S-1756 _______________________________________________
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5414
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 51st Legislature 1989 Regular Session
By Senate Committee on Financial Institutions & Insurance (originally sponsored by Senator Moore)
Read first time 3/1/89.
AN ACT Relating to investments; amending RCW 21.20.005, 21.20.040, 21.20.050, 21.20.060, 21.20.080, 21.20.090, 21.20.110, 21.20.120, 21.20.130, 21.20.210, 21.20.310, 21.20.330, 21.20.340, 21.30.350, 21.20.370, 21.20.380, 21.20.390, 21.20.430, 21.20.450, and 21.20.530; reenacting and amending RCW 21.20.320; and adding new sections to chapter 21.20 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec. 1. Section 60, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 1, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.005 are each amended to read as follows:
The definitions set forth in this section shall apply throughout this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Director" means the director of licensing of this state.
(2) "Salesperson" means any individual other than a broker-dealer who represents a broker-dealer or issuer in effecting or attempting to effect sales of securities, but "salesperson" does not include an individual who represents an issuer in (a) effecting a transaction in a security exempted by RCW 21.20.310(1), (2), (3), (4), (9), (10), (11), (12), or (13), as now or hereafter amended, (b) effecting transactions exempted by RCW 21.20.320 unless otherwise expressly required by the terms of the exemption, or (c) effecting transactions with existing employees, partners, or directors of the issuer if no commission or other remuneration is paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting any person in this state.
(3)
"Broker-dealer" means any person engaged in the business of effecting
transactions in securities for the account of others or for that person's own
account. "Broker-dealer" does not include (a) a salesperson, issuer,
bank, savings institution, or trust company, (b) a person who has no place of
business in this state if the person effects transactions in this state
exclusively with or through the issuers of the securities involved in the
transactions, other broker-dealers, or banks, savings institutions, trust
companies, insurance companies, investment companies as defined in the
investment company act of 1940, pension or profit-sharing trusts, or other
financial institutions or institutional buyers, whether acting for themselves
or as trustees, or (c) a person who has no place of business in this state if
during any period of twelve consecutive months that person does not ((direct
more than fifteen offers to sell or to buy into)) effect transactions in
securities in this state in any manner ((to)) for more than three
persons other than those specified in subsection (b) above.
(4) "Guaranteed" means guaranteed as to payment of principal, interest, or dividends.
(5) "Full business day" means all calendar days, excluding therefrom Saturdays, Sundays, and all legal holidays, as defined by statute.
(6) "Investment adviser" means any person who, for compensation, engages in the business of advising others, either directly or through publications or writings, as to the value of securities or as to the advisability of investing in, purchasing, or selling securities, or who, for compensation and as a part of a regular business, issues or promulgates analyses or reports concerning securities. "Investment adviser" does not include (a) a bank, savings institution, or trust company, (b) a lawyer, accountant, engineer, or teacher whose performance of these services is solely incidental to the practice of his or her profession, (c) a broker-dealer whose performance of these services is solely incidental to the conduct of his or her business as a broker or dealer and receives no special compensation therefor, (d) a publisher of any bona fide newspaper, news magazine, or business or financial publication of general, regular, and paid circulation, (e) a person whose advice, analyses, or reports relate only to securities exempted by RCW 21.20.310(1), (f) a person who has no place of business in this state if (i) that person's only clients in this state are other investment advisers, broker-dealers, banks, savings institutions, trust companies, insurance companies, investment companies as defined in the investment company act of 1940, pension or profit-sharing trust, or other financial institutions or institutional buyers, whether acting for themselves or as trustees, or (ii) during any period of twelve consecutive months that person does not direct business communications into this state in any manner to more than five clients other than those specified in clause (i) above, or (g) such other persons not within the intent of this paragraph as the director may by rule or order designate.
(7) "Issuer" means any person who issues or proposes to issue any security, except that with respect to certificates of deposit, voting trust certificates, or collateral-trust certificates, or with respect to certificates of interest or shares in an unincorporated investment trust not having a board of directors (or persons performing similar functions) or of the fixed, restricted management, or unit type; the term "issuer" means the person or persons performing the acts and assuming the duties of depositor or manager pursuant to the provisions of the trust or other agreement or instrument under which the security is issued.
(8) "Nonissuer" means not directly or indirectly for the benefit of the issuer.
(9) "Person" means an individual, a corporation, a partnership, an association, a joint-stock company, a trust where the interest of the beneficiaries are evidenced by a security, an unincorporated organization, a government, or a political subdivision of a government.
(10) "Sale" or "sell" includes every contract of sale of, contract to sell, or disposition of, a security or interest in a security for value. "Offer" or "offer to sell" includes every attempt or offer to dispose of, or solicitation of an offer to buy, a security or interest in a security for value.
Any security given or delivered with, or as a bonus on account of, any purchase of securities or any other thing is considered to constitute part of the subject of the purchase and to have been offered and sold for value. A purported gift of assessable stock is considered to involve an offer and sale. Every sale or offer of a warrant or right to purchase or subscribe to another security of the same or another issuer, as well as every sale or offer of a security which gives the holder a present or future right or privilege to convert into another security of the same or another issuer, is considered to include an offer of the other security.
(11)
"Securities Act of 1933", "Securities Exchange Act of
1934", "Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935", ((and))
"Investment Company Act of 1940", and "Commodity Exchange
Act" means the federal statutes of those names as amended before or
after June 10, 1959.
(12) "Security" means any note; stock; treasury stock; bond; debenture; evidence of indebtedness; certificate of interest or participation in any profit-sharing agreement; limited partnership interest; collateral-trust certificate; preorganization certificate or subscription; transferable share; investment contract; investment of money or other consideration in the risk capital of a venture with the expectation of some valuable benefit to the investor where the investor does not receive the right to exercise practical and actual control over the managerial decisions of the venture; voting-trust certificate; certificate of deposit for a security; certificate of interest or participation in an oil, gas or mining title or lease or in payments out of production under such a title or lease; charitable gift annuity; any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege entered into on a national securities exchange relating to foreign currency; any put, call, straddle, option, or privilege on a security, certificate of deposit, or group or index of securities, including an interest in or based on the value of any of the foregoing; or, in general, any interest or instrument commonly known as a "security", or any certificate of interest or participation in, temporary or interim certificate for, receipt for, guarantee of, or warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase, any of the foregoing; or any sale of or indenture, bond or contract for the conveyance of land or any interest therein where such land is situated outside of the state of Washington and such sale or its offering is not conducted by a real estate broker licensed by the state of Washington. "Security" does not include any insurance or endowment policy or annuity contract under which an insurance company promises to pay money either in a lump sum or periodically for life or some other specified period.
(13) "State" means any state, territory, or possession of the United States, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
(14)
"Investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative"
means a person retained or employed by an investment adviser to solicit clients
or offer the services of the investment adviser or manage the accounts of said
clients.
(15) "Relatives", as used in RCW 21.20.310(11) as now or hereafter amended, shall include:
(a) A member's spouse;
(b) Parents of the member or the member's spouse;
(c) Grandparents of the member or the member's spouse;
(d) Natural or adopted children of the member or the member's spouse;
(e) Aunts and uncles of the member or the member's spouse; and
(f) First cousins of the member or the member's spouse.
