Bill Text: MN SF382 | 2013-2014 | 88th Legislature | Engrossed
NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: Bullion coin dealers regulation, registration requirement, conduct prohibition, enforcement authority, criminal penalties and appropriation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-05-16 - HF substituted on General Orders HF157 [SF382 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF382-Engrossed.html
Bill Title: Bullion coin dealers regulation, registration requirement, conduct prohibition, enforcement authority, criminal penalties and appropriation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-05-16 - HF substituted on General Orders HF157 [SF382 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2013-SF382-Engrossed.html
1.2relating to commerce; regulating bullion coin dealers; requiring registration;
1.3prohibiting certain conduct; providing enforcement authority and criminal
1.4penalties;proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 80G.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [80G.01] DEFINITIONS.
1.7 Subdivision 1. Scope. For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the
1.8meanings given to them in this section.
1.9 Subd. 2. Bullion coin. "Bullion coin" means any coin containing more than one
1.10percent by weight of silver, gold, platinum, or other precious metal.
1.11 Subd. 3. Bullion coin dealer. (a) Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (b), a
1.12"bullion coin dealer" means any person who buys, sells, solicits, or markets bullion
1.13coins or investments in bullion coins to consumers and is either incorporated, registered,
1.14domiciled, or otherwise located in this state, or who does business with a consumer
1.15domiciled, residing, or otherwise located in this state.
1.16(b) A "bullion coin dealer" does not include any of the following persons:
1.17(1) a person who engages only in wholesale bullion coin transactions with bullion
1.18coin dealers who sell at retail and are properly registered under this chapter;
1.19(2) a person who engages only in transactions at occasional garage or yard sales
1.20held at the seller's residence, farm auctions held at the seller's residence, or estate sales
1.21held at the decedent's residence;
1.22(3) a person who is properly registered pursuant to chapter 80A, or the federal
1.23Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules promulgated thereunder as a securities broker
1.24dealer or broker dealer agent; or
2.1(4) an auctioneer who auctions coins at auction on behalf of an owner, if the
2.2auctioneer does not take title or ownership of the coins.
2.3 Subd. 4. Coin dealer representative. "Coin dealer representative" means any
2.4natural person acting as an employee, contractor, or agent of a bullion coin dealer and who
2.5has interactions with consumers in connection with the buying, selling, solicitation, or
2.6marketing of bullion coins or investments in bullion coins.
2.7 Subd. 5. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce.
2.8 Subd. 6. Owner. "Owner" means any person who has an ownership interest in a
2.9bullion coin dealer, regardless of whether directly or indirectly, of more than ten percent
2.10and who is actively engaged in the direction, management, oversight, or operation of the
2.11bullion coin dealer or its business affairs.
2.12 Subd. 7. Person. "Person" has the same meaning given in section 325F.68,
2.13subdivision 3.
2.14 Subd. 8. Precious metal content. "Precious metal content" means the quantity,
2.15measured in grams, of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metal in a coin and the
2.16percentage that the precious metal constitutes of the total weight of the coin.
2.17 Sec. 2. [80G.02] REGISTRATION.
2.18 Subdivision 1. Registration required. Beginning July 1, 2014, it shall be unlawful
2.19for a bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative to solicit, market, buy, sell, or deliver
2.20bullion coins or investments in bullion coins to a consumer without being registered by the
2.21commissioner as provided for in this chapter, if the bullion coin dealer has engaged in a
2.22bullion coin transaction or transactions with consumers during the 12-month period prior
2.23to July 1, 2014, that exceed $5,000 in the aggregate, as determined by the transactions'
2.24sale prices. If a bullion coin dealer was not required to be registered beginning on July 1,
2.252014, the bullion coin dealer must submit an application to register itself and each of its
2.26coin dealer representatives within 30 days of reaching $5,000 in the aggregate of bullion
2.27coin transactions with consumers in any 12-month period prior to July 1 of any calendar
2.28year, as determined by the transactions' sale prices. Once a bullion coin dealer is required
2.29to register itself and its coin dealer representatives, the coin dealer must thereafter renew
2.30its registration and the registration of each of its coin dealer representatives in accordance
2.31with this chapter, regardless of the aggregate amount of transactions, unless the person
2.32ceases to be a bullion coin dealer. A coin dealer representative may not buy, sell, solicit,
2.33or market bullion coins or investments in bullion coins on behalf of a bullion coin dealer
2.34unless the dealer is properly registered with the commissioner under this section.
3.1 Subd. 2. Registration obligations. Registrations issued or renewed by the
3.2commissioner under this chapter shall expire on June 30 and must be renewed.
