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A84, R146, S525
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Senators Rankin and Elliott
Document Path: l:\council\bills\pt\1467mm03.doc
Companion/Similar bill(s): 3860
Introduced in the Senate on March 26, 2003
Introduced in the House on April 29, 2003
Last Amended on June 4, 2003
Passed by the General Assembly on June 5, 2003
Governor's Action: July 3, 2003, Signed
Summary: Vacation time share plans, provisions, exemptions
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/26/2003 Senate Introduced and read first time SJ-16
3/26/2003 Senate Referred to Committee on Judiciary SJ-16
4/23/2003 Senate Committee report: Favorable with amendment Judiciary
SJ-22
4/24/2003 Senate Amended SJ-83
4/24/2003 Senate Read second time SJ-83
4/24/2003 Senate Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative
day SJ-84
4/25/2003 Senate Read third time and sent to House SJ-2
4/29/2003 House Introduced and read first time HJ-9
4/29/2003 House Referred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry
HJ-9
5/7/2003 House Committee report: Favorable with amendment Labor,
Commerce and Industry HJ-46
5/13/2003 House Debate adjourned until Wednesday, May 14, 2003 HJ-15
5/14/2003 House Debate adjourned until Thursday, May 15, 2003 HJ-8
5/15/2003 House Requests for debate-Rep(s). Stille, Martin, Walker,
Cooper, Anthony, Pinson, Howard, Cato, Bingham,
Skelton and Mahaffey HJ-23
5/15/2003 House Debate adjourned until Tuesday, May 20, 2003 HJ-48
5/22/2003 House Requests for debate removed-Rep(s). Walker, Mahaffey and
Skelton HJ-32
5/22/2003 House Amended HJ-36
5/22/2003 House Read second time HJ-100
5/22/2003 House Roll call Yeas-92 Nays-0 HJ-100
5/22/2003 House Unanimous consent for third reading on next legislative
day HJ-100
5/23/2003 House Read third time and returned to Senate with amendments
HJ-2
6/4/2003 Senate House amendment amended SJ-17
6/4/2003 Senate Returned to House with amendments SJ-17
6/5/2003 House Concurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ-11
6/5/2003 Ratified R 146
7/3/2003 Signed By Governor
7/11/2003 Copies available
7/11/2003 Effective date 10/01/03
7/23/2003 Act No. 84
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
3/26/2003
4/23/2003
4/24/2003
5/7/2003
5/22/2003
5/22/2003-A
6/4/2003
(A84, R146, S525)
AN ACT TO AMEND ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 32, TITLE 27, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO VACATION TIME SHARING PLANS, SO AS TO REVISE, DELETE, AND ADD CERTAIN DEFINITIONS, REVISE PROVISIONS RELATING TO ADVERTISING AND CONVEYANCE OF VACATION TIME SHARING PLANS SO AS TO DELETE CERTAIN LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR SELLERS AND TO EXEMPT CERTAIN COMMUNICATIONS FROM ADVERTISEMENT AND PROMOTION RESTRICTIONS, REVISE THE TERMS OF THE NOTICE OF THE RIGHT TO CANCELLATION REQUIREMENTS IN CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF VACATION TIME SHARING PLANS AND PROVIDE FOR THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF NOTICE OF CANCELLATION, ESTABLISH NEW PROCEDURES FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF REFUNDS UPON CANCELLATION OF CONTRACTS AND ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF ESCROW ACCOUNTS IN THAT CONNECTION, PROVIDE FOR MATTERS TO BE DISCLOSED IN CONTRACTS INCLUDING WARNINGS AGAINST RELIANCE ON THE PURCHASE AS AN INVESTMENT, DELETE THE REQUIREMENT OF AN EXAMINATION FOR REGISTRATION RELATING TO LICENSES FOR SELLERS OF VACATION TIME SHARING PLANS, EXEMPT EMPLOYEES OF THE SELLER FROM LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, PROVIDE FOR VICARIOUS LIABILITY OF THE CONTROLLING SELLER, TIGHTEN PROVISIONS RELATING TO POWERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA REAL ESTATE COMMISSION IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTIGATION OF AN APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF A TIME SHARING PLAN INCLUDING ASSURANCES AND BONDING AGAINST ENCUMBRANCES, AND MAKE TECHNICAL CHANGES TO CONFORM THE ARTICLE; AND TO AMEND SECTION 27-50-30, RELATING TO EXEMPTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY CONDITION DISCLOSURE ACT, SO AS TO EXEMPT FROM THE ACT A TRANSFER OF A VACATION TIME SHARING PLAN OR A VACATION MULTIPLE OWNERSHIP INTEREST.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
Vacation Time Sharing Plans
SECTION 1. Article 1, Chapter 32, Title 27 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:
Section 27-32-10. For purposes of this chapter:
(1) 'Accommodations' means any hotel or motel room, condominium or cooperative unit, cabin, lodge, apartment, or other private or commercial structure designed for occupancy by one or more individuals or a recreational vehicle campsite or campground.
(2) 'Person' means any individual, corporation, firm, association, joint venture, partnership, trust estate, business trust, syndicate, fiduciary, and any other group or combination.
(3) 'Contract' means any contract, promissory note, credit agreement, negotiable instrument, lease, use agreement, license, security, or other muniment conferring on the purchaser the rights, benefits, and obligations of a vacation time sharing plan.
(4) 'Commission' means the South Carolina Real Estate Commission.
(5) 'Facilities' means a structure, service, or property, whether improved or unimproved, made available to the purchaser for recreational, social, family, or personal use.
