Second Regular Session Seventy-third General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO REENGROSSED This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted in the House of Introduction LLS NO. 22-0446.01 Jery Payne x2157 SENATE BILL 22-034 Senate Committees House Committees Business, Labor, & Technology Appropriations A BILL FOR AN ACT C ONCERNING MEASURES TO COUNTERACT THE FILING OF FRAUDULENT101 BUSINESS DOCUMENTS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE .102 Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov .) Under current law, a business entity submits to the secretary of state for online filing documents that concern the creation, organization, and operations of the entity. By submitting a document, an individual affirms under penalty of perjury that the individual is authorized to file the document, the facts in the document are true, and the document otherwise complies with the secretary of state's filing requirements. The SENATE 3rd Reading Unamended February 17, 2022 SENATE Amended 2nd Reading February 16, 2022 SENATE SPONSORSHIP Kolker and Priola, Bridges, Buckner, Gardner, Gonzales, Holbert, Kirkmeyer, Lundeen, Pettersen, Smallwood, Winter, Woodward HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Bird and Sandridge, Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment. Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing statute. Dashes through the words indicate deletions from existing statute. secretary of state files the document in an online database as a ministerial act and does not independently verify whether the document is accurate. The bill creates a complaint process for a person whose business identity or personal identifying information has been used in the filing of these documents with the secretary of state without authority or for fraudulent activity. If a complaint is submitted with the secretary of state, the secretary may forward the complaint to the attorney general for further investigation. The attorney general may investigate the complaint and refer the complaint to an administrative law judge. If an administrative law judge determines that an entity has been created fraudulently or without authorization, the secretary of state will: ! Mark the business record with a notice that the entity is fraudulent or unauthorized; ! Redact each address that was used without authorization from the entity's filing and from any other relevant filings; and ! Disable additional filing functionality on the entity's records. If an administrative law judge determines that an unauthorized filing was made for a legitimate entity, the secretary of state will: ! Mark each unauthorized filing for the entity to notify the public that the filing is unauthorized; ! Redact from the entity's filing and from the relevant filings each address and name that was used without authorization; and ! Mark the business record on the entity's filing to notify the public that the entity has been the victim of fraudulent or unauthorized acts. If a person alleged to have committed fraud or unauthorized acts fails to respond to the complaint, the allegations are deemed conceded, and the secretary of state will take the appropriate steps listed above in the same manner as if the finding had been made by an administrative law judge. Additionally, the bill states that fraudulent filings are unfair or deceptive trade practices under the "Colorado Consumer Protection Act" and as such are subject to enforcement by the attorney general's office. