CHAPTER 222. TEXAS MEMBERSHIP CAMPING RESORT ACT
PROPERTY CODE
TITLE 12. MISCELLANEOUS SHARED REAL PROPERTY INTERESTS
CHAPTER 222. TEXAS MEMBERSHIP CAMPING RESORT ACT
Sec. 222.001. SHORT TITLE. This chapter may be cited as the
Texas Membership Camping Resort Act.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.
Sec. 222.002. APPLICATION OF CHAPTER. (a) This chapter applies
to all membership camping resorts located in this state.
(b) Sections 222.003-222.013 also apply to membership camping
resorts located outside this state but offered for sale in this
state.
(c) This chapter does not affect a membership camping contract
made before August 31, 1987.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.
Sec. 222.003. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Advertising" means a direct or indirect solicitation or
inducement to purchase and includes but is not necessarily
limited to a solicitation or inducement made by print or
electronic media, through the mail, or by personal contact.
(2) "Amenities" means all common areas of real property occupied
by a membership camping resort and includes but is not
necessarily limited to camping sites, swimming pools, stables,
tennis courts, recreation buildings, restrooms and showers,
laundry rooms, trading posts, grocery stores, and maintenance
facilities.
(3) "Blanket encumbrance" means a mortgage, deed of trust,
option to purchase, or vendor's lien, an interest obtained under
a contract or agreement of sale, or other financing lien or
encumbrance granted by an operator that secures or evidences the
obligation to pay money or to sell or convey any campgrounds
located in this state that are made available to purchasers by
the operator, and that authorizes, permits, or requires the
foreclosure or other disposition of the affected campground.
(4) "Business day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday,
or federal holiday.
(5) "Camping site" means a space designed and promoted for the
purpose of locating a trailer, tent, tent trailer, pickup camper,
recreational vehicle, or similar device designed for camping.
(6) "Dispose" or "disposition" means a voluntary transfer of any
membership interest or membership right but does not include the
transfer or release of a real estate lien or of a security
interest.
(7) "Home resort" means the camping resort to which the
purchaser has purchased a right of membership. The term does not
include a resort that a purchaser may use as a result of a
reciprocal program among operators.
(8) "Membership camping contract" means an agreement under which
a purchaser pays for or becomes obligated to pay for a membership
interest or membership right in a membership camping resort.
(9) "Membership camping contract broker" means a person who
resells a membership camping contract to a new purchaser on
behalf of the former purchaser. The term does not include a
membership camping operator or that person's agent.
(10) "Membership camping resort disclosure statement" means a
written statement that includes the information that is required
by Section 222.006(b).
(11) "Membership camping resort" means real property owned or
operated by a membership camping operator that is available for
camping by purchasers of a membership right.
(12) "Membership interest" means a membership camping resort
estate.
(13) "Membership right" means a license, contract right, or
other right entitling a purchaser to use camping sites or
amenities at a membership camping resort.
(14) "Offering" or "offer" means any advertisement, inducement,
or solicitation and includes but is not necessarily limited to
any attempt to encourage a person to purchase a membership
interest or membership right.
(15) "Operator" means a person who owns or provides a camping
site or an amenity to a purchaser. The term does not include:
(A) a person who owns or otherwise provides a mobile home park
or a camping or recreational trailer park open to the general
public with camping sites that are rented on a fee for use basis
and who does not solicit purchases of membership camping
contracts; or
(B) an outdoor service, facility, enterprise, or park that is
owned or operated by or under the control of the United States,
this state, or a political subdivision of this state.
(16) "Promotion" means any program or activity that is used to
induce any person to attend a membership camping resort sales
presentation.
(17) "Promotional disclosure statement" means a written
statement that includes the information required by Section
222.006(a).
(18) "Purchaser" means a person, other than an operator, seller,
or broker, who by means of voluntary transfer acquires a
membership interest or membership right in a membership camping
resort other than as security for an obligation.
(19) "Reciprocal company" means any person, including an
operator, who operates a reciprocal program.
(20) "Reciprocal program disclosure statement" means a written
statement that includes the information required by Section
222.006(c).
(21) "Reciprocal program" means any program under which the
purchaser of a membership interest or membership right in a
membership camping resort may use the facilities of a membership
camping resort other than those of the purchaser's home resort.
