SB1689 - 572R

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Section 6-601, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-601. Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Actuarial method" means the method of allocating each payment between finance charges and principal pursuant to which the payment is applied first to finance charges computed on the unpaid balance of principal for the time the balance is outstanding, and the remainder of the payment is subtracted from the unpaid principal amount.

2. "Amount financed" means the amount of credit extended to a consumer on a consumer loan determined in accordance with the truth in lending act.

3. "Annual percentage rate" means the measure of the cost of credit, expressed as a yearly rate, that relates the amount and timing of value received by the consumer to the amount and timing of payments made, determined in accordance with the truth in lending act.

4. "Consumer" means an individual who obtains a consumer lender loan for personal, family or household purposes.

5. "Consumer lender" means a person that advertises to make or procure, solicits or holds itself out to make or procure, or makes or procures consumer lender loans to consumers in this state.

6. "Consumer lender loans" means consumer loans, and consumer revolving loans and home equity revolving loans.

7. "Consumer loan" means the direct closed end loan of money, whether unsecured or secured by personal or real property, in an amount of $10,000 $50,000 or less that is subject to a finance charge in which only the principal amount of the loan is considered, and not any finance charges or other fees allowed pursuant to section 6-635, for the purpose of determining to determine whether the consumer loan is $10,000 $50,000 or less.

8. "Consumer loan rate":

(a) Means the periodic rate of finance charges that applies to the outstanding principal balance of a consumer loan and that remains unpaid. Consumer loan rate

(b) Does not include any prepaid finance charges pursuant to section 6-632, subsection E or any fees pursuant to section 6-635.

9. "Consumer revolving loan" means an open end revolving loan that is established pursuant to an agreement with an agreed on credit limit that does not exceed $10,000 $30,000, that the consumer may pay in full at any time but has the privilege of paying in installments and that contemplates or provides that advances may be obtained from time to time by the consumer, through checks, drafts, items, credit access devices, orders for the payment of money, evidences of debt or similar means, whether or not negotiable.

10. "Educational loan" means any loan or other aid or assistance for the purpose of furthering the education of a consumer or a relative of a consumer at an accredited or approved university, college, community college, junior college, technical, vocational or professional school, or similar institution.

11. "Finance charge" means the amount payable by a consumer incident to or as a condition of the extension of a consumer lender loan but does not include other fees allowed pursuant to section 6-635.

12. "Home equity revolving loan" means an open end revolving loan that is made pursuant to an agreement with an agreed on credit limit that is not more than $10,000, that is secured by the consumer's principal residence and that provides that advances may be obtained from time to time by the consumer through checks, drafts, items, credit access devices, orders for the payment of money, evidences of debt or similar means, whether or not negotiable.

13. 12. "License" means a license issued under the authority of this chapter to make consumer lender loans in accordance with this chapter.

14. 13. "Licensee" means a person licensed pursuant to this chapter.

15. 14. "Precomputed consumer loan" means a consumer loan that is payable in substantially equal, consecutive monthly installments that are applied to the unpaid balance of the principal and precomputed finance charges combined, subject to provisions for refund or credit in the event of prepayment and for deferral or default charges in the event of deferral or default.

16. 15. "Regularly engaged in the business" means either:

(a) Advertising to or any other solicitation of a resident of this state that offers a consumer loan and that occurs within this state.

(b) Making three or more consumer loans within a calendar year to residents of this state.

17. 16. "Truth in lending act" means title I of the consumer credit protection act (15 United States Code sections 1601 through 1666j), as amended, and the regulations promulgated under that act (12 Code of Federal Regulations part 226), as amended. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2. Section 6-602, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-602. Exemptions

A. This chapter does not apply to:

1. A person who does business under any other law of this state, or any other state while regulated by a state agency of that other state, or of the United States, relating to banks, savings banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, profit sharing and pension trusts, credit unions, insurance companies or receiverships if the consumer lender loan transactions are regulated by the other law or are under the jurisdiction of a court.

2. A person who is licensed as a pawnbroker pursuant to title 44, chapter 11, article 3 to the extent that the person's activities are governed by that article.