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1 SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 7-90-314 as2 follows:3 7-90-314. Fraudulent filings - complaint - review - referral to4 034-2- attorney general - referral to administrative law judge - marking1 filing as fraudulent - deceptive trade practice. (1) Fraudulent filings.2 T HE FOLLOWING ACTIONS ARE PROHIBITED :3 (a) I NCLUDING THE NAME OF A PERSON ON A DOCUMENT FILED IN4 THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE UNDER THIS PART 3 WITHOUT THE5 NAMED PERSON'S WRITTEN CONSENT IF THE PERSON IS INCLUDED IN THE6 FILING AS:7 (I) T HE REGISTERED AGENT;8 (II) T HE INDIVIDUAL CAUSING THE DOCUMENT TO BE DELIVERED9 TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE FOR FILING;10 (III) T HE PERSON INCORPORATING, FORMING, OR ORGANIZING AN11 ENTITY; OR12 (IV) A NY OTHER PERSON REQUIRED UNDER THIS TITLE 7 TO BE13 IDENTIFIED IN A DOCUMENT FILED IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE 'S OFFICE;14 (b) I NCLUDING AN ADDRESS IN A DOCUMENT FILED IN THE15 SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE UNDER THIS PART 3 WITHOUT THE CONSENT16 OF THE OWNER OF OR OCCUPANT OF THE INCLUDED ADDRESS ; AND17 (c) D ELIVERING A DOCUMENT REGARDING AN ENTITY TO THE18 SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO MAKES THE19 DELIVERY LACKS THE NECESSARY WRITTEN CONSENT OR AUTHORITY TO20 DO SO.21 (2) Complaint. A PERSON THAT IS NAMED IN OR OTHERWISE22 AFFECTED BY THE FILING OF A DOCUMENT UNDER THIS PART 3 MAY SUBMIT23 A COMPLAINT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE , ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY24 THE SECRETARY OF STATE, ALLEGING THAT THE FILING WAS MADE IN25 VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION. THE COMPLAINT MUST26 INCLUDE AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION :27 034 -3- (a) A DESCRIPTION OF THE ALLEGED VIOLATION ;1 (b) T HE NAME; STREET ADDRESS; TELEPHONE NUMBER; E-MAIL2 ADDRESS, IF AVAILABLE; AND ANY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION3 OF THE PERSON MAKING THE COMPLAINT ;4 (c) T HE NAME; STREET ADDRESS; TELEPHONE NUMBER; E-MAIL5 ADDRESS, IF AVAILABLE; AND ANY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION6 OF ANY THIRD PARTY AUTHORIZED TO SUBMIT THE COMPLAINT BY AND ON7 BEHALF OF THE PERSON THAT IS NAMED IN OR AFFECTED BY THE FILING ;8 (d) T HE UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ASSIGNED BY THE9 SECRETARY OF STATE TO EACH FILED DOCUMENT THAT IS ALLEGED TO10 HAVE BEEN FILED IN VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION;11 (e) T HE UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ASSIGNED BY THE12 SECRETARY OF STATE TO EACH ENTITY ASSOCIATED WITH BOTH THE13 COMPLAINT AND THE FILING;14 (f) I NFORMATION, IF KNOWN TO THE PERSON MAKING THE15 COMPLAINT, IDENTIFYING EACH PERSON INVOLVED IN THE FILING ,16 INCLUDING NAMES, STREET ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS, WEBSITES,17 AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES;18 (g) I NFORMATION, IF KNOWN, IDENTIFYING THE NATURE OF ANY19 BUSINESS OR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PERSON SUBMITTING20 THE COMPLAINT AND EACH PERSON INVOLVED IN THE ALLEGED VIOLATION ;21 (h) A STATEMENT BY THE PERSON SUBMITTING THE COMPLAINT ,22 UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY PURS UANT TO SECTION 7-90-301.5, THAT THE23 PERSON BELIEVES IN GOOD FAITH THAT THE FACTS STATED IN THE24 COMPLAINT ARE TRUE AND THAT THE COMPLAINT COMPLIES WITH THE25 REQUIREMENTS OF THIS PART 3, THE CONSTITUENT DOCUMENTS , AND THE26 ORGANIC STATUTES; AND27 034 -4- (i) ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT THE PERSON BELIEVES1 MAY ASSIST IN AN INVESTIGATION OF THE COMPLAINT .2 (3) Review - secretary of state. (a) U PON RECEIPT OF A3 COMPLAINT SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION,4 THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL REVIEW THE COMPLAINT AND EVALUATE5 WHETHER THE COMPLAINT INDICATES A VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF6 THIS SECTION AND SATISFIES THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (2) OF7 THIS SECTION. IF SO, THE SECRETARY OF STATE , USING ELECTRONIC8 MEANS, SHALL REFER THE COMPLAINT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR9 REVIEW AND INVESTIGATION UNDER THE "COLORADO CONSUMER10 P ROTECTION ACT", ARTICLE 1 OF TITLE 6.11 (b) I F THE SECRETARY OF STATE DETERMINES THAT THE12 INFORMATION PROVIDED IN A COMPLAINT DOES NOT INDICATE A13 VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION OR DOES NOT SATISFY THE14 REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION, THE SECRETARY OF15 STATE SHALL NOTIFY