88R20958 JES-F
 
  By: Lambert H.B. No. 3827
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the regulation of earned wage access services;
  requiring an occupational license; providing an administrative
  penalty; imposing fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 14.107, Finance Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 14.107.  FEES.  (a)  The finance commission shall
  establish reasonable and necessary fees for carrying out the
  commissioner's powers and duties under this chapter, Title 4,
  Chapter 393 with respect to a credit access business, and Chapters
  371, 392, [and] 394, and 398 and under Chapters 51, 302, 601, and
  621, Business & Commerce Code.
         (b)  The finance commission by rule shall set the fees for
  licensing and examination, as applicable, under Chapter 393 with
  respect to a credit access business or Chapter 342, 347, 348, 351,
  353, [or] 371, or 398 at amounts or rates necessary to recover the
  costs of administering those chapters. The rules may provide that
  the amount of a fee charged to a license holder is based on the
  volume of the license holder's regulated business and other key
  factors. The commissioner may provide for collection of a single
  fee for the term of the license from a person licensed under
  Subchapter G of Chapter 393 or Chapter 342, 347, 348, 351, or
  371.  The fee must include amounts due for both licensing and
  examination.
         SECTION 2.  Section 14.112(a), Finance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The finance commission by rule shall prescribe the
  licensing or registration period for licenses and registrations
  issued under Chapters 342, 345, 347, 348, 351, 352, 353, 371, 393,
  [and] 394, and 398 of this code and Chapter 1956, Occupations Code,
  not to exceed two years.
         SECTION 3.  Section 14.201, Finance Code, is amended to read
  as follows:
         Sec. 14.201.  INVESTIGATION AND ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY.  
  Investigative and enforcement authority under this subchapter
  applies only to:
               (1)  this chapter;
               (2)  Subtitles B and C, Title 4;
               (3)  Chapter 393 with respect to a credit access
  business;
               (4)  Chapter 394;
               (5)  Chapter 398; and
               (6) [(5)]  Subchapter B, Chapter 1956, Occupations
  Code.
         SECTION 4.  Sections 14.251(a) and (b), Finance Code, are
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commissioner may assess an administrative penalty
  against a person who knowingly and wilfully violates or causes a
  violation of this chapter, Chapter 394, Chapter 398, or Subtitle B,
  Title 4, or a rule adopted under this chapter, Chapter 394, Chapter
  398, or Subtitle B, Title 4.
         (b)  The commissioner may order the following businesses or
  other persons to pay restitution to an identifiable person:
               (1)  a person who violates or causes a violation of this
  chapter, Chapter 394, or Subtitle B, Title 4, or a rule adopted
  under this chapter, Chapter 394, or Subtitle B, Title 4;
               (2)  a credit access business who violates or causes a
  violation of Chapter 393 or a rule adopted under Chapter 393;
               (3)  an earned wage access services provider who
  violates or causes a violation of Chapter 398 or a rule adopted
  under Chapter 398; or
               (4) [(3)]  a person who violates or causes a violation
  of Subchapter B, Chapter 1956, Occupations Code, or a rule adopted
  under that subchapter.
         SECTION 5.  Title 5, Finance Code, is amended by adding
  Chapter 398 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 398. EARNED WAGE ACCESS SERVICES
  SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
         Sec. 398.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Commissioner" means the consumer credit
  commissioner.
               (2)  "Consumer" means an individual who resides in this
  state.
               (3)  "Consumer-directed wage access services" means
  offering or providing services directly to a consumer based on the
  consumer's earned but unpaid income.
               (4)  "Earned but unpaid income" means salary, wages,
  compensation, or income that:
                     (A)  a consumer represents, and a provider
  reasonably determines, has been earned or has accrued to the
  benefit of the consumer in exchange for the consumer's provision of
  services to an employer or on the employer's behalf; and
                     (B)  has not, at the time of the payment of
  proceeds, been paid to the consumer by the employer.
               (5)  "Earned wage access services" means the business
  of providing:
                     (A)  consumer-directed wage access services;
                     (B)  employer-integrated wage access services; or
                     (C)  both consumer-directed wage access services
  and employer-integrated wage access services.
               (6)  "Earned wage access services provider" or
  "provider" means a person who is in the business of offering and
  providing earned wage access services to consumers.