(6) 'Seller' means a person who creates a vacation time sharing plan or is in the business of selling interests in a vacation time share plan, or employs agents to do the same, or a person who succeeds to the interest of a seller by sale, lease, assignment, mortgage, or other transfer; except that, the term includes only a person who offers interests in vacation time sharing plans in the State of South Carolina in the ordinary course of business. The term 'seller' does not include the following:
(a) an owner of a time sharing interest who has acquired the time sharing interest for his own use and occupancy and who later offers it for resale on his own behalf or through a real estate broker;
(b) a managing entity or owners' association of a time sharing plan, not otherwise a seller, that offers on the association's behalf time sharing interests in the time sharing plan transferred to the association through foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure, or gratuitous transfer; or
(c) a person who owns or is conveyed, assigned, or transferred time sharing interests, and who subsequently conveys, assigns, or transfers all acquired time sharing interests to a single purchaser in a single transaction, which transaction may occur in stages.
(7) 'Vacation time sharing ownership plan' means any arrangement, plan, or similar devise, whether by tenancy in common, sale, term for years, deed, or other means, in which the purchaser receives an ownership interest in real property and the right to use accommodations or facilities, or both, for a period or periods of time during a given year, but not necessarily for consecutive years, which extends for a period of more than one year. A vacation time sharing ownership plan may be created in a condominium established on a term for years or leasehold interest having an original duration of thirty years or longer. An interest in a vacation time sharing ownership plan is recognized as an interest in real property for all purposes pursuant to the laws of this State.
(8) 'Vacation time sharing lease plan' means any arrangement, plan, or similar devise, whether by membership agreement, lease, rental agreement, license, use agreement, security, or other means, in which the purchaser receives a right to use accommodations or facilities, or both, but does not receive an ownership interest in real property, for a period or periods of time during a given year, but not necessarily for consecutive years, which extends for a period of more than three years. These lease plans do not include an arrangement or agreement in which a purchaser in exchange for an advance fee and yearly dues is entitled to select from a designated list of facilities located in more than one state, accommodations of companies that operate nationwide in at least nine states in the United States through franchises or ownership, for a specified time period and at reduced rates and under which an interest in real property is not transferred.
(9) 'Vacation time sharing plan' means either a vacation time sharing ownership plan or a vacation time sharing lease plan.
(10) 'Substantially complete' means all structural components and mechanical systems of all buildings containing or comprising facilities or accommodations are finished in accordance with the plans or specifications of the vacation time sharing plan, as evidenced by a recorded certificate of completion executed by an independent registered surveyor, architect, or engineer.
(11) 'Unit week' means a number of consecutive days, normally seven consecutive days in duration, which may reasonably be assigned to purchasers of vacation time sharing plans by the seller.
(12) 'Escrow agent' means a bank or trust company doing business in this State or a bonded trust agent bonded in at least the amount of the trust; except, that nothing contained in this chapter prevents investment of funds escrowed pursuant to this chapter by the bank, trust company, or bonded agent, with payment of all interest and dividends to the seller of vacation time sharing plans.
(13) 'Escrow account' means funds held or maintained by an escrow agent.
(14) 'Fund' and 'recovery fund' means the South Carolina Vacation Time Sharing Recovery Fund.
(15) 'Claim' means a monetary loss sustained or allegedly sustained by a person due to the wrongdoing of a registrant or licensee.
(16) 'Real estate broker's trust account' means a demand account in a bank or savings institution in this State held by a duly licensed South Carolina real estate broker.
Section 27-32-20. It is a violation of this chapter for a seller of vacation time sharing plans to:
(1) sell, lease, encumber, or convey in any manner or to solicit or advertise those transactions unless the vacation time sharing plan has first been registered with the commission.
(2) fail to make available upon request to the commission the following materials and amendments or changes to them made while sales continue:
(a) a copy of the contract by which the rights and obligations of the parties are established;
(b) copies of promotional brochures, pamphlets, advertisements, or other material disseminated to the public in connection with the sale of the vacation time sharing plan and verbatim scripts of all radio and television advertising in connection with it;
(c) a statement of the type of entity through which the selling of vacation time sharing plans is to be carried out, including a list of the names and addresses of all directors, principal officers, dealers, distributors, and sales personnel soliciting in or from the State of South Carolina, and the name and address of the seller's agent for service of process within the State;
(d) copies of all contracts between the person offering the vacation time sharing plan for sale to the public and each business providing accommodations and facilities to purchasers of the plan;
(e) copies of all rules, regulations, conditions, or limitations on use of the accommodations or facilities available pursuant to the vacation time sharing plan;
(f) synopsis of any sales presentation made by the seller to the purchaser over the telephone or other electronic device;
(g) projected budget of all recurring expenses which may become the responsibility of all time sharing purchasers.
(3) Upon receipt of all materials required by item (2), the commission shall determine their sufficiency and satisfactory compliance with this chapter. The commission then shall issue its order approving their use, and the vacation time sharing plan is then considered to be registered.
(4) The following communications are exempt from the provisions of this chapter:
(a) stockholder communication including an annual report or interim financial report, proxy material, or other material required to be delivered to a purchaser by an agency of a state or the federal government;
(b) oral or written statement disseminated by a seller to broadcast or print media, other than paid advertising or promotional material, regarding plans for the acquisition or development of vacation time sharing property. A rebroadcast or other dissemination of these oral statements to a prospective purchaser by a seller in any manner or a distribution of copies of print media to a prospective purchaser by a seller in any manner is considered an advertisement;
(c) advertisement or promotion in any medium to the general public if the advertisement or promotion clearly states that it is not an offer in a jurisdiction in which applicable registration requirements are not fully satisfied;
(d) billboard or other sign that is affixed to real or personal property, that is not disseminated by other than visual means to a prospective purchaser, and that does not suggest or invite action on the part of the prospective purchaser; and
(e) communication addressed to and relating to the account of any person who has executed previously a contract for the purchase of a time sharing interest in a time sharing plan relating to the communication.
