BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 620
                                                                  Page  1

          ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
          AB 620  (Leno)
          As Amended April 28, 2003
          Majority vote 

           BANKING AND FINANCE           12-0                                
                              
           
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          |Ayes:|Wiggins, Bogh, Calderon,  |     |                          |
          |     |Chan, Chavez, Corbett,    |     |                          |
          |     |Correa, Houston, Leslie,  |     |                          |
          |     |Monta?ez, Strickland,     |     |                          |
          |     |Vargas                    |     |                          |
          |-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
          |     |                          |     |                          |
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           SUMMARY  :  Allows construction or rehabilitation loans with  
          multiple lenders to be made based on the value of the property  
          after improvements are completed.  Specifically,  this bill   
          allows that the term "current market value" may be the value of  
          the completed project if the following safeguards are met: 

          1)An independent, neutral third-party escrow account is used for  
            all deposits and disbursements.

          2)A comprehensive, detailed, draw schedule is used to ensure  
            proper and timely disbursements to allow for completion of the  
            project.

          3)The loan is fully funded with the entire loan amount put in  
            escrow prior to recording the deed or deeds of trust. 

          4)The transaction documents include a detailed description of  
            actions that may be taken in the event of a failure to  
            complete the project.

          5)The disbursement draws are based on verification from an  
            independent qualified person who certifies that the work  
            completed to-date meets the related codes and standards and  
            that the draws were made in accordance with the construction  
            contract and draw schedule.  

          6)An appraisal is completed by a qualified and licensed  
            appraiser in accordance with the Uniform Standards of  








                                                                  AB 620
                                                                  Page  2

            Professional Appraisal Practice. 

          7)The loan amount does not exceed $2.5 million.

           EXISTING LAW  :  
           
          1)Permits licensed real estate brokers to arrange loans with  
            multiple lenders (where more than one private investor has a  
            partial ownership interest in a mortgage note secured by real  
            property).  This provision, known as the multi-lender law,  
            governs transactions that involve the sale of 10 or less notes  
            secured by real property.  

           2)Provides that loans made under the multi-lender law are  
            regulated by the Department of Real Estate and must meet  
            specified requirements in order to protect those who invest in  
            the loan.

          8)Exempts transactions completed under the multi-lender law from  
            securities' laws under the jurisdiction of the Department of  
            Corporations. 

           FISCAL EFFECT  :  None

           COMMENTS  :  Real estate brokers typically make loans under the  
          multi-lender law for construction and rehabilitation projects.   
          These loans have historically been made based on the value of  
          properties after construction or rehabilitation projects were  
          completed.  This bill allows that practice to continue and  
          creates new protections for investors.
           

          Analysis Prepared by  :   Margaret Gladstein / B. & F. / (916)  
          319-3081

                                                                FN: 0000570