TITLE 7.BANKING AND SECURITIES

Part 1. FINANCE COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Chapter 1. CONSUMER CREDIT COMMISSIONER

Subchapter I. INSURANCE

7 TAC §1.802

The Finance Commission of Texas adopts an amendment to 7 TAC § 1.802, concerning single interest insurance for a motor vehicle.

The purpose of the amendment is to exempt motor vehicle property insurance from the provisions of the property insurance rule. Prior to 1997 most loans on motor vehicles were governed by Chapter 4 of the Credit Code. When Chapter 342 was adopted, it merged the old Chapter 3 and Chapter 4 provisions. The rule §1.802 was adopted in May 1999 based upon the property insurance provisions as they had been applied under the old Chapter 3. Although no comments were received at the time the rule was adopted it has become apparent that writing property insurance on motor vehicles at non-standard rates was formerly permissible, but has been restricted by the adoption of 7 TAC §1.802. This amendment would remove the restriction and allow motor vehicle property insurance to be written at non-standard rates. Removing the restriction would furthermore restore parity between financing of motor vehicles under the loan chapter and the retail sales chapter. The amendment is adopted with non-substantive changes to the proposal as published in the April 6, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 2588).

The agency received 3 comments in support of the amendment. One comment also suggested clarification of the proposal, by changing the word automobile to motor vehicle. That non-substantive change is reflected in this adoption.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Finance Code § 11.304, which authorizes the Finance Commission to adopt rules to enforce Title 4 of the Texas Finance Code. Additionally, Texas Finance Code §342.551 grants the Consumer Credit Commissioner and the Finance Commission the authority to interpret the provisions of Title 4, Subtitle B, in which Chapter 342 is located.

These rules affect Chapter 342, Texas Finance Code.

§1.802.Authorized Property Insurance.

(a)

Property insurance, other than insurance covering a motor vehicle, written in connection with a loan made under Chapter 342 must be written at rates not in excess of the rates fixed or approved by the Texas Department of Insurance if a rate structure has been fixed or approved for that particular type of coverage.

(b)

If property insurance, other than insurance covering a motor vehicle, requested or required on a loan is sold or obtained by a licensee at a rate that is not fixed or approved by the Texas Department of Insurance, the licensee must first obtain prior acknowledgment from the commissioner that the coverage and the rate bear a reasonable relationship to:

(1)

the amount, term, and conditions of the loan;

(2)

the value of the collateral; and

(3)

the existing hazards or risk of loss, damage, or destruction.

(c)

Insurance, other than insurance covering a motor vehicle, written at rates not fixed or approved by the Texas Department of Insurance is subject to cancellation or adjustment if the insurance is not otherwise approved by the commissioner.

(d)

If a licensee is seeking authority from the commissioner under subsection (b) of this section for a rate not fixed or approved by the Texas Department of Insurance, a copy of the relevant policy that is to be issued shall be filed with the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, together with any evidence that is probative on the factors listed in subsection (b) of this section.

(e)

Property insurance written in connection with a Chapter 342 loan must be provided by a company authorized to do business in this state.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 22, 2001.

TRD-200103581

Leslie L. Pettijohn

Commissioner

Finance Commission of Texas

Effective date: July 12, 2001

Proposal publication date: April 6, 2001

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


7 TAC §1.805

The Finance Commission of Texas adopts an amendment to 7 TAC § 1.805, concerning authorized credit insurance.

The purpose of the amendment is to add the appropriate references under the Insurance Code that govern group debtor life and accident and health insurance. These are equivalent products to credit life and credit disability insurance, and thus are eligible to be written under Chapter 342. The amendment simply acknowledges that authority. The amendment is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the April 6, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 2589).

The agency received no written comments on this proposal.

The amendment is adopted under the Texas Finance Code § 11.304 and § 342.551, which authorizes the Finance Commission to adopt rules to enforce Title 4 of the Texas Finance Code.

These rules affect Chapter 342, Texas Finance Code.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 22, 2001.

TRD-200103582

Leslie L. Pettijohn

Commissioner

Finance Commission of Texas

Effective date: July 12, 2001

Proposal publication date: April 6, 2001

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


Part 6. CREDIT UNION DEPARTMENT

Chapter 91. CHARTERING, OPERATIONS, MERGERS, LIQUIDATIONS

Subchapter H. INVESTMENTS

7 TAC §91.803

The Texas Credit Union Commission adopts amendments to rule §91.803 relating to investment limits and prohibitions, with no changes to the text as published in the February 2, 2001 issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 1049). The proposal was first published in the May 5, 2000 issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 3892) and withdrawn effective November 3, 2000. It was republished in the November 3, 2000 issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 10861) and withdrawn effective February 2, 2001 (26 TexReg 1049).

The amendments impose more stringent limitations on the maximum investments in any one security and specifically prohibits credit unions from engaging in certain types of investment activities. The amendments provide a specific exception for investments in a single financial institution that serve as an investing credit union's designated depository institution (i.e. at which the operating accounts are located), as well as for loan participations purchased from other credit unions. Lastly, the rule, while listing prohibited investments, gives the commissioner the ability to authorize a pilot investment program which could result in a credit union engaging in otherwise prohibited investments if a need and expertise to do so is demonstrated.

The amendments to the rule are adopted as a result of the general rule review mandated by the Government Code and General Appropriations Act. (Both contain provisions requiring state agencies to review and consider for readoption each of their rules every four years). Notice of Intention to Review Chapter 91 rules was published in the Texas Register on February 4, 2000 (25 TexReg 823) for the purpose of accepting public comment.

No comments were received in response to the third publication of the proposed amendments.

The amendments are adopted under the provisions of §124.351 of the Texas Finance Code that are interpreted to authorize the Credit Union Commission to adopt rules authorizing other investments permissible for credit unions that are responsive to changes in economic conditions or competitive practices and to the need for safety and soundness of credit union investments.

The specific section affected by these amendments is Texas Finance Code §124.351.

This concludes the Credit Union Department's review of all administrative rules which became final prior to September 1, 1997, as required by Section 167 of the 1997 General Appropriations Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 19, 2001.

TRD-200103473

Harold E. Feeney

Commissioner

Credit Union Department

Effective date: July 9, 2001

Proposal publication date: February 2, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 837-9236