HCS/SS/SCS/SB 953 - This act modifies various provisions relating to title insurance and service contracts as denoted by the bill's two-fold title (House Amendment 1 removed service contracts and its provisions from the act). This act substantially revises the title insurance act and modifies the enforcement powers of the Department of Insurance. The act reenacts numerous provisions that were contained in SB 894 (2000) they were found unconstitutional due to clear title violations. The unconstitutional provisions remain in the statute books whereas the pre-SB 894 provisions are not contained in the statute books. ENFORCEMENT OF INSURANCE LAWS – This act revises the law with respect to how the Department of Insurance enforces various violations of the state insurance code. The new enforcement provisions shall not apply to bail bondsmen (SA 2). If the director of the Department of Insurance determines that a person has violated or is attempting to violate a provision of the insurance code, the director may issue: (1) An order directing the person to cease and desist from engaging in the act, practice, omission or course of business; (2) A curative order or order directing the person to take other action necessary or appropriate to comply with the insurance laws of this state; (3) Order a civil penalty or forfeiture; and (4) Award reasonable costs of the investigation. The act provides that the director shall provide the alleged violator notice of the director's intent to issue an order unless summary action is needed to protect consumers. The act provides that for administrative hearings to contest the issuance of the administrative orders and requires the director to issue findings of fact and conclusions of law before an order becomes final. Under the act, the director is authorized to issue subpoenas, compel attendance of witnesses, administer oaths, hear testimony of witnesses, receive evidence, and require the production of books, papers, records, correspondence and all other written instruments or documents relevant to the proceeding and authorized in contested cases under the provisions of Chapter 536, RSMo. The act modifies the penalty for violating a cease and desist order issued by the Department of Insurance. Currently, the law provides that a person who violates a cease and desist order may be punished by a maximum $1,000 fine and up to one year in jail. The act provides for a fine up to $100,000 and a term of imprisonment of 10 years (Section 374.046). REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY - The act allows the director to revoke a corporation's or insurer's certificate of authority for violating a provision of the insurance code or for felony or misdemeanor convictions. The director must provide the corporation or insurer with 30 days notice before revoking the certificate of authority and must provide such entity with a hearing if so requested (Section 374.047). PETITION OF CIRCUIT COURT - The act allows the director to seek redress in county circuit courts and the court may issue injunctions, freeze assets or take other remedial measures outlined in the act. The act creates the consumer restitution fund for the purpose of preserving and distributing to aggrieved consumers, disgorgement or restitution funds obtained through enforcement proceedings brought by the director (Section 374.048). CLASSIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES – The act classifies various violations of the insurance code into 5 categories. The act establishes maximum fines for each category or level violation. All fines shall go to public schools as required by the Missouri Constitution (Section 374.049). ADMINISTRATIVE HEARING COMMISSION HEARINGS - Under the act, any applicant refused a license by order of the director may file a petition with the Administrative Hearing Commission alleging that the director has refused the license. The Administrative Hearing Commission shall conduct hearings and make findings of fact and conclusions of law. The director shall have the burden of proving cause for refusal in determining whether an applicant is disqualified by statute. The act provides for hearings by the Administrative Hearing Commission for certain revocations and suspensions of licenses (Section 374.051). DEFINITIONS THAT APPLY TO TITLE INSURANCE CODE - This act revises the definition section of the insurance code by adding new terms such as abstract of title, affiliated business, related title services and other terms. The term "premium" is defined as: the charge that is made by a title insurer directly or through a title agent or title agency for the issuance of a title insurance policy or a closing or settlement protection letter that the title insurer is required to issue under this chapter and shall be limited only to title insurers' reasonable overhead and reasonable miscellaneous expenses and other amounts necessary to cover expected losses and loss adjustment expense from underwriting the risk associated with the issuance of such title policy and any such closing or settlement protection