BILL NUMBER: AB 469 AMENDED BILL TEXT AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 18, 2013 INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Wagner FEBRUARY 19, 2013 An act to amendSectionSections 17511.1 and 17511.4 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to advertising. LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 469, as amended, Wagner. Telephonic sellers: loan modifications. Existing law provides for the regulation of telephonic sellers, and requires that a telephonic seller register with the Department of Justice and file specified information with the department , as specified. Existing law defines "telephonic seller" to include, among others, a person who represents or implies in a telephonic solicitation, whether or not initiated by the telephonic seller, that he or she is offering to make a loan, or to arrange or assist in arranging a loan or to assist in providing informationwhichthat may lead to the obtaining of a loan, with a specified exception. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor to solicit prospects on behalf of a telephonic seller who is not registered with the department. This bill would include in the definition of telephonic sellers a person who represents or implies in a telephonic solicitation, whether initiated by the telephonic seller or made in response to inquiries generated by advertisements on behalf of the telephonic seller, that he or she is offering to arrange or assist in arranging the modification of an existing loan, or to assist in providing informationwhichthat may lead to the obtaining of a loan modification, as specified. The bill would require these telephonic sellers to file certain information with the department, including the names and addresses of all persons who, in t he previous 24 months, obtained loan modifications for individuals who responded to the seller's solicitations or representations. Becausethisthe bill would expand the scope of a crime, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes. THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. Section 17511.1 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 17511.1. As used in this article, "telephonic seller" or "seller" means a person who, on his or her own behalf or through salespersons or through the use of an automatic dialing-announcing device, as defined in Section 2871 of the Public Utilities Code, causes a telephone solicitation or attempted telephone solicitation to occurwhichthat meets the criteria specified in subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d) and who is not exempted by subdivision (e), as follows: (a) A telephone solicitation or attempted telephone solicitation wherein the telephonic seller initiates telephonic contact with a prospective purchaser and represents or implies one or more of the following: (1) That a prospective purchaser who buys one or more items will also receive additional or other items, whether or not of the same type as purchased, without further cost. For purposes of this subdivision, "further cost" does not include actual postage or common carrier delivery charges, if any. (2) That a prospective purchaser will receive a prize or gift, if the person also encourages the prospective purchaser to do either of the following: (A) Purchase or rent any goods or services. (B) Pay any money, including, but not limited to, a delivery or handling charge. (3) That a prospective purchaser is able to obtain any item or service at a pricewhichthat the seller states or implies is below the regular price of the item or service offered. This paragraph shall not apply to retailers who, within the previous 12 months, have sold a majority of their goods or services through in-person sales at retail stores. (4) That a prospective purchaser who buys office equipment or supplies will, because of some unusual event or imminent price increase, be able to buy these items at priceswhichthat are below those that are usually charged or will be charged for the items. (5) That the seller is a person other than the person he or she is. (6) That the items for sale are manufactured or supplied by a person other than the actual manufacturer or supplier. (7) That the seller is offering to sell the prospective purchaser any gold, silver, or other metals, includingcoins,coins; diamonds, rubies, sapphires, or otherstones,stones; coal or other minerals, or any interest in oil, gas, or mineral fields, wells, or exploration sites, or any other investment opportunity of any type whatsoever. (8) That the seller is offering to make a loan, or to arrange or assist in arranging a loan or modification of an existing loan, or to assist in providing informationwhichthat may lead to the obtaining of a loan or modification of an existing loan, unless no payment of any kind is made until the loan proceeds are disbursed to the borrower. (9) That a prospective purchaser will receive a credit card, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1747.02 of the Civil Code, if the purchaser pays an upfront or preapplication fee for the credit card to the telephonic seller. (b) A solicitation or attempted solicitationwhichthat is made by telephone in response to inquiries generated by unrequested notifications sent by the seller to persons who have not previously purchased goods or services from the seller or who have not previously requested credit from the seller, to a prospective purchaser wherein the seller represents or implies to the recipient of the