Sec. 32.009. PARITY BETWEEN STATE AND NATIONAL BANKS. (a) Section 16(a), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, empowers the legislature to authorize the incorporation of state banks and provide for a system of state regulation and control of state banks that will adequately protect and secure depositors and creditors. Section 16(c), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, grants to state banks created by virtue of the power vested in the legislature by Section 16(a) of that article the same rights and privileges that are or may be granted to national banks domiciled in this state. The legislature finds that Section 16(c) of that article does not restrict the legislature's power to provide a system of state regulation under Section 16(a) of that article that differs from the regulatory scheme imposed on national banks under federal law or prevent the finance commission, acting under authority granted by the legislature for the purpose of implementing this subtitle, from adopting rules that differ from federal statutes and regulations or that reasonably regulate the method or manner by which a state bank exercises its rights and privileges if the rules are adopted after due consideration of the factors listed in Section 31.003(b). The legislature further finds that Section 16(c), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, does not limit any rights or powers specifically given to state banks by the laws of this state.

(b) A state bank that intends to exercise a right or privilege granted to national banks that is not authorized for state banks under the statutes and rules of this state shall submit a letter to the banking commissioner describing in detail the activity in which the bank intends to engage and the specific authority of a national bank to engage in that activity. The bank shall attach copies, if available, of relevant federal law, regulations, and interpretive letters. The bank may begin to perform the proposed activity after the 30th day after the date the banking commissioner receives the bank's letter unless the banking commissioner specifies an earlier or later date or prohibits the activity. The banking commissioner may prohibit the bank from performing the activity only if the banking commissioner finds that:

(1) a national bank domiciled in this state does not possess the specific right or privilege to perform the activity the bank seeks to perform; or

(2) the performance of the activity by the bank would adversely affect the safety and soundness of the bank.

(c) The banking commissioner may extend the 30-day period under Subsection (b) if the banking commissioner determines that the bank's letter raises issues requiring additional information or additional time for analysis. If the 30-day period is extended, the bank may perform the proposed activity only on prior written approval by the banking commissioner, except that the banking commissioner must approve or prohibit the proposed activity or convene a hearing under Section 31.201 not later than the 60th day after the date the banking commissioner receives the bank's letter. If a hearing is convened, the banking commissioner must approve or prohibit the proposed activity not later than the 30th day after the date the hearing is completed.

(d) A state bank that is denied the requested right or privilege to engage in an activity by the banking commissioner under this section may appeal as provided by Sections 31.202 and 31.204 or may resubmit a letter under this subsection with additional information or authority relevant to the banking commissioner's determination. A denial is immediately final for purposes of appeal.

(e) To effectuate the Texas Constitution, the finance commission may adopt rules implementing the method or manner in which a state bank exercises specific rights and privileges granted under Section 16(c), Article XVI, Texas Constitution, including rules regarding the exercise of rights and privileges that would be prohibited to state banks but for Section 16(c) of that article. The finance commission may not adopt rules under this subsection unless it considers the factors listed in Section 31.003(b) and finds that:

(1) national banks domiciled in this state possess the rights or privileges to perform activities the rule would permit state banks to perform; and

(2) the rules contain adequate safeguards and controls, consistent with safety and soundness, to address the concern of the legislature evidenced by the state law the rules would impact.

(f) The exercise of rights and privileges by a state bank in compliance with and in the manner authorized by this section is not a violation of any statute of this state.

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1008, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Amended by:

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 20 (S.B. 614), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2019.