[Rev. 6/29/2024 4:54:49 PM--2023]

CHAPTER 669A - FAMILY TRUST COMPANIES

GENERAL PROVISIONS

NRS 669A.010        Declaration of legislative intent.

NRS 669A.020        Definitions.

NRS 669A.030        “Affiliate” defined.

NRS 669A.035        “Beneficiary” defined.

NRS 669A.040        “Confidential information” defined.

NRS 669A.050        “Designated relative” defined.

NRS 669A.060        “Family affiliate” defined.

NRS 669A.070        “Family member” defined.

NRS 669A.080        “Family trust company” defined.

NRS 669A.082        “Fiduciary” defined.

NRS 669A.085        “Interested person” defined.

NRS 669A.090        “Licensed family trust company” defined.

NRS 669A.094        Liberal construction of chapter.

NRS 669A.095        Applicability of chapter.

NRS 669A.097        Applicability of other provisions of NRS.

NRS 669A.100        Family trust company not required to be licensed as trust company.

NRS 669A.110        Family trust company not required to be licensed but may apply for license.

NRS 669A.120        Exchange of license as trust company for license as family trust company.

NRS 669A.130        Licensed family trust company has same rights, privileges and exemptions as trust company.

NRS 669A.133        Standards for administration and management of trust.

NRS 669A.135        Limitations on liability.

ORGANIZATION AND LICENSING

NRS 669A.140        Requirements for licensed family trust company: Resident officer; physical office; registered agent; licenses, registrations and permits; bank account.

NRS 669A.150        Unlawful to use or advertise word “trust” as part of name; exceptions.

NRS 669A.160        Minimum stockholders’ equity required for organization and operation.

NRS 669A.170        Certain organizational structure required for domestic family trust company; authority to do business in this State required for foreign family trust company.

NRS 669A.180        Certain provisions required in articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation or articles of organization of domestic family trust company; limitation on use of certain names by foreign trust company.

NRS 669A.190        Application for license: Contents; fees; regulations; withdrawal of application.

NRS 669A.200        Investigation of applicant; rights of applicant upon denial of license; entry of final order; judicial review.

NRS 669A.210        Payment of license fees; deposit in State Treasury.

POWERS AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

NRS 669A.220        Powers of family trust companies; banking business prohibited.

NRS 669A.222        Appointment of guardian for certain persons who are not residents of this State.

NRS 669A.223        Designation of person to represent and bind beneficiary and receive information regarding trust; exceptions; limitation on liability.

NRS 669A.225        Authorized actions and transactions; conflicts of interest.

NRS 669A.230        Investments.

NRS 669A.233        Nonjudicial settlement agreements: Authority to enter; scope; judicial approval.

NRS 669A.235        Nonjudicial settlement agreements: Notice to necessary parties; objections; actions alleging fraud, bad faith or willful violation of terms of trust; limitation of liability.

NRS 669A.237        Nonjudicial settlement agreements: Refraining from taking authorized action.

NRS 669A.240        Discontinuing business.

NRS 669A.250        Fidelity bonds; insurance.

NRS 669A.255        Annual and final reports; allocation to income.

NRS 669A.256        Sealing of trust documents.

NRS 669A.257        Privileged communications; applicability of attorney-client relationship.

EXAMINATION; REGULATION

NRS 669A.260        Fees for examination.

NRS 669A.270        Regulations of Commissioner; determination of organization as family trust company.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND REMEDIAL ACTION

NRS 669A.280        Authority of Commissioner to revoke license.

UNLAWFUL ACTS; PENALTIES

NRS 669A.290        Failure to submit required report; fees; regulations.

NRS 669A.300        Willful neglect to perform duties imposed by law or failure to conform to material lawful requirement made by Commissioner; removal.

NRS 669A.310        Confidentiality of certain records and documents; authority of Commissioner to use discretion in determining disclosure.

NRS 669A.320        Administrative fines.

_________

GENERAL PROVISIONS

      NRS 669A.010  Declaration of legislative intent.  The Legislature finds as facts and determines that:

      1.  There exists a need to modernize trust company laws in Nevada to make Nevada more competitive in attracting new business, for Nevada to remain competitive with a majority of other states that have modernized their laws and to ensure the safety and soundness of all trust companies licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or chapter 669 of NRS.

      2.  Unlike the public trust companies required to be licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 669 of NRS, family trust companies do not engage or seek to engage in a trust company business with the public but rather serve solely the interests of members and related parties of a single family and the grantors and beneficiaries of trust instruments created for the purposes of estate planning for the family members. Consequently, there is no public interest to be protected or furthered and requiring the licensing of family trust companies will not promote the public advantage and convenience. There are, however, reasons that some family trust companies may wish to obtain state licensing and appropriate supervision under trust company law.

      3.  It is the purpose of this chapter to:

      (a) Define those persons who are engaged in or who desire to provide fiduciary services to a single family and its related interests as a family trust company and who are not doing trust company business with the public or offering services to the general public; and

      (b) Bring under public supervision only those family trust companies desiring the benefits of being licensed pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or chapter 669 of NRS.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1136)

      NRS 669A.020  Definitions.  As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the words and terms defined in NRS 669A.030 to 669A.090, inclusive, have the meanings ascribed to them in those sections.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1137; A 2011, 1814; 2015, 1210)

      NRS 669A.030  “Affiliate” defined.  “Affiliate” means a family affiliate of any family member of the family trust company who is qualified to serve and any person controlling, controlled by or under common control with the family trust company.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1137)

      NRS 669A.035  “Beneficiary” defined.  “Beneficiary” has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 132.050.

      (Added to NRS by 2015, 1208)

      NRS 669A.040  “Confidential information” defined.  “Confidential information” includes:

      1.  The names of stockholders, members or other owners;

      2.  Ownership information;

      3.  Capital contributions;

      4.  Addresses;

      5.  Business affiliations;

      6.  Information obtained from the family trust company;

      7.  Findings of the Commissioner through any examination or investigation;

      8.  Any information required to be reported to or filed with the Commissioner;

      9.  Any information that qualifies as any person’s “nonpublic personal information” under 15 U.S.C. § 6809 and the regulations adopted pursuant thereto;

      10.  Any information or agreement relating to any merger, consolidation or transfer;

      11.  Any information or agreement relating to any relationship with a contracting trustee; and

      12.  Any other nonpublic information that, in the judgment of the Commissioner, could be useful in connection with an act of bribery, extortion, identity theft or terrorism.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1137)

      NRS 669A.050  “Designated relative” defined.  “Designated relative” means the common ancestor of the family, who may be either a living or deceased person. With regard to:

      1.  A licensed family trust company or a family trust company applying to be licensed pursuant to this chapter, the designated relative is the person who is designated in the application for a license or in the annual renewal of a license.

