81R6588 ATP-F
By: Averitt S.B. No. 1647
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the administration, operation, and regulation of credit
unions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 15.303, Finance Code, is amended to read
as follows:
Sec. 15.303. DEPUTY COMMISSIONER. (a) The [Subject to
the commission's approval, the] commissioner may appoint a deputy
commissioner[, who must have the qualifications required of the
commissioner].
[(b)] The deputy commissioner serves at the will of the
commissioner and, at the commissioner's direction, may exercise the
powers and prerogatives of the commissioner.
(b) [(c)] The deputy commissioner is an employee of the
department [commission] and is subject to the commissioner's
[commission's] orders and directions.
(c) [(d)] During the commissioner's absence or inability to
act, the deputy commissioner shall perform the commissioner's
duties.
(d) The commissioner may appoint assistant deputy
commissioners, whose powers shall be limited to the powers, duties,
or functions set forth in the appointment.
SECTION 2. Section 15.305, Finance Code, is amended to read
as follows:
Sec. 15.305. GENERAL COUNSEL. A person who is required to
register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because
of the person's activities for compensation on behalf of a
profession related to the operation of the commission, may not
serve as general counsel to the commission or the department.
SECTION 3. Section 15.308, Finance Code, is amended to read
as follows:
Sec. 15.308. COMPENSATION OF EMPLOYEES. (a) The
commission shall set the compensation of the commissioner [and
deputy commissioner]. The compensation shall be paid according to
the General Appropriations Act.
(b) Except for the commissioner [and deputy commissioner],
Chapter 654, Government Code, applies to any department position.
SECTION 4. Section 15.402(c), Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) The commission by rule shall establish reasonable and
necessary fees to recover the costs of maintaining and operating
the department and enforcing [for the administration of] this
chapter and Subtitle D, Title 3.
SECTION 5. Section 15.408, Finance Code, is amended to read
as follows:
Sec. 15.408. COLLECTION OF MONEY. The commissioner shall
collect all fees, charges, and revenues required to be paid by a
credit union under Section 15.402(c). All money paid to the
department under this chapter and Subtitle D, Title 3, is subject to
Subchapter F, Chapter 404, Government Code. A credit union is not
entitled to a refund of any unused portion of the fee, charge, or
revenue.
SECTION 6. Section 15.410(a), Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The commission shall adopt, and the commissioner shall
enforce, reasonable rules requiring a credit union, except a
corporate central credit union, to provide share and deposit
insurance protection for credit union members and depositors.
SECTION 7. Subchapter E, Chapter 15, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 15.4111 to read as follows:
Sec. 15.4111. REGULATORY COORDINATION. (a) To ensure
effective coordination among and between the department and other
state and federal agencies, the commissioner may enter into
cooperative, coordinating, or information-sharing agreements with
those agencies.
(b) To further the rapid restoration of credit union
services after an emergency, the commissioner may enter into
cooperative, coordinating, or information-sharing agreements with
credit unions or credit union trade associations or other
organizations affiliated with or representing one or more credit
unions.
(c) Disclosure of information by or to the department under
this section does not constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect or
diminish any legal privilege to which the information is otherwise
subject, even if the disclosure is not governed by a
confidentiality agreement. Notwithstanding other applicable law,
a party to an agreement described by this section shall execute,
honor, and comply with requirements to maintain confidentiality and
oppose disclosure of information obtained from the department, and
shall treat as confidential any information obtained from the
department that is entitled to confidential treatment under
applicable state or federal law.
SECTION 8. Section 121.002, Finance Code, is amended by
amending Subdivision (2) and adding Subdivision (10-a) to read as
follows:
(2) "Credit union," unless the context relates to a
federal credit union, means a voluntary, cooperative, nonprofit
financial institution authorized to do business in this state under
this subtitle for purposes of:
(A) encouraging thrift among its members;
(B) creating a source of credit at fair and
reasonable interest rates;
(C) developing and providing to its members
alternative methods of financing their purchases at reasonable
costs;
(D) providing an opportunity for its members to
use, protect, or [and] control their money or property to improve or
maintain their economic or [and] social condition; and
(E) conducting any other business, engaging in
any other activity, or providing any other service that may benefit
its members or otherwise promote its members' economic well-being.