3.3 Subd. 3. Registration application and renewal. The application and renewal
3.4forms shall include the following information, as applicable, which shall be considered by
3.5the commissioner in determining whether to issue a registration and whether to thereafter
3.6renew the registration:
3.7(1) the name, assumed names, doing business as names, including caller
3.8identification names, and business addresses of the bullion coin dealer, the name of
3.9each owner and officer, and the name and primary work location of each coin dealer
3.10representative. A bullion coin dealer who desires to carry on business in more than one
3.11location shall identify each address where business is conducted;
3.12(2) if a bullion coin dealer is doing business under any name other than the dealer's
3.13legal name, documentation that the assumed name has been properly filed with the
3.14secretary of state;
3.15(3) the telephone numbers, including cellular phone numbers, electronic mail
3.16addresses, and Web site domain names used or intended to be used by the bullion coin
3.17dealer and its coin dealer representatives to buy, sell, solicit, market, or deliver to
3.18consumers bullion coin or investments in bullion coin;
3.19(4) the disclosure of all criminal convictions by any court within the last ten years
3.20for the bullion coin dealer and each officer and owner of the bullion coin dealer and
3.21for each of its coin dealer representatives;
3.22(5) the certification that the bullion coin dealer, its officers and owners, and its coin
3.23dealer representatives have not engaged in any conduct prohibited by this chapter since
3.24its effective date, or in any conduct prohibited by sections 45.027; 325D.43 to 325D.48;
3.25325F.67; 325F.68 to 325F.69; 325F.694; and 325F.73 to 325F.744;
3.26(6) the disclosure of any civil judgments in favor of a government entity or
3.27government entity orders entered, filed, or issued against the bullion coin dealer, its
3.28officers and owners, or its coin dealer representatives within the last ten years for violation
3.29of consumer protection laws or unfair trade practice laws or for failure to account to a
3.30consumer for money or property received from the consumer;
3.31(7) the disclosure of any settlement or other agreement with any government entity
3.32within the last ten years resolving concerns that the bullion coin dealer, its officers and
3.33owners, or its coin dealer representatives violated consumer protection or unfair trade
3.34practice laws, or for failure to account to a consumer for money or property received
3.35from the consumer; and
4.1(8) the certification that the bullion coin dealer, its officers and owners, and its coin
4.2dealer representatives were not at any time permanently or temporarily prohibited by any
4.3court of competent jurisdiction or ordered to cease and desist as the result of a government
4.4agency action from engaging in buying, selling, soliciting, or marketing of bullion coin
4.5or investments in bullion coin.
4.6 Subd. 4. Notice of change in registration information. A bullion coin dealer must
4.7provide the commissioner written notice of a change in the dealer's name, assumed names,
4.8doing business as names, business addresses, including all business addresses at which it
4.9or its coin dealer representatives conduct business, ownership, electronic mail addresses,
4.10Web site domain names, or telephone numbers used by it or its coin dealer representatives
4.11to buy, sell, solicit, or market to consumers bullion coin or investments in bullion coin no
4.12later than ten days after the change occurs.
4.13 Subd. 5. Registration fee. (a) The fee for each registration under this chapter
4.14shall be as follows:
4.15(1) bullion coin dealers: $25; and
4.16(2) coin dealer representatives: $10.
4.17(b) The commissioner, based on the cost of processing registrations, may adjust the
4.18registration fee on an annual basis as needed.
4.19 Sec. 3. [80G.03] REGISTRATION DENIAL, NONRENEWAL, REVOCATION
4.20AND SUSPENSION.
4.21 Subdivision 1. Authority. The commissioner may, by order, suspend, revoke, or
4.22refuse to issue or renew a bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative registration for
4.23any one or more of the following causes:
4.24(1) providing incorrect, false, misleading, or incomplete information to the
4.25commissioner or refusing to allow a reasonable inspection of information and documents
4.26in the possession of the bullion coin dealer, coin dealer representative, or a third party or
4.27to allow a reasonable inspection of premises;
4.28(2) obtaining or attempting to obtain a registration through misrepresentation or fraud;
4.29(3) having a bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative registration or its
4.30equivalent, including licensure under section 325F.73, denied, suspended, or revoked by
4.31any locality within the state or other state, province, district, or territory;
4.32(4) being permanently or temporarily enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction
4.33or being ordered to cease and desist by a government agency from engaging in or
4.34continuing any conduct or practice involving the buying, selling, soliciting, or marketing
4.35of bullion coins, investments in bullion coins, or precious metal to consumers;
5.1(5) violating the provisions of this chapter or of sections 45.027; 325D.43 to
5.2325D.48; 325F.67; 325F.68 to 325F.69; 325F.694; and 325F.73 to 325F.744, or federal
5.3or state taxation or labor law; or
5.4(6) violating a subpoena or order of the commissioner or a court issued pursuant
5.5to this chapter or sections 45.027; 325D.43 to 325D.48; 325F.67; 325F.68 to 325F.69;
5.6325F.694; 325F.70; and 325F.73 to 325F.744.