Section 27-32-30. It is a violation of this chapter for a person offering vacation time sharing plans for sale to the public to fail to keep among its business records a:
(1) copy of each item required to be submitted to the commission pursuant to Section 27-32-20;
(2) copy of the contract from each sale of the vacation time sharing plan, which contract must be retained for at least three years after parties to the vacation time sharing plan have completely performed all of their obligations under it; and
(3) list of all employees, and their last known mailing addresses, which list must include all current employees and all previous employees whose employment was terminated within the preceding three years.
Section 27-32-40. (A) It is a violation of this chapter for the seller of a vacation time sharing plan to fail to utilize and furnish the purchaser a fully completed copy of a contract pertaining to the sale at the time of its execution. The contract must include the:
(1) actual date the contract is executed by all parties;
(2) name and address of the seller;
(3) total financial obligation of the purchaser, including the initial purchase price and additional charges to which the purchaser may be subject;
(4) specific term of the contract; and
(5)(a) following statement in immediate proximity to the space reserved in the contract for the signature of the purchaser and in bold type:
'YOU MAY CANCEL THIS CONTRACT WITHOUT PENALTY OR OBLIGATION WITHIN FIVE DAYS AFTER THE DATE YOU SIGN THIS CONTRACT, NOT INCLUDING SUNDAY IF THAT IS THE FIFTH DAY, OR THE DATE YOU RECEIVE THE DISCLOSURE STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 27-32-100, WHICHEVER OCCURS LATER. IF YOU DECIDE TO CANCEL, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE SELLER IN WRITING OF YOUR INTENT TO CANCEL BY SENDING NOTICE BY CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, OR BY ANOTHER VERIFIABLE MEANS, TO (NAME OF SELLER) AT (SELLER'S ADDRESS).'
(b) in the case of a vacation time sharing lease plan the following statement also must be included:
'YOU ALSO MAY CANCEL THIS CONTRACT AT ANY TIME IN CASE THE ACCOMMODATIONS OR FACILITIES PROVIDED IN THE CONTRACT OR COMPARABLE ACCOMMODATIONS OR FACILITIES ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE.'
(B) Notice of cancellation pursuant to this section is considered given on the date postmarked if mailed, or when transmitted from the place of origin if telegraphed, so long as the notice is actually received by the seller. If given by means of a writing transmitted other than by mail or telegraph, the notice is considered given at the time of delivery at the seller's address as identified on the contract.
Section 27-32-50. It is a violation of this chapter for the seller of vacation time sharing plans, or his assignees, to fail or refuse to honor a purchaser's request to cancel a contract as provided by Section 27-32-40 if the request is made; except that this section does not deny the seller the option to repair, replace, or reconstruct within a reasonable time the accommodations or facilities if destroyed or damaged.
Section 27-32-55. An owner of an interest in a vacation time sharing plan may not be charged an up-front appraisal fee for the resale of his interest but may be charged only an up-front marketing fee or commission upon the resale of the interest in an amount stipulated by written agreement between the owner and his sales agent. A person violating the provisions of this section has committed an unfair trade practice pursuant to Section 39-5-20 and is subject to all penalties and remedies provided by law for this violation.
Section 27-32-60. It is a violation of this chapter for a seller of vacation time sharing plans to:
(1) fail to refund payments made by the purchaser pursuant to the contract and return a negotiable instrument, other than a check, executed by the purchaser in connection with the contract or services within twenty days after receipt of notice of cancellation made pursuant to Section 27-32-40, if the purchaser has not received benefits pursuant to the contract;
(2) if the purchaser has received benefits pursuant to the contract, fail to refund within thirty days after receipt of notification of cancellation made pursuant to Section 27-32-40 or 27-32-50 payments made by the purchaser to the seller which exceed a pro rata portion of the total price, taking into consideration the cost and use of the time share facilities at an average rental rate, representing the proportion of contract benefits actually received by the purchaser during the time preceding cancellation;
(3) fail to place in a real estate broker's trust account, or another escrow arrangement approved by the commission, one hundred percent of the funds received from the purchasers of the plans, which trust account must provide that:
(a) its purpose is to protect the purchaser's right to refund during the five-day right to cancellation period as provided in Section 27-32-40 or 27-32-50; and
(b) funds may be withdrawn by the seller pursuant to Section 27-32-90.
Section 27-32-70. It is a violation of this chapter for a seller of vacation time sharing plans, or his assignees, to misrepresent in any manner the purchaser's right to cancel provided by this chapter.
Section 27-32-80. It is a violation of this chapter for a seller of vacation time sharing plans to sell, lease, assign, or otherwise transfer or encumber the seller's interest in the vacation time sharing plan or the accommodations or facilities to a third party when the sale, lease, assignment, or other transfer substantially affects the rights of the purchasers of the vacation time sharing plan, unless:
(1) the third party agrees in writing to honor fully the rights of purchasers of the vacation time sharing plan to occupy and use the accommodations or facilities;
(2) the third party agrees in writing to honor fully the rights of purchasers of the vacation time sharing plan to cancel their contracts and receive an appropriate refund as provided in this chapter;
(3) the third party agrees in writing to comply with the provisions of this chapter for as long as the third party continues to sell the vacation time sharing plan, or for as long as purchasers of the vacation time sharing plan are entitled to occupy the accommodations or use the facilities, whichever is longer in time; and
(4) written notice is sent to each purchaser of a vacation time sharing plan affected by the transfer by certified mail within thirty days of the sale, lease, assignment, or other transfer.
Section 27-32-90. (A) A seller of a vacation time sharing plan shall deposit into an escrow account maintained by an independent third-party agent one hundred percent of the funds received from the purchasers of the plans. The deposit of the funds must be evidenced by an executed escrow agreement between the escrow agent and the seller, which must include provisions that:
(1) funds may be disbursed to the seller by the escrow agent from the escrow account only after the expiration of the purchaser's cancellation period and in accordance with the purchase contract, subject to subsection (B) of this section; and
(2) if the purchaser properly cancels the contract pursuant to its terms, the funds must be paid to the purchaser pursuant to Section 27-32-40 or 27-32-50.