(10-a) "Share insuring organization" means a
cooperative share insurance fund, guaranty corporation, or credit
union that provides aid and financial assistance to credit unions
that are in the process of liquidation or are incurring financial
difficulty to protect or guarantee against loss the share and
deposit accounts in the credit union up to a specified level for
each account.
SECTION 9. Chapter 121, Finance Code, is amended by adding
Section 121.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 121.007. COST OF SUPERVISION AND REGULATION. (a) Each
credit union shall promptly pay the fees, charges, and revenues
established by the commission under Section 15.402 to recover:
(1) the cost of examination;
(2) the credit union's equitable or proportionate
share of the costs of maintenance and operation of the department;
and
(3) the costs of enforcement of this subtitle and
Chapter 15.
(b) The commission shall adjust those fees, charges, and
revenues so that the amount collected during the fiscal year equals
the total amount appropriated, including amounts appropriated for
both direct and indirect costs for that fiscal year.
SECTION 10. Subchapter A, Chapter 122, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 122.0011 to read as follows:
Sec. 122.0011. EXPENSE FUND. (a) Before a credit union
organized under this subtitle may be authorized to do business, the
credit union shall create a fund from which operating expenses may
be paid until earnings, together with net worth allocations and
dividends that may be declared and credited, are sufficient to
cover operating expenses.
(b) Except as provided by this section, the amounts
contributed to the expense fund are not a liability of the credit
union.
(c) The credit union may pay dividends to contributors to
the expense fund on amounts contributed to the same extent the
credit union pays dividends to a member. Any amount contributed to
the expense fund is considered a deposit of the credit union, which
the credit union's board may reduce pro rata as operating expenses
are paid from the fund.
(d) With the prior written consent of the commissioner,
contributions to the expense fund may be repaid to the
contributors, in accordance with this subsection, from the net
earnings of the credit union after the credit union has attained a
net worth ratio greater than six percent. At the close of each
dividend period the board may pay or credit the accounts of the
contributors an amount that is not more than one percent of the net
earnings of the credit union during that period until the
contributors have been repaid in full.
(e) If the credit union is liquidated before the
contributions to the expense fund have been fully repaid, any
portion of the contributions not needed for the payment of the
expenses of liquidation and for the payment of depositors in full
shall be paid to the contributors in proportion to their
contributions until they have been repaid in full.
(f) The commission may adopt reasonable rules necessary to
administer this section and to accomplish the purposes of this
subchapter.
SECTION 11. Section 122.007(b), Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The commissioner's order may be appealed to the
commission not later than the 30th [60th] day after the date of the
order.
SECTION 12. Subchapter A, Chapter 122, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 122.0121 to read as follows:
Sec. 122.0121. CONDUCTING BUSINESS BY MAIL OR ELECTRONIC
COMMUNICATION. With the prior approval of the commissioner, a
credit union may conduct all or a portion of its business solely by
mail or through electronic communication without having a physical
location for the members to transact business with the credit
union. A credit union conducting business under this section shall
maintain its principal place of business in this state.
SECTION 13. Sections 122.013(a) and (c), Finance Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) A foreign credit union may do business in this state if
it is organized in a state or country that allows any [a] credit
union organized under this subtitle to do business in that state or
country.
(c) The commissioner may suspend or revoke a foreign credit
union's authority to do business in this state if the commissioner
finds that the foreign credit union:
(1) has failed to conduct its business in this state in
a manner consistent with the laws of this state [violated a rule
adopted under this subtitle];
(2) is in an unsafe or unsound condition;
(3) refuses to comply with an order of the
commissioner [is engaged in a pattern of unsafe or unsound
practices]; [or]
(4) refuses to comply with a request by the
commissioner to review the books and records of the credit union; or
(5) has not met or does not meet a [commission]
requirement imposed by commission rules.
