TITLE 7.BANKING AND SECURITIES

Part 7. STATE SECURITIES BOARD

Chapter 107. TERMINOLOGY

7 TAC §107.2

The State Securities Board proposes an amendment to §107.2, concerning definitions. The amendment would change the definition for "rendering services as an investment adviser" and add a definition for "federal covered investment adviser" that comports with House Bill 2255, enacted by the 77th Texas Legislature.

Michael S. Gunst, Director, Dealer Registration Division, and David Grauer, Director, Enforcement Division, have determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Gunst and Mr. Grauer also have determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be that persons seeking guidance about terms used in the Board's rules will find defined terms used consistently throughout. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal to be considered by the Board should be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication of the proposed section in the Texas Register . Comments should be sent to David Weaver, State Securities Board, P.O. Box 13167, Austin, Texas 78711-3167.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 581-28-1. Section 28-1 provides the Board with the authority to adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out and implement the provisions of the Texas Securities Act, including rules and regulations governing registration statements and applications; defining terms; classifying securities, persons, and matters within its jurisdiction; and prescribing different requirements for different classes.

The proposed amendment affects Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 581-4, 581-12, and 581-13.

§107.2.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in Part VII of this title (relating to the State Securities Board), shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) - (31) (No change.)

(32) Rendering services as an investment adviser--Any act by which investment advisory services are provided for compensation. [ person coming within the designation cannot conduct such activity without first being registered as an investment adviser/dealer under the provisions of the Act or notice-filed under the provisions of §116.1(b)(2)(A) of this title (relating to General Provisions). Likewise, every person employed or appointed, or authorized by such person to render services which include the giving of investment advice cannot conduct such activities unless registered as a dealer/investment adviser, a salesman, or an agent under the provisions of the Act, or notice-filed as a dealer/investment adviser, a salesman, or an agent under the provisions of §116.1(b)(2)(B) of this title. ]

(33) - (43) (No change.)

(44) Federal covered investment adviser--An investment adviser who is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. §80b-1 et seq.), as amended and not required to be registered pursuant to the Texas Securities Act.

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 August 13, 2001.

TRD-200104662

Denise Voigt Crawford

Securities Commissioner

State Securities Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 23, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8300


Chapter 115. SECURITIES DEALERS AND AGENTS

7 TAC §§115.1 - 115.3, 115.5, 115.7, 115.8

The State Securities Board proposes amendments to §115.1, concerning general provisions; §115.2, concerning application requirements; §115.3, concerning examinations; §115.5, concerning minimum records; §115.7, concerning maintenance and inspection of records; and §115.8, concerning fee requirements.

The amendment to §115.1 would add a definition for "solicitor" and provides for limited registration as such.

The amendment to §115.2(a) would eliminate the requirement to file a separate consent to service of process document. Amendments made in House Bill 2255 ("HB 2255") to Section 8 of the Texas Securities Act ("TSA") would render the consent to service contained in the Form BD adequate and eliminate the need for a separate document to be executed. Form 133.16 would also be eliminated due to changes made to the TSA by HB 2255 rendering it unnecessary. Changes in subsection (d) would provide for the automatic withdrawal of applications for dealer or agent registration (initial registration or otherwise) if an applicant fails to respond to the staff's written requests for information when the application has been pending for a period of six months or more. Subsection (e) would be changed to correct a cross- reference to (a).

The amendment to §115.3 would provide an examination waiver for a person acting as a solicitor for a dealer and remove a requirement to surrender evidences of registration for cancellation.

The amendments to §115.5 and §115.7 would conform their provisions with the terminology used in new Section 13-1 added to the TSA by HB 2255.

The amendment to §115.8 would add a new subsection (c) to correspond to the language added in Section 42.C of the TSA by HB 2255.