5.7 Subd. 2. Bullion coin dealer responsibility for actions of coin dealer
5.8representatives. The commissioner may take action against a bullion coin dealer for any
5.9violations of this chapter by its coin dealer representatives. The commissioner may also
5.10take action against the coin dealer representative.
5.11 Subd. 3. Other authority of the commissioner. If a registration lapses, is
5.12surrendered, withdrawn, terminated, or otherwise becomes ineffective, the commissioner
5.13may institute a proceeding under this subdivision within two years after the registration
5.14was last effective and enter a revocation order as of the last date on which the registration
5.15was in effect, and impose a civil penalty as provided for in section 45.027, subdivision 6.
5.16 Subd. 4. Effect of revocation. A revocation of a registration prohibits the bullion
5.17coin dealer or coin dealer representatives from making a new application for a registration
5.18for at least two years from the effective date of the revocation.
5.19 Sec. 4. [80G.04] CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS.
5.20 Subdivision 1. Bullion coin dealer registration precluded. The commissioner
5.21must deny an application for registration or renewal of a bullion coin dealer, or revoke
5.22such registration, if the bullion coin dealer or its owners or officers have within the last
5.23ten years been convicted in any court of any financial crime or other crime involving
5.24fraud, theft, or dishonesty.
5.25 Subd. 2. Coin dealer representative registration precluded. The commissioner
5.26must deny an application for registration or renewal of a coin dealer representative, or
5.27revoke such registration, if the coin dealer representative has within the last ten years
5.28been convicted in any court of any financial crime or other crime involving fraud, theft,
5.29or dishonesty.
5.30 Sec. 5. [80G.05] SCREENING.
5.31 Subdivision 1. Screening process required. Each bullion coin dealer must
5.32establish procedures to screen each of its owners and officers and each of its coin
5.33dealer representatives prior to submitting the application to the commissioner for initial
5.34registration and at each renewal. The results of such screenings shall be provided to the
6.1commissioner as part of the initial registration and all renewal registrations if requested by
6.2the commissioner.
6.3 Subd. 2. Initial screening. The screening process for initial registration must be
6.4done no more than 60 days before the submission of an application for registration. The
6.5process must include a national criminal history record search, a judgment search, and a
6.6county criminal history search for all counties where the owner, officer, or coin dealer
6.7representative has resided within the immediately preceding ten years. Each bullion coin
6.8dealer shall use a vendor that is a member of the National Association of Professional
6.9Background Screeners, or an equivalent vendor, to conduct the background screening
6.10process on its owners, officers, and coin dealer representatives.
6.11 Subd. 3. Renewal screening. The screening process for the renewal of a
6.12registration must include a national criminal history record search, a judgment search, and
6.13county criminal history search for all counties where the owner, officer, or coin dealer
6.14representative has resided since satisfactorily completing the last screening process
6.15conducted pursuant to this section. Screening for renewal of the owner, officer, and coin
6.16dealer representative registrations must take place no more than 60 days before the
6.17submission of an application for renewal of a registration.
6.18 Sec. 6. [80G.06] SURETY BOND.
6.19 Subdivision 1. Surety bond requirement. Every bullion coin dealer shall maintain a
6.20current, valid surety bond issued by a surety company admitted to do business in Minnesota
6.21in an amount based on the transactions (purchases from and sales to consumers at retail)
6.22during the 12-month period prior to registration, or renewal, whichever is applicable.
6.23The amount of the surety bond shall be as specified in the table below:
6.31 Subd. 2. Action on bond permitted. A consumer injured in money or property by a
6.32bullion coin dealer's or coin dealer representative's failure to provide bullion coins that
6.33the consumer has paid for or failure to remit money or goods owed to the consumer in
6.34connection with the consumer's sale of bullion coins may file a claim with the surety and
6.35if the claim is not paid, is authorized to bring an action based on the bond and recover
7.1against the surety. The commissioner or attorney general may also file a claim and bring
7.2an action on the bond and recover against the surety on behalf of a consumer so injured.
7.3 Sec. 7. [80G.07] PROHIBITED CONDUCT.
7.4 Subdivision 1. Sales practices. No bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative
7.5shall:
7.6(1) prior to a transaction regarding bullion coins, fail to provide to the consumer in
7.7writing, in a clear and conspicuous manner, the sale or purchase price and the precious
7.8metal content of the bullion coins involved in the transaction. The written notice shall
7.9also include the bullion coin dealer's registration identification information issued by the
7.10commissioner, and the Department of Commerce's e-mail address and telephone number.