letter but shall exclude: (a) Any commission to be retained by or payable to any title agent or title agency; (b) An amount equal to any such commission when a title agent or title agency is not involved in the issuance of a title insurance policy; (c) Overhead and miscellaneous expenses and profit margin incurred by or belonging to the title agent or title agency; (d) Any other costs and expenses incurred by a title agent or title agency; and (e) Any charges or fees for related title services. (Section 381.009). TYPES OF TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES - This act requires a statement notifying the owner of exceptions when a title insurance commitment includes an offer to issue an owner's policy covering the resale of owner-occupied residential property. A lender's title insurance policy issued in conjunction with a mortgage loan shall give notice to the purchaser that the lender's policy protects the lender and does not protect the purchaser and that the purchaser could be protected through the purchase of an owner's policy of title insurance (Section 381.015). DUTIES OF INSURERS UTILIZING SERVICES OF TITLE AGENCIES - A title insurer shall not allow its agents to sell title insurance policies unless there is a written contract between the agent and the insurer. The title insurer shall maintain an inventory of all policy numbers allocated to each title agency or title agent not affiliated with a title agency. The title insurer shall have on file proof that the title agency or title agent is licensed by this state. The title insurer shall establish the underwriting guidelines and, where applicable, limitations on title claims settlement authority to be incorporated into contracts with its title agencies and title agents not affiliated with a title agency. If a title insurer terminates its agency with a title agency, the insurer shall, within seven days of the termination, notify the director of the reasons for termination (Section 381.018). DISCLOSURE OF CHARGES – Under this act, a title insurer, title agency or title agent participating in residential closings using the Housing and Urban Development settlement statement shall provide clear and conspicuous disclosure of charges. The director may adopt rules not in conflict with provisions of RESPA to implement disclosure of premium, abstract or title search fee, settlement or closing fees, policy issuance fees, and any other associated fees along with a concise description (Section 381.019). CONDITIONS FOR MAINTAINING ESCROW AND SECURITY DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS - In order for a title insurer or title agent to operate as an escrow, security, settlement, or closing agent, it must deposit such related funds into a separate fiduciary trust account. Interest received on escrow, settlement, security deposit, or closing funds may be retained by the title insurer or agent as compensation for the administration of the account. Under the act, it is unlawful for any person to commingle personal or any other moneys with escrow funds, use escrow funds to pay or indemnify against debts of the title insurance agent or of any other person, use escrow funds for any purpose other than to fulfill the terms of the individual escrow after the necessary conditions of the escrow have been met, disburse any funds held in an escrow account unless the disbursement is made pursuant to a written instruction or agreement specifying under what conditions and to whom such funds may be disbursed or pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or disburse any funds held in a security deposit account unless the disbursement is made pursuant to a written agreement. Under the act, a title insurer or title agent shall not provide escrow or closing services unless it issues a commitment or policy or gives written notice that the closing or settlement is not protected by the title insurer or agent (Section 381.022). PERIODIC ONSITE REVIEWS OF TITLE AGENTS BY TITLE INSURERS - A title insurer shall, at least annually, conduct an onsite review of the underwriting, claims, and escrow practices of the title insurance agency or agent with which it has a contract. If the agency or agent does not maintain separate fiduciary trust accounts for each title insurer it represents, the title insurer shall verify that the funds held on its behalf are reasonably ascertainable from the books of account and records of the agency or agent. Each title insurer shall adopt and utilize standards and procedures for the on-site review of title insurance agents and agencies. On-site review documentation, work papers, summaries and reports shall be maintained by each title insurer for a period of at least four years and shall be made available to the director for examination upon request (Section 381.023). ACCESS TO RECORDS OF UNAFFILIATED AGENT – Under this act, it is unlawful for any title agency or title agent not affiliated with an agency to deny reasonable access or in any manner fail to cooperate with its underwriters in the title insurers' reviews of the