AB150: Bill Text

AB150,2217,22 553.29 (1) (a) Except as provided in par. (b), if no order under s. 553.24, 553.28 or 553.60 is in effect, registration of the offer of franchises becomes effective at 12 midnight of the 15th business day after the filing of the application for registration or the last amendment thereto, or at such earlier time as the commissioner department determines.

AB150, s. 6835 Section 6835. 553.29 (1) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2218,4 553.29 (1) (b) If the commissioner department requires the submission of additional information under s. 553.26 (20) before the registration of the offer of franchises becomes effective under par. (a) and if no order under s. 553.24, 553.28 or 553.60 is in effect, the registration becomes effective at 12 midnight of the 15th business day after the additional information is filed with the commissioner department, or at such earlier time as the commissioner department determines.

AB150, s. 6836 Section 6836. 553.29 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2218,8 553.29 (2) A franchise offering shall be duly registered for a period of one year from the effective date of the registration, unless the commissioner department by order or rule specifies a different period.

AB150, s. 6837 Section 6837. 553.29 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2218,12 553.29 (3) Registration of franchises shall be by order of the commissioner department, but the failure to issue an order shall not delay the effectiveness of a registration statement meeting the requirements of s. 553.26.

AB150, s. 6838 Section 6838. 553.30 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2218,21 553.30 (1) The registration statement may be renewed for additional periods of one year each, unless the commissioner department by rule or order specifies a different period, by submitting to the commissioner department a registration renewal statement no later than 15 business days prior to the expiration of the registration unless such period is waived by order of the commissioner department. If no order under this chapter is in effect, renewal of the registration statement becomes effective on the day on which the prior registration statement expires or at such earlier time as the commissioner department determines.

AB150, s. 6839 Section 6839. 553.30 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2218,25 553.30 (2) The registration renewal statement shall be in the form and content prescribed by the commissioner department, and shall be accompanied by 2 copies of the proposed offering prospectus.

AB150, s. 6840 Section 6840. 553.31 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2219,9 553.31 (1) Except as provided in sub. (3), a franchisor shall within 30 days after the happening of any material event affecting a registered franchise notify the commissioner department in writing, by an application to amend the registration statement, of any material change in the information contained in the application as originally submitted, amended or renewed. The commissioner department may by rule further define what shall be considered a material change for such purposes, and the circumstances under which a revised offering prospectus must accompany such application.

AB150, s. 6841 Section 6841. 553.31 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2219,14 553.31 (2) An amendment to an application filed after the effective date of the registration of the sale of franchises, if the amendment is approved by the commissioner department, is effective on the date the commissioner department determines, having due regard for the public interest or the protection of franchisees.

AB150, s. 6842 Section 6842. 553.41 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2219,22 553.41 (1) No person may make or cause to be made, in any document filed with the commissioner department or in any proceeding under this chapter, any statement which is, at the time and in the light of the circumstances under which it is made, false or misleading in any material respect or, in connection with any statement required to be made under s. 553.31 (1), omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statement made, in the light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading.

AB150, s. 6843 Section 6843. 553.41 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2219,25 553.41 (2) No person may violate any order of the commissioner department or condition therein of which the person has notice.

AB150, s. 6844 Section 6844. 553.41 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2220,9 553.41 (5) No person may wilfully represent to any prospective purchaser or seller of a franchise in this state that the filing of a franchise registration application or the registration of a franchise constitutes a finding by the commissioner department that any document filed under this chapter is true, complete, and not misleading, or in relation to an exemption or exception, that the commissioner department has passed in any way upon the merits of any franchise or wilfully represent in a similar manner that a franchise is registered or exempted when in fact, such is not the case.

AB150, s. 6845 Section 6845. 553.51 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2220,16 553.51 (4) No action may be maintained to enforce any liability under this section unless brought before the expiration of 3 years after the act or transaction constituting the violation upon which the liability is based or 90 days after delivery to the franchisee of a written notice disclosing any violation of s. 553.21 or 553.41, which notice shall be approved as to form by the commissioner department, whichever first expires.

AB150, s. 6846 Section 6846. 553.53 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2220,24 553.53 (1) No person may publish, distribute or use in this state any advertisement offering to sell or to purchase a franchise unless 2 true copies of the advertisement have been filed in the office of the commissioner with the department at least 5 days prior to the first publication, distribution or use thereof or such shorter period as the commissioner department by rule or order may allow, or unless the advertisement has been exempted from this section by rule of the commissioner department.