(B) If a seller contracts to sell an interest in a vacation time sharing plan and the construction of the property in which the interest of the vacation time sharing plan is located has not been substantially completed, the seller, upon expiration of the cancellation period, shall continue to maintain in an escrow account all funds received by or on behalf of the seller from the purchaser under the contract. Funds must be released from escrow as follows, if:
(1) a purchaser properly cancels the contract pursuant to its terms, the funds must be paid to the purchaser;
(2) the purchaser defaults in the performance of his obligations under the contract, the funds must be paid to the seller;
(3) the seller defaults in the performance of his obligations under the contract, the funds must be paid to the purchaser; and
(4) the funds of a purchaser have not been previously disbursed in accordance with the provisions of this subsection, they may be disbursed to the seller by the escrow agent upon the issuance of acceptable evidence of substantial completion of construction.
(C) The commission may audit or examine the escrow account. The seller shall make available documents relating to the escrow account or escrow obligation to the commission upon the commission's request. The seller shall maintain disputed funds in the escrow account until either:
(1) receipt of written direction agreed to by signature of all parties; or
(2) deposit of the funds with a court of competent jurisdiction in which a civil action regarding the funds has been filed.
(D) An escrow agent holding funds escrowed pursuant to this section may invest the escrowed funds in securities of the United States government, or an agency of it, or in savings or time deposits in an institution insured by an agency of the United States government. Interest generated by the investments must be paid to the party to whom the escrowed funds are paid, unless otherwise specified by contract.
(E) An escrow agent holding funds escrowed pursuant to this section shall maintain separate books and records for each time sharing plan in accordance with generally acceptable accounting practices.
(F) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, the commission may accept from the seller a surety bond, irrevocable letter of credit, or other financial assurance acceptable to the commission in an amount equal to or in excess of the funds that otherwise would be placed in escrow.
Section 27-32-95. [Reserved]
Section 27-32-100. It is a violation of this chapter for a person who sells or offers to sell an interest in a vacation time sharing plan subject to Section 27-32-20, to fail to provide to the prospective purchaser a separate written public offering statement regarding the vacation time sharing plan and the purchaser's rights and obligations associated with the purchase of an interest in that vacation time sharing plan. The written statement must be received by the purchaser before signing a contract for the sale of a vacation time sharing plan and must include:
(1) the name and address of the seller;
(2) a brief description of the interest being offered in the vacation time sharing plan;
(3) the name of a person with the right to alter, amend, or add to charges to which the purchaser may be subject and the terms and conditions under which those charges may be imposed;
(4) a general description of all furniture, fixtures, and appliances, if known, to be located in the accommodations during the time period purchased;
(5) the nature and duration of each agreement between the person selling the vacation time sharing plans and the person managing the accommodations or other facilities of the time sharing plan;
(6) a description of provisions to protect the purchaser's interest from loss due to foreclosure on an underlying financial obligation of the vacation time sharing plan;
(7) a description of assurances of completion required pursuant to Section 27-32-140;
(8) the date of availability of each amenity of the offered accommodations and facilities if they are not completed at the time of sale of each vacation time sharing plan;
(9) a statement, if applicable, that the salespersons for the vacation time sharing plan represent the seller and not the prospective purchaser;
(10) a statement, substantially similar to the following:
'You should purchase a time sharing interest as a vacation experience and for your personal use and enjoyment. You should not purchase a time sharing interest as an investment or for profit upon its rental or resale.';
(11) in immediate proximity to the space reserved on the disclosure statement for the signature of the purchaser and in bold type a statement as follows:
'A purchaser should not rely upon representations other than those included in the contract and this disclosure statement.' However, inclusion of this statement shall not impair the purchaser's right to bring any legal action based upon any cause of action arising from verbal statements;
(12) a space for the signature of the purchaser acknowledging receipt of the disclosure statement and the date of receipt; and
(13) other information the seller or the Real Estate Commission considers necessary for the protection of purchasers.
Section 27-32-110. It is a violation of this chapter for a seller of vacation time sharing plans to:
(1) use a promotional device including, but not limited to, sweepstakes, lodging certificates, gift awards, premiums, or discounts, without disclosing fully that the promotional device is used for the purpose of soliciting the sale of vacation time sharing plans;
(2) use a promotional device as described in item (1) to obtain the names and addresses of prospective purchasers without fully and prominently disclosing that names and addresses are acquired for the purpose of soliciting the sale of the vacation time sharing plans;
(3) misrepresent the amount of time or period of time the accommodations and facilities are available to a purchaser;
(4) misrepresent or deceptively represent the location of the offered accommodations and facilities;
(5) misrepresent the size, nature, extent, qualities, or characteristics of the offered accommodations and facilities;
(6) misrepresent the nature or extent of services incident to the accommodations and facilities;
(7) make misleading or deceptive representations with respect to the contents of the contract or the purchaser's rights, privileges, or benefits under it;
(8) fail to honor and comply with all provisions of the contract with the purchaser;
(9) misrepresent the conditions under which a purchaser may exchange his rights to an accommodation in one location for rights to an accommodation in another location;
(10) include in a contract a provision purporting to waive a right or benefit provided for purchasers pursuant to this chapter, or seek or solicit such a waiver during the effective period of these rules; and
(11) do any other act of fraud, misrepresentation, or failure to make a disclosure of a material fact.
Section 27-32-115. Notwithstanding another provision of law, a seller may pay a finder's fee to a person who is not licensed pursuant to Chapter 57 of Title 40 and who owns an interest in the seller's vacation time sharing plan. This section does not permit a person who receives the finder's fee to advertise or promote the time sharing interest, show property, discuss terms and conditions of purchase, or otherwise participate in negotiations with regard to the time sharing interests, unless the person is a regular employee of the seller or properly licensed pursuant to Chapter 57 of Title 40.
