571—15.5(483A) Electronic license sales.
	15.5(1) Designation as license agent. The director may designate a retail business establishment, an office of a governmental entity, or a nonprofit corporation as an agent of electronically issued licenses in accordance with the provisions of this rule.
	15.5(2) Application. Application forms to sell electronically issued licenses may be secured by a written or in-person request to the Licensing Section, Department of Natural Resources, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034. The following information must be provided on the application form:
	a. 	The legal name, address, and telephone number of the entity applying for designation;
	b. 	The hours open for business and general service to the public;
	c. 	A brief statement of the nature of the business or service provided by the applicant;
	d. 	Type of Internet connection (dial up or high speed) used for accessing the electronic licensing system; and
	e. 	A signature by an owner, partner, authorized corporate official, or public official of the entity applying for designation.
	15.5(3) Application review.
	a. 	The department shall approve or deny the application to sell electronically issued licenses based upon the following criteria:
	(1)	The need for a license agent in the area;
	(2)	The hours open for business or general service to the public;
	(3)	The potential volume of license sales;
	(4)	The apparent financial stability and longevity of the applicant;
	(5)	The number of point-of-sale (POS) terminals available to the department; and
	(6)	Type of Internet connection (dial up or high speed) used for accessing the electronic licensing system.
	b. 	If necessary, the department may utilize a waiting list for license agent designation. The order of priority for the waiting list will be determined by the time of submittal of a complete and correct application and receipt of the required security deposit, as outlined in the application.
	15.5(4) Issuance of electronic licensing equipment. Upon the director’s approval of an application under this rule and designation of a license agent for electronic license sales, the equipment necessary to conduct such sales will be issued to the license agent by the department subject to the following terms and conditions:
	a. 	Prior to the issuance of the electronic licensing equipment, the approved license agent shall furnish to the department an equipment security deposit in an amount to be determined by the department.
	b. 	Prior to the issuance of the electronic licensing equipment, the approved license agent shall enter into an electronic license sales agreement with the department which sets forth the terms and conditions of such sales, including the authorized amounts to be retained by the license agent.
	c. 	Prior to the issuance of the electronic licensing equipment, the approved license agent shall furnish to the department a signed authorization agreement for electronic funds transfer pursuant to subrule 15.5(5).
	d. 	Electronic licensing equipment and supplies must be stored in a manner to provide protection from damage, theft, and unauthorized access. Any damage to or loss of equipment or loss of moneys derived from license sales is the responsibility of the license agent.
	e. 	Upon termination of the agreement by either party, all equipment and supplies, as outlined in the agreement, must be returned to the department. Failure to return equipment and supplies in a usable condition, excluding normal wear and tear, will result in the forfeiture of deposit in addition to any other remedies available to the department by law.
	15.5(5) License fees. All moneys received from the sale of licenses, less and except the agreed-upon service fee, must be immediately deposited and held in trust for the department.
	a. 	All license agents must furnish to the department a signed authorization agreement for electronic funds transfer authorizing access by the department to a bank account for electronic transfer of license fees received by the license agent.
	b. 	The amount of money due for accumulated sales will be drawn electronically by the department on a weekly basis. The license agent shall be given notice of the amount to be withdrawn at least two business days before the actual transfer of funds occurs. The license agent is responsible for ensuring that enough money is in the account to cover the amount due.
	c. 	License agents may accept or decline payment in any manner other than cash, such as personal checks or credit cards, at their discretion. Checks or credit payments must be made payable to the license agent, not to the department. The license agent shall be responsible for ensuring that the license fee is deposited in the electronic transfer account, regardless of the payment or nonpayment status of any check accepted by the license agent.
	15.5(6) Termination. Upon the termination of the electronic license sales agreement pursuant to subrule 15.5(7) or 15.5(8), the department may disconnect or otherwise block the license agent’s access to the electronic licensing system.
	15.5(7) Equipment shut down and termination. The department reserves the right to disconnect the license agent’s access to the electronic licensing system or terminate the license agent’s electronic license sales agreement for cause. Cause shall include, but is not limited to, the following:
	a. 	Failing to deposit license fees into the electronic transfer account in a sum sufficient to cover the amount due for accumulated sales;
	b. 	Charging or collecting any fees in excess of those authorized by law;
	c. 	Discriminating in the sale of a license in violation of state or federal law;
	d. 	Knowingly making a false entry concerning any license sold or knowingly issuing a license to a person who is not eligible for the license issued;
	e. 	Using license sale proceeds, other than the service fee, for personal or business purposes;
	f. 	Disconnecting or blocking access to the electronic licensing system for a period of 30 days or more; or
	g. 	Violating any of these rules or the terms of the electronic license sales agreement. Repeated violations of these rules may result in termination of the license agent’s electronic license sales agreement.
	15.5(8) Voluntary termination. A license agent may terminate its designation and the electronic license sales agreement at its discretion by providing written notice to the department. Voluntary termination shall become effective 30 days after the department’s receipt of notice.
[ARC 7893C, IAB 5/1/24, effective 6/5/24]