AB150, s. 6847 Section 6847. 553.53 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2221,2 553.53 (2) The commissioner department may by rule or order prohibit the use of advertising deemed false, fraudulent, misleading or deceptive.

AB150, s. 6848 Section 6848. 553.54 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2221,11 553.54 (1) The department of justice or any district attorney, upon informing the department of justice, may commence an action in circuit court in the name of the state to restrain by temporary or permanent injunction any act or practice constituting a violation of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder. The commissioner department of financial institutions may refer such evidence as is available concerning any violation to the district attorney of the county in which the violation occurred or to the attorney general who may institute proceedings under this section.

AB150, s. 6849 Section 6849. 553.54 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2221,20 553.54 (3) The department of justice may subpoena persons, administer oaths, take testimony, require the production of books and other documents and may request the commissioner department of financial institutions to exercise the commissioner's department's authority under s. 553.55 to aid in the investigation of alleged violations of this chapter. If a person fails to obey any subpoena issued by the department of justice, that person may be coerced under s. 885.12, except that no person shall be required to furnish any testimony or evidence under this subsection which might tend to incriminate that person.

AB150, s. 6850 Section 6850. 553.54 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2222,6 553.54 (4) In lieu of instituting or continuing an action pursuant to this section, the commissioner department of financial institutions or the department of justice may accept a written assurance of discontinuance of any act or practice alleged to be a violation of this chapter from the person who has engaged in such act or practice. The acceptance of such assurance by either the commissioner department of financial institutions or the department of justice shall be deemed acceptance by other state officials if the terms of the assurance so provide. An assurance entered into pursuant to this subsection shall not be considered evidence of a violation of this chapter, however, a violation of such an assurance constitutes a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to all penalties and remedies provided therefor.

AB150, s. 6851 Section 6851. 553.55 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2222,13 553.55 (1) The commissioner department may make such public or private investigations within or outside of this state as the commissioner department deems necessary to determine whether any person has violated or is about to violate this chapter or any rule or order hereunder or to aid in the enforcement of this chapter or in the prescribing of rules and forms hereunder, and publish information concerning the violation of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder.

AB150, s. 6852 Section 6852. 553.55 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2222,21 553.55 (2) For the purpose of any investigation or proceeding under this chapter, the commissioner department or any officer designated by the commissioner department may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence and require the production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, agreements or other documents or records which the commissioner department deems relevant or material to the inquiry. Failure to obey a subpoena or give evidence may be dealt with under s. 885.12.

AB150, s. 6853 Section 6853. 553.55 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2223,8 553.55 (3) (a) No person is excused from attending and testifying or from producing any document or record before the commissioner department, or in obedience to the subpoena of the commissioner department or any officer designated by the commissioner department, or in any proceeding instituted by the commissioner department, on the ground that the testimony or evidence required of the person may tend to incriminate the person or subject the person to a penalty or forfeiture. No individual may be prosecuted or subjected to any penalty or forfeiture for or on account of his or her testimony or evidence, after claiming his or her privilege against self-incrimination, except that the individual testifying is not exempt from prosecution and punishment for perjury or contempt committed in testifying.

AB150, s. 6854 Section 6854. 553.56 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2223,13 553.56 (1) Except as provided by sub. (2), no order may be entered by the commissioner department under s. 553.24, 553.28 or 553.53 (2) without appropriate prior notice to all interested parties, opportunity for hearing and written findings of fact and conclusions of law.

AB150, s. 6855 Section 6855. 553.56 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2223,23 553.56 (2) Within 30 days after the commissioner department has issued an order summarily, an interested party may apply to the commissioner department for a hearing in respect to any matters determined by the order. Within 10 days after an interested party files a written request with the commissioner department for a hearing the matter shall be noticed for a hearing, and a hearing shall be held within 60 days after notice unless extended by the commissioner department for good cause. During the pendency of any hearing requested under this subsection, the order issued summarily shall remain in effect unless vacated or modified by the commissioner department.

AB150, s. 6856 Section 6856. 553.56 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2224,6 553.56 (3) After a hearing, the commissioner department may issue a final order as appropriate. The final order may affirm, vacate or modify an order issued summarily in effect during the pendency of the hearing as appropriate, or may include such other sanctions as are provided for under s. 553.24 or 553.28. An order issued summarily against a party becomes a final order if the party fails to request a hearing under sub. (2) or if the party defaults after requesting a hearing.

