HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2417
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010		H.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ACTIVITY DESKS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 468M, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§468M-   Record keeping requirements for client trust accounts. (a)  An activity desk shall maintain all books and records necessary to comply with this chapter and any rules adopted pursuant to this chapter and shall make all records relating to client trust accounts available for inspection and audit within three business days of a written request by the director.  Nothing in this section shall prevent the director from inspecting or auditing the books and records of an activity desk as otherwise provided pursuant to this chapter or rules adopted by the director pursuant to chapter 91.

(b)  An activity desk shall keep and maintain copies of all bank statements, deposit slips, cancelled checks, drafts, and wire or electronic transaction documents relating to client trust accounts for a period of at least two years." 

     SECTION 2.  Section 468M-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§468M-3[]]  Prohibited acts.  No activity desk shall engage in any of the following practices:

     (1)  Covering, concealing, or obscuring the name, address, or telephone number of an activity provider in any card or brochure;

     (2)  Placing a telephone number, address, or other information on any card, brochure, or other advertising material produced or published by an activity provider, whether by decal, sticker, stamp, or otherwise, without identifying the activity desk by name [and], address[;], and registration number;

     (3)  Using a promotional card or brochure that does not clearly display the name and telephone number of the  activity provider whose activity is being sold or booked when the activity is located in this State;

     (4)  Withdrawing any funds of a consumer from a client trust account, other than a sales commission up to a maximum of fifteen per cent or to make a refund to the consumer, until the activity provider has been paid; [or]

     (5)  Failing to possess a current and valid registration prior to engaging in business or advertising as an activity desk[.]; or

(6) Failing to obtain full payment for activities prior to or at the time activity reservations are booked or placed with the activity provider or within three business days thereafter, except where the reservation specifically provides for direct payment of the amounts owed to the activity provider at the time of the activity."

     SECTION 3.  Section 468M-9, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§468M-9[]] Client trust accounts; maintenance of and withdrawal from such accounts.  (a)  Within three business days of receipt, an activity desk shall deposit all sums received from a consumer[,] for excursions or activities offered by the activity desk in a trust account maintained in a federally insured financial institution located in Hawaii.  All sums paid by any person to an activity desk for activities furnished by an activity provider shall be held in trust for the benefit of the person making the payment and the activity provider.  The activity desk shall be considered the trustee of the funds paid into the client trust account, less any commission.

     (b)  The trust account required by this section shall be established and maintained for the benefit of the consumers paying money to the activity desk[.] and the activity provider.  The activity desk shall not in any manner encumber the amounts in trust and shall not withdraw money therefrom except:

     (1)  In partial or full payment for excursion or activities to the activity provider directly providing the services; or

     (2)  To make refunds as required by this chapter.

     (c)  This section shall not prevent the withdrawal from the trust account of:

     (1)  The amount of the sales commission, up to a maximum of fifteen per cent;

     (2)  Any interest earned and credited to the trust account;

     (3)  Refunds; or

     (4)  Remaining funds of a consumer once the activity provider has been paid.

     (d)  At the time of registration, the activity desk shall file with the department the account number and the name of the financial institution at which the trust account is held [or submit a bond or letter of credit as provided in section 468M‑10].  The activity desk shall notify the department of any change in the account number or location within one business day of the change.

     [(e)  The director may, by rule, allow for the use of other types of funds or accounts provided that the protection for consumers is no less than that provided by this section.]"

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.

Report Title:

Activity Desks; Client Trust Accounts

Description:

Establishes record keeping requirements for client trust accounts held by activity desks.  Clarifies that activity desks shall include registration numbers on all advertising materials.  Prohibits an activity desk from failing to obtain full payment for activities prior to or at the time activity reservations are booked or placed with the activity provider, or within three business days, except where the reservation specifically provides for direct payment of the amounts owed.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.