Michael S. Gunst, Director, Dealer Registration Division, and David Grauer, Director, Enforcement Division, have determined that for the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Mr. Gunst and Mr. Grauer also have determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be to apprise dealers and their agents of their obligations under the Texas Securities Act and Board rules. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments on the proposal to be considered by the Board should be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication of the proposed sections in the Texas Register . Comments should be sent to David Weaver, State Securities Board, P.O. Box 13167, Austin, Texas 78711-3167.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 581-28-1, 581-12.B, and 581-42.B. Section 28-1 provides the Board with the authority to adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out and implement the provisions of the Texas Securities Act, including rules and regulations governing registration statements and applications; defining terms; classifying securities, persons, and matters within its jurisdiction; and prescribing different requirements for different classes. Section 12.B provides the Board with the authority to prescribe new dealer/agent registration exemptions by rule. Section 42.B provides the Board with the authority to adopt rules reducing fees for person required to register in two or more capacities.

The proposed amendments affect Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 581-12 through 581-13, 581-15 through 581-19, and 581- 25.

§115.1.General Provisions.

(a) Definitions. Words and terms used in this chapter are also defined in §107.2 of this title (relating to Definitions). The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) - (8) (No change.)

(9) Solicitor--Any agent who limits their activities to referring potential clients to a dealer for compensation.

(b) Registration requirements of dealers, issuers, agents, solicitors, and branch offices.

(1) Requirements of registration.

(A) No dealer, issuer, [ or ] agent , or solicitor of a dealer or issuer shall sell or offer for sale any securities within this state without first being registered as a dealer , [ or ] agent, or solicitor or exempt from registration.

(B) (No change.)

(2) (No change.)

(c) Types of registrations.

(1) (No change.)

(2) Restricted registration. The restricted registrations are as follows:

(A) - (K) (No change.)

(L) registration to deal in all general securities except municipal securities; [ and ]

(M) registration to act as a solicitor for a dealer; and

(N) [ (M) ] registration with other restrictions which the Securities Commissioner may impose based upon the facts.

(3) (No change.)

§115.2.Application Requirements.

(a) Securities dealer application requirements. A complete application consists of the following and must be filed in paper form with the Securities Commissioner:

(1) - (2) (No change.)

[(3) Form 133.16, an agreement for maintenance and inspection of records;]

(3) [ (4) ] a copy of articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, articles of association, trust agreement, or other documents which indicate the form of organization, certified by the appropriate jurisdiction or by an officer or partner of the applicant;

[(5) all foreign corporations and other nonresident applicants must file an irrevocable consent to service of process utilizing Forms U-2 and U-2A, or Form 133.8;]

(4) [ (6) ] assumed name certificate, if applicable. The improper use by an applicant of an assumed name containing "incorporated," "corporation," "associates," "limited," or an abbreviation of one of those words, may be grounds for denying registration of the applicant if such designation is thereby misleading;

(5) [ (7) ] a balance sheet prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices reflecting the financial condition of the dealer as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date of such filing. The balance sheet should be prepared by independent certified public accountants or independent public accountants, or must instead be attested by the sworn notarized statement of the applicant's principal financial officer. If attested by the principal financial officer of the applicant, such officer shall certify as follows: I am the principal financial officer of (name of dealer). The accompanying balance sheet has been prepared under my direction and control and presents fairly its financial position on the dates indicated to the best of my knowledge, belief, and ability. (Signature and Title).

(6) [ (8) ] Form 133.23, a franchise tax certification form;

(7) [ (9) ] any other information deemed necessary by the Securities Commissioner to determine a dealer's financial responsibility or a dealer's or agent's business repute or qualifications; and

(8) [ (10) ] the appropriate registration fee(s).

(b) - (c) (No change.)

(d) Withdrawal [ and abandonment ] of a dealer or agent [ initial ] application for registration.

[(1) Any initial application for dealer or agent registration that fails to meet registration requirements within six months of the filing date of the application will be considered withdrawn. A copy of this subsection will be mailed to the applicant at least 30 days prior to the withdrawal of the application pursuant to this subsection.]

[ (2) ] If an applicant for registration with the Securities Commissioner as a dealer or agent fails to make any type of response to the most recent written request for information relating to an application that has been pending for six months, the application will be considered withdrawn. This withdrawal will occur automatically if the applicant fails to respond to the most recent written request for information sent by certified mail to the applicant's address as set forth in the application. This certified written request shall inform the applicant that the application will be considered withdrawn if a response to the request for information is not received within 30 days from the date of the certified letter. A copy of this subsection and the most recent written request for information will be included with the certified letter.