7.11A copy of the written notice shall be provided to the consumer and a copy retained by
7.12the bullion coin dealer;
7.13(2) fail to deliver bullion coins to a consumer within the time agreed upon with
7.14the consumer or, if no such agreement exists, within 30 days after the consumer has
7.15paid for the coins;
7.16(3) fail to pay a consumer for purchased bullion coins within the time agreed upon
7.17with the consumer or, if no such agreement exists, within 30 days after the consumer
7.18has provided the coins;
7.19(4) fail to provide a written invoice at the time of the transaction specifically
7.20identifying and describing the bullion coins involved in the transaction, the quantity of
7.21bullion coins involved in the transaction, and the bullion coins' sale or purchase price and
7.22precious metal content. The written invoice shall include the bullion coin dealer registration
7.23identification information issued by the commissioner, and the Department of Commerce's
7.24e-mail address and telephone number. A copy of the transaction documentation shall be
7.25provided to the consumer and a copy retained by the bullion coin dealer;
7.26(5) misrepresent the value of the bullion coins, the delivery date of bullion coins
7.27or payment for bullion coins, or the dealer or representative's professional qualifications,
7.28affiliations, or registration;
7.29(6) misrepresent the manner in which any bullion coins a consumer provides will be
7.30stored or otherwise handled once received;
7.31(7) renegotiate the terms of a sale or purchase after receiving a consumer's payment
7.32or bullion coins without first obtaining the consumer's agreement to renegotiate and
7.33offering the consumer the option to have the payment fully refunded or the entirety of
7.34the bullion coins returned;
8.1(8) fail to respond within three business days to a consumer inquiry about the
8.2delivery status of bullion coins that the consumer has paid for but not yet received or the
8.3status of a payment for bullion coins that the consumer has already provided;
8.4(9) telephone or solicit a consumer, or sell or provide the consumer's name to any
8.5other bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative, after the consumer requests not to
8.6be contacted;
8.7(10) violate a subpoena or order of the commissioner or a court;
8.8(11) make any communication to a potential buyer or seller of bullion coins that
8.9gives the impression that the bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative is acting on
8.10behalf of a government agency;
8.11(12) improperly withhold, misappropriate, or convert any money or properties
8.12received in the course of buying, selling, soliciting, or marketing bullion coins or
8.13investments in bullion coins to consumers;
8.14(13) misrepresent the terms of an actual or proposed purchase or sale of bullion coins
8.15or investment in bullion coins to a consumer; or
8.16(14) violate any other federal, state, or local law or rule related to selling, purchasing,
8.17soliciting, or marketing of bullion coin, investments in bullion coin, or precious metals, or
8.18any federal, state, or local law related to fraudulent, coercive, or dishonest practices, or
8.19federal, state, or local law related to taxation or labor standards.
8.20 Subd. 2. Application. From August 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014, section 80G.07 shall
8.21apply to any bullion coin dealer and its coin dealer representatives if the bullion coin
8.22dealer is engaged in a bullion coin transaction or transactions with consumers which
8.23exceed $5,000 in the aggregate, as determined by the transaction sale prices, during the
8.2412-month period prior to August 1, 2013. On or after July 1, 2014, section 80G.07 shall
8.25apply to any bullion coin dealer and its coin dealer representatives which is or should be
8.26registered in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
8.27 Sec. 8. [80G.08] CONSUMER FRAUD.
8.28A violation of this chapter is a violation of section 325F.69, subdivision 1. The
8.29provisions of section 8.31 apply to this chapter.
8.30 Sec. 9. [80G.09] CRIMINAL VIOLATION.
8.31A person who conducts business as a bullion coin dealer or as a coin dealer
8.32representative without having first registered with the commissioner, or who carries on
8.33such business after the revocation, suspension, or expiration of a registration, or who
8.34violates section 80G.07, subdivision 1, clauses (2) or (3), is guilty of a misdemeanor.
9.1 Sec. 10. [80G.10] OTHER ACTION; LOCAL AUTHORITY.
9.2Nothing in this chapter precludes an action under chapter 80A or preempts local
9.3government authority under section 325F.742.
9.4 Sec. 11. [80G.11] INVESTIGATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT.
9.5In addition to authority granted under this chapter, the commissioner has all
9.6the authority provided under section 45.027 to ensure compliance with this chapter,
9.7including, but not limited to, the authority to issue an order to deny, suspend, or revoke
9.8the registration of any bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative, or impose civil
9.9penalties for any violation of this chapter, section 45.027, or any other Minnesota law.