notification that any of the following applies to the recipient: (1) That the recipient has in any manner been specially selected to receive the notification or the offer contained in the notification. (2) That the recipient will receive a prize or gift if the recipient calls the seller. (3) That if the recipient buys one or more items from the seller, the recipient will also receive additional or other items, whether or not of the same type as purchased, without further cost or at a costwhichthat the seller states or implies is less than the regular price ofsuchthese items. However, this subdivision does not apply to the solicitation of sales by a catalog seller who periodically issues and delivers catalogs to potential purchasers by mail or by other means. This exception only applies if the catalog includes a written description or illustration and the sales price of each item of merchandise offered for sale, includes at least 24 full pages of written material or illustrations, is distributed in more than one state, and has an annual circulation of not less than 250,000 customers. (c) A solicitation or attempted solicitationwhichthat is made by telephone in response to inquiries generated by advertisements on behalf of the telephonic seller wherein it is represented or implied that the seller is offering to sell to the prospective purchaser any gold, silver, or other metals, includingcoins,coins; diamonds, rubies, sapphires, or otherstones,stones; coal or other minerals, or any interest in oil, gas, or mineral fields, wells, or exploration sites, or any other investment opportunity of any type whatsoever. (d) A solicitation or attempted solicitationwhichthat is made by telephone in response to inquiries generated by advertisements on behalf of the telephonic seller wherein it is represented or implied that the seller is offering to make a loan or to arrange or assist in arranging a loan or modification of an existing loan, or to assist in providing informationwhichthat may lead to the obtaining of a loan or modification of an existing loan, unless no payment of any kind is made until the loan proceeds are disbursed to the borrower. (e) For purposes of this article, "telephonic seller" or "seller" does not include any of the following: (1) A person offering or selling a security qualified under Section 25110, 25120, or 25130 of the Corporations Code or exempt from qualification under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 25100) of Part 2 of Division 1 of Title 4 of the Corporations Code. The fact that a notice claiming an exemption under the Corporate Securities Law of 1968 is filed with the Department of Corporations does not create an exemption under this paragraph. (2) A person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4, when the solicited transaction is governed by that law. (3) A person licensed pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 7000) of Division 3, when the solicited transaction is governed by that law. (4) A person licensed or certificated pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 680) of Division 1 of the Insurance Code, including a person licensed pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 1621) thereof, when the solicited transaction is governed by that law. (5) A person offering or selling a franchise registered pursuant to Section 31110 of the Corporations Code or exempt from registration under Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 31100) of Part 2 of Division 5 of Title 4 of the Corporations Code. The fact that a notice claiming an exemption under the Franchise Investment Law is filed with the Department of Corporations does not create an exemption under this paragraph. (6) A person soliciting the sale of a seller assisted marketing plan, as defined in Title 2.7 (commencing with Section 1812.200) of Part 4 of Division 3 of the Civil Code, who has filed with the Attorney General the documents required by Section 1812.203 of the Civil Code. (7) A person primarily soliciting the sale of a newspaper of general circulation, as defined in Article 1 (commencing with Section 6000) of Chapter 1 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, a magazine, or membership in a book or record club whose program operates in conformity with the requirements of Section 1584.5 of the Civil Code. (8) A person soliciting business from prospective purchasers who have previously purchased from the business enterprise for which the person is calling. (9) A person soliciting without the intent to complete and who does not complete the sales presentation during the telephone solicitation but completes the sales presentation at a later face-to-face meeting between the solicitor and the prospective purchaser. However, if a seller, directly following a telephone solicitation, causes an individual whose primary purpose it is to go to the prospective purchaser to collect the payment or deliver any item purchased, this exemption does not apply. (10) Any supervised financial institution or parent, subsidiary, or subsidiary of parent thereof. As used in this paragraph, "supervised financial institution" means any commercial bank, trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, industrial loan company, personal property broker, consumer finance lender, commercial finance lender, or insurer, provided that the institution is subject to supervision by an official or agency of this state or of the United States. (11) A person soliciting the sale of a preneed