New License Bonds Requirement for Home Inspectors in Kansas

    July 19, 2009

    With the recent enactment of HB 2315, Kansas now requires all home inspectors operating in the state to register with Kansas






    Current Recession Brings About New License & Permit Bond Opportunities

    July 18, 2009

    The recent credit crisis and major problems in the mortgage lending and real estate markets have brought about a number of new types of financial service providers. Subsequently, states are responding by attempting to create laws that require license bonds (surety bonds) for these new providers, such as foreclosure consultants, credit counselors, debt collection agencies, debt management services, and settlement servicers. Since most of this legislations was just recently introduced for the first time, it may take a year or two before the states are able to successfully enact these laws relating to license bonds.






    2009 Colorado Bill Enactments Affecting Surety Bond Requirements

    June 10, 2009

    The following Colorado House & Senate Bills pertaining to the state






    New Bills affect requirements for Mortgage Broker Bonds and Mortgage Lender Bonds

    March 27, 2009

    2008 saw a large increase in the amount of legislation pertaining to mortgage broker bonds and mortgage lender bonds (types of commercial bonds). Most of the legislation focused on tightening regulation on mortgage brokers and lenders, and also on increasing the specific license bond amounts. While a good amount of legislation has been passing, many states are willing to wait and see what the US Congress






    Recent Amendments to Motor Vehicle Bond Requirements in CO, ID, PA, TN and WV

    March 12, 2009

    Similar to last year, the Surety and Fidelity Association of American (SFAA) noticed a trend of amended state bills that change specific requirements pertaining to motor vehicle bonds (type of commercial bond also referred to as “auto dealer bonds”). These new bills are either requiring an increase in the motor vehicle bond amount, or an extension of its application to include additional vehicle types as well. The five states with recent enactments by state legislature are Colorado, Idaho, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia.

    In Colorado, Senate Bill 144 (SB 144) requires that all motor vehicle repair shops operating in the state must obtain a surety bond twice the amount of the retail value of a vehicle whenever they choose to seek title for any abandoned vehicle.

    Idaho has two new requirements pertaining to motor vehicle regulation. House Bill 365 mandates that all dealers of motor-driven cycles comply with the $20,000 surety bond requirement, which currently is in existence for vehicle dealers operating in the state. Additionally, Idaho House Bill 440 requires all dealers of truck campers to obtain a $10,000 license bond.

    The enactment of Pennsylvania Senate Bill 1019 (SB 1019), makes it a requirement for all state recreational vehicle dealers to obtain a license bond in the amount of $30,000, in order to act as a security against any possible claims. Specifically, this license bond will protect against claims brought up by an agency of the commonwealth for money past due, such as fees, licenses, unpaid taxes, payment of criminal penalties, civil fines/penalty, etc.

    Tennessee






    New Contractor License Bond Requirements in Iowa, New Mexico and North Carolina

    March 11, 2009

    According to the recently enacted Iowa House Bill 2646 (HB 2646), fire sprinkler installers and maintenance workers are required to become officially licensed, purchase public liability insurance, and must obtain a surety bond (specifically a license bond). The amount of this commercial bond will be determined by Iowa






    New License Bond Regulations pertaining to Home Inspectors in Kansas and Georgia

    According the recently enacted Kansas House Bill 2315 (HB 2315), home inspectors are now required to register with the Home Inspectors Registration Board if they wish to legally operate in the state of Kansas. They are required to submit proof of a fidelity bond of no less than $10,000 to the Board, which will cover dishonesty of the home inspector. Additionally, home inspectors are required to separately submit proof of financial responsibility. This proof can come in the form of a surety bond (license bond, which is a type of commercial bond) for at least $10,000, one that cannot be terminated without at least 30 days advance written notice to the Board. In addition to the surety bond option, home inspectors can meet their proof of financial responsibility requirement with an irrevocable letter or credit (no less than $10,000), or with an escrow account with a minimum balance of $10,000. Additionally, financial responsibility can be demonstrated via an errors and omissions insurance policy.

    However, a similar bill was defeated in the state of Georgia. If passed, Georgia Senate Bill 485 (SB 485) would have required home inspectors to be officially licensed, purchase liability insurance for a specific amount that would be determined by regulation, and either purchase a surety bond or maintain no less than $100,000 in net assets.






    New Regulations for North Carolina

    January 18, 2009

    In July 2008, North Carolina House Bill 2463 was passed, and contained a number of changes to the state






    New Pennsylvania Senate Bill – PA Recreational Vehicle (RV) Dealers

    On 9 October 2008, Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell signed 10 bills into law, one of which, Senate Bill 1019, pertained to Pennsylvania Recreational Vehicle (RV) Dealers.

    The two major takeaways from SB 1019 are as follows:

    1. Any person who wishes to act as an RV dealer in the state of PA is required to purchase/post a $30,000 license bond (a type of commercial surety bond). This is obviously only required of RV dealers that have not already posted a license bond with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). The license bond is required by RV dealers to ensure they comply with all the pertinent laws and regulations in the state.
    2. SB 1019 (PA) also gives the Pennsylvania State Board of Vehicles the authority necessary to discipline out-of-state RV dealers that choose to violate Pennsylvania law.





    North Carolina Contractor License Bonds

    In July 2008, in response to an extreme drought and in an effort to more efficiently use the precious resource, water, the General Assembly of North Carolina passed House Bill 2353 (Senate Bill 1795), short title