Iowa 2023 2023-2024 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF2262 Enrolled / Bill

Filed 03/20/2024

                    House File 2262 - Enrolled   House File 2262   AN ACT   RELATING TO MONEY TRANSMISSION SERVICES, PROVIDING PENALTIES,   AND INCLUDING EFFECTIVE DATE AND RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY   PROVISIONS.   BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:    Section 1. Section 533C.102, subsection 2, Code 2024, is    amended to read as follows:    2. Authorized delegate means a person a licensee    designates to provide money services   transmission on behalf of    the licensee.    Sec. 2. Section 533C.103, Code 2024, is amended by adding    the following new subsection:    NEW SUBSECTION   . 21. A person appointed as an agent of a    payor for purposes of providing payroll processing services for    which the agent would otherwise need to be licensed, provided    all of the following apply:    a. There is a written agreement between the payor and the    agent that directs the agent to provide payroll processing    services on the payors behalf.    b. The payor holds the agent out to employees and other    payees as providing payroll processing services on the payors    behalf.    c. The payors obligation to a payee, including an employee    or any other party entitled to receive funds via the payroll    processing services provided by the agent, shall not be    extinguished if the agent fails to remit the funds to the      

  House File 2262, p. 2   payee.    Sec. 3. NEW SECTION   . 533C.901 Suspension and revocation     receivership.    The superintendent may suspend or revoke a licensees    license, place a licensee in receivership, or order a licensee    to revoke the designation of an authorized delegate if any of    the following apply:    1. The licensee violates this chapter, a rule adopted under    this chapter, or an order issued under this chapter.    2. The licensee does not cooperate with an examination or    investigation conducted by the superintendent.    3. The licensee engages in fraud, intentional    misrepresentation, or gross negligence.    4. As a result of the licensees willful misconduct or    willful blindness, an authorized delegate is convicted of a    violation of a state or federal anti-money laundering statute,    or violates this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or    an order issued under this chapter.    5. The competence, experience, character, or general    fitness of the licensee, authorized delegate, person in control    of a licensee, or key individual of the licensee or authorized    delegate indicates that it is not in the public interest to    permit the person to provide money transmission.    6. The licensee engages in an unsafe or unsound practice.    In determining whether a licensee is engaging in an unsafe or    unsound practice, the superintendent may consider the size and    condition of the licensees money transmission, the magnitude    of any losses, the gravity of any violations of this chapter,    and the previous conduct of any persons involved.    7. The licensee is insolvent, suspends payment of the    licensees obligations, or makes a general assignment for the    benefit of the licensees creditors.    8. The licensee does not remove an authorized delegate after    the superintendent issues and serves upon the licensee a final    order finding that the authorized delegate has violated this    chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or an order issued    under this chapter.    Sec. 4. NEW SECTION   . 533C.902 Suspension and revocation of    authorized delegates.     

  House File 2262, p. 3   1. The superintendent may issue an order suspending or    revoking the designation of an authorized delegate if the    superintendent finds any of the following apply:    a. The authorized delegate violated this chapter, a rule    adopted under this chapter, or an order issued under this    chapter.    b. The authorized delegate failed to cooperate with an    examination or investigation by the superintendent.    c. The authorized delegate engaged in fraud, intentional    misrepresentation, or gross negligence.    d. The authorized delegate was convicted of a violation of a    state or federal anti-money laundering statute.    e. The competence, experience, character, or general    fitness of the authorized delegate or a person in control of    the authorized delegate indicates that it is not in the public    interest to permit the authorized delegate to provide money    transmission.    f. The authorized delegate is engaging in an unsafe or    unsound practice. In determining whether an authorized    delegate is engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice, the    superintendent may consider the size and condition of the    authorized delegates provision of money transmission; the    magnitude of any losses; the gravity of any violations of this    chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or an order issued    under this chapter; and the previous conduct of the authorized    delegate.    2. An authorized delegate may apply for relief from a    suspension or revocation of designation as an authorized    delegate according to procedures prescribed by the    superintendent.    Sec. 5. NEW SECTION   . 533C.903 Orders to cease and desist.    1. a. If the superintendent determines that a violation    of this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or an    order issued under this chapter by a licensee or authorized    delegate is likely to cause immediate and irreparable harm    to the licensee, the licensees customers, or the public, or    cause insolvency or significant dissipation of assets of the    licensee, the superintendent may issue an order requiring the    licensee or authorized delegate to cease and desist from the    