Section 27-32-120. (A)(1) If, upon investigation by the Real Estate Commission, a person is found to be in violation of this chapter, the commission shall inform the person of the violation by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the commission finds the violation is of a minor nature, it may assess a monetary fine.
(2) Within ten days from receipt of the certified mail, the person found in violation of this chapter may pay the fine or take other remedial steps as the commission, in its sole discretion, may require. If a fine is not paid and other remedial agreement is not reached within the time allowed or any extension of time granted by the commission, the person may be prosecuted for the violation as otherwise provided in this section.
(3) The commission may release a person found in violation of this chapter from any further liability to the State arising from the violation, once the person pays the fine or agrees to remedial action.
(B) A person who wilfully violates a provision of this chapter is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, for a first offense must be fined not more than five thousand dollars for each violation. Conviction for a second offense is a misdemeanor and the person must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than six months, or both, for each violation. Conviction for a third or subsequent offense is a felony and the person must be fined not more than five thousand dollars or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, for each violation. For purposes of this chapter, a wilful violation occurs when the person committing the violation knew or should have known that his conduct was a violation of this chapter.
(C) In addition to the penalties provided in this section, a contract for the sale of an interest in a vacation time sharing plan in violation of this chapter is voidable at the sole option of the purchaser and entitles the purchaser to a refund of all consideration paid by him pursuant to the contract.
Section 27-32-130. The Real Estate Commission is responsible for the enforcement and implementation of this chapter and the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, at the request of the Real Estate Commission, shall prosecute a violation under this chapter. The commission shall promulgate regulations for the implementation of this chapter, subject to the State Administrative Procedures Act. The provisions of this section do not limit the right of a purchaser or lessee to bring a private action to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
Section 27-32-140. (A) A seller who files with the commission a vacation time sharing plan or an amendment to it which describes or concerns the vacation time sharing plan, accommodations, or facilities not substantially completed, upon request of the commission also shall file with the commission the following:
(1) a verified statement showing all costs involved in completing the property;
(2) a verified statement of the time of completion of construction of the property;
(3) satisfactory evidence of sufficient funds to cover all costs to complete the property;
(4) a copy of the executed construction contract and other contracts for the completion of the property;
(5) a one hundred percent payment bond covering the entire cost of construction of the property;
(6) if purchasers' funds are to be used for the construction of the property, an executed copy of the escrow agreement with an escrow company or financial institution authorized to do business within the State, which provides that:
(a) disbursements of purchasers' funds may be made from time to time to pay for construction of the property, architectural, engineering, finance, and legal fees, and other costs for the completion of the property in proportion to the value of the work completed by the contractor as certified by a registered surveyor, architect, or engineer on bills submitted and approved by the lender of construction funds or the escrow agent;
(b) disbursements of the balance of purchasers' funds remaining after completion of the property may be made only after the escrow agent or lender receives satisfactory evidence that the period for filing mechanics' and materialmen's liens has expired or the right to claim those liens has been waived or adequate provision has been made for satisfaction of any claimed mechanics' or materialmen's liens;
(c) other requirements of the commission relative to the retention and disbursement of purchasers' funds have been met; and
(d) other materials or information required by the commission have been provided.
(B) The commission shall not register or issue an order approving a vacation time sharing plan unless the commission determines, on the basis of materials submitted by the seller, that the accommodations or facilities or additions to it will be completed.
Section 27-32-150. (A) An initial filing fee of ten dollars per each seven-day use availability, but not exceeding a maximum initial filing fee of five hundred dollars, must accompany an application for registration of a vacation time sharing plan. Upon amending an existing registration to add interests in a vacation time sharing plan, a filing fee of five dollars for each seven-day use availability added by the amendment, but not exceeding a maximum filing fee of two hundred fifty dollars, must be submitted. The annual vacation time sharing plan renewal fee is two hundred fifty dollars.
(B) All books, files, accounts, and other documents pertaining to the advertisement and sale of vacation time sharing plans located outside the State filed with the commission are subject to examination by the commission and the examinee shall pay a fee for each examiner employed to make such examination of fifty dollars per day or fraction of it, plus the actual expenses, including the cost of transportation of the examiner, while he is absent from his office for purposes of conducting the examination.
(C) The commission shall retain fees and other funds that come into its possession to use to defray expenses in the administration and enforcement of this chapter.
(D) If the commission determines that the registration, sale, or operation of a vacation time sharing plan violates this chapter in a manner that indicates bad faith or dishonesty, the commission, after notice and hearing, may assess all reasonable costs of investigation and prosecution of those violations.
Section 27-32-160. The commission may accept grants-in-aid from a private or public source and may contract with agencies charged with similar functions in this or other jurisdictions, in furtherance of the objectives of this chapter.
Section 27-32-170. The gross proceeds from the sale or resale of a vacation time sharing plan and the exchange of an interest in a vacation time sharing plan are exempt from sales tax imposed by Chapter 36 of Title 12 pursuant to the provisions of Section 12-36-2120.
Section 27-32-180. (A) Except as provided in subsection (B) of this section, a person desiring to engage in the sale of vacation time sharing plans on behalf of a seller shall first register with the commission. The registration must be submitted to the commission by the person on a form prescribed by the commission and including the name, address, and telephone number of the person and additional information as requested by the commission.
(B) Regular employees of the seller are exempt from the registration requirements of subsection (A) and from all licensing requirements of Chapter 57 of Title 40.
(C) A person registering pursuant to this section shall pay an initial registration fee in the amount of one hundred dollars. This fee must accompany the registration application submitted to the commission.