(e) Central Registration Depository System (CRD).

(1) Whenever the Texas Securities Act or Board rules require the filing of an application with the Securities Commissioner for dealer or agent registration, members of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD) or applicants for membership in the NASD shall make such filing electronically through the CRD which is jointly operated by the NASD and the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (NASAA). Applicants shall use the applicable uniform form for the submission of the filing in question and shall supplement their electronic filing by filing, in paper form, the items listed in paragraphs (3) - (7) [ (10) ] of subsection (a) of this section, directly with the Commissioner. With regard to the items listed in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) of this section, only page 1 of Form BD and page 1 of Form U-4 for designated officer must be filed in paper form directly with the Commissioner.

(2) (No change.)

§115.3.Examination.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Waivers of examination requirements.

(1) - (2) (No change.)

(3) A partial waiver of the examination requirements of the Texas Securities Act, §13.D, is granted by the Board to the following classes of persons:

(A) - (C) (No change.)

(D) applicants seeking registration for the purpose of dealing exclusively in oil and gas interests (other than interests in limited partnerships). Such persons are not required to take the general securities examination, but are required to pass an examination on state securities law as required by subsection (b)(4) of this section. Provided, however, any persons registered prior to January 1, 1976, for the purpose of dealing exclusively in oil and gas interests, are not required to pass an examination; [ and ]

(E) applicants who are officers, partners, or employees of an issuer (other than an open-end investment company) if the issuer's securities will be registered for sale in Texas. Such officers, partners, and employees are not required to take the general securities examination, but are required to pass an examination on state securities law as required by subsection (b)(4) of this section. Evidences of registration granted pursuant to this subparagraph are restricted to sales of the currently registered securities of the issuer ; and [ . Such evidences of registration must be surrendered to the State Securities Board for cancellation immediately upon completion of the distribution of securities for which the securities and dealer registrations have been obtained. ]

(F) applicants seeking registration as a solicitor for a dealer. Such persons are not required to take the general securities examination, but are required to pass an examination on state securities law as required by subsection (b)(4) of this section.

(4) (No change.)

(d) (No change.)

§115.5.Minimum Records.

(a) - (d) (No change.)

(e) Records to be preserved by dealers.

(1) - (8) (No change.)

(9) The records required to be maintained pursuant to this section may be maintained by any electronic storage media available so long as such records are available for immediate and complete [ free ] access by representatives of the Securities Commissioner. Any electronic storage media must preserve the records exclusively in a non-rewriteable, non-erasable format; verify automatically the quality and accuracy of the storage media recording process; serialize the original and, if applicable, duplicate units of storage media, and time-date for the required period of retention the information placed on such electronic storage media; and have the capacity to download indexes and records preserved on electronic storage media to an acceptable medium. In the event that a records retention system commingles records required to be kept under this section with records not required to be kept, representatives of the Securities Commissioner may review all commingled records.

(f) (No change.)

§115.7.Maintenance and Inspection of Records.

(a) The Securities Commissioner, without notice, may inspect a registered dealer as necessary to ensure compliance with the Texas Securities Act and Board rules. [ All records required to be maintained by registered dealers shall be maintained at the location designated in Form 133.16 and at other locations registered as branch offices with the Securities Commissioner. ]

(b) The [ Securities ] Commissioner or his or her authorized representative , during regular business hours, may : [ conduct on-site inspections of registered dealers without notice and shall be entitled to immediate and free access to all records, required to be maintained pursuant to Board rules or maintained in the normal course of business of the dealer, and to all locations where such records are kept. The Commissioner or his or her authorized representative shall be permitted to make photostatic or computer copies of such records. ]

(1) enter the business premises of a registered dealer; and

(2) examine and copy books and records pertinent to the inspection.