SECTION 14. Subchapter A, Chapter 122, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 122.0131 to read as follows:
Sec. 122.0131. TEMPORARY FOREIGN CREDIT UNION OFFICE. If a
state contiguous to this state experiences an emergency, on a
request by that state's credit union regulatory agency, the
commissioner may authorize one or more credit unions located in
that state to open temporary offices in this state to more promptly
restore credit union services to their members. The commissioner
shall issue an order permitting the temporary office and specifying
the period of time the office may remain open. On a finding that the
conditions requiring the temporary office continue to exist, the
commissioner may extend the period the office may remain open. A
credit union may convert a temporary office to a permanent location
if it qualifies to do business in this state as a foreign credit
union under Section 122.013 and commission rules.
SECTION 15. Subchapter A, Chapter 122, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 122.0141 to read as follows:
Sec. 122.0141. DEPOSITORY FOR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.
Notwithstanding the requirements of Chapter 105 or 116, Local
Government Code, and Chapter 45, Education Code, a credit union
that has been designated by the commissioner as an underserved-area
credit union may act as an agent or depository of and accept for
deposit the money of a political subdivision of this state,
including a municipality, county, school district, or other taxing
authority.
SECTION 16. Section 122.051, Finance Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (d-1) to
read as follows:
(a) A person may be a member of a credit union only if the
person is an incorporator or other person who:
(1) shares a definable community of interest, in
accordance with the credit union's articles of incorporation or
bylaws, including a community of interest based on occupation,
association, or residence;
(2) has done one or both of the following:
(A) paid an entrance fee or membership fee, or
both, as required by the bylaws; or
(B) met [(3) has complied with] the minimum
share or deposit account[, including membership share,]
requirements or complied with other qualifying [account]
requirements that [established by] the board may establish; and
(3) [(4)] has complied with any other requirement of
the articles of incorporation and bylaws.
(d) [In this subsection, "good cause" includes the act of
physically or verbally abusing a credit union member or employee.]
A person's membership in a credit union may be terminated, [or]
suspended, or restricted [for good cause or for not maintaining
membership requirements,] under the conditions and in accordance
with the procedures provided in the bylaws for having done any of
the following:
(1) violated the membership agreement or any policy
adopted by the board;
(2) been physically or verbally abusive to credit
union members or staff;
(3) caused a financial loss to the credit union;
(4) been involved in suspicious or unusual account
activity; or
(5) committed any other act or engaged in any activity
proscribed by rules adopted by the commission.
(d-1) [A credit union may also discontinue providing any or
all services to a member for good cause without terminating or
suspending the person's membership.] Termination or suspension of
a person's membership in the credit union or discontinuing services
does not relieve the person from any outstanding obligations owed
to the credit union.
SECTION 17. Section 122.053, Finance Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (d), (e), and (f) and adding Subsections (g),
(h), and (i) to read as follows:
(d) The bylaws shall prescribe the directors' terms and the
board's duties. A term may not exceed three years. If the terms are
longer than one year, the terms shall be staggered so that an
approximately equal number expire each year. A director may serve
more than one term.
(e) The board or its executive committee shall meet at least
once each month. The board may permit the executive committee to
act on its behalf in all except one meeting per calendar quarter.
The board shall have no fewer than four regularly scheduled
meetings each year.
(f) To [If and to] the extent provided in the bylaws, a
director may participate in and act at any meeting of the board by
means of electronic communications equipment through which all
persons participating in the meeting may simultaneously hear each
other and [can] communicate during the meeting [with each other].
Participation in a meeting in the manner authorized by this
subsection constitutes attendance at a meeting. However, each
director must physically attend at least one meeting each calendar
year.
(g) A director of a credit union who is present at a meeting
of its board of directors at which action on any matter is taken is
presumed to have assented to the action taken unless the minutes of
the meeting specifically indicate otherwise.
(h) The directors, officers, and employees shall hold in
confidence all matters presented to the board for deliberation and
determination, except if disclosure of a matter is permitted by
applicable law.
(i) The board shall adopt a code of ethics for all
directors, officers, and honorary or advisory directors. The code
of ethics must include standards that are reasonably necessary to
promote:
(1) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical
handling of actual and apparent conflicts of interest between
personal and professional relationships; and
(2) compliance with applicable laws.
