2003-2004 Bill 5002: Captive Insurance Companies - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly

115th Session, 2003-2004

A291, R434, H5002

STATUS INFORMATION

General Bill

Sponsors: Reps. Cato and Tripp

Document Path: l:\council\bills\dka\3854dw04.doc

Introduced in the House on March 18, 2004

Introduced in the Senate on April 27, 2004

Last Amended on May 27, 2004

Passed by the General Assembly on June 3, 2004

Governor's Action: July 29, 2004, Signed

Summary: Captive insurance companies

HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

DateBodyAction Description with journal page number

3/18/2004HouseIntroduced and read first time HJ33

3/18/2004HouseReferred to Committee on Labor, Commerce and IndustryHJ34

4/14/2004HouseCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Labor, Commerce and IndustryHJ4

4/15/2004HouseMember(s) request name added as sponsor: Tripp

4/15/2004HouseObjection by Rep.Young, Rice, Hinson, GM Smith, and Altman HJ47

4/22/2004HouseAmended HJ67

4/22/2004HouseRead second time HJ104

4/22/2004HouseRoll call Yeas96 Nays0 HJ104

4/22/2004HouseUnanimous consent for third reading on next legislative day HJ104

4/23/2004HouseRead third time and sent to Senate

4/26/2004Scrivener's error corrected

4/27/2004SenateIntroduced and read first time SJ10

4/27/2004SenateReferred to Committee on Banking and InsuranceSJ10

5/26/2004SenateCommittee report: Favorable with amendment Banking and InsuranceSJ16

