(a) To encourage uniform interpretation and administration of this law and the Franchise Investment Law (Division 5 (commencing with Section 31000)) and effective securities and franchise regulation and enforcement, the commissioner may cooperate with the securities agencies or administrators of one or more states, Canadian provinces or territories, or other countries, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Securities Investor Protection Corporation, any self-regulatory organization, any national or international organization or securities officials or agencies, and any governmental law enforcement or regulatory agency.

(b) The cooperation authorized by subdivision (a) includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:

(1) Prescribing rules and forms with a view to achieving maximum uniformity in the form and content of registration statements, applications, and reports wherever practicable.

(2) Participating in a nationwide central depository for qualification or registration of securities under this law and for documents or records required or allowed to be maintained under this law.

(3) Participating in the Central Registration Depository, or any successor or alternative nationwide or regional depository, for the registering, certifying, or licensing of broker-dealers or agents, or both.

(4) Participating in the Investment Adviser Registration Depository, or any successor or alternative nationwide or regional depository, for the registering, certifying, or licensing of investment advisers or investment adviser representatives, or both.

(5) Cooperating in any regulatory activity necessary in the administration of the Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-56; USA Patriot Act), consistent with state law.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any application for qualification, amendment to the application or related securities qualification or registration document or notice under Sections 25100.1, 25101.1, 25102, 25102.1, 25110, 25120, 25130, and 25230.1 or record otherwise required to be signed that is filed in this state as an electronic record pursuant to a nationwide central depository for qualification or registration of securities, or any electronic record filed through the Central Registration Depository or the Investment Adviser Registration Depository, shall be deemed to be a valid original document upon reproduction to paper form by the Department of Business Oversight.

(d) For purposes of this section, “electronic record” has the same meaning as in subdivision (g) of Section 1633.2 of the Civil Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 190, Sec. 22. (AB 1517) Effective January 1, 2016.)