SECTION 18. Subchapter B, Chapter 122, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 122.0531 to read as follows:
Sec. 122.0531. ACTION BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITHOUT
MEETING. (a) Unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws
provide otherwise, action required or permitted to be taken under
this subtitle at a board meeting may be taken without a meeting if
the action is consented to by all members of the board. The action
must be evidenced by one or more written consents describing the
action taken, signed by each director, and included in the minutes
or filed with the corporate records reflecting the action taken.
(b) Action taken under this section is effective when the
last director signs the consent, unless the consent specifies a
different effective date.
(c) A written consent signed under this section has the
effect of a meeting vote and may be described as such in any
document.
SECTION 19. Sections 122.056(a) and (c), Finance Code, are
amended to read as follows:
(a) The board may appoint [not more than three] individuals
to serve at the board's pleasure as honorary or advisory directors
to advise and consult with the board and otherwise aid the board in
carrying out the board's duties and responsibilities.
(c) An honorary or advisory director may participate in any
board deliberation. An honorary or advisory director must hold in
confidence all matters presented to the board.
SECTION 20. Section 122.061, Finance Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) While serving as a director, honorary director,
advisory director, committee member, officer, or employee of a
credit union, a person may not:
(1) participate, directly or indirectly, in the
deliberation on or determination of a question affecting the
person's pecuniary interest or the pecuniary interest of a member
of the person's immediate family or of a partnership, association,
or corporation, other than the credit union, in which the person is
directly or indirectly interested; or
(2) become employed by, engage in, or own an interest
in a business or professional activity that the person could
reasonably expect to:
(A) require or induce the person to disclose
confidential information acquired because of the person's office or
employment in the credit union; or
(B) impair the person's independence or judgment
in the performance of the person's duties or responsibilities to
the credit union.
(c) In this section, "member of a person's immediate family"
means a person's parents, spouse, children, or siblings.
SECTION 21. Subchapter B, Chapter 122, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Sections 122.065 and 122.066 to read as follows:
Sec. 122.065. FIDUCIARY RELATIONSHIP. Directors and
officers are considered to have a fiduciary relationship with the
credit union, as an entity, and must discharge the duties of their
respective positions:
(1) in good faith;
(2) with the care an ordinarily prudent person in a
like position would exercise under similar circumstances; and
(3) in a manner the director or officer believes to be
in the best interests of the credit union.
Sec. 122.066. RELIANCE BY DIRECTORS OR OFFICERS. (a)
Unless the director or officer has knowledge that makes reliance
unwarranted, a director or officer, in discharging the director's
or officer's duties to the credit union, may rely on information,
opinions, reports, or statements, including financial statements
and other financial data, prepared or presented by:
(1) an officer or employee of the credit union whom the
director or officer believes in good faith to be reliable and
competent in the matters presented;
(2) legal counsel, a certified public accountant, or
another person regarding a matter the director or officer believes
in good faith is within the person's professional or expert
competence; or
(3) in the case of reliance by a director, a committee
of the board of directors of which the director is not a member if
the director believes in good faith that the committee merits
confidence.
(b) Information, opinions, reports, or statements on which
a director or officer may rely under this section may be written or
oral or formal or informal.
SECTION 22. Subchapter D, Chapter 122, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 122.1511 to read as follows:
Sec. 122.1511. AUTHORITY TO PURCHASE ASSETS. (a) A credit
union, with the prior written approval of the commissioner, may
purchase all or substantially all of the assets of another entity.
(b) Except as otherwise expressly provided by another
statute, the purchase of all or part of the assets of the selling
entity does not make the purchasing credit union responsible for
any liability or obligation of the selling entity not expressly
assumed by the purchasing credit union.
SECTION 23. Subchapter E, Chapter 122, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Sections 122.204 and 122.205 to read as follows:
Sec. 122.204. CONVERSION OF STATE CREDIT UNION TO A MUTUAL
SAVINGS INSTITUTION. A credit union organized under the laws of
this state may convert to a mutual savings institution under the
laws of this state or federal law by complying with:
(1) the requirements of the jurisdiction under which
the converting credit union is organized; and
(2) any applicable commission rule.
