130th Ohio General Assembly
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Sub. S. B. No. 223  As Reported by the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee
As Reported by the Senate Insurance, Commerce and Labor Committee

126th General Assembly
Regular Session
2005-2006
Sub. S. B. No. 223


Senators Niehaus, Schuring, Spada, Mumper, Jacobson, Clancy 



A BILL
To amend sections 121.04, 121.08, 169.01, 169.13, and 169.99 and to enact sections 169.14, 169.16, and 169.17 of the Revised Code to statutorily recognize the Division of Unclaimed Funds and the Office of Superintendent of Unclaimed Funds in the Department of Commerce and to require the registration of persons who, for compensation, agree to locate or recover the unclaimed funds of another.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That sections 121.04, 121.08, 169.01, 169.13, and 169.99 be amended and sections 169.14, 169.16, and 169.17 of the Revised Code be enacted to read as follows:
Sec. 121.04.  Offices are created within the several departments as follows:
In the department of commerce:
Commissioner of securities;
Superintendent of real estate and professional licensing;
Superintendent of financial institutions;
Fire marshal;
Superintendent of labor and worker safety;
Beginning on July 1, 1997,
Superintendent of liquor control;
Superintendent of industrial compliance;
Superintendent of unclaimed funds.

In the department of administrative services:
State architect and engineer;
Equal employment opportunity coordinator.

In the department of agriculture:
Chiefs of divisions as follows:
Administration;
Animal industry;
Dairy;
Food safety;
Plant industry;
Markets;
Meat inspection;
Consumer analytical laboratory;
Amusement ride safety;
Enforcement;
Weights and measures.

In the department of natural resources:
Chiefs of divisions as follows:
Water;
Mineral resources management;
Forestry;
Natural areas and preserves;
Wildlife;
Geological survey;
Parks and recreation;
Watercraft;
Recycling and litter prevention;
Soil and water conservation;
Real estate and land management;
Engineering.

In the department of insurance:
Deputy superintendent of insurance;
Assistant superintendent of insurance, technical;
Assistant superintendent of insurance, administrative;
Assistant superintendent of insurance, research.

Sec. 121.08.  (A) There is hereby created in the department of commerce the position of deputy director of administration. This officer shall be appointed by the director of commerce, serve under the director's direction, supervision, and control, perform the duties the director prescribes, and hold office during the director's pleasure. The director of commerce may designate an assistant director of commerce to serve as the deputy director of administration. The deputy director of administration shall perform the duties prescribed by the director of commerce in supervising the activities of the division of administration of the department of commerce.
(B) Except as provided in section 121.07 of the Revised Code, the department of commerce shall have all powers and perform all duties vested in the deputy director of administration, the state fire marshal, the superintendent of financial institutions, the superintendent of real estate and professional licensing, the superintendent of liquor control, the superintendent of the division of industrial compliance, the superintendent of labor and worker safety, the superintendent of unclaimed funds, and the commissioner of securities, and shall have all powers and perform all duties vested by law in all officers, deputies, and employees of those offices. Except as provided in section 121.07 of the Revised Code, wherever powers are conferred or duties imposed upon any of those officers, the powers and duties shall be construed as vested in the department of commerce.
(C)(1) There is hereby created in the department of commerce a division of financial institutions, which shall have all powers and perform all duties vested by law in the superintendent of financial institutions. Wherever powers are conferred or duties imposed upon the superintendent of financial institutions, those powers and duties shall be construed as vested in the division of financial institutions. The division of financial institutions shall be administered by a the superintendent of financial institutions.
(2) All provisions of law governing the superintendent of financial institutions shall apply to and govern the superintendent of financial institutions provided for in this section; all authority vested by law in the superintendent of financial institutions with respect to the management of the division of financial institutions shall be construed as vested in the superintendent of financial institutions created by this section with respect to the division of financial institutions provided for in this section; and all rights, privileges, and emoluments conferred by law upon the superintendent of financial institutions shall be construed as conferred upon the superintendent of financial institutions as head of the division of financial institutions. The director of commerce shall not transfer from the division of financial institutions any of the functions specified in division (C)(2) of this section.
(D) There is hereby created in the department of commerce a division of liquor control, which shall have all powers and perform all duties vested by law in the superintendent of liquor control. Wherever powers are conferred or duties are imposed upon the superintendent of liquor control, those powers and duties shall be construed as vested in the division of liquor control. The division of liquor control shall be administered by a the superintendent of liquor control.