funeral arrangement regulated by Article 9 (commencing with Section 7735) of Chapter 12 of Division 3. (12) A person licensed pursuant to Chapter 19 (commencing with Section 9600) of Division 3 when acting pursuant to that licensure. (13) A person soliciting the sale of services provided by a cable television system licensed or franchised pursuant to Section 53066 of the Government Code or any other authority. (14) A person or an affiliate of a person whose business is regulated by the Public Utilities Commission. (15) A person soliciting the sale of a commodity pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 58601) of Division 21 of the Food and Agricultural Code, if the solicitation neither intends to, nor actually results in, a salewhichthat costs the purchaser in excess of one hundred dollars ($100). (16) An issuer or subsidiary of an issuer that has a security listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., if the exchange or interdealer quotation system has been certified by rule or order of the Commissioner of Corporations under subdivision (o) of Section 25100 of the Corporations Code. A subsidiary of an issuer that qualifies for exemption under this paragraph is not itself exempt unless not less than 60 percent of the voting power of its shares is owned by the qualifying issuer or issuers. (17) A person soliciting exclusively the sale of telephone answering services to be provided by that person or that person's employer. (18) A person soliciting a transaction regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission if the person is registered or temporarily licensed for this activity with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission under the Commodity Exchange Act (7 U.S.C. Sec. 1 et seq.), and the registration or license has not expired or been suspended or revoked. (19) A person who sells coins or bullion at a pricewhichthat is not more than 25 percent more than the price at which the seller is concurrently buying the same coins or bullion, if: (A) the seller has had a retail location in California from which he or she has been selling coins or bullion to the public in person for at least three years; (B) the telephonic solicitations are not the person's primary business and sales made telephonically make up less than 20 percent of the person's total retail sales; and (C) the person claiming an exemption pursuant to this subdivision complies with Section 17511.3, as applicable, and subdivision (p) of Section 17511.4. (20) A person licensed pursuant to Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 1800) of Division 1 of the Financial Code to receive money for transmittal to foreign countries if the license has not expired or been suspended or revoked. (21) A person licensed as a residential mortgage lender or servicer pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, when acting under the authority of that license. (22) A corporation that meets all of the following conditions: (A) It has been exempt from taxation under Section 23701e of the Revenue and Taxation Code for a minimum of 10 years. (B) It has maintained its principal purpose for a minimum of 10 years. (C) It has been incorporated in the state for a minimum of 25 years. (f) In any civil proceeding alleging a violation of this article, the burden of proving an exemption or an exception from a definition is upon the person claiming it, and in any criminal proceeding alleging a violation of this article, the burden of producing evidence to support a defense based upon an exemption or an exception from a definition is upon the person claiming it. (g) Compliance with this article does not satisfy nor substitute for any requirements for license, registration, or regulation mandated by other laws. SEC. 2. Section 17511.4 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read: 17511.4. Each filing pursuant to Section 17511.3 shall contain the following information: (a) The name or names of the seller, including the name under which the seller is doing or intends to do business, if different from the name of the seller, and the name of any parent or affiliated organization (1) that will engage in business transactions with purchasers relating to sales solicited by the seller or (2) that accepts responsibility for statements made by, or acts of, the seller relating to sales solicited by the seller. (b) The seller's business form and place of organization and, if the seller is a corporation, a copy of its articles of incorporation and bylaws and amendments thereto, or, if a partnership, a copy of the partnership agreement, or if operating under a fictitious business name, the location where the fictitious name has been registered. All the same information shall be included for any parent or affiliated organization disclosed pursuant to subdivision (a). (c) The complete street address or addresses of all locations, designating the principal location from which the telephonic seller will be conducting business. If the principal business location of the seller is not in this state, then the seller shall also designate which of its locations within this state is its main location in the state. (d) A listing of all telephone numbers to be used by the seller and the address where each telephone using each of these telephone numbers is located. (e) The name of, and the office held by, the seller's officers, directors, trustees, general and limited partners, sole proprietor, and owners, as the case may be, and the names of those