(D) The seller shall supervise, manage, and control all aspects of the offering and sale of a vacation time sharing plan. A violation of this chapter by a registrant employed by a seller as an independent contractor, either directly or through a third party, in connection with the offering or sales of interests in vacation time sharing plans may be considered to be a violation by the seller, as well as by the registrant who committed the violation, if the seller knew or should have known of the conduct constituting the violation.
(E) The registration of a person registered pursuant to this section is subject to annual renewal, on or before June thirtieth, upon submission of a renewal application in a form as the commission prescribes and payment of a fifty-dollar renewal fee. Failure to timely renew results in cancellation of the registration.
Section 27-32-190. (A) A vacation time sharing plan for sale or offered for sale in this State must be registered with the South Carolina Real Estate Commission as follows:
(1) Upon receipt of an application for registration in proper form, the commission must initiate an examination to determine that the:
(a) seller may sell, convey, otherwise transfer, or cause to be sold, conveyed, or otherwise transferred the vacation time sharing plan offered for sale if the purchaser complies with the terms of the offer;
(b) advertising material and general promotional plan are not false or misleading;
(c) requirements of this chapter have been fulfilled;
(d) seller or its officers, directors, and principals have not been convicted of a crime involving land dispositions, crimes of moral turpitude, securities law violations, fraudulent business activities, or any aspect of the vacation time sharing business in this State, the United States, or another state or foreign country within the past ten years, and have not been subject to an injunction or administrative order within the past ten years restraining a false or misleading promotional plan involving any of the activities above; and
(e) interests in accommodations and facilities conveyed to a purchaser are free and clear of all liens, mortgages, and encumbrances of every kind, the existence or foreclosure of which may result in loss or diminution of the purchaser's ownership or use rights, as represented in the vacation time sharing plan. The seller shall provide adequate assurances to the commission that all interests conveyed to purchasers in accommodations and facilities, and the accommodations and facilities themselves, shall remain unencumbered excepting only tax liens, owners' association assessments, encumbrances including mortgage liens which are subordinate to the vacation time sharing plan or other encumbrances arising from the purchaser's actions, and purchase money mortgages, contracts for deed, or similar purchase money security interests arising from transactions in which the purchasers acquired their interests. Those assurances may consist of bonds, nondisturbance instruments, and recorded instruments advising third parties of the existence of purchaser use rights and providing for subordination of future liens. For those plans in which an interest in accommodations and facilities is not conveyed, the commission may require either a cash or surety bond, or both, in an amount up to but not to exceed a combined total of two hundred fifty thousand dollars.
(2) Within thirty days from the date the commission receives an application for registration, the commission must enter an order registering the vacation time sharing plan or rejecting the registration. If an order of rejection is not entered within thirty days from the date of application, the vacation time sharing plan is considered registered unless the applicant has consented in writing to a delay. A reasonable request for an extension of time by the commission must not be withheld.
(a) If the commission affirmatively determines, upon inquiry and examination, that the requirements of this chapter have been met, it must enter an order registering the plan.
(b) If the commission determines, upon inquiry and examination, that any of the requirements of this chapter have not been met, the commission must notify the applicant that the application for registration must be corrected in the particulars specified within fifteen days. The commission has the discretion to grant a longer period of time for the applicant to make the required corrections. If the requirements are not met within the time allowed, the commission must enter an order rejecting the registration and including the findings of fact upon which the order is based. The order rejecting the registration is not effective for twenty days during which the applicant may petition for reconsideration and must be granted a hearing.
(c) If it appears that a person, company, or a business organization has engaged or is about to engage in an act or practice constituting a violation of a provision of this chapter or any rule or order under it, the commission, through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, with or without prior administrative proceedings, may bring an action in the circuit court to enjoin the acts or practices and to enforce compliance with this chapter or any rule or order under it. The commission must notify, whenever practicable, a person or business violating this chapter before recourse in the circuit court. Upon proper showing, injunctive relief or temporary restraining orders may be granted, and a receiver or conservator may be appointed. Neither the commission nor the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation is required to post bond in a court proceeding.
(B) The commission may:
(1) make a public or private investigation it considers necessary, either within or outside of this State, to determine if a person has violated or is about to violate this chapter or any rule or order under it, or to aid in the enforcement of this chapter or in the prescribing of rules and forms under it;
(2) require or permit a person to file a statement in writing, under oath or otherwise as the commission determines, as to all facts and circumstances concerning the matter to be investigated;
(3) for the purpose of any investigation or proceeding pursuant to this chapter, the commission or an officer designated by rule may administer oaths or affirmation and, upon its own motion or upon request of a party, must subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance, take evidence, and require the production of a matter relevant to the investigation, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and location of books, documents, or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of relevant facts or another matter reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of material evidence;
(4) apply to the circuit court for an order compelling compliance upon a person's failure to obey a subpoena or to answer questions propounded by the investigating officer and upon reasonable notice to all persons affected by it, through the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation;
(5) issue an order requiring the seller to cease and desist from an unlawful practice and to take affirmative action to carry out the purposes of this chapter if, after notice and hearing, the commission determines that a seller has:
(a) violated a provision of this chapter;
(b) directly or through an agent or employee knowingly engaged in false, deceptive, or misleading advertising, promotional, or sales methods to offer or dispose of an interest in a vacation time sharing plan;
(c) made a substantial change in the plan of development and sale of the vacation time sharing plan after the order of the registration without obtaining the prior written approval of the commission; or
(d) violated a lawful order or rule of the commission;
(6) make findings of fact in writing that the public interest is irreparably harmed by delay in issuing an order and issue a temporary cease and desist order. Before issuing the temporary cease and desist order, the commission, whenever possible by telephone or otherwise, must give notice to the seller of the proposal to issue a cease and desist order. Each temporary cease and desist order must include in its terms a provision that, upon request, a hearing must be held promptly to determine whether or not the order becomes permanent;
(7) revoke a registration of a vacation time sharing plan if, after notice and hearing upon a written finding of fact, the commission determines that the seller has:
(a) failed to comply with the terms of a cease and desist order;
(b) been convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction, after the filing of the application for registration, of a crime involving fraud, deception, false pretenses, misrepresentation, false advertising, or dishonest dealing;
(c) disposed of, concealed, or diverted funds or assets of a person so as to defeat the rights of vacation time sharing plan purchasers;
(d) failed to faithfully perform any stipulation or agreement made with the commission as an inducement to grant a registration, to reinstate a registration, or to approve any promotional plan or advertisement; or
(e) made intentional misrepresentations or concealed material facts in an application for registration; and
(8) issue a cease and desist order instead of revoking a registration if it finds, after notice and hearing, that the seller has been guilty of a violation for which revocation could be ordered.