(22) "Seller" means a person, including an operator, who in the
ordinary course of business offers a membership interest or
membership right for sale to the public but does not include a
person who acquires a membership interest or membership right for
his use and subsequently offers it for resale.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1039, Sec. 3.20,
eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Sec. 222.004. REGISTRATION; ADMINISTRATION. (a) A person may
not offer or dispose of a membership interest or membership right
under a membership camping contract in this state unless the
operator is registered with the secretary of state. If an
operator also sells membership camping contracts, that operator
must also comply with the registration requirements for
membership camping contract brokers imposed by Section 222.005.
(b) A registration filed under this section must be on a form
prescribed by the secretary of state and must include, to the
extent applicable, the following information:
(1) the operator's name, address, and the organizational form of
the operator's business, including the date and jurisdiction
under which the business was organized, the name and address of
each of its officers in this state, and the name and address of
each membership camping resort located in this state that is
owned or operated in whole or in part by the operator;
(2) a list of all owners of 10 percent or more of the capital
stock of the operator's business if the operator is not required
to report under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C.
Sec. 78a et seq.);
(3) a brief description and certified copy of the instrument
creating the operator's ownership of or other right to use the
membership camping resort and the amenities that are to be
available for use by purchasers, together with a copy of any
lease, license, franchise, reciprocal agreement, or other
agreement entitling the operator to use the membership camping
resort and the amenities, and any material provision of the
agreement that restricts a purchaser's use of the membership
camping resort or the amenities;
(4) a sample copy of each instrument to be delivered to a
purchaser to evidence the purchaser's membership in the
membership camping resort and a sample copy of each agreement
that a purchaser is required to execute;
(5) financial statements of the operator for the most recent
fiscal quarter;
(6) a narrative description of the promotional plan for the
offering of membership interests or membership rights;
(7) a copy of any agreement between the operator and any person
owning, controlling, or managing the membership camping resort;
(8) a complete list of the locations and addresses of any sales
offices located in this state;
(9) the names of any other states or foreign countries in which
a registration of the operator or the membership camping contract
has been filed;
(10) complete information concerning any adverse order,
judgment, or decree entered by any court or administrative agency
in connection with a membership camping resort operated by the
operator or in which the operator had an interest at the time of
the order, judgment, or decree;
(11) a description of any blanket encumbrance on the membership
camping resort; and
(12) a membership camping resort disclosure statement and any
required reciprocal program disclosure statement required by
Section 222.006.
(c) The registration must be signed by the operator, by an
officer or general partner of the operator, or by another person
who holds a power of attorney for this purpose from the operator.
If the registration is signed under a power of attorney, a copy
of the power of attorney must be included with the registration.
The registration must be submitted with the registration fee set
by the secretary of state pursuant to Section 222.010.
(d) The operator shall promptly file amendments to the
registration reporting to the secretary of state any material and
adverse change in any document contained in such registration.
For the purposes of this subsection, a material and adverse
change includes any change that significantly reduces or
terminates either the applicant's or a purchaser's right to use
the membership camping resort or any of the amenities described
by the membership camping contract but does not include minor
changes covering the use of the membership camping resort, its
amenities, or any reciprocal program.
(e) The secretary of state shall investigate all matters
relating to the registration and may in his discretion require a
personal inspection of the proposed membership camping resort by
any persons designated by him.
(f) The secretary of state may prescribe and publish forms
necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The
secretary of state may not approve or disapprove any
registration, and an operator may not represent to any person
that the secretary of state endorses or approves the membership
camping resort or membership camping contract.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1039, Sec. 3.21,
eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Sec. 222.005. REGISTRATION OF SELLERS AND MEMBERSHIP CAMPING
CONTRACT BROKERS. (a) A person may not offer a membership
interest or membership right in a membership camping resort or
resell membership camping contracts in this state unless the
person is registered with the secretary of state. Each
application for registration as a seller or membership camping
contract broker must be in writing and must be signed by the
applicant.
(b) The application must state:
(1) the name and address of the applicant;
(2) the name and place of business of the applicant's employer,
if any;
(3) whether the applicant has been convicted of a felony or a
misdemeanor involving moral turpitude and if so, the nature of
the felony, where and when it was committed, and the disposition
of the conviction; and
(4) whether the applicant has been refused a real estate
broker's or salesman's license or any other occupational license
in this or any other state or whether the applicant's license as
a real estate broker or salesman in this or any other state has
been revoked or suspended.