Sec. 2. Section 4, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 2, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.040 are each amended to read as follows:
It is
unlawful for any person to transact business in this state as a broker-dealer
or salesperson, unless he or she is registered under this chapter: PROVIDED,
That an exemption from registration as a broker-dealer or salesperson to sell
or resell condominium units sold in conjunction with an investment contract,
may be provided by rule or regulation of the director as to persons who are
licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 18.85 RCW. It is unlawful for
any broker-dealer or issuer to employ a salesperson to effect or attempt to
effect sales of securities in or from this state unless the salesperson is
registered ((or)) in this state and in any other state in which he or
she is effecting or attempting to effect sales of securities unless
exempted from such registration. It is unlawful for any person to
transact business in this state as an investment adviser unless (1) the person
is so registered under this chapter, or (2) ((the person is registered as a
broker-dealer under this chapter, or (3))) the person's only clients in
this state are investment companies as defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, or insurance companies. It is unlawful for any person to transact
business in this state as an investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative
or for any investment adviser to employ an investment adviser ((salesperson))
representative unless such person is registered.
Sec. 3. Section 5, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 1, chapter 272, Laws of 1981 and RCW 21.20.050 are each amended to read as follows:
A
broker-dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser ((salesperson))
representative may apply for registration by filing with the director or
his authorized agent an application together with a consent to service of
process in such form as the director shall prescribe and payment of the fee
prescribed in RCW 21.20.340.
Sec. 4. Section 6, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as amended by section 1, chapter 17, Laws of 1965 and RCW 21.20.060 are each amended to read as follows:
The application shall contain whatever information the director requires concerning such matters as:
(1) The applicant's form and place of organization;
(2) The applicant's proposed method of doing business;
(3) The qualifications and business history of the applicant and in the case of a broker-dealer or investment adviser, any partner, officer, or director;
(4) Any injunction or administrative order or conviction of a misdemeanor involving a security or any aspect of the securities business and any conviction of a felony; and
(5) The applicant's financial condition and history.
((The
director of licenses or the duly appointed administrator may by rule require a
minimum capital for registered broker-dealers and investment advisers or
prescribe a ratio between net capital and aggregate indebtedness by type or
classification.))
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 21.20 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The director may by rule require a minimum capital for registered broker-dealers and investment advisers or prescribe a ratio between net capital and aggregate indebtedness by type or classification.
(2) The director may by rule require registered broker-dealers and investment advisers to post surety bonds in lieu of minimum capital requirements and may determine the conditions of such bonds. Any appropriate deposit of cash or securities shall be accepted in lieu of any bond so required. No bond may be required of any registrant whose net capital, which may be defined by rule, exceeds one hundred thousand dollars.
Sec. 6. Section 8, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 3, chapter 272, Laws of 1981 and RCW 21.20.080 are each amended to read as follows:
Registration
of a broker-dealer, salesperson, investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative,
or investment adviser shall be effective for a one-year period unless the
director by rule or order provides otherwise. The director by rule or order
may schedule registration or renewal so that all registrations and renewals
expire December 31st. The director may adjust the fee for registration or
renewal proportionately. The registration of a salesperson or investment
adviser ((salesperson)) representative is not effective during
any period when the salesperson is not associated with an issuer or a
registered broker-dealer or when the investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative
is not associated with a registered investment adviser. To be associated with
an issuer, broker-dealer, or investment adviser within the meaning of this
section written notice must be given to the director. When a salesperson
begins or terminates an association with an issuer or registered broker-dealer,
the salesperson and the issuer or broker-dealer shall promptly notify the
director. When an investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative
begins or terminates an association with a registered investment adviser, the
investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative and registered
investment adviser shall promptly notify the director.
Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the director may, from time to time, extend the duration of a licensing period for the purpose of staggering renewal periods. Such extension of a licensing period shall be by rule or regulation adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 34.04 RCW. Such rules and regulations may provide a method for imposing and collecting such additional proportional fee as may be required for the extended period.
Sec. 7. Section 9, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 4, chapter 272, Laws of 1981 and RCW 21.20.090 are each amended to read as follows:
Registration
of a broker-dealer, salesperson, investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative,
or investment adviser may be renewed by filing with the director or his
authorized agent prior to the expiration thereof an application containing such
information as the director may require to indicate any material change in the
information contained in the original application or any renewal application
for registration as a broker-dealer, salesperson, investment adviser ((salesperson))
representative, or investment adviser filed with the director or his
authorized agent by the applicant, payment of the prescribed fee, and, in the
case of a broker-dealer, a financial statement showing the financial condition
of such broker-dealer as of a date within ninety days. A registered
broker-dealer or investment adviser may file an application for registration of
a successor, and the administrator may at his or her discretion grant or deny
the application.
Sec. 8. Section 11, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 45, chapter 14, Laws of 1986 and RCW 21.20.110 are each amended to read as follows:
The
director may by order deny, suspend, or revoke registration of any
broker-dealer, salesperson, investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative,
or investment adviser if the director finds that the order is in the public
interest and that the applicant or registrant or, in the case of a
broker-dealer or investment adviser, any partner, officer, or director:
(1) Has filed an application for registration under this section which, as of its effective date, or as of any date after filing in the case of an order denying effectiveness, was incomplete in any material respect or contained any statement which was, in the light of the circumstances under which it was made, false, or misleading with respect to any material fact;
(2) Has wilfully violated or wilfully failed to comply with any provision of this chapter or a predecessor act or any rule or order under this chapter or a predecessor act, or any provision of chapter 21.30 RCW or any rule or order thereunder;
(3) Has been convicted, within the past five years, of any misdemeanor involving a security, or a commodity contract or commodity option as defined in RCW 21.30.010, or any aspect of the securities or investment commodities business, or any felony involving moral turpitude;
(4) Is permanently or temporarily enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice involving any aspect of the securities or investment commodities business;
(5) Is the
subject of an order of the director denying, suspending, or revoking
registration as a broker-dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment
adviser ((salesperson)) representative;
(6) Is the
subject of ((an)) a final order entered within the past five
years by the securities administrator of any other state ordering the
subject to cease and desist securities or commodities violations or by the
federal securities and exchange commission or by the securities
administrator of any other state denying, suspending, or revoking
registration as a broker-dealer or salesperson, an investment adviser or
investment adviser representative, or a commodity broker-dealer or sales
representative, or the substantial equivalent of those terms as defined in this
chapter, or is the subject of an order entered within the past five years
by the commodity futures trading commission denying or revoking registration as
a commodity merchant as defined in RCW 21.30.010, or is the subject of an order
of suspension or expulsion from membership in or association with a
self-regulatory organization registered under the securities exchange act of
1934 or the federal commodity exchange act, or is the subject of a United
States post office fraud order; but (a) the director may not institute a
revocation or suspension proceeding under this ((clause)) subsection
more than one year from the date of the order relied on, and (b) the director
may not enter any order under this ((clause)) subsection on the
basis of an order unless that order was based on facts which would currently
constitute a ground for an order under this section;
(7) Has engaged in dishonest or unethical practices in the securities or investment commodities business;
(8) Is insolvent, either in the sense that his or her liabilities exceed his or her assets or in the sense that he or she cannot meet his or her obligations as they mature; but the director may not enter an order against a broker-dealer or investment adviser under this clause without a finding of insolvency as to the broker-dealer or investment adviser;
(9) Has not complied with a condition imposed by the director under RCW 21.20.100, or is not qualified on the basis of such factors as training, experience, or knowledge of the securities business; or
(10) Has
failed to supervise reasonably his or her salespersons if he or she is a
broker-dealer or his or her investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative
if he or she is an investment adviser.
The director may by order summarily postpone or suspend registration pending final determination of any proceeding under this section.
Sec. 9. Section 12, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 8, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.120 are each amended to read as follows:
Upon the
entry of an order under RCW 21.20.110, the director shall promptly notify the
applicant or registrant, as well as the employer or prospective employer if the
applicant or registrant is a salesperson or investment adviser ((salesperson))
representative, that it has been entered and of the reasons therefor and
that if requested by the applicant or registrant within fifteen days after the
receipt of the director's notification the matter will be promptly set down for
hearing. If no hearing is requested and none is ordered by the director, the
order will remain in effect until it is modified or vacated by the director.