(E) The director of commerce shall not be interested, directly or indirectly, in any firm or corporation which is a dealer in securities as defined in sections 1707.01 and 1707.14 of the Revised Code, or in any firm or corporation licensed under sections 1321.01 to 1321.19 of the Revised Code.
(F) The director of commerce shall not have any official connection with a savings and loan association, a savings bank, a bank, a bank holding company, a savings and loan association holding company, a consumer finance company, or a credit union that is under the supervision of the division of financial institutions, or a subsidiary of any of the preceding entities, or be interested in the business thereof.
(G) There is hereby created in the state treasury the division of administration fund. The fund shall receive assessments on the operating funds of the department of commerce in accordance with procedures prescribed by the director of commerce and approved by the director of budget and management. All operating expenses of the division of administration shall be paid from the division of administration fund.
(H) There is hereby created in the department of commerce a division of real estate and professional licensing, which shall be under the control and supervision of the director of commerce. The division of real estate and professional licensing shall be administered by a the superintendent of real estate and professional licensing. The superintendent of real estate and professional licensing shall exercise the powers and perform the functions and duties delegated to the superintendent under Chapters 4735., 4763., and 4767. of the Revised Code.
(I) There is hereby created in the department of commerce a division of labor and worker safety, which shall have all powers and perform all duties vested by law in the superintendent of labor and worker safety. Wherever powers are conferred or duties imposed upon the superintendent of labor and worker safety, those powers and duties shall be construed as vested in the division of labor and worker safety. The division of labor and worker safety shall be under the control and supervision of the director of commerce and be administered by a the superintendent of labor and worker safety. The superintendent of labor and worker safety shall exercise the powers and perform the duties delegated to the superintendent by the director under Chapters 4109., 4111., and 4115. of the Revised Code.
(J) There is hereby created in the department of commerce a division of unclaimed funds, which shall have all powers and perform all duties delegated to or vested by law in the superintendent of unclaimed funds. Wherever powers are conferred or duties imposed upon the superintendent of unclaimed funds, those powers and duties shall be construed as vested in the division of unclaimed funds. The division of unclaimed funds shall be under the control and supervision of the director of commerce and shall be administered by the superintendent of unclaimed funds. The superintendent of unclaimed funds shall exercise the powers and perform the functions and duties delegated to the superintendent by the director of commerce under section 121.07 and Chapter 169. of the Revised Code, and as may otherwise be provided by law.
(K) The department of commerce or a division of the department created by the Revised Code that is acting with authorization on the department's behalf may request from the bureau of criminal identification and investigation pursuant to section 109.572 of the Revised Code, or coordinate with appropriate federal, state, and local government agencies to accomplish, criminal records checks for the persons whose identities are required to be disclosed by an applicant for the issuance or transfer of a permit, license, certificate of registration, or certification issued or transferred by the department or division. At or before the time of making a request for a criminal records check, the department or division may require any person whose identity is required to be disclosed by an applicant for the issuance or transfer of such a license, permit, certificate of registration, or certification to submit to the department or division valid fingerprint impressions in a format and by any media or means acceptable to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation and, when applicable, the federal bureau of investigation. The department or division may cause the bureau of criminal identification and investigation to conduct a criminal records check through the federal bureau of investigation only if the person for whom the criminal records check would be conducted resides or works outside of this state or has resided or worked outside of this state during the preceding five years, or if a criminal records check conducted by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation within this state indicates that the person may have a criminal record outside of this state.
In the case of a criminal records check under section 109.572 of the Revised Code, the department or division shall forward to the bureau of criminal identification and investigation the requisite form, fingerprint impressions, and fee described in division (C) of that section. When requested by the department or division in accordance with this section, the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall request from the federal bureau of investigation any information it has with respect to the person who is the subject of the requested criminal records check and shall forward the requisite fingerprint impressions and information to the federal bureau of investigation for that criminal records check. After conducting a criminal records check or receiving the results of a criminal records check from the federal bureau of investigation, the bureau of criminal identification and investigation shall provide the results to the department or division.