      2.  A family trust company other than a family trust company described in subsection 1, the designated relative is any person designated by the family trust company in a letter to the Commissioner sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1137)

      NRS 669A.060  “Family affiliate” defined.  “Family affiliate” means a company or other entity with respect to which one or more family members or affiliates own, directly or indirectly, a material interest in the company or entity, or possess, directly or indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of that company or entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, power of direction or otherwise.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1137; A 2011, 1814)

      NRS 669A.070  “Family member” defined.

      1.  “Family member” includes, without limitation, the designated relative and:

      (a) Any person within the tenth degree of lineal kinship of the designated relative;

      (b) Any person within the ninth degree of collateral kinship to the designated relative;

      (c) Any nonfamily member who is an individual beneficiary under a will or trust created by a family member specified in paragraph (a) or (b), including the spouse and issue of that person;

      (d) The spouse and any former spouse of the designated relative or of any person qualifying as a family member pursuant to paragraph (a) or (b);

      (e) A person who is a relative of a spouse or former spouse specified in paragraph (c) or (d) who is within the fifth degree of lineal kinship of the spouse or former spouse;

      (f) A family affiliate and the officers, managers and directors of that family affiliate and their immediate families;

      (g) An inter vivos or testamentary trust established by a family member either individually or jointly with a spouse or third party and any trustee, advisor or other person assisting with administration of that trust;

      (h) An inter vivos or testamentary trust established by a person who is not a family member if noncharitable beneficiaries of that trust include family members;

      (i) The estate of a family member;

      (j) The estate of a nonfamily member if the noncharitable beneficiaries of that estate include family members; and

      (k) A charitable foundation, a charitable trust or charitable entity of which a family member is an organizer, incorporator, officer, member of the governing board, trustee, major donor or noncharitable beneficiary and the officers, directors, individual trustees and managers of that foundation, trust or entity and their immediate families.

      2.  For the purposes of this section:

      (a) A family member is not a member of the public;

      (b) A legally adopted person must be treated as a natural child of the adoptive parents;

      (c) A stepchild must be treated as a natural child of the family member who is or was the stepparent of that child;

      (d) Children of a spouse of a family member must be treated as a natural child of that family member; and

      (e) Degrees are calculated by adding the number of steps from the designated relative through each person to the family member either directly, in the case of lineal kinship, or through the common ancestor, in the case of collateral kinship.

      3.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Collateral kinship” means a relationship that is not lineal, but stems from a common ancestor.

      (b) “Lineal kinship” means a family member who is in the direct line of ascent or descent from the designated relative.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1137)

      NRS 669A.080  “Family trust company” defined.  “Family trust company” means a corporation or limited-liability company that:

      1.  Acts or proposes to act as a fiduciary;

      2.  Is organized or qualified to do business in this State to serve family members; and

      3.  Does not:

      (a) Transact trust company business with;

      (b) Propose to act as a fiduciary for; or

      (c) Solicit trust company business from,

Ê a person who is not a family member.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1138)

      NRS 669A.082  “Fiduciary” defined.  “Fiduciary” means:

      1.  A person described in NRS 132.145;

      2.  A person described in NRS 163.554;

      3.  A directed fiduciary as provided in NRS 163.5548; and

      4.  A trust protector as defined in NRS 163.5547,

Ê who may not be acting as a fiduciary under the terms of the trust instrument or will.

      (Added to NRS by 2015, 1208; A 2019, 1874)

      NRS 669A.085  “Interested person” defined.  “Interested person” means a person, other than the grantor of a trust, who is:

      1.  A person who would be a necessary party to a judicial proceeding involving a trust; or

      2.  An authorized representative pursuant to NRS 164.038.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1809)

      NRS 669A.090  “Licensed family trust company” defined.  “Licensed family trust company” means a trust company licensed pursuant to this chapter.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1138)

      NRS 669A.094  Liberal construction of chapter.  The rule that statutes in derogation of the common law are to be strictly construed has no application to this chapter. This chapter must be liberally construed to give maximum effect to the principle of freedom of disposition and to the enforceability of trust instruments. This chapter will control over any contrary provisions of law.

      (Added to NRS by 2015, 1209)

      NRS 669A.095  Applicability of chapter.  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter or by specific statute, a family trust company or licensed family trust company is subject to the provisions of this chapter only to the extent that the family trust company or licensed family trust company is engaged in the business of a family trust company or licensed family trust company, respectively.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1809)

      NRS 669A.097  Applicability of other provisions of NRS.

      1.  Except as otherwise specified in the trust or in this chapter, a family trust company or licensed family trust company shall comply with the provisions of NRS 165.147.

      2.  Any fiduciary duties required pursuant to title 12 or 13 of NRS after October 1, 2015, apply only to a trust or estate administered by a family trust company or licensed family trust company in this State which was created, commenced or became irrevocable after the enactment of such duties. Such duties shall only apply to the extent that they are not inconsistent or contrary with any provision of this chapter or any terms of the trust.

      (Added to NRS by 2015, 1209)

      NRS 669A.100  Family trust company not required to be licensed as trust company.  A family trust company is not required to be licensed as a trust company pursuant to chapter 669 of NRS. Unless a family trust company applies for licensure pursuant to chapter 669 of NRS, the family trust company is not:

      1.  Subject to supervision by the Commissioner pursuant to this chapter or chapter 669 of NRS; or

      2.  Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, subject to the provisions of chapter 669 of NRS applicable to a trust company that offers trust company services to:

      (a) Persons who are not family members; or

      (b) The public at large.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1139)

      NRS 669A.110  Family trust company not required to be licensed but may apply for license.  A family trust company:

      1.  Is not required to be licensed pursuant to this chapter or chapter 669 of NRS.

      2.  May apply for a license as:

      (a) A trust company pursuant to chapter 669 of NRS; or

      (b) A licensed family trust company pursuant to this chapter.