If a hearing is requested or ordered, the director, after notice of and
opportunity for hearing, may modify or vacate the order or extend it until
final determination. No order may be entered under RCW 21.20.110 denying or
revoking registration without appropriate prior notice to the applicant or
registrant (as well as the employer or prospective employer if the applicant or
registrant is a salesperson or an investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative),
opportunity for hearing, and written findings of fact and conclusions of law.
Sec. 10. Section 13, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 9, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.130 are each amended to read as follows:
If the
director finds that any registrant or applicant for registration is no longer
in existence or has ceased to do business as a broker-dealer, investment adviser,
investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative, or
salesperson, or is subject to an adjudication of mental incompetence or to the
control of a committee, conservator, or guardian, or cannot be located after
reasonable search, the director may by order cancel the registration or
application.
Sec. 11. Section 21, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 13, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.210 are each amended to read as follows:
Any security may be registered by qualification. A registration statement under this section shall contain the following information and be accompanied by the following documents, in addition to payment of the registration fee prescribed in RCW 21.20.340, and, if required under RCW 21.20.330, a consent to service of process meeting the requirements of that section:
(1) With respect to the issuer and any significant subsidiary: Its name, address, and form of organization; the state or foreign jurisdiction and date of its organization; the general character and location of its business; and a description of its physical properties and equipment.
(2) With respect to every director and officer of the issuer, or person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions: His or her name, address, and principal occupation for the past five years; the amount of securities of the issuer held by him or her as of a specified date within ninety days of the filing of the registration statement; the remuneration paid to all such persons in the aggregate during the past twelve months, and estimated to be paid during the next twelve months, directly or indirectly, by the issuer (together with all predecessors, parents and subsidiaries).
(3) With respect to any person not named in RCW 21.20.210(2), owning of record, or beneficially if known, ten percent or more of the outstanding shares of any class of equity security of the issuer: The information specified in RCW 21.20.210(2) other than his or her occupation.
(4) With respect to every promoter, not named in RCW 21.20.210(2), if the issuer was organized within the past three years: The information specified in RCW 21.20.210(2), any amount paid to that person by the issuer within that period or intended to be paid to that person, and the consideration for any such payment.
(5) The capitalization and long-term debt (on both a current and a pro forma basis) of the issuer and any significant subsidiary, including a description of each security outstanding or being registered or otherwise offered, and a statement of the amount and kind of consideration (whether in the form of cash, physical assets, services, patents, goodwill, or anything else) for which the issuer or any subsidiary has issued any of its securities within the past two years or is obligated to issue any of its securities.
(6) The kind and amount of securities to be offered; the amount to be offered in this state; the proposed offering price and any variation therefrom at which any portion of the offering is to be made to any persons except as underwriting and selling discounts and commissions; the estimated aggregate underwriting and selling discounts or commissions and finders' fees (including separately cash, securities, or anything else of value to accrue to the underwriters in connection with the offering); the estimated amounts of other selling expenses, and legal, engineering, and accounting expenses to be incurred by the issuer in connection with the offering; the name and address of every underwriter and every recipient of a finders' fee; a copy of any underwriting or selling group agreement pursuant to which the distribution is to be made, or the proposed form of any such agreement whose terms have not yet been determined; and a description of the plan of distribution of any securities which are to be offered otherwise than through an underwriter.
(7) The estimated cash proceeds to be received by the issuer from the offering; the purposes for which the proceeds are to be used by the issuer; the amount to be used for each purpose; the order or priority in which the proceeds will be used for the purposes stated; the amounts of any funds to be raised from other sources to achieve the purposes stated, and the sources of any such funds; and, if any part of the proceeds is to be used to acquire any property (including goodwill) otherwise than in the ordinary course of business, the names and addresses of the vendors and the purchase price.
(8) A description of any stock options or other security options outstanding, or to be created in connection with the offering, together with the amount of any such options held or to be held by every person required to be named in RCW 21.20.210(2), (3), (4), (5) or (7) and by any person who holds or will hold ten percent or more in the aggregate of any such options.
(9) The states in which a registration statement or similar document in connection with the offering has been or is expected to be filed.
(10) Any adverse order, judgment, or decree previously entered in connection with the offering by any court or the securities and exchange commission; a description of any pending litigation or proceeding to which the issuer is a party and which materially affects its business or assets (including any such litigation or proceeding known to be contemplated by governmental authorities).
(11) A copy of any prospectus or circular intended as of the effective date to be used in connection with the offering.
(12) A specimen or copy of the security being registered; a copy of the issuer's articles of incorporation and bylaws, as currently in effect; and a copy of any indenture or other instrument covering the security to be registered.
(13) A signed or conformed copy of an opinion of counsel, if available, as to the legality of the security being registered.
(14) (a) ((If
the issuer is a commercial, industrial or extractive company in the
promotional, exploratory or development stage, the following statements:
(i) Separate
statements of (A) assets, (B) liabilities, and (C) capital shares, as of a date
within one hundred twenty days prior to the filing of the registration
statement.
(ii) A
statement of cash receipts and disbursements for each of at least three full
fiscal years prior to the date of the statements furnished pursuant to
paragraph (i) above, and for the period, if any, between the close of the last
full fiscal year and the date of such statements, or for the period of the
issuer's existence if less than the period specified above.
(iii) In
such statements, dollar amounts shall be extended only for cash transactions
and transactions involving amounts receivable or payable in cash.
(b) If
paragraph (a) does not apply to the issuer, there shall be furnished:)) The following financial statements:
(i) Financial statements consisting of a balance sheet of the issuer as of a date within four months prior to the filing of the registration statement, and as of the date of the end of the last fiscal year if more than four months prior to such filing.
(ii) Statements of income, shareholders' equity, and changes in financial position for each of the three fiscal years preceding the date of the latest balance sheet and for any period between the close of the last fiscal year and the date of the latest balance sheet, or for the period of the issuer's and any predecessor's existence if less than three years.
(iii) If any part of the proceeds of the offering is to be applied to the purchase of any business whose annual sales or revenues are in excess of fifteen percent of the registrant's sales or revenues or involves acquisition of assets in excess of fifteen percent of the registrant's assets, except as specifically exempted by the director, financial statements shall be filed which would be required if that business were the registrant.
(((c)))
(b) If the estimated proceeds to be received from the offering, together
with the proceeds from securities registered under this section during the year
preceding the date of the filing of this registration statement, ((exceed
one hundred thousand dollars, the statements described in subsection (14)(a)(i)
or (b)(i) of this section as of the date of the close of the last fiscal year
and the related financial statements specified in subsections (14)(a)(ii) and
(b)(ii) of this section for the last fiscal year shall be audited. For
registration statements filed after December 31, 1975, and if such proceeds
exceed five hundred thousand dollars, the financial statements specified in
subsections (14)(a)(ii) and (b)(ii) of this section for the last two fiscal
years shall be audited. For registration statements filed after December 31,
1979, and if such proceeds)) exceed five hundred thousand dollars, the
statements described in subsection (14)(a)(((i) or (b)(i) of this section as
of the date of the close of the last fiscal year and the related financial
statements specified in subsection (14)(a)(ii) and (b)(ii))) of this
section for the last fiscal year shall be audited. If such proceeds exceed ((seven
hundred fifty thousand)) one million dollars, the financial
statements specified in subsection (14)(a)(((ii) and (b)(ii))) of this
section for the last two fiscal years shall be audited.