THE PERSON THAT SUBMITTED THE COMPLAINT OF16 THE FACT AND PROVIDE AN EXPL ANATION OF ANY DEFICIENCIES IN THE17 COMPLAINT.18 (c) T HE SECRETARY OF STATE MAY ASK A PERSON WHO SUBMITS19 A COMPLAINT TO SUBMIT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING :20 (I) T HE ALLEGED VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION;21 OR22 (II) T HE PERSON'S FAILURE TO SUBMIT THE INFORMATION23 REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.24 (d) T HE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL NOTIFY THE PERSON WHO 25 SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT OF THE OUTCOME OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE 'S26 REVIEW OF THE COMPLAINT. 27 034 -5- (e) IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE REJECTS A COMPLAINT FOR1 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SUBSECTION (1) OR (2) OF THIS SECTION, THE2 COMPLAINT MAY BE RESUBMITTED .3 (4) Review - attorney general - hearing and findings -4 administrative law judge. (a) UPON RECEIPT OF A COMPLAINT REFERRED5 BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION (3)(a) OF6 THIS SECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL REVIEW THE COMPLAINT7 AND DETERMINE WHETHER THE COMPLAINT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED . IF8 THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DETERMINE S THAT THE COMPLAINT SHOULD BE9 INVESTIGATED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL:10 (I) S HALL MAIL A WRITTEN NOTICE AND DEMAND TO THE STREET11 ADDRESS OR MAILING ADDRESS, IF DIFFERENT FROM THE STREET ADDRESS,12 AS WELL AS TO THE E-MAIL ADDRESS, IF AVAILABLE, OF THE REGISTERED13 AGENT OF RECORD LISTED IN THE SECRETARY OF STATE 'S ONLINE FILING14 SYSTEM FOR THE ENTITY AT ISSUE , AND, IF A TELEPHONE NUMBER IS15 AVAILABLE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL CONTACT THE REGISTERED16 AGENT BY TELEPHONE; AND17 (II) M AY PROVIDE WRITTEN OR VERBAL NOTICE AND DEMAND TO18 ANY OTHER POINT OF CONTACT THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL19 DETERMINES THROUGH INVESTIGATION TO BE A MEANS BY WHICH TO20 REACH THE ENTITY AT ISSUE.21 (b) T HE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S NOTICE AND DEMAND MUST NOTIFY22 THE ENTITY AT ISSUE OF THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE COMPLAINT AND23 DEMAND THAT THE ENTITY RESP OND TO THE COMPLAINT BY A DATE24 CERTAIN, WHICH RESPONSE MUST INCLUDE THE INFORMATION DESCRIBED25 IN SUBSECTION (4)(c) OF THIS SECTION.26 (c) A PERSON TO WHOM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SENDS A NOTICE27 034 -6- AND DEMAND, OR THE PERSON'S AGENT, SHALL RESPOND TO THE NOTICE1 AND DEMAND WITHIN TWENTY -ONE DAYS AFTER THE WRITTEN NOTICE2 AND DEMAND IS MAILED. THE RESPONSE MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING3 INFORMATION:4 (I) T HE NAME; STREET ADDRESS; TELEPHONE NUMBER; E-MAIL5 ADDRESS, IF AVAILABLE; AND ANY ADDITIONAL CONTACT INFORMATION6 OF THE PERSON RESPONDING TO THE NOTICE AND DEMAND AND , IF THE7 RESPONDING PERSON IS AN AGENT OF THE PERSON TO WHOM THE NOTICE8 AND DEMAND IS SENT, ANY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING ANY9 REGISTERED AGENT INFORMATION , THAT ESTABLISH THE AGENT 'S10 AUTHORITY TO ACT ON THE PERSON 'S BEHALF;11 (II) T HE NAME OF THE ENTITY AT ISSUE;12 (III) I NFORMATION, IF KNOWN, IDENTIFYING EACH PERSON13 INVOLVED IN THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS14 SECTION, INCLUDING NAMES, STREET ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE NUMBERS,15 WEBSITES, AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES;16 (IV) I NFORMATION IDENTIFYING THE NATURE OF ANY BUSINESS OR17 PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PERSON THAT SUBMI TTED THE18 COMPLAINT AND EACH PERSON INVOLVED IN THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OF19 SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION; EXCEPT THAT THIS SUBSECTION 20 (4)(c)(IV) DOES NOT REQUIRE THE DISCLOSURE OF PRIVILEGED 21 INFORMATION;22 (V) A STATEMENT BY THE ENTITY AT ISSUE RESPONDING TO THE23 NOTICE AND DEMAND THAT AFFIRMS OR DENIES HAVING