(c) During the inspection, the dealer shall:

(1) provide to the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative immediate and complete access to the person's office, place of business, files, safe, and any other location in which books and records pertinent to the inspection are located; and

(2) allow the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative to make photostatic or electronic copies of books or records subject to inspection.

(d) A dealer may not charge a fee for copying information under this section.

(e) [ (c) ] The [ In the alternative, the Securities ] Commissioner or his or her authorized representative may require that all records required to be maintained pursuant to Board rules or maintained in the normal course of business of the dealer be made available in any office of the State Securities Board designated by the Commissioner or his or her representative within 48 hours of a request or within a greater time period as the Commissioner or his or her authorized representative deems reasonable.

§115.8.Fee Requirements.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Fees for concurrent registrations. Notwithstanding Texas Securities Act, §§35 and 41, a person shall pay only one fee required under those sections to engage in business in this state concurrently for the same person or company as:

(1) a dealer and an investment adviser; or

(2) an agent and an investment adviser representative.

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 August 13, 2001.

TRD-200104663

Denise Voigt Crawford

Securities Commissioner

State Securities Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 23, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8300


Chapter 116. INVESTMENT ADVISERS AND INVESTMENT ADVISER REPRESENTATIVES

7 TAC §§116.1, 116.2, 116.5, 116.7, 116.8, 116.10, 116.13, 116.15

The State Securities Board proposes amendments to §116.1, concerning general provisions; §116.2, concerning definitions; §116.5, concerning minimum records; §116.7, concerning maintenance and inspection of records; §116.8, concerning fee requirements; §116.10, concerning supervisory requirements; §116.13, concerning advisory fee requirements; and §116.15, concerning advertising restrictions.

The amendment to §116.1 would add definitions for "federal covered investment adviser" and "registered investment adviser" to amplify those contained in House Bill 2255 ("HB 2255"); conform the definition of "rendering services as an investment adviser" to concurrently proposed changes to §107.2; clarify that branch offices in Texas must be registered; and eliminate a notice filing on a Form ADV in lieu of filing through the IARD.

The amendment to §116.2(a) would eliminate the requirement to file a separate consent to service of process document. Amendments made in HB 2255 to Section 8 of the Texas Securities Act ("TSA") would render the consent to service contained in the Form ADV adequate and eliminate the need for a separate document to be executed. Form 133.16 would also be eliminated due to changes made to the TSA by HB 2255, rendering it unnecessary. The changes to subsection (d) would provide for the automatic withdrawal of applications for investment adviser and investment adviser representative registration (initial registration or otherwise) if an applicant fails to respond to the staff's written request for information when the application has been pending for a period of six months or more. The change to subsection (e) would correct a cross-reference to (a).

The amendments to §116.5 and §116.7 would conform their provisions with the terminology used in new Section 13-1 added to the TSA by HB 2255.

The amendment to §116.8 would add a new subsection (c) to correspond to the language added in Section 42.C of the TSA by HB 2255.

The amendments to §§116.10, 116.13, and 116.15 would clarify that §116.10 and §116.13 apply only to registered investment advisers. As regards to the §116.15, advertising restrictions, the general language regarding antifraud applies to all investment advisers; however, the specific restrictions on advertising content should be amended to reflect applicability only to registered investment advisers.

Michael S. Gunst, Director, Dealer Registration Division, and David Grauer, Director, Enforcement Division, have determined that for the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Mr. Gunst and Mr. Grauer also have determined that for each year of the first five years the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be to apprise investment adviser and investment adviser representatives of their obligations under the Texas Securities Act and Board rules. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rules as proposed.

Comments on the proposal to be considered by the Board should be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication of the proposed sections in the Texas Register . Comments should be sent to David Weaver, State Securities Board, P.O. Box 13167, Austin, Texas 78711-3167.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 581-28-1, 581-12.B, and 581-42.B. Section 28-1 provides the Board with the authority to adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out and implement the provisions of the Texas Securities Act, including rules and regulations governing registration statements and applications; defining terms; classifying securities, persons, and matters within its jurisdiction; and prescribing different requirements for different classes. Section 12.B provides the Board with the authority to prescribe new dealer/agent registration exemptions by rule. Section 42.B provides the Board with the authority to adopt rules reducing fees for person required to register in two or more capacities.