(c) The secretary of state may require any additional
information that is reasonably necessary to determine the good
moral character of an applicant for registration.
(d) Each application for registration as a seller or membership
camping contract broker must be accompanied by the required
registration fee set by the secretary of state pursuant to
Section 222.010.
(e) The secretary of state may prescribe and publish forms to
carry out the provisions of this section.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1039, Sec. 3.22,
eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Sec. 222.006. DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS. (a) Before or at the time
of the use of any promotion in connection with the offering of a
membership interest or membership right in a membership camping
resort, the person who intends to use the promotion shall include
the following information in its advertisements to the
prospective purchaser:
(1) a statement to the effect that the promotion is intended to
solicit purchasers of membership interests or membership rights
in a membership camping resort;
(2) the full name of the operator and seller of the membership
interest or membership right in the membership camping resort;
(3) if applicable, the full name and address of any marketing
company involved in the promotion of the membership camping
resort;
(4) the complete rules of the promotion;
(5) the method of awarding, the odds of winning, and the
approximate retail value of prizes, gifts, or other benefits
under the promotion and the date by which each prize, gift, or
other benefit will be awarded or conferred;
(6) any restrictions, qualifications, or other conditions that
the recipient must satisfy before the recipient is entitled to
receive a prize, gift, or other benefit, including:
(A) any deadline by which the recipient must visit the
membership camping resort, attend the sales presentation, or
contact a seller in order to receive the prize, gift, or other
benefit;
(B) the date on which the offer expires; and
(C) any other conditions, including minimum age qualifications,
financial qualifications, or a requirement that if the recipient
is married both husband and wife must be present in order to
receive the prize, gift, or other benefit;
(7) if applicable, a statement that the operator or seller
reserves the right to provide a certificate with which to redeem
or claim the prize, gift, or other benefit awarded and that the
prize, gift, or other benefit shall be shipped or delivered to
the recipient within 30 days following the mailing of the
certificate; and
(8) if applicable, a statement that the operator or seller
reserves the right to substitute a prize, gift, or other benefit
of equal value for the prize, gift, or other benefit awarded if
the item is not available to the operator or seller after the
purchaser or prospect has complied with the provisions of the
promotion.
(b) Before or at the time of the signing of any agreement or
membership camping contract to acquire a membership interest or
membership right in a membership camping resort, the operator
shall provide a membership camping resort disclosure statement to
the prospective purchaser and shall obtain from the purchaser a
written acknowledgement of receipt of the membership camping
resort disclosure statement. The membership camping resort
disclosure statement must include:
(1) the name and address of the operator and the name and
specific location of the membership camping resort;
(2) a description of the amenities, membership camping resort,
and any project or development within which the membership
camping resort is located or of which it is a part. The
disclosure statement must also state the total number of camping
sites in the membership camping resort and whether and under what
circumstances that number may be increased or decreased; if a
membership interest or membership right includes amenities not
yet in existence, the disclosure statement must provide the
approximate commencement and completion schedule of those
proposed amenities;
(3) a description of the membership interests and membership
rights currently available for disposition;
(4) a statement that a council of purchasers exists or is
expected to be created or that such a council does not exist and
is not expected to be created; if such a council exists or is
reasonably contemplated, the disclosure statement must contain a
description of its powers and responsibilities;
(5) the name and principal address of the managing entity;
(6) a description and amount of any current or expected dues,
assessments, fees, taxes, or charges to be paid by purchasers for
the use of amenities or for any other purpose;
(7) a description and amount of insurance coverage provided for
the protection of the purchaser; and
(8) a statement that any deposit made in connection with the
purchase of a membership interest or membership right will be
held until expiration of any right to cancel the contract or any
later time specified in the contract and will be returned to the
purchaser if he elects to exercise his right of cancellation.
(c) Before or at the time of the signing of any agreement or
membership camping contract in which a prospective purchaser is
also offered participation in a reciprocal program, the operator
shall also deliver to the prospective purchaser the reciprocal
program disclosure statement of the reciprocal company whose
reciprocal program is advertised or offered by the operator or
seller in connection with the disposition. If participation in a
reciprocal program is offered for the first time after a
disposition has occurred, any person offering the participation
shall also deliver a reciprocal program disclosure statement to
the purchaser before the execution by the purchaser of any
instrument relating to participation in the reciprocal program.