      3.  Is subject to the supervision of the Commissioner under this chapter if licensed as a licensed family trust company pursuant to this chapter.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1139; A 2015, 1210)

      NRS 669A.120  Exchange of license as trust company for license as family trust company.  A trust company licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 669 of NRS may exchange its license granted pursuant to that chapter for a license under this chapter, thereby becoming a licensed family trust company, upon providing the Commissioner with satisfactory evidence that at or before the effective date of its license under this chapter, the trust company will:

      1.  Satisfy the definition of a family trust company; and

      2.  Comply with the requirements of NRS 669A.140.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1139)

      NRS 669A.130  Licensed family trust company has same rights, privileges and exemptions as trust company.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 669A.150, a family trust company licensed pursuant to this chapter has all the rights, privileges and exemptions from licensing and regulation requirements made applicable by any law of this State to trust companies licensed pursuant to chapter 669 of NRS, including, without limitation, the requirements for registration, licensing and supervision set forth in chapter 90 of NRS.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1139)

      NRS 669A.133  Standards for administration and management of trust.  While acting as the fiduciary of a trust, a family trust company or licensed family trust company:

      1.  Shall administer and manage the trust in accordance with the terms of the trust;

      2.  Shall administer and manage the trust in the interest of the beneficiaries of the trust;

      3.  Shall administer and manage the trust in accordance with the provisions of this chapter; and

      4.  May administer and manage the trust by the exercise of discretionary power of administration given to the fiduciary by the terms of the trust instrument.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1809)

      NRS 669A.135  Limitations on liability.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any law to the contrary, a family trust company or licensed family trust company, or an employee or agent of a family trust company or licensed family trust company, is not liable to an interested person for any transaction, decision to act or decision to not act if the family trust company or licensed family trust company or employee or agent thereof acted in good faith and in reasonable reliance on the express terms of a trust instrument, a written consent, a court order, a nonjudicial settlement agreement or a written waiver contained in a trust instrument or in a separate written instrument such as a waiver of any duty to diversify. Good faith shall be presumed unless rebutted by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1809; A 2015, 1210)

ORGANIZATION AND LICENSING

      NRS 669A.140  Requirements for licensed family trust company: Resident officer; physical office; registered agent; licenses, registrations and permits; bank account.  A licensed family trust company shall maintain:

      1.  At least one officer of the licensed family trust company who is a resident of this State;

      2.  A physical office in this State where original or true copies of all material business records and accounts of the licensed family trust company may be accessed and readily available for examination by the Division of Financial Institutions;

      3.  A registered agent, with an office at the street address of the registered agent, in this State;

      4.  All applicable state and local business licenses, registrations and permits; and

      5.  A bank account with a state chartered or national bank having a principal or branch offices in this State.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1139)

      NRS 669A.150  Unlawful to use or advertise word “trust” as part of name; exceptions.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, or pursuant to the provisions of NRS 669.095, a family trust company formed and doing business under the laws of this State or any other state shall not:

      (a) Advertise its services to the public; or

      (b) Use the word “trust” or any direct derivative of that word as a part of its name.

      2.  The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to a family trust company which is licensed pursuant to chapter 669 of NRS.

      3.  The provisions of paragraph (b) of subsection 1 do not apply to a licensed family trust company.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1139)

      NRS 669A.160  Minimum stockholders’ equity required for organization and operation.  A licensed family trust company must not be organized or operated with a stockholders’ equity of less than $300,000. The full amount of the initial stockholders’ equity must be paid in cash, exclusive of all organization expenses, before the licensed family trust company is authorized to commence business as a licensed family trust company.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1140)

      NRS 669A.170  Certain organizational structure required for domestic family trust company; authority to do business in this State required for foreign family trust company.  An applicant for a license to conduct business as a licensed family trust company under this chapter must be organized as a corporation or limited-liability company under the laws of this State or authorized to do business in this State as a foreign corporation or foreign limited-liability company.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1140)

      NRS 669A.180  Certain provisions required in articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation or articles of organization of domestic family trust company; limitation on use of certain names by foreign trust company.

      1.  If a licensed family trust company is organized under the laws of this State as a corporation or limited-liability company, the articles of incorporation, certificate of incorporation or articles of organization must contain:

      (a) The name adopted by the licensed family trust company, which must be such as to distinguish it from any other trust company formed or incorporated in this State, or engaged in the business of a trust company or licensed family trust company in this State; and

      (b) The purpose for which it is formed.

      2.  The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply to a licensed family trust company which is licensed or chartered to do business as a trust company under the laws of another state, but the licensed family trust company must use a name that distinguishes it from any other trust company organized as or conducting the business of:

      (a) A trust company; or

      (b) A licensed family trust company,

Ê in this State.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1140)

      NRS 669A.190  Application for license: Contents; fees; regulations; withdrawal of application.

      1.  An applicant for a license as a family trust company must file an application with the Commissioner on forms prescribed by the Commissioner. The application must contain or be accompanied by such information as the Commissioner requires.

      2.  A nonrefundable fee of not more than $3,000 must accompany the application. The applicant must also pay such reasonable additional expenses incurred in the process of investigation as the Commissioner deems necessary. In addition, a fee of not less than $300 or more than $1,000, prorated on the basis of the licensing year as provided by the Commissioner, must be paid at the time of making the application.

      3.  A licensed family trust company may maintain offices in this and other states. For every branch location of a family trust company organized under the laws of this State, and every branch location in this State of a foreign family trust company electing to be licensed as a family trust company in this State, a request for approval and licensing must be filed with the Commissioner on such forms as the Commissioner prescribes. A nonrefundable fee of not more than $500 must accompany each request. In addition, a fee of not more than $200, prorated on the basis of the licensing year as provided by the Commissioner, must be paid at the time of making the request.

      4.  The Commissioner shall adopt regulations establishing the amount of the fees required pursuant to this section. All money received by the Commissioner pursuant to this section must be placed in the Investigative Account for Financial Institutions created by NRS 232.545.

