S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
4045
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
January 31, 2019
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Introduced by M. of A. WEPRIN -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. GOTT-
FRIED, PEOPLES-STOKES, PERRY -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Corporations, Authorities and Commissions
AN ACT to amend the public authorities law, in relation to creating the
New York title guaranty authority
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Article 10-D of the public authorities law is amended by
adding a new title 4 to read as follows:
TITLE 4
NEW YORK TITLE GUARANTY AUTHORITY
SECTION 3974. SHORT TITLE.
3975. NEW YORK TITLE GUARANTY AUTHORITY.
3976. ADMINISTRATION OF THE AUTHORITY.
3977. GENERAL POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY.
3978. SPECIAL POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY.
3979. NEW YORK TITLE GUARANTY FUND.
3980. PARTICIPATING ATTORNEYS.
§ 3974. SHORT TITLE. THIS ACT SHALL BE KNOWN AND MAY BE CITED AS THE
"NEW YORK TITLE GUARANTY AUTHORITY ACT".
§ 3975. NEW YORK TITLE GUARANTY AUTHORITY. 1. THERE IS HEREBY CREATED
THE NEW YORK TITLE GUARANTY AUTHORITY, TO INITIATE AND OPERATE A PROGRAM
WHICH SHALL OFFER GUARANTIES OF REAL PROPERTY TITLES IN THIS STATE. THE
AUTHORITY SHALL BE A CORPORATE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY AND INSTRUMENTALITY
OF THE STATE CONSTITUTING A PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION.
2. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE, THE AUTHORITY MAY
ISSUE BONDS ONLY TO FINANCE COSTS, INCLUDING THE FUNDING OF BONDS ISSUED
BY THE AUTHORITY TO FINANCE COSTS, AND FUND RESERVES TO SECURE SUCH
BONDS.
3. THE AUTHORITY AND ITS CORPORATE EXISTENCE SHALL CONTINUE UNTIL
TERMINATED BY LAW, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT NO SUCH TERMINATION SHALL
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07513-01-9
A. 4045 2
TAKE EFFECT SO LONG AS THE AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE BONDS OR OTHER OBLI-
GATIONS OUTSTANDING UNLESS ADEQUATE PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE
PAYMENT THEREOF.
§ 3976. ADMINISTRATION OF THE AUTHORITY. 1. THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE
ADMINISTERED BY SEVEN DIRECTORS APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, OF WHOM TWO
MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TEMPORARY
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND TWO MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED UPON THE
RECOMMENDATION OF THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY. THE POWERS AS SET FORTH
IN THE BY-LAWS OF THE BOARD SHALL BE ESTABLISHED AND VESTED IN AND BE
EXERCISED BY THE MEMBERS OF THE AUTHORITY AT AN INITIAL MEETING DULY
CALLED AND HELD AND FOUR MEMBERS SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM.
2. THE MEMBERS OF THE NEW YORK TITLE GUARANTY AUTHORITY BOARD SHALL
RECEIVE NO COMPENSATION FOR THEIR SERVICES BUT SHALL BE REIMBURSED FOR
ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR
DUTIES.
3. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY INCONSISTENT PROVISION OF ANY GENERAL, SPECIAL
OR LOCAL LAW, ORDINANCE, RESOLUTION OR CHARTER, NO OFFICER, MEMBER OR
EMPLOYEE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, ANY CITY, COUNTY, TOWN OR VILLAGE,
ANY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OPERATING ANY PUBLIC SCHOOL OR COLLEGE, ANY
SCHOOL DISTRICT OR ANY OTHER PUBLIC AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY WHICH
EXERCISES GOVERNMENTAL POWERS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE, SHALL FORFEIT
HIS OR HER OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT BY REASON OF HIS OR HER ACCEPTANCE OF
APPOINTMENT AS A DIRECTOR, OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE AUTHORITY, NOR
SHALL SERVICE AS SUCH DIRECTOR, OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE OF THE AUTHORITY BE
DEEMED INCOMPATIBLE OR IN CONFLICT WITH SUCH OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT.
