(1) In addition to other powers granted by this code, the administrator, within the limitations provided by law, may:
Receive and act on complaints, take action designed to obtain voluntary compliancewith this code, or commence proceedings on his or her own initiative;
Counsel persons and groups on their rights and duties under this code;
Establish programs for the education of consumers with respect to credit practicesand problems;
Make studies appropriate to effectuate the purposes and policies of this code andmake the results available to the public;
With approval of the council of advisors on consumer credit subcommittee, adopt,amend, and repeal substantive rules and regulations to carry out the specific provisions of this code, but not with respect to unconscionable agreements or fraudulent or unconscionable conduct, and adopt, amend, and repeal procedural rules to carry out the provisions of this code; (f) Maintain offices within this state;
Enforce the provisions of article 19 of this title 5;
Employ administrative law judges from the office of administrative courts in thedepartment of personnel to conduct hearings on any matter within the administrator's jurisdiction;
License and regulate collection agencies pursuant to article 16 of this title 5; and
Exchange information with another governmental agency or official that has regulatory authority comparable to that of the administrator, subject to an appropriate confidentiality agreement between the administrator and the other agency or official or as otherwise permitted by law. This paragraph (j) shall not be construed to allow the exchange of information with lenders or creditors.
The administrator may adopt rules not inconsistent with the federal "Truth in Lending Act" and federal "Consumer Leasing Act" to assure a meaningful disclosure of credit terms so that a prospective consumer will be able to compare more readily the various credit terms available to him or her and to avoid the uninformed use of credit. Such rules shall supersede any provisions of this code that are inconsistent with the federal "Truth in Lending Act" and federal "Consumer Leasing Act", may contain classifications, differentiations, or other provisions, and may provide for adjustments and exceptions for any class of transactions subject to this code that, in the judgment of the administrator, are necessary or proper to effectuate the purposes of, or to prevent circumvention or evasion of, or to facilitate compliance with, the provisions of this code relating to disclosure of credit terms.
To keep the administrator's rules in harmony with the federal "Truth in Lending Act"and the federal "Consumer Leasing Act" and the regulations prescribed from time to time pursuant to that act by the board of governors of the federal reserve system and with the rules of administrators in other jurisdictions that enact the "Uniform Consumer Credit Code", the administrator, so far as is consistent with the purposes, policies, and provisions of this code, shall:
Before adopting, amending, and repealing rules and regulations, advise and consultwith administrators in other jurisdictions that enact the "Uniform Consumer Credit Code"; and
In adopting, amending, and repealing rules and regulations, take into consideration:
The regulations so prescribed by the board of governors of the federal reserve system;and
The rules of administrators in other jurisdictions that enact the "Uniform ConsumerCredit Code".
(4) Except for a refund of an excess charge, no liability is imposed under this code for an act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with a rule, regulation, interpretation, or written response to a person pursuant to a written request on behalf of such identified person by the administrator, notwithstanding that after the act or omission the rule, regulation, interpretation, or written response may be amended or repealed or be determined by judicial or other authority to be invalid for any reason.
Source: L. 2000: Entire article R&RE, p. 1245, § 1, effective July 1; (1)(i) added, p. 945, § 26, effective July 1. L. 2003: (1)(j) added, p. 1896, § 14, effective July 1. L. 2005: (1)(h) amended, p. 853, § 7, effective June 1. L. 2017: (1)(g) and (1)(i) amended, (HB 17-1238), ch. 260, p. 1171, § 9, effective August 9.
Editor's note: (1) This section is similar to former § 5-6-104, as it existed prior to 2000.
(2) Subsection (1)(h) from House Bill 00-1182 was harmonized with House Bill 00-1185 and renumbered as subsection (1)(i).
Cross references: For the definitions and federal statutory cites of the "Truth in Lending Act" and the "Consumer Leasing Act", see § 5-1-302.