In all cases, the person offering the participation shall obtain
from the purchaser a written acknowledgement of receipt of the
reciprocal program disclosure statement. The reciprocal program
disclosure statement must include the following information:
(1) the name and address of the reciprocal company;
(2) if the reciprocal company is not the operator, a statement
describing the legal relationship, if any, between the reciprocal
company and the operator;
(3) a statement that the reciprocal program might terminate or
become unavailable;
(4) whether membership or participation, or both, in the
reciprocal program is voluntary or mandatory;
(5) a complete description of the required procedure for using
the reciprocal program;
(6) the fee required for membership or participation, or both,
in the reciprocal program and whether the fee is subject to
change;
(7) a statement to the effect that participation in the
reciprocal program is conditioned on compliance with the terms of
a contract between the reciprocal company and the purchaser; and
(8) a statement in conspicuous and bold-faced print to the
effect that all reciprocal campgrounds are arranged on a
space-available basis and that neither the operator nor the
reciprocal company guarantees that a particular reciprocal
campground can be used.
(d) A disclosure statement need not be delivered in the case of:
(1) a gratuitous disposition of a membership interest or
membership right;
(2) a disposition pursuant to a court order;
(3) a disposition by a governmental agency;
(4) a disposition by foreclosure or deed in lieu of foreclosure;
(5) a disposition that may be canceled by the purchaser without
penalty at any time and for any reason;
(6) a disposition of a membership interest or membership right
in a membership camping resort situated wholly outside this state
under a contract executed wholly outside this state, if there has
been no offering to the purchaser within this state;
(7) a disposition of a membership interest or membership right
to a purchaser who is not a resident of this state under a
contract executed wholly outside this state, if there has been no
offering to the purchaser within this state; or
(8) the redisposition of a membership interest or membership
right by a purchaser who acquired the interest or right for his
personal use.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.
Sec. 222.007. CONTRACT. (a) Each sale of a membership interest
or membership right in a membership camping resort must be
evidenced by a membership camping contract written in the
language principally used in any promotional presentation made to
the purchaser. The seller must give the purchaser a copy of the
contract at the time it is signed.
(b) Each contract must contain the following:
(1) the name and address of the operator and the seller and the
location of the membership camping resort;
(2) the signature of the operator or seller;
(3) the signature of the purchaser;
(4) the date on which the purchaser signs the contract;
(5) the name of the person who closed the transaction described
in the membership camping contract;
(6) a brief description of the nature of the purchaser's
interest in and right or license to use the membership camping
resort;
(7) a summary or copy of the rules, restrictions, or covenants
regulating the purchaser's use of the operator's properties,
including a statement of whether and how the rules, restrictions,
or covenants may be changed;
(8) any restraints on the transfer of the membership camping
contract;
(9) any grounds for forfeiture of a purchaser's membership
camping contract;
(10) if applicable, a statement of the purchaser's right to
cancel the membership camping contract as provided by Section
222.008(c);
(11) a statement of whether the purchaser visited the location
of the membership camping resort before signing the contract; and
(12) if applicable, a statement by the seller that if the
purchaser timely exercises any right of cancellation under the
contract, all payments made by the purchaser to the seller in
connection with the contract shall be returned to the purchaser
before the 21st day after the seller receives notice of
cancellation as required under Section 222.008.
(c) The contract must also contain a brief description of the
existing amenities available for use by purchasers at the home
resort and of any proposed amenities or amenities not yet
complete or fully functional.
(d) The contract must also contain a brief statement of the
operator's ownership of or other right to use the camping
properties represented to be available for use by purchasers,
together with the duration of any lease, license, franchise, or
reciprocal program entitling the operator to use the property,
and material provisions of any agreements that restrict a
purchaser's use of the property.
(e) The contract must be revised annually to include any changes
to the information required by this section, if applicable.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.
Sec. 222.008. PURCHASER'S RIGHT TO CANCEL. (a) A purchaser may
cancel a membership camping contract to purchase a membership
interest or membership right before the fourth business day after
the contract is executed if the purchaser did not visit the
location of the membership camping resort being offered for sale
before the contract was signed. A purchaser may not waive his
right of cancellation under this section. A contract containing a
waiver is voidable by the purchaser.