(((d)))
(c) The financial statements of this subsection and such other financial
information as may be prescribed by the director shall be prepared as to form
and content in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
with the rules and regulations prescribed by the director, and as provided in
paragraph (((c))) (b) above, shall be audited by an independent
certified public accountant ((who is authorized to practice under the laws
of the state of Washington and)) who is not an employee, officer, or member
of the board of directors of the issuer or a holder of the securities of the
issuer. The report of such independent certified public accountant shall be
based upon an audit made in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards ((with no limitations on its scope)). The director may also
verify such statements by examining the issuer's books and records.
(d) The administrator may require the filing of other statements in addition to, or in substitution for, the statements herein required in any case where such statements are necessary or appropriate for an adequate presentation of the financial condition of any issuer or person whose financial statements are required, or whose statements are otherwise necessary for the protection of investors.
(15) The written consent of any accountant, engineer, appraiser, attorney, or any person whose profession gives authority to a statement made by him or her, who is named as having prepared or audited any part of the registration statement or is named as having prepared or audited a report or valuation for use in connection with the registration statement.
(16) Any other information, or copies of any other documents, the director may request.
Sec. 12. Section 1, chapter 8, Laws of 1979 as last amended by section 5, chapter 272, Laws of 1981 and RCW 21.20.310 are each amended to read as follows:
RCW 21.20.140 through 21.20.300, inclusive, do not apply to any of the following securities:
(1) Any security (including a revenue obligation) issued or guaranteed by the United States, any state, any political subdivision of a state, or any agency or corporate or other instrumentality of one or more of the foregoing; or any certificate of deposit for any of the foregoing; but this exemption does not include any security payable solely from revenues to be received from a nongovernmental industrial or commercial enterprise unless such payments are made or unconditionally guaranteed by a person whose securities are exempt from registration by subsections (7) or (8) of this section: PROVIDED, That the director, by rule or order, may exempt any security payable solely from revenues to be received from a nongovernmental industrial or commercial enterprise if the director finds that registration with respect to such securities is not necessary in the public interest and for the protection of investors.
(2) Any security issued or guaranteed by Canada, any Canadian province, any political subdivision of any such province, any agency or corporate or other instrumentality of one or more of the foregoing, or any other foreign government with which the United States currently maintains diplomatic relations, if the security is recognized as a valid obligation by the issuer or guarantor; but this exemption does not include any security payable solely from revenues to be received from a nongovernmental industrial or commercial enterprise unless such payments shall be made or unconditionally guaranteed by a person whose securities are exempt from registration by subsections (7) or (8) of this section.
(3) Any security issued by and representing an interest in or a debt of, or guaranteed by, any bank organized under the laws of the United States, or any bank or trust company organized or supervised under the laws of any state.
(4) Any security issued by and representing an interest in or a debt of, or guaranteed by, any federal savings and loan association, or any building and loan or similar association organized under the laws of any state and authorized to do business in this state.
(5) Any security issued by and representing an interest in or a debt of, or guaranteed by, any insurance company organized under the laws of this state and authorized to do and actually doing business in this state.
(6) Any security issued or guaranteed by any federal credit union or any credit union, industrial loan association, or similar association organized and supervised under the laws of this state.
(7) Any security issued or guaranteed by any railroad, other common carrier, public utility, or holding company which is (a) subject to the jurisdiction of the interstate commerce commission; (b) a registered holding company under the public utility holding company act of 1935 or a subsidiary of such a company within the meaning of that act; (c) regulated in respect of its rates and charges by a governmental authority of the United States or any state or municipality; or (d) regulated in respect of the issuance or guarantee of the security by a governmental authority of the United States, any state, Canada, or any Canadian province; also equipment trust certificates in respect of equipment conditionally sold or leased to a railroad or public utility, if other securities issued by such railroad or public utility would be exempt under this subsection.
(8) Any security which meets the criteria for investment grade securities that the director may adopt by rule.
(9) Any commercial paper which arises out of a current transaction or the proceeds of which have been or are to be used for current transaction, and which evidences an obligation to pay cash within nine months of the date of issuance, exclusive of days of grace, or any renewal of such paper which is likewise limited, or any guarantee of such paper or of any such renewal, when such commercial paper is sold to the banks or insurance companies.
(10) Any investment contract issued in connection with an employee's stock purchase, savings, pension, profit-sharing, or similar benefit plan if the director is notified in writing with a copy of the plan thirty days before offering the plan to employees in this state. In the event of late filing of notification the director may upon application, for good cause excuse such late filing if he or she finds it in the public interest to grant such relief.
(11) Any
security issued by any person organized and operated as a nonprofit
organization as defined in RCW 84.36.800(4) exclusively for religious,
educational, or charitable purposes and which nonprofit organization also
possesses a current tax exempt status under the laws of the United States,
which security is offered or sold only to persons who, prior to their
solicitation for the purchase of said securities, were members of, contributors
to, or listed as participants in, the organization, or their relatives, if such
nonprofit organization first files a notice as prescribed by the director
specifying the terms of the offering and the director does not by order
disallow the exemption within the next ten full business days: PROVIDED, That
no offerings may be made until expiration of the ten full business days. Every
such nonprofit organization which files a notice of exemption of such
securities shall pay a filing fee as set forth in RCW 21.20.340(((12)))(11)
as now or hereafter amended.
((The
notice shall consist of the following:
(a) The
name and address of the issuer;
(b) The
names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the current officers and directors
of the issuer;
(c) A short
description of the security, price per security, and the number of securities
to be offered;
(d) A statement
of the nature and purposes of the organization as a basis for the exemption
under this section;
(e) A
statement of the proposed use of the proceeds of the sale of the security; and
(f) A
statement that the issuer shall provide to a prospective purchaser written
information regarding the securities offered prior to consummation of any sale,
which information shall include the following statements: (i) "ANY
PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER IS ENTITLED TO REVIEW FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE ISSUER
WHICH SHALL BE FURNISHED UPON REQUEST."; (ii) "RECEIPT OF NOTICE OF
EXEMPTION BY THE WASHINGTON ADMINISTRATOR OF SECURITIES DOES NOT SIGNIFY THAT
THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS APPROVED OR RECOMMENDED THESE SECURITIES, NOR HAS THE
ADMINISTRATOR PASSED UPON THE OFFERING. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE."; and (iii) "THE RETURN OF THE FUNDS OF THE
PURCHASER IS DEPENDENT UPON THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE ORGANIZATION."))
(12) Any charitable gift annuities issued by a board of a state university, regional university, or of the state college.
(13) Any charitable gift annuity issued by an insurer or institution holding a certificate of exemption under RCW 48.38.010.
Sec. 13. Section 32, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 9, chapter 421, Laws of 1987 and by section 13, chapter 457, Laws of 1987 and RCW 21.20.320 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:
The following transactions are exempt from RCW 21.20.040 through 21.20.300 except as expressly provided:
(1) Any isolated transaction, or sales not involving a public offering, whether effected through a broker-dealer or not; or any transaction effected in accordance with any rule by the director establishing a nonpublic offering exemption pursuant to this subsection where registration is not necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. In adopting such a rule the director may require that no commission or other remuneration be paid or given to any person, directly or indirectly, for effecting sales unless the person is registered under this chapter as a broker-dealer or salesperson.
(2) Any nonissuer distribution of an outstanding security by a registered broker-dealer if (a) a recognized securities manual contains the names of the issuer's officers and directors, a balance sheet of the issuer as of a date within eighteen months, and a profit and loss statement for either the fiscal year preceding that date or the most recent year of operations, or (b) the security has a fixed maturity or a fixed interest or dividend provision and there has been no default during the current fiscal year or within the three preceding fiscal years, or during the existence of the issuer and any predecessors if less than three years, in the payment of principal, interest, or dividends on the security.
