California SB 1131

The Debt Collection Licensing Act generally regulates the business of debt collection and prohibits a person from engaging in the business of debt collection in this state without first obtaining a license pursuant to the act. The act prescribes the duties and powers of the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation, which include conducting prescribed examinations as often as the commissioner deems necessary and appropriate, and authorizing the commissioner to conduct those examinations electronically, as specified. The act also establishes the Debt Collection Advisory Committee to advise the commissioner on matters relating to debt collection or the debt collection business, as specified. This bill would require the commissioner to conduct examinations remotely unless an onsite examination is considered necessary for the protection of the public, as specified. The bill would also rename the Debt Collection Advisory Committee as the Debt Collection Advisory Board, require the commissioner to request the advice of the board before the initial publication or adoption of fee schedules or a proposed regulation, except as specified, and exempt the board from the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. Existing constitutional provisions require that a statute that limits the right of access to the meetings of public bodies or the writings of public officials and agencies be adopted with findings demonstrating the interest protected by the limitation and the need for protecting that interest. This bill would make legislative findings to that effect.