment adviser, of a partner, officer, director, or person having a similar status or performing similar functions, or a person directly or indirectly in control, of the broker-dealer or investment adviser. However, the administrator may not:
(1) Institute a revocation or suspension proceeding under this subsection (b) based on an order issued under a law of another state that is reported to the administrator or a designee of the administrator more than one (1) year after the date of the order on which it is based; or
(2) Under subsection (d)(5)(A) or (B), issue an order on the basis of an order issued under the securities act of another state unless the other order was based on conduct for which subsection (d) would authorize the action had the conduct occurred in this state.
(c) Disciplinary penalties-registrants. If the administrator finds that the order is in the public interest and subsection (d)(1) through (6), (8), (9), (10), (12) or (13) authorizes the action, an order under this chapter may censure, impose a bar, or impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed a maximum of the amount specified in Section 75-71-613 for each violation on a registrant, and, if the registrant is a broker-dealer or investment adviser, a partner, officer, director, or person having a similar status or performing similar functions, or a person directly or indirectly in control of the broker-dealer or investment adviser.
(d) Grounds for discipline. A person may be disciplined under subsections (a) through (c) if the person:
(1) Has filed an application for registration in this state under this chapter or the predecessor act within the previous ten (10) years, which, as of the effective date of registration or as of any date after filing in the case of an order denying effectiveness, was incomplete in any material respect or contained a statement that, in light of the circumstances under which it was made, was false or misleading with respect to a material fact;
(2) Willfully violated or willfully failed to comply with this chapter or the predecessor act or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or the predecessor act within the previous fifteen (15) years; for purposes of an ongoing failure to supervise, each twelve-month period or less of the conduct is a separate violation of this subsection, and if the person has failed to supervise more than one (1) individual at a time during the twelve (12) consecutive months' time period, then it shall be a separate violation of this subsection for each individual that the person failed to supervise during the applicable time period;
(3) Has been convicted of a felony or within the previous ten (10) years has been convicted of a misdemeanor involving a security, a commodity future or option contract, or an aspect of a business involving securities, commodities, investments, franchises, insurance, banking, or finance;
(4) Is enjoined or restrained by a court of competent jurisdiction in an action instituted by the administrator under this chapter or the predecessor act, a state, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the United States from engaging in or continuing an act, practice, or course of business involving an aspect of a business involving securities, commodities, investments, franchises, insurance, banking, or finance;
(5) Is the subject of an order, issued after notice and opportunity for hearing by:
(A) The securities or other financial services regulator of a state or the Securities and Exchange Commission or other federal agency denying, revoking, barring, or suspending registration as a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, federal covered investment adviser, or investment adviser representative;
(B) The securities regulator of a state or the Securities and Exchange Commission against a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, investment adviser representative, or federal covered investment adviser;
(C) The Securities and Exchange Commission or a self-regulatory organization suspending or expelling the registrant from membership in the self-regulatory organization;
(D) A court adjudicating a United States Postal Service fraud order;
(E) The insurance regulator of a state denying, suspending, or revoking registration as an insurance agent; or
(F) A depository institution or financial services regulator suspending or barring the person from the depository institution or other financial services business;
(6) Is the subject of an adjudication or determination, after notice and opportunity for hearing, by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; the Federal Trade Commission; a federal depository institution regulator, or a depository institution, insurance, or other financial services regulator of a state that the person willfully violated the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the Commodity Exchange Act, the securities or commodities law of a state, or a federal or state law under which a business involving investments, franchises, insurance, banking, or finance is regulated;
(7) Is insolvent, either because the person's liabilities exceed the person's assets or because the person cannot meet the person's obligations as they mature, but the administrator may not enter an order against an applicant or registrant under this subsection (d) without a finding of insolvency as to the applicant or registrant;
(8) Refuses to allow or otherwise impedes the administrator from conducting an audit or inspection under Section 75-71-411(d) or refuses access to a registrant's office to conduct an audit or inspection under Section 75-71-411(d);
(9) Has failed to reasonably supervise an agent, investment adviser representative, or other individual, if the agent, investment adviser representative, or other individual was subject to the person's supervision and committed a violation of this chapter or the predecessor act or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or the predecessor act within the previous fifteen (15) years;
(10) Has not paid the proper filing fee within thirty (30) days after having been notified by the administrator of a deficiency, but the administrator shall vacate an order under this subsection (d) when the deficiency is corrected;
(11) After notice and opportunity for a hearing, has been found within the previous ten (10) years:
(A) By a court of competent jurisdiction to have willfully violated the laws of a foreign jurisdiction under which the business of securities, commodities, investment, franchises, insurance, banking, or finance is regulated;
(B) To have been the subject of an order of a securities regulator of a foreign jurisdiction denying, revoking, or suspending the right to engage in the business of securities as a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, investment adviser representative, or similar person; or
(C) To have been suspended or expelled from membership by or participation in a securities exchange or securities association operating under the securities laws of a foreign jurisdiction;
(12) Is the subject of a cease and desist order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission or issued under the securities, commodities, investment, franchise, banking, finance, or insurance laws of a state;
(13) Has engaged in dishonest or unethical practices in the securities, commodities, investment, franchise, banking, finance, or insurance business within the previous ten (10) years; or
(14) Is not qualified on the basis of factors such as training, experience, and knowledge of the securities business. However, in the case of an application by an agent for a broker-dealer that is a member of a self-regulatory organization or by an individual for registration as an investment adviser representative, a denial order may not be based on this subsection if the individual has successfully completed all examinations required by subsection (e). The administrator may require an applicant for registration under Section 75-71-402 or 75-71-404 who has not been registered in a state within the two (2) years preceding the filing of an application in this state to successfully complete an examination.
(e) Examinations. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require that an examination, including an examination developed or approved by an organization of securities regulators, be successfully completed by a class of individuals or all individuals. An order issued under this chapter may waive, in whole or in part, an examination as to an individual and a rule adopted under this chapter may waive, in whole or in part, an examination as to a class of individuals if the administrator determines that the examination is not necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors.
(f) Summary process. The administrator may suspend or deny an application summarily; restrict, condition, limit, or suspend a registration; or censure, bar, or impose a civil penalty on a registrant before final determination of an administrative proceeding. Upon the issuance of an order, the administrator shall promptly notify each person subject to the order that the order has been issued, the reasons for the action, and that within fifteen (15) days after the receipt of a request in a record from the person the matter will be scheduled for a hearing. If a hearing is not requested and none is ordered by the administrator within thirty (30) days after the date of service of the order, the order becomes final by operation of law. If a hearing is requested or ordered, the administrator, after notice of and opportunity for hearing to each person subject to the order, may modify or vacate the order or extend the order until final determination.
(g) Procedural requirements. An order issued may not be issued under this section, except under subsection (f), without:
(1) Appropriate notice to the applicant or registrant;
(2) Opportunity for hearing; and
(3) Findings of fact and conclusions of law in a record in accordance with the administrative hearing procedures set forth in the rules.
(h) Control person liability. A person that controls, directly or indirectly, a person not in compliance with this section may be disciplined by order of the administrator under subsections (a) through (c) to the same extent as the noncomplying person, unless the controlling person did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the existence of conduct that is a ground for discipline under this section.
(i) Limit on investigation or proceeding. The administrator may not institute a proceeding under subsection (a), (b), or (c) based solely on material facts actually known by the administrator unless an investigation or the proceeding is instituted within one (1) year after the administrator actually acquires knowledge of the material facts.
SECTION 34. Section 75-71-413, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-413. (a) A broker-dealer registered or required to be registered under this chapter or an investment adviser registered or required to be registered under this chapter that is required to file a report with the Department of Human Services under the Mississippi Vulnerable Persons Act, Section 43-47-1 et seq., shall immediately forward a copy of the report to the administrator and may notify any third party reasonably associated with the customer of the suspected financial exploitation, or any other party permitted by state or federal laws or regulations, the rules of a self-regulatory organization or by customer agreement.
(b) If the broker-dealer registered or required to be registered under this chapter or the investment adviser registered or required to be registered under this chapter reasonably believes that a requested transaction may result in financial exploitation of its customer, that person may delay a transaction not to exceed fifteen (15) business days. If the transaction is delayed, the person shall, within two (2) business days, notify the administrator and all parties authorized to transact business on or to view the account subject to the delay. The broker-dealer or investment adviser shall immediately initiate an internal review of the suspected or attempted financial exploitation of the customer. The broker-dealer or investment advisor shall provide the administrator and the Department of Human Services with an update on the investigation upon request.
(c) Any delay of a transaction as authorized by this section will expire upon the sooner of:
(1) A determination by the broker-dealer or investment adviser, and the administrator, that the transaction will not result in financial exploitation of the eligible adult; or
(2) Fifteen (15) business days, unless the administrator requests that the broker-dealer or investment adviser extend the delay, in which case the delay shall be extended for an additional ten (10) days unless otherwise extended or terminated in accordance with paragraph (3).