               (7)  "Employer" means a person who employs a consumer
  or a person who is contractually obligated to pay a consumer earned
  but unpaid income on an hourly, project-based, piecework, or other
  basis, in exchange for the consumer's provision of services to the
  employer or on the employer's behalf, including to a consumer who is
  acting as an independent contractor with respect to the employer.
  The term does not include a customer of the employer or a person
  whose obligation to pay salary, wages, compensation, or other
  income to a consumer is not based on the consumer's provision of
  services for or on behalf of that person.
               (8)  "Employer-integrated wage access services" means
  delivering to consumers access to earned but unpaid income that is
  based on employment, income, and attendance data obtained directly
  or indirectly from an employer.
               (9)  "Fee" includes an amount charged by a provider for
  expedited delivery or other delivery of proceeds to a consumer and
  for a subscription or membership fee charged by a provider for a
  bona fide group of services that includes earned wage access
  services.  The term does not include a voluntary tip, gratuity, or
  donation paid to the provider.
               (10)  "Outstanding proceeds" means proceeds remitted
  to a consumer by a provider that have not been repaid to that
  provider.
               (11)  "Person" means a corporation, partnership,
  cooperative, association, or other business entity.
               (12)  "Proceeds" means a payment to a consumer by a
  provider that is based on earned but unpaid income.
         Sec. 398.002.  APPLICABILITY OF AND CONFLICT WITH OTHER LAW.
  (a)  A person licensed under this chapter is not subject to the
  provisions of Chapter 151 or Title 4 of this code with respect to
  earned wage access services offered or provided by the person.
         (b)  If there is a conflict between a provision of this
  chapter and any other provision of this title, the provision of this
  chapter controls.
         Sec. 398.003.  WAIVER VOID.  A waiver of a provision of this
  chapter by a consumer is void.
  SUBCHAPTER B. LICENSE REQUIRED; APPLICATION FOR AND ISSUANCE OF
  LICENSE
         Sec. 398.051.  LICENSE REQUIRED. (a) Except as provided by
  Subsection (c), a person must hold a license under this chapter to
  engage in the business of offering or providing earned wage access
  services in this state.
         (b)  A person may not use any device, subterfuge, or pretense
  to evade the application of this section.
         (c)  The following persons are not required to obtain a
  license under Subsection (a):
               (1)  a bank, credit union, savings bank, or savings and
  loan association organized under the laws of the United States or
  under the laws of the financial institution's state of domicile; or
               (2)  an employer that offers a portion of salary,
  wages, or compensation directly to its employees or independent
  contractors before the normally scheduled pay date.
         Sec. 398.052.  APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS; FEES. (a) The
  application for a license under this chapter must:
               (1)  be under oath;
               (2)  give the approximate location from which the
  business is to be conducted or state that the business will be
  conducted entirely online;
               (3)  identify the business's principal parties in
  interest; and
               (4)  contain other relevant information that the
  commissioner requires.
         (b)  On the filing of one or more license applications, the
  applicant shall pay to the commissioner an investigation fee of
  $200.
         (c)  On the filing of each license application, the applicant
  shall pay to the commissioner a license fee in an amount determined
  as provided by Section 14.107.
         Sec. 398.053.  BOND. (a) If the commissioner requires, an
  applicant for a license under this chapter shall file with the
  application a bond that is:
               (1)  in the amount of $10,000, regardless of the number
  of license applications filed by the applicant;
               (2)  satisfactory to the commissioner; and
               (3)  issued by a surety company qualified to do
  business as a surety in this state.
         (b)  The bond must be in favor of this state for the use of
  this state and the use of a person who has a cause of action under
  this chapter against the license holder.
         (c)  The bond must be conditioned on:
               (1)  the license holder's faithful performance under
  this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter; and
               (2)  the payment of all amounts that become due to this
  state or another person under this chapter during the period for
  which the bond is given.
         (d)  The aggregate liability of a surety to all persons
  damaged by the license holder's violation of this chapter may not
  exceed the amount of the bond.
         Sec. 398.054.  INVESTIGATION OF APPLICATION. On the filing
  of an application and a bond, if required under Section 398.053, and
  on payment of the required fees, the commissioner shall conduct an
  investigation to determine whether to issue the license.