4. FOUR DIRECTORS SHALL CONSTITUTE A QUORUM FOR THE TRANSACTION OF ANY
BUSINESS OR THE EXERCISE OF ANY POWER OF THE AUTHORITY. NO ACTION SHALL
BE TAKEN BY THE AUTHORITY EXCEPT PURSUANT TO A FAVORABLE VOTE OF AT
LEAST FOUR DIRECTORS PARTICIPATING IN A MEETING AT WHICH SUCH ACTION IS
TAKEN.
5. THE AUTHORITY SHALL APPOINT A TREASURER AND MAY APPOINT OFFICERS
AND AGENTS AS IT MAY REQUIRE AND PRESCRIBE THEIR DUTIES.
§ 3977. GENERAL POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY. EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE LIMITED
BY THIS TITLE, THE AUTHORITY SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS IN ADDITION
TO THOSE SPECIALLY CONFERRED ELSEWHERE IN THIS TITLE, SUBJECT ONLY TO
AGREEMENTS WITH BONDHOLDERS:
1. TO SUE AND BE SUED;
2. TO HAVE A SEAL AND ALTER THE SAME AT PLEASURE;
3. TO MAKE AND ALTER BY-LAWS FOR ITS ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT AND,
SUBJECT TO AGREEMENTS WITH ITS BONDHOLDERS, TO MAKE AND ALTER RULES AND
REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE EXERCISE OF ITS POWERS AND FULFILLMENT OF ITS
PURPOSES UNDER THIS TITLE;
4. TO MAKE AND EXECUTE CONTRACTS AND ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS OR AGREE-
MENTS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT TO CARRY OUT ANY POWERS AND FUNCTIONS
EXPRESSLY GIVEN IN THIS TITLE;
5. TO COMMENCE ANY ACTION TO PROTECT OR ENFORCE ANY RIGHT CONFERRED
UPON IT BY ANY LAW, CONTRACT OR OTHER AGREEMENT;
6. TO BORROW MONEY AND ISSUE BONDS, OR TO REFUND THE SAME, AND TO
PROVIDE FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE HOLDERS OF ITS BONDS;
7. AS SECURITY FOR THE PAYMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON ANY
BONDS ISSUED BY IT PURSUANT TO THIS TITLE AND ANY AGREEMENTS MADE IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH AND FOR ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER BOND FACILITIES, TO
PLEDGE ALL OR ANY PART OF ITS REVENUES OR ASSETS;
8. TO ACCEPT GIFTS, GRANTS, LOANS OR CONTRIBUTIONS OF FUNDS OR FINAN-
CIAL OR OTHER AID IN ANY FORM FROM THE COUNTY, STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERN-
MENT OR ANY AGENCY OR INSTRUMENTALITY THEREOF, OR FROM ANY OTHER SOURCE
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AND TO EXPEND THE PROCEEDS FOR ANY OF ITS CORPORATE PURPOSES IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THIS TITLE;
9. SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ANY CONTRACT WITH BONDHOLDERS, TO
INVEST ANY FUNDS HELD IN RESERVES OR SINKING FUNDS, OR ANY FUNDS NOT
REQUIRED FOR IMMEDIATE USE OR DISBURSEMENT, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE
AUTHORITY, IN (A) OBLIGATIONS OF THE STATE OR THE UNITED STATES GOVERN-
MENT, (B) OBLIGATIONS THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST OF WHICH ARE GUARANTEED
BY THE STATE OR THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, (C) CERTIFICATES OF DEPOS-
IT, WHETHER NEGOTIABLE OR NON-NEGOTIABLE, AND BANKER'S ACCEPTANCES OF
ANY OF THE FIFTY LARGEST BANKS IN THE UNITED STATES WHICH BANK, AT THE
TIME OF INVESTMENT, HAS AN OUTSTANDING UNSECURED, UNINSURED AND UNGUAR-
ANTEED DEBT ISSUE RANKED IN EITHER OF THE TWO HIGHEST RATING CATEGORIES
OF TWO NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED INDEPENDENT RATING AGENCIES, (D) COMMERCIAL
PAPER OF ANY BANK OR CORPORATION CREATED UNDER THE LAWS OF EITHER THE
UNITED STATES OR ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES WHICH COMMERCIAL PAPER,
AT THE TIME OF THE INVESTMENT, HAS RECEIVED THE HIGHEST RATING OF TWO
NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED INDEPENDENT RATING AGENCIES, (E) BONDS, DEBEN-
TURES, OR OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS, ISSUED OR GUARANTEED AT THE
TIME OF THE INVESTMENT BY THE FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION,
FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION, STUDENT LOAN MARKETING ASSOCI-
ATION, FEDERAL FARM CREDIT SYSTEM, OR ANY OTHER UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
SPONSORED AGENCY, PROVIDED THAT AT THE TIME OF THE INVESTMENT SUCH AGEN-
CY RECEIVES, OR ITS OBLIGATIONS RECEIVE, ANY OF THE THREE HIGHEST RATING
CATEGORIES OF TWO NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED INDEPENDENT RATING AGENCIES, (F)
ANY BONDS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS OF ANY STATE OR THE UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA OR OF ANY POLITICAL SUBDIVISION THEREOF OR ANY AGENCY, INSTRU-
MENTALITY OR LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL UNIT OF ANY SUCH STATE OR POLITICAL
SUBDIVISION WHICH BONDS OR OTHER OBLIGATIONS, AT THE TIME OF THE INVEST-
MENT, HAVE RECEIVED ANY OF THE THREE HIGHEST RATINGS OF TWO NATIONALLY
RECOGNIZED INDEPENDENT RATING AGENCIES, (G) ANY REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
WITH ANY BANK OR TRUST COMPANY ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE OF
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR ANY NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION OR
GOVERNMENT BOND DEALER REPORTING TO, TRADING WITH, AND RECOGNIZED AS A
PRIMARY DEALER BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK, WHICH AGREEMENT
IS SECURED BY ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN PARAGRAPH
(A), (B) OR (E) OF THIS SUBDIVISION WHICH SECURITIES SHALL AT ALL TIMES
HAVE A MARKET VALUE OF NOT LESS THAN THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE REPURCHASE
AGREEMENT AND BE DELIVERED TO ANOTHER BANK OR TRUST COMPANY ORGANIZED
UNDER THE LAWS OF NEW YORK STATE OR ANY NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION
DOMICILED IN NEW YORK STATE, AS CUSTODIAN, AND (H) REVERSE REPURCHASE
AGREEMENTS WITH ANY BANK OR TRUST COMPANY ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF
ANY STATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA OR ANY NATIONAL BANKING ASSO-
CIATION OR GOVERNMENT BOND DEALER REPORTING TO, TRADING WITH, AND RECOG-
NIZED AS A PRIMARY DEALER BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK, WHICH
AGREEMENT IS SECURED BY ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED IN
PARAGRAPH (A), (B) OR (E) OF THIS SUBDIVISION WHICH SECURITIES SHALL AT
ALL TIMES HAVE A MARKET VALUE OF NOT LESS THAN THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT AND BE DELIVERED TO ANOTHER BANK OR TRUST COMPANY
ORGANIZED UNDER THE LAWS OF NEW YORK STATE OR ANY NATIONAL BANKING ASSO-
CIATION DOMICILED IN NEW YORK STATE, AS CUSTODIAN;
10. TO APPOINT SUCH OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES AS IT MAY REQUIRE FOR THE
PERFORMANCE OF ITS DUTIES AND TO FIX AND DETERMINE THEIR QUALIFICATIONS,
DUTIES, AND COMPENSATION, AND TO RETAIN OR EMPLOY COUNSEL, AUDITORS AND
PRIVATE FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS AND OTHER SERVICES ON A CONTRACT BASIS OR
OTHERWISE FOR RENDERING PROFESSIONAL, BUSINESS OR TECHNICAL SERVICES AND
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ADVICE; AND, IN TAKING SUCH ACTIONS, THE AUTHORITY SHALL CONSIDER THE
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE COUNTY; AND
11. TO DO ANY AND ALL THINGS NECESSARY OR CONVENIENT TO CARRY OUT ITS
PURPOSES AND EXERCISE THE POWERS EXPRESSLY GIVEN AND GRANTED IN THIS
TITLE; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, SUCH AUTHORITY SHALL UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
ACQUIRE, HOLD OR TRANSFER TITLE TO, LEASE, OWN BENEFICIALLY OR OTHER-
WISE, MANAGE, OPERATE OR OTHERWISE EXERCISE CONTROL OVER ANY REAL PROP-
ERTY, ANY IMPROVEMENT TO REAL PROPERTY OR ANY INTEREST THEREIN OTHER
THAN A LEASE OR SUBLEASE OF OFFICE SPACE DEEMED NECESSARY OR DESIRABLE
BY THE AUTHORITY.