(3) The Administrator or the Department of Human Services may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to enter an order extending or terminating the delay of the transaction.
(d) Disclosures and notifications of transaction delays shall not be made to any third party who is suspected of financial exploitation or other abuse.
(e) A person that makes disclosures or delays transactions under this section shall be immune from any administrative or civil liability that might otherwise arise from compliance with this section or activity authorized by this section.
(f) A person who fails to comply with subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to Section 43-47-7(1)(c) of the Mississippi Vulnerable Persons Act.
SECTION 35. Section 75-71-501, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-501. General fraud. It is unlawful for a person, in connection with the offer, sale, or purchase of a security, directly or indirectly:
(1) To employ a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud;
(2) To make an untrue statement of a material fact or to omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; or
(3) To engage in an act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon another person.
SECTION 36. Section 75-71-502, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-502. Prohibited conduct in providing investment advice. (a) Fraud in providing investment advice. It is unlawful for a person that advises others for compensation, either directly or indirectly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities or the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities or that, for compensation and as part of a regular business, issues or promulgates analyses or reports relating to securities:
(1) To employ a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud another person; or
(2) To engage in an act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon another person.
(b) Rules specifying contents of advisory contract. A rule adopted under this chapter may specify the contents of an investment advisory contract entered into, extended, or renewed by an investment adviser.
SECTION 37. Section 75-71-503, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-503. Evidentiary burden. (a) Civil. In a civil action or administrative proceeding under this chapter, a person claiming an exemption, exception, preemption, or exclusion has the burden to prove the applicability of the claim.
(b) Criminal. In a criminal proceeding under this chapter, a person claiming an exemption, exception, preemption, or exclusion has the burden of going forward with evidence of the claim.
SECTION 38. Section 75-71-504, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-504. Filing of sales and advertising literature. (a) Filing requirement. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may require the filing of a prospectus, pamphlet, circular, form letter, advertisement, sales literature, or other advertising record relating to a security or investment advice, addressed or intended for distribution to prospective investors, including clients or prospective clients of a person registered or required to be registered as an investment adviser under this chapter.
(b) Excluded communications. This section does not apply to sales and advertising literature specified in subsection (a) which relates to a federal covered security, a federal covered investment adviser, or a security or transaction exempted by Section 75-71-201, Section 75-71-202, or Section 75-71-203 except as required pursuant to Section 75-71-201(7).
SECTION 39. Section 75-71-505, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-505. Misleading filings. It is unlawful for a person to make or cause to be made, in a record that is used in an action or proceeding or filed under this chapter, a statement that, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, is false or misleading in a material respect, or, in connection with the statement, to omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statement made, in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, not false or misleading.
SECTION 40. Section 75-71-506, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-506. Misrepresentations concerning registration or exemption. The filing of an application for registration, a registration statement, a notice filing under this chapter, the registration of a person, the notice filing by a person, or the registration of a security under this chapter does not constitute a finding by the administrator that a record filed under this chapter is true, complete, and not misleading. The filing or registration or the availability of an exemption, exception, preemption, or exclusion for a security or a transaction does not mean that the administrator has passed upon the merits or qualifications of, or recommended or given approval to, a person, security, or transaction. It is unlawful to make, or cause to be made, to a purchaser, customer, client, or prospective customer or client a representation inconsistent with this section.
SECTION 41. Section 75-71-507, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-507. Qualified immunity. A broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, federal covered investment adviser, or investment adviser representative is not liable to another broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, federal covered investment adviser, or investment adviser representative for defamation relating to a statement that is contained in a record required by the administrator, or designee of the administrator, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or a self-regulatory organization, unless the person knew, or should have known at the time that the statement was made, that it was false in a material respect or the person acted in reckless disregard of the statement's truth or falsity.
SECTION 42. Section 75-71-508, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-508. Criminal penalties. (a) Criminal penalties. A person that willfully violates this chapter except Section 75-71-504 or the notice filing requirements of Section 75-71-302 or Section 75-71-405, or that willfully violates Section 75-71-505 knowing the statement made to be false or misleading in a material respect, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than the amount set forth in Section 75-71-613 or imprisoned not more than five (5) years, or both. An individual convicted of violating a rule or order under this chapter may be fined, but may not be imprisoned, if the individual did not have knowledge of the rule or order. Each violation shall be considered as a separate offense in a single proceeding or a series of related proceedings.
(b) Criminal referral not required. The Attorney General with or without a referral from the administrator, may institute criminal proceedings under this chapter. The attorneys duly employed by the administrator may be appointed by the Attorney General or the proper prosecuting attorney or local district attorney to act as special prosecutors in criminal proceedings.
(c) No limitation on other criminal enforcement. This chapter does not limit the power of this state to punish a person for conduct that constitutes a crime under other laws of this state.
SECTION 43. Section 75-71-509, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-509. Civil liability. (a) Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act. Enforcement of civil liability under this section is subject to the Securities Litigation Uniform Standards Act of 1998.
(b) Liability of seller to purchaser. A person is liable to the purchaser if the person sells a security in violation of Section 75-71-301 or, by means of an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, not misleading, the purchaser not knowing the untruth or omission and the seller not sustaining the burden of proof that the seller did not know and, in the exercise of reasonable care, could not have known of the untruth or omission. An action under this subsection is governed by the following:
(1) The purchaser may maintain an action to recover the consideration paid for the security, less the amount of any income received on the security, and interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of the purchase, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees determined by the court, upon the tender of the security, or for actual damages as provided in paragraph (3).
(2) The tender referred to in paragraph (1) may be made any time before entry of judgment. Tender requires only notice in a record of ownership of the security and willingness to exchange the security for the amount specified. A purchaser that no longer owns the security may recover actual damages as provided in paragraph (3).
(3) Actual damages in an action arising under this subsection (b) are the amount that would be recoverable upon a tender less the value of the security when the purchaser disposed of it, and interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of the purchase, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees determined by the court.
(c) Liability of purchaser to seller. A person is liable to the seller if the person buys a security by means of an untrue statement of a material fact or omission to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statement made, in light of the circumstances under which it is made, not misleading, the seller not knowing of the untruth or omission, and the purchaser not sustaining the burden of proof that the purchaser did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care, could not have known of the untruth or omission. An action under this subsection is governed by the following:
(1) The seller may maintain an action to recover the security, and any income received on the security, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees determined by the court, upon the tender of the purchase price, or for actual damages as provided in paragraph (3).
(2) The tender referred to in paragraph (1) may be made any time before entry of judgment. Tender requires only notice in a record of the present ability to pay the amount tendered and willingness to take delivery of the security for the amount specified. If the purchaser no longer owns the security, the seller may recover actual damages as provided in paragraph (3).
(3) Actual damages in an action arising under this subsection (c) are the difference between the price at which the security was sold and the value the security would have had at the time of the sale in the absence of the purchaser's conduct causing liability, and interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of the sale of the security, costs and reasonable attorney's fees determined by the court.
(d) Liability of unregistered broker-dealer and agent. A person acting as a broker-dealer or agent that sells or buys a security in violation of Section 75-71-401(a), 75-71-402(a), or Section 75-71-506 is liable to the customer. The customer, if a purchaser, may maintain an action for recovery of actual damages as specified in subsection (b)(1) through (3), or, if a seller, for a remedy as specified in subsection (c)(1) through (3).
(e) Liability of unregistered investment adviser and investment adviser representative. A person acting as an investment adviser or investment adviser representative that provides investment advice for compensation in violation of Section 75-71-403(a), Section 75-71-404(a), or Section 75-71-506 is liable to the client. The client may maintain an action to recover the consideration paid for the advice, interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of payment, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees determined by the court.
(f) Liability for investment advice. A person that receives directly or indirectly any consideration for providing investment advice to another person and that employs a device, scheme, or artifice to defraud the other person or engages in an act, practice, or course of business that operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit on the other person, is liable to the other person. An action under this subsection is governed by the following:
(1) The person defrauded may maintain an action to recover the consideration paid for the advice and the amount of any actual damages caused by the fraudulent conduct, interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of the fraudulent conduct, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees determined by the court, less the amount of any income received as a result of the fraudulent conduct.
(2) This subsection (f) does not apply to a broker-dealer or its agents if the investment advice provided is solely incidental to transacting business as a broker-dealer and no special compensation is received for the investment advice.
(g) Joint and several liability. The following persons are liable jointly and severally with and to the same extent as persons liable under subsections (b) through (f):
(1) A person that directly or indirectly controls a person liable under subsections (b) through (f), unless the controlling 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 existence of conduct by reason of which the liability is alleged to exist;
(2) An individual who is a managing partner, executive officer, or director of a person liable under subsections (b) through (f), including an individual having a similar status or performing similar functions, unless the individual sustains the burden of proof that the individual did not know and, in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the existence of conduct by reason of which the liability is alleged to exist;
(3) An individual who is an employee of or associated with a person liable under subsections (b) through (f) and who materially aids the conduct giving rise to the liability, unless the individual sustains the burden of proof that the individual did not know and, in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the existence of conduct by reason of which the liability is alleged to exist; and
(4) A person that is a broker-dealer, agent, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative that materially aids the conduct giving rise to the liability under subsections (b) through (f), unless 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 existence of conduct by reason of which liability is alleged to exist.