KNOWLEDGE OF24 OR INFORMATION ABOUT THE ALLEGED VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF25 THIS SECTION;26 (VI) M ATERIAL EVIDENCE OF WRITTEN CONSENT TO USE THE NAME27 034 -7- OR ADDRESS IN THE FILING AT ISSUE;1 (VII) A STATEMENT BY THE PERSON RESPONDING TO THE NOTICE2 AND DEMAND, UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY PURSUANT TO SECTION3 7-90-301.5, THAT THE PERSON BELIEVES IN GOOD FAITH THAT THE FACTS4 STATED IN THE RESPONSE ARE TRUE AND THAT THE RESPONSE COMPLIES5 WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS PART 3, THE CONSTITUENT DOCUMENTS,6 AND THE ORGANIC STATUTES; AND7 (VIII) A NY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT THE PERSON8 RESPONDING TO THE NOTICE AND DEMAND BELIEVES MAY BE USEFUL IN AN9 INVESTIGATION OF THE COMPLAINT.10 (d) A LL INFORMATION RECEIVED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL11 UNDER THIS SECTION IS GOVERNED BY SECTION 6-1-111 (2).12 (e) I F, WITHIN TWENTY-ONE DAYS AFTER MAILING A NOTICE AND13 DEMAND, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE IN14 WRITING OR OTHERWISE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL SEND A SECOND15 NOTICE AND DEMAND , CONSISTENT WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS16 SUBSECTION (4), AND ALLOW TWENTY-ONE DAYS FOR A RESPONSE, WHICH17 MUST COMPLY WITH SUBSECTION (4)(c) OF THIS SECTION.18 (f) I F THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE19 WITHIN TWENTY-ONE DAYS AFTER MAILING A SECOND NOTICE AND20 DEMAND AS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4)(e) OF THIS SECTION, EACH21 ALLEGATION IN THE NOTICE AND DEMAND IS DEEMED CONCEDED BY THE22 PERSON THAT DID NOT RESPOND , AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY23 CERTIFY THAT FACT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE . UPON RECEIVING THE24 CERTIFICATION, THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL TAKE THE APPROPRIATE25 REMEDIAL ACTION UNDER SUBSECTIONS (4)(g)(V) AND (4)(g)(VI) OF THIS26 SECTION BASED ON THE FACTS CONCEDED TO IN THE NOTICE AND DEMAND .27 034 -8- (g) (I) A REQUEST IS TIMELY IF RECEIPT OF A RESPONSE AND A1 REQUEST FOR A HEARING ON ANY ISSUE RAISED BY THE NOTICE AND2 DEMAND IS MADE WITHIN TWENTY-ONE DAYS AFTER THE NOTICE AND3 DEMAND IS MAILED. IF A PERSON TIMELY REQUESTS A HEARING , THE4 ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY REFER THE COMPLAINT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE5 LAW JUDGE.6 (II) I F THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REFERS THE COMPLAINT TO AN7 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL PROSECUTE8 THE MATTER BEFORE THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE . IF THE ATTORNEY9 GENERAL DOES NOT REFER THE COMPLAINT TO AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW10 JUDGE WITHIN ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY DAYS AFTER THE ATTORNEY 11 GENERAL RECEIVES THE RESPONSE TO THE NOTICE AND DEMAND , THE12 ATTORNEY GENERAL IS DEEMED TO HAVE DETERMINED TO NOT PROCEED13 WITH PROSECUTING THE COMPLAINT .14 (III) T HE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE SHALL HOLD A HEARING15 WITHIN SIXTY DAYS AFTER THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REFERS A COMPLAINT16 AND SHALL RENDER A DECISION WITHIN FIFTEEN DAYS AFTER THE17 HEARING. THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE MAY GRANT THE ATTORNEY18 GENERAL OR THE PERSON REQUESTING A HEARING AN EXTENSION OF UP TO19 THIRTY DAYS UPON A MOTION . THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE MAY20 GRANT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR THE PERSON REQUESTING A HEARING21 AN EXTENSION OF LONGER THAN THIRTY DAYS UPON A SHOWING OF GOOD22 CAUSE.23 (IV) I F THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FINDS THAT SUBSECTION24 (1) OF THIS SECTION HAS BEEN VIOLATED , THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW25 JUDGE SHALL MAKE AN ADDITIONAL FINDING AS TO WHETHER :26 (A) A N ENTITY WAS CREATED WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION OR FOR27 034 -9- FRAUDULENT PURPOSES; OR1 (B) A N UNAUTHORIZED