The statutes and codes affected by the proposed new chapter are Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 581-12 through 581-13, 581-15 through 581-19, and 581-25.

§116.1.General Provisions.

(a) Definitions. Words and terms used in this chapter are also defined in §107.2 of this title (relating to Definitions). The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) - (7) (No change.)

(8) Rendering services as an investment adviser--Any act by which investment advisory services are provided for compensation. [ person coming within the designation cannot conduct such activity without first being registered as an investment adviser/dealer under the provisions of the Act or notice-filed under the provisions of subsection (b)(2)(A) of this section. Likewise, every person employed or appointed, or authorized by such person to render services which include the giving of investment advice cannot conduct such activities unless registered as a dealer/investment adviser, a salesman, or an agent under the provisions of the Act, or notice-filed as a dealer/investment adviser, a salesman, or an agent under the provisions of subsection (b)(2)(B) of this section. ]

(9) - (10) (No change.)

(11) "Federal covered investment adviser"--An investment adviser who is registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. §80b-1 et seq.), as amended and not required to be registered pursuant to the Texas Securities Act.

(12) "Registered investment adviser"--An investment adviser who has been issued a registration certificate by the Securities Commissioner under the Texas Securities Act, §15. (A federal covered investment adviser is not prohibited from being registered with the Securities Commissioner. If a federal covered investment adviser elects to register with the Securities Commissioner, it is subject to all of the registration requirements of the Act.)

(b) Registration of investment advisers, investment adviser representatives, and branch offices.

(1) Requirements of registration.

(A) (No change.)

(B) Each branch office of a registered investment adviser in Texas must be registered. A registered officer, partner, or investment adviser representative must be named as branch office manager.

(2) Exemption from the registration requirements. The Board pursuant to the Texas Securities Act, §§12.B and 5.T, exempts from the registration provisions of the Act, §12, persons not required to register as an investment adviser or an investment adviser representative on or after July 8, 1997, by act of Congress in Public Law Number 104-290, Title III.

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(C) Notice filing requirements and fees for investment advisers and investment adviser representatives exempted from registration pursuant to this subsection only.

(i) Initially, the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this paragraph are available provided that the investment adviser files:

[(I) a copy of its current Form ADV as filed with the SEC, if a Form ADV is required to be filed by the investment adviser with the SEC;]

(I) [ (II) ] a consent to service of process; and

(II) [ (III) ] an initial fee equal to the amount that would have been paid had the investment adviser and each investment adviser representative filed for registration in Texas.

[(ii) Upon amendment to its Form ADV, the investment adviser files a copy of its amended Form ADV as filed with the SEC, if a Form ADV is required to be filed by the investment adviser with the SEC.]

(ii) [ (iii) ] Annually, the investment adviser files renewal fees which would have been paid had the investment adviser and each investment adviser representative been registered in Texas. [ : ]

[(I) a copy of its Form ADV as filed with the SEC, if a Form ADV is required to be filed by the investment adviser with the SEC; and]

[(II) renewal fees which would have been paid had the investment adviser and each investment adviser representative been registered in Texas.]

(D) (No change.)

(c) (No change.)

§116.2.Application Requirements.

(a) Investment adviser and investment adviser representative application requirements. A complete application consists of the following and must be filed in paper form with the Securities Commissioner, except in such time as the Investment Adviser Registration Depository System (IARD) becomes available:

(1) - (2) (No change.)