(h) Right of contribution. A person liable under this section has a right of contribution as in cases of contract against any other person liable under this section for the same conduct.
(i) Survival of cause of action. A cause of action under this section survives the death of an individual who might have been a plaintiff or defendant.
(j) Statute of limitations. A person may not obtain relief:
(1) Under subsection (b) for violation of Section 75-71-301, or under subsection (d) or (e), unless the action is instituted within one (1) year after the violation occurred; or
(2) Under subsection (b), other than for violation of Section 75-71-301, or under subsection (c) or (f), unless the action is instituted within the earlier of two (2) years after discovery of the facts constituting the violation or five (5) years after the violation.
(k) No enforcement of violative contract. A person that has made, or has engaged in the performance of, a contract in violation of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, or that has acquired a purported right under the contract with knowledge of conduct by reason of which its making or performance was in violation of this chapter, may not base an action on the contract.
(l) No contractual waiver. A condition, stipulation, or provision binding a person purchasing or selling a security or receiving investment advice to waive compliance with this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter is void.
(m) Survival of other rights or remedies. The rights and remedies provided by this chapter are in addition to any other rights or remedies that may exist, but this chapter does not create a cause of action not specified in this section or Section 75-71-411(e).
SECTION 44. Section 75-71-510, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-510. Rescission offers. A purchaser of a security, seller of a security, or recipient of investment advice may not maintain an action under Section 75-71-509 if:
(1) The purchaser of a security, seller of a security, or recipient of investment advice receives in a record, before the action is instituted:
(A) An offer stating the respect in which liability under Section 75-71-509 may have arisen and fairly advising the purchaser of a security, seller of a security, or recipient of investment advice of that person's rights in connection with the offer, and any financial or other information necessary to correct all material misrepresentations or omissions in the information that was required by this chapter to be furnished to that person at the time of the purchase of the security, sale of the security, or receipt of the investment advice;
(B) If the basis for relief under this section may have been a violation of Section 75-71-509(b), an offer to repurchase the security for cash, payable on delivery of the security, equal to the consideration paid, and interest at six percent (6%) from the date of the purchase, less the amount of any income received on the security, or, if the purchaser no longer owns the security, an offer to pay the purchaser upon acceptance of the offer damages in an amount that would be recoverable upon a tender, less the value of the security when the purchaser disposed of it, and interest at eight percent (8%) interest from the date of the purchase in cash equal to the damages computed in the manner provided in this subparagraph;
(C) If the basis for relief under this section may have been a violation of Section 75-71-509(c), an offer to tender the security, on payment by the seller of an amount equal to the purchase price paid, less income received on the security by the purchaser and interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of the sale; or if the purchaser no longer owns the security, an offer to pay the seller upon acceptance of the offer, in cash, damages in the amount of the difference between the price at which the security was purchased and the value the security would have had at the time of the purchase in the absence of the purchaser's conduct that may have caused liability and interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of the sale;
(D) If the basis for relief under this section may have been a violation of Section 75-71-509(d); and if the customer is a purchaser, an offer to pay as specified in subparagraph (B); or, if the customer is a seller, an offer to tender or to pay as specified in subparagraph (C);
(E) If the basis for relief under this section may have been a violation of Section 75-71-509(e), an offer to reimburse in cash the consideration paid for the advice and interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of payment; or
(F) If the basis for relief under this section may have been a violation of Section 75-71-509(f), an offer to reimburse in cash the consideration paid for the advice, the amount of any actual damages that may have been caused by the conduct, and interest at the legal rate of interest from the date of the violation causing the loss;
(2) The offer under paragraph (1) states that it must be accepted by the purchaser, seller, or recipient of investment advice within thirty (30) days after the date of its receipt by the purchaser, seller, or recipient of investment advice or any shorter period, of not less than three (3) days, that the administrator, by order, specifies;
(3) The offeror has the present ability to pay the amount offered or to tender the security under paragraph (1);
(4) The offer under paragraph (1) is delivered to the purchaser, seller, or recipient of investment advice, or sent in a manner that ensures receipt by the purchaser, seller, or recipient of investment advice; and
(5) The purchaser, seller, or recipient of investment advice that accepts the offer under paragraph (1) in a record within the period specified under paragraph (2) is paid in accordance with the terms of the offer.
SECTION 45. Section 75-71-601, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-601. Administration. (a) Administration. The administrator shall administer this chapter.
(b) Unlawful use of records or information. It is unlawful for the administrator or an officer, employee, or designee of the administrator to use for personal benefit or the benefit of others records or other information obtained by or filed with the administrator that are not public under Section 75-71-607(b). This chapter does not authorize the administrator or an officer, employee, or designee of the administrator to disclose the record or information, except in accordance with Section 75-71-602, 75-71-607(c), or 75-71-608.
(c) No privilege or exemption created or diminished. This chapter does not create or diminish a privilege or exemption that exists at common law, by statute or rule, or otherwise.
(d) Investor education. The administrator may develop and implement investor education initiatives to inform the public about investing in securities, with particular emphasis on the prevention and detection of securities fraud. In developing and implementing these initiatives, the administrator may collaborate with public and nonprofit organizations with an interest in investor education. The administrator may accept a grant or donation from a person that is not affiliated with the securities industry or from a nonprofit organization, regardless of whether the organization is affiliated with the securities industry, to develop and implement investor education initiatives. This subsection does not authorize the administrator to require participation or monetary contributions of a registrant in an investor education program.
SECTION 46. Section 75-71-602, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-602. Investigations and subpoenas. (a) Authority to investigate. The administrator may:
(1) Conduct public or private investigations within or outside of this state which the administrator considers necessary or appropriate to determine whether a person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, or to aid in the enforcement of this chapter or in the adoption of rules and forms under this chapter;
(2) Require or permit a person to testify, file a statement, or produce a record, under oath or otherwise as the administrator determines, as to all the facts and circumstances concerning a matter to be investigated or about which an action or proceeding is to be instituted; and
(3) Publish a record concerning an action, proceeding, or an investigation under, or a violation of, this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter if the administrator determines it is necessary or appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors.
(b) Administrator powers to investigate. For the purpose of an investigation under this chapter, the administrator or its designated officer may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, seek compulsion of attendance, take evidence, require the filing of statements, and require the production of any records that the administrator considers relevant or material to the investigation.
(c) Procedure and remedies for noncompliance. If a person does not appear or refuses to testify, file a statement, produce records, or otherwise does not obey a subpoena as required by the administrator under this chapter, the administrator may apply to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, or a court of another state to enforce compliance. The court may:
(1) Hold the person in contempt;
(2) Order the person to appear before the administrator;
(3) Order the person to testify about the matter under investigation or in question;
(4) Order the production of records;
(5) Grant injunctive relief, including restricting or prohibiting the offer or sale of securities or the providing of investment advice; and
(6) Grant any other necessary or appropriate relief.
(d) Application for relief. This section does not preclude a person from applying to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, or a court of another state for relief from a request to appear, testify, file a statement, produce records, or obey a subpoena.
(e) Use immunity procedure. An individual is not excused from attending, testifying, filing a statement, producing a record or other evidence, or obeying a subpoena of the administrator under this chapter or in an action or proceeding instituted by the administrator under this chapter on the ground that the required testimony, statement, record, or other evidence, directly or indirectly, may tend to incriminate the individual or subject the individual to a criminal fine, penalty, or forfeiture. If the individual refuses to testify, file a statement, or produce a record or other evidence on the basis of the individual's privilege against self-incrimination, the administrator may apply to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, to compel the testimony, the filing of the statement, the production of the record, or the giving of other evidence. The testimony, record, or other evidence compelled under such an order may not be used, directly or indirectly, against the individual in a criminal case, except in a prosecution for perjury or contempt or otherwise failing to comply with the order.
(f) Assistance to securities regulator of another jurisdiction. At the request of the securities regulator of another state or a foreign jurisdiction, the administrator may provide assistance if the requesting regulator states that it is conducting an investigation to determine whether a person has violated, is violating, or is about to violate a law or rule of the other state or foreign jurisdiction relating to securities matters that the requesting regulator administers or enforces. The administrator may provide the assistance by using the authority to investigate and the powers conferred by this section as the administrator determines is necessary or appropriate. The assistance may be provided without regard to whether the conduct described in the request would also constitute a violation of this chapter or other law of this state if occurring in this state. In deciding whether to provide the assistance, the administrator may consider whether the requesting regulator is permitted and has agreed to provide assistance reciprocally within its state or foreign jurisdiction to the administrator on securities matters when requested; whether compliance with the request would violate or prejudice the public policy of this state; and the availability of resources and employees of the administrator to carry out the request for assistance.