Sec. 122.205. CONVERSION OF MUTUAL SAVINGS INSTITUTION TO
STATE CREDIT UNION. (a) A mutual savings institution may convert
to a state credit union by complying with the laws of the original
chartered authority and on the approval of the commissioner.
(b) Application for approval of the conversion to a state
credit union must be submitted to the department in the form
prescribed by the commissioner.
(c) The commissioner may cause an examination to be made of
any converting mutual savings institution. The converting mutual
savings institution shall pay all fees and charges prescribed by
the commission.
SECTION 24. Section 122.257(a), Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) If the commissioner finds that a credit union or any
director, officer, employee, agent, or other person participating
in the conduct of the affairs of the credit union has engaged, is
engaging, or is about to engage in an act, practice, or transaction
meeting any of the criteria [makes a finding] listed in Section
122.255, the commissioner may issue [and determines that] an order
directing the credit union or any director, officer, employee,
agent, or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs
of the credit union to cease and desist from engaging [is necessary
and] in the act, practice, or transaction or from doing any act in
furtherance [best interest] of the act, practice, or transaction
[credit union involved and its depositors, creditors, and members,
the commissioner may serve on the credit union, its board, and each
offending person an order to cease and desist from a violation or
practice specified in the order] and to take appropriate
affirmative action within a reasonable period, as prescribed by
[that] the commissioner, [considers necessary] to correct the
conditions [a condition] resulting from the act, [a violation or
unsafe or unsound] practice, or transaction [found].
SECTION 25. Section 123.003, Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 123.003. ENLARGEMENT OF POWERS. (a) Notwithstanding
any other law, and subject to Subsection (b), a [A] credit union
may engage in any activity [in which it could engage], exercise any
power [it could exercise], or make any loan or investment
permissible for [it could make, if it were operating as] a [federal]
credit union organized under federal law or the law of another
state.
(a-1) A credit union that intends to engage in an activity,
exercise a power, or make a loan or investment authorized under
Subsection (a) shall submit written notice to the commissioner
describing the activity, power, loan, or investment and the
specific federal or state authority on which the credit union is
relying. The credit union may proceed as described in the notice on
or after the 30th day following submission of the notice, unless the
commissioner extends the period in accordance with this subsection,
or prohibits the activity, power, loan, or investment.
(a-2) The commissioner may prohibit the credit union from
engaging in an activity, exercising a power, or making a loan or
investment as described in the notice under Subsection (a-1) only
if the commissioner finds that:
(1) specific authority does not exist; or
(2) the engagement, exercise, or making would
adversely affect the safety and soundness of the credit union.
(a-3) The commissioner may extend the 30-day period if the
commissioner determines that the credit union's notice under
Subsection (a-1) raises issues requiring additional information or
additional time for analysis. If the 30-day period is extended, the
credit union may not proceed without the commissioner's prior
written approval. The commissioner must issue either an approval
or prohibition letter not later than the 60th day after the date the
notice is submitted.
(b) The commission may adopt rules relating to the exercise
of [Notwithstanding any other law, and in addition to the powers and
authorities conferred under Subsection (a), a credit union has the]
powers or authorities granted under this section [of a foreign
credit union operating a branch in this state if the commissioner
finds that exercise of those powers or authorities is convenient
for and affords an advantage to the credit union's members and
maintains the fairness of competition and parity between the credit
union and any foreign credit union. A credit union does not have
the field of membership powers or authorities of a foreign credit
union operating a branch in this state].
SECTION 26. Section 123.104, Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 123.104. MEMBERSHIP IN OTHER ORGANIZATION; OPERATION
AS CORPORATE CENTRAL CREDIT UNION. A credit union may:
(1) be a member of:
(A) another credit union organized under this
subtitle or other law; and
(B) another organization approved by the board;
or
(2) operate, with the commissioner's approval, as a
corporate central credit union.
SECTION 27. Subchapter B, Chapter 123, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 123.1041 to read as follows:
Sec. 123.1041. CORPORATE CENTRAL CREDIT UNION. (a) Any
number of credit unions may apply to organize a corporate central
credit union to engage exclusively in corporate financial and
operational activities that are part of or incidental to the credit
union business.
