Notice-filing requirements for branch offices.

(1) It is unlawful for a dealer or investment adviser to conduct business from a branch office in this state unless the dealer or investment adviser has made a branch office notice-filing with the office. A notice-filing under this section shall consist of a form that the commission may prescribe by rule. The commission may establish, by rule, procedures for the deposit of fees and filing of documents by electronic means if the procedures provide the office with the information and data required by this section.

(2) A notice-filing shall be effective upon receipt by the office of the form and filing fee. Each dealer and each investment adviser shall pay a filing fee of $100 for each branch office in this state.

(3) A notice-filing shall expire on December 31 of the year in which the filing became effective unless the dealer or investment adviser has renewed the filing on or before that date. A dealer or investment adviser may renew a branch office notice-filing by furnishing to the office such information as the commission or office may require, together with a renewal fee of $100 and the payment of any amount due and owing the office pursuant to any agreement with the office. Any dealer or investment adviser who has not renewed a branch office notice-filing by the time a current notice-filing expires may request reinstatement of such notice-filing by filing with the office, on or before January 31 of the year following the year the notice-filing expires, such information as the commission or office may require, together with the filing fee of $100 and a late fee equal to $100. Any reinstatement of a branch office notice-filing granted by the office during the month of January shall be deemed effective retroactive to January 1 of that year.

(4) A branch office notice-filing under this section shall be summarily suspended by the office if the notice-filer fails to provide to the office, within 30 days after a written request by the office, all of the information required by this section and the rules adopted under this section. The summary suspension shall be in effect for the branch office until such time as the notice-filer submits the requested information to the office, pays a fine as prescribed by s. 517.191(9), and a final order is entered. At such time, the suspension shall be lifted. For purposes of s. 120.60(6), failure to provide all information required by this section and the underlying rules constitutes immediate and serious danger to the public health, safety, and welfare. If the notice-filer fails to provide all of the requested information within a period of 90 days, the notice-filing shall be revoked by the office.

(5) Notification under this section may be revoked by the office if the notice-filer makes payment to the office for a branch office notice-filing with a check or electronic transmission of funds that is dishonored by the notice-filer’s financial institution.

(6) The commission may require, by rule, a dealer or investment adviser who has made a branch office notice-filing pursuant to this section to file amendments with the office.

(7) A branch office notice-filing may be terminated by filing notice of such termination with the office. Unless another date is specified by the dealer or investment adviser, such notice shall be effective upon its receipt by the office.

(8) All fees collected under this section become the revenue of the state, except for those assessments provided for under s. 517.131(2) until such time as the Securities Guaranty Fund satisfies the statutory limits, and are not returnable in the event that a branch office notice-filing is withdrawn.