Mississippi Enacts Legislation Revising SAFE Act Implementation

The Mississippi legislature recently enacted legislation (H.B. 223) amending Mississippi’s Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act) compliance legislation. The bill generally amends certain definitions and exemptions, as well as changes the licensing process. Most notably, H.B. 223 amends the definition of “mortgage loan originator” to include individuals who take residential mortgage loan applications or (rather than and) who offer or negotiate terms of a residential mortgage loan. The bill adds definitions for “taking an application for a residential mortgage loan” and “offering or negotiating a residential mortgage loan.” Furthermore, the bill exempts from the SAFE Act compliance legislation institutions regulated by the Farm Credit Administration, certain licensed lenders, and certain mortgage loan servicers.