(b) Membership in the corporate central credit union
consists of and is limited to:
(1) credit unions incorporated under this subtitle,
the Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq.), or
any other law applicable to credit unions; and
(2) organizations owned by credit unions.
(c) A corporate central credit union has the powers and
privileges of any other credit union incorporated under this
subtitle and, subject to rules adopted by the commission, may have
the power to:
(1) provide access for its members on a mutual basis to
financial systems and the services and products of financial
institutions;
(2) provide its members with research and consulting
services concerning financial matters, institutions, and products;
(3) provide financial system support services and
facilities;
(4) establish and execute financial programs to assist
its members in meeting the members' needs;
(5) provide safekeeping or trustee services to or on
behalf of its members; and
(6) issue uninsured share investments or classes of
share investments in amounts in excess of $100,000 with terms and
conditions that may vary from other shares authorized by this
subtitle as approved by the department.
SECTION 28. Section 123.208(c), Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) The commissioner may restrict or prohibit the payment of
a dividend:
(1) if the commissioner issues a cease and desist
order under Section 122.257; or
(2) as necessary to protect the member's interests and
preserve the solvency of the credit union as authorized by
commission rule.
SECTION 29. Subchapter A, Chapter 124, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Sections 124.006 and 124.007 to read as follows:
Sec. 124.006. LIMITATION ON EQUITY AGREEMENTS AND
PROFIT-SHARING ARRANGEMENTS. A credit union may not grant a loan if
any additional income received by the credit union is tied to the
profit or sale of the business or endeavor for which the loan is
made. This prohibition does not apply to a loan made to an agency,
association, or company that is described by Section 124.352(a).
Sec. 124.007. ADVANCES PAID BY CREDIT UNION. (a) A credit
union may pay taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, and similar
charges for the protection of the credit union's interest in
property that secures a loan of the credit union.
(b) A payment under Subsection (a) is an advance, and the
credit union may:
(1) carry the payment on the credit union's books as an
asset of the credit union for which the credit union may charge
interest; or
(2) add the payment to the unpaid balance of the loan
to which it applies as of the first day of the month in which the
payment is made.
(c) With the exception of a loan secured by an encumbrance
against the equity in a homestead property, a payment under
Subsection (a) is a lien against the property that secures the loan
for which it is made. For an extension of credit as defined and
authorized by Section 50(a)(6), Article XVI, Texas Constitution,
additional terms and conditions apply as provided by that section
for the payment to become a lien against the property.
SECTION 30. Section 124.051, Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 124.051. OPEN-END CREDIT PLAN. (a) A credit union
may enter into a written agreement with a member under which:
(1) the member is allowed to borrow money from time to
time; and
(2) interest may from time to time be computed on the
unpaid balance.
(b) If, at any time, application of the contract interest
rate to the outstanding unpaid balance results in a charge of less
than $1, the lawful interest charge shall be $1.
SECTION 31. Section 124.151, Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 124.151. PREPAYMENT PRIVILEGE. (a) A loan may be
prepaid in whole or in part, without penalty, during regular
working hours on any day on which the credit union is open for
business, except as provided by Subsection (b) or Section 124.152.
(b) A prepayment penalty may be charged on a business loan.
(c) In this section, "business loan" means a loan other than
a loan made primarily for personal, family, or household purposes.
SECTION 32. Section 124.351(a), Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) A credit union may invest money not used in loans to
members in:
(1) capital shares, obligations, participation
certificates, or common or preferred stock of an agency,
association, or company, subject to Section 124.352(a);
(2) loans to a national or state credit union
association or corporation of which the credit union is a member;
(3) obligations, bonds, notes, or other evidences of
indebtedness of a state or political subdivision of a state;
(4) certificates of deposit or other accounts issued
by a state or national bank, savings and loan association, savings
association, or mutual savings bank;
(5) securities, obligations, participations, or other
instruments of or issued by the United States, or in a trust
established for investing directly or collectively in those
investments;
(6) loans to, shares of, or deposits in another credit
union, a corporate central credit union, a corporate credit union,
a central liquidity facility established under state or federal
law, a trust, or an organization established for lending directly
or collectively to credit unions;
(7) securities, obligations, participations, or other
instruments fully or partially guaranteed as to principal,
interest, or both by the United States, or in a trust established
for investing directly or collectively in those investments;
(8) participation loans with another credit union,
corporation, credit organization, or financial organization;
(9) notes receivable, loans to members, or other
assets of a credit union operating under this subtitle or the
Federal Credit Union Act (12 U.S.C. Section 1751 et seq.); and
(10) other investments authorized by rules adopted by
the commission that satisfy Subsection (b).
