Req. No. 2903 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 STATE OF OKLAHOMA 2nd Session of the 59th Legislature (2024) SENATE BILL 1819 By: Hall AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to banking; creating the Uniform Special Deposits Act; pro viding short title; defining terms; providing scope of act; allowing for agreements to be amended under certain circumstances; specifying what makes a special deposit; permitting termination of accounts under certain circumstances; providing conditions under which a bank may distribute funds to a beneficiary; specifying deposit interests; requiring certain conditions for creditor process; allowing relief; providing conditions for recoupment by a bank; specifying fiduciary duties of bank under this act; setting timeframe and provisions for termination of accounts; permitting uniformity of implementation of act by law; providing for codification; and providing an effective d ate. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOM A: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: This act shall be kn own and may be cited as the “Uniform Special Deposits Act”. Req. No. 2903 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 2. NEW LAW A new secti on of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.1 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: As used in this act: 1. “Account agreement” means an agreement that: a. is in a record between a bank and one or more depositors, b. may have one or more beneficiaries as additional parties, and c. states the intention of the parties to establish a special deposit pursuant to this act; 2. “Bank” means a person engaged in the business of banking including, but not limited to, a savings bank, savings and loan association, credit union, tru st company, or bank as defined in Section 102 of Title 6 of the Oklahoma Statutes . Each branch or separate office of a bank is a separate bank for the purpose of this act; 3. “Beneficiary” means a person that: a. is identified as a beneficiary in an account agreement, or b. if not identified as a beneficiary in an account agreement, may be entitled to payment from a special deposit: (1) under the account agreement, or Req. No. 2903 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (2) on termination of the special deposit; 4. “Contingency” means an event or cir cumstance stated in an account agreement that is not certain to occur but shall oc cur before the bank is obligated to pay a benefici ary; 5. “Creditor process” means attachment, garnishment, levy, notice of lien, sequestration, or a similar process issued by or on behalf of a creditor or other claimant; 6. “Depositor” means a person that establishes or funds a special deposit; 7. “Good faith” means honesty in fact and observance of reasonable commercial standards of fair dealing; 8. “Knowledge of a fact” means: a. with respect to a beneficiary, actual knowledge of the fact, or b. with respect to a bank holding a special deposit: (1) if the bank: (a) has established a reasonable rout ine for communicating material information to an individual to whom the bank ha s assigned responsibility for the special deposit, and (b) maintains reasonable compliance with the routine, actual knowledge of the fact b y that individual, or Req. No. 2903 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (2) if the bank has not established and maintained reasonable compliance with a routine de scribed in division (1) of this subparagraph or otherwise exercised due diligence, implied knowledge of the fact that would have come to the attention of an individual to whom the ba nk has assigned responsibility for the special deposit; 9. “Obligated to pay a beneficiary” means a beneficiary is entitled under the account agreement to receive from the bank a payment when: a. a contingency has occurred, and b. the bank has knowledge the contingency has occurred. An “obligation to pay a beneficiary” shall mean the same; 10. “Permissible purpose” means a governmental, regulatory, commercial, charitable, or testamentary objective of the parties stated in an account agreement. The term includes an objective to: a. hold funds: (1) in escrow, including for a p urchase and sale, lease, buyback, or other transaction, (2) as a security deposit of a tenant, (3) that may be distributed to a person a s remuneration, retirement, o r other benefit, or compensation under a judg ment, consent decree, court order, or other decision of a tribunal, or Req. No. 2903 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 (4) for distribution to a defined class of persons after identification of the class members and their interest in the funds, b. provide assurance with respect to an obligation created by contract, such as ea rnest money to ensure a transaction closes, c. settle an obligation that arises in the o peration of a payment system, securities settlement system, or other financial market infrastructure, d. provide assurance with respect to an obligation that arises in the operation of a payment s ystem, securities settlement system, or other financial market infrastructure, or e. hold margin, other cash collateral, or funds that support the orderly functioning of financial market infrastructure or the performance of an obligation with respect to the infrastructure; 11. “Person” means an individual, estate, business, or nonprofit entity, government or governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality, or other leg al entity. The term may include a protected series, however denominated, of an entity if the protected series is establishe d under law that limits, or limits if con ditions specified under law are satisfied, the ability of a creditor of the Req. No. 2903 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 entity or of any other protected series of the enti ty to satisfy a claim from assets of the protected series; 12. “Record” means information: a. inscribed on a tangible medium, or b. stored in an electronic or other medium and retrievable in perceivable form; 13. “Special deposit” means a deposit as specified in Section 5 of this act; and 14. “State” means a state of the United States, the D istrict of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or any other territory or possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, including an agency or instrumentality of the state. SECTION 3. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.2 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. This act shall apply to a special deposit under an account agreement that states the intention of the parties to establish a special deposit governed by this act, regardless of whether a party to the account agreement or a transaction related to the special deposit, or the special deposit itself, has a reas onable relation to this state. B. The parties to an account agreement may choose a forum in this state for settling a dispute arising out of the special deposit, regardless of whether a part y to the account agreement or a Req. No. 2903 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 transaction related to the special deposit, or the special deposit itself, has a reasonable relation to this st ate. C. This shall not affect: 1. A right or obligation relating to a deposit o ther than a special deposit under this act; or 2. The voidability of a deposit or transfer that is fraudulent or voidable under other law. SECTION 4. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.3 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering , reads as follows: A. The effect of Sections 2 through 6, 8 through 11, and Section 13 of this act may not be v aried by agreement, e xcept as provided in those sections. Subject to subsec tion B of this section, the effects of Sections 7, 12, and 13 of this act may be varied by agreement. B. A provision in an account agreement or other record that substantially excuses liability or substantially limits remedies for failure to perform an obligation under this act is not s ufficient to vary the effect of a provision of this act. C. If a beneficiary is a party to an account agreement, the bank and the depositor may amend the agreement with out the consent of the beneficiary only if the agreemen t expressly permits the amendment. Req. No. 2903 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 D. If a beneficiary is not a party to an agreement and the bank and the depositor know the beneficiary has knowledge of the agreement’s terms, the bank and the dep ositor may amend the agreement without the consent of the beneficiary only if the amendment does not adversely and materially affect a payment right of the beneficiary. E. If a beneficiary is not a party to a n account agreement and the bank and the depositor do not know whether the beneficiary has knowledge of the agreement’s terms, the bank and the depositor may amend the agreement without the consent of the beneficiar y only if the amendment is made in good faith. SECTION 5. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.4 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A deposit is a special deposit if it is: 1. A deposit of funds in a bank under an account agreement; 2. For the benefit of a t least two (2) beneficiaries, one or more of whom may be a depositor; 3. Denominated in a medium of exchange that is currently authorized or adopted by a domestic or foreign government; 4. For a permissible purpose stated in the account agreement; and 5. Subject to a contingency . Req. No. 2903 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 6. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.5 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. A special deposit shall serve at least one pe rmissible purpose stated in the account agreement from the time the special deposit is created in the account agreement until termination of the special deposit. B. If, before termination of a special deposit, the bank or a court determined the special de posit no longer satisfies subsection A of this section, Sections 8 through 11 of this act cease to apply to any funds deposited in the special de posit after the special deposit ceases to satisfy subsection A of this section. C. If, before termination of a special deposit, the bank determines the special deposit no longer satisfies subsection A of this section, the bank may take action i t believes is necessary under the circumstances, including terminating the special deposit. SECTION 7. NEW LAW A new section of la w to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.6 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. Unless the account agreement provides otherwise, the bank is obligated to pay a beneficiary if there are suffic ient actually and finally collected funds in the balance of the special deposit . Req. No. 2903 Page 10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. Except as provided in s ubsection C of this section, the obligation to pay the beneficiary is excused if the funds available in the special deposit are insufficient to cover such payment. C. Unless the account agreement provides o therwise, if the funds available in the special deposit are insufficient to cover an obligation to pay a beneficiary , a beneficiary may elect to be paid the funds that are available or, if there is more than one beneficiary, a pro rata share of the funds available. Payment t o the beneficiary making the election under this subsection discharges the bank’s obligation to pay a b eneficiary and does not con stitute an accord and satisfaction with respect to another person obligated to the beneficiary. D. Unless the account agreement provides otherwise, the obligation of the bank obligated to pay a beneficiary is immediately due and payable. E. The bank may discharge its o bligation under this section by : 1. Crediting another transa ction account of the beneficiary; or 2. Taking other action that: a. is permitted under t he account agreement for the bank to obtain a discharge, or b. otherwise would constitute a discharge under law. F. If the bank obligate d to pay a beneficiary has incurred an obligation to discharge that o bligation of another person, the obligation of the other person is discharged if action by the bank Req. No. 2903 Page 11 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 under subsection E of this section would constitute a discharge of the obligation of the other person under law that determined whether an obligation is satisfied. SECTION 8. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.7 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbe ring, reads as follows: A. Neither a depositor nor a beneficiary has a property interest in a special de posit. B. Any property interest with respect to a special de posit is only in the right to receive payment if the bank is obligated to pay a beneficiary and not in the spe cial deposit itself. Any property interest under this subsection is determined under other law. SECTION 9. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.8 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. Subject to subsection B of this section, creditor proc ess with respect to a special deposit is not enforceable against the bank holding the special deposit. B. Creditor process is enforce able against the bank holding a special deposit with respect to an amount the bank is obligated to pay a beneficiary or a depositor if the process: 1. Is served on the bank; Req. No. 2903 Page 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2. Provides sufficient information to permit the bank to identify the depositor or the beneficiary from the bank ’s book and records; and 3. Gives the bank a reasonable opportunity to act on the process. C. Creditor process served on a bank before it is enforceab le against the bank under s ubsection B of this section does not create a right of the creditor against the bank or a duty of the bank to the creditor. Other law determines whether creditor process creates a lien enforceable against the beneficiary on a contingent interest of a beneficiary, including a depositor as a beneficia ry, even if not enforceable against the bank. SECTION 10. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.9 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numb ering, reads as follows: A court may enjoin, or grant similar relief that would have the effect of enjoining, a bank from paying a depositor or beneficiary only if payment would constitute a ma terial fraud or facilit ate a material fraud with respect to a special deposit. SECTION 11. NEW LAW A new se ction of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.10 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: Req. No. 2903 Page 13 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 A. Except as provided in subsection B or C of this section, a bank may not exercise a right of r ecoupment or set off against a special deposit. B. An account agreement may authorize the bank to debit the special deposit: 1. When the bank becomes obligated to pay a beneficiary, in an amount that does not e xceed the amount necessary to discharge the obligation; 2. For a fee assessed b y the bank that relates to an overdraft in the special deposit; 3. For costs incurred by the bank that relate dire ctly to the special deposit; or 4. To reverse an earlier credit posted by t he bank to the balance of the special deposit , if the reversal occurs under an event or circumstance warranted under other law of this s tate governing mistake and restitution. C. The bank holding a special deposit may exercise a right of recoupment or set off against an obligation to pay a bene ficiary, even if the bank funds payment from the special deposit. SECTION 12. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.11 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. A bank does not have a fiduciary duty to any person with respect to a special deposit. Req. No. 2903 Page 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. When the bank holding a special deposit becomes obligated to pay a beneficiary, a debtor-creditor relationship arises between the bank and beneficiary. C. The bank holding a special deposit has a duty to a beneficiary to comply with the account agreement and this act. D. If the bank holding a special deposit does not com ply with the account agreement or th is act, the bank is liable to a depositor or beneficiary only for damages proximately caused by the noncompliance. Except as provided by other law of this state, the bank is not liable for consequential, special, or punitive d amages. E. The bank holding a s pecial deposit may rely on records presented in compliance with the account agreement to determine whether the bank is obligated to pay a beneficiary. F. If the account agreement requires payment on presentation of a record, the bank shall determine within a reasonable amount of time whether the rec ord is sufficient to require payment. If the agreement requires action by the bank on presentation of a record, the bank is not liable for relying in good faith on the genuineness of the record if the record ap pears on its face to be genuine. G. Unless the account agreement pro vides otherwise, the bank is not required to determine whether a permissible purpose s tated in the agreement continues to exist. Req. No. 2903 Page 15 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 13. NEW LAW A new section o f law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.12 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. Unless otherwise provided in the account agreement, a special deposit terminates five (5) years after the date the special deposit was first fu nded. B. Unless otherwise provided in the account agreement, if the bank cannot identify or locate a beneficiary entitled to payment when the special deposit is te rminated, and a balance remains in the special deposit, the bank shall pay the b alance to the deposi tor or depositors as a beneficiary or beneficiaries. C. A bank that pays the r emaining balance as p rovided under subsection B of this section has no further obligation with respect to the special deposit. SECTION 14. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.13 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: Title 12A of the Oklahoma Statutes, consumer protection l aw, law governing deposits generally, law related to escheat and abandoned or unclaimed property, and the principles of law and equity , including law related to capacity to contract, principle and agent, estoppel, fraud, misrepre sentation, duress, coercion , mistake, and bankruptcy, supplement this act except to the extent inconsistent with this act. Req. No. 2903 Page 16 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 15. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 910.14 of Title 6, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: In applying and construing this uni form act, a court shall consider the promotion of uniformity of t he law among jurisdictions that enact it. SECTION 16. This act shall become effective November 1 , 2024. 59-2-2903 MR 1/17/2024 4:11:12 PM