persons who have management responsibilities in connection with the seller's business activities. (f) The complete address of the principal residence, the date of birth, and the driver's license number and state of issuance of each of the persons whose names are disclosed pursuant to subdivision (e). (g) The name and principal residence address of each person the telephonic seller leaves in charge at each location from which the seller does business in this state, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 17511.3, and the business locationwhichthat each of these persons is or will be in charge of. (h) A statement, meeting the requirements of this subdivision, as to both the seller, whether a corporation, partnership, firm, association, joint venture, or any other type of business entity (and whether identified pursuant to subdivision (e) or (g) or not), and as to any person identified pursuant to subdivision (e) or (g) who: (1) Has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving an alleged violation of this article, or fraud, theft, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, or misappropriation of property. For purposes of this paragraph, a plea of nolo contendere is a conviction. (2) Has had entered against him or her a final judgment or order in a civil or administrative action, including a stipulated judgment or order, if the complaint or petition in the civil or administrative action alleged acts constituting a violation of this article, fraud, theft, embezzlement, fraudulent conversion, or misappropriation of property, the use of untrue or misleading representations in an attempt to sell or dispose of real or personal property, or the use of unfair, unlawful, or deceptive business practices. (3) Is subject to any currently effective injunction or restrictive court order relating to business activity as the result of an action brought by a federal, state, or local public agency or unit thereof, including, but not limited to, an action affecting any vocational license. (4) Has at any time during the previous seven tax years been the subject of an order for relief in bankruptcy, been reorganized due to insolvency, or been a principal, director, officer, trustee, general or limited partner, or had management responsibilities of any other corporation, partnership, joint venture, or business entity, that has been the subject of an order for relief in bankruptcy during or within one year after the period that the person held that position. For purposes of paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), the statement required by this subdivision shall identify the seller or person, the court or administrative agency rendering the conviction, judgment, or order, the docket number of the matter, the date of the conviction, judgment, or order, and the name of the governmental agency, if any, that brought the action resulting in the conviction, judgment, or order. For purposes of paragraph (4), the statement required by this subdivision shall include the name and location of the seller or person that has been the subject of an order for relief in bankruptcy, or reorganized due to insolvency, and shall include the date thereof, the courtwhichthat exercised jurisdiction, and the docket number of the matter. (i) A list of the names, principal residence addresses, the date of birth, and the driver's license number and state of issuance thereof, of salespersons who solicit on behalf of the telephonic seller and the names the salespersons use while so soliciting. No salesperson shall use the same name as used by any other salesperson soliciting for the telephonic seller and no telephonic seller shall permit a salesperson to use the same name as used by any other salesperson soliciting for the telephonic seller. (j) A description of the items the seller is offering for sale and a copy of all sales scripts the telephonic seller requires salespersons to use when soliciting prospective purchasers, or if no sales script is required to be used, a statement to that effect. (k) A copy of all sales information and literature (including, but not limited to, scripts, outlines, instructions, and information regarding how to conduct telephonic sales, sample introductions, sample closings, product information, and contest or premium-award information) provided by the telephonic seller to salespersons or of which the seller informs salespersons, and a copy of all written materials the seller sends to any prospective or actual purchaser. ( l ) If the telephonic seller represents or implies, or directs salespersons to represent or imply, to purchasers that the purchaser will receive certain specific items (including a certificate of any typewhichthat the purchaser must redeem to obtain the item described in the certificate) or one or more items from among designated items, whether the items are denominated as gifts, premiums, bonuses, prizes, or otherwise, the filing shall include the following: (1) A list of the items offered. (2) The value or worth of each item described to prospective purchasers and the basis for the valuation. (3) The price paid by the telephonic seller to its supplier for each of these items and the name, address, and telephone number of each item's supplier. (4) If the purchaser is to receive fewer than all of the items described by the seller, the filing shall include the following: (A) The manner in which the telephonic seller decides which item or items a particular prospective purchaser is to