SECTION 47. Section 75-71-603, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-603. Civil enforcement. (a) Civil action instituted by administrator. If the administrator believes that a person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in an act, practice, or course of business constituting a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or that a person has, is, or is about to engage in an act, practice, or course of business that materially aids a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, the administrator may maintain an action in chancery court to enjoin the act, practice, or course of business and to enforce compliance with this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(b) Relief available. In an action under this section and on a proper showing, the court may:
(1) Issue a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order, or declaratory judgment;
(2) Order other appropriate or ancillary relief, which may include:
(A) An asset freeze, accounting, writ of attachment, writ of general or specific execution, and appointment of a receiver or conservator, that may be the administrator, for the defendant or the defendant's assets;
(B) Ordering the administrator to take charge and control of a defendant's property, including investment accounts and accounts in a depository institution, rents, and profits; to collect debts; and to acquire and dispose of property;
(C) Imposing a civil penalty of the amount set forth in Section 75-71-613 for each violation; an order of rescission, restitution, or disgorgement directed to a person that has engaged in an act, practice, or course of business constituting a violation of this chapter or the predecessor act or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or the predecessor act; and
(D) Ordering the payment of prejudgment and postjudgment interest; or
(3) Order such other relief as the court considers appropriate.
(c) No bond required. The administrator may not be required to post a bond in an action or proceeding under this chapter.
SECTION 48. Section 75-71-604, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-604. Administrative enforcement. (a) Issuance of an order or notice. If the administrator determines that a person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in an act, practice, or course of business constituting a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter or that a person has materially aided, is materially aiding, or is about to materially aid an act, practice, or course of business constituting a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter, the administrator may:
(1) Issue an order directing the person to cease and desist from engaging in the act, practice, or course of business or to take other action necessary or appropriate to comply with this chapter;
(2) Issue an order denying, suspending, revoking, or conditioning the exemptions for a broker-dealer under Section 75-71-401(b)(1)(D) or (F) or an investment adviser under Section 75-71-403(b)(1)(C); or
(3) Issue an order:
(A) Under Section 75-71-204;
(B) Imposing a civil penalty in the case of an issuer of registered securities, broker-dealer, investment advisor, agent, investment adviser representative, or other person who violated this chapter;
(C) Barring or suspending the person from association with a broker-dealer or investment advisor registered in this state; or
(D) Requiring the person to pay restitution for any loss or disgorge any profits arising from the violation, including interest.
(b) Summary process. An order under subsection (a) is effective on the date of issuance. Upon issuance of the order, the administrator shall promptly serve each person subject to the order with a copy of the order and a notice that the order has been entered, in accordance with Section 75-71-611. The order must include a statement of any civil penalty or other administrative remedy to be imposed under subsection (a) or costs of investigation the administrator will seek, a statement of the reasons for the order, and notice that, within fifteen (15) days after receipt of a request in a record from the person, the matter will be scheduled for a hearing. If a person subject to the order does not request a hearing and none is ordered by the administrator within thirty (30) days after the date of service of the order, the order, including the imposition of a civil penalty or other administrative remedy to be imposed under subsection (a) or requirement for payment of the costs of investigation if a civil penalty or costs were sought in the statement accompanying the order, becomes final as to that person by operation of law. If a hearing is requested or ordered, the administrator, after notice of and opportunity for hearing to each person subject to the order, may modify or vacate the order or extend it until final determination.
(c) Procedure for final order. If a hearing is requested or ordered pursuant to subsection (b), a hearing must be held pursuant to the administrative hearing procedures set forth in the rules. A final order may not be issued unless the administrator makes findings of fact and conclusions of law in a record in accordance with the administrative hearing procedures set forth in the rules. The final order may make final, vacate, or modify the order issued under subsection (a).
(d) Civil penalty. In a final order under subsection (c), the administrator may impose a civil penalty in an amount set forth in Section 75-71-613 for each violation and each violation shall be considered a separate offense in a single proceeding or a series of related proceedings.
(e) Costs. In a final order, the administrator may charge the actual cost of an investigation or proceeding for a violation of this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter.
(f) Filing of certified final order with court; effect of filing. If a petition for judicial review of a final order is not filed in accordance with Section 75-71-609, or the petition is denied by the court, the administrator may file a certified copy of the final order with the clerk of a court in the jurisdiction where enforcement will be sought. The order so filed has the same effect as a judgment of the court and may be recorded, enforced, or satisfied in the same manner as a judgment of the court.
(g) Enforcement by court; further civil penalty. If a person does not comply with an order under this section, the administrator may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the order and collect administrative civil penalties and costs imposed under the final order. The court may not require the administrator to post a bond in an action or proceeding under this section. If the court finds, after service and opportunity for hearing, that the person was not in compliance with the order, the court may adjudge the person in civil contempt of the order. The court may impose a further civil penalty against the person for contempt in an amount set forth in Section 75-71-613 for each violation and may grant any other relief the court determines is just and proper in the circumstances.
SECTION 49. Section 75-71-605, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-605. Rules, forms, orders, interpretative opinions, and hearings. (a) Issuance and adoption of forms, orders, and rules. The administrator may:
(1) Issue forms and orders and, after notice and comment, may adopt and amend rules necessary or appropriate to carry out this chapter and may repeal rules, including rules and forms governing registration statements, applications, notice filings, reports, and other records;
(2) By rule, define terms, whether or not used in this chapter, but those definitions may not be inconsistent with this chapter; and
(3) By rule, classify securities, persons, and transactions and adopt different requirements for different classes. Offers to other persons as described in Section 75-71-202(13)(C) exempted by rule adopted under this chapter or order issued under this chapter may be conditioned by rule or order and any rule adopted as provided in Section 75-71-203 to provide an additional exemption from registration may include conditions on such exemption.
(b) Findings and cooperation. Under this chapter, a rule or form may not be adopted or amended, or an order issued or amended, unless the administrator finds that the rule, form, order, or amendment is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors and is consistent with the purposes intended by this chapter. In adopting, amending, and repealing rules and forms, Section 75-71-608 applies in order to achieve uniformity among the states and coordination with federal laws in the form and content of registration statements, applications, reports, and other records, including the adoption of uniform rules, forms, and procedures.
(c) Financial statements. Subject to Section 15(h) of the Securities Exchange Act and Section 222 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the administrator may require that a financial statement filed under this chapter be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and comply with other requirements specified by rule adopted or order issued under this chapter. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may establish:
(1) Subject to Section 15(h) of the Securities Exchange Act and Section 222 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, the form and content of financial statements required under this chapter;
(2) Whether unconsolidated financial statements must be filed; and
(3) Whether required financial statements must be audited by an independent certified public accountant.
(d) Interpretative opinions. The administrator may provide interpretative opinions or issue determinations that the administrator will not institute a proceeding or an action under this chapter against a specified person for engaging in a specified act, practice, or course of business if the determination is consistent with this chapter. A rule adopted or order issued under this chapter may establish a reasonable charge for interpretative opinions or determinations that the administrator will not institute an action or a proceeding under this chapter.
(e) Effect of compliance. A penalty under this chapter may not be imposed for, and liability does not arise from conduct that is engaged in or omitted in good faith believing it conforms to a rule, form, or order of the administrator under this chapter.
(f) Presumption for public hearings. A hearing in an administrative proceeding under this chapter must be conducted in public unless the administrator for good cause consistent with this chapter determines that the hearing will not be so conducted.
SECTION 50. Section 75-71-606, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-606. Administrative files and opinions. (a) Public register of filings. The administrator shall maintain, or designate a person to maintain, a register of applications for registration of securities; registration statements; notice filings; applications for registration of broker-dealers, agents, investment advisers, and investment adviser representatives; notice filings by federal covered investment advisers that are or have been effective under this chapter or the predecessor act; notices of claims of exemption from registration or notice filing requirements contained in a record; orders issued under this chapter or the predecessor act; and interpretative opinions or no action determinations issued under this chapter.
(b) Public availability. The administrator shall make all rules, forms, interpretative opinions, and orders available to the public.
(c) Copies of public records. The administrator shall furnish a copy of a record that is a public record or a certification that the public record does not exist to a person that so requests. A rule adopted under this chapter may establish a reasonable charge for furnishing the record or certification. A copy of the record certified or a certificate by the administrator of a record's nonexistence is prima facie evidence of a record or its nonexistence.
SECTION 51. Section 75-71-607, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-607. Public records; confidentiality. (a) Presumption of public records. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b), records obtained by the administrator or filed under this chapter, including a record contained in or filed with a registration statement, application, notice filing, or report, are public records and are available for public examination under such rules as the administrator prescribes.
