The proposed amendments will update and clarify the requirements for reporting and remitting unclaimed property to the Department and add procedures to allow the submission of electronic claims for unclaimed property.

 

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL SERVICES

Division of Accounting and Auditing

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

69I-20.0021Procedures for Filing Claim

69I-20.0022Proof of Ownership and Entitlement to Unclaimed Property

69I-20.030Definitions

69I-20.034Report of Property Presumed Abandoned

69I-20.038Late Annual Report(s), Late Payment(s), and Late Delivery of Abandoned Property

69I-20.040Written Notice

69I-20.041Unclaimed Property Reporting Instructions.

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed amendments will update and clarify the requirements for reporting and remitting unclaimed property to the Department and add procedures to allow the submission of electronic claims for unclaimed property.

SUMMARY: Rule 69I-20.0021, F.A.C., adds procedures to allow the submission of electronic claims for unclaimed property. Rule 69I-20.0022, F.A.C., allows the Department to use an identity authentication service to verify the claimant’s identity for certain submitted claims. Rule 69I-20.030, F.A.C., updates and adds definitions. Rule 69I-20.034, F.A.C., requires holders reporting 25 or more apparent owners to file an electronic report through the Department’s Holder Reporting Online System; and requires holders reporting less than 25 apparent owners to file a report of unclaimed property using the manual input option or the electronic report format on the Department’s Holder Reporting Online System. Rule 69I-20.038, F.A.C., requires a written request for an extension of time to file an unclaimed property report be postmarked or filed with the Department by April 30th of the subsequent calendar year. Rule 69I-20.040, F.A.C., specifies the information that should be included in the due diligence written notice to apparent property owners. Rule 69I-20.041, F.A.C., incorporates the most recent version of the Florida Unclaimed Property Reporting Instructions Manual.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION: The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The Department conducted an economic analysis of the potential impact of the proposed rule and determined that there will be no adverse economic impact or regulatory increases that would require legislative ratification.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 717.117(1), 717.119(5), 717.124, 717.138 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 668.50, 717.101, 717.102, 717.103, 717.104, 717.1045, 717.105, 717.106, 717.107, 717.1071, 717.108, 717.109, 717.1101, 717.111, 717.112, 717.1125, 717.113, 717.115, 717.116, 717.117, 717.119, 717.1201, 717.122, 717.124, 717.1241, 717.1315, 717.1322, 717.135, 717.1351, 717.138, 717.139, 717.1400, 732.103, 733.103, 733.815, 735.301 FS.

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW (IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):

DATE AND TIME: January 7, 2016, 10:00 a.m.

PLACE: Room B103, Fletcher Building, 101 E. Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Phillip Carlton, telephone: [phone], email: [e-mail]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Phillip Carlton, Assistant Chief, address: Bureau of Unclaimed Property, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0358, telephone: [phone], email: [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

69I-20.0021 Procedures for Filing Claim.

(1) Claims Submission. Claims for unclaimed property in the custody of the Department, pursuant to Chapter 717, F.S., shall be submitted to the Department on the form(s) prescribed and supplied by the Department, together with documentation proving entitlement to the unclaimed property. All forms referenced in this rule are available from and shall be submitted to: The Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Unclaimed Property, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0358, or email at www.fltreasurehunt.org.

(a) No change.

(b) A complete paper format claim shall include the correct claim form identified in this rule, fully completed with all blanks filled in and manually signed and dated by all claimants or the Claimants’ Representative, proof of entitlement, and all supporting documentation as described and required by this rule, and Rule 69I-20.0022, F.A.C. A complete electronic format claim, as authorized by subsection 717.124(7), F.S., shall include the correct claim form identified in this rule, fully completed with all blanks filled in and include an electronic signature as authorized by Chapter 668, F.S., and be dated by all claimaints, proof of entitlement, and all supporting documentation as described and required by this rule and Rule 69I-20.0022, F.A.C.

(c) No change.

(d) Incomplete claims delivered in paper format to the Department will be returned to the claimant with a notice describing the additional documentation that must be submitted to make the claim complete. Incomplete claims submitted in an electronic format to the Department will default to a manual review by the Department. If the Department determines in its manual review that the claim is complete, it shall approve the claim. If the Department determinines in its manual review that the claim is incomplete, a notice describing the additional documentation that must be submitted to make the claim complete shall be sent to the claimant. The notices are Form DFS-UP-106a, Unclaimed Property Request for Further Information (Claim Filed by Apparent Owner), Form DFS-UP-106b, Unclaimed Property Request for Further Information (Claim Filed by a Business), Form DFS-UP-107a, Unclaimed Property Request for Further Information (Claim Filed by Other Than the Apparent Owner), and Form DFS-UP-108a, Unclaimed Property Request for Further Information (Claim Filed by Claimant’s Representative on Behalf of the Claimant), which are hereby incorporated by reference, effective 1-3-05.