The department or division may require any person about whom a criminal records check is requested to pay to the department or division the amount necessary to cover the fee charged to the department or division by the bureau of criminal identification and investigation under division (C)(3) of section 109.572 of the Revised Code, including, when applicable, any fee for a criminal records check conducted by the federal bureau of investigation.
Sec. 169.01.  As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(A) "Financial organization" means any bank, trust company, savings bank, safe deposit company, mutual savings bank without mutual stock, savings and loan association, credit union, or investment company.
(B)(1) "Unclaimed funds" means any moneys, rights to moneys, or intangible property, described in section 169.02 of the Revised Code, when, as shown by the records of the holder, the owner has not, within the times provided in section 169.02 of the Revised Code, done any of the following:
(a) Increased, decreased, or adjusted the amount of such funds;
(b) Assigned, paid premiums, or encumbered such funds;
(c) Presented an appropriate record for the crediting of such funds or received payment of such funds by check, draft, or otherwise;
(d) Corresponded with the holder concerning such funds;
(e) Otherwise indicated an interest in or knowledge of such funds;
(f) Transacted business with the holder.
(2) "Unclaimed funds" does not include any of the following:
(a) Money received or collected under section 9.39 of the Revised Code;
(b) Any payment or credit due to a business association from a business association representing sums payable to suppliers, or payment for services rendered, in the course of business, including, but not limited to, checks or memoranda, overpayments, unidentified remittances, nonrefunded overcharges, discounts, refunds, and rebates;
(c) Any payment or credit received by a business association from a business association for tangible goods sold, or services performed, in the course of business, including, but not limited to, checks or memoranda, overpayments, unidentified remittances, nonrefunded overcharges, discounts, refunds, and rebates;
(d) Any credit due a retail customer that is represented by a gift certificate, gift card, merchandise credit, or merchandise credit card, redeemable only for merchandise.
For purposes of divisions (B)(2)(b) and (c) of this section, "business association" means any corporation, joint venture, business trust, limited liability company, partnership, association, or other business entity composed of one or more individuals, whether or not the entity is for profit.
(C) "Owner" means any person, or the person's legal representative, entitled to receive or having a legal or equitable interest in or claim against moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property, subject to this chapter.
(D)(1) "Holder" means any person that has possession, custody, or control of moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property, or that is indebted to another, if any of the following applies:
(a) Such person resides in this state;
(b) Such person is formed under the laws of this state;
(c) Such person is formed under the laws of the United States and has an office or principal place of business in this state;
(d) The records of such person indicate that the last known address of the owner of such moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property is in this state;
(e) The records of such person do not indicate the last known address of the owner of the moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property and the entity originating or issuing the moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property is this state or any political subdivision of this state, or is incorporated, organized, created, or otherwise located in this state. Division (D)(1)(e) of this section applies to all moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property that is in the possession, custody, or control of such person on or after July 22, 1994, whether the moneys, rights to moneys, or other intangible property becomes unclaimed funds prior to or on or after that date.
(2) "Holder" does not mean any hospital granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or any hospital owned or operated by the state or by any political subdivision. Any entity in order to be exempt from the definition of "holder" pursuant to this division shall make a reasonable, good-faith effort to contact the owner of the unclaimed funds.
(E) "Person" includes a natural person; corporation, whether for profit or not for profit; copartnership; unincorporated association or organization; public authority; estate; trust; two or more persons having a joint or common interest; eleemosynary organization; fraternal or cooperative association; other legal or community entity; the United States government, including any district, territory, possession, officer, agency, department, authority, instrumentality, board, bureau, or court; or any state or political subdivision thereof, including any officer, agency, board, bureau, commission, division, department, authority, court, or instrumentality.
(F) "Mortgage funds" means the mortgage insurance fund created by section 122.561 of the Revised Code, and the housing guarantee fund created by division (D) of section 128.11 of the Revised Code.
(G) "Lawful claims" means any vested right a holder of unclaimed funds has against the owner of such unclaimed funds.
(H) "Public utility" means any entity defined as such by division (A) of section 745.01 or by section 4905.02 of the Revised Code.
(I) "Deposit" means to place money in the custody of a financial organization for the purpose of establishing an income-bearing account by purchase or otherwise.
