PROCEDURE FOR RECOVERY.

(a) To recover from the recovery fund, a residential mortgage loan applicant must file a written sworn application with the commissioner in the form prescribed by the commissioner, subject to Section 156.503. A person who knowingly makes a false statement in connection with applying for money out of the fund may be subject to criminal prosecution under Section 37.10, Penal Code.

(b) The residential mortgage loan applicant is required to show:

(1) that the applicant's claim is based on facts allowing recovery under Section 156.501; and

(2) that the applicant:

(A) is not a spouse of the licensed residential mortgage loan originator;

(B) is not a child, parent, grandchild, grandparent, or sibling, including relationships by adoption, of the licensed residential mortgage loan originator;

(C) is not a person sharing living quarters with the licensed residential mortgage loan originator or a current or former employer, employee, or associate of the licensed residential mortgage loan originator;

(D) is not a person who has aided, abetted, or participated other than as a victim with the licensed residential mortgage loan originator in any activity that is illegal under Section 157.024(a)(2), (3), (5), (7), (8), (9), (10), (13), (16), (17), or (18) or 156.304(b), or is not the personal representative of a licensed residential mortgage loan originator; and

(E) is not licensed as a residential mortgage loan originator under Chapter 157 who is seeking to recover any compensation in the transaction or transactions for which the application for payment is made.

(c) On receipt of the verified application, the commissioner's staff shall:

(1) notify each appropriate license holder and the issuer of any surety bond issued in connection with their licenses; and

(2) investigate the application and issue a preliminary determination, giving the applicant, the license holder, and any surety an opportunity to resolve the matter by agreement or to dispute the preliminary determination.

(d) If the preliminary determination under Subsection (c)(2) is not otherwise resolved by agreement and is not disputed by written notice to the commissioner before the 31st day after the notification date, the preliminary determination automatically becomes final and the commissioner shall make payment from the recovery fund, subject to the limits of Section 156.505.

(e) If the preliminary determination under Subsection (c)(2) is disputed by the applicant, the license holder, or any surety by written notice to the commissioner before the 31st day after the notification date, the matter shall be set for a hearing governed by Chapter 2001, Government Code, and the hearing rules of the finance commission.