3. A person who is not regularly engaged in the business of making consumer lender loans.

4. A person who is licensed pursuant to chapter 9 of this title to the extent that the person's activities are governed by that chapter.

B. The requirements of this chapter do not apply to:

1. Closed end loans of more than $10,000 $50,000.

2. Advances on open end revolving loans that are not secured by the consumer's principal residence with an agreed on credit limit of more than $10,000 $30,000, regardless of the amount of any advances on these revolving loans.

3. Advances on open end revolving loans that are secured by the consumer's principal residence with an agreed on credit limit of more than $10,000 $30,000, regardless of the amount of any advances on these revolving loans.

4. Consumer lender loans that are lawfully made to nonresidents of the state in any other state under and in accordance with a regulatory consumer lender law similar in principle to this chapter.

5. Educational loans that are either:

(a) Made, insured or guaranteed pursuant to a program authorized by the United States, this state or any other state.

(b) Made by a nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code to students who attend postsecondary educational institutions in this state.

C. A consumer loan made pursuant to a consumer lender license is not a secondary motor vehicle finance transaction as defined in section 44-281. END_STATUTE

Sec. 3. Section 6-606, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-606. Business limited to licensed locations; restrictions

A. Except as provided in subsection B of this section, a licensee may not conduct the business of making consumer lender loans pursuant to this chapter under any name or at any place of business in this state other than the name and place stated in the licensee's consumer lender license or branch office license.

B. Subsection A of this section does not prohibit a licensee from:

1. Making consumer lender loans by mail or electronic means.

2. On request, making accommodations to consumers at any location requested by the consumer.

3. Conducting any administrative, loan servicing or recordkeeping activity at any other location not open to the public, if the deputy director is notified in advance of that activity.

4. Closing a consumer lender loan secured by real property at an office of a financial institution, title company, licensed escrow agent, licensed mortgage broker or licensed mortgage banker.

5. Giving a consumer an advance on a consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan from any location.

6. Conducting business pursuant to this chapter under an assumed name or a trade name that is submitted to the department pursuant to section 6-117.

C. On approval by the deputy director, the licensee may conduct any of the activities listed in subsection B of this section outside of this state.

D. A licensee may change the location of its licensed office or licensed branch office by giving written notice to the deputy director, who shall amend the license accordingly.

E. All consumer lender loans that are made at the location of a licensed office or branch office are subject to the requirements of article 2 of this chapter, whether made by a licensee, any person otherwise exempt from this chapter pursuant to section 6-602 or any other person.

F. A licensee may not conduct the business of making consumer lender loans pursuant to this chapter from within any licensed office or branch office in which any other business not licensed pursuant to this title is solicited or engaged in, or in association or conjunction with any other business not licensed pursuant to this title, without giving prior notice to the deputy director. If it appears to the deputy director that the other business is of such a nature or is being conducted in such a manner as to conceal an evasion of this chapter or is contrary to the public interest or otherwise being conducted in an unlawful manner, the deputy director may act pursuant to section 6-137 to restrict the licensee from conducting its business in conjunction with that other business. For the purposes of this subsection, "public interest" means the laws of this state or of the United States or rules adopted by the deputy director. END_STATUTE

Sec. 4. Section 6-609, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-609. Reporting rates; change in rates; quarterly report of deputy director

A. At the time of making its annual report to the deputy director, each licensee shall report the licensee's standard annual percentage rate or range of annual percentage rates in effect at that time on the following types of loans:

1. A $500 unsecured consumer loan, payable in twelve equal monthly installments.

2. A $2,500 consumer loan secured by a motor vehicle, payable in thirty-six equal monthly installments.

3. A $9,000 consumer loan secured in full by real property, payable in one hundred twenty equal monthly installments.

4. A consumer revolving loan with an agreed on credit limit of $3,000.

5. A home equity revolving loan with an agreed on credit limit of $15,000.

B. The amount of each of the consumer loans described in subsection A of this section refers to the amount financed as computed in accordance with the truth in lending act. The licensee shall also report the range of the percentage amount of any prepaid finance charges charged in connection with a home equity revolving loan described in subsection A, paragraph 5 of this section.