9.10 Sec. 12. EFFECTIVE DATE.
9.11This act shall be effective August 1, 2013.
1.3prohibiting certain conduct; providing enforcement authority and criminal
1.4penalties;proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter 80G.
1.5BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
1.6 Section 1. [80G.01] DEFINITIONS.
1.7 Subdivision 1. Scope. For purposes of this chapter, the following terms have the
1.8meanings given to them in this section.
1.9 Subd. 2. Bullion coin. "Bullion coin" means any coin containing more than one
1.10percent by weight of silver, gold, platinum, or other precious metal.
1.11 Subd. 3. Bullion coin dealer. (a) Subject to the exceptions in paragraph (b), a
1.12"bullion coin dealer" means any person who buys, sells, solicits, or markets bullion
1.13coins or investments in bullion coins to consumers and is either incorporated, registered,
1.14domiciled, or otherwise located in this state, or who does business with a consumer
1.15domiciled, residing, or otherwise located in this state.
1.16(b) A "bullion coin dealer" does not include any of the following persons:
1.17(1) a person who engages only in wholesale bullion coin transactions with bullion
1.18coin dealers who sell at retail and are properly registered under this chapter;
1.19(2) a person who engages only in transactions at occasional garage or yard sales
1.20held at the seller's residence, farm auctions held at the seller's residence, or estate sales
1.21held at the decedent's residence;
1.22(3) a person who is properly registered pursuant to chapter 80A, or the federal
1.23Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules promulgated thereunder as a securities broker
1.24dealer or broker dealer agent; or
2.1(4) an auctioneer who auctions coins at auction on behalf of an owner, if the
2.2auctioneer does not take title or ownership of the coins.
2.3 Subd. 4. Coin dealer representative. "Coin dealer representative" means any
2.4natural person acting as an employee, contractor, or agent of a bullion coin dealer and who
2.5has interactions with consumers in connection with the buying, selling, solicitation, or
2.6marketing of bullion coins or investments in bullion coins.
2.7 Subd. 5. Commissioner. "Commissioner" means the commissioner of commerce.
2.8 Subd. 6. Owner. "Owner" means any person who has an ownership interest in a
2.9bullion coin dealer, regardless of whether directly or indirectly, of more than ten percent
2.10and who is actively engaged in the direction, management, oversight, or operation of the
2.11bullion coin dealer or its business affairs.
2.12 Subd. 7. Person. "Person" has the same meaning given in section 325F.68,
2.13subdivision 3.
2.14 Subd. 8. Precious metal content. "Precious metal content" means the quantity,
2.15measured in grams, of gold, silver, platinum, or other precious metal in a coin and the
2.16percentage that the precious metal constitutes of the total weight of the coin.
2.17 Sec. 2. [80G.02] REGISTRATION.
2.18 Subdivision 1. Registration required. Beginning July 1, 2014, it shall be unlawful
2.19for a bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative to solicit, market, buy, sell, or deliver
2.20bullion coins or investments in bullion coins to a consumer without being registered by the
2.21commissioner as provided for in this chapter, if the bullion coin dealer has engaged in a
2.22bullion coin transaction or transactions with consumers during the 12-month period prior
2.23to July 1, 2014, that exceed $5,000 in the aggregate, as determined by the transactions'
2.24sale prices. If a bullion coin dealer was not required to be registered beginning on July 1,
2.252014, the bullion coin dealer must submit an application to register itself and each of its
2.26coin dealer representatives within 30 days of reaching $5,000 in the aggregate of bullion
2.27coin transactions with consumers in any 12-month period prior to July 1 of any calendar
2.28year, as determined by the transactions' sale prices. Once a bullion coin dealer is required
2.29to register itself and its coin dealer representatives, the coin dealer must thereafter renew
2.30its registration and the registration of each of its coin dealer representatives in accordance
2.31with this chapter, regardless of the aggregate amount of transactions, unless the person
2.32ceases to be a bullion coin dealer. A coin dealer representative may not buy, sell, solicit,
2.33or market bullion coins or investments in bullion coins on behalf of a bullion coin dealer
2.34unless the dealer is properly registered with the commissioner under this section.
3.1 Subd. 2. Registration obligations. Registrations issued or renewed by the
3.2commissioner under this chapter shall expire on June 30 and must be renewed.