         Sec. 398.055.  APPROVAL OR DENIAL OF APPLICATION; ISSUANCE
  OF LICENSE. (a) The commissioner shall approve the application and
  issue to the applicant a license under this chapter if the
  commissioner finds that:
               (1)  the financial responsibility, experience,
  character, and general fitness of the applicant are sufficient to:
                     (A)  command the confidence of the public; and
                     (B)  warrant the belief that the business will be
  operated lawfully and fairly, within the purposes of this chapter;
  and
               (2)  the applicant has net assets of at least $25,000
  available for the operation of the business as determined in
  accordance with Section 398.103.
         (b)  If the commissioner does not find the eligibility
  requirements of Subsection (a) are met, the commissioner shall
  notify the applicant.
         (c)  If an applicant requests a hearing on the application
  not later than the 30th day after the date of notification under
  Subsection (b), the applicant is entitled to a hearing not later
  than the 60th day after the date of the request.
         (d)  The commissioner shall approve or deny the application
  not later than the 60th day after the date of the filing of a
  completed application with payment of the required fees or, if a
  hearing is held, after the date of the completion of the hearing on
  the application. The commissioner and the applicant may agree to a
  later date in writing.
         Sec. 398.056.  DISPOSITION OF FEES ON DENIAL OF APPLICATION.
  If the commissioner denies the application, the commissioner shall
  retain the investigation fee and shall return to the applicant the
  license fee submitted with the application.
         Sec. 398.057.  LICENSE TERM. A license issued under this
  chapter is valid for the period prescribed by finance commission
  rule adopted under Section 14.112.
  SUBCHAPTER C. LICENSE
         Sec. 398.101.  NAME AND PLACE ON LICENSE. (a) A license
  must state:
               (1)  the name of the license holder; and
               (2)  the address of the office from which the business
  is to be conducted or, if the business is to be conducted entirely
  online, the address of the license holder's headquarters.
         (b)  A license holder may not conduct business under this
  chapter under a name other than the name stated on the license.
         (c)  A license holder may not conduct business under this
  chapter at a location other than the address stated on the license,
  unless the business is to be conducted entirely online.
         Sec. 398.102.  LICENSE DISPLAY. A license holder shall
  display a license at the place of business provided on the license
  or include its license number on the business's Internet website if
  it conducts business online.
         Sec. 398.103.  MINIMUM ASSETS FOR LICENSE. A license holder
  shall maintain for each office for which a license is held net
  assets of at least $25,000 that are used or readily available for
  use in conducting the business of that office. A license holder
  that operates entirely online shall maintain net assets of at least
  $25,000.
         Sec. 398.104.  LICENSE FEE. Not later than the 30th day
  before the date the license expires, a license holder shall pay to
  the commissioner for each license held a fee in an amount determined
  as provided by Section 14.107.
         Sec. 398.105.  EXPIRATION OF LICENSE ON FAILURE TO PAY FEE.
  If the fee for a license is not paid before the 16th day after the
  date on which the written notice of delinquency of payment has been
  given to the license holder, the license expires on that day.
         Sec. 398.106.  GROUNDS FOR REFUSING LICENSE RENEWAL. The
  commissioner may refuse to renew the license of a person who fails
  to comply with an order issued by the commissioner to enforce this
  chapter.
         Sec. 398.107.  LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION. After
  notice and opportunity for a hearing, the commissioner may suspend
  or revoke a license if the commissioner finds that:
               (1)  the license holder failed to pay the license fee,
  an examination fee, an investigation fee, or another charge imposed
  by the commissioner under this chapter;
               (2)  the license holder, knowingly or without the
  exercise of due care, violated this chapter or a rule adopted or
  order issued under this chapter; or
               (3)  a fact or condition exists that, if it had existed
  or had been known to exist at the time of the original application
  for the license, clearly would have justified the commissioner's
  denial of the application.
         Sec. 398.108.  CORPORATE CHARTER FORFEITURE. (a) A license
  holder who violates this chapter is subject to revocation of the
  holder's license and, if the license holder is a corporation,
  forfeiture of the corporation's charter.