C. Within thirty days after effectuating a change in the standard rate of charge for any of the types of loans described in subsection A of this section, the licensee shall report that change to the deputy director.

D. On at least a quarterly basis the deputy director shall compile a report of the standard annual percentage rate or range of annual percentage rates of each licensee for the types of loans described in subsection A of this section. The deputy director shall disseminate this report in a manner deemed appropriate by the deputy director, and the deputy director shall make the report available to the public for inspection and copying. END_STATUTE

Sec. 5. Section 6-613, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-613. Restrictions; voidable loans

A. Except as the result of an accidental or bona fide error, if the licensee charges, contracts for or receives any amount in excess of the finance charges and other fees permitted by this chapter, the following restrictions apply:

1. If the original principal amount of a consumer loan is five thousand dollars or less not more than $5,000, that consumer loan is voidable and the licensee has no right to collect or receive any principal, finance charges or other fees in connection with that consumer loan.

2. If the original principal amount of a consumer loan is more than five thousand dollars $5,000, the licensee has no right to collect or receive any finance charges in connection with that consumer loan.

3. If the aggregate amount of advances borrowed on a consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan is five thousand dollars or less not more than $5,000, that consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan is voidable and the licensee has no right to collect or receive any principal, finance charges or other fees in connection with that consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan.

4. If the aggregate amount of advances borrowed on a consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan is more than five thousand dollars $5,000, the licensee has no right to collect or receive any finance charges in connection with that consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan.

B. Any consumer lender loan that is made by a person who is required to be licensed pursuant to this chapter but who is not licensed is void, and the person making that consumer lender loan has no right to collect, receive or retain any principal, finance charges or other fees in connection with that consumer lender loan. END_STATUTE

Sec. 6. Section 6-631, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-631. Disclosures; civil penalty

A. To the extent applicable, a licensee shall comply with the disclosure requirements of the truth in lending act.

B. Each note or agreement evidencing a consumer lender loan shall contain the following disclosure statement in at least ten-point type that is in English and in Spanish and in close proximity to the consumer's signature line:

Notice: You may request that the initial disclosures prescribed in the truth in lending act (15 United States Code sections 1601 through 1666j) be provided in Spanish before signing any loan documents.

C. A licensee shall continuously and conspicuously display a sign printed in at least twelve-point bold type bold face containing the notice prescribed by subsection B of this section and the following notice at each desk in each licensed office or branch office at which consumer lender loans are usually and normally closed:

Notice

Before signing any loan documents or otherwise committing to a loan, you may take copies of those documents away from the consumer lender's place of business for review.

D. A licensee shall give to the consumer a receipt or another written record of the amount of any payment made in currency on any consumer lender loan, either at the time the payment is made or within ten days after the payment is made, or the licensee may reflect the payment on the periodic statement sent to the consumer for the billing period that includes the date of that payment.

E. A licensee shall mail provide periodic statements for consumer revolving loans and home equity revolving loans to the consumer within fourteen days after the end of each monthly billing cycle period. A billing cycle period is considered monthly if the closing date of the billing cycle period is the same day each month or does not vary by more than four days from that day.

F. If the licensee fails to make the disclosure statement prescribed in subsection B of this section, the deputy director shall assess the licensee a one-time civil penalty of up to not more than $300 for every each violation. END_STATUTE

Sec. 7. Section 6-632, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-632. Finance charges

A. A licensee may contract for and receive finance charges on consumer loans that are not more than the following amounts:

1. On a consumer loan in an original principal amount of three thousand dollars or less not more than $10,000, a consumer loan rate of thirty-six per cent percent.

2. On a consumer loan in an original principal amount of more than three thousand dollars $10,000, either:

(a) A consumer loan rate of thirty-six per cent percent on the initial three thousand dollars $10,000 of the original principal amount, and a consumer loan rate of twenty-four per cent percent on that part of the principal amount greater that is more than three thousand dollars $10,000 but less than $20,000, and a consumer loan rate of eighteen percent on a consumer loan rate of more than $20,000 but less than $50,000.