      5.  The Commissioner shall consider an application to be withdrawn if the Commissioner has not received all information and fees required to complete the application within 12 months of the Commissioner’s first request therefor or within such later period as the Commissioner determines. If an application is deemed to be withdrawn pursuant to this subsection or if an applicant otherwise withdraws an application, the Commissioner must not issue a license to the applicant unless the applicant submits a new application and pays any required fees.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1140)

      NRS 669A.200  Investigation of applicant; rights of applicant upon denial of license; entry of final order; judicial review.

      1.  Within 60 days after the application for a license as a family trust company is filed, the Commissioner shall investigate the facts of the application and the other requirements of this chapter to determine:

      (a) That the persons who will serve as directors or officers of the corporation, or the managers or members acting in a managerial capacity of the limited-liability company, as applicable:

             (1) Have a good reputation for honesty, trustworthiness and integrity and display competence to transact the business of a licensed family trust company. The applicant must submit satisfactory proof of these qualifications to the Commissioner.

             (2) Have not been convicted of, or entered a plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or any crime involving fraud, misrepresentation or moral turpitude.

             (3) Have not made a false statement of material fact on the application.

             (4) Have not had a license that was issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter or chapter 669 of NRS suspended or revoked within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of the application.

             (5) Have not had a license as a trust company which was issued in any other state, district or territory of the United States or any foreign country suspended or revoked within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of the application.

             (6) Have not been found guilty of any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant thereto that in the judgment of the Commissioner would render the person unfit for the proposed position.

      (b) That the financial status of the directors and officers of the corporation, or the managers or members acting in a managerial capacity of the limited-liability company, as applicable, is consistent with their responsibilities and duties.

      (c) That the name of the proposed company complies with the provisions of NRS 657.200.

      (d) That the initial stockholders’ equity is not less than the required minimum.

      2.  Notice of the entry of an order refusing a license to a family trust company must be given in writing, served personally or sent by certified mail to the company affected. The company, upon application, is entitled to a hearing before a hearing officer appointed by the Director of the Department of Business and Industry, but if no such application is made within 30 days after the entry of an order refusing a license to any company, the Commissioner shall enter a final order.

      3.  If the hearing officer affirms the order of the Commissioner refusing the license, the applicant may file a petition for judicial review pursuant to NRS 233B.130.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1141)

      NRS 669A.210  Payment of license fees; deposit in State Treasury.

      1.  On or before April 1 of each year, each licensed family trust company must pay to the Division of Financial Institutions a license fee of $1,500. All money collected under the provisions of this section must be deposited in the State Treasury pursuant to the provisions of NRS 658.091.

      2.  A licensed family trust company which identifies a new designated relative when the licensed family trust company renews its license shall pay an additional annual license fee for renewal in such amount as the Commissioner shall determine.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1142)

POWERS AND MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

      NRS 669A.220  Powers of family trust companies; banking business prohibited.

      1.  A family trust company may, but only for family members:

      (a) Act as a fiduciary within and outside this State as permitted by law and as consistent with the trust or will.

      (b) Act within and outside this State as advisory agent, agent, assignee, assignee for the benefit of creditors, attorney-in-fact, authenticating agent, bailee, bond or indenture trustee, conservator, conversion agent, curator, custodian, escrow agent, exchange agent, fiscal or paying agent, financial advisor, investment advisor, investment manager, managing agent, purchase agent, receiver, registrar, safekeeping agent, subscription agent, transfer agent except for public companies, warrant agent, or in similar capacities generally performed by corporate trustees, and in so acting to possess, purchase, sell, invest, reinvest, safekeep or otherwise manage or administer real or personal property of other persons.

      (c) Exercise the powers of a business corporation or a limited-liability company organized or qualified as a foreign corporation or a limited-liability company under the laws of this State and any incidental powers that are reasonably necessary to enable it to fully exercise, in accordance with commonly accepted customs and usages, a power conferred in this chapter.

      (d) Do and perform all acts necessary or incidental to exercise the powers enumerated in this section or authorized by this chapter and any other applicable laws of this State.

      2.  A family trust company shall not engage in any:

      (a) Banking with the public; or

      (b) Trust company business with the public unless licensed pursuant to chapter 669 of NRS.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1142; A 2015, 1210)

      NRS 669A.222  Appointment of guardian for certain persons who are not residents of this State.  Any court of competent jurisdiction may appoint a guardian of the estate or guardian ad litem for persons who are adjudicated incapacitated or minors who are not residents of this State and who are family members or beneficiaries of a trust or an estate for which a family trust company or licensed family trust company administers the trust or estate in this State.

      (Added to NRS by 2015, 1208)

      NRS 669A.223  Designation of person to represent and bind beneficiary and receive information regarding trust; exceptions; limitation on liability.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2 and 3, if specifically nominated in the trust instrument, one or more persons may be designated to represent and bind a beneficiary of a trust administered by a family trust company or licensed family trust company and to receive any notice, information, accounting or report regarding the trust. The trust instrument may also authorize any person or persons, other than a trustee, to designate one or more persons to represent and bind a beneficiary and to receive any notice, information, accounting or report.

      2.  A person designated to represent and bind a beneficiary of a trust, as provided in subsection 1, may not represent and bind a beneficiary while that person is serving as a trustee of that trust.

      3.  Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a person designated to represent and bind a beneficiary of a trust, as provided in subsection 1, may not represent and bind a beneficiary if that person is also a beneficiary, unless that person is:

      (a) Specifically nominated in the trust instrument;

      (b) The beneficiary’s spouse; or

      (c) A parent, grandparent or descendant of a grandparent of the beneficiary or the beneficiary’s spouse.

      4.  A person designated to represent and bind a beneficiary of a trust, as provided in subsection 1, is not liable to that beneficiary or his or her agent or successor for any acts or omissions made in good faith.

      (Added to NRS by 2015, 1208)

      NRS 669A.225  Authorized actions and transactions; conflicts of interest.