(3) Any nonissuer transaction effected by or through a registered broker-dealer pursuant to an unsolicited order or offer to buy; but the director may by rule require that the customer acknowledge upon a specified form that the sale was unsolicited, and that a signed copy of each such form be preserved by the broker-dealer for a specified period.
(4) Any transaction between the issuer or other person on whose behalf the offering is made and an underwriter, or among underwriters.
(5) Any transaction in a bond or other evidence of indebtedness secured by a real or chattel mortgage or deed of trust, or by an agreement for the sale of real estate or chattels, if the entire mortgage, deed of trust, or agreement, together with all the bonds or other evidences of indebtedness secured thereby, is offered and sold as a unit. A bond or other evidence of indebtedness is not offered and sold as a unit if the transaction involves:
(a) A partial interest in one or more bonds or other evidences of indebtedness secured by a real or chattel mortgage or deed of trust, or by an agreement for the sale of real estate or chattels; or
(b) One of multiple bonds or other evidences of indebtedness secured by one or more real or chattel mortgages or deeds of trust, or agreements for the sale of real estate or chattels, sold to more than one purchaser as part of a single plan of financing; or
(c) A security including an investment contract other than the bond or other evidence of indebtedness.
(6) Any transaction by an executor, administrator, sheriff, marshal, receiver, trustee in bankruptcy, guardian, or conservator.
(7) Any transaction executed by a bona fide pledgee without any purpose of evading this chapter.
(8) Any offer or sale to a bank, savings institution, trust company, insurance company, investment company as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, pension or profit-sharing trust, or other financial institution or institutional buyer, or to a broker-dealer, whether the purchaser is acting for itself or in some fiduciary capacity.
(9) Any transaction pursuant to an offering not exceeding five hundred thousand dollars effected in accordance with any rule by the director if the director finds that registration is not necessary in the public interest and for the protection of investors.
(10) Any offer or sale of a preorganization certificate or subscription if (a) no commission or other remuneration is paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting any prospective subscriber, (b) the number of subscribers does not exceed ten, and (c) no payment is made by any subscriber.
(11) Any transaction pursuant to an offer to existing security holders of the issuer, including persons who at the time of the transaction are holders of convertible securities, nontransferable warrants, or transferable warrants exercisable within not more than ninety days of their issuance, if (a) no commission or other remuneration (other than a standby commission) is paid or given directly or indirectly for soliciting any security holder in this state, or (b) the issuer first files a notice specifying the terms of the offer and the director does not by order disallow the exemption within the next five full business days.
(12) Any offer (but not a sale) of a security for which registration statements have been filed under both this chapter and the Securities Act of 1933 if no stop order or refusal order is in effect and no public proceeding or examination looking toward such an order is pending under either act.
(13) The issuance of any stock dividend, whether the corporation distributing the dividend is the issuer of the stock or not, if nothing of value is given by stockholders for the distribution other than the surrender of a right to a cash dividend where the stockholder can elect to take a dividend in cash or stock.
(14) Any transaction incident to a right of conversion or a statutory or judicially approved reclassification, recapitalization, reorganization, quasi reorganization, stock split, reverse stock split, merger, consolidation, or sale of assets.
(15) The offer or sale by a registered broker-dealer, or a person exempted from the registration requirements pursuant to RCW 21.20.040, acting either as principal or agent, of securities previously sold and distributed to the public: PROVIDED, That:
(a) Such securities are sold at prices reasonably related to the current market price thereof at the time of sale, and, if such broker-dealer is acting as agent, the commission collected by such broker-dealer on account of the sale thereof is not in excess of usual and customary commissions collected with respect to securities and transactions having comparable characteristics;
(b) Such
securities do not constitute the whole or a part of an unsold allotment to or
subscription or participation by such broker-dealer as an underwriter of such
securities or as a participant in the distribution of such securities by the
issuer, by an underwriter or by a person or group of persons in substantial
control of the issuer or of the outstanding securities of the class being
distributed; ((and))
(c) The
security has been ((lawfully sold and distributed)) registered in
this state or any other state of the United States under this or any act
regulating the sale of such securities; and
(d) The security has been registered under the Securities Act of 1933 or is currently registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or is exempt under regulation A, adopted under section 3(b) of the Securities Act of 1933, or has been registered under RCW 21.20.210.
(16) Any transaction effected in accordance with any rule adopted by the director establishing a limited offering exemption which furthers objectives of compatibility with federal exemptions and uniformity among the states, provided that in adopting any such rule the director may require that no commission or other remuneration be paid or given to any person, directly or indirectly, for effecting sales unless the person is registered under this chapter as a broker-dealer or salesperson.
(17) Any offer or sale by a registered broker-dealer, either as principal or agent, of any securities, except securities issued by investment companies as defined by the investment company act of 1940, at a price reasonably related to the current market price of such securities, if:
(a) The securities are issued and outstanding;
(b) The issuer is required to file reports pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and has been subject to requirements during the ninety-day period immediately preceding the date of the offer or sale, or is an issuer of a security covered by section 12(g)(2)(G) of the 1934 act;
(c) The broker-dealer has a reasonable basis for believing that the issuer is current in filing the reports required to be filed at regular intervals pursuant to the provisions of section 13 or section 15(d), as the case may be, of the 1934 act, or in the case of insurance companies exempted from section 12(g) of the 1934 act by subparagraph 12(g)(2)(G) thereof, the annual statement referred to in section 12(g)(2)(G)(i) of the 1934 act; and
(d) The broker-dealer has in its records, and makes reasonably available upon request to any person expressing an interest in a proposed transaction in the securities, the issuer's most recent annual report filed pursuant to section 13 or 15(d), as the case may be, of the 1934 act or the annual statement in the case of an insurance company exempted from section 12(g) of the 1934 act by subparagraph 12(g)(2)(G) thereof, together with any other reports required to be filed at regular intervals under the 1934 act by the issuer after such annual report or annual statement: PROVIDED, That the making available of such reports pursuant to this subsection, unless otherwise represented, shall not constitute a representation by the broker-dealer that the information is true and correct, but shall constitute a representation by the broker-dealer that the information is reasonably current.
Sec. 14. Section 33, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 23, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.330 are each amended to read as follows:
Every
applicant for registration as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, investment
adviser ((salesperson)) representative, or salesperson under this
chapter and every issuer which proposes to offer a security in this state
through any person acting on an agency basis in the common law sense shall file
with the director, in such form as the director by rule prescribes, an
irrevocable consent appointing the director or the director's successor in
office to be the attorney of the applicant to receive service of any lawful
process in any noncriminal suit, action, or proceeding against the applicant or
the applicant's successor, executor or administrator which arises under this
chapter or any rule or order hereunder after the consent has been filed, with
the same force and validity as if served personally on the person filing the
consent. A person who has filed such a consent in connection with a previous
registration need not file another. Service may be made by leaving a copy of
the process in the office of the director, but it is not effective unless (1)
the plaintiff, who may be the director in a suit, action, or proceeding
instituted by him or her, forthwith sends notice of the service and a copy of
the process by registered mail to the defendant or respondent at the last
address of the respondent or defendant on file with the director, and (2) the
plaintiff's affidavit of compliance with this section is filed in the case on
or before the return day of the process, if any, or within such further time as
the court allows.