(e) No change.

(2) through (3) No change.

(4) Claims Filed by Apparent Owner, (including Corporations).

(a) No change.

(b) Form DFS-UP-106 shall be manually signed and dated by the claimant. and accompanied by the following: Forms submitted in paper format shall be manually signed and dated by the claimaint. Forms submitted via the electronic claims process authorized by subsection 717.124(7), F.S., shall include an electronic signature and be dated by the claimaint at the time the claim is created and filed.

(c)  Form DFS-UP-106 shall be accompanied by the following:

1. through 2. No change.

(5) through (10) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 717.124, 717.138 FS. Law Implemented 92.525, 668.50, 717.1201, 717.124, 717.12403, 717.12404, 717.12405, 717.1242, 717.1243, 717.125, 717.126, 717.1261, 717.1262, 717.135, 717.1351, 717.139 FS. History–New 3-20-91, Amended 3-13-96, 3-18-96, 1-18-99, 1-5-00, 4-16-02, Formerly 3D-20.0021, Amended 1-3-05, 6-17-15, ___________.

 

69I-20.0022 Proof of Ownership and Entitlement to Unclaimed Property.

(1) No change.

(2)(a) All Any and all persons claiming an interest in unclaimed property in the possession of the Department shall provide to the Department file with the claimant’s first name, last name, address and Department a copy of a valid driver’s license of the claimant at the time the original claim form is filed. If the claimant has not been issued a valid driver’s license at the time the original claim form is filed, the Department shall be provided with a legible copy of a photographic identification of the claimant issued by the United States or a foreign nation, a state or territory of the United States or foreign nation, or a political subdivision or agency thereof. In lieu of filing a copy of a government issued photographic identification of the claimant with the claim, the claimant or the Claimant’s Representative may file Form DFS-A4-2007, Notarized Sworn Statement of the Claimant, which has been accurately completed in full, executed by the claimant and the notary. This form is incorporated by reference effective 10-13-10 and available from the Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Unclaimed Property, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0358. The notarized sworn statement must accurately affirm the claimant’s identity and state the claimant’s address. This subsection shall not apply to any person who is acting as a Claimant’s Representative.

(b) No change.

(c)  For claims electronically submitted for $1,000 or less, the Department may use an identity authentication service in lieu of a copy of the driver’s license, government-issued identification, or notarized sworn statement of the claimant to verify the claimant’s identity, as authorized by subsection 717.124(7), F.S.

(3) through (5) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 717.124, 717.138 FS. Law Implemented 92.525, 117.05, 668.50, 717.124, 717.12403, 717.12404, 717.12405, 717.1242, 717.1243, 717.126, 717.1261, 717.1262, 717.139, 732.102, 732.103, 733.103, 733.815, 735.301 FS. History–New 3-20-91, Amended 3-13-96, 8-18-96, 1-28-97, 1-18-99, 4-16-02, Formerly 3D-20.0022, Amended 1-3-05, 10-13-10, __________.

 

69I-20.030 Definitions.

As used in this rule chapter these rules.

(1) The definitions provided in Section 717.101, F.S., shall also apply to this rule chapter these rules.

(2) through (5) No change.

(6) “Inactive status” means the holder is not required to file a report of unclaimed property presumed abandoned with the Department on an annual basis.

(7) “Report of unclaimed property property presumed abandoned” means a report that complies with all the requirements of Sections 717.101 through 717.117 and 717.119, F.S., created in accordance with the Department’s prescribed format and filed through the Department’s Holder Reporting Online System completed original set of reporting forms by the holder consisting of Forms DFS-UP-111, 121, 128, and 129 which discloses the amount of unclaimed property, apparent owner(s), last known address, social security number or federal employer identification number, property type, and date of last contact or Form DFS-UP-111 with the specific owner information in an electronic medium.

(8) “Zero report” means a report of unclaimed property that has a zero value due to the reporting entity having no unclaimed property for the reporting period.

(8) renumbered as (9) No change.