5/26/2004SenateRead second time SJ16

5/26/2004SenateOrdered to third reading with notice of amendments SJ16

5/27/2004SenateAmended SJ288

6/2/2004SenateRead third time and returned to House with amendments

6/3/2004HouseDebate adjourned HJ49

6/3/2004HouseConcurred in Senate amendment and enrolled HJ79

6/3/2004Ratified R 434

7/29/2004Signed By Governor

8/4/2004Copies available

8/4/2004Effective date See Act for Effective Date

8/16/2004Act No.291

VERSIONS OF THIS BILL

3/18/2004

4/14/2004

4/22/2004

4/26/2004

5/26/2004

5/27/2004

(A291, R434, H5002)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 3843100, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF A PRODUCER’S LICENSE, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE TO WAIVE THE EXAM BY EXPANDING THE EXEMPTION TO INCLUDE THOSE WHO HAVE A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN INSURANCE IF APPLYING FIVE YEARS WITHIN AN APPLICATION FOR LICENSURE AND EXPANDS THE EXEMPTION IF THE APPLICANT HAS CERTAIN DESIGNATIONS FOR BOTH PROPERTY AND CASUALTY AND LIFE INSURANCE, TO OFFER LICENSE EXAMS ELECTRONICALLY AS WELL AS WRITTEN, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO PURSUE ACTION AGAINST AN APPLICANT OR INSURER’S REPRESENTATIVE FOR FALSE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON AN APPLICATION; TO AMEND SECTION 3843101, RELATING TO LICENSING AN INSURANCE PRODUCER WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY LICENSED FOR THE SAME LINES OF INSURANCE IN ANOTHER STATE, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT TO PURSUE ACTION AGAINST AN APPLICANT OR INSURER’S REPRESENTATIVE FOR PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION ON AN APPLICATION; TO AMEND SECTION 3843105, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR LOCAL AND GENERAL PRODUCERS, SO AS TO STRENGTHEN THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND DELETE THE REQUIREMENT THAT A COURSE EXAMINATION BE MONITORED BY A PROCTOR; TO AMEND SECTION 3843106, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS OF AN APPLICANT OR PRODUCER LICENSED TO SELL PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OR LIFE, ACCIDENT, AND HEALTH INSURANCE, SO AS TO ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT TO BE RECIPROCAL WITH OTHER STATES WITH REGARD TO CONTINUING EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR TO APPOINT AS MANY REPRESENTATIVES AS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ADVISORY BOARD; TO AMEND SECTION 3843107, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE ADDRESS SUPPLIED BY AN INSURANCE PRODUCER WHEN APPLYING FOR A LICENSE, SO AS TO REQUIRE THE BUSINESS, MAILING, AND RESIDENCE ADDRESSES; TO AMEND SECTION 3843200, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION ON SPLITTING COMMISSIONS WITH AN UNLICENSED PERSON BY A LICENSED PRODUCER, SO AS TO DELETE A PROVISION WHICH ALLOWS FEE SPLITTING; TO AMEND SECTION 384420, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN THE MANAGING GENERAL AGENTS ACT, SO AS TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF A “MANAGING GENERAL AGENT”; TO AMEND SECTION 384520, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A RESIDENT TO BE LICENSED AS AN INSURANCE AGENT, SO AS TO CLARIFY WHAT CONSTITUTES THE LIFE SPAN OF A CERTIFICATE OF COURSE COMPLETION WITH RESPECT TO A BROKER LICENSE; TO AMEND SECTION 3877155, RELATING TO THE DISTRIBUTION OF MONIES FROM THE UNINSURED MOTORIST’S FUND BY THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE, SO AS TO ALLOW THE DIRECTOR TO DISTRIBUTE MONIES BASED ON DATA FROM THE INSURER’S ANNUAL STATEMENT INFORMATION FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT; BY ADDING SECTION 389035 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTER 90, TITLE 38 AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 388730, RELATING TO CHARTERING RISK RETENTION GROUPS, SO AS TO REQUIRE A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY TO COMPLY WITH THESE PROVISIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 389010, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF “ASSOCIATION” TO INCLUDE POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS, TO CHANGE THE DEFINITIONS OF “INDUSTRIAL INSURED GROUP” AND “PARENT”; TO AMEND SECTION 389020, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LICENSING A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY BY THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE A NONPROFIT CORPORATION TO BE LICENSED AND PROVIDE CONSISTENCY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 389035 REGARDING CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS, AND PROVIDE A PROCEDURE BY WHICH A FOREIGN OR ALIEN CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY MAY BECOME A DOMESTIC CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY; TO AMEND SECTION 389025, RELATING TO THE AUTHORITY OF A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY TO WRITE REINSURANCE COVERING PROPERTY AND CASUALTY INSURANCE OR REINSURANCE CONTRACTS, SO AS TO PROVIDE CONSISTENCY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 389035 REGARDING CONFIDENTIAL MATERIALS; TO AMEND SECTION 389040, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE LICENSING OF A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY BY THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE BASED ON THE CAPITALIZATION OF THE COMPANY, SO AS TO PROVIDE CAPITALIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSING A NONPROFIT CORPORATION AS A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY; TO AMEND SECTION 389050, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO LICENSING A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY BASED ON CERTAIN MINIMUM AMOUNTS OF FREE SURPLUS, SO AS TO CHANGE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A SPONSORED CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY; TO AMEND SECTION 389060, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO INCORPORATION OPTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS OF CERTAIN CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES, SO