(J) "Income-bearing account" means a time or savings account, whether or not evidenced by a certificate of deposit, or an investment account through which investments are made solely in obligations of the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States or its agencies or instrumentalities, debt securities rated as investment grade by at least two nationally recognized rating services, debt securities which the director of commerce has determined to have been issued for the safety and welfare of the residents of this state, and equity interests in mutual funds that invest solely in some or all of the above-listed securities and involve no general liability, without regard to whether income earned on such accounts, securities, or interests is paid periodically or at the end of a term.
(K) "Director of commerce" may be read as the "division of unclaimed funds" or the "superintendent of unclaimed funds."
Sec. 169.13.  (A)(1) All agreements to pay a fee, compensation, commission, or other remuneration to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of unclaimed funds reported under section 169.03 of the Revised Code, entered into within two years immediately after the date a report is filed under division (C) of section 169.03 of the Revised Code, are invalid.
(2) A person interested in entering into an agreement to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of unclaimed funds for remuneration shall not initiate any contact with an owner during the two-year period immediately after the date a report is filed under division (C) of section 169.03 of the Revised Code. Failure to comply with this requirement is grounds for the invalidation of any such agreement between the person and the owner.
(B) An agreement entered into any time after such two-year period is valid only if both all of the following conditions are met:
(1) The aggregate fee, compensation, commission, or other remuneration agreed upon, paid directly or indirectly, is not in excess of ten per cent of the amount recovered and paid to the owner by the auditor of state;
(2) The agreement is in writing, signed by the owner, and notarized and discloses all of the following items:
(a) The name and address of the owner, as shown by the records of the person or entity in possession of the property;
(b) The nature and value of the property;
(b)(c) The amount the owner will receive after the fee or compensation has been subtracted;
(c)(d) The name and address of the person or entity in possession of the property;
(e) That the person agreeing to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of the property is not an employee or agent of the director of commerce;
(f) That the director is not a party to the agreement;
(g) That the person agreeing to locate, deliver, recover, or assist in the recovery of the property holds a valid certificate of registration issued by the director under section 169.16 of the Revised Code;
(h) The number designated on that certificate of registration and the date the certificate of registration expires.
(3) If the agreement involves recovery of the contents of a safe deposit box, the agreement stipulates that the person receiving any fee, compensation, commission, or other remuneration for engaging in any activity for the purpose of locating, delivering, recovering, or assisting in the recovery of unclaimed funds or other items stored in a safe deposit box on behalf of any other person shall do all of the following:
(a) Make arrangements to have an appraiser and the director of commerce view the contents of the safe deposit box together, at a time mutually agreeable to the appraiser and director;
(b) State that the value of the property in the safe deposit box is the amount established by the appraiser who viewed the safe deposit box contents;
(c) Base the fee, compensation, commission, or other remuneration for locating, delivering, recovering, or assisting in the recovery of unclaimed funds or other items stored in a safe deposit box on the appraised value established by the appraiser who viewed the safe deposit box contents.
(C) No person shall receive a fee, compensation, commission, or other remuneration, or engage in any activity for the purpose of locating, delivering, recovering, or assisting in the recovery of unclaimed funds, under an agreement that is invalid under this section.
(D) Whoever violates division (C) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree for a first offense and of a felony of the fifth degree for each subsequent offense A person who receives any fee, compensation, commission, or other remuneration for engaging in any activity for the purpose of locating, delivering, recovering, or assisting in the recovery of unclaimed funds or other items stored in a safe deposit box on behalf of any other person cannot function as an appraiser of the contents of the safe deposit box for purposes of division (B)(3) of this section.
Sec. 169.14. (A) Each person that files a claim with the director of commerce, pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 169.13 of the Revised Code, shall include with that claim the number designated on the certificate of registration that is issued to the person under section 169.16 of the Revised Code.
(B) The division of unclaimed funds shall not process any claim described in division (A) of this section that does not include the required certificate of registration number.
Sec. 169.16. (A) No person, on behalf of any other person, shall engage in any activity for the purpose of locating, delivering, recovering, or assisting in the recovery of unclaimed funds, and receive a fee, compensation, commission, or other remuneration for such activity, without first having obtained a certificate of registration from the director of commerce in accordance with this section.