(b) If a purchaser elects to cancel a membership camping
contract under Subsection (a), he may do so by hand delivering
notice of cancellation to the seller or by mailing notice by
prepaid United States mail to the seller or to the seller's agent
for service of process. Cancellation is without penalty, and all
payments made by the purchaser before cancellation must be
refunded before the 21st day after the date on which the seller
receives notice of cancellation.
(c) If applicable, immediately before the space reserved in the
contract for the signature of the purchaser, in bold-faced and
conspicuous type or print that is larger than the type of print
in the remaining text of the contract, substantially the
following statement must appear:
"If you have not visited the location of the membership camping
resort in which you are acquiring an interest or membership
right, you may cancel this contract without penalty or obligation
before the fourth business day after the date on which you signed
this contract. If you decide to cancel this contract, you may do
so by hand delivering notice of cancellation to the seller or by
mailing notice by prepaid United States mail to the seller or the
seller's agent for service of process. Your notice of
cancellation is effective on the date sent or delivered to (name
of seller) at (address of seller). A purchaser should not rely on
statements other than those included in this contract and the
disclosure statement."
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.
Sec. 222.009. RECIPROCAL PROGRAM. An operator does not incur
any liability arising out of use, delivery, or publication by the
operator to the purchaser of written information or audio-visual
materials provided to it by the reciprocal company pursuant to
Section 222.006; provided, however, that an operator is subject
to liability arising out of the use, delivery, or publication to
the purchaser of materials provided by the reciprocal company if
the operator knows that the materials are inaccurate or false.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.
Sec. 222.010. FEES. (a) The secretary of state shall set all
fees imposed by this chapter in amounts reasonable and necessary
to cover the costs of administering this chapter.
(b) The secretary of state shall deposit all fees received under
this chapter in the state treasury to the credit of a special
fund to be used in the administration of this chapter.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1039, Sec. 3.23,
eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Sec. 222.011. VIOLATIONS. (a) A person commits a false,
misleading, or deceptive act or practice within the meaning of
Subsections (a) and (b), Section 17.46, Deceptive Trade
Practices-Consumer Protection Act (Section 17.46, Business &
Commerce Code), by engaging in any of the following acts:
(1) failing to disclose information concerning a membership
interest or membership right required by Section 222.006;
(2) failing to provide a purchaser with a copy of the membership
camping contract and any other document signed by the purchaser
or the operator in connection with the purchase of a membership
interest or membership right;
(3) making false or misleading statements of a material nature
concerning camping sites or amenities available to the purchaser;
(4) predicting specific or immediate increases in the value of a
membership interest or membership right without a reasonable
basis for such predictions;
(5) making false or misleading statements of a material nature
concerning the conditions under which a purchaser of a membership
interest or membership right may use or occupy other membership
camping resort camping sites or amenities;
(6) representing that a prize, gift, or other benefit will be
awarded in connection with a promotion with intent not to award
that prize, gift, or other benefit;
(7) representing that registration with the secretary of state
under Section 222.004 constitutes approval or endorsement by the
secretary of state of the operator, the membership camping
contract, or the membership camping resort;
(8) offering or disposing of a membership interest or membership
right under a membership camping contract without having complied
with the registration requirements under Section 222.004; and
(9) offering for sale a membership interest or membership right
in a membership camping resort without having complied with the
registration requirements under Section 222.005.
(b) The provisions of this section are not exclusive and are in
addition to provisions provided for in any other law.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989. Amended by Acts 1989, 71st Leg. ch. 1039, Sec. 3.24,
eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Sec. 222.012. INSURANCE. Before the disposition of any
membership interest or membership right in a membership camping
resort, the operator shall maintain the following insurance with
respect to the membership camping resort:
(1) property insurance on any personal property for use by
purchasers, other than personal property separately owned by a
purchaser, insuring against all risks of direct physical loss
commonly insured against in a total amount, after application of
deductibles, of the insurable value of the personal property of
the membership camping resort; and
(2) liability insurance covering all occurrences commonly
insured against for death, bodily injury, and property damage
arising out of or in connection with the use, ownership, and
maintenance of the membership camping resort.
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.
Sec. 222.013. EXEMPT FROM SECURITIES ACT. The filing of a
registration under this chapter exempts the sale of a membership
interest or membership right in a membership camping resort
subject to this chapter from registration under The Securities
Act (Article 581-1 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 2, Sec. 13.03(d), eff. Aug.
28, 1989.