[(3) Form 133.16, an agreement for maintenance and inspection of records;]

(3) [ (4) ] a copy of articles of incorporation, partnership agreement, articles of association, trust agreement, or other documents which indicate the form of organization, certified by the jurisdiction or by an officer or partner of the applicant;

[(5) all foreign corporations and other nonresident applicants must also file an irrevocable written consent to service of process utilizing Forms U-2 and U-2A, or Form 133.8;]

(4) [ (6) ] assumed name certificate, if applicable. The improper use by an applicant of an assumed name containing "incorporated," "corporation," "limited," or an abbreviation of one of those words, may be grounds for denying registration of the applicant if such designation is thereby misleading;

(5) [ (7) ] a balance sheet prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices reflecting the financial condition of the investment adviser as of a date not more than 90 days prior to the date of such filing. The balance sheet should be prepared by independent certified public accountants or independent public accountants, or must instead be attested by the sworn notarized statement of the applicant's principal financial officer. If attested by the principal financial officer of the applicant, such officer shall certify as follows: I am the principal financial officer of (name of investment adviser). The accompanying balance sheet has been prepared under my direction and control and presents fairly its financial position on the dates indicated to the best of my knowledge, belief, and ability. (Signature and Title).

(6) [ (8) ] Form 133.23, a franchise tax certification form;

(7) [ (9) ] disclosure document or Part II of Form ADV;

(8) [ (10) ] a copy of the investment adviser's standard advisory contract;

(9) [ (11) ] fee schedule;

(10) [ (12) ] any other information deemed necessary by the Securities Commissioner to determine an investment adviser's financial responsibility or an investment adviser's or investment adviser representative's business repute or qualification; and

(11) [ (13) ] the appropriate registration fee(s).

(b) - (c) (No change.)

(d) Withdrawal [ and abandonment ] of an investment adviser or investment adviser representative [ initial ] application for registration. [ (1) Any initial application for investment adviser or investment adviser representative registration that fails to meet registration requirements within six months of the filing date of the application will be considered withdrawn without prejudice. A copy of this subsection will be mailed to the applicant at least 30 days prior to the withdrawal of the application pursuant to this subsection. (2) ] If an applicant for registration with the Securities Commissioner as an investment adviser or investment adviser representative fails to make any type of response to the most recent written request for information relating to an application that has been pending for six months, the application will be considered withdrawn. This withdrawal will occur automatically if the applicant fails to respond to the most recent written request for information sent by certified mail to the applicant's address as set forth in the application. This certified written request shall inform the applicant that the application will be considered withdrawn if a response to the request for information is not received within 30 days from the date of the certified letter. A copy of this subsection and the most recent written request for information will be included with the certified letter.

(e) Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD).

(1) Whenever the Texas Securities Act or Board rules require the filing of an application with the Securities Commissioner for investment adviser or investment adviser representative registration, such application must be filed electronically via the IARD, which is jointly operated by the NASD, the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (NASAA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Applicants shall use the applicable uniform forms for the submission of the filing in question and shall supplement their electronic filing by filing, in paper form, the items listed in paragraphs (3)- (10) [ (12) ] of subsection (a) of this section, directly with the Commissioner.

(2) (No change.)

(f) (No change.)

§116.5.Minimum Records.

(a) - (c) (No change.)

(d) The records required to be maintained pursuant to this section may be maintained by any electronic storage media available so long as such records are available for immediate and complete [ free ] access by representatives of the Securities Commissioner. Any electronic storage media must preserve the records exclusively in a non-rewriteable, non-erasable format; verify automatically the quality and accuracy of the storage media recording process; serialize the original and, if applicable, duplicate units of storage media, and time-date for the required period of retention the information placed on such electronic storage media; and have the capacity to download indexes and records preserved on electronic storage media to an acceptable medium. In the event that a records retention system commingles records required to be kept under this section with records not required to be kept, representatives of the Securities Commissioner may review all commingled records.

(e) (No change.)

§116.7.Maintenance and Inspection of Records.

(a) The Securities Commissioner, without notice, may inspect a registered investment adviser as necessary to ensure compliance with the Texas Securities Act and Board rules. [ All records required to be maintained by registered investment advisers shall be maintained at the location designated in Form 133.16 and at such other locations registered as branch offices with the Securities Commissioner. ]

(b) The [ Securities ] Commissioner or his or her authorized representative , during regular business hours, may : [ conduct on-site examinations of registered investment advisers without notice and shall be entitled to immediate and free access to all records, required to be maintained pursuant to Board rules or maintained in the course of normal business of the investment adviser, and to all locations where such records are kept. The Commissioner or his or her authorized representative shall be permitted to make photostatic or computer copies of such records. ]

(1) enter the business premises of a registered investment adviser; and

(2) examine and copy books and records pertinent to the inspection.