(9) renumbered as (10) No change.

(10) renumbered as (11) No change.

(12)(11) “Electronic medium,” for purposes of subsection Section 717.117(1), F.S., means the Holder Reporting Online System, which is a report filing portal available on the Bureau of Unclaimed Property’s website 3.5 inch Diskette or CD-ROM.

(13)(12) “Auction fees, preparation costs, and expenses,” for purposes of subsection Section 717.122(1), F.S., means appraiser and contractor fees, catalogue fees, and travel expenses.

(14) “Claimant” means any person, as defined by subsection 1.01(3), F.S., excluding another state, asserting an interest in any portion of any property paid or delivered to the Department on whose behalf a claim is filed.

(15) “Electronic” means relating to technology having electrical, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic, or similar capabilities.

(16) “Electronic record” means a record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means.

(17) “Electronic signature” means an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.

(18) “Record” means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form, including public records as defined in section 119.011, F.S.

Rulemaking Authority 717.117(1), 717.124, 717.138 FS. Law Implemented 668.50(2), 717.101, 717.102(1), 717.103, 717.104, 717.1045, 717.105, 717.106, 717.107, 717.1071, 717.108, 717.109, 717.1101, 717.111, 717.112, 717.1125, 717.113, 717.115, 717.116, 717.117, 717.119, 717.1201(7), 717.122, 717.124, 717.1241, 717.1315, 717.1322(5), 717.135, 717.1351, 717.138, 717.139, 717.1400, 731.201, 736.0103 FS. History–New 6-23-91, Amended 1-28-97, 4-16-02, Formerly 3D-20.030, Amended 1-3-05,__________.

 

69I-20.034 Report of Unclaimed Property Presumed Abandoned.

(1) The Department has established the Holder Reporting Online System that can be securely used by all holders to report unclaimed property to the Bureau of Unclaimed Property. The Holder Reporting Online System can be accessed at the Department’s website.

(2) (1) All persons subject to the Florida Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act this act shall file a report of unclaimed property presumed abandoned with the Department, pursuant to Section 717.117, F.S., upon becoming subject to the filing requirement of Chapter 717, F.S., and each year thereafter, including zero reports, where applicable, unless:

(a) Written justification has been received from a holder by the Department stating, but not limited to, the following reasons:

1. The holder is filing a complete and accurate report with another state that has adopted the current National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators (NAUPA) Reciprocity/Exchange guidelines which has a valid reciprocal agreement with the Department;

2. The holder is located outside Florida and does not conduct business in Florida in its day-to-day operations; or

3. The holder maintains a fiduciary relationship with its clients such as real estate brokers and attorneys and does not, as a normal course of business, maintain unclaimed property; or .

4. The holder lacks access to the Internet at the holder’s place of business as demonstrated in a writing submitted to the Department, and the Department subsequently prescribes an alternative medium to file the unclaimed property report for the report year.

(b) Upon receipt of a written request, the Department after a review may place the holder in an inactive status.

(3)(2) Holders reporting 25 or more apparent owners shall file a report of unclaimed property using the electronic report format option on the Department’s Holder Reporting Online System. In lieu of a report on the Departmental forms, a letter attesting or a data file stating that no unclaimed property is being held by the holder is acceptable. If a letter is used, the letter must be signed by an officer of a private corporation or unincorporated association, a partner of a partnership or by its Chief Financial Officer if it is a public corporation. The letter or data file must contain the following information: name of the entity, mailing address, name of contact person, telephone and fax number of the contact person, Internet address (if available), federal employer identification number of the entity and the amount of unclaimed property being reported as zero.

(4)(3) Holders reporting less than 25 apparent owners shall file a report of unclaimed property using the manual input option or the electronic report format option on the Department’s Holder Reporting Online System. In lieu of Forms DFS-UP-121, DFS-UP-128, and DFS-UP-129, holders reporting more than twenty-five owners shall file on an electronic medium in the format prescribed by the Department. A completed Form DFS-UP-111 shall accompany the electronic report.

(4) Every holder holding funds or other property, tangible or intangible, presumed abandoned and subject to Chapter 717, F.S., for twenty-five or less owners may report to the Department on original forms titled:

(a) “COVER SHEET FOR ANNUAL REPORT OF PROPERTY PRESUMED ABANDONED”, Form Number DFS-UP-111, revised 2-12-97.