§ 3978. SPECIAL POWERS OF THE AUTHORITY. THE NEW YORK STATE TITLE
GUARANTY AUTHORITY BOARD SHALL OFFER GUARANTIES OF REAL PROPERTY TITLES
IN THIS STATE. THE TERMS, CONDITIONS AND FORM OF THE GUARANTY CONTRACTS
SHALL BE FORMS APPROVED BY THE AUTHORITY. THE AUTHORITY SHALL FIX A
CHARGE FOR THE GUARANTY IN AN AMOUNT SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT THE PROGRAM TO
OPERATE ON A SELF-SUSTAINING BASIS, INCLUDING PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE
COSTS AND THE MAINTENANCE OF AN ADEQUATE RESERVE AGAINST CLAIMS UNDER
THE TITLE GUARANTY PROGRAM.
§ 3979. NEW YORK TITLE GUARANTY FUND. 1. A TITLE GUARANTY FUND IS
CREATED. FUNDS COLLECTED UNDER THIS PROGRAM SHALL BE PLACED IN THE TITLE
GUARANTY FUND AND ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY ALL CLAIMS, NECESSARY RESERVES
AND ALL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE TITLE GUARANTY PROGRAM. MONEYS IN
THE FUND SHALL NOT REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND AND INTEREST ON THE MONEYS
IN THE FUND SHALL REQUIRE COSTS OF TITLE INSURANCE TO BE SUFFICIENT
ENOUGH TO INCLUDE FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING,
FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY TO ENSURE THAT THE STATE'S ROADS AND
BRIDGES ARE IN A STATE OF GOOD REPAIR, FIFTY MILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY
FOR THE PURPOSE OF A STAR REBATE PROGRAM AND OTHER SUCH PURPOSES AS MAY
BE REQUIRED BY THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.
2. A TITLE GUARANTY, CLOSING PROTECTION LETTER, OR GAP COVERAGE ISSUED
UNDER THIS PROGRAM IS AN OBLIGATION OF THE AUTHORITY ONLY AND CLAIMS ARE
PAYABLE SOLELY AND ONLY OUT OF THE MONEYS, ASSETS, AND REVENUES OF THE
TITLE GUARANTY FUND AND ARE NOT AN INDEBTEDNESS OR LIABILITY OF THE
STATE. THE STATE IS NOT LIABLE ON ANY GUARANTY, CLOSING PROTECTION
LETTER, OR GAP COVERAGE.
3. THE AUTHORITY SHALL CONSULT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
SERVICES IN DEVELOPING A GUARANTY CONTRACT ACCEPTABLE TO THE SECONDARY
MARKET AND DEVELOPING ANY OTHER FEATURE OF THE PROGRAM WITH WHICH THE
INSURANCE DIVISION MAY HAVE SPECIAL EXPERTISE. THE DEPARTMENT OF FINAN-
CIAL SERVICES SHALL ESTABLISH THE AMOUNT FOR A LOSS RESERVE FUND. EXCEPT
AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, THE TITLE GUARANTY PROGRAM IS NOT SUBJECT
TO THE JURISDICTION OF OR REGULATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCIAL
SERVICES.