(B) An application for a certificate of registration shall be in writing and in the form prescribed by the director. The application shall be accompanied by a recent full-face color photograph of the applicant and notarized character reference letters from two reputable character witnesses. The application shall, at a minimum, provide all of the following:
(1) The applicant's full name, home address, and work address;
(2) The name, address, and telephone number of the two character witnesses who have provided the character reference letters;
(3) A statement that the applicant has not, during the ten-year period immediately preceding the submission of the application, violated division (A) of this section on or after the effective date of this section, or division (C) of section 169.13 of the Revised Code, or been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, any felony or any offense involving moral turpitude, including theft, attempted theft, falsification, tampering with records, securing writings by deception, fraud, forgery, and perjury;
(4) The notarized signature of the applicant immediately following an acknowledgment that any false or perjured statement subjects the applicant to criminal liability under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code.
(C) Upon the filing of the application with the division of unclaimed funds, the division may investigate the applicant to verify the information provided in the application and to determine the applicant's eligibility for a certificate of registration under this section. False information on an application is grounds for the denial or revocation of the applicant's certificate of registration.
(D) The director shall issue a certificate of registration to an applicant if the director finds that the following conditions are met:
(1) The applicant has not, during the ten-year period immediately preceding the submission of the application, violated division (A) of this section on or after the effective date of this section, or division (C) of section 169.13 of the Revised Code, or been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, any felony or any offense involving moral turpitude, including theft, attempted theft, falsification, tampering with records, securing writings by deception, fraud, forgery, and perjury.
(2) The applicant's character and general fitness command the confidence of the public and warrant the belief that the applicant's business will be conducted honestly and fairly.
(E) The certificate of registration issued pursuant to division (D) of this section may be renewed annually if the director finds that the following conditions are met:
(1) The applicant submits a renewal application form prescribed by the director.
(2) The applicant meets the conditions set forth in division (D) of this section.
(3) The applicant's certificate of registration is not subject to an order of revocation by the director.
Sec. 169.17. (A) After notice and an opportunity for a hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the director of commerce shall revoke or refuse to issue or renew a certificate of registration if the director finds either of the following:
(1) During the immediately preceding ten-year period, the person violated division (A) of section 169.16 on or after the effective date of this section, or division (C) of section 169.13 of the Revised Code, or has been convicted of, or pleaded guilty to, any felony or any offense involving moral turpitude, including theft, attempted theft, falsification, tampering with records, securing writings by deception, fraud, forgery, and perjury.
(2) The person's character and general fitness do not command the confidence of the public or warrant the belief that the person's business will be conducted honestly and fairly.
(B) The director may investigate alleged violations of division (C) of section 169.13 or division (A) of section 169.16 of the Revised Code or complaints concerning any such violation. The director may make application to the court of common pleas for an order enjoining any such violation and, upon a showing by the director that a person has committed or is about to commit such a violation, the court shall grant an injunction, restraining order, or other appropriate relief.
(C) In conducting any investigation pursuant to this section, the director may compel, by subpoena, witnesses to testify in relation to any matter over which the director has jurisdiction and may require the production of any book, record, or other document pertaining to that matter. If a person fails to file any statement or report, obey any subpoena, give testimony, produce any book, record, or other document as required by a subpoena, or permit photocopying of any book, record, or other document subpoenaed, the court of common pleas of any county in this state, upon application made to it by the director, shall compel obedience by attachment proceedings for contempt, as in the case of disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from the court or a refusal to testify therein.
(D) If the director determines that a person is engaged in or is believed to be engaged in activities that may constitute a violation of division (C) of section 169.13 or division (A) of section 169.16 of the Revised Code, the director, after notice and a hearing conducted in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, may issue a cease and desist order. Such an order shall be enforceable in the court of common pleas.
Sec. 169.99. (A) Whoever violates section 169.10 of the Revised Code shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars. Each day of continuance of such violation is a separate offense.
(B) Whoever violates division (C) of section 169.13 or division (A) of section 169.16 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree for a first offense and of a felony of the fifth degree for any subsequent offense.
Section 2. That existing sections 121.04, 121.08, 169.01, 169.13, and 169.99 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.
Section 3. Sections 169.13 and 169.14 of the Revised Code, as amended or enacted by this act, shall apply only to agreements that are entered into on or after the effective date of this act.
Section 4. All of the following provisions of this act shall take effect sixty days after the effective date of this act:
(A) Division (B)(2)(g) and (h) of section 169.13 of the Revised Code;
(B) Section 169.14 of the Revised Code;
(C) Division (A) of section 169.16 of the Revised Code;
(D) Division (B) of section 169.99 of the Revised Code.
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