(c) During the inspection, the investment adviser shall:

(1) provide to the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative immediate and complete access to the person's office, place of business, files, safe, and any other location in which books and records pertinent to the inspection are located; and

(2) allow the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative to make photostatic or electronic copies of books or records subject to inspection.

(d) An investment adviser may not charge a fee for copying information under this section.

(e) [ (c) ] The [ In the alternative, the Securities ] Commissioner or his or her authorized representative may require that all records required to be maintained pursuant to Board rules or maintained in the normal course of [ the normal ] business of the investment adviser be made available in any office of the State Securities Board designated by the Commissioner or his or her representative within 48 hours of a request or within a greater time period as the Commissioner or his or her authorized representative deems reasonable.

§116.8.Fee Requirements.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Fees for concurrent registrations. Notwithstanding Texas Securities Act, §§35 and 41, a person shall pay only one fee required under those sections to engage in business in this state concurrently for the same person or company as:

(1) a dealer and an investment adviser; or

(2) an agent and an investment adviser representative.

§116.10.Supervisory Requirements.

Each registered investment adviser shall establish and maintain a system to supervise the activities of its investment adviser representatives that is reasonably designed to achieve compliance with the Texas Securities Act and Board rules.

§116.13.Advisory Fee Requirements.

(a) Any registered investment adviser who wishes to charge 3.0% or greater of the assets under management must disclose that such fee is in excess of the industry norm and that similar advisory services can be obtained for less.

(b) Any registered investment adviser who wishes to charge a fee based on a share of the capital gains or the capital appreciation of the funds or any portion of the funds of a client must comply with SEC Rule 205-3 (17 Code of Federal Regulations §275.205-3), which prohibits the use of such fee unless the client is a "qualified client." In general, a qualified client may include:

(1) - (3) (No change.)

§116.15.Advertising Restrictions.

The antifraud provisions of the Texas Securities Act prohibit an investment adviser from using any advertisement that contains any untrue statement of material fact or that is otherwise misleading. The prohibition would include any notice, circular, letter, or other written communication addressed to more than one person, or any notice or other announcement in any publication or by radio, television, Internet, the World Wide Web, or similar proprietary or common carrier electronic systems, that offers any service as an investment adviser.

(1) Specifically, an advertisement of a registered investment adviser may not:

(A) - (D) (No change.)

(2) A registered [ An ] investment adviser may advertise its past performance (both actual performance and hypothetical or model results) only if the advertisement discloses all material facts necessary to avoid any unwarranted inference. An investment adviser may not advertise its performance data if the advertisement:

(A) - (D) (No change.)

(3) In addition, generally a registered [ an ] investment adviser may not advertise gross performance data (i.e., performance data that does not reflect the deduction of various fees, commissions, and expenses that a client would pay) unless the investment adviser also includes net performance information in an equally prominent manner.

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 August 13, 2001.

TRD-200104664

Denise Voigt Crawford

Securities Commissioner

State Securities Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 23, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8300


Chapter 133. FORMS

7 TAC §133.16

(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 State Securities Board or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The State Securities Board proposes the repeal of §133.16, a form concerning the agreement for maintenance and inspection of records. House Bill 2255, passed by the 77th Texas Legislature, adds Section 13-1 to the Texas Securities Act ("TSA") and statutorily recognizes that the Commissioner, without notice, may inspect a registered dealer or registered investment adviser as necessary to ensure compliance with the TSA and Board rules. The provision becomes effective on September 1, 2001, so, after that date, there would be no need for this form.

Michael S. Gunst, Director, Dealer Registration Division, and David Grauer, Director, Enforcement Division, have determined that for the first five-year period the repeal is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal.

Mr. Gunst and Mr. Grauer also have determined that for each year of the first five years the repeal is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeal will be the elimination of an unnecessary form. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the repeal as proposed.