Sec. 15. Section 24, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. as last amended by section 17, chapter 244, Laws of 1988 and RCW 21.20.340 are each amended to read as follows:
The following fees shall be paid in advance under the provisions of this chapter:
(1) For
registration of ((all)) securities ((other than investment trusts and
securities registered by coordination)) by qualification, the fee
shall be one hundred dollars for the first one hundred thousand dollars of
initial issue, or portion thereof in this state, based on offering price, plus
one-twentieth of one percent for any excess over one hundred thousand dollars
which are to be offered during that year: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That an issuer
may upon the payment of a fifty dollar fee renew for one additional
twelve-month period only the unsold portion for which the registration fee has
been paid.
(2) For
registration by coordination of securities issued by ((a face-amount
certificate company or redeemable security issued by an open-end management
company or investment trust)) an investment company, other than a closed
end company, as those terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of
1940, the fee shall be one hundred dollars for the first one hundred thousand
dollars of initial issue, or portion thereof in this state, based on offering
price, plus one-twentieth of one percent for any excess over one hundred
thousand dollars which are to be offered in this state during that year:
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That an issuer may upon the payment of a fifty dollar fee
renew for an additional twelve-month period the unsold portion for which the
registration fee has been paid.
(3) For
registration by coordination((, other than investment trusts)) of
securities not covered by subsection (2) of this section, the initial
filing fee shall be one hundred dollars for the first one hundred thousand
dollars of initial issue, or portion thereof in this state, based on offering
price, plus one-fortieth of one percent for any excess over one hundred
thousand dollars for the first twelve-month period plus one hundred dollars for
each additional twelve months in which the same offering is continued.
(4) For filing annual financial statements, the fee shall be twenty-five dollars.
(5) For filing an amended offering circular after the initial registration permit has been granted the fee shall be ten dollars.
(6) For
registration of a broker-dealer or investment adviser, the fee shall be ((one
hundred fifty)) five hundred dollars for original registration and
((seventy-five)) three hundred fifty dollars for each annual
renewal. When an application is denied or withdrawn the director shall retain
one-half of the fee.
(7) For
registration of a salesperson or investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative,
the fee shall be ((forty)) one hundred dollars for original
registration with each employer and ((twenty)) fifty dollars for
each annual renewal. When an application is denied or withdrawn the director
shall retain ((one-half of)) the fee.
(8) ((For
written examination for registration as a salesperson or investment adviser
salesperson, the fee shall be fifteen dollars. For examinations for
registration as a broker-dealer or investment adviser, the fee shall be fifty
dollars.
(9))) If a registration of a broker-dealer, salesperson,
investment adviser, or investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative
is not renewed on or before December 31st of each year the renewal is
delinquent. The director by rule or order may set and assess a fee for
delinquency not to exceed two hundred dollars. Acceptance by the director of
an application for renewal after December 31st is not a waiver of delinquency.
A delinquent application for renewal will not be accepted for filing after
March 1st.
(((10)))
(9) (a) For the transfer of a broker-dealer license to a successor, the
fee shall be fifty dollars.
(b) For the transfer of a salesperson license from a broker-dealer or issuer to another broker-dealer or issuer, the transfer fee shall be twenty-five dollars.
(c) For the
transfer of an investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative
license from an investment adviser to another investment adviser, the transfer
fee shall be twenty-five dollars.
(d) For the transfer of an investment adviser license to a successor, the fee shall be fifty dollars.
(((11)))
(10) The director may provide by rule for the filing of notice of claim
of exemption under RCW 21.20.320 (1), (9), and (((17))) (16) and
set fees accordingly not to exceed three hundred dollars.
(((12)))
(11) For filing of notification of claim of exemption from registration
pursuant to RCW 21.20.310(11), as now or hereafter amended, the fee shall be
fifty dollars for each filing.
(((13)))
(12) For rendering interpretative opinions or no-action letters,
the fee shall be thirty-five dollars.
(((14)))
(13) For certified copies of any documents filed with the director, the
fee shall be the cost to the department.
(((15)))
(14) For a duplicate license the fee shall be five dollars.
All fees collected under this chapter shall be turned in to the state treasury and are not refundable, except as herein provided.
Sec. 16. Section 36, chapter 14, Laws of 1986 as amended by section 6, chapter 243, Laws of 1987 and RCW 21.30.350 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) The administrator may, by order, deny, suspend, or revoke any license or an exemption granted under RCW 21.30.030(7), limit the activities which an applicant or licensed person may perform in this state, conserve any applicant or licensed person, or bar any applicant or licensed person from association with a licensed commodity broker-dealer, if the administrator finds that (a) the order is in the public interest and (b) that the applicant or licensed person or, in the case of a commodity broker-dealer any partner, officer, or director, any person occupying a similar status or performing similar functions, or any person directly or indirectly controlling the commodity broker-dealer:
(i) Has filed an application for licensing with the administrator or the designee of the administrator which, as of its effective date, or as of any date after filing in the case of an order denying effectiveness, was incomplete in any material respect or contained any statement which was, in light of the circumstances under which it was made, false or misleading with respect to any material fact;
(ii) (A) Has violated or failed to comply with a provision of this chapter, a predecessor act, or a rule or order under this chapter or a predecessor act, (B) is the subject of an adjudication or determination within the last five years by a securities agency or administrator or court of competent jurisdiction that the person has wilfully violated the federal securities act of 1933, the securities exchange act of 1934, the investment advisers act of 1940, the investment company act of 1940, or the commodity exchange act, or the securities law of any other state (but only if the acts constituting the violation of that state's law would constitute a violation of this chapter had the acts taken place in this state);
(iii) Has, within the last ten years, pled guilty or nolo contendere to, or been convicted of any crime indicating a lack of fitness to engage in the investment commodities business;
(iv) Is permanently or temporarily enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction from engaging in, or continuing, any conduct or practice indicating a lack of fitness to engage in the investment commodities business;
(v) Is the
subject of an order of the administrator denying, suspending, or revoking the
person's license as a commodity or securities broker-dealer, securities
salesperson or commodity sales representative, or investment adviser or
investment adviser ((salesperson)) representative;
(vi) Is the subject of any of the following orders which are currently effective and which were issued within the last five years:
(A) An order by a securities agency or administrator of another state, Canadian province or territory, or the federal securities and exchange commission, entered after notice and opportunity for hearing, denying, suspending, or revoking the person's license as a commodities or securities broker-dealer, sales representative, or investment adviser, or the substantial equivalent of those terms;
(B) A suspension or expulsion from membership in or association with a self-regulatory organization registered under the securities exchange act of 1934 or the commodity exchange act;
(C) A United States postal service fraud order;
(D) A cease and desist order entered after notice and opportunity for hearing by the administrator or the securities agency or administrator of any other state, Canadian province or territory, the securities and exchange commission, or the commodity futures trading commission;
(E) An order entered by the commodity futures trading commission denying, suspending, or revoking registration under the commodity exchange act;
(vii) Has engaged in any unethical or dishonest conduct or practice in the investment commodities or securities business;
(viii) Is insolvent, either in the sense that liabilities exceed assets, or in the sense that obligations cannot be met as they mature;
(ix) Is not qualified on the basis of such factors as training, experience, and knowledge of the investment commodities business;
(x) Has failed reasonably to supervise sales representatives or employees; or
(xi) Has failed to pay the proper filing fee within thirty days after being notified by the administrator of the deficiency. However, the administrator shall vacate any order under (xi) of this subsection when the deficiency has been corrected.
An order entered under this subsection shall be governed by subsection (2) of this section and RCW 21.30.200 and 21.30.210.
The administrator shall not institute a suspension or revocation proceeding on the basis of a fact or transaction disclosed in the license application unless the proceeding is instituted within the next ninety days following issuance of the license.