(b) Nonpublic records. The following records are not public records and are not available for public examination under subsection (a):
(1) A record obtained by the administrator in connection with an audit or inspection under Section 75-71-411(d) or an investigation under Section 75-71-602;
(2) A part of a record filed in connection with a registration statement under Section 75-71-301 and Sections 75-71-303 through 75-71-305 or a record under Section 75-71-411(d) that contains trade secrets or confidential information if the person filing the registration statement or report has asserted a claim of confidentiality or privilege that is authorized by law;
(3) A record that is not required to be provided to the administrator or filed under this chapter and is provided to the administrator only on the condition that the record will not be subject to public examination or disclosure;
(4) A nonpublic record received from a person specified in Section 75-71-608(a);
(5) Any social security number, residential address unless used as a business address, and residential telephone number unless used as a business telephone number, contained in a record that is filed; and
(6) A record obtained by the administrator through a designee of the administrator that a rule or order under this chapter determines has been:
(A) Expunged from the administrator's records by the designee; or
(B) Determined to be nonpublic or nondisclosable by that designee if the administrator finds the determination to be in the public interest and for the protection of investors.
(c) Administrator discretion to disclose. If disclosure is for the purpose of a civil, administrative, or criminal investigation, action, or proceeding or to a person specified in Section 75-71-608(a), the administrator may disclose a record obtained in connection with an audit or inspection under Section 75-71-411(d) or a record obtained in connection with an investigation under Section 75-71-602.
SECTION 52. Section 75-71-608, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-608. Uniformity and cooperation with other agencies. (a) Objective of uniformity. The administrator may, in its discretion, cooperate, coordinate, consult, and, subject to Section 75-71-607, share records and information with the securities regulator of another state, Canada, a Canadian province or territory, a foreign jurisdiction, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the United States Department of Justice, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, a self-regulatory organization, a national or international organization of securities regulators, a federal or state banking or insurance regulator, and a governmental law enforcement or regulatory agency to effectuate greater uniformity in securities matters among the federal government, self-regulatory organizations, states, and foreign governments.
(b) Policies to consider. In cooperating, coordinating, consulting, and sharing records and information under this section and in acting by rule, order, or waiver under this chapter, the administrator shall, in its discretion, take into consideration in carrying out the public interest the following general policies:
(1) Maximizing effectiveness of regulation for the protection of investors;
(2) Maximizing uniformity in federal and state regulatory standards; and
(3) Minimizing burdens on the business of capital formation, without adversely affecting essentials of investor protection.
(c) Subjects for cooperation. The cooperation, coordination, consultation, and sharing of records and information authorized by this section includes:
(1) Establishing or employing one or more designees as a central depository for registration and notice filings under this chapter and for records required or allowed to be maintained under this chapter;
(2) Developing and maintaining uniform forms;
(3) Conducting a joint examination or investigation;
(4) Holding a joint administrative hearing;
(5) Instituting and prosecuting a joint civil or administrative proceeding;
(6) Sharing and exchanging personnel;
(7) Coordinating registrations under Sections 75-71-301 and 75-71-401 through 75-71-404 and exemptions under Section 75-71-203;
(8) Sharing and exchanging records, subject to Section 75-71-607;
(9) Formulating rules, statements of policy, guidelines, forms, and interpretative opinions and releases;
(10) Formulating common systems and procedures;
(11) Notifying the public of proposed rules, forms, statements of policy, and guidelines;
(12) Attending conferences and other meetings among securities regulators, which may include representatives of governmental and private sector organizations involved in capital formation, deemed necessary or appropriate to promote or achieve uniformity; and
(13) Developing and maintaining a uniform exemption from registration for small issuers, and taking other steps to reduce the burden of raising investment capital by small businesses.
SECTION 53. Section 75-71-609, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-609. (a) Petition for judicial review of order; venue; scope of review. Any person aggrieved by a final order of the administrator may obtain a review of the order in the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, by filing in court, within sixty (60) days after the entry of the order, a written petition praying that the order be modified or set aside, in whole or in part. A copy of the petition shall be forthwith served upon the administrator and thereupon the administrator shall certify and file in court a copy of the filing and evidence upon which the order was entered. When these have been filed, the court has exclusive jurisdiction to affirm, modify, enforce or set aside the order, in whole or in part. The findings of the administrator as to the facts, if supported by competent material and substantial evidence, are conclusive.
(b) Adduction of additional evidence. If either party applies to the court for leave to adduce additional material evidence, and shows to the satisfaction of the court that there were reasonable grounds for failure to adduce the evidence in the hearing before the administrator, the court may order the additional evidence to be taken before the administrator and to be adduced upon the hearing in such manner and upon such conditions as the court considers proper. The administrator may modify his findings and order by reason of the additional evidence and shall file in court the additional evidence together with any modified or new findings or order.
(c) Stay of administrative order under review. The commencement of proceedings under subsection (a) does not, unless specifically ordered by the court, operate as a stay of the administrator's order.
SECTION 54. Section 75-71-610, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-610. Jurisdiction. (a) Sales and offers to sell. Sections 75-71-301, 75-71-302, 75-71-401(a), 75-71-402(a), 75-71-403(a), 75-71-404(a), 75-71-501, 75-71-506, 75-71-509, and 75-71-510 do not apply to a person that sells or offers to sell a security unless the offer to sell or the sale is made in this state or the offer to purchase or the purchase is made and accepted in this state.
(b) Purchases and offers to purchase. Sections 75-71-401(a), 75-71-402(a), 75-71-403(a), 75-71-404(a), 75-71-501, 75-71-506, 75-71-509, and 75-71-510 do not apply to a person that purchases or offers to purchase a security unless the offer to purchase or the purchase is made in this state or the offer to sell or the sale is made and accepted in this state.
(c) Offers in this state. For the purpose of this section, an offer to sell or to purchase a security is made in this state, whether or not either party is then present in this state, if the offer:
(1) Originates from within this state; or
(2) Is directed by the offeror to a place in this state and received at the place to which it is directed.
(d) Acceptances in this state. For the purpose of this section, an offer to purchase or to sell is accepted in this state, whether or not either party is then present in this state, if the acceptance:
(1) Is communicated to the offeror in this state and the offeree reasonably believes the offeror to be present in this state and the acceptance is received at the place in this state to which it is directed; and
(2) Has not previously been communicated to the offeror, orally or in a record, outside this state.
(e) Publications, radio, television, or electronic communications. An offer to sell or to purchase is not made in this state when a publisher circulates or there is circulated on the publisher's behalf in this state a bona fide newspaper or other publication of general, regular, and paid circulation that is not published in this state, or that is published in this state but has had more than two-thirds (2/3) of its circulation outside this state during the previous twelve (12) months or when a radio or television program or other electronic communication originating outside this state is received in this state. A radio or television program, or other electronic communication is considered as having originated in this state if either the broadcast studio or the originating source of transmission is located in this state, unless:
(1) The program or communication is syndicated and distributed from outside this state for redistribution to the general public in this state;
(2) The program or communication is supplied by a radio, television, or other electronic network with the electronic signal originating from outside this state for redistribution to the general public in this state;
(3) The program or communication is an electronic communication that originates outside this state and is captured for redistribution to the general public in this state by a community antenna or cable, radio, cable television, or other electronic system; or
(4) The program or communication consists of an electronic communication that originates in this state, but which is not intended for distribution to the general public in this state.
(f) Investment advice and misrepresentations. Sections 75-71-403(a), 75-71-404(a), 75-71-405(a), 75-71-502, 75-71-505, and 75-71-506 apply to a person if the person engages in an act, practice, or course of business instrumental in effecting prohibited or actionable conduct in this state, whether or not either party is then present in this state.
SECTION 55. Section 75-71-611, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-611. Service of process. (a) Signed consent to service of process. A consent to service of process complying with this section required by this chapter must be signed and filed in the form required by a rule or order under this chapter. A consent appointing the administrator the person's agent for service of process in a noncriminal action or proceeding against the person, or the person's successor or personal representative under this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter after the consent is filed, has the same force and validity as if the service were made personally on the person filing the consent. A person that has filed a consent complying with this subsection in connection with a previous application for registration or notice filing need not file an additional consent.
(b) Conduct constituting appointment of agent for service. If a person, including a nonresident of this state, engages in an act, practice, or course of business prohibited or made actionable by this chapter or a rule adopted or order issued under this chapter and the person has not filed a consent to service of process under subsection (a), the act, practice, or course of business constitutes the appointment of the administrator as the person's agent for service of process in a noncriminal action or proceeding against the person or the person's successor or personal representative.
(c) Procedure for service of process. Service under subsection (a) or (b) may be made by providing a copy of the process to the office of the administrator, but it is not effective unless:
(1) The plaintiff, which may be the administrator, promptly sends notice of the service and a copy of the process, return receipt requested, to the defendant or respondent at the address set forth in the consent to service of process or, if a consent to service of process has not been filed, at the last known address, or takes other reasonable steps to give notice; and
(2) The plaintiff files an affidavit of compliance with this subsection (c) in the action or proceeding on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within the time that the court, or the administrator in a proceeding before the administrator, allows.
(d) Service in administrative proceedings or civil actions by administrator. Service pursuant to subsection (c) may be used in a proceeding before the administrator or by the administrator in a civil action in which the administrator is the moving party.
(e) Opportunity to defend. If process is served under subsection (c), the court, or the administrator in a proceeding before the administrator, shall order continuances as are necessary or appropriate to afford the defendant or respondent reasonable opportunity to defend.