      1.  In addition to the transactions authorized by NRS 669A.230 and notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, while acting as the fiduciary of a trust, a family trust company or licensed family trust company may:

      (a) Invest in a security of an investment company or investment trust for which the family trust company or licensed family trust company, or a family affiliate, provides services in a capacity other than as a fiduciary;

      (b) Place a security transaction using a broker that is a family affiliate;

      (c) Invest in an investment contract that is purchased from an insurance company or carrier owned by or affiliated with the family trust company or licensed family trust company, or a family affiliate;

      (d) Enter into an agreement with a beneficiary or grantor of a trust with respect to the appointment or compensation of the fiduciary or a family affiliate;

      (e) Transact with another trust, estate, guardianship or conservatorship for which the family trust company or licensed family trust company is a fiduciary or in which a beneficiary has an interest;

      (f) Make an equity investment in a closely held entity that may or may not be marketable and that is owned or controlled, either directly or indirectly, by one or more beneficiaries, family members or family affiliates;

      (g) Deposit trust money in a financial institution that is owned or operated by a family affiliate;

      (h) Delegate the authority to conduct any transaction or action pursuant to this section to an agent of the family trust company or licensed family trust company, or a family affiliate;

      (i) Purchase, sell, hold, own or invest in any security, bond, real or personal property, stock or other asset of a family affiliate;

      (j) Loan money to, borrow money from or guaranty indebtedness on behalf of:

             (1) A family member of the trust or his or her legal representative;

             (2) Another trust managed by the family trust company or licensed family trust company; or

             (3) A family affiliate;

      (k) Act as proxy in voting any shares of stock which are assets of the trust;

      (l) Exercise any powers of control with respect to any interest in a company that is an asset of the trust, including, without limitation, the appointment of officers or directors who are family affiliates; and

      (m) Receive reasonable compensation for its services or the services of a family affiliate.

      2.  A transaction or action authorized pursuant to subsection 1 must:

      (a) Be for a fair price, if applicable;

      (b) Be in the interest of the beneficiaries; and

      (c) Comply or not be inconsistent with:

             (1) The terms of the trust instrument establishing the fiduciary relationship;

             (2) A judgment, decree or court order;

             (3) The written consent of each interested person; or

             (4) A notice of proposed action issued pursuant to NRS 164.725.

      3.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, nothing in this section prohibits a family trust company or licensed family trust company from transacting business with or investing in any asset of:

      (a) A trust, estate, guardianship or conservatorship for which the family trust company or licensed family trust company is a fiduciary;

      (b) A family affiliate; or

      (c) Any other company, agent, entity or person for which a conflict of interest may exist.

      4.  A conflict of interest between the fiduciary duty and personal interest of a family trust company or licensed family trust company does not void a transaction or action that:

      (a) Complies with the provisions of this section; or

      (b) Occurred before the family trust company or licensed family trust company entered into a fiduciary relationship pursuant to a trust instrument.

      5.  A transaction by or action of a family trust company or licensed family trust company authorized by this section is not voidable if:

      (a) The transaction or action was authorized by the terms of the trust;

      (b) The transaction or action was approved by a court or pursuant to a court order;

      (c) No interested person commenced a legal action relating to the transaction or action pursuant to subsection 6;

      (d) The transaction or action was authorized by a valid consent agreement, release or pursuant to the issuance of a notice of proposed action issued pursuant to NRS 164.725; or

      (e) The transaction or action occurred before the family trust company or licensed family trust company entered into a fiduciary relationship pursuant to a trust instrument.

      6.  A legal action by an interested person alleging that a transaction or action by a family trust company or licensed family trust company is voidable because of the existence of a conflict of interest must be commenced within 1 year after the date on which the interested person discovered, or by the exercise of due diligence should have discovered, the facts in support of his or her claim.

      7.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a family trust company or licensed family trust company is not required to obtain court approval for any transaction that otherwise complies with the provisions of this section.

      8.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, any transaction between a family trust company or a licensed family trust company and a beneficiary of a trust or the spouse or family member of a beneficiary shall not be presumed to be a conflict of interest or a violation of fiduciary duty.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1809; A 2015, 1211)

      NRS 669A.230  Investments.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, the assets forming the minimum capital of a licensed family trust company pursuant to NRS 669A.160 must:

      (a) Consist of:

             (1) Cash;

             (2) Governmental obligations or insured deposits that mature within 3 years after acquisition;

             (3) Readily marketable securities or other liquid, secure assets, bonds, sureties or insurance; or

             (4) Any combination thereof.

      (b) Have an aggregate market value that equals or exceeds 100 percent of the company’s required stockholders’ equity.

      2.  A licensed family trust company may purchase or rent real or personal property for use in the conduct of the business and other activities of the company.

      3.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 669A.225 and notwithstanding any other provisions of law to the contrary, a licensed family trust company may invest its funds for its own account, other than those required or permitted to be maintained by subsection 1 or 2, in any type or character of equity securities, debt securities or other asset provided the investment complies with the prudent investor standards set forth in NRS 164.700 to 164.775, inclusive.

      4.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 669A.225 and notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, a family trust company is authorized while acting as a fiduciary to purchase for the fiduciary estate, directly from underwriters or distributors or in the secondary market:

      (a) Bonds or other securities underwritten or distributed by the family trust company or an affiliate thereof or by a syndicate which includes the family trust company, provided that the family trust company discloses in any written communication or account statement reflecting the purchase of those bonds or securities the nature of the interest of the family trust company in the underwriting or distribution of those bonds and securities and whether the family trust company received any fee in connection with the purchase; and

      (b) Securities of any investment company for which the family trust company acts as advisor, custodian, distributor, manager, registrar, shareholder servicing agent, sponsor or transfer agent, or provided the family trust company discloses in any written communication or account statement reflecting the purchase of the securities the nature of the relationship and whether the family trust company received any fee for providing those services.

      5.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 669A.225, the authority granted in subsection 4 may be exercised only if:

      (a) The investment is not expressly prohibited by the instrument, judgment, decree or order establishing the fiduciary relationship;

      (b) The family trust company discloses in writing to the person or persons to whom it sends account statements its intent to exercise the authority granted in subsection 4 before the first exercise of that authority; and

      (c) The family trust company procures in writing the consent of its cofiduciaries with discretionary investment powers, if any, to the investment.

      6.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 669A.225, a family trust company may:

      (a) Invest in the securities of an investment company or investment trust, to which the family trust company or its affiliate provides services in a capacity other than as trustee. The investment is not presumed to be affected by a conflict between personal and fiduciary interests if the investment complies with the prudent investor standards set forth in NRS 164.700 to 164.775, inclusive.