AS TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL OPTION FOR A NONPROFIT COMPANY; TO AMEND SECTION 389070, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO FILING REPORTS BY A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO MAKE CERTAIN INFORMATION SUBMITTED IN A REPORT CONFIDENTIAL; TO AMEND SECTION 389080, RELATING TO THE INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION OF A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY BY THE DIRECTOR OF INSURANCE, SO AS TO PROVIDE THAT CERTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISIONS DO NOT APPLY TO THE DIRECTOR IN MAKING FINAL REPORTS; TO AMEND SECTION 3890140, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE TAXATION OF A CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANY, SO AS TO CHANGE THE DEFINITION OF “COMMON OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL” TO INCLUDE NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 3890180, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE APPLICABILITY OF THE PROVISIONS OF CHAPTERS 26 AND 27, TITLE 38, TO INSURANCE REORGANIZATIONS, RECEIVERSHIPS, AND INJUNCTIONS TO CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES, SO AS TO MAKE THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY TO TITLE 38 INSTEAD OF CHAPTERS 26 AND 27, TITLE 38; BY DESIGNATING SECTIONS 38-90-10 THROUGH 38-90-240 AS ARTICLE 1, CHAPTER 90, TITLE 38; BY ADDING ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 90 TO TITLE 38 SO AS TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF A SPECIAL PURPOSE FINANCIAL CAPTIVE (SPFC) EXCLUSIVELY TO FACILITATE THE SECURITIZATION OF ONE OR MORE RISKS, AS A MEANS OF ACCESSING SOURCES OF CAPITAL AND ACHIEVING THE BENEFITS OF SECURITIZATION, TO PROVIDE FOR DEFINITIONS, TO PROVIDE THAT NO PROVISION OF THE CODE, OTHER THAN THOSE SPECIFICALLY REFERENCED IN THIS ARTICLE APPLIES TO A SPFC AND AUTHORIZES THE DIRECTOR TO EXEMPT A CERTAIN SPFC THAT HE DETERMINES TO BE INAPPROPRIATE GIVEN THE NATURE OF THE RISKS TO BE INSURED, TO REQUIRE CERTAIN INFORMATION BE FURNISHED THE DIRECTOR WHEN A SPFC APPLIES FOR A LICENSE, TO REQUIRE SPECIFIC LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN INCORPORATION REQUIREMENTS OF A SPFC, TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN MINIMUM CAPITALIZATION REQUIREMENTS, TO PROVIDE THAT A SPFC MAY ISSUE ONLY THE RISKS OF A COUNTERPARTY, AUTHORIZES A SPFC TO CEDE RISKS OF A COUNTERPARTY TO A THIRD PARTY WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR, TO AUTHORIZE A SPFC TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS NECESSARY TO FULFILL THE PURPOSES OF A SPFC CONTRACT INSURANCE SECURITIZATION AND THIS ARTICLE, TO AUTHORIZE A SPFC TO DISCOUNT RESERVES AS APPROVED BY THE DIRECTOR AND REQUIRE THE SPFC TO FILE AN ANNUAL ACTUARIAL REPORT, TO AUTHORIZE A SPFC TO ESTABLISH AND MAINTAIN ONE OR MORE PROTECTED CELLS TO INSURE OR REINSURE RISKS OF ONE OR MORE SPFC CONTRACTS WITH A COUNTERPARTY UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, TO AUTHORIZE A SPFC TO ISSUE SECURITIES, INCLUDING CERTAIN NOTES, AND TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE SECURITIES SUBJECT TO THE PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE DIRECTOR, TO AUTHORIZE A SPFC TO ENTER INTO SWAP AND ASSET MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS, TO AUTHORIZE SPFC, SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS, TO ENTER INTO BOTH SPFC CONTRACTS AND ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS, ESTABLISHES REQUIREMENTS THAT MUST BE MET BY A SPFC IN FULFILLING ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE SPFC CONTRACT, TO ESTABLISH CERTAIN SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF TRUSTS AND TRUST ASSETS OF A SPFC, TO RESTRICT THE PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS BY A SPFC TO ONLY THOSE WITHIN THE TERMS OF THE SECURITIZATION TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS, TO ESTABLISH REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF SPFC, INCLUDING A MATERIAL CHANGE IN THE BUSINESS PLAN TO THE DIRECTOR, TO REQUIRE THAT A SPFC FILE A CPA AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT, TO REQUIRE THE DIRECTOR TO EXAMINE THE SPFC AT LEAST ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS AND PROVIDE A PROCEDURE FOR THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD TO BE EXPANDED TO FIVE YEARS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, TO PROVIDE THAT THE AUTHORITY OF A SPFC EXPIRES AT THE TERMINATION OR CANCELLATION OF A SPFC CONTRACT, TO PROVIDE THE DIRECTOR MAY SUSPEND OR REVOKE A LICENSE FOR CERTAIN REASONS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE PAYMENT OF CERTAIN PREMIUM TAXES BY A SPFC, TO PROVIDE THAT A SPFC BE GRANTED CREDIT FOR REINSURANCE TO THE EXTENT OF FAIR MARKET VALUE OF ASSETS HELD IN TRUST OR OTHERWISE PROPERLY SECURED, TO PROVIDE FOR THE GROUNDS UNDER WHICH THE DIRECTOR MAY APPLY FOR AN ORDER TO CONSERVE, REHABILITATE, OR LIQUIDATE A DOMESTIC SPFC, INCLUDING EMBEZZLEMENT OR IF THE SPFC IS INSOLVENT, TO PROVIDE THAT, GENERALLY, INFORMATION SUBMITTED PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ARTICLE IS CONFIDENTIAL AND TO PROVIDE EXCEPTIONS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE GOVERNANCE OF APPLICABLE CIVIL LAW WHEN A CONTESTED CASE BASED ON A DECISION OF THE DIRECTOR BROUGHT BY A THIRD PARTY, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR MAY PROMULGATE REGULATIONS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE, AND TO PROVIDE THAT NOTHING IN CHAPTER 90, TITLE 38 WITH RESPECT TO A SPFC SHALL ABROGATE, LIMIT, OR RESCIND THE AUTHORITY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF TITLE 35; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 3890170 RELATING TO APPLICABILITY OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF TITLE 38 TO INSURANCE REORGANIZATIONS, RECEIVERSHIPS, AND INJUNCTIONS TO CAPTIVE INSURANCE COMPANIES FORMED UNDER CHAPTER 90, TITLE 38.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Producer’s license

