SB279: Bill Text

SB279, s. 3 Section 3. 224.71 (1c) of the statutes is renumbered 224.71 (1e).

SB279, s. 4 Section 4. 224.71 (1d) of the statutes is created to read:

SB279,4,11 224.71 (1d) "Consumer" means a person other than an organization, as defined in s. 421.301 (28), who seeks or acquires mortgage brokerage services for personal, family, or household purposes.

SB279, s. 5 Section 5. 224.72 (3) (title) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB279,4,14 224.72 (3) (title) Additional requirement requirements for loan originator applicant.

SB279, s. 6 Section 6. 224.72 (3) of the statutes is renumbered 224.72 (3) (a).

SB279, s. 7 Section 7. 224.72 (3) (b) of the statutes is created to read:

SB279,4,22 224.72 (3) (b) In addition to the requirements of sub. (2), each applicant for registration as a loan originator shall pass a written examination, approved by the loan originator council, covering primary and subordinate mortgage financing transactions and the provisions of this subchapter. The examination shall be administered by the technical college system board or a professional trade association whose members include loan originators.

SB279, s. 8 Section 8. 224.72 (3) (c) of the statutes is created to read:

SB279,5,2 224.72 (3) (c) The employer of each applicant for registration as a loan originator shall obtain a criminal history search relating to the applicant from the records maintained by the department of justice and submit the results of the search to the division.

SB279, s. 9 Section 9. 224.72 (5) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB279,5,8 224.72 (5) (a) Loan originator. Except as provided in sub. (7m), upon receiving a properly completed application for registration as a loan originator and the fee specified in rules promulgated under sub. (8) and upon an applicant's compliance with sub. (3) (a) and, if required, sub. (3) (b), the division may issue to the applicant a certificate of registration as a loan originator.

SB279, s. 10 Section 10. 224.72 (7) (d) and (e) of the statutes are created to read:

SB279,5,15 224.72 (7) (d) 1. Except as provided in subd. 2., an applicant for renewal of a certificate of registration as a loan originator shall, as part of the application, submit evidence that is satisfactory to the division that, during the 2 years preceding the date of application, the applicant has successfully completed at least 16 hours of education approved by the loan originator council covering primary and subordinate mortgage financing transactions and the provisions of this subchapter.

SB279,5,23 2. No later than June 30 annually, the technical college system board or a professional trade association whose members include loan originators shall administer an examination or series of examinations, approved by the loan originator council, on the educational subjects required under subd. 1. Any applicant who, as part of the application, submits evidence that is satisfactory to the division that the applicant has passed the examination or series of examinations under this subdivision during the 2 years immediately preceding the date of application is not required to comply with subd. 1.

SB279,6,3 (e) If an applicant for renewal of a certificate of registration as a loan originator has changed employers since his or her criminal history was last searched under this paragraph or sub. (3) (c), the applicant's current employer shall obtain a criminal history search relating to the applicant from the records maintained by the department of justice and submit the results of the search to the division.

SB279, s. 11 Section 11. 224.72 (7m) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB279,6,7 224.72 (7m) Denial of application for issuance or renewal of registration. (intro.) The department division may not issue or renew a certificate of registration under this section if any of the following applies:

SB279, s. 12 Section 12. 224.72 (7m) (am) of the statutes is created to read:

SB279,6,12 224.72 (7m) (am) The information provided to the division under sub. (3) (c) or (7) (e) indicates that the applicant has been convicted of a felony and, as a result of the conviction, the applicant represents an unreasonable risk of violating this subchapter, in the opinion of the division.

SB279, s. 13 Section 13. 224.72 (7p) of the statutes is created to read:

SB279,6,18 224.72 (7p) Rules for approval of competency examinations and continuing education. The division shall promulgate rules establishing standards for the approval by the loan originator council of examinations in the law of mortgage banking and mortgage brokering under subs. (3) (b) and (7) (d) and the curricula of education under sub. (7) (d).

SB279, s. 14 Section 14. 224.755 of the statutes is created to read:

SB279,6,25 224.755 Continuing education and examination records. A loan originator shall keep records documenting compliance with s. 224.72 (7) (d) for at least 4 years. The technical college system board and any professional trade association that administers examinations or provides education under s. 224.72 (7) (d) shall maintain records documenting attendance and examination performance for at least 4 years.

SB279, s. 15 Section 15. 224.77 (1m) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB279,7,4 224.77 (1m) (a) The division may assess against a person who is registered under this chapter a forfeiture of not more than $1,000 $2,000 for each violation enumerated under sub. (1) (a) to (o) or (r).

SB279, s. 16 Section 16. 224.79 of the statutes is created to read:

SB279,7,14 224.79 Consumer mortgage brokerage agreements and consumer disclosures. (1) Form and content of consumer mortgage brokerage agreements. Every contract between a mortgage broker and a consumer under which the mortgage broker agrees to provide brokerage services to the consumer shall be in writing, in the form prescribed by rule of the division, and shall contain all information required by rule of the division. The division shall promulgate rules to administer this subsection in consultation with the loan originator council under s. 15.187 (1). The division shall design these rules to facilitate the comparison of similar charges and total charges assessed by different mortgage brokers.

SB279,8,2 (2) Consumer disclosure statement. Before entering into a contract with a consumer to provide brokerage services, a mortgage broker shall give the consumer a copy of a consumer disclosure statement, explain the content of the statement, and ensure that the consumer initials or signs the statement, acknowledging that the consumer has read and understands the statement. The consumer disclosure statement shall contain a brief explanation of the relationship between the consumer and the mortgage broker under the proposed contract, a brief explanation of the manner in which the mortgage broker may be compensated under the proposed contract, and any additional information required by rule of the division. The division shall promulgate rules to administer this subsection in consultation with the loan originator council under s. 15.187 (1) and, by rule, shall specify the form and content of the consumer disclosure statement required under this subsection.

SB279, s. 17 Section 17. 224.80 (1) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB279,8,7 224.80 (1) Penalties. A person who violates s. 224.72 (1m) may be fined not more than $1,000 $2,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 9 months or both. The district attorney of the county where the violation occurs shall enforce the penalty under this subsection on behalf of the state.

SB279, s. 18 Section 18. 224.80 (2) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:

SB279,8,11 224.80 (2) (a) 1. Twice the amount of the cost of loan origination connected with the transaction, except that the liability under this subdivision may not be less than $100 nor greater than $1,000 $2,000 for each violation.

SB279, s. 19 Section 19. Nonstatutory provisions.

SB279,8,16 (1) Loan originator council; initial terms. Notwithstanding the length of terms specified for members of the loan originator council under section 15.187 (1) of the statutes, as created by this act, the initial members shall be appointed for the following terms:

SB279,8,18 (a) The members specified under section 15.187 (1) (a) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on July 1, 2005.

SB279,8,20 (b) The members specified under section 15.187 (1) (b) to (d) of the statutes, as created by this act, for terms expiring on July 1, 2007.

SB279, s. 20 Section 20. Initial applicability.

SB279,8,24 (1) Competency examination. The treatment of section 224.72 (3) (b) of the statutes first applies to applications for a certificate of registration as a loan originator that are pending with the division of banking on July 2, 2004.

SB279,9,3 (2) Continuing education. The treatment of section 224.72 (7) (d) of the statutes first applies to applications for renewal of a certificate of registration as a loan originator for the registration period beginning July 1, 2006.

SB279,9,4 (End)