      (b) Be compensated by an investment company or investment trust described in paragraph (a) for providing services in a capacity other than as trustee if the family trust company discloses at least annually to each person to whom it sends account statements the rate and method by which the compensation was determined.

      7.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 669A.225, nothing in subsections 4, 5 and 6 shall affect the degree of prudence which is required of fiduciaries under the laws of this State. Any bonds or securities purchased under authority of this section are not presumed to be affected by a conflict between the fiduciary’s personal and fiduciary interest if the purchase of the bonds or securities:

      (a) Is at a fair price;

      (b) Is in accordance with:

             (1) The interest of the beneficiaries; and

             (2) The purposes of the trusts; and

      (c) Complies with:

             (1) The prudent investor standards set forth in NRS 164.700 to 164.775, inclusive; and

             (2) The terms of the instrument, judgment, decree or order establishing the fiduciary relationship.

      8.  Except as otherwise provided in NRS 669A.225 and notwithstanding the provisions of subsections 4 to 7, inclusive, a family trust company which is authorized to exercise trust powers in this State and which is acting as a fiduciary shall not purchase for the fiduciary estate any fixed income or equity security issued by the family trust company or an affiliate thereof unless:

      (a) The family trust company is expressly authorized to do so by:

             (1) The terms of the instrument creating the trust;

             (2) A court order;

             (3) The written consent of the grantor of the trust; or

             (4) The written consent of every adult beneficiary of the trust who, at the time notice is provided pursuant to paragraph (b) of subsection 5, receives or is entitled to receive income under the trust or who would be entitled to receive a distribution of principal if the trust were terminated; or

      (b) The purchase of the security:

             (1) Is at a fair price; and

             (2) Complies with:

                   (I) The prudent investor standards set forth in NRS 164.700 to 164.775, inclusive; and

                   (II) The terms of the instrument, judgment, decree or order establishing the fiduciary relationship.

      9.  As used in this section:

      (a) “Face-amount certificate” has the meaning ascribed to it in 15 U.S.C. § 80a-2(a)(15).

      (b) “Government securities” has the meaning ascribed to it in 15 U.S.C. § 80a-2(a)(16).

      (c) “Investment company” means any issuer which:

             (1) Is or holds itself out as being engaged primarily, or proposes to engage primarily, in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities;

             (2) Is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of issuing face-amount certificates of the installment type, or has been engaged in such business and has any such certificate outstanding; or

             (3) Is engaged or proposes to engage in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities, and owns or proposes to acquire investment securities having a value exceeding 40 percent of the value of the total assets of the issuer, exclusive of government securities and cash items, on an unconsolidated basis.

      (d) “Issuer” has the meaning ascribed to it in 15 U.S.C. § 80a-2(a)(22).

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1142; A 2011, 1814)

      NRS 669A.233  Nonjudicial settlement agreements: Authority to enter; scope; judicial approval.

      1.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company and an interested person may enter into a nonjudicial settlement agreement with respect to any matter involving the management, administration or interpretation of a trust that is managed pursuant to this chapter.

      2.  A nonjudicial settlement agreement that is entered into pursuant to this section must not contain:

      (a) Terms that violate a material purpose of the trust; or

      (b) Terms or conditions that could not be approved by a court.

      3.  The matters that may be resolved by a nonjudicial settlement agreement which is entered into pursuant to this section include, without limitation:

      (a) Those pertaining to any transaction or action authorized pursuant to paragraphs (a) to (m), inclusive, of subsection 1 of NRS 669A.225;

      (b) The investment or use of trust assets;

      (c) The lending or borrowing of money;

      (d) The addition, deletion or modification of a term or condition of the trust;

      (e) The interpretation or construction of a term or condition of the trust;

      (f) The designation or transfer of the principal place of administration of the trust;

      (g) The approval of a report or accounting that is provided pursuant to NRS 669A.255;

      (h) Direction to a fiduciary to refrain from performing a particular act or the grant to a fiduciary of any necessary or desirable power;

      (i) The resignation or appointment of a fiduciary;

      (j) The liability of a fiduciary for an action related to the management of the trust; and

      (k) The termination of the trust.

      4.  After notice has been provided pursuant to NRS 669A.235, a family trust company or licensed family trust company or an interested person may petition a court to approve a nonjudicial settlement agreement, to determine whether the nonjudicial settlement agreement was accurately represented to each interested person or to determine whether the nonjudicial settlement agreement contains terms or conditions that the court could approve. A family trust company or licensed family trust company is not liable to an interested person for taking an action that is authorized by a nonjudicial settlement agreement which has been approved by a court.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1811)

      NRS 669A.235  Nonjudicial settlement agreements: Notice to necessary parties; objections; actions alleging fraud, bad faith or willful violation of terms of trust; limitation of liability.

      1.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company shall provide written notice by personal service or by certified mail to each interested person who is a necessary party to a nonjudicial settlement agreement entered into pursuant to NRS 669A.233. A family trust company or licensed family trust company is not required to provide notice to any interested person who has consented in writing to the nonjudicial settlement agreement.

      2.  The notice provided pursuant to this section must:

      (a) Be provided at least 15 days before the execution of the nonjudicial settlement agreement;

      (b) Include a true and correct copy of the nonjudicial settlement agreement;

      (c) State that the notice is provided pursuant to this section and NRS 669A.233;

      (d) State the name and mailing address of the family trust company or licensed family trust company;

      (e) State the date by which an objection to the nonjudicial settlement agreement must be made; and

      (f) State the date on which the nonjudicial settlement agreement is to be executed.

      3.  An interested person who receives notice pursuant to this section may object to any term or condition of, or any act that is authorized by, the nonjudicial settlement agreement by submitting his or her objection in writing to the family trust company or licensed family trust company within 1 year after the date on which the interested person received the notice. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, if an interested person does not object within 1 year after receiving notice, his or her objection is waived, and the interested person may not bring any action relating to the terms and conditions of, or any act taken pursuant to, the nonjudicial settlement agreement.

      4.  An interested person who objects within the period specified in subsection 3 may petition the court for an order to approve, disapprove, enforce or modify the nonjudicial settlement agreement. The burden is on the interested person to prove that the nonjudicial settlement agreement should be approved, disapproved, enforced or modified.