         (b)  When the attorney general is notified of a violation of
  this chapter and revocation of a license, the attorney general
  shall file suit in a district court in Travis County, if the license
  holder is a corporation, for forfeiture of the license holder's
  charter.
         Sec. 398.109.  LICENSE SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION FILED WITH
  PUBLIC RECORDS. The decision of the commissioner on the suspension
  or revocation of a license and the evidence considered by the
  commissioner in making the decision shall be filed in the public
  records of the commissioner.
         Sec. 398.110.  REINSTATEMENT OF SUSPENDED LICENSE; ISSUANCE
  OF NEW LICENSE AFTER REVOCATION. The commissioner may reinstate a
  suspended license or issue a new license on application to a person
  whose license has been revoked if at the time of the reinstatement
  or issuance no fact or condition exists that clearly would have
  justified the commissioner's denial of an original application for
  the license.
         Sec. 398.111.  SURRENDER OF LICENSE. A license holder may
  surrender a license issued under this chapter by complying with the
  commissioner's written instructions relating to the surrender.
         Sec. 398.112.  EFFECT OF LICENSE SUSPENSION, REVOCATION, OR
  SURRENDER. (a) The suspension, revocation, or surrender of a
  license issued under this chapter does not affect the obligation of
  a contract between the license holder and a consumer entered into
  before the revocation, suspension, or surrender.
         (b)  Surrender of a license does not affect the license
  holder's civil or criminal liability for an act committed before
  surrender.
         Sec. 398.113.  MOVING AN OFFICE. (a) A license holder shall
  give written notice to the commissioner before the 30th day
  preceding the date the license holder moves an office from the
  location provided on the license.
         (b)  The commissioner shall amend a license holder's license
  accordingly.
         Sec. 398.114.  TRANSFER OR ASSIGNMENT OF LICENSE. A license
  may be transferred or assigned only with the approval of the
  commissioner.
  SUBCHAPTER D. LIMITING LIABILITY BY LATE LICENSURE
         Sec. 398.151.  PAYMENT OF FEES. A person who obtains or
  renews a license under this chapter after the date on which the
  person was required to obtain or renew the license may limit the
  person's liability as provided by this subchapter by paying to the
  commissioner:
               (1)  all prior license fees that the person should have
  paid under this chapter; and
               (2)  a late filing fee as provided by Section 398.152.
         Sec. 398.152.  LATE FILING FEE FOR OBTAINING OR RENEWING
  LICENSE. (a) The late filing fee for renewing an expired license
  is $1,000 if the license:
               (1)  was in good standing when it expired; and
               (2)  is renewed not later than the 180th day after its
  expiration date.
         (b)  The late filing fee is $5,000 for:
               (1)  obtaining a license after the time it is required
  under this chapter; or
               (2)  renewing an expired license to which Subsection
  (a) does not apply.
         Sec. 398.153.  EFFECT OF COMPLIANCE WITH SUBCHAPTER FOR
  LICENSE HOLDER. (a) A person who renews an expired license and
  pays the applicable license fees and, if required, a late filing fee
  as provided by Section 398.152 is considered for all purposes to
  have held the required license as if it had not expired.
         (b)  A person who under this section is considered to have
  held a license is not subject to any liability, forfeiture, or
  penalty, other than as provided by this subchapter, relating to the
  person's not holding a license during the period for which the
  license fees and late filing fee are paid under Section 398.152.
         Sec. 398.154.  EFFECT OF COMPLIANCE WITH SUBCHAPTER ON
  PERSON OTHER THAN LICENSE HOLDER. A benefit provided to a person
  under Section 398.153 also applies to that person's employees or
  other agents, employers, predecessors, successors, and assigns but
  does not apply to any other person required to be licensed under
  this title.
  SUBCHAPTER E. DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
         Sec. 398.201.  DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. (a) Before executing
  a contract with a consumer for the provision of earned wage access
  services, an earned wage access services provider shall provide the
  consumer with a disclosure that:
               (1)  may be in written or electronic form;
               (2)  may be included as part of the contract to provide
  earned wage access services;
               (3)  uses a font and language intended to be easily
  understood by a layperson;
               (4)  informs the consumer of the consumer's rights
  under the contract;
               (5)  fully and clearly discloses each fee associated
  with the earned wage access services;
               (6)  includes an explanation of the consumer's right to
  proceed against the surety bond under Section 398.053; and
               (7)  provides the name and address of the surety
  company that issued the surety bond.