SECTION 33. Subchapter H, Chapter 124, Finance Code, is
amended by adding Section 124.353 to read as follows:
Sec. 124.353. PASSIVE INVESTMENT IN MINERAL INTERESTS. (a)
A credit union may hold a nonworking mineral or royalty interest if:
(1) the credit union acquires the interest incidental
to a lawful investment or to avoid or minimize a loss on a loan or
investment previously made in good faith;
(2) the interest is not subject to expenses of
exploration, development, production, operation, maintenance, or
abandonment, or any other expense associated with extracting and
marketing the minerals subject to the rights or interest;
(3) the interest is reasonably valued on the books of
the credit union for not more than a nominal amount, and the
aggregate amount of earnings from those interests is separately
disclosed in the financial statements of the credit union;
(4) the credit union does not make any new investments
relating to the rights or interests without the approval of the
commissioner; and
(5) the commissioner determines that the possession of
the rights or interests is not inconsistent with the safety and
soundness of the credit union.
(b) The commissioner may order a credit union that holds a
nonworking mineral or royalty interest to divest the interest at
any time if the commissioner determines that continued ownership of
the interest is detrimental to the credit union.
(c) Subject to compliance with this section, nonworking
mineral or royalty interests are not considered to be real property
for purposes of this subtitle.
SECTION 34. Section 125.402, Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 125.402. DISCLOSURE OF RECORDS OF MEMBER;
CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) The directors, officers, committee members,
and employees and any honorary or advisory directors of a credit
union shall hold in confidence all information regarding
transactions of the credit union, including information concerning
transactions with the credit union's members and the members'
personal affairs, except to the extent necessary in connection with
making, extending, or collecting a loan or extension of credit, or
as otherwise authorized by commission rules adopted under
Subsection (d) or other applicable law.
(b) A credit union is not required to disclose or produce to
a third party or permit a third party to examine a record pertaining
to the affairs of a credit union member unless:
(1) the request is made in connection with an
examination or audit by a government agency authorized by law to
examine credit unions;
(2) the member consents to the disclosure or
production of the record; or
(3) the request is made by the department or is made in
response to:
(A) a subpoena or other court order; or
(B) an administrative subpoena or summons issued
by a state or federal agency as authorized by law.
(c) [(b)] The commission may authorize the disclosure of
information relating to a credit union member under circumstances
and conditions that the commission determines are appropriate or
required in the daily operation of the credit union's business.
(d) [(c)] The commission may adopt reasonable rules
relating to the:
(1) permissible disclosure of nonpublic personal
information about [confidentiality of] the accounts of credit union
members; and
(2) duties of the credit union to maintain [that]
confidentiality.
SECTION 35. Section 126.002(c), Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(c) The commissioner may disclose the information described
by Subsection (a) to a law enforcement agency, a share insuring
organization, or another department, agency, or instrumentality of
this state, another state, or the United States if the commissioner
determines that disclosure is necessary or proper to enforce the
laws of this state applicable to credit unions.
SECTION 36. Section 126.051(a), Finance Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(a) The department, through examiners it appoints and in
accordance with commission rules, shall [periodically] examine the
condition and affairs [books and records] of each credit union, and
may examine the condition and affairs of any subsidiary wholly
owned or controlled by a credit union, at least once during each
24-month period. The department may examine a credit union or its
subsidiaries more frequently if the commissioner considers it
necessary or advisable to safeguard the interest of depositors,
creditors, and members or to efficiently enforce applicable law.
SECTION 37. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.