TITLE 7.BANKING AND SECURITIES

Part 8. JOINT FINANCIAL REGULATORY AGENCIES

Chapter 153. HOME EQUITY LENDING

7 TAC §153.22

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Finance Commission of Texas or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Finance Commission of Texas and the Texas Credit Union Commission ("commissions") jointly re-propose the repeal of §153.22 relating to home equity lending under Texas Constitution, Article XVI, §50(a)(6). A prior proposed repeal of §153.22, published in the March 3, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 1393), is withdrawn in this issue of the Texas Register . Section 153.22 was re-proposed for comment in the June 14, 2006, issue of the Texas Register .

Harold Feeney, Credit Union Commissioner, on behalf of the Texas Credit Union Commission and Leslie L. Pettijohn, Consumer Credit Commissioner, on behalf of the Finance Commission of Texas have determined that for the first five-year period the repeal as proposed will be in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of administering or enforcing the repeal.

Commissioner Feeney and Commissioner Pettijohn also have determined that for each year of the first five years the repeal as proposed will be in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of the repeal will be clearer interpretations for lenders and consumers. The commissions proposed a new interpretation to seek comment on replacing existing §153.22, which was published in the March 3, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 1393). The commissions received comments on the new proposal which prompted staff to recommend certain changes in the language of the proposed new §153.22. The commissions believe that further public input would be beneficial and have decided to republish the interpretation for further comment. Consequently this repeal is being re-proposed as well. There is no anticipated cost to persons who are required to comply with the repeal as proposed. There will be no adverse economic effect on small or micro businesses. There will be no effect on individuals required to comply with the repeal as proposed.

Written comments on the re-proposed repeal may be submitted in to Harold Feeney, Commissioner, Credit Union Department, 914 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752-1699, or to Sealy Hutchings, General Counsel, Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, 2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, Texas 78705-4207 or by email to commissioner@tcud.state.tx.us or sealy.hutchings@occc.state.tx.us. To be considered, a written comment must be received on or before the 30th day after the date the proposed repeal is published in the Texas Register . At the conclusion of the 30th day after the proposed repeal is published in the Texas Register , no further written comments will be considered or accepted by the commissions.

The interpretation repeal is re-proposed pursuant to Texas Finance Code, §§11.308 and 15.413 (as added by Acts 2003, 78th Legislature, Chapter 1207, §2), which separately and independently authorize each commission to issue interpretations of the Texas Constitution, Article XVI, §50(a)(5)-(7), (e)-(p), (t), and (u), subject to Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001.

The Texas Constitution, Article XVI, §50(a)(6) is affected by the re-proposed repeal.

§153.22.Copies of Documents: Section 50(a)(6)(Q)(v).

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 13, 2006.

TRD-200603740

Leslie L. Pettijohn

Commissioner

Joint Financial Regulatory Agencies

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 27, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7640