§ 3980. PARTICIPATING ATTORNEYS. 1. EACH PARTICIPATING ATTORNEY AND
ABSTRACTOR MAY BE REQUIRED TO PAY AN ANNUAL PARTICIPATION FEE TO BE
ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TITLE GUARANTY PROGRAM. THE FEE, IF ANY,
SHALL BE SET BY THE AUTHORITY, SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE BOARD.
2. THE PARTICIPATION OF ABSTRACTORS AND ATTORNEYS SHALL BE IN ACCORD-
ANCE WITH RULES ESTABLISHED BY THE BOARD.
A. (1) EACH PARTICIPANT SHALL AT ALL TIMES MAINTAIN LIABILITY COVERAGE
IN AMOUNTS APPROVED BY THE AUTHORITY. UPON PAYMENT OF A CLAIM BY THE
AUTHORITY THE AUTHORITY SHALL BE SUBROGATED TO THE RIGHTS OF THE CLAIM-
ANT AGAINST ALL PERSONS RELATING TO THE CLAIM.
(2) ADDITIONALLY, EACH PARTICIPATING ABSTRACTOR IS REQUIRED TO OWN OR
LEASE, AND MAINTAIN AND USE IN THE PREPARATION OF ABSTRACTS, AN UP-TO-
DATE ABSTRACT TITLE PLANT INCLUDING TRACT INDICES FOR REAL ESTATE FOR
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EACH COUNTY IN WHICH ABSTRACTS ARE PREPARED FOR REAL PROPERTY TITLES
GUARANTEED BY THE DIVISION. THE TRACT INDICES SHALL CONTAIN A REFERENCE
TO ALL INSTRUMENTS AFFECTING THE REAL ESTATE WHICH ARE RECORDED IN THE
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY RECORDER, AND SHALL COMMENCE NOT LESS THAN FORTY
YEARS PRIOR TO THE DATE THE ABSTRACTOR COMMENCES PARTICIPATION IN THE
TITLE GUARANTY PROGRAM. HOWEVER, A PARTICIPATING ATTORNEY PROVIDING
ABSTRACT SERVICES CONTINUOUSLY FROM NOVEMBER TWELFTH, NINETEEN HUNDRED
EIGHTY-SIX, TO THE DATE OF APPLICATION, EITHER PERSONALLY OR THROUGH
PERSONS UNDER THE ATTORNEY'S SUPERVISION AND CONTROL IS EXEMPT FROM THE
REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBPARAGRAPH.
B. THE AUTHORITY MAY WAIVE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION PURSUANT
TO AN APPLICATION OF AN ATTORNEY OR ABSTRACTOR WHICH SHOWS THAT THE
REQUIREMENTS IMPOSE A HARDSHIP TO THE ATTORNEY OR ABSTRACTOR AND THAT
THE WAIVER CLEARLY IS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST OR IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
TO ENSURE AVAILABILITY OF TITLE GUARANTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
3. PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF A TITLE GUARANTY, THE AUTHORITY SHALL
REQUIRE EVIDENCE THAT AN ABSTRACT OF TITLE TO THE PROPERTY IN QUESTION
HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP-TO-DATE AND CERTIFIED BY A PARTICIPATING ABSTRACTOR
IN A FORM APPROVED BY AUTHORITY RULES AND A TITLE OPINION ISSUED BY A
PARTICIPATING ATTORNEY IN THE FORM APPROVED IN THE RULES STATING THE
ATTORNEY'S OPINION AS TO THE TITLE. THE AUTHORITY SHALL REQUIRE EVIDENCE
OF THE ABSTRACT BEING BROUGHT UP-TO-DATE AND THE ABSTRACTOR SHALL RETAIN
EVIDENCE OF THE ABSTRACT AS DETERMINED BY THE BOARD.
4. THE ATTORNEY RENDERING A TITLE OPINION SHALL BE AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE
A TITLE GUARANTY CERTIFICATE SUBJECT TO THE RULES OF THE AUTHORITY.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.