(2) If the public interest or the protection of investors so requires, the administrator may, by order, summarily suspend a license or postpone the effective date of a license. Upon the entry of the order, the administrator shall promptly notify the applicant or licensed person, as well as the commodity broker-dealer with whom the person is or will be associated if the applicant or licensed person is a commodity sales representative, that an order has been entered and of the reasons therefore and that within twenty days after the receipt of a written request the matter will be set down for hearing. The provisions of RCW 21.30.200 and 21.30.210 apply with respect to all subsequent proceedings.
(3) If the administrator finds that any applicant or licensed person is no longer in existence or has ceased to do business as a commodity broker-dealer or commodity sales representative or is subject to an adjudication of mental incompetence or to the control of a committee, conservator, or guardian, or cannot be located after reasonable search, the administrator may, by order, cancel the application or license.
Sec. 17. Section 37, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 25, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.370 are each amended to read as follows:
The
director in his or her discretion (1) may annually, or more frequently, make
such public or private investigations within or without this state as the
director deems necessary to determine whether any registration should be granted,
denied or revoked or whether any person has violated or is about to violate any
provision of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder, or to aid in the
enforcement of this chapter or in the prescribing of rules and forms hereunder,
(2) may require or permit any person to file a statement in writing, under oath
or otherwise as the director may determine, as to all the facts and
circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated, and (3) ((shall))
may publish information concerning any violation of this chapter or any
rule or order hereunder.
Sec. 18. Section 38, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 26, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.380 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) For the purpose of any investigation or proceeding under this chapter, the director or any officer designated by the director may administer oaths and affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of any books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, agreements, or other documents or records which the director deems relevant or material to the inquiry.
In case of
disobedience on the part of any person to comply with any subpoena lawfully
issued by the director, or on the refusal of any witness to testify to any
matters regarding which the witness may be lawfully interrogated, the superior
court of any county or the judge thereof, on application of the director, and
after satisfactory evidence of ((wilful)) willful disobedience,
may compel obedience by proceedings for contempt, as in the case of
disobedience of the requirements of a subpoena issued from such a court on a
refusal to testify therein.
(2) (a) If the securities administrator or attorney general of another state, province, or country, which by its laws has made provision for commanding persons within that jurisdiction to attend and testify or produce documents and records in this state, certifies under the seal of such office that there is an investigation pending in such jurisdiction under the securities or commodities laws of such jurisdiction and that a person being within this state is a material witness in such investigation or that documents and records being within this state are material to such investigation and that the presence of the witness will be required for a specified number of days, upon presentation of such certificate to the securities administrator of this state, the director shall fix a time and place for a hearing, and shall issue a subpoena directing the witness to appear at a time and place certain for such hearing.
If at such hearing the director or his or her designee determines that the witness or the documents and records are material, that it will not cause undue hardship to the witness to be compelled to attend and testify or produce documents and records in the investigation in the other jurisdiction, and that the laws of the jurisdiction in which the investigation is pending will, during such time the witness is in such jurisdiction pursuant to a subpoena issued under this subsection, give to the witness protection from arrest and the service of civil and criminal process in connection with matters which arose before the witness entered the state under subpoena, the director shall issue a further subpoena, with a copy of the certificate attached, directing the witness to attend and testify and produce documents and records before the securities administrator or attorney general where the investigation is pending at a time and place specified in the subpoena. In any such hearing the certificate shall be prima facie evidence of all the facts stated herein.
If the director determines that the convenience of the parties would be better served to have the witness attend and testify or produce documents and records in the investigation in this state, the director may issue a subpoena directing the witness to attend and testify and produce documents and records before the securities administrator or his or her designee at a time and place specified in the subpoena. The evidence, documents, records, and testimony adduced at such proceeding shall be made available to the securities administrator or attorney general issuing the certificate referred to in this subsection. The director may permit the securities administrator or attorney general in the jurisdiction making the request to attend and participate jointly or otherwise in the taking of any testimony given by the witness pursuant to the director's subpoena.
If a witness, who is subpoenaed as provided in this subsection, after being paid or tendered the sum of twenty cents a mile for each mile and twenty dollars for each day that the witness is required to travel and attend as a witness, fails without good cause to attend and testify and produce documents and records as directed in the subpoena, the witness shall be punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness who disobeys a subpoena issued pursuant to this chapter.
(b) If a person in any jurisdiction which by its laws has made provision for commanding persons within its borders to attend and testify or produce documents and records in an investigation in this state is a material witness in an investigation pending in this state under this chapter, or if documents and records which are material to an investigation pending in this state under this chapter are located in such other jurisdiction, the securities administrator of this state may issue a certificate under the seal of the department of licensing stating these facts and specifying the number of days the witness will be required. This certificate shall be presented to the securities administrator or attorney general of the jurisdiction in which the witness, documents, or records are found.
If the witness is subpoenaed to attend and testify or produce documents and records in this state, the witness shall be paid or tendered the sum of twenty cents per mile for each mile and twenty dollars for each day that the witness is required to travel and attend as a witness. A witness who has appeared in accordance with the subpoena shall not be required to remain within this state for a longer period of time than the period mentioned in the certificate. If such witness fails without good cause to attend and testify and produce documents and records as directed in the subpoena, the witness shall be punished in the manner provided for the punishment of any witness who disobeys a subpoena issued pursuant to this chapter.
(c) If a person comes into this state in obedience to a subpoena issued as a result of a request made under this subsection and which directs such person to attend and testify or produce documents and records in this state, such person shall not, while in this state pursuant to such subpoena, be subject to arrest or the service of process, civil or criminal, in connection with matters which arose before such person's entrance into this state under the subpoena.
If a person passes through this state while going to another jurisdiction in obedience to a subpoena issued as a result of a request made under the provisions of law comparable to the provisions of this subsection and which directs such person to attend and testify or produce documents and records in that jurisdiction or while returning therefrom, such person shall not, while so passing through this state, be subject to arrest or the service of process, civil or criminal, in connection with matters which arose before such person's entrance into this state under the subpoena.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 19. A new section is added to chapter 21.20 RCW to read as follows:
It is unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, in this state:
(1) For the purpose of creating a false or misleading appearance of active trading in a security or a false or misleading appearance with respect to the market for a security:
(a) To effect any transaction in the security which involves no change in the beneficial ownership thereof; or
(b) To enter any order or orders for the purchase (or sale) of the security with the knowledge that an order or orders of substantially the same size, at substantially the same time, and at substantially the same price for the sale (or purchase) of the security have been or will be entered by or for the same or affiliated persons;
(2) To effect, alone or with one or more other persons, a series of transactions in any security creating actual or apparent active trading in the security or raising or depressing the price of the security for the purpose of inducing the purchase or sale of the security by others;
(3) To induce the purchase or sale of any security by the circulation or dissemination of information to the effect that the price of the security will or is likely to rise or fall because of market operations of one or more persons conducted for the purpose of raising or depressing the price of the security, if that person is receiving a consideration, directly or indirectly, from any such person, or is selling or offering to sell or purchasing or offering to purchase the security; or
(4) To employ any other deceptive or fraudulent device, scheme, or artifice to manipulate the market in a security.