(b) The single blended consumer loan rate that results from the total amount of finance charges that the licensee would receive through the scheduled maturity of the consumer loan at the consumer loan rates that otherwise would be applicable pursuant to subdivision (a) of this paragraph to the different portions of the unpaid principal balance, assuming that the consumer loan will be paid according to its agreed terms.

B. A licensee may contract for and receive periodic finance charges on consumer revolving loans and home equity revolving loans that are not more than the following amounts:

1. On consumer revolving loans with credit limits of three thousand dollars or less not more than $10,000, a periodic rate corresponding to an annual percentage rate of thirty-six per cent percent on the outstanding balance each monthly billing cycle.

2. On consumer revolving loans with credit limits of more than three thousand dollars and home equity revolving loans $10,000, either:

(a) A periodic rate corresponding to an annual percentage rate of thirty-six per cent percent on that portion of the outstanding balance each monthly billing cycle that is not more than three thousand dollars $10,000 and a periodic rate corresponding to an annual percentage rate of twenty-four per cent percent on that portion of the outstanding balance each monthly billing cycle that is more than three thousand dollars $10,000.

(b) A periodic rate corresponding to the single blended annual percentage rate that would result in a periodic finance charge during a monthly billing cycle that is not more than the finance charges that result from the application of the multiple periodic rates authorized by subdivision (a) of this paragraph.

C. A licensee may charge a fixed or variable rate of periodic finance charges on a consumer revolving loan or a home equity revolving loan, as provided by the agreement that establishes the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan. The licensee shall not base a variable rate of periodic finance charges on an index that is under the control of the licensee. Unless the consumer can readily verify the index on which an adjustment in the rate of periodic finance charges is based, the licensee shall provide conspicuous notice of the rate adjustment at least one monthly billing cycle before the effective date of the rate adjustment. The licensee may include a rate adjustment notice on or with a periodic statement to the consumer. The corresponding annual percentage rate of periodic finance charges may not increase or decrease more than three percentage points in any period of twelve consecutive months, and the corresponding annual percentage rate of periodic finance charges may not increase or decrease more than seven percentage points above or below the initial annual percentage rate of periodic finance charges at the time the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan is established.

D. Except as permitted allowed by subsection E of this section, prepaid finance charges commonly referred to as points are prohibited.

E. In addition to the finance charges authorized in subsections A, B and C of this section, a licensee may contract for and receive, and collect finance charges on, nonrefundable prepaid finance charges or fees commonly referred to as points in an amount of not more than:

1. four per cent percent of the original principal amount of a consumer loan of at least five thousand dollars $5,000 secured by the consumer's principal residence.

2. Four per cent of the agreed on credit limit of a home equity revolving loan.

F. If a consumer loan, or consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan is in existence before the effective date of this amendment to this section july 24, 2014 and is modified or restructured after the effective date of this amendment to this section july 24, 2014 and the total new cash advances do not exceed one hundred dollars $100, a licensee may not contract for and receive periodic finance charges at an annual percentage rate that is higher than the annual percentage rate that existed before the effective date of this amendment to this section july 24, 2014. END_STATUTE

Sec. 8. Section 6-633, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-633. Computation of finance charges

A. A licensee shall compute and measure finance charges on consumer loans on unpaid balances outstanding from time to time. A licensee may also precompute finance charges on consumer loans on scheduled unpaid principal balances as provided in section 6-634. For the purposes of computing To compute finance charges on consumer loans that are not precomputed, a licensee may calculate the finance charges on an annual basis of twelve months of thirty days each month or on a daily basis if a day is counted either as 1/360th, 1/365th or 1/366th of a year, as the licensee and consumer may agree in writing.

B. A licensee shall compute periodic finance charges on consumer revolving loans or home equity revolving loans on the unpaid balance of the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan by either of the following methods:

1. By multiplying the daily periodic rate by the actual unpaid balance of the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan each day during the billing cycle period. The daily periodic rate shall be is determined by dividing the annual percentage rate by three hundred sixty-five.

2. By multiplying the monthly periodic rate by the average daily balance of the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan during the billing cycle. The average daily balance is the sum of the unpaid balances of the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan each day during the billing cycle period divided by the number of days in the billing cycle period. The monthly periodic rate is determined by dividing the annual percentage rate by twelve. The unpaid balance on any day is determined by adding to any balance unpaid as of the beginning of that day all advances and allowed additional fees and deducting all payments and other credits to the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan that day.

C. A licensee may compute finance charges only on the unpaid principal balance, allowed additional fees and prepaid finance charges. A licensee shall not compound finance charges. Precomputation of the finance charges on a consumer loan does not constitute compounding of finance charges.

D. If part or all of the principal of a consumer loan is the unpaid principal balance of a prior precomputed consumer loan, the principal amount payable under such consumer loan may include any unpaid finance charges on the prior loan that have accrued within sixty days before the making of that consumer loan. END_STATUTE

Sec. 9. Section 6-635, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-635. Other allowable fees; annual reporting

A. In addition to the finance charges authorized by section 6-632, a licensee may contract for and receive, and collect finance charges on, the following fees:

1. A delinquency charge in an amount equal to five percent of the amount of any installment not paid in full within seven days after its due date.

2. The actual costs of charges that are paid to a third party who is not an employee of the licensee and that are incurred in making consumer lender loans secured in whole or in part by real property, including the charges for a preliminary title search, title examination and report, title insurance premiums, property survey and appraisal fees.

3. Lawful fees for the acknowledging, filing and recording, continuing or releasing in any public office of any instrument or financing statement evidencing or perfecting a lien or security interest in real or personal property securing a consumer lender loan or the premiums paid for insurance in lieu of filing or recording that shall not exceed the filing or recording fee.

4. A loan origination fee of not more than five percent of a closed end consumer loan or the agreed credit limit of a consumer revolving loan but in no event in an amount that is more than $150 $300. A licensee shall not charge a loan origination fee:

(a) For the refinancing of a closed end consumer loan or the renegotiating of an agreed credit limit of a consumer revolving loan if the refinancing or renegotiating occurs within one year of the collection of a prior loan origination fee.

(b) If the licensee charges prepaid finance charges pursuant to section 6-632, subsection E, paragraph 1.

5. Deferral fees authorized in section 6-634 for precomputed consumer loans.

6. Insurance premiums as provided in section 6-636.

7. Court costs.

8. Reasonable attorney fees if the consumer lender loan is referred for collection to an attorney other than a salaried employee of the licensee.

9. Costs, expenses and fees authorized in section 33-813, subsection B for reinstatement of a deed of trust encumbering real property that secures a consumer lender loan.

10. Costs and expenses of exercising the power of sale in a deed of trust encumbering real property that secures a consumer lender loan and costs and expenses of a sale that are included in a credit bid or that are applied from the proceeds of a trustee's sale pursuant to section 33-812, including the payment of trustee fees and reasonable attorney fees actually incurred.

11. Costs and expenses of retaking, holding, preparing for sale and selling any personal property in accordance with title 47, chapter 9, article 6.

12. the cost of the guaranteed asset protection waiver as defined in section 20-103.

B. If a licensee receives a check, draft, negotiable order of withdrawal or similar instrument drawn on a depository institution that is offered by a consumer in full or partial payment on a consumer lender loan and the instrument is not paid or is dishonored by the depository institution, the licensee may charge and collect from the consumer a dishonored check service fee pursuant to section 44-6852.

C. In addition to the finance charges and fees provided in this article, the licensee shall not directly or indirectly charge, contract for or receive any further or other amount in connection with a consumer lender loan.

D. In conjunction with the reporting requirements prescribed in section 6-609, on or before October 1 each year, a licensee shall report to the deputy director the number of closed end consumer loans and consumer revolving loans under $1,000 made in the prior two years. END_STATUTE

Sec. 10. Section 6-636, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-636. Insurance securing loan; cancellation; notice

A. The following types of insurance may be sold to the consumer in connection with a consumer lender loan and the consumer may contract for:

1. Property insurance, covering any property securing a consumer lender loan.

2. Life insurance insuring the life of one or more consumers obligated on a consumer lender loan.

3. Credit disability insurance that provides indemnity for payments due on a consumer lender loan while any covered consumer has a disability.

4. Credit involuntary unemployment insurance that provides indemnity for payments due on a consumer lender loan while one or more consumers are involuntarily unemployed.

5. Accidental death and dismemberment insurance providing a benefit if death occurs as a result of an accident or if dismemberment occurs.

6. Disability income protection insurance providing a benefit if a total disability occurs during the term of insurance.

B. Any insurance purchased by a consumer from or through a licensee, except insurance on property securing a consumer lender loan, is optional, and a licensee shall not refuse to make a consumer lender loan based on the consumer's refusal to purchase the insurance. The consumer may cancel any insurance purchased in connection with a consumer lender loan for any reason at any time within thirty days after the consumer lender loan is made and shall mail or deliver a written notice of the cancellation to the licensee's place of business. If the consumer cancels the insurance pursuant to this subsection, the consumer is entitled to a full refund of any premiums paid for the insurance. Before executing the note or agreement evidencing a consumer lender loan that includes a premium for insurance, the licensee shall give the consumer the disclosures required to exclude those insurance premiums from the finance charge in accordance with the truth in lending act.

C. At the time the insurance is sold the licensee shall mail or deliver provide a written receipt or binder to the consumer. Within thirty days after mailing or delivering provide the written receipt or binder, the licensee shall deliver to the consumer, or if more than one, to any one of them, a policy or certificate of insurance covering any insurance purchased by or through the licensee or any employee or affiliate of the licensee in connection with the consumer lender loan that sets forth the amount of any premium that the consumer has paid or is obligated to pay, the amount of insurance, the term of insurance and a description of the coverage. The policy or certificate may contain a mortgagee clause or other appropriate provisions to protect the insurable interest of the licensee.

D. All property insurance sold pursuant to this section shall bear a reasonable bona fide relation to the existing hazard or risk of loss and shall be written by an agent licensed in this state and by an insurance company authorized to conduct property insurance business in this state. A licensee shall not require the purchase of property insurance from the licensee or any employee, affiliate or associate of the licensee as a condition precedent to the making of a consumer lender loan. The licensee may otherwise designate the company in which the insurance shall be placed as long as the insurance company is authorized to conduct business in this state.

E. Property insurance, if sold by a licensee in connection with a consumer loan, is at the option of the consumer in an amount not exceeding more than the greater of the reasonable value of the property insured as designated in writing by the consumer or the approximate amount of the consumer loan and shall be for a term not exceeding the approximate term of the consumer loan. However, the amount of this property insurance may not exceed the designated value of the property insured.

F. If a licensee sells property insurance in connection with a consumer revolving loan or a home equity revolving loan, the amount of the property insurance shall not exceed the greater of the reasonable value of the property insured as designated in writing by the consumer or the agreed on credit limit. However, the amount of property insurance shall not exceed the designated value of the insured property. The licensee may sell property insurance for renewable terms of not more than two years. Alternatively, the amount of property insurance may be equal to the balance outstanding on a consumer revolving loan or a home equity revolving loan from time to time with the premiums calculated on the basis of the actual daily unpaid balance or the average daily balance of the account during each billing cycle period. Premiums for property insurance may be charged as an advance on a consumer revolving loan or a home equity revolving loan.

G. If the licensee sells the consumer property insurance for a renewable term, the licensee shall mail a notice to the consumer at least thirty days before the renewal date that states all of the following:

1. The consumer's property insurance is about to expire.

2. The consumer may obtain property insurance from any source chosen by the consumer subject to the licensee's right to reasonably reject the insurer chosen by the consumer by providing written notice to the consumer of those reasons for rejection.

3. The term, coverage and premium for the renewal of property insurance.

4. The property insurance will be renewed on expiration unless the consumer provides the licensee before the expiration date with evidence that the consumer has obtained other property insurance.

H. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any advantage, commission, dividend, gain or identifiable charge for insurance authorized by this section, or otherwise, to the licensee or any employee or affiliate of the licensee from that insurance or its sale is not an additional finance charge or other allowed fee in connection with the consumer lender loan. If the licensee provides a new consumer lender loan or renews a contract of a consumer lender loan and the licensee sells the consumer new insurance, the licensee shall apply the insurance provided for in this section to the new loan or renewal, or the licensee shall cancel the prior insurance and provide the consumer with a refund or credit of the unearned premium or identifiable charge before selling the new insurance to the consumer.

I. The licensee shall determine the refund of unearned premiums for credit life insurance and credit disability insurance on prepayment in full according to title 20, chapter 6, article 10.

J. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, insurance transactions pursuant to this chapter are subject in all respects to the applicable laws pertaining to that insurance pursuant to title 20 and to the applicable rules adopted pursuant to title 20. END_STATUTE

Sec. 11. Section 6-637, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE6-637. Term; payments

A. The scheduled term of a consumer loan shall not be longer than the following:

1. Twenty-four months and fifteen days from the date of making a consumer loan of one thousand dollars or less not more than $1,000.

2. Thirty-six months and fifteen days from the date of making a consumer loan of more than one thousand dollars $1,000 but not more than two thousand five hundred dollars $2,500.

3. Forty-eight months and fifteen days from the date of making a consumer loan of more than two thousand five hundred dollars $2,500 but not more than four thousand dollars $4,000.

4. Sixty months and fifteen days from the date of making a consumer loan of more than four thousand dollars $4,000 but not more than six thousand dollars $6,000.

5. Any agreed on time period for a consumer loan of more than six thousand dollars $6,000.

B. The note evidencing a consumer loan shall provide for the scheduled repayment of principal and finance charges in approximately equal periodic installments.

C. Pursuant to the provisions of 12 United States Code section 3804, subsections A and B of this section shall not be superseded by the provisions of 12 United States Code section 3803.

D. Balloon payments, prepayment penalties, call options and other contract provisions that permit a consumer lender to accelerate payment of a consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan for any reason other than the consumer's default as provided in the agreement evidencing the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan are prohibited, except that a licensee may include a call option to be exercised at least fifteen years after the date of the agreement. If the licensee exercises this call option and the consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan is not in default, the licensee shall amortize the amount due on the account over at least sixty monthly installments.

E. Except as provided in subsection D of this section, an agreement evidencing a consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan shall provide that on termination of the right to obtain advances the outstanding principal balance and finance charges at the time of termination of the right to obtain advances are repayable in installments if a consumer is not in default as provided in the agreement. These installments shall provide for the scheduled repayment of principal and finance charges in approximately equal periodic installments except as a result of an adjustment in the index on which a variable rate of periodic finance charges is based. These installments are payable within the following time limits:

1. Twenty-four months and fifteen days from the date of termination of the right to obtain advances for an outstanding principal balance on that date of one thousand dollars or less not more than $1,000.

2. Thirty-six months and fifteen days from the date of termination of the right to obtain advances for an outstanding principal balance on that date that is more than one thousand dollars $1,000 but not more than two thousand five hundred dollars $2,500.

3. Forty-eight months and fifteen days from the date of termination of the right to obtain advances for an outstanding principal balance on that date that is more than two thousand five hundred dollars $2,500 but not more than four thousand dollars $4,000.

4. Sixty months and fifteen days from the date of termination of the right to obtain advances for an outstanding principal balance on that date that is more than four thousand dollars $4,000 but not more than six thousand dollars $6,000.

5. Any agreed on time period for an outstanding principal balance that is more than six thousand dollars $6,000 on the date of termination of the right to obtain advances.

F. A licensee shall permit a consumer to prepay any scheduled installment or additional amount due on any consumer lender loan in advance at any time during the licensee's regular business hours, but the licensee may apply that prepayment first to all finance charges accrued through the date of that prepayment.

G. On payment in full or renewal of a consumer lender loan, the licensee shall provide written notice of payment and release to the consumer, or if more than one consumer is obligated on the consumer lender loan, to any one of the consumers. The notice of payment and release shall include the date of the original note or agreement evidencing the consumer lender loan and the date of payment in full. In lieu of the notice of payment and release, the licensee may return the original note or agreement evidencing the consumer lender loan marked paid or renewed, as applicable. The licensee shall release any lien or security interest on property securing a consumer lender loan that is paid in full as provided in section 33-707 for real property and section 47-9513 for personal property. This subsection does not apply to a consumer revolving loan or home equity revolving loan on which there is no unpaid balance if the consumer's right to receive advances on the account continues in effect. END_STATUTE

Sec. 12. Section 41-5605, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:

START_STATUTE41-5605. Scope

A. If the attorney general approves an application for entry into the regulatory sandbox, the applicant is deemed a sandbox participant and both of the following apply:

1. The sandbox participant has twenty-four months after the date of approval to test the innovation described in the sandbox participant's application.

