(a) For the purpose of discovering violations of this division or securing information required by the commissioner in the administration and enforcement of this division, the commissioner may at any time, but not less than once every two years, investigate the business of deferred deposits, and examine the books, accounts, records, and files used in the business of deferred deposit transactions, of every person engaged in the business of deferred deposit transactions, whether the person acts or claims to act as a principal or an agent, or under or without the authority of this division. For the purpose of examination, the commissioner and the commissioner’s representatives shall have free access to the offices and places of business, books, accounts, papers, records, files, safes, and vaults of all these persons.
(b) The cost of each examination of a licensee or a person subject to this division shall be paid to the commissioner by the licensee or person examined, and the commissioner may maintain an action for the recovery of the cost in any court of competent jurisdiction. In determining the cost of an examination, the commissioner may use the estimated average hourly cost for all persons performing examinations of licensees or other persons subject to this division for the fiscal year.
(Added by Stats. 2002, Ch. 777, Sec. 10. Effective January 1, 2003. Section operative on December 31, 2004, or sooner, pursuant to Section 23104.)