  House File 2262, p. 4   violation.    b. The superintendent may issue an order for a licensee to    cease and desist from providing money transmission through an    authorized delegate that is the subject of a separate order by    the superintendent.    2. a. If the superintendent has reason to believe that a    person has violated or is violating section 533C.301, 533C.501,    or 533C.502, the superintendent may issue an order requiring    the person to show cause why an order to cease and desist the    violation should not be issued.    b. In an emergency under this subsection, the superintendent    may petition the district court for the issuance of a temporary    restraining order ex parte pursuant to the rules of civil    procedure.    3. An order to cease and desist becomes effective upon    service of the order upon the person, licensee, or authorized    delegate.    4. An order to cease and desist remains effective and    enforceable pending the completion of an administrative    proceeding pursuant to section 533C.908.    5. A person, licensee, or an authorized delegate who is    served with an order to cease and desist under this section may    petition the appropriate court for a judicial order setting    aside, limiting, or suspending the enforcement, operation,    or effectiveness of the order pending the completion of an    administrative proceeding pursuant to section 533C.908.    6. An order to cease and desist shall expire ten days after    the order is issued unless the superintendent commences an    administrative proceeding pursuant to section 533C.908.    Sec. 6. NEW SECTION   . 533C.904 Consent orders.    The superintendent may enter into a consent order at any    time with a person to resolve a matter arising under this    chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or an order issued    under this chapter. A consent order must be signed by the    person to whom the consent order is issued, or by the persons    authorized representative, and must indicate agreement with the    terms contained in the order. A consent order may provide that    the order does not constitute an admission by the person that    the person violated this chapter, a rule adopted under this    

  House File 2262, p. 5   chapter, or an order issued under this chapter.    Sec. 7. NEW SECTION   . 533C.905 Investigations.    1. The attorney general or a county attorney may conduct an    investigation within or outside of this state to determine if    a licensee, an authorized delegate, or a person engaged in a    trade or business has failed to file a report required by this    chapter, or has engaged or is engaging in any act, practice, or    transaction that constitutes a violation of this chapter.    2. Upon presentation of a subpoena from a prosecuting    attorney, a licensee, an authorized delegate, or a financial    institution shall make its books and records available to the    attorney general or county attorney during normal business    hours for inspection and examination in connection with an    investigation pursuant to this section.    Sec. 8. NEW SECTION . 533C.906 Civil penalties.    The superintendent may assess a civil penalty against a    person who violates this chapter, a rule adopted under this    chapter, or an order issued under this chapter in an amount    not to exceed one thousand dollars per day for each day the    violation is outstanding, plus the states costs and expenses    for the investigation and prosecution of the matter, including    reasonable attorney fees.    Sec. 9. NEW SECTION   . 533C.907 Criminal penalties.    1. A person who is not licensed under this chapter and    who knowingly engages in an activity for which a license is    required under this chapter commits an aggravated misdemeanor.    2. A person commits a class C felony, and is subject to a    civil penalty of three times the value of the property involved    in the transaction, or, if no transaction is involved, a civil    penalty of five thousand dollars, if the person does any of the    following:    a. With the intent to disguise the fact that money or    a payment instrument is the proceeds of criminal conduct,    or with the intent to promote, manage, establish, carry on,    or facilitate the promotion, management, establishment, or    carrying on of any criminal conduct, the person knowingly    furnishes or provides any false, inaccurate, or incomplete    information to a licensee, authorized delegate, financial    institution, person engaged in a trade or business, or any      