         (b)  An earned wage access services provider must notify a
  consumer of any material change to the information provided in a
  disclosure statement under Subsection (a) to that consumer, using a
  font and language intended to be easily understood by a layperson,
  before implementing the particular change with respect to that
  consumer.
         Sec. 398.202.  COPY OF DISCLOSURE STATEMENT.  An earned wage
  access services provider shall keep in its files a copy of the
  disclosure statement, including any notifications of material
  changes to the statement, required under Section 398.201 that
  includes the consumer's written or digital signature acknowledging
  receipt of the disclosure statement or notification until the
  second anniversary of the date on which the provider provides the
  disclosure or notification.
  SUBCHAPTER F. CONTRACT FOR SERVICES
         Sec. 398.251.  FORM AND TERMS OF CONTRACT. (a)  Each
  contract for the provision of earned wage access services to a
  consumer by a provider may be in writing or electronic form and
  must:
               (1)  be dated;
               (2)  include the written or digital signature of the
  consumer; and
               (3)  use a font and language intended to be easily
  understood by a layperson.
         (b)  Each contract must disclose that:
               (1)  the provider is required to offer the consumer at
  least one reasonable option to obtain proceeds at no cost to the
  consumer and clearly explain how to elect that no-cost option;
               (2)  fee obligations are subject to the limitations on
  compelling or attempting to compel repayment under Section
  398.301(a)(6);
               (3)  proceeds will be provided to the consumer using a
  method agreed to by the consumer and the provider;
               (4)  the consumer may cancel at any time the consumer's
  participation in the provider's earned wage access services without
  incurring a cancellation fee;
               (5)  the provider is required to develop and implement
  policies and procedures to respond to questions asked and concerns
  raised by consumers and to address complaints from consumers in an
  expedient manner;
               (6)  if a provider seeks repayment of outstanding
  proceeds, a fee, or another payment from a consumer, including a
  voluntary tip, gratuity, or other donation, from a consumer's
  account at a depository institution, including through an
  electronic funds transfer, the provider must:
                     (A)  comply with applicable provisions of and
  regulations adopted under the federal Electronic Fund Transfer Act
  (15 U.S.C. Section 1693 et seq.); and
                     (B)  unless the payment sought by the provider was
  incurred by the consumer using fraudulent or unlawful means,
  reimburse the consumer for the full amount of any overdraft or
  non-sufficient funds fees imposed on the consumer by the consumer's
  depository institution if the provider attempts to seek any payment
  from the consumer on a date before, or in a different amount from,
  the date or amount disclosed to the consumer for that payment;
               (7)  the provider is required to comply with all local,
  state, and federal privacy and information security laws; and
               (8)  if the provider solicits, charges, or receives a
  tip, gratuity, or donation from the consumer, the provider:
                     (A)  must clearly and conspicuously disclose to
  the consumer immediately before each transaction that the tip,
  gratuity, or donation is voluntary and may be set to zero by the
  consumer;
                     (B)  must clearly and conspicuously disclose in
  the contract and other service contracts with consumers that any
  tip, gratuity, or donation from a consumer to a provider is
  voluntary and the offering of earned wage access services,
  including the amount of proceeds a consumer is eligible to request
  and the frequency with which proceeds are provided to a consumer, is
  not contingent on whether a consumer pays any tip, gratuity, or
  donation or on the size of any tip, gratuity, or donation;
                     (C)  may not mislead or deceive the consumer
  regarding the voluntary nature of the tip, gratuity, or donation;
  and
                     (D)  may not represent that the tip, gratuity, or
  donation will benefit a specific individual.
         Sec. 398.252.  ISSUANCE OF CONTRACT. An earned wage access
  services provider shall make available to the consumer a copy of the
  completed contract, when receipt of the document is acknowledged by
  the consumer.