      5.  The provisions of subsection 3 do not prohibit an interested person who has received notice pursuant to this section and who fails to object to the nonjudicial settlement agreement within 1 year after receiving the notice from bringing an action alleging that the nonjudicial settlement agreement was procured fraudulently, or entered into by the family trust company or licensed family trust company in bad faith or in willful violation of the terms of the trust. A person who brings such an action has the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the nonjudicial settlement agreement was procured fraudulently, in bad faith or in willful violation of the terms of the trust.

      6.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, if no interested person who is entitled to receive notice pursuant to this section objects to the nonjudicial settlement agreement within 1 year after receiving the notice, a family trust company or licensed family trust company is not liable to any interested person for taking any action that is authorized by the nonjudicial settlement agreement.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1812)

      NRS 669A.237  Nonjudicial settlement agreements: Refraining from taking authorized action.

      1.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company may refrain from taking an action that is authorized by a nonjudicial settlement agreement if the family trust company or licensed family trust company determines in good faith that the action is not in the interest of the beneficiaries of the trust.

      2.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company that refrains from taking an action pursuant to subsection 1 shall provide written notice to each interested person within 15 days after its decision not to take the action and include in the notice the reasons for not taking the action.

      3.  An interested person who receives notice pursuant to subsection 2 may petition the court for an order requiring the family trust company or licensed family trust company to take the action authorized by the nonjudicial settlement agreement. The burden is on the beneficiary to prove that the proposed action is in the interest of the beneficiaries of the trust and should be taken.

      4.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company is not liable to an interested person for not taking an action that is authorized by a nonjudicial settlement agreement if the family trust company or licensed family trust company acted in good faith in not taking the action.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1813)

      NRS 669A.240  Discontinuing business.  Whenever a licensed family trust company desires to discontinue its business as a family trust company, it shall furnish to the Commissioner satisfactory evidence of its release and discharge from all the obligations and trusts which it has assumed or which have been imposed by law. Thereafter, the Commissioner shall enter an order cancelling the license of the family trust company.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1144)

      NRS 669A.250  Fidelity bonds; insurance.

      1.  The directors or managers of a licensed family trust company shall obtain fidelity bonds in such amounts as they shall determine on any active officers, managers, members acting in a managerial capacity and employees, whether or not they receive a salary or other compensation from the licensed family trust company, to indemnify the licensed family trust company against loss because of any dishonest, fraudulent or criminal act or omission by any of the persons bonded, acting alone or in combination with any other person. The bonds may be in any form and may be paid for by the licensed family trust company.

      2.  A licensed family trust company may also procure property and casualty insurance of a nature and with such coverage amounts as the licensed family trust company deems advisable.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1144)

      NRS 669A.255  Annual and final reports; allocation to income.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in subsection 4, a family trust company or licensed family trust company, while acting as the fiduciary of a trust, shall provide an annual report to each beneficiary who is entitled to an account under the terms of the trust or applicable law for each year of the existence of the trust until the trust is terminated, at which time the family trust company shall provide to each such beneficiary a final report. The annual report or final report may be in the form of a report as described in subsection 2 or 6, an account as provided in chapter 165 of NRS or any other law applicable to the trust. An annual report or final report provided pursuant to this section is deemed to be an account for the purposes of chapter 165 of NRS.

      2.  A report that is provided pursuant to this section must, for the year immediately preceding the report, provide an accounting of:

      (a) Each asset and liability of the trust and its current market value or amount, if known;

      (b) Each disbursement of income or principal, including the amount of the disbursement and to whom the disbursement was made;

      (c) All payments of compensation from any source to the family trust company or licensed family trust company or any other person for services rendered; and

      (d) Any other transaction involving an asset of the trust.

      3.  A beneficiary who is entitled to a report pursuant to this section may waive his or her right to the report by submitting a written waiver to the family trust company or licensed family trust company. Any beneficiary who waives his or her right to a report may withdraw the waiver by submitting to the family trust company or licensed family trust company a written request for a report.

      4.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company is not required to provide a report pursuant to this section if the terms of the trust provide otherwise.

      5.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company may require a beneficiary who is entitled to receive confidential information pursuant to this section to execute a confidentiality agreement before providing the person with any confidential information.

      6.  In lieu of the information that a trustee is required to provide to a beneficiary pursuant to subsection 2, a trustee may provide to a beneficiary a statement indicating the accounting period and a financial report of the trust which is prepared by a certified public accountant and which summarizes the information required by paragraphs (a) to (d), inclusive, of subsection 2. Upon request, the trustee shall make all the information used in the preparation of the annual or final report available to each beneficiary who was provided a copy of the financial report pursuant to this subsection.

      7.  For the purposes of this chapter, information provided by a trustee to a beneficiary pursuant to subsection 6 is deemed an annual report.

      8.  A trustee may provide an annual report to a beneficiary via electronic mail or through a secure Internet website.

      9.  Notwithstanding the provisions of any other law to the contrary, any beneficiary of a trust administered by a family trust company or licensed family trust company not otherwise entitled to receive an account or annual report under the terms of the trust or applicable law shall have no right to demand an account or annual report of the trust.

      10.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company acting as trustee shall allocate to income the portion of compensation to the trustee and any person providing investment or custodial services to the trustee as determined by the family trust company or licensed family trust company, except as otherwise provided in:

      (a) NRS 164.800;

      (b) The trust;

      (c) A court order;

      (d) A nonjudicial settlement agreement; or

      (e) A notice of proposed action.

      (Added to NRS by 2011, 1813; A 2015, 1213)

      NRS 669A.256  Sealing of trust documents.

      1.  In any court proceeding relating to a trust or estate, the family trust company, licensed family trust company, other fiduciary of the trust, settlor or any beneficiary, may petition the court to order the following trust documents to be sealed:

      (a) Any trust instruments;

      (b) Any inventories;

      (c) Any accounts;

      (d) Any statements filed by a fiduciary;

      (e) Any annual reports of a fiduciary;

      (f) Any final reports of a fiduciary;

      (g) All petitions, exhibits, objections, pleadings and motions relevant to the trust or its administration; and

      (h) All court orders.

      2.  Any documents sealed by a court pursuant to subsection 1 may not be made part of the public record but are available to the court, any fiduciary of the trust, the beneficiaries or settlor of the trust or their attorneys, and to other interested parties as the court may order upon a showing of good cause.

