Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1247

Filed
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to credit services organizations and extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit services organizations; providing civil and administrative penalties.

Impact

One significant aspect of SB1247 is the restrictions it places on the amounts that can be lent to consumers based on their income levels. Specifically, under the provisions of the bill, limits are placed on single-payment and multiple-payment deferred presentment transactions, as well as motor vehicle title loans. This could have profound implications for lending practices, particularly for low-income borrowers who might be more vulnerable to predatory lending practices. By linking loan amounts to consumers' incomes, the bill could potentially reduce the cycle of debt that often accompanies high-interest loans.

Summary

SB1247 is a bill aimed at regulating credit services organizations in Texas, particularly focusing on the extension of consumer credit through various means such as deferred presentment transactions and motor vehicle title loans. The bill outlines new standards for how these organizations can operate, including the disclosure of terms and conditions to consumers, and the obligations placed upon credit access businesses when facilitating these types of loans. Additionally, it introduces civil and administrative penalties for violations of these regulations, aiming to create a more transparent lending environment for consumers.

Contention

The bill has been met with some contention, particularly regarding the preemption of local ordinances by state law. Section 393.633 explicitly states that local rules regulating credit access businesses are overridden by this chapter, which opponents argue could hinder local efforts to impose stricter regulations tailored to specific community needs. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the extensive powers given to the finance commission in rule-making, which allows for potential future expansions of credit access under less stringent conditions, potentially undermining the protections designed for consumers.

Companion Bills

TX HB2706

Identical Relating to certain extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit access businesses; providing a civil penalty.

Previously Filed As

TX HB297

Relating to credit services organizations and extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit services organizations; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX HB2256

Relating to a restriction on total charges charged for extensions of consumer credit that a credit services organization obtains for a consumer or assists a consumer in obtaining.

TX HB1384

Relating to a restriction on total charges charged for certain extensions of consumer credit that are facilitated by credit access businesses and entered into by consumers residing in disaster areas.

TX SB895

Relating to the regulation of money services businesses; creating a criminal offense; creating administrative penalties; authorizing the imposition of a fee.

TX SB2245

Relating to the regulation of earned wage access services; creating a criminal offense; providing an administrative penalty; authorizing a fee.

TX SB1371

Relating to the regulation of consumer credit transactions and the regulatory authority of the consumer credit commissioner; changing a fee.

TX HB3275

Relating to the regulation of consumer credit transactions and the regulatory authority of the consumer credit commissioner; changing a fee.

TX HB3827

Relating to the regulation of earned wage access services; requiring an occupational license; providing an administrative penalty; imposing fees.

TX HB2226

Relating to state and municipal motor fuel taxes; providing civil penalties; creating criminal offenses; requiring occupational licenses; authorizing the imposition of taxes; providing for increases and decreases in the rates of taxes.

TX HB2324

Relating to the regulation of certain health professionals and health facilities; providing civil and administrative penalties; creating a criminal offense.

Similar Bills

TX SB121

Relating to credit services organizations and extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit services organizations; providing civil and administrative penalties.

TX HB1020

Relating to credit services organizations and extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit services organizations; providing civil and administrative penalties.

TX SB1716

Relating to extensions of consumer credit a credit services organization obtains for a consumer or assists a consumer in obtaining; providing a civil penalty.

TX HB2706

Relating to certain extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit access businesses; providing a civil penalty.

TX HB3047

Relating to credit services organizations and extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit services organizations; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX HB768

Relating to credit services organizations and extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit services organizations; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX HB297

Relating to credit services organizations and extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit services organizations; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX HB1134

Relating to credit services organizations and extensions of consumer credit facilitated by credit services organizations; increasing a criminal penalty.