receive. (B) The odds a single prospective purchaser has of receiving each described item. (C) The name and address of each recipient who has, during the preceding 12 months (or if the seller has not been in business that long, during the period the telephonic seller has been in business) received the item having the greatest value and the item with the smallest odds of being received. (5) All rules, regulations, terms, and conditions a prospective purchaser must meet in order to receive the item. (m) If the telephonic seller is offering to sell any metal, stone, or mineral, the filing shall include the following: (1) The name, address, and telephone number of each of the seller' s suppliers and a description of each metal, stone, or mineral provided by the supplier. (2) If possession of any metal, stone, or mineral is to be retained by the seller or will not be transferred to the purchaser until the purchaser has paid in full, the filing shall include the following: (A) The address of each location where the metal, stone, or mineral will be kept. (B) If not kept on premises owned by the seller or at an address or addresses set forth in compliance with subdivision (c), the name of the owner of the business at which the metal, stone, or mineral will be kept. (C) A copy of any contract or other documentwhichthat evidences the seller's right to store the metal, stone, or mineral at the address or addresses designated pursuant to subparagraph (A). (3) If the seller is not selling the metal, stone, or mineral from its own inventory, but instead purchases the metal, stone, or mineral to fill orders taken from purchasers, the filing shall include copies of all contracts or other documents evidencing the seller's ability to call upon suppliers to fill the seller's orders. (4) If the seller represents to purchasers that the seller has insurance or a surety bond of any type relating to a purchaser's purchase of any metal, stone, or mineral from the seller, the filing shall include a complete copy of all these insurance policies and bonds. (5) If the seller makes any representation as to the earning or profit potential of purchases of any metal, stone, or mineral, the filing shall include data to substantiate the claims made. If the representation relates to previous sales made by the seller or a related entity, substantiating data shall be based on the experiences of at least 50 percent of the persons who have purchased the particular metal, stone, or mineral from the seller or related entity during the preceding six months (or if the seller or related entity has not been in business that long, during the period the seller or related entity has been in business) and shall include the raw data upon which the representation is based, including, but not limited to, all of the following: (A) The length of time the seller or related entity has been selling the particular metal, stone, or mineral being offered. (B) The number of purchasers thereof from the seller or related entity known to the seller or related entity to have made at least the same earnings or profit as those represented. (C) The percentage that the number disclosed pursuant to subparagraph (B) represents of the total number of purchasers from the seller or related entity of the particular metal, stone, or mineral. (n) If the telephonic seller is offering to sell an interest in oil, gas, or mineral fields, wells, or exploration sites, the filing shall include disclosure of the following: (1) The seller's ownership interest, if any, in each field, well, or site being offered for sale. (2) The total number of interests to be sold in each field, well, or site being offered for sale. (3) If, in selling an interest in any particular field, well, or site, reference is made to an investigation of these fields, wells, or sites by the seller or anyone else, the filing shall include the following: (A) The name, business address, telephone number, and professional credentials of the person or persons who made the investigation. (B) A copy of the report and other documents relating to the investigation prepared by the person or persons. (4) If the seller makes any representation as to the earning or profit potential of purchases of any interest in these fields, wells, or sites, the filing shall include data to substantiate the claims made. If the representation relates to previous sales made by the seller or a related entity, the substantiating data shall be based on the experiences of at least 50 percent of the purchasers of the particular interests from the seller or the related entity during the preceding six months (or if the seller has not been in business that long, during the period the seller or related entity has been in business) and shall include the raw data upon which the representation is based, including, but not limited to, all of the following: (A) The length of time the seller or related entity has been selling the particular interests in the fields, wells, or sites being offered. (B) The number of purchasers of the particular interests from the seller or related entity known to the seller to have made, at least the same earnings as those represented. (C) The percentage the number disclosed pursuant to subparagraph (B) represents of the total number of purchasers of the particular interests from the seller or related entity. (o) The name and address of the telephonic seller's agent in this state, other than the Attorney General, authorized to receive service of process in this