2. The attorney general must issue the sandbox participant a registration number.

B. Innovations tested within the regulatory sandbox are subject to the following restrictions:

1. Consumers must be residents of this state, except for transactions that involve an innovation provided by a sandbox participant testing financial products or services as a money transmitter as defined in section 6-1241 or a related innovation, in which case only physical presence of the consumer in this state at the time of the transaction may be required.

2. Except as provided in subsection C of this section or section 41-5608, an innovation may not be tested with more than ten thousand consumers.

3. For a sandbox participant testing consumer lender loans as defined in section 6-601, an individual consumer lender loan may be issued for up to $15,000, except that aggregate loans per consumer may not exceed $50,000. All consumer lender loans issued in the regulatory sandbox, including loans in excess of $10,000 $50,000, are subject to all of the following:

(a) Section 6-114.

(b) Section 6-632.

(d) Section 6-637.

4. Except as provided in subsection C of this section, for a sandbox participant testing financial products or services as a money transmitter as defined in section 6-1241, individual transactions per consumer may not exceed $2,500 and aggregate transactions per consumer may not exceed $25,000.

5. For sandbox participants testing financial products or services as a sales finance company as defined in section 44-281, all of the following apply:

(a) Section 44-286.

(b) Section 44-287, except subsection B, paragraph 8.

(d) Section 44-289.

(e) Section 44-290.

(f) Section 44-291.

(g) Section 44-293.

(h) Section 47-9601.

6. For sandbox participants testing financial products or services that provide investment management that is regulated pursuant to title 44, chapter 13:

(a) Section 44-3241 applies.

(b) The corporation commission rules adopted pursuant to title 44, chapter 13 apply as they relate to dishonest and unethical practices.

C. If a sandbox participant demonstrates adequate financial capitalization, risk management process and management oversight, the attorney general may allow either or both of the following:

1. Except as provided in section 41-5608, an innovation to not be tested with more than seventeen thousand five hundred consumers.

2. For a sandbox participant testing products or services as a money transmitter as defined in section 6-1241, individual transactions per consumer that do not exceed $15,000 and aggregate transactions per consumer that do not exceed $50,000.

D. This section does not restrict a sandbox participant who holds a license or other authorization in another jurisdiction from acting pursuant to and in accordance with that license or other authorization.

E. A sandbox participant is deemed to possess an appropriate license under the laws of this state for purposes of any provision of federal law requiring state licensure or authorization.

F. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a sandbox participant is not subject to state laws that establish requirements pursuant to a license or authorization issued by an applicable agency that otherwise would or may regulate an innovative financial product or service.

G. The attorney general may determine that certain state laws that regulate a financial product or service or innovation apply to a sandbox participant. If the attorney general makes this determination and approves an application for entry into the regulatory sandbox, the attorney general must notify the sandbox participant of the specific state regulatory laws that will apply to the sandbox participant. Pursuant to section 41-5611, the attorney general alone shall enforce the state regulatory laws applicable to sandbox participants, including the restrictions established by this section.

H. To the extent that a sandbox participant is required by this chapter to obtain, record, provide or maintain any information, writing, signature, record or disclosure, the sandbox participant may do so in electronic form, including as provided in section 44-7601, or may substitute any substantially similar equivalent information, writing, signature, record or disclosure that is approved by the attorney general. END_STATUTE

Sec. 13. Applicability

This act applies to any contract or addendum entered into from and after December 31, 2026.

Sec. 14. Effective date

Sections 6-601, 6-609, 6-613, 6-631, 6-633, 6-636 and 6-637, Arizona Revised Statutes, as amended by this act, are effective from and after December 31, 2026.