3.3 Subd. 3. Registration application and renewal. The application and renewal
3.4forms shall include the following information, as applicable, which shall be considered by
3.5the commissioner in determining whether to issue a registration and whether to thereafter
3.6renew the registration:
3.7(1) the name, assumed names, doing business as names, including caller
3.8identification names, and business addresses of the bullion coin dealer, the name of
3.9each owner and officer, and the name and primary work location of each coin dealer
3.10representative. A bullion coin dealer who desires to carry on business in more than one
3.11location shall identify each address where business is conducted;
3.12(2) if a bullion coin dealer is doing business under any name other than the dealer's
3.13legal name, documentation that the assumed name has been properly filed with the
3.14secretary of state;
3.15(3) the telephone numbers, including cellular phone numbers, electronic mail
3.16addresses, and Web site domain names used or intended to be used by the bullion coin
3.17dealer and its coin dealer representatives to buy, sell, solicit, market, or deliver to
3.18consumers bullion coin or investments in bullion coin;
3.19(4) the disclosure of all criminal convictions by any court within the last ten years
3.20for the bullion coin dealer and each officer and owner of the bullion coin dealer and
3.21for each of its coin dealer representatives;
3.22(5) the certification that the bullion coin dealer, its officers and owners, and its coin
3.23dealer representatives have not engaged in any conduct prohibited by this chapter since
3.24its effective date, or in any conduct prohibited by sections 45.027; 325D.43 to 325D.48;
3.25325F.67; 325F.68 to 325F.69; 325F.694; and 325F.73 to 325F.744;
3.26(6) the disclosure of any civil judgments in favor of a government entity or
3.27government entity orders entered, filed, or issued against the bullion coin dealer, its
3.28officers and owners, or its coin dealer representatives within the last ten years for violation
3.29of consumer protection laws or unfair trade practice laws or for failure to account to a
3.30consumer for money or property received from the consumer;
3.31(7) the disclosure of any settlement or other agreement with any government entity
3.32within the last ten years resolving concerns that the bullion coin dealer, its officers and
3.33owners, or its coin dealer representatives violated consumer protection or unfair trade
3.34practice laws, or for failure to account to a consumer for money or property received
3.35from the consumer; and
4.1(8) the certification that the bullion coin dealer, its officers and owners, and its coin
4.2dealer representatives were not at any time permanently or temporarily prohibited by any
4.3court of competent jurisdiction or ordered to cease and desist as the result of a government
4.4agency action from engaging in buying, selling, soliciting, or marketing of bullion coin
4.5or investments in bullion coin.
4.6 Subd. 4. Notice of change in registration information. A bullion coin dealer must
4.7provide the commissioner written notice of a change in the dealer's name, assumed names,
4.8doing business as names, business addresses, including all business addresses at which it
4.9or its coin dealer representatives conduct business, ownership, electronic mail addresses,
4.10Web site domain names, or telephone numbers used by it or its coin dealer representatives
4.11to buy, sell, solicit, or market to consumers bullion coin or investments in bullion coin no
4.12later than ten days after the change occurs.
4.13 Subd. 5. Registration fee. (a) The fee for each registration under this chapter
4.14shall be as follows:
4.15(1) bullion coin dealers: $25; and
4.16(2) coin dealer representatives: $10.
4.17(b) The commissioner, based on the cost of processing registrations, may adjust the
4.18registration fee on an annual basis as needed.
4.19 Sec. 3. [80G.03] REGISTRATION DENIAL, NONRENEWAL, REVOCATION
4.20AND SUSPENSION.
4.21 Subdivision 1. Authority. The commissioner may, by order, suspend, revoke, or
4.22refuse to issue or renew a bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative registration for
4.23any one or more of the following causes:
4.24(1) providing incorrect, false, misleading, or incomplete information to the
4.25commissioner or refusing to allow a reasonable inspection of information and documents
4.26in the possession of the bullion coin dealer, coin dealer representative, or a third party or
4.27to allow a reasonable inspection of premises;
4.28(2) obtaining or attempting to obtain a registration through misrepresentation or fraud;
4.29(3) having a bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative registration or its
4.30equivalent, including licensure under section 325F.73, denied, suspended, or revoked by
4.31any locality within the state or other state, province, district, or territory;
4.32(4) being permanently or temporarily enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction
4.33or being ordered to cease and desist by a government agency from engaging in or
4.34continuing any conduct or practice involving the buying, selling, soliciting, or marketing
4.35of bullion coins, investments in bullion coins, or precious metal to consumers;
5.1(5) violating the provisions of this chapter or of sections 45.027; 325D.43 to
5.2325D.48; 325F.67; 325F.68 to 325F.69; 325F.694; and 325F.73 to 325F.744, or federal
5.3or state taxation or labor law; or
5.4(6) violating a subpoena or order of the commissioner or a court issued pursuant
5.5to this chapter or sections 45.027; 325D.43 to 325D.48; 325F.67; 325F.68 to 325F.69;
5.6325F.694; 325F.70; and 325F.73 to 325F.744.