      (Added to NRS by 2015, 1209)

      NRS 669A.257  Privileged communications; applicability of attorney-client relationship.

      1.  Any communication between an attorney and a family trust company or licensed family trust company acting as a fiduciary is privileged and protected from disclosure to the same extent as if the client were acting in his or her individual capacity.

      2.  The privilege is not waived by:

      (a) A fiduciary relationship between the family trust company or licensed family trust company and a beneficiary of a trust; or

      (b) The use of trust property to compensate the attorney for legal services rendered to the family trust company or licensed family trust company as a fiduciary.

      3.  The attorney-client relationship between an attorney and a family trust company or licensed family trust company acting as a fiduciary shall not extend to a successor fiduciary to the family trust company or licensed family trust company.

      4.  A family trust company or licensed family trust company acting as a fiduciary and its successor fiduciary may, pursuant to an agreement, share privileged communications relating to the trust or estate. The disclosure of privileged communications under the agreement does not waive the disclosing party’s privilege. Unless otherwise specified in the agreement, privileged communications disclosed under the agreement shall not be disclosed to a third party without the disclosing party’s consent.

      5.  This section does not abridge, limit, impair, create, enlarge or otherwise affect the law governing exceptions to the attorney-client privilege relative to a claimant through the same deceased person.

      (Added to NRS by 2015, 1209)

EXAMINATION; REGULATION

      NRS 669A.260  Fees for examination.

      1.  The Commissioner may examine the books and records of a licensed family trust company. For each examination of the books and records of a licensed family trust company as authorized under this chapter, the Commissioner shall charge and collect from the licensed family trust company a fee for conducting the examination and in preparing, typing and copying the report of the examination at the rate established and, if applicable, adjusted pursuant to NRS 658.101.

      2.  All money collected under this section must be deposited in the State Treasury pursuant to the provisions of NRS 658.091.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1145; A 2017, 398)

      NRS 669A.270  Regulations of Commissioner; determination of organization as family trust company.

      1.  The Commissioner may adopt such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and provisions of this chapter.

      2.  The Commissioner may issue rules, orders, approvals, declaratory rulings or interpretations which determine, in individual circumstances or circumstances of more general applicability, whether an existing or proposed family trust company meets, or family trust companies within such circumstances of more general applicability would meet, the definition of a family trust company. Any person applying for such a determination shall pay an application fee to the Division of Financial Institutions upon submittal of that application for a determination in such amount as the Commissioner shall prescribe.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1145)

DISCIPLINARY ACTION AND REMEDIAL ACTION

      NRS 669A.280  Authority of Commissioner to revoke license.

      1.  The violation of any of the provisions of this chapter by the officers or directors, or the managers or members acting in a managerial capacity, of any licensed family trust company is sufficient cause for the Commissioner to revoke the license of the family trust company.

      2.  If a licensed family trust company or any person authorized to act on behalf of the family trust company refuses to allow the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s deputies to inspect all books, records, papers and effects of the business of the family trust company, the Commissioner may revoke the license of the licensed family trust company.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1145)

UNLAWFUL ACTS; PENALTIES

      NRS 669A.290  Failure to submit required report; fees; regulations.

      1.  If a licensed family trust company fails to submit within the prescribed period any report required pursuant to this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant thereto, the Commissioner may impose and collect a fee of not more than $25 for each day the report is overdue.

      2.  The Commissioner shall adopt regulations establishing the amount of the fee that may be imposed pursuant to this section.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1145)

      NRS 669A.300  Willful neglect to perform duties imposed by law or failure to conform to material lawful requirement made by Commissioner; removal.  Each officer, director, manager, member, employee or agent of a licensed family trust company who, following written notice from the Commissioner sent by certified mail, knowingly or willfully:

      1.  Neglects to perform any duty required by this chapter or other applicable law; or

      2.  Fails to conform to any material lawful requirement made by the Commissioner,

Ê is subject to removal upon order of the Commissioner.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1145)

      NRS 669A.310  Confidentiality of certain records and documents; authority of Commissioner to use discretion in determining disclosure.

      1.  Except as otherwise provided in this section, any application and personal or financial records submitted by a person pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, any personal or financial records or other documents obtained by the Division of Financial Institutions pursuant to an examination or audit conducted by the Division pursuant to this chapter and any other private information relating to a family trust company are confidential and may be disclosed only to:

      (a) The Division, any authorized employee of the Division and a state or federal agency investigating activities regulated pursuant to this chapter;

      (b) The Department of Taxation for its use in carrying out the provisions of chapter 363C of NRS; and

      (c) Any other person if the Commissioner, in the Commissioner’s discretion, determines that the interests of the public in disclosing the information outweigh the interests of the person about whom the information pertains in not disclosing the information.

      2.  The Commissioner shall give to the family trust company to which the information relates 10-days’ prior written notice of intent to disclose confidential information directly or indirectly to a person pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection 1. Any family trust company which receives such a notice may object to the disclosure of the confidential information and will be afforded the right to a hearing in accordance with the provisions of chapter 233B of NRS. If a family trust company requests a hearing, the Commissioner may not reveal confidential information prior to the conclusion of the hearing and a ruling. Prior to dissemination of any confidential information, the Commissioner shall require a written agreement not to reveal the confidential information by the party receiving the confidential information. In no event shall the Commissioner disclose confidential information to the general public, any competitor or any potential competitor of a family trust company.

      3.  Nothing in this chapter is intended to preclude a law enforcement officer from gaining access to otherwise confidential records by subpoena, court order, search warrant or other lawful means. Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the Commissioner shall have the ability to share information with other out of state or federal regulators with whom the Department of Business and Industry has an agreement regarding the sharing of information. Nothing in this chapter is intended to preclude any agency of this State from gaining access to otherwise confidential records in accordance with any applicable law.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1145; A 2015, 2947)

      NRS 669A.320  Administrative fines.  In addition to any other remedy or penalty, the Commissioner may impose an administrative fine of not more than $10,000 upon a person who:

      1.  Without a license, conducts any business or activity for which a license is required pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; or

      2.  Violates any provision of this chapter or any regulation adopted pursuant thereto.

      (Added to NRS by 2009, 1146)