FILING WAS MADE 2 (V) I F THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FINDS THAT , OR IF A3 CONCEDED NOTICE AND DEMAND SETS FORTH THAT , AN ENTITY WAS4 CREATED WITHOUT AUTHORIZATION OR FOR FRAUDULENT PURPOSES , THE5 ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL NOTIFY THE SECRETARY OF STATE , WHO6 SHALL:7 (A) M ARK THE BUSINESS RECORD WITH A NOTICE THAT THE ENTITY8 IS UNAUTHORIZED OR FRAUDULENT ;9 (B) R EDACT EACH ADDRESS AND NAME THAT WAS USED WITHOUT10 AUTHORIZATION FROM THE ENTITY 'S FILING AND FROM ANY OTHER11 RELEVANT FILINGS; AND12 (C) D ISABLE ADDITIONAL FILING FUNCTIONALITY ON THE ENTITY 'S13 RECORDS.14 (VI) I F THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FINDS THAT , OR IF A15 CONCEDED NOTICE AND DEMAND SETS FORTH THAT , AN UNAUTHORIZED16 FILING WAS MADE FOR A LEGITIMATE ENTITY , THE ATTORNEY GENERAL17 SHALL NOTIFY THE SECRETARY OF STATE , WHO SHALL:18 (A) M ARK EACH UNAUTHORIZED FILING FOR THE ENTITY TO19 NOTIFY THE PUBLIC THAT THE FILING IS UNAUTHORIZED ;20 (B) R EDACT EACH ADDRESS AND NAME THAT WAS USED WITHOUT21 AUTHORIZATION FROM THE ENTITY 'S FILING AND FROM THE RELEVANT22 FILINGS; AND23 (C) M ARK THE BUSINESS RECORD TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC THAT24 THE ENTITY HAS BEEN THE VICTIM OF FRAUDULENT OR UNAUTHORIZED25 ACTS.26 (VII) T HE DECISION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE IS FINAL27 034 -10- AND SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE COURT OF APPEALS UNDER SECTION1 24-4-106 (11). THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW2 JUDGE ARE NOT NECESSARY PARTIES TO THE REVIEW .3 (h) T HE ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL COMMUNICATE THE FINDING4 MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE IN ACCORDANCE WITH5 SUBSECTION (4)(g)(IV) OF THIS SECTION TO:6 (I) T HE PERSON WHO SUBMITTED THE COMPLAINT , USING THE7 E-MAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED ON THE COMPLAINT FORM OR , IF AN E-MAIL8 ADDRESS WAS NOT PROVIDED, USING THE MAILING ADDRESS PROVIDED ON9 THE COMPLAINT FORM; AND10 (II) E ACH ENTITY AT ISSUE, USING REGISTERED MAIL ADDRESSED11 TO THE STREET ADDRESS OR MAILING ADDRESS , IF DIFFERENT, OF THE12 REGISTERED AGENT OF RECORD FOR THE ENTITY LISTED IN THE SECRETARY13 OF STATE'S ONLINE FILING SYSTEM AND TO THE E-MAIL ADDRESS LISTED,14 IF PROVIDED; AND15 (III) T HE SECRETARY OF STATE.16 (5) A VIOLATION OF SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION IS A17 DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE UNDER SECTION 6-1-105 (1)(ooo) AND IS18 SUBJECT TO ENFORCEMENT BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 'S OFFICE IN19 ADDITION TO THE ENFORCEMENT DESCRIBED IN THIS SECTION . A 20 DETERMINATION BY THE ADMINISTRAT IVE LAW JUDGE AS PROVIDED BY21 SUBSECTION (4)(g)(IV) OF THIS SECTION OR A FAILURE TO TIMELY22 RESPOND TO A NOTICE AND DEMAND AS PROVIDED BY SUBSECTION (4)(f)23 OF THIS SECTION CONSTITUTES A PRIMA FACIE SHOWING THAT SUBSECTION24 (1) OF THIS SECTION WAS VIOLATED. 25 SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 6-1-105, add26 (1)(ooo) as follows:27 034 -11- 6-1-105. Unfair or deceptive trade practices. (1) A person1 engages in a deceptive trade practice when, in the course of the person's2 business, vocation, or occupation, the person:3 (ooo) V IOLATES SECTION 7-90-314 (1).4 SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date -5 applicability. (1) This act takes effect February 1, 2023; except that, if6 a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the7 state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act8 within the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general9 assembly, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect unless10 approved by the people at the general election to be held in November11 2022 and, in such case, will take effect February 1, 2023, or on the date12 of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor, whichever13 is later.14 (2) This act applies to complaints submitted and offenses15 committed on or after the applicable effective date of this act.16 034 -12-