agency's or agent's escrow, settlement, closing and security deposit accounts (Section 381.024). PROHIBITION ON REFERRAL FEES – Under the act, it is unlawful for any title insurer, title agency, title agent or other person to give or receive any consideration for the referral of title insurance business, escrow, closing or other service provided by a title insurer, title agency or title agent. Under the act, a title insurer or agent may seek injunctive relief if the department fails to take action within 45 days of receiving notice of the violation (Section 381.025). RECORDING OF DEEDS - Under this act, a settlement agent shall record all deeds and security instruments for real estate closings handled by it within five business days after completion of all conditions precedents (Section 381.026). FAVORED TITLE AGENCY OR TITLE INSURER - No title insurer or agent shall participate in any transaction in which it knows the other party requires that a party obtain a title insurance policy from a particular insurer or agent. The act makes it unlawful for any title insurer or title agent to offer payments, rebates or other types of inducements as part of a title insurance policy transaction. The act, however, provides that shall prevent or prohibit a title insurer from negotiating with a title agency or title agent discounts under a filed rating plan or manual, the amount of any commission to be retained or paid by the title insurer to the title agency or title agent, or other fees and charges not comprising the premium, or from providing directly to the insured all or any portion of any commission, or from negotiating the charges and fees payable by an insured for related title services or which do not comprise the premium (Section 381.028). PREMIUM RATES – Under the act, premium rates shall not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory. Premium rates are excessive if they are likely to produce a long-run profit that is unreasonably high for the insurance provided or if expenses are unreasonably high in relation to services rendered. Premium rates are inadequate when they are clearly insufficient to sustain projected losses and expenses and the use of such rates, if continued, will tend to create a monopoly in the market. Unfair discrimination exists if price differentials fail to reflect equitably the differences in expected losses and expenses. Due consideration shall be given to past and prospective loss and expense experience within and outside of this state, to catastrophe hazards and contingencies, to events or trends within and outside of this state, and to all other relevant factors. Premium rates may contain a provision for contingencies and an allowance permitting a reasonable profit. In determining the reasonableness of profit, consideration should be given to all investment income attributable to premiums and reserves (Section 381.032). FILING OF PREMIUM RATES – Under this act, every title insurer shall file with the director all premium rates and supplementary rate information which is to be used in this state. Such rates and supplementary rate information and supporting information required by the director shall be filed before the effective date. All rates, supplementary rate information and any supporting information shall be open to public inspection at any reasonable time. It is unlawful for a title insurer or agent to charge a premium that has not been filed with the director. Failure to file a such classifications, rating plans, or other forms is a level 2 violation (Section 381.033). DISAPPROVAL OF PREMIUM RATES - A rate may be disapproved at any time subsequent to the effective date. The director may disapprove a rate if the director finds that the rate is inadequate, excessive or unfairly discriminatory. The insurer whose rates have been disapproved shall be given a hearing upon a written request made within 30 days after the disapproval order. Whenever an insurer has no legally effective rates as a result of the director's disapproval of rates or other act, the director shall specify interim rates for the insurer that are high enough to protect the interests of all parties and may order that a specified portion of the premiums be placed in an escrow account approved by the director (Section 381.034). ISSUANCE OF TITLE INSURANCE POLICIES (EVIDENCE OF TITLE, LIENS, RECORD KEEPING, TIME LIMITS FOR ISSUANCE) – Under the act, no title insurance policy shall be written unless and until the title insurer, title agent, or agency has caused a search of title to be made from the evidence prepared from a title plant or under other circumstance the policy shall be based upon the best title evidence available. No title insurance policy shall be written unless the insurer has made a determination of insurability of title in accordance with sound underwriting practices. No title insurer, title agent, or agency shall knowingly issue any owner's title insurance policy or commitment to insure without showing all outstanding, enforceable recorded liens or other interests against the title which is to be