SECTION 1.A. Section 3843100(A), (B), (F), and (J) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 73 of 2003, is further amended to read:

“(A)Business may not be done by the applicant except following issuance of a producer’s license, and the license may not be issued until the director or his designee has determined that the applicant is qualified as an insurance producer, generally, and is particularly qualified for the line of business in which the applicant proposes to engage. The department shall promulgate regulations setting forth qualifying standards of producers as to all lines of business and shall require the producer applicant to stand a written examination. For the purpose of interstate reciprocity, the department shall identify by bulletin which limited lines or limited lines credit insurance are approved in South Carolina and which are exempt from examination. The director or his designee may waive the examination for an applicant who receives a bachelor’s degree in insurance within five years of an application for licensure. The director or his designee also may waive the examination for property, casualty, surety, and marine lines of authority for applicants who have achieved the designations of Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) or Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU). The director or his designee also may waive the examination for life, accident, and health lines of authority for applicants who have achieved the designation of or Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), Life Underwriters Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), Registered Employee Benefit Consultant (REBC), or Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC). A bank, finance company, or other company handling credit transactions operating in this State and utilizing one or more credit life or accident and health or credit property producers in a particular geographical area who are licensed without having taken the written examination is required to have readily available at least one credit life or accident and health or credit property producer to answer customers’ questions concerning credit life, credit accident and health insurance, or credit property, or any combination of these.

(B)A resident individual applying for an insurance producer license shall pass an examination unless exempt pursuant to subsection (A). The examination must test the knowledge of the individual concerning the lines of authority for which application is made, the duties and responsibilities of an insurance producer, and the insurance laws and regulations of this State. The examination required by this section must be developed and conducted under rules and regulations prescribed by the director or his designee.

(F)A person applying for a resident insurance producer license or a person applying on behalf of the applicant shall make application to the director or his designee on the Uniform Application and declare under penalty of refusal, suspension, or revocation of the license that the statements made in the application are true, correct, and complete to the best of the applicant’s knowledge and belief. Before approving the application, the director or his designee shall find that the applicant:

(1)is at least eighteen years of age;

(2)is a person of good moral character and has not been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude within the last ten years that is a ground for denial, suspension, or revocation as provided for in Section 3843130;

(3)has completed a prelicensing course of study for the lines of insurance for which the person has applied;

(4)has paid the fees set forth in Section 384380; and

(5)has successfully passed the examination or examinations for the line or lines of insurance for which the person has applied.

(J)Each insurer that sells, solicits, or negotiates any form of limited line credit insurance shall provide to each individual whose duties include selling, soliciting, or negotiating limited line credit insurance, a program of instruction that has been filed with the director or his designee.”

B. This section takes effect January 1, 2005.

Nonresident insurance producer license

SECTION2.A. Section 3843101 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 323 of 2002, is amended by adding:

“(C)A person applying for a nonresident insurance producer license or a person applying on behalf of the applicant shall make application to the director or his designee on the uniform application and declare under penalty of refusal, suspension, or revocation of the license that the statements made in the application are true, correct, and complete to the best of the applicant’s knowledge and belief.”

B. This section takes effect January 1, 2005.

Local or general producer, license

SECTION3. A.Section 3843105(A) and (D) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 323 of 2002, is further amended to read:

“(A) An applicant may not be licensed as a local or general producer unless, within two years immediately preceding the date of his licensing, he has:

(1)successfully completed classroom or correspondence courses in insurance approved by the director or his designee consisting of no less than forty classroom hours or forty selfstudy hours;

(2)had at least one year of insurance underwriting or marketing experience as an employee of a producer, insurer, or their managers or general producers in all lines of insurance for which he is making application to be licensed;

(3)received a bachelor’s degree in insurance within five years of an application for licensure;

(4)achieved one of the following designations: Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), Registered Employee Benefit Consultant (REBC), or Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) if applying for a life, accident, and health license; or

(5)achieved the designation of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) or Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) if applying for a property, casualty, surety, and marine license.

(D)A correspondence course approved by the director or his designee shall qualify for the equivalency of the number of classroom hours assigned to it by the director or his designee. An applicant taking a prelicensing education course by correspondence in fulfillment of the fortyhour prelicensing education requirement shall pass a course examination successfully.”

B. This section takes effect January 1, 2005.

Designations

SECTION4. A.Section 3843106(A) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 323 of 2002, is further amended by adding:

“(3)However, a licensed resident producer who has obtained one of the following designations may use the credit hours earned to