Section 27-32-200. (A) There is created a special fund known as the 'Vacation Time Sharing Recovery Fund', which must be maintained by the commission and funded as provided for the payment of claims to persons injured by the acts of persons registered or licensed pursuant to this chapter.
(B) The funds must be held and accumulated from year to year in the State Treasury in a special fund for the commission, designated as the 'South Carolina Vacation Time Sharing Recovery Fund'. The fund is a continuing fund not subject to fiscal year limitations, and is under the administrative direction of the commission. Expenditures from this fund must be made in accordance with the provisions of this chapter without legislative appropriation. Warrants for expenditures from the fund must be drawn by the Comptroller General pursuant to claims approved and signed by the commission.
Section 27-32-210. (A) A person aggrieved by the conduct of a registrant or licensee may seek recovery from the Vacation Time Sharing Recovery fund if:
(1) the facts giving rise to the applicant's claim occurred on or after January 1, 1982, and were based on a specific violation of this chapter;
(2) the applicant has made demand upon the registrant or licensee by certified mail, return receipt requested, for his actual damages and the demand has been refused or ignored;
(3) the applicant is not:
(a) related by blood or marriage to the registrant or licensee;
(b) registered or licensed pursuant to this chapter;
(c) the employer, principal, or broker in charge of the registrant or licensee; or
(d) a party jointly responsible for the claim; and
(4) application for recovery is made not later than one year from the date or discovery of the loss.
(B) Application for recovery must be made under oath and upon a form prescribed by the commission and containing the following minimum information:
(1) name and address of the applicant;
(2) name and address of the registrant or licensee and his last known working address;
(3) amount of recovery sought, together with evidence supporting the claim;
(4) copies of all complaints or other legal process initiated;
(5) disclosure of any partial satisfaction received, offered, or otherwise available from the registrant or licensee, his broker-in-charge, or from a bond or policy of insurance or other source; and
(6) a detailed statement of the events precipitating the loss, together with documents and other evidence supporting the claim.
(C) Upon receiving a claim in proper form, the commission shall forward the claim by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the last known address of the registrant or licensee and to the broker-in-charge of the registrant or licensee. The registrant or licensee and the broker-in-charge shall file a verified answer to the claim within twenty days. If an answer is not filed within twenty days, the broker or registrant or licensee is in default and the commission shall schedule an arbitration of the claim. If the broker or registrant or licensee files a timely answer, the commission shall investigate the claim for a period not to exceed sixty days and after that promptly schedule an arbitration of the claim. The registrant or licensee, broker, commission, and claimant are entitled to present evidence, and question and cross examine witnesses as parties to the arbitration.
(D) Failure of the applicant to comply fully with this section is a waiver of all rights under the section.
Section 27-32-220. These limitations apply to payments from the recovery fund:
(1) Only the applicant's actual damages are paid from the recovery fund. An applicant may not recover punitive, special, or consequential damages or attorney's fees.
(2) The fund is not liable for more than five thousand dollars for each transaction, regardless of the number of persons aggrieved or the number of time sharing interests involved in the transaction.
(3) The liability of the fund may not exceed in the aggregate ten thousand dollars for any one registrant or licensee in a single calendar year and in no event may exceed twenty thousand dollars for any one registrant or licensee.
(4) If the maximum liability of the fund is insufficient to pay in full the valid claims of all aggrieved persons whose claims relate to the same transaction or to the same registrant or licensee, the amount for which the fund is liable must be distributed among the claimants in a ratio that their respective claims bear to the total of the valid claims or in the manner as the Board of Arbitrators in its sole discretion shall decide. The Board of Arbitrators in its sole discretion is empowered to join in one action all claims having a common factual basis so that an equitable distribution from the fund may be achieved.
(5) If valid claims against the fund exceed the monies it contains, the commission shall satisfy the unpaid claims or portions of them as soon as a sufficient amount of money has been deposited, together with interest at the rate of eight percent a year from the date of award. All claims against the fund must be made in the same order as the awards from it were authorized by the Board of Arbitrators. An award is not a claim against the State if it is not paid due to a lack of funds in the Vacation Time Sharing Recovery Fund.
Section 27-32-230. (A) A person registered or licensed pursuant to this chapter and a person claiming an interest in the fund shall submit to the decision of a Board of Arbitrators, which is final and binding. The Board of Arbitrators must be composed of three arbitrators, one chosen by the applicant, one chosen by the registrant or licensee, and the commission or its designee. If the registrant or licensee fails to nominate an arbitrator within five days of request or does not respond to the claim, the commission shall nominate the third arbitrator. The decision of the majority rules. Arbitrations must be held at the office of the commission at a time and according to rules of procedure it prescribes.
(B) Upon payment of a claim, the registration or license, of the offending licensee is revoked automatically. The registrant or licensee is not qualified for reregistering or relicensing until all amounts paid on his account are repaid in full to the recovery fund, together with annual interest at the rate of eight percent. This section does not prevent the commission or another authority from pursuing another remedy at law or equity.