Sec. 20. Section 39, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 8, chapter 272, Laws of 1981 and RCW 21.20.390 are each amended to read as follows:
Whenever it appears to the director that any person has engaged or is about to engage in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder, the director may in his or her discretion:
(1) Issue an order directing the person to cease and desist from continuing the act or practice: PROVIDED, That reasonable notice of and opportunity for a hearing shall be given: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That the director may issue a temporary order pending the hearing which shall remain in effect until ten days after the hearing is held and which shall become final if the person to whom notice is addressed does not request a hearing within fifteen days after the receipt of notice; or
(2) The
director may, without issuing a cease and desist order, bring an action
in any court of competent jurisdiction to enjoin any such acts or practices and
to enforce compliance with this chapter or any rule or order hereunder. The
court may grant such ancillary relief as it finds appropriate. Upon a
proper showing, a permanent or temporary injunction, restraining order,
or writ of mandamus shall be granted and a receiver or conservator may be
appointed for the defendant or the defendant's assets. The director may not be
required to post a bond. If the director prevails, the director shall be
entitled to a reasonable attorney's fee to be fixed by the court((.));
or
(3) The administrator may, after giving reasonable notice and an opportunity for a hearing under this section, impose a fine not to exceed five thousand dollars per violation upon a person found to have engaged in any act or practice constituting a violation of any provision of this chapter or of any rule or order issued under this chapter. The fine is in addition to all other penalties imposed by the laws of this state. If any person fails to pay a fine referred to in this subsection, the amount of the fine is a lien upon all the assets and property of such person in this state and may be recovered by suit by the administrator. Failure of the person to pay a fine also constitutes a forfeiture of his or her right to transact business in this state under this chapter; or
(4)
Whenever it appears to the director that any person who has received a permit
to issue, sell, or otherwise dispose of securities under this chapter, whether
current or otherwise, has become insolvent, the director may petition a court
of competent jurisdiction to appoint a receiver or conservator for the
defendant or the defendant's assets. The director may not be required to post
a bond((.)); or
(((4)))
(5) The director may bring an action for restitution or damages on
behalf of the persons injured by a violation of this chapter, if the court
finds that private civil action would be so burdensome or expensive as to be
impractical.
Sec. 21. Section 43, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 1, chapter 304, Laws of 1986 and RCW 21.20.430 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Any person, who offers or sells a security in violation of any provisions of RCW 21.20.010 or 21.20.140 through 21.20.230, is liable to the person buying the security from him or her, who may sue either at law or in equity to recover the consideration paid for the security, together with interest at eight percent per annum from the date of payment, costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees, less the amount of any income received on the security, upon the tender of the security, or for damages if he or she no longer owns the security. Damages are the amount that would be recoverable upon a tender less (a) the value of the security when the buyer disposed of it and (b) interest at eight percent per annum from the date of disposition.
(2) Any person who buys a security in violation of the provisions of RCW 21.20.010 is liable to the person selling the security to him or her, who may sue either at law or in equity to recover the security, together with any income received on the security, upon tender of the consideration received, costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees, or if the security cannot be recovered, for damages. Damages are the value of the security when the buyer disposed of it, and any income received on the security, less the consideration received for the security, plus interest at eight percent per annum from the date of disposition, costs, and reasonable attorneys' fees.
(3) Any person acting as an investment adviser or investment adviser representative in violation of RCW 21.20.020 is liable to the person so advised who may sue either at law or in equity to recover damages plus interest at eight percent per annum from the date on which the violation occurred plus costs and reasonable attorneys' fees.
(4) Every person who directly or indirectly controls a seller or buyer liable under subsection (1) or (2) above, every partner, officer, director or person who occupies a similar status or performs a similar function of such seller or buyer, every employee of such a seller or buyer who materially aids in the transaction, and every broker- dealer, salesperson, or person exempt under the provisions of RCW 21.20.040 who materially aids in the transaction is also liable jointly and severally with and to the same extent as the seller or buyer, unless such person sustains the burden of proof that he or she did not know, and in the exercise of reasonable care could not have known, of the existence of the facts by reason of which the liability is alleged to exist. There is contribution as in cases of contract among the several persons so liable.
(((4)))
(5) (a) Every cause of action under this statute survives the death of
any person who might have been a plaintiff or defendant.
(b) No person may sue under this section more than three years after the contract of sale for any violation of the provisions of RCW 21.20.140 through 21.20.230, or more than three years after a violation of the provisions of RCW 21.20.010, either was discovered by such person or would have been discovered by him or her in the exercise of reasonable care. No person may sue under this section if the buyer or seller receives a written rescission offer, which has been passed upon by the director before suit and at a time when he or she owned the security, to refund the consideration paid together with interest at eight percent per annum from the date of payment, less the amount of any income received on the security in the case of a buyer, or plus the amount of income received on the security in the case of a seller.
(c) No person may sue under subsection (3) of this section more than three years after the date on which the violation of RCW 21.20.020 occurred.
(((5)))
(6) No person who has made or engaged in the performance of any contract
in violation of any provision of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder,
or who has acquired any purported right under any such contract with knowledge
of the facts by reason of which its making or performance was in violation, may
base any suit on the contract. Any condition, stipulation, or provision
binding any person acquiring any security to waive compliance with any
provision of this chapter or any rule or order hereunder is void.
(((6)))
(7) Any tender specified in this section may be made at any time before
entry of judgment.
(((7)))
(8) Notwithstanding subsections (1) through (((6))) (7) of
this section, if an initial offer or sale of securities that are exempt from
registration under RCW 21.20.310 is made by this state or its agencies,
political subdivisions, municipal or quasi-municipal corporations, or other
instrumentality of one or more of the foregoing and is in violation of RCW
21.20.010(2), and any such issuer, member of the governing body, committee member,
public officer, director, employee, or agent of such issuer acting on its
behalf, or person in control of such issuer, member of the governing body,
committee member, public officer, director, employee, or agent of such person
acting on its behalf, materially aids in the offer or sale, such person is
liable to the purchaser of the security only if the purchaser establishes
scienter on the part of the defendant. The word "employee" or the
word "agent," as such words are used in this subsection, do not
include a bond counsel or an underwriter. Under no circumstances whatsoever
shall this subsection be applied to require purchasers to establish scienter on
the part of bond counsels or underwriters. The provisions of this subsection
are retroactive and apply to any action commenced but not final before July 27,
1985. In addition, the provisions of this subsection apply to any action
commenced on or after July 27, 1985.
Sec. 22. Section 45, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as last amended by section 33, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.450 are each amended to read as follows:
The
administration of the provisions of this chapter shall be under the department
of licensing. The director may from time to time make, amend, and rescind such
rules ((and)), forms, and orders as are necessary to carry
out the provisions of this chapter, including rules defining any term, whether
or not such term is used in the Washington securities law. The director may
classify securities, persons, and matters within the director's jurisdiction,
and prescribe different requirements for different classes. No rule ((or)),
form, or order may be made unless the director finds that the action is
necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of
investors and consistent with the purposes fairly intended by the policy and
provisions of this chapter. In prescribing rules and forms the director may
cooperate with the securities administrators of the other states and the
securities and exchange commission with a view to effectuating the policy of
this statute to achieve maximum uniformity in the form and content of
registration statements, applications, and reports wherever practicable. All
rules ((and)), forms, and orders of the director shall be
published.
Sec. 23. Section 53, chapter 282, Laws of 1959 as amended by section 38, chapter 68, Laws of 1979 ex. sess. and RCW 21.20.530 are each amended to read as follows:
The director in his or her discretion may issue letters that indicate that no enforcement action will be taken with regard to a specific act or transaction, and may honor requests from interested persons for interpretative opinions.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 24. A new section is added to chapter 21.20 RCW to read as follows:
To encourage uniform application and interpretation of this chapter and securities regulation and enforcement in general, the director and the employees of the director may cooperate, including bearing the expense of the cooperation, with the securities agencies or administrators of another jurisdiction, Canadian provinces, or territories or such other agencies administering similar statutes, the commodity futures trading commission, the federal securities and exchange commission, any self-regulatory organization established under the commodity exchange act or the securities exchange act of 1934, any national or international organization of commodities or securities officials or agencies, and any governmental law enforcement agency.