5.7 Subd. 2. Bullion coin dealer responsibility for actions of coin dealer
5.8representatives. The commissioner may take action against a bullion coin dealer for any
5.9violations of this chapter by its coin dealer representatives. The commissioner may also
5.10take action against the coin dealer representative.
5.11 Subd. 3. Other authority of the commissioner. If a registration lapses, is
5.12surrendered, withdrawn, terminated, or otherwise becomes ineffective, the commissioner
5.13may institute a proceeding under this subdivision within two years after the registration
5.14was last effective and enter a revocation order as of the last date on which the registration
5.15was in effect, and impose a civil penalty as provided for in section 45.027, subdivision 6.
5.16 Subd. 4. Effect of revocation. A revocation of a registration prohibits the bullion
5.17coin dealer or coin dealer representatives from making a new application for a registration
5.18for at least two years from the effective date of the revocation.
5.19 Sec. 4. [80G.04] CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS.
5.20 Subdivision 1. Bullion coin dealer registration precluded. The commissioner
5.21must deny an application for registration or renewal of a bullion coin dealer, or revoke
5.22such registration, if the bullion coin dealer or its owners or officers have within the last
5.23ten years been convicted in any court of any financial crime or other crime involving
5.24fraud, theft, or dishonesty.
5.25 Subd. 2. Coin dealer representative registration precluded. The commissioner
5.26must deny an application for registration or renewal of a coin dealer representative, or
5.27revoke such registration, if the coin dealer representative has within the last ten years
5.28been convicted in any court of any financial crime or other crime involving fraud, theft,
5.29or dishonesty.
5.30 Sec. 5. [80G.05] SCREENING.
5.31 Subdivision 1. Screening process required. Each bullion coin dealer must
5.32establish procedures to screen each of its owners and officers and each of its coin
5.33dealer representatives prior to submitting the application to the commissioner for initial
5.34registration and at each renewal. The results of such screenings shall be provided to the
6.1commissioner as part of the initial registration and all renewal registrations if requested by
6.2the commissioner.
6.3 Subd. 2. Initial screening. The screening process for initial registration must be
6.4done no more than 60 days before the submission of an application for registration. The
6.5process must include a national criminal history record search, a judgment search, and a
6.6county criminal history search for all counties where the owner, officer, or coin dealer
6.7representative has resided within the immediately preceding ten years. Each bullion coin
6.8dealer shall use a vendor that is a member of the National Association of Professional
6.9Background Screeners, or an equivalent vendor, to conduct the background screening
6.10process on its owners, officers, and coin dealer representatives.
6.11 Subd. 3. Renewal screening. The screening process for the renewal of a
6.12registration must include a national criminal history record search, a judgment search, and
6.13county criminal history search for all counties where the owner, officer, or coin dealer
6.14representative has resided since satisfactorily completing the last screening process
6.15conducted pursuant to this section. Screening for renewal of the owner, officer, and coin
6.16dealer representative registrations must take place no more than 60 days before the
6.17submission of an application for renewal of a registration.
6.18 Sec. 6. [80G.06] SURETY BOND.
6.19 Subdivision 1. Surety bond requirement. Every bullion coin dealer shall maintain a
6.20current, valid surety bond issued by a surety company admitted to do business in Minnesota
6.21in an amount based on the transactions (purchases from and sales to consumers at retail)
6.22during the 12-month period prior to registration, or renewal, whichever is applicable.
6.23The amount of the surety bond shall be as specified in the table below:
6.31 Subd. 2. Action on bond permitted. A consumer injured in money or property by a
6.32bullion coin dealer's or coin dealer representative's failure to provide bullion coins that
6.33the consumer has paid for or failure to remit money or goods owed to the consumer in
6.34connection with the consumer's sale of bullion coins may file a claim with the surety and
6.35if the claim is not paid, is authorized to bring an action based on the bond and recover
7.1against the surety. The commissioner or attorney general may also file a claim and bring
7.2an action on the bond and recover against the surety on behalf of a consumer so injured.
7.3 Sec. 7. [80G.07] PROHIBITED CONDUCT.
7.4 Subdivision 1. Sales practices. No bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative
7.5shall:
7.6(1) prior to a transaction regarding bullion coins, fail to provide to the consumer in
7.7writing, in a clear and conspicuous manner, the sale or purchase price and the precious
7.8metal content of the bullion coins involved in the transaction. The written notice shall
7.9also include the bullion coin dealer's registration identification information issued by the
7.10commissioner, and the Department of Commerce's e-mail address and telephone number.