Comments on the proposal to be considered by the Board should be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication of the proposed section in the Texas Register . Comments should be sent to David Weaver, State Securities Board, P.O. Box 13167, Austin, Texas 78711-3167.

The repeal is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 581-28-1. Section 28-1 provides the Board with the authority to adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out and implement the provisions of the Texas Securities Act, including rules and regulations governing registration statements and applications; defining terms; classifying securities, persons, and matters within its jurisdiction; and prescribing different requirements for different classes.

Statutes and codes affected: none applicable.

§133.16.Agreement for Maintenance and Inspection of Records.

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 August 13, 2001.

TRD-200104665

Denise Voigt Crawford

Securities Commissioner

State Securities Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 23, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8300


Chapter 139. EXEMPTIONS BY RULE OR ORDER

7 TAC §139.21

The State Securities Board proposes new §139.21, concerning dealer, agent, and securities exemptions for certain Canadian accounts. This new proposal replaces an earlier proposal published in the April 6, 2001 issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 2612) that has been withdrawn. The proposal would create an exemption for transactions involving Canadian self-directed retirement plan accounts and for transactions in preexisting accounts of Canadians who are in Texas temporarily. Canadian dealers and agents, when dealing with these types of accounts, would not be required to be registered. The securities offered and sold in these limited transactions would be exempt from the securities registration requirements of the Texas Securities Act.

Michael S. Gunst, Director, Dealer Registration Division, Micheal Northcutt, Director, Securities Registration Division, and David Grauer, Director, Enforcement Division, have determined that for the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Gunst, Mr. Northcutt, and Mr. Grauer, also have determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to enable certain persons present in Texas to be able to continue to manage the assets in their Canadian accounts. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal to be considered by the Board should be submitted in writing within 30 days after publication of the proposed section in the Texas Register . Comments should be sent to David Weaver, State Securities Board, P.O. Box 13167, Austin, Texas 78711-3167.

The new rule is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 581-28-1, 581-5.T, and 581-12.B. Section 28-1 provides the Board with the authority to adopt rules and regulations necessary to carry out and implement the provisions of the Texas Securities Act, including rules and regulations governing registration statements and applications; defining terms; classifying securities, persons, and matters within its jurisdiction; and prescribing different requirements for different classes. Section 5.T provides that the Board may prescribe new exemptions by rule. Section 12.B provides the Board with the authority to prescribe new dealer/agent registration exemptions by rule.

The new rule affects Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 581-7, 581-10, 581-12, 581-13, 581-18, and 581-19.

§139.21.Dealer, Agent, and Securities Exemptions for Canadian Accounts.

(a) The State Securities Board, pursuant to the Texas Securities Act, §§5.T and 12.B, exempts Canadian dealers and agents from the registration requirements of the Texas Securities Act, when such dealers and agents comply with subsections (b) and (c) of this section and are conducting a transaction in a Canadian self- directed tax advantaged retirement plan of which the holder or contributor is a person from Canada who is resident in this state or when conducting a transaction in the Canadian securities account of a Canadian citizen who is temporarily present in this state and with whom the dealer or agent has a preexisting client relationship.

(b) A Canadian dealer must be a member of a self-regulatory organization, a stock exchange in Canada, or the bureau "des services financiers" of Quebec, and maintain provincial or territorial registration and membership in a Canadian self-regulatory organization or stock exchange in good standing. An agent must be registered and in good standing in the jurisdiction from which he or she is effecting transactions into this state and maintain registration in such jurisdiction in good standing.

(c) Any Canadian dealer or agent relying on this exemption shall, upon written request, furnish to the Securities Commissioner any information relative to a transaction covered by this section that the Commissioner deems relevant.

(d) The State Securities Board, pursuant to the Texas Securities Act, §5.T, exempts from the securities registration requirements of the Texas Securities Act, §7, the offer and sale of any securities effected by a Canadian dealer pursuant to this section.

(e) The Texas Securities Act prohibits fraud or fraudulent practices in connection with the sale or offer for sale of securities covered by this exemption.

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 August 13, 2001.

TRD-200104666

Denise Voigt Crawford

Securities Commissioner

State Securities Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 23, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8300