SECTION 56. Section 75-71-612, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-612. Severability clause. If any provision of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this chapter are severable.
SECTION 57. Section 75-71-613, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-613. Amounts of civil and criminal penalties. (a) Amount of civil disciplinary penalties imposed – registrants. The amount of the civil penalty or fine described in Section 75-71-412(c) is a maximum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation.
(b) Amount of criminal penalties under Section 75-71-508. The amount of the criminal penalty or fine described in Section 75-71-508 is not more than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation.
(c) Amount of civil penalty under Section 75-71-603 – civil enforcement. The amount of the civil penalty described in Section 75-71-603(b)(2)(C) is a maximum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation, provided that an additional civil penalty may be imposed up to a maximum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for violations of the chapter committed against elders or disabled persons.
(d) Amount of civil penalty and further civil penalty under Section 75-71-604 - administrative enforcement. (1) The amount of the civil penalty described in Section 75-71-604(d) is a maximum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation, provided that an additional civil penalty may be imposed up to a maximum of Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for violations of the chapter committed against elders or disabled persons.
(2) The amount of the further civil penalty described in Section 75-71-604(g) is a maximum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) for each violation.
SECTION 58. Section 75-71-701, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-71-701. (a) Applicability of predecessor chapter to pending proceedings and existing rights. The predecessor chapter exclusively governs all actions or proceedings that are pending on January 1, 2010, or may be instituted on the basis of conduct occurring before January 1, 2010, but a private civil action may not be maintained to enforce any liability under the predecessor chapter unless instituted within any period of limitation that applied when the cause of action accrued or within five (5) years after January 1, 2010, whichever is earlier. This time limitation shall not apply to a civil enforcement action or an administrative enforcement action instituted by the administrator under Section 75-71-603 or Section 75-71-604.
(b) Continued effectiveness under predecessor chapter. All effective registrations under the predecessor chapter, all administrative orders relating to the registrations, rules, statements of policy, interpretative opinions, declaratory rulings, no-action determinations, and conditions imposed on the registrations under the predecessor chapter remain in effect while they would have remained in effect if this chapter had not been enacted. They are considered to have been filed, issued, or imposed under this chapter, but are exclusively governed by the predecessor chapter.
(c) Applicability of predecessor chapter to offers or sales. The predecessor chapter exclusively applies to an offer or sale made within one (1) year after January 1, 2010, pursuant to an offering made in good faith before January 1, 2010, on the basis of an exemption available under the predecessor chapter.
(d) For the purposes of this chapter, "predecessor chapter" means Chapter 71 of Title 75, Mississippi Code of 1972, as it existed on December 31, 2009.
SECTION 59. Section 75-15-3, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-3. For the purposes of this chapter:
(a) "Check" means any check, draft, money order, personal money order or other instrument, including but not limited to stored value cards, for the transmission or payment of money. The format of a check may be either paper, electronic, plastic or any combination thereof.
(b) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Banking and Consumer Finance of the State of Mississippi.
(c) "Deliver" means to deliver a check to the first person who in payment for same makes or purports to make a remittance of or against the face amount thereof, whether or not the deliverer also charges a fee in addition to the face amount, and whether or not the deliverer signs the check.
(d) "Executive officer" means the licensee's president, chairman of the executive committee, senior officer responsible for the licensee's business, chief financial officer and any other person who performs similar functions.
(e) "Licensee" means a person duly licensed by the commissioner under this chapter.
(f) "Monetary value" means a medium of exchange, whether or not redeemable in money.
(g) "Money transmission" means to engage in the business of the sale or issuance of checks or of receiving money or monetary value for transmission to a location within or outside the United States by any and all means, including but not limited to wire, facsimile or electronic transfer.
(h) "Outstanding check" means any check issued or sold in Mississippi by or for the licensee that has been reported as sold but not yet paid by or for the licensee.
(i) "Person" means any individual, partnership, association, joint-stock association, trust or corporation, but does not include the United States government or the government of this state.
(j) "Personal money order" means any instrument for the transmission or payment of money in relation to which the purchaser or remitter appoints or purports to appoint the seller thereof as his agent for the receipt, transmission or handling of money, whether the instrument is signed by the seller or by the purchaser or remitter or some other person.
(k) "Records" or "documents" means any item in hard copy or produced in a format of storage commonly described as electronic, imaged, magnetic, microphotographic or otherwise, and any reproduction so made shall have the same force and effect as the original thereof and be admitted in evidence equally with the original.
(l) "Sell" means to sell, to issue or to deliver a check.
(m) "Stored value" means monetary value that is evidenced by an electronic record.
SECTION 60. Section 75-15-5, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-5. No person, except those specified in Section 75-15-7, shall engage in the business of money transmission, as a service or for a fee or other consideration, without having first obtained a license under this chapter.
SECTION 61. Section 75-15-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-7. Nothing in this chapter shall apply to the sale or issuance or delivering of checks by:
(a) Any financial institution whose deposits are insured by any agency of the United States government or any trust company authorized to do business in this state;
(b) The government of the United States or any department or agent thereof;
(c) The State of Mississippi or any municipal corporation, county or other political subdivision of this state;
(d) Agents of a licensee, as provided for in Section 75-15-17, provided that this exemption shall apply only to the agent's acts on behalf of the licensee and this exemption shall not exempt the agent from the provisions of this chapter where he conducts money transmissions for his own account;
(e) Attorneys-at-law, as to checks issued in the regular course of the practice of law;
(f) Persons not carrying on the trade or business of money transmission, this exemption is intended to include persons who conduct money transmissions only as an incidental act to another trade or business regularly carried on by them and persons who only occasionally and infrequently conduct money transmissions for another person; or
(g) The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry for mortgage brokers, mortgage lenders and mortgage loan originators.
SECTION 62. Section 75-15-9, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-9. Each application for a license to engage in the business of money transmission shall be made in writing and under oath to the commissioner in such form as he may prescribe. The application shall state the full name and business address of:
(a) The proprietor, if the applicant is an individual;
(b) Every member, if the applicant is a partnership or association;
(c) The corporation and each executive officer and director thereof, if the applicant is a corporation;
(d) Every trustee and officer if the applicant is a trust;
(e) The applicant shall have a net worth of at least Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) plus Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for each location in excess of one (1) at which the applicant proposes to conduct money transmissions in this state, computed according to generally accepted accounting principles, but in no event shall the net worth be required to be in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00);
(f) The financial responsibility, financial condition, business experience and character and general fitness of the applicant shall be such as reasonably to warrant the belief that applicant's business will be conducted honestly, carefully and efficiently;
(g) Each application for a license shall be accompanied by an investigation fee of Fifty Dollars ($50.00) and license fee in the amount required by Section 75-15-15. All fees collected by the commissioner under the provisions of this chapter shall be deposited into the Consumer Finance Fund of the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance;
(h) An applicant shall not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction or a misdemeanor of fraud, theft, forgery, bribery, embezzlement, or making a fraudulent or false statement in any jurisdiction.
SECTION 63. Section 75-15-11, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-11. Each application for a license shall be accompanied by:
(a) Certified financial statements, reasonably satisfactory to the commissioner, showing that the applicant has a net worth of at least Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) plus Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for each location in excess of one (1) at which the applicant proposes to conduct money transmissions in this state, computed according to generally accepted accounting principles, but in no event shall the net worth be required to be in excess of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00).
(b) A surety bond issued by a bonding company or insurance company authorized to do business in this state, in the principal sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) or in an amount equal to outstanding money transmissions in Mississippi, whichever is greater, but in no event shall the bond be required to be in excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00). However, the commissioner may increase the required amount of the bond upon the basis of the impaired financial condition of a licensee as evidenced by a reduction in net worth, financial losses or other relevant criteria. The bond shall be in form satisfactory to the commissioner and shall run to the state for the use and benefit of the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance and any claimants against the applicant or his agents to secure the faithful performance of the obligations of the applicant and his agents with respect to the receipt, handling, transmission and payment of money in connection with money transmissions in Mississippi. The aggregate liability of the surety in no event shall exceed the principal sum of the bond. The surety on the bond shall have the right to cancel the bond upon giving sixty (60) days' notice in writing to the commissioner and thereafter shall be relieved of liability for any breach of condition occurring after the effective date of the cancellation. Any claimants against the applicant or his agents may themselves bring suit directly on the bond, or the Attorney General may bring suit thereon in behalf of those claimants, either in one (1) action or successive actions.
(c) In lieu of the corporate surety bond, the applicant may deposit with the State Treasurer bonds or other obligations of the United States or guaranteed by the United States or bonds or other obligations of this state or of any municipal corporation, county, or other political subdivision or agency of this state, or certificates of deposit of national or state banks doing business in Mississippi, having an aggregate market value at least equal to that of the corporate surety bond otherwise required. Those bonds or obligations or certificates of deposit shall be deposited with the State Treasurer to secure the same obligations as would a corporate surety bond, but the depositor shall be entitled to receive all interest and dividends thereon and shall have the right to substitute other bonds or obligations or certificates of deposit for those deposited, with the approval of the commissioner, and shall be required so to do on order of the commissioner made for good cause shown. The State Treasurer shall provide for custody of the bonds or obligations or certificates of deposits by a qualified trust company or bank located in the State of Mississippi or by any Federal Reserve Bank. The compensation, if any, of the custodian for acting as such under this section shall be paid by the depositing licensee.