  House File 2262, p. 6   officer, employee, or their agent, or to the attorney general    or department of public safety, or knowingly conceals a    material fact in connection with a transaction for which a    report is required to be filed pursuant to this chapter.    b. With the intent to disguise the fact that money or    a payment instrument is the proceeds of criminal conduct,    or with the intent to promote, manage, establish, carry on,    or facilitate the promotion, management, establishment, or    carrying on of any criminal conduct, or with the intent to    evade the making or filing of a report required under this    chapter, or with the intent to cause the making or filing of    a report that contains a material omission or misstatement of    fact, the person conducts or structures a transaction or series    of transactions by or through one or more licensees, authorized    delegates, financial institutions, or persons engaged in a    trade or business.    3. A person who intentionally makes a false statement,    misrepresentation, or false certification in a record filed    or required to be maintained under this chapter, or who    intentionally makes a false entry or omits a material entry in    such a record commits a class D felony.    4. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary,    each violation of this section constitutes a separate,    punishable offense.    Sec. 10. NEW SECTION   . 533C.908 Administrative proceedings.    1. Except as otherwise provided in section 533C.903, the    superintendent shall not suspend or revoke a license, place a    licensee in receivership, issue an order to cease and desist,    suspend or revoke the designation of an authorized delegate, or    assess a civil penalty without notice and an opportunity to be    heard.    2. The superintendent shall hold a hearing when requested by    an applicant whose application for a license is denied.    3. All administrative proceedings under this chapter shall    be conducted in accordance with chapter 17A.    Sec. 11. NEW SECTION   . 533C.1001 Uniformity of application    and construction.    1. This chapter shall be liberally construed to effectuate    its remedial purposes. Civil remedies under this chapter shall     

  House File 2262, p. 7   be supplemental and not mutually exclusive. The civil remedies    under this chapter do not preclude and are not precluded by any    other provision of law.    2. This chapter shall be applied and construed to effectuate    its general purpose to make uniform the law with respect to the    subject of this chapter among states enacting the same law,    and to make the reporting requirements regarding financial    transactions under Iowa law uniform with the reporting    requirements regarding financial transactions under federal    law.    3. The attorney general may enter into reciprocal    agreements with the attorney general or chief prosecuting    attorney of any state to effectuate the purposes of this    chapter.    Sec. 12. NEW SECTION   . 533C.1002 Financial services    licensing fund.    1. A financial services licensing fund is created as a    separate fund in the state treasury under the authority of the    banking division of the department of insurance and financial    services. Moneys deposited in the fund shall be used to pay    for staffing necessary to perform examinations, audits, and    other duties required of the superintendent and the banking    division under this chapter.    2. The fund shall receive moneys including but not limited    to any fees, costs, expenses, or penalties collected pursuant    to this chapter.    3. Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated to the    fund in this section that remain unencumbered or unobligated,    and other moneys credited to the fund, shall not revert at the    close of the fiscal year but shall remain in the financial    services licensing fund and shall remain available for    expenditure for the purposes designated.    Sec. 13. NEW SECTION   . 533C.1003 Applicability.    This chapter applies to the provision of money transmission    on or after October 1, 2003.    Sec. 14. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act, being deemed of    immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.    Sec. 15. RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY. The following apply    retroactively to July 1, 2023:     

  House File 2262, p. 8   The sections of this Act enacting sections 533C.901,    533C.902, 533C.903, 533C.904, 533C.905, 533C.906, 533C.907,    533C.908, 533C.1001, 533C.1002, and 533C.1003, and the section    of this Act amending section 533C.102.    Sec. 16. CODE EDITOR DIRECTIVE. The Code editor shall    designate sections 533C.901 through 533C.908, as enacted in    this Act, as article 9 entitled Enforcement, and sections    533C.1001 through 533C.1003, as enacted in this Act, as article    10 entitled Miscellaneous Provisions.    ______________________________   PAT GRASSLEY   Speaker of the House   ______________________________   AMY SINCLAIR   President of the Senate   I hereby certify that this bill originated in the House and   is known as House File 2262, Ninetieth General Assembly.   ______________________________   MEGHAN NELSON   Chief Clerk of the House   Approved _______________, 2024 ______________________________   KIM REYNOLDS   Governor