insured. Evidence of the examination of title and determination of insurability generated by a title insurer shall be maintained by such insurer for as long as appropriate to the circumstances but, in no event less than 15 years after the policy has been issued. Records relating to escrow and security deposits shall be retained for a minimum of seven years. All title agents shall promptly remit premiums to title insurers and that under normal circumstances this means within 60 days of receiving an invoice from the insurer. (Section 381.038). RULES AND REGULATIONS – The act authorizes the director of the Department of Insurance to promulgate rules to implement the provisions of the title insurance chapter (Section 381.042). ENFORCEMENT OF TITLE INSURANCE LAWS - If the director determines that a person has engaged, is engaging, or is about to engage in a violation of the title insurance laws, the director may issue administrative orders (cease and desist, curative orders, etc.), suspend or revoke the license of a producer or the certificate of authority of any title insurer for any such willful violation. The director may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin violations of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (Sections 381.045 and 381.048). TRANSACTION OF TITLE INSURANCE BUSINESS - No person other than a domestic, foreign or non-U.S. title insurer organized on the stock plan and duly licensed by the director shall transact title insurance business as an insurer in this state (Section 382.052). A title insurer shall have the power to do only title insurance business, reinsure title insurance policies, and perform ancillary activities such as examining titles to property and any interest in property and procuring and furnishing related information and information about relevant real and personal property, when not in contemplation of, or in conjunction with, the issuance of a title insurance policy (Section 381.055). Only title insurance companies can issue title insurance policies. A title insurer shall not engage in the business of guaranteeing payment of the principal or the interest of bonds or mortgages (Section 381.058). CLOSING OR SETTLEMENT PROTECTION - Under the act, a title insurer is required to issue closing or settlement protection to protect the buyer, lender and seller's interest if the title insurer issues a commitment, binder or title insurance policy. The closing or settlement protection shall indemnify the proposed insured for theft of settlement or escrow funds by the title agent or for the title agent's failure to comply with the closing instructions. The charge for issuance of the closing or settlement protection letter shall be filed as a rate with the director. The entire charge for the closing or settlement protection letter shall be retained by the title insurer. A title insurer shall not provide any other coverage which purports to indemnify against improper acts or omissions of a person with regard to escrow, settlement, or closing services (Section 381.058). CAPITAL AND SURPLUS REQUIREMENTS – Under this act, a title insurer shall establish and maintain a minimum paid-in capital of not less than $800,000 and, in addition, surplus of at least $800,000 (Section 381.062). NET RETAINED LIABILITY OF TITLE INSURER - The title insurer's net retained liability for a single risk shall not exceed the aggregate of 50% of the surplus as it regards policyholders plus the statutory premium reserve less the company's investment in title plants. A single risk is the insured amount of any title insurance policy. Where there are two or more policies which are issued simultaneously covering different estates in the same real property, a single risk shall be the sum of the insured amounts of all the policies (Section 381.065). FINANCIAL SOLVENCY - In determining the financial condition of a title insurer, the general provisions of Sections 379.080 to 379.082 shall apply except than an investment in title plants equal to an amount to the actual cost shall be allowed as an admitted asset for title insurers. The aggregate amount of the investment shall not exceed 20% of surplus to policyholders, as shown on the most recent annual statement of the title insurer on file with the director (Section 381.068). LIQUIDATION AND INSOLVENCY OF TITLE INSURERS - The Missouri Uniform Insurers Liquidation Act shall apply to all title insurers. Security and escrow funds held by title insurers shall not become general assets and shall be administered as secure claims. Title insurance policies shall not be canceled during a period of liquidation unless good cause is shown to the court. Premiums paid, due or to become due under a title insurance policy at the date of order of insolvency shall be fully earned and it is the duty of the title insurer or its agents to pay the premiums to the liquidator (Section 381.075). FORM FILING - Title insurance forms shall be approved by the Director of Insurance 30 days before they are used (Section 381.085). POLICY ISSUANCE FEE – Under the act, a policy issuance fee