(C) An applicant receiving an award from the fund shall subrogate all rights relative to the claim to the commission to the full extent of all amounts paid, including interest, and shall cooperate with the commission in the prosecution of the subrogated claim. Any amounts so recovered against a registrant or licensee or other responsible parties must be deposited into the fund, less the costs and expenses of collection.
Section 27-32-240. (1) For purposes of property taxation, a time share unit operating under a vacation time sharing ownership plan as defined in item (7) of Section 27-32-10, must be valued in the same manner as if the unit were owned by a single owner. The total cumulative purchase price paid by the time share owners for a unit may not be utilized by the tax assessor as a factor in determining the assessed value of the unit. A unit operating under a vacation time sharing lease plan as defined in item (8) of Section 27-32-10, may, however, be assessed as other income producing and investment property is assessed.
(2) The assessment and taxation of real property committed to a vacation time ownership plan must be in the name of the person that is designated to provide or receive the funds for payment of the taxes.
(3) Should the person fail to pay the taxes, an execution for the taxes must be issued in the joint name of all the owners of the time sharing periods and must be collected as provided by law.
Section 27-32-250. (1) Trusts, partnership interests, undivided interests as tenants in common, corporate shares, or other membership or use interests in a dwelling unit, in which thirteen or fewer undivided interests, corporation shares, partnership interests, trust interests, or other membership or use interests are conveyed, are referred to in this section as vacation multiple ownership interests and are not considered a vacation time sharing plan or a time sharing unit for purposes of this chapter. Debts, encumbrances, or liens, except for purchaser financing, may not exist on the dwelling unit at the time fee simple title is conveyed to the tenants in common, corporation, trust, partnership, or other purchasing organization. The contract of sale and sale of a vacation multiple ownership must be handled by a real estate salesman duly licensed pursuant to Chapter 57 of Title 40 unless handled by a regular employee of the seller. It is a violation of this chapter for a seller of a vacation multiple ownership interest to sell, lease, encumber, or convey in any manner, or to solicit or advertise those transactions, unless the seller is in compliance with the provisions of Sections 27-32-20, 27-32-30, 27-32-40, 27-32-50, 27-32-60, 27-32-70, 27-32-80, 27-32-100, 27-32-110, 27-32-120, 27-32-140, 27-32-150, and 27-32-190. Where the phrase 'time sharing' is used in those sections, it also means 'multiple ownership' for purposes of this section.
(2) The sale or resale of a vacation multiple ownership interest and the exchange of an interest in a vacation multiple ownership interest is exempt from sales tax imposed by Chapter 36 of Title 12 pursuant to the provisions of Section 12-36-2120.
(3) An owner selling vacation multiple ownership interests in not more than one dwelling unit a year is not subject to the provisions of this section. An individual or a corporation, trust, business, or partnership in which the individual is an owner, partner, stockholder, trustee, beneficiary, or affiliate is considered the owner of the dwelling unit for purposes of this section.
(4) Funds received from purchasers of vacation multiple ownership interests must be placed in an escrow account with an insured institution and must not be disbursed until a sufficient number of vacation multiple ownership interests is sold to satisfy all outstanding debts, liens, and encumbrances on the dwelling unit, except for purchaser financing, and all furniture and furnishings in the dwelling unit, or until the posting with the Real Estate Commission of a bond, letter of credit, or other equivalent security satisfactory to the commission, to ensure payment of all outstanding debts, liens, and encumbrances on the dwelling unit and all furniture and furnishings in the dwelling unit.
(5) Definitions:
(a) The definitions contained in Section 27-32-10, items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, and 16 are applicable to this section.
(b) 'Dwelling unit' means the actual accommodations and related facilities which are the subject of the vacation multiple ownership interest.
(c) 'Purchaser' means one who receives an undivided interest in a dwelling unit, a partner in a partnership that owns a dwelling unit, a shareholder in a corporation that owns a dwelling unit, a beneficiary in a trust that owns a dwelling unit, a holder of a leasehold interest in a dwelling unit, or a member of another organization that owns a dwelling unit."
Exemptions from disclosure
SECTION 2. Section 27-50-30 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 336 of 2002, is amended to read:
"Section 27-50-30. This article does not apply to transfers:
(1) pursuant to court order including transfers in administration of an estate, pursuant to a writ of execution, by foreclosure sale, by a trustee in bankruptcy, by a receiver, by eminent domain, and resulting from a decree for specific performance;
(2) to a mortgagee from the mortgagor or his successor in interest in a mortgage if the indebtedness is in default, by a trustee pursuant to a deed of trust or to a mortgagee pursuant to a mortgage if the indebtedness is in default, by a trustee under a mortgagee pursuant to a foreclosure sale, or by a mortgagee who has acquired the real property at a sale conducted pursuant to a judgment and order of foreclosure;
(3) by a fiduciary in the course of the administration of a decedent's estate, guardianship, conservatorship, or trust;
(4) from one or more co-owners solely to one or more other co-owners;
(5) made solely to a spouse or a person or persons in the lineal line of consanguinity of one or more transferors;
(6) between spouses resulting from a divorce decree or support order or marital property distribution order;
(7) made by virtue of the record owner's failure to pay federal, state, or local taxes;
(8) to or from the federal government;
(9) to the State, its agencies and departments, and its political subdivisions including school districts;
(10) involving the first sale of a dwelling never inhabited;
(11) real property sold at public auction;
(12) to a residential trust;
(13) between parties when both parties agree in writing not to complete a disclosure statement;
(14) of a vacation time sharing plan as defined in Section 27-32-10(9); and
(15) of a vacation multiple ownership interest as described in Section 27-32-250."
Time effective
SECTION 3. This act takes effect October 1, 2003.
Ratified the 5th day of June, 2003.
Approved the 3rd day of July, 2003.
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