  SUBCHAPTER G. PROHIBITIONS
         Sec. 398.301.  PROHIBITED ACTS. (a)  An earned wage access
  services provider may not, in connection with providing earned wage
  access services to consumers:
               (1)  share with an employer any fees, tips, gratuities,
  or other donations that were received from or charged to a consumer
  for earned wage access services;
               (2)  accept payment of outstanding proceeds, a fee, or
  a tip, gratuity, or other donation from a consumer through use of a
  credit card or charge card;
               (3)  charge a late fee, deferral fee, interest, or
  other penalty or charge for failure to pay outstanding proceeds, a
  fee, or a tip, gratuity, or other donation;
               (4)  report any information regarding the provider's
  inability to receive repayment of outstanding proceeds, or receive
  a fee or a tip, gratuity, or other donation, from a consumer to a
  consumer credit reporting agency or a debt collector;
               (5)  require a consumer's credit report or credit score
  to determine the consumer's eligibility for earned wage access
  services; or
               (6)  compel or attempt to compel payment by a consumer
  of outstanding proceeds, a fee, or a tip, gratuity, or other
  donation to the provider by:
                     (A)  repeatedly attempting to debit a consumer's
  depository institution account in violation of applicable payment
  system rules;
                     (B)  making outbound telephone calls to the
  consumer;
                     (C)  filing a suit against the consumer;
                     (D)  using a third party to pursue collection of
  the payment from the consumer on the provider's behalf; or
                     (E)  selling the outstanding amount to a
  third-party collector or debt buyer for purposes of collection from
  the consumer.
         (b)  An earned wage access services provider is not precluded
  from using any of the methods described by Subsection (a)(6) to:
               (1)  compel or attempt to compel repayment of
  outstanding amounts incurred by a consumer through fraudulent or
  unlawful means; or
               (2)  pursue an employer for breach of the employer's
  contractual obligations to the provider.
         Sec. 398.302.  FALSE OR MISLEADING REPRESENTATION OR
  STATEMENT.  An earned wage access services provider may not make or
  use a false or misleading representation or statement to a consumer
  during the offer or provision of earned wage access services.
         Sec. 398.303.  FRAUDULENT OR DECEPTIVE CONDUCT.  An earned
  wage access services provider may not directly or indirectly engage
  in a fraudulent or deceptive act, practice, or course of business
  relating to the offer or provision of earned wage access services.
         Sec. 398.304.  ADVERTISING SERVICES WITHOUT OBTAINING
  LICENSE PROHIBITED.  An earned wage access services provider may
  not advertise its services if the provider has not obtained a
  license under this chapter.
         Sec. 398.305.  WAIVER OF CONSUMER RIGHT PROHIBITED.  An
  earned wage access services provider may not attempt to cause a
  consumer to waive a right under this chapter.
  SUBCHAPTER H.  ADMINISTRATION OF CHAPTER
         Sec. 398.351.  ADOPTION OF RULES. (a) The Finance
  Commission of Texas may adopt rules to enforce this chapter.
         (b)  The commissioner shall recommend proposed rules to the
  finance commission.
         Sec. 398.352.  EXAMINATION OF PROVIDERS; ACCESS TO RECORDS.
  (a)  The commissioner or the commissioner's representative shall,
  at the times the commissioner considers necessary:
               (1)  examine each place of business of each licensed
  provider;  and
               (2)  investigate the licensed provider's transactions
  and records, including books, accounts, papers, and
  correspondence, to the extent the transactions and records pertain
  to the business regulated under this chapter.
         (b)  The licensed provider shall:
               (1)  give the commissioner or the commissioner's
  representative free access to the provider's office, place of
  business, files, safes, and vaults;  and
               (2)  provide the commissioner electronic copies of
  books, accounts, papers, and correspondence as requested by the
  commissioner.
         (c)  During an examination the commissioner or the
  commissioner's representative may administer oaths and examine any
  person under oath on any subject pertinent to a matter that the
  commissioner is authorized or required to consider, investigate, or
  secure information about under this chapter.
         (d)  Information obtained under this section is
  confidential.
         (e)  A licensed provider's violation of Subsection (b) is a
  ground for the suspension or revocation of the provider's license.
         Sec. 398.353.  GENERAL INVESTIGATION. To discover a
  violation of this chapter or to obtain information required under
  this chapter, the commissioner or the commissioner's
  representative may investigate the records, including books,
  accounts, papers, and correspondence, of a licensed provider or
  other person who the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe
  is violating this chapter, regardless of whether the person claims
  to not be subject to this chapter.