AB150, s. 6857 Section 6857. 553.56 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2224,11 553.56 (5) Orders and other official acts of the commissioner department are subject to judicial review under ch. 227 but orders originally entered without a hearing under s. 553.24, 553.28 or 553.60 may be reviewed only if the party seeking review has requested a hearing within the time provided by sub. (2).

AB150, s. 6858 Section 6858. 553.57 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2224,17 553.57 Enforcement of criminal penalties. The commissioner department may refer such evidence as is available concerning any violation of this chapter or of any rule or order hereunder to the district attorney of the county in which the violation occurred, or to the attorney general, who may, with or without any reference, institute the appropriate criminal proceedings under this chapter.

AB150, s. 6859 Section 6859. 553.58 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2225,6 553.58 (1) The commissioner department may make, amend and rescind any rules, forms and orders that are necessary to carry out this chapter, including rules and forms governing registration statements, applications and reports, defining any terms, whether or not used in this chapter, insofar as the definitions are not inconsistent with this chapter. The commissioner department may define by rule false, fraudulent or deceptive practices in the offer and sale of franchises. The commissioner department may also adopt rules with regard to advertising utilized in connection with exempt sales under s. 553.22, 553.23 or 553.235 and which need not be filed under s. 553.53. For the purpose of rules and forms, the commissioner department may classify franchises, persons and matters within the commissioner's department's jurisdiction, and prescribe different requirements for different classes. Rules shall be made and published and all administrative procedures, including hearings under s. 553.56 and issuance of orders, shall be in accordance with ch. 227.

AB150, s. 6860 Section 6860. 553.58 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2225,11 553.58 (2) No rule, form or order may be made, amended or rescinded unless the commissioner department finds that the action is necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. In adopting rules and forms the commissioner department may cooperate with official administrators of other states.

AB150, s. 6861 Section 6861. 553.58 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2225,19 553.58 (3) The commissioner department may by rule or order prescribe the form and content of financial statements required under this chapter, the circumstances under which consolidated financial statements shall be filed, and whether any required financial statements shall be certified by independent or certified public accountants. All financial statements shall be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices unless otherwise permitted by rule or order.

AB150, s. 6862 Section 6862. 553.58 (4) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2225,24 553.58 (4) No provision of this chapter imposing any liability applies to any act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with any rule, form or order of the commissioner department, notwithstanding that the rule, form or order may later be amended or rescinded or be determined to be invalid for any reason.

AB150, s. 6863 Section 6863. 553.58 (5) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2226,6 553.58 (5) All orders shall take effect when made and filed or at such later time as the commissioner department prescribes, and the commissioner department shall, upon making and filing such order, forthwith deliver personally or by mail a copy thereof to every person to whom such order relates at the person's last-known address as it appears on the records of the office of the commissioner department and that delivery shall constitute notice thereof.

AB150, s. 6864 Section 6864. 553.60 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2226,12 553.60 (title) Miscellaneous powers of the commissioner. The commissioner department may by order summarily prohibit offers or sales of a franchise subject to s. 553.21 (1) which are being or have been made in this state, unless the offer or sale of the franchise is registered or exempted from registration under this chapter.

AB150, s. 6865 Section 6865. 553.605 (1) (a) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2226,18 553.605 (1) (a) (intro.) The commissioner department or any officer designated by the commissioner department may impose an administrative assessment in the amount provided in par. (b) on any person who is subject to an order that is issued under s. 553.24, 553.28, 553.53, 553.58 (1) and (2) or 553.60 in any of the following circumstances:

AB150, s. 6866 Section 6866. 553.605 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2226,22 553.605 (1) (a) 1. Following a hearing under s. 553.56 if the notice delivered to all interested parties includes notice of the commissioner's department's authority to impose an administrative assessment under this subsection.

AB150, s. 6867 Section 6867. 553.605 (1) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2227,3 553.605 (1) (c) The commissioner department shall include any administrative assessment imposed under this subsection in the order issued under any of the sections referred to in par. (a) in the manner described in par. (a) 1. or 2.

AB150, s. 6868 Section 6868. 553.605 (1) (d) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2227,8 553.605 (1) (d) Upon the request of the commissioner department of financial institutions, the department of justice may bring a civil action in the circuit court for Dane county to compel payment of any unpaid administrative assessment, unless payment of the administrative assessment is stayed under s. 227.54.

