HB 2345 Initials PB Page 1 Senate Engrossed ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session House: COM DP 10-0-0-0 | 3 rd Read 53-0-7-0 Senate: FIN DP 7-0-0-0 | 3 rd Read 27-0-2-0-1 HB 2345: loan agreements; escrow Sponsor: Representative Hendrix, LD 14 Senate Engrossed Overview Specifies escrow monies may only be used to make payments pursuant to the loan agreement unless outlined exceptions apply. History An escrow agent is a person engaged in the business of accepting escrows which is any transaction in which escrow property is delivered to a person not otherwise having any right or title in connection with the sale or transfer of real or personal property to be delivered by that person upon the contingent happening of a specified event or performance (A.R.S. § 6- 801). An escrow agent is required to deposit and maintain all monies deposited in escrow to be delivered on the close of the escrow or on any other contingency in a bank and keep all escrow monies separate from monies belonging to the agent (A.R.S. § 6-834). An escrow agent may only disburse money out of an escrow account if deposits are previously made that are at least equal to the disbursements and the deposits relate directly to the transaction for which the money is being disbursed (A.R.S. § 6-843). Provisions 1. Specifies escrow agents may use monies in an escrow account only to make a onetime payment or multiple payments according to the loan agreement unless: a) the loan agreement specifically states that the monies may be used for another purpose and that purpose is expressly stated in the loan agreement; b) a deed in lieu of foreclosure agreement specifically states the monies may be used for another purpose and that purpose is stated in the deed in lieu of foreclosure agreement; c) an agreement is entered into by the parties to negotiate a settlement of the loan and that agreement includes a provision for the use of the monies; or d) an agreement is entered into by the parties that provides for a portion of the escrow account to be used to bring an account that is in arrears to a current status. (Sec. 1) Senate Amendments 1. Adds a legislative intent clause. ☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note