(d) Proof of registration as a money service business per 31 CFR Section 103.41, if applicable.
(e) A set of fingerprints from any local law enforcement agency for each owner of a sole proprietorship, partners in a partnership or principal owners of a limited liability company that own at least ten percent (10%) of the voting shares of the company, shareholders owning ten percent (10%) or more of the outstanding shares of the corporation, except publically traded corporations and their subsidiaries, and any other executive officer with significant oversight duties of the business. In order to determine the applicant's suitability for license, the commissioner shall forward the fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety for a state criminal history records check, and the fingerprints shall be forwarded by the Department of Public Safety to the FBI for a national criminal history records check. The department shall not issue a license if it finds that the applicant, or any person who is an owner, partner, director or executive officer of the applicant, has been convicted of: (i) a felony in any jurisdiction; or (ii) a crime that, if committed within the state, would constitute a felony under the laws of this state; or (iii) a misdemeanor of fraud, theft, forgery, bribery, embezzlement or making a fraudulent or false statement in any jurisdiction. For the purposes of this chapter, a person shall be deemed to have been convicted of a crime if the person has pleaded guilty to a crime before a court or federal magistrate, or plea of nolo contendere, or has been found guilty of a crime by the decision or judgment of a court or federal magistrate or by the verdict of a jury, irrespective of the pronouncement of sentence or the suspension of a sentence, unless the person convicted of the crime has received a pardon from the President of the United States or the Governor or other pardoning authority in the jurisdiction where the conviction was obtained.
SECTION 64. Section 75-15-12, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-12. (1) In addition to the bond required in Section 75-15-11, a licensee must possess permissible investments having an aggregate market value, calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, of not less than the aggregate amount of all outstanding checks issued or sold or money received for transmission by the licensee in the United States. This requirement may be waived by the commissioner if the dollar volume of a licensee's outstanding checks does not exceed the bond or other security devices posted by the licensee in accordance with Section 75-15-11.
(2) Permissible investments, even if commingled with other assets of the licensee, shall be deemed by operation of law to be held in trust for the benefit of the purchasers and holders of the licensee's outstanding checks and money received for transmission and may not be considered an asset or property of the licensee in the event of bankruptcy, receivership or a claim against the licensee unrelated to any of the licensee's obligations under this chapter.
(3) Permissible investments mean:
(a) Cash;
(b) Certificates of deposit or other debt obligations of a financial institution, either domestic or foreign;
(c) Bills of exchange or time drafts drawn on and accepted by federally insured financial depository institutions;
(d) Any investment bearing a rating of one (1) of the three (3) highest grades as defined by a nationally recognized organization that rates such securities;
(e) Investment securities that are obligations of the United States, its agencies or instrumentalities, or obligations that are guaranteed fully as to principal and interest of the United States, or any obligations of any state, municipality or any political subdivision thereof;
(f) Shares in a money market mutual fund, interest-bearing bills or notes or bonds, debentures or stock traded on any national securities exchange or on a national over-the-counter market, or mutual funds primarily composed of those securities or a fund composed of one or more permissible investments as set forth in this section;
(g) Any demand borrowing agreement or agreements made to a corporation or a subsidiary of a corporation whose capital stock is listed on a national exchange;
(h) Receivables that are due to a licensee from its agents, which are not past due or doubtful of collection; or
(i) Any other investments approved by the commissioner.
(4) The commissioner may limit or disallow for purposes of determining compliance with this section an investment, surety bond, letter of credit or other security otherwise permitted by this section if the commissioner determines it to be unsatisfactory for investment purposes or to pose a significant supervisory concern.
SECTION 65. Section 75-15-13, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-13. Upon the filing of the application, the payment of the investigation fee and license fee, and the approval by the commissioner of the bond or securities delivered under Section 75-15-11, the commissioner shall investigate the financial responsibility, financial and business experience, character and general fitness of the applicant, and, if he deems it advisable, of its officers and directors, and if he finds that the applicant (and its officers and directors, if investigated) has the requisite qualifications to meet the requirements of this chapter and that its (or their) qualifications are such as to warrant the belief that the applicant's business will be conducted honestly, fairly, equitably, carefully and efficiently and in a manner commanding the confidence and trust of the community, he shall issue to the applicant a license to engage in the business of money transmission subject to the provisions of this chapter.
SECTION 66. Section 75-15-15, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-15. Each licensee shall pay to the commissioner with his initial application a license fee of Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), and annually thereafter on or before April 1 of each year, a renewal fee of Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00), plus Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for each location in excess of one (1) in Mississippi through which the licensee plans to conduct money transmissions during the license year for which the fee is paid, provided that in no event shall the annual renewal fee exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00).
SECTION 67. Section 75-15-17, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-17. A licensee may conduct his business at one or more locations within this state and through or by means of such agents as the licensee may from time to time designate or appoint. No license under this chapter shall be required of any agent of a licensee, provided that this exemption shall apply only to the agent's acts on behalf of the licensee and this exemption shall not exempt the agent from the provisions of this chapter where he conducts money transmissions for his own account. The licensee shall require each of his appointed agents to display prominently on the agent's premises, where same may be readily viewed by prospective clients or purchasers, a printed certificate signed by an authorized official of licensee setting forth in bold letters the names of the licensee and agent and stating that the licensee holds a valid and existing license issued by the commissioner under this chapter and that agent is a duly authorized agent of licensee. Neither a licensee nor an agent may appoint a subagent to conduct money transmissions.
SECTION 68. Section 75-15-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-19. (1) (a) Each licensee shall file with the commissioner within fifteen (15) days of the last business day of each month a report of the total amount of outstanding money transmissions in Mississippi. The principal sum of the surety bond or deposit required in Section 75-15-11 shall be adjusted, if appropriate, to reflect any changes in outstanding money transmissions. Licensees who maintain a surety bond in the principal sum of at least Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) or a securities deposit having an aggregate market value of at least equal to Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) shall be required to report the total amount of outstanding money transmissions in Mississippi on a quarterly basis.
(b) Each licensee shall file an annual financial statement with the commissioner, audited by an independent certified public accountant or an independent registered accountant, within five (5) months after the close of the licensee's fiscal year. The financial statement shall include a balance sheet, a profit and loss statement, and a statement of retained earnings of the licensee and the licensee's agents resulting from the business of money transmission.
(2) The commissioner may conduct or cause to be conducted an annual examination or audit of the books and records of any licensee at any time or times he deems proper, the cost of the examination or audit to be borne by the licensee. The refusal of access to the books and records shall be cause for the revocation of its license. 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 licensed office, plus any actual expenses incurred while examining the licensee's records or books that are located outside the State of Mississippi.
(3) Each licensee shall maintain the following books and records for a period of five (5) years and the books and records shall be available to the commissioner for inspection:
(a) A record of each money transmission sold;
(b) A general ledger, posted at least monthly, containing all assets, liabilities, capital, income and expense accounts;
(c) Bank statements and bank reconciliation records;
(d) Records of outstanding money transmissions;
(e) Records of each money transmission paid within the five-year period;
(f) A list of the names and addresses of all authorized agents; and
(g) Any other records the commissioner may reasonably require by rule or regulation.
The records required under this section may be maintained in photographic, electronic or other similar form.
(4) Each licensee must maintain a written Bank Secrecy Act/Anti-Money Laundering Program that complies with 31 CFR Section 103.125, if applicable.
(5) The commissioner may conduct a joint examination with representatives of other departments or agencies of another state or with the federal government. The commissioner may accept an examination report of another state or of the federal government or a report prepared by a certified public accountant instead of conducting an examination. A joint examination or an acceptance of an examination report does not preclude the commissioner from conducting his own examination. The report of a joint examination or an examination report accepted by the commissioner under this section is an official report of the commissioner for all purposes.
(6) The department may adopt the necessary administrative regulations, not inconsistent with state law, for the enforcement of this chapter.
SECTION 69. Section 75-15-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-21. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to require a licensee to list agents which are exempt by the provisions of Section 75-15-7 of this chapter.
SECTION 70. Section 75-15-23, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-23. Each licensee shall be liable for the payment of all money transmissions and for all checks that the licensee sells, in whatever form and whether directly or through an agent, as the maker or drawer thereof according to the negotiable instrument laws of this state, and shall be responsible only for those acts of the agent done on behalf of the licensee. Every check sold by a licensee directly or through an agent shall bear the name of the licensee clearly imprinted thereon. During the period of time that a person is an appointed agent for a licensee, the agent shall not directly or indirectly conduct his own money transmission business and the agent shall not be, continue to be, or become an officer, director, stockholder, employee, or agent of any other licensee under this chapter. When a person ceases to be an agent of a licensee, he shall immediately cease displaying his agent's appointment certificate, as provided under Section 75-15-17 of this chapter and shall immediately surrender same to the licensee.