(b) “ANNUAL REPORT OF PROPERTY PRESUMED ABANDONED FOR CASH ITEMS NOT REPORTABLE IN AGGREGATE”, Form Number DFS-UP-121, revised 2-12-97.

(c) “ANNUAL REPORT OF PROPERTY PRESUMED ABANDONED FOR SAFE DEPOSIT BOXES OR OTHER SAFEKEEPING REPOSITORY”, Form Number DFS-UP-129, revised 2-12-97.

(d) “ANNUAL REPORT OF PROPERTY PRESUMED ABANDONED FOR SECURITIES THAT CANNOT BE LIQUIDATED”, Form Number DFS-UP-128, revised 2-12-97.

(5) All forms referenced herein are hereby incorporated by reference and available from the Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Unclaimed Property, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0358.

(5) (6) The report of unclaimed property presumed abandoned shall be considered filed only upon receipt of both the funds and the electronic report or the manual input actual report filed through the Department’s Holder Reporting Online System , whether it be on forms or via electronic medium.

(6) Non-compliant reports will be returned to the holder.

Rulemaking Authority 717.117(1),(2)(g), 717.138 FS. Law Implemented 717.117, 717.119, 717.134, 717.138 FS. History–New 6-23-91, Amended 8-29-94, 2-12-97, Formerly 3D-20.034, Amended __________.

 

69I-20.038 Late Annual Report(s), Late Payment(s), and Late Delivery of Unclaimed Property.

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) A written request for an extension of time to file an unclaimed property report for  the prior calendar year must be postmarked or filed with the Department by April 30th of the subsequent calendar year. A written request that is not timely postmarked or filed shall be denied. If the Upon written request is timely postmarked or filed, the Department may shall postpone the reporting date or extend the property delivery date for a period of up to sixty (60) days for, but not limited to, the following reasons:

(a) through (d) No change.

(4) through (6) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 717.119(5), 717.138 FS. Law Implemented 717.117, 717.119, 717.134 FS. History–New 6-23-91, Amended 8-29-94, 1-28-97, Formerly 3D-20.038, Amended __________.

 

69I-20.040 Written Notice.

All holders in possession of property presumed unclaimed having a value of $50.00 or more shall give notice to the apparent owner in accordance with Section 717.117(4), F.S. The notice shall, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:

(1) The account must be identified as inactive and subject to reporting and remittance to the Department as provided by Sections 717.101 through 717.117 and 717.119, F.S.

(2) The property value must be clearly stated on the notice.

(3) The notice must include a reasonable description of the property sufficient to inform the property owner of the nature of the unclaimed property and the property identifier assigned by the holder to the account.

(4) The notice must include a telephone number and mailing address of the holder from which additional information concerning the property is available.

Rulemaking Authority 717.138 FS. Law Implemented 717.101, 717.102, 717.102, 717.1035, 717.104, 717.1045, 717.105, 717.106, 717.107, 717.1071, 717.108, 171.109, 717.1101, 717.111, 717.112, 717.1125, 717.113, 717.115, 717.116, 717.117(4), 717.119  FS. History–New 6-23-91, Amended 8-29-94, 1-28-97, 4-16-02, Formerly 3D-20.040, Amended__________.

 

69I-20.041 Unclaimed Property Reporting Instructions.

The Department’s mission is to collect and return unclaimed property to its rightful owners in accordance with the Florida Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act, Chapter 717, F.S. To achieve these results, the Department is encouraging holders businesses (“Holders”) inside and outside the State of Florida that are in possession of unclaimed property to comply with Florida’s unclaimed property law. When reporting and remitting unclaimed property to the Department, holders must follow the procedures in Form DFS-A4-1992, Florida Unclaimed Property Reporting Instructions Manual, revised 7-1-15 effective 5-3-10, which is hereby incorporated by reference and available from the Florida Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Unclaimed Property’s website, 200 East Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0358.

Rulemaking Authority 717.117(1), 717.138 FS. Law Implemented 717.101, 717.102, 717.103, 717.1035, 717.104, 717.1045, 717.105, 717.106, 717.107, 717.1071, 717.108, 717.109, 717.1101, 717.111, 717.112, 717.1125, 717.113, 717.115, 717.116, 717.117, 717.119, 717.129, 717.1311, 717.134, 717.138 FS. History–New 5-3-10, Amended __________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Phillip Carlton, Assistant Chief, Bureau of Unclaimed Property

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Jeff Atwater, Chief Financial Officer

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 2, 2015

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: September 14, 2015 and September 15, 2015