state. (p) If a person, based on paragraph (19) of subdivision (c) of Section 17511.1, claims an exemption from having to file the information required by subdivisions (a) to (o), inclusive, the person shall file, on a form provided by the Attorney General, the following information: (1) The name or names of the person claiming the exemption, including the name under which the person is doing or intends to do business. (2) The person's business form, and place of organization, whether corporate or otherwise; or, if operating under a fictitious business name, the location where the fictitious name has been registered. (3) The complete street address of the person's retail locations, and telephone numbers located therein and a statement as to how long the person has been selling at retail from each location. (4) A copy of the person's currently valid business license. (5) A statement reflecting the dollar amount of the person's total retail sales during the 12 months preceding the filing. (6) A statement reflecting the dollar amount of the person's sales made telephonically during the 12 months preceding the filing. The filing shall be verified by a declaration signed under penalty of perjury by each principal of the person claiming the exemption. The declaration shall specify the date and location of signing. If a person filing pursuant to subdivision (p) makes any representation to a prospective purchaser as to the historical movements or changes in the price or value of any coin or bullion, the person shall maintain in its records sufficient data to substantiate each representation. This data shall be retained in the person's records for a period of at least three years after the last date on which a representation is made and shall be made available for inspection upon request by any governmental agency at each of its business locations. (q) If the telephonic seller represents or implies, or directs salespersons to represent or imply, that the telephonic seller can, or may be able to, make a loan or arrange or assist in arranging a loan or to assist in providing informationwhichthat may lead to the obtaining of a loan, the filing shall include the following: (1) The names and addresses of all persons who, in the previous 24 months, lent money to those who responded to the seller's solicitations or lent money to the telephonic seller for the seller to lend to those who responded to the seller's representations that it could make a loan or arrange or assist in arranging a loan or could assist in providing informationwhichthat could lead to the obtaining of a loan. (2) The names and addresses of all persons who, in the previous 24 months, lent money to those who responded to the solicitations of the seller's predecessor or the seller's officers, owners, or those persons having present management responsibilities or to companies with which they were associated, that they could make a loan or arrange or assist in arranging a loan or could assist in providing informationwhichthat could lead to the obtaining of a loan or lent money to the seller's predecessor or the seller's officers, owners, or those persons having present management responsibilities or to companies with which they were associated for them to lend to those who responded to these representations. (3) The names and addresses of all persons who have informed the telephonic seller that they may be able to lend money, within the next 12 months from the date of this registration, to persons solicited by the seller or to the telephonic seller for the seller to lend to those who respond to the seller's representations that it can make a loan or arrange or assist in arranging a loan or can assist in providing informationwhichthat can lead to the obtaining of a loan. (4) Copies of all contracts between the seller and lenders or prospective lenders who may lend money: (A) to the seller to lend to individuals who, in connection with the seller's business activities, respond to the seller's representations that it can make a loan or arrange or assist in arranging a loan or can assist in providing informationwhichthat can lead to the obtaining of a loan; or (B) directly to persons to whom the seller may represent that it can arrange or assist in providing informationwhichthat can lead to the obtaining of a loan. (r) If the telephonic seller represents or implies, or directs salespersons to represent or imply, that the telephonic seller can, or may be able to, modify an existing loan or arrange or assist in arranging a loan modification or to assist in providing information that may lead to the obtaining of a loan modification, the filing shall include the following: (1) The names and addresses of all persons who, in the previous 24 months, obtained loan modifications for those who responded to the seller's solicitations or representations that it could modify an existing loan or arrange for or assist in arranging for a loan modification or could assist in providing information that could lead to the modification of an existing loan. (2) The names and addresses of all persons who, in the previous 24 months, obtained loan modifications for those who responded to the solicitations or representations of the seller's predecessor that it could modify an existing loan or arrange for or assist in arranging for a loan modification or could assist in providing information that could lead to the modification of an existing loan.SEC. 2.SEC. 3. No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution.