Section 80.40 - Security Requirements(a) For purposes of meeting the security requirements of §1201.105 of the Standards Act, "other security" means a deposit in a state or federally chartered bank or savings and loan association. If other security is posted, the other security must be maintained in or by a banking institution located in this state subject to a control agreement in the promulgated form set forth on the Department's website. Such deposits are hereinafter referred to as security. If such security is reduced by a claim, the license holder shall, within twenty (20) calendar days, make up the deficit as required by §1201.109(c) of the Standards Act. No advance notice is required by the Department to the license holder, but the Department shall verify the deposit.(b) Any other security provided for compliance with §1201.105 of the Standards Act, shall remain in place and subject to a control agreement in favor of the Department for two (2) years after the person ceases doing business as a manufacturer, retailer, broker, or installer, or until such later time as the director may determine that no claims exist against the other security. The Director may consent to the substitution of a bond or a different qualifying deposit for other security provided that in the event a bond is filed to replace the assigned security, the initial effective date of the bond is the same or prior to the date of the assignment of security.(c) If a required bond is canceled during the license period, the license shall be automatically suspended on the date bond coverage ceases.(d) To be exempt from the additional security as required by §1201.106(b) of the Standards Act, a manufacturer who does not have a manufacturing plant in this state must have a bona fide service facility. (1) The manufacturer shall provide the Department with the name, address and phone number of the service facility, conspicuous notice of which shall be provided to each Texas retailer who purchases homes from the manufacturer.(2) The service facility shall be capable of compliance with the provisions of Sub-part I of the Manufactured Housing Improvement Act (latest edition) and capable of providing warranty service within the reasonable time requirements set by the Department in § RSA 80.73 of this chapter (relating to Procedures for Handling Consumer Complaints), and shall be subject to periodic review and inspection by Department personnel.(3) If the Department determines that the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection have not been met, notice must be sent of that determination and of the requirement of an additional bond amount.(4) Unless additional security is provided as required by the Standards Act, all out of state manufacturers must disclose their in-state service facility on each renewal of their license.(e) In order for the Board to direct the Director to stop accepting bonds issued by a surety for reasons outlined in §1201.105(c) of the Standards Act, the Department experiences significant problems if: (1) the surety fails on three (3) or more occasions to make the required reimbursement payment within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of notice from the director that a consumer claim has been paid; or(2) is more than sixty (60) calendar days late in making a required reimbursement payment.(f) If the director stops accepting bonds issued by a surety for reasons set forth in subsection (e) of this section, all licensees who are bonded by the affected surety will be notified immediately so they can supply the Department with a new valid bond when they renew their license. If a licensee fails to supply the Department with a new valid bond when they renew their license, their license is automatically suspended until the licensee provides a new valid bond.10 Tex. Admin. Code § 80.40
The provisions of this §80.40 adopted to be effective March 25, 2012, 37 TexReg 1307; amended by Texas Register, Volume 39, Number 43, October 24, 2014, TexReg 8387, eff. 11/23/2014; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 42, Number 49, December 8, 2017, TexReg 6922, eff. 1/7/2018