         Sec. 398.354.  CERTIFICATE; CERTIFIED DOCUMENT. On
  application by any person and on payment of any associated cost, the
  commissioner shall furnish under the commissioner's seal and signed
  by the commissioner or an assistant of the commissioner:
               (1)  a certificate of good standing; or
               (2)  a certified copy of a license, rule, or order.
         Sec. 398.355.  TRANSCRIPT OF HEARING: PUBLIC. The
  transcript of a hearing held by the commissioner under this chapter
  is a public record.
         Sec. 398.356.  APPOINTMENT OF AGENT. A licensed provider
  shall maintain on file with the commissioner the name and address of
  the provider's registered agent for service of process.
         Sec. 398.357.  PAYMENT OF EXAMINATION COSTS AND
  ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES. A licensed provider shall pay to the
  commissioner an amount assessed by the commissioner to cover the
  direct and indirect cost of an examination under Section 398.352
  and a proportionate share of general administrative expenses.
         Sec. 398.358.  LICENSEE'S RECORDS. (a) A licensed provider
  shall maintain a record of each transaction conducted under this
  chapter as is necessary to enable the commissioner to determine
  whether the provider is complying with this chapter.
         (b)  A licensed provider shall keep the record and make it
  available electronically or physically in this state, until the
  later of:
               (1)  the fourth anniversary of the date of the
  transaction; or
               (2)  the second anniversary of the date on which the
  final entry is made in the record.
         (c)  The commissioner shall accept a licensed provider's
  system of records if the system discloses the information
  reasonably required under Subsection (a).
         Sec. 398.359.  ANNUAL REPORT. (a) Each year, not later than
  May 1 or a later date set by the commissioner, a licensed provider
  shall file with the commissioner a report that contains relevant
  information required by the commissioner concerning the provider's
  business and operations in this state during the preceding calendar
  year. The report must include:
               (1)  the total number of transactions in which the
  provider paid proceeds to a consumer;
               (2)  the total number of consumers to whom the provider
  paid proceeds;
               (3)  the total dollar amount of proceeds paid to all
  consumers;
               (4)  the total dollar amount of fees, tips, gratuities,
  or donations the provider received from consumers;
               (5)  the total number and dollar amount of transactions
  in which a payment of proceeds was made to a consumer for which the
  provider did not receive repayment of the outstanding proceeds;
               (6)  the total number and dollar amount of transactions
  in which a payment of proceeds was made to a consumer for which the
  provider received partial repayment of the outstanding proceeds;
               (7)  the total dollar amount of unpaid, outstanding
  proceeds attributable to transactions described by Subdivision
  (6);
               (8)  the total number and dollar amount of transactions
  in which outstanding proceeds were repaid after the original,
  scheduled repayment date; and
               (9)  the total number of written consumer complaints
  received by the provider in connection with the provision of earned
  wage access services and a list of the reason for each complaint,
  listed by frequency of reason for the complaint.
         (b)  A report under this section must be:
               (1)  under oath; and
               (2)  in the form prescribed by the commissioner.
         (c)  A report under this section is confidential.
         (d)  Annually the commissioner shall prepare and publish a
  consolidated analysis and recapitulation of reports filed under
  this section.
         SECTION 6.  Section 411.095(a), Government Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (a)  The consumer credit commissioner is entitled to obtain
  from the department criminal history record information that
  relates to a person who is:
               (1)  an applicant for or holder of a license or
  registration under Chapter 180, 342, 347, 348, 351, 353, 371, 393,
  [or] 394, or 398, Finance Code;
               (2)  an employee of or volunteer with the Office of
  Consumer Credit Commissioner;
               (3)  an applicant for employment with the Office of
  Consumer Credit Commissioner; or
               (4)  a contractor or subcontractor of the Office of
  Consumer Credit Commissioner.
         SECTION 7.  A person engaging in business as an earned wage
  access services provider on the effective date of this Act must
  obtain a license in accordance with Chapter 398, Finance Code, as
  added by this Act, not later than January 1, 2024.
         SECTION 8.  Sections 398.201 and 398.251, Finance Code, as
  added by this Act, apply only to a contract for earned wage access
  services entered into on or after the effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 9.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.