7.11A copy of the written notice shall be provided to the consumer and a copy retained by
7.12the bullion coin dealer;
7.13(2) fail to deliver bullion coins to a consumer within the time agreed upon with
7.14the consumer or, if no such agreement exists, within 30 days after the consumer has
7.15paid for the coins;
7.16(3) fail to pay a consumer for purchased bullion coins within the time agreed upon
7.17with the consumer or, if no such agreement exists, within 30 days after the consumer
7.18has provided the coins;
7.19(4) fail to provide a written invoice at the time of the transaction specifically
7.20identifying and describing the bullion coins involved in the transaction, the quantity of
7.21bullion coins involved in the transaction, and the bullion coins' sale or purchase price and
7.22precious metal content. The written invoice shall include the bullion coin dealer registration
7.23identification information issued by the commissioner, and the Department of Commerce's
7.24e-mail address and telephone number. A copy of the transaction documentation shall be
7.25provided to the consumer and a copy retained by the bullion coin dealer;
7.26(5) misrepresent the value of the bullion coins, the delivery date of bullion coins
7.27or payment for bullion coins, or the dealer or representative's professional qualifications,
7.28affiliations, or registration;
7.29(6) misrepresent the manner in which any bullion coins a consumer provides will be
7.30stored or otherwise handled once received;
7.31(7) renegotiate the terms of a sale or purchase after receiving a consumer's payment
7.32or bullion coins without first obtaining the consumer's agreement to renegotiate and
7.33offering the consumer the option to have the payment fully refunded or the entirety of
7.34the bullion coins returned;
8.1(8) fail to respond within three business days to a consumer inquiry about the
8.2delivery status of bullion coins that the consumer has paid for but not yet received or the
8.3status of a payment for bullion coins that the consumer has already provided;
8.4(9) telephone or solicit a consumer, or sell or provide the consumer's name to any
8.5other bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative, after the consumer requests not to
8.6be contacted;
8.7(10) violate a subpoena or order of the commissioner or a court;
8.8(11) make any communication to a potential buyer or seller of bullion coins that
8.9gives the impression that the bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative is acting on
8.10behalf of a government agency;
8.11(12) improperly withhold, misappropriate, or convert any money or properties
8.12received in the course of buying, selling, soliciting, or marketing bullion coins or
8.13investments in bullion coins to consumers;
8.14(13) misrepresent the terms of an actual or proposed purchase or sale of bullion coins
8.15or investment in bullion coins to a consumer; or
8.16(14) violate any other federal, state, or local law or rule related to selling, purchasing,
8.17soliciting, or marketing of bullion coin, investments in bullion coin, or precious metals, or
8.18any federal, state, or local law related to fraudulent, coercive, or dishonest practices, or
8.19federal, state, or local law related to taxation or labor standards.
8.20 Subd. 2. Application. From August 1, 2013, to June 30, 2014, section 80G.07 shall
8.21apply to any bullion coin dealer and its coin dealer representatives if the bullion coin
8.22dealer is engaged in a bullion coin transaction or transactions with consumers which
8.23exceed $5,000 in the aggregate, as determined by the transaction sale prices, during the
8.2412-month period prior to August 1, 2013. On or after July 1, 2014, section 80G.07 shall
8.25apply to any bullion coin dealer and its coin dealer representatives which is or should be
8.26registered in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
8.27 Sec. 8. [80G.08] CONSUMER FRAUD.
8.28A violation of this chapter is a violation of section 325F.69, subdivision 1. The
8.29provisions of section 8.31 apply to this chapter.
8.30 Sec. 9. [80G.09] CRIMINAL VIOLATION.
8.31A person who conducts business as a bullion coin dealer or as a coin dealer
8.32representative without having first registered with the commissioner, or who carries on
8.33such business after the revocation, suspension, or expiration of a registration, or who
8.34violates section 80G.07, subdivision 1, clauses (2) or (3), is guilty of a misdemeanor.
9.1 Sec. 10. [80G.10] OTHER ACTION; LOCAL AUTHORITY.
9.2Nothing in this chapter precludes an action under chapter 80A or preempts local
9.3government authority under section 325F.742.
9.4 Sec. 11. [80G.11] INVESTIGATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT.
9.5In addition to authority granted under this chapter, the commissioner has all
9.6the authority provided under section 45.027 to ensure compliance with this chapter,
9.7including, but not limited to, the authority to issue an order to deny, suspend, or revoke
9.8the registration of any bullion coin dealer or coin dealer representative, or impose civil
9.9penalties for any violation of this chapter, section 45.027, or any other Minnesota law.
9.10 Sec. 12. EFFECTIVE DATE.
9.11This act shall be effective August 1, 2013.