not to exceed $2 shall be imposed on each title insurance policy issued in the state. The fee shall be collected by the title agent from the title insurance policy purchaser at the time of closing and promptly remitted to the title insurer in the same manner premium is remitted. The fee shall be deposited in the Department of Insurance Dedicated Fund (Section 381.113). LICENSING OF TITLE AGENTS/CONTINUING EDUCATION – All title insurance agencies and agents must be licensed as insurance producers. Employees of the title insurance agent shall either be licensed themselves or be named on the title insurance agent's license if they engage in the functions of a title insurance agent. Title insurance agents must eliminate the word insurer or underwriter from their business name unless the word "agency" is part of the name. If the title insurance agent delegates a title search to a third party, the agent must obtain proof that the third party is qualified by the rules and regulations established by the Director of Insurance. Title insurance agents shall take 16 hours of continuing courses of education related to insurance every two years. For good cause, an agent may be granted an extended period of time to complete the educational requirements. Those title agents who reside in a state with mandatory continuing education requirements do not have to comply with this portion of the act. The act provides that the examination requirements shall be waived for all title agents and qualified principals who have been continually licensed as a title agent or producer from at least January 1, 2004, through January 1, 2007 (Sections 381.115 and 381.118). AUDITING OF BOOKS AND RECORDS – Under the act, the director may during normal business hours examine, audit and inspect any and all books and records maintained by a title agency or title agent (Section 381.122). AFFILIATED BUSINESS ARRANGEMENTS - Whenever the business to be written constitutes affiliated business, prior to commencing the transaction, the title insurer, title agency or title agent shall ensure that its customer has been provided with disclosure of the existence of the affiliated business arrangement and a written estimate of the charge or range of charges generally made for the title services provided by the title insurer, agency or agent. The director may require each title insurer, agency and agent to file on forms prescribed by the director reports setting forth the names and addresses of those persons, if any, that have a financial interest in the insurer, agency or agent and who the insurer, agency or agent knows or has reason to believe are producers of title insurance business or associates of producers. Nothing shall be construed as prohibiting affiliated business arrangements in the provision of title insurance business so long as: (1) The title insurer, title agency, title agent or party making a referral constituting affiliated business, at or prior to the time of the referral, discloses the arrangement and, in connection with the referral, provides the person being referred with a written estimate of the charge or range of charges likely to be assessed and otherwise complies with the disclosure obligations of this section; (2) The person being referred is not required to use a specified title insurer, agency or agent; and (3) The only thing of value that is received by the title insurer, agency, agent or party making the referral, other than payments otherwise permitted, is a return on an ownership interest (Section 381.029). GOOD FUNDS - This act modifies the definition of "financial institution" for purposes of closing real estate transactions and settlement agents. The act modifies the "good funds" provision by restricting title insurers or agents from making payments or withdrawals from a settlement escrow account unless a corresponding deposit of funds was made to the escrow account for the benefit of the payee or payees. This restriction applies regardless of the amount of the payment or withdrawal. The current restriction only applies to payments or withdrawals that exceed $10,000 (Sections 381.410 and 381.412). MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACTS - The act modifies the laws regarding motor vehicle service contracts. The act places the existing provisions relating to motor vehicle extended service contracts into a new chapter (chapter 407 to chapter 385). These provisions are similar to ones contained in SS/SCS/SB 895 (2006). The act has an effective date of January 1, 2007 for the majority of the act. HOUSE AMENDMENT 1 - HOUSE AMENDMENT 1 REMOVED THE SERVICE CONTRACT PROVISIONS FROM THE ACT. THE AMENDMENT FURTHER REMOVED THE FOLLOWING TITLE INSURANCE SECTIONS FROM THE ACT - 381.009, 381.015, 381.025, 381.026, 381.027, 381.028, 381.029, 381.032, 381.033, 381.034 381.038, 381.058, 381.112, 381.113, 381.410, AND 381.412 (LEAVING FOR THE MOST PART TITLE INSURANCE PROVISIONS RELATING TO INTERNAL AUDITS, FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS, AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS). STEPHEN WITTE