SECTION 71. Section 75-15-25, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-25. Whenever the bond or securities deposit required under Section 75-15-11 is less than Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00), the licensee may not at any time have a total amount in outstanding money transmissions or checks in Mississippi, in excess of the bond or securities deposit required of him under Section 75-15-11, and the licensee shall, in accordance with rules and regulations promulgated by the commissioner under this chapter, submit a written report to the commissioner on the last business day of each month regarding his money transmissions outstanding in Mississippi, whether issued by himself or through agents, provided that this limitation shall be the principal sum of the bond or the market value of the securities deposit required of the licensee under Section 75-15-11, and the sum of this limitation shall not be increased by any bond or securities deposit increase required by the commissioner under Section 75-15-29 or by deposit of any revocation order, suspension bond or securities deposit under Section 75-15-27.
SECTION 72. Section 75-15-27, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-27. Except where a license is automatically revoked without any act of the commissioner as specially provided in this chapter, no license shall be denied or revoked except on ten (10) days' notice (the first day of the ten-day period to be the date stated on the notice, which shall be the day it is mailed) to the applicant or licensee by the commissioner, sent by letter by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, to the applicant's or licensee's business address set forth in the application. Upon receipt of the notice, as stated in the registered mail receipt, the applicant or licensee may, within five (5) days thereafter (which five-day period may be wholly or partially outside of the ten-day period) make written demand for a hearing by the commissioner, which demand, in the case of a revocation notice, must be accompanied by an additional surety bond or securities deposit, as hereafter provided, the principal sum or the market value thereof to be specified by the commissioner in the revocation notice. The revocation notice shall not become final during the period of time in which the licensee may demand such hearing nor if licensee demands a hearing, until the matter has been finally determined by the commissioner or by the courts, provided as to any revocation order, but not a denial order, that the licensee posts together with his written demand for hearing an additional corporate surety bond, written by the same surety that wrote the bond under subsection (b) of Section 75-15-11, or an additional securities deposit in addition to the securities deposit theretofore made by the licensee under subsection (c) of Section 75-15-11 which additional surety bond or securities deposit shall be in a principal amount or of a market value deemed adequate by the commissioner as specified in the revocation order but not exceeding Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), provided that if the licensee originally deposited with his application under Section 75-15-11 a corporate surety bond, the additional deposit provided in this section must be another corporate surety bond or an increase of the first one and may not be a deposit of securities, or if the licensee originally deposited securities, the additional deposit shall also be of securities and not a corporate surety bond. The bond or securities deposit shall secure the same obligations as does the corporate surety bond or securities deposit required by Section 75-15-11, but shall be in addition to the bond or securities deposit required thereby. Upon receipt of the written demand, the commissioner shall thereafter, with reasonable promptness, hear and determine the matter as provided by law. If the applicant or licensee deems himself aggrieved by the determination or order of the commissioner, he may within fifteen (15) days after the determination or order, have the determination or order reviewed by an appeal to the Chancery Court of the First Judicial District of Hinds County, Mississippi, by filing a petition setting out the specific order or action or part thereof by which the person deems himself aggrieved. All those petitions shall be given preferred settings and shall be heard by the court as speedily as possible. Such an appeal shall be perfected upon the posting of a bond for the costs of the appeal accompanied by the petition. Any party to the appeal may appeal to the Supreme Court of Mississippi from the decree or order of the chancery court, within thirty (30) days from the rendition of the decree or order, in the manner provided by law for appeals to the Supreme Court of Mississippi from chancery courts.
Final denial or revocation of the license, whether automatic or by final determination of the commissioner or the courts, shall cancel as of the date of final revocation all bonds or securities deposits theretofore deposited by the applicant or licensee under any provision of this chapter, provided that the licensee (and his corporate surety, if any) shall not be relieved of any accrued liabilities, and provided further, where the licensee deposited securities, that there shall not be returned to the licensee any of the deposited securities until the commissioner determines that all accrued liabilities (including, but not limited to, the principal sums thereof, accrued interest thereon, and court costs, if any, assessed to the licensee) of the licensee under this chapter have been satisfied in full.
The commissioner may at any time revoke a license, on any ground on which he might refuse to grant a license, for failure to pay an annual fee or for violation of any provision of this chapter, subject to the provisions of this chapter.
A license shall be automatically and finally revoked without any act or further act of the commissioner and without any right of the licensee to any hearing or further hearing by the commissioner or the courts and without any right of the licensee or the commissioner to reinstate or have reinstated the license, in the following instances: (a) at expiration of the sixty-day notice period, if the corporate surety gives notice of cancellation of its bond or any of them; (b) upon failure by licensee to pay when due the annual license fee required by Section 75-15-15; (c) upon failure by licensee to file when due any information required by Section 75-15-19; (d) in case of a revocation notice under the first paragraph of this section, failure by the licensee to demand hearing as provided therein or failure to deposit any additional corporate surety bond or securities deposit as required by the commissioner; (e) upon a license revocation order becoming final at any stage; (f) failure by licensee to deposit when due any additional corporate surety bond or securities deposit required by the commissioner under Section 75-15-29; or (g) upon final conviction of licensee as to any offense covered by Section 75-15-31.
If a revocation order becomes final for any reason or in any manner, the license may not be reinstated, except upon new application as if the licensee had never been licensed before. The commissioner may deny the new application on grounds that a previous application was denied or a previous license to applicant was revoked or any ground or grounds on which he may deny an original application.
SECTION 73. Section 75-15-29, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-29. Any provision in this chapter to the contrary notwithstanding, the commissioner may at any time, if in his sole opinion the protection of the public so requires, increase the principal sum of the bond or the aggregate market value of the deposit required of any applicant or licensee by Section 75-15-11 but in no case shall the principal sum of the bond or the aggregate market value of the deposit required by Section 75-15-11 exceed Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) and provided further, that in any situation, where a revocation order has been issued and the licensee involved has posted the additional bond required under Section 75-15-27, for suspension thereof, pending final determination, the commissioner may for the same reasons require the principal sum of the additional, suspension bond to be increased but in no case shall the principal sum thereof exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), and provided further that if the licensee originally deposited with his application under Section 75-15-11 a corporate surety bond, the additional increase provided in this section must be by another corporate surety bond or an increase of the first one, written by the same corporate surety that wrote the first one and may not be a deposit of securities or if the licensee originally deposited securities, the additional increase shall also be of securities and not a corporate surety bond.
SECTION 74. Section 75-15-31, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-31. (1) If any person to whom or which this chapter applies or any agent or representative of that person violates any of the provisions of this chapter or attempts to transact the business of conducting money transmissions as a service or for a fee or other consideration, without having first obtained a license from the commissioner under the provisions of this chapter, that person and each such agent or representative shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, shall be fined not less than One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) nor more than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), and may also be confined to the county jail for not more than twelve (12) months. Each violation shall constitute a separate offense.
(2) If any person engages in business as provided for in this chapter without paying the license fee provided for in this chapter before beginning business or before the expiration of the person's current license, as the case may be, then the person shall be liable for the full amount of the license fee plus a penalty in an amount not to exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for each day that the person has engaged in the business without a license or after the expiration of a license.
(3) The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, impose a civil penalty against any licensee if the licensee or employee is adjudged by the commissioner to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter. The civil penalty shall not exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per violation and shall be deposited into the Consumer Finance Fund of the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance.
(4) When the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe that a person is violating any provision of this chapter, the commissioner, in addition to and without prejudice to the authority provided elsewhere in this chapter, may enter an order requiring the person to stop and refrain from the violation. The commissioner may sue in any circuit court of the state having jurisdiction and venue to enjoin the person from engaging in or continuing the violation or from doing any act in furtherance of the violation. In such an action, the court may enter an order or judgment awarding a preliminary or permanent injunction.
SECTION 75. Section 75-15-32, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-32. The commissioner, or his duly authorized representative, for the purpose of discovering violations of this chapter and for the purpose of determining whether persons are subject to the provisions of this chapter, may examine persons licensed under this chapter and persons reasonably suspected by the commissioner of conducting business that requires a license under this chapter, including all relevant books, records and papers employed by those persons in the transaction of their business, and may summon witnesses and examine them under oath concerning matters relating to the business of those persons, or such other matters as may be relevant to the discovery of violations of this chapter, including without limitation the conduct of business without a license as required under this chapter.
SECTION 76. Section 75-15-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-33. The masculine, feminine and neuter genders shall each include the others and the singular shall include the plural.
SECTION 77. Section 75-15-35, Mississippi Code of 1972, is brought forward as follows:
75-15-35. Each licensee shall comply with state and federal money laundering laws, including, but not limited to, the federal "Bank Secrecy Act," 12 USC Section 1951 et seq.
SECTION 78. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2022.