AB150, s. 6869 Section 6869. 553.605 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2227,18 553.605 (2) Investor education. All moneys collected from the administrative assessment under sub. (1) shall be credited to the appropriation under s. 20.185 (1) (h) 20.144 (1) (i). Subject to s. 20.185 (1) (h) 20.144 (1) (i), the commissioner department shall use moneys credited to that appropriation to provide information to residents of this state about franchise investments to help investors and potential investors evaluate their investment decisions, protect themselves from false, fraudulent or deceptive practices in connection with the offer, sale or purchase of a franchise, be alert for false or misleading advertising or other harmful practices, and know their rights as investors.

AB150, s. 6870 Section 6870. 553.71 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2227,22 553.71 (1) This chapter shall be administered by the commissioner of securities department of financial institutions and by the department of justice when exercising its authority under s. 553.54.

AB150, s. 6871 Section 6871. 553.71 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2228,10 553.71 (2) It is unlawful for the commissioner department or any of the commissioner's department's officers or employes to use for personal benefit any information which is filed with or obtained by the commissioner department and which is not generally available to the public. Nothing in this chapter authorizes the commissioner department or any of the commissioner's department's officers or employes to disclose any confidential information except among themselves or to other securities administrators or regulatory authorities or when necessary or appropriate in a proceeding or investigation under this chapter. No provision of this chapter either creates or derogates from any privilege which exists at common law or otherwise when documentary or other evidence is sought under a subpoena directed to the commissioner department or any of the commissioner's department's officers or employes.

AB150, s. 6872 Section 6872. 553.72 (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2228,13 553.72 Fees and expenses. (intro.) The commissioner department shall charge and collect the fees fixed by this section.

AB150, s. 6873 Section 6873. 553.72 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2228,18 553.72 (2) The commissioner department may by rule require the payment of prescribed fees for delinquent or materially deficient filings of information or documents required to be filed with the commissioner department under this chapter.

AB150, s. 6874 Section 6874. 553.72 (3) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2228,23 553.72 (3) The expenses reasonably attributable to the examination of any matter arising under this chapter shall be charged to the applicant or registrant involved, but the expenses so charged shall not exceed such maximum amounts as the commissioner department by rule prescribes.

AB150, s. 6875 Section 6875. 553.73 of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2229,19 553.73 Service of process. When any person, including any nonresident of this state, engages in conduct prohibited or made actionable by this chapter or any rule or order under this chapter, whether or not the person has filed a consent to service of process under s. 553.27 (10), and personal jurisdiction over the person cannot otherwise be obtained in this state, that conduct shall be considered equivalent to the person's appointment of the commissioner or the commissioner's successor in office department to be the person's attorney to receive service of any lawful process in any noncriminal suit, action or proceeding against the person or the person's successor, executor or administrator which grows out of that conduct and which is brought under this law or any rule or order under this chapter, with the same force and validity as if served on the person personally. Service may be made by leaving a copy of the process in at the office of the commissioner department, but it is not effective unless the plaintiff, who may be the commissioner department in a suit, action or proceeding instituted by the commissioner department, forthwith sends notice of the service and a copy of the process by registered or certified mail to the defendant or respondent at his or her last-known address or takes other steps which are reasonably calculated to give actual notice, and the plaintiff's affidavit of compliance with this section is filed in the case on or before the return day of the process, if any, or within such further time as the court allows.

AB150, s. 6876 Section 6876. 553.74 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2230,9 553.74 (1) All applications, reports and other papers and documents filed with the commissioner department under this chapter shall be open to public inspection in accordance with rules adopted by the commissioner department. The commissioner department may publish any information filed with or obtained by the commissioner department, if, in the judgment of the commissioner department, such action is in the public interest. No provision of this chapter authorizes the commissioner department or any of the commissioner's assistants, clerks or deputies department's employes to disclose any information withheld from public inspection except among themselves or when necessary or appropriate in a proceeding or investigation under this chapter or to other federal or state regulatory agencies. No provision of this chapter either creates or derogates from any privilege which exists at common law or otherwise when documentary or other evidence is sought under a subpoena directed to the commissioner department or any of the commissioner's assistants, clerks or deputies department's employes.

AB150, s. 6877 Section 6877. 553.74 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2230,14 553.74 (2) It is unlawful for the commissioner department or any of the commissioner's assistants, clerks or deputies or department's employes to use for personal benefit any information which is filed with or obtained by the commissioner department and which is not then generally available to the public.

AB150, s. 6878 Section 6878. 553.75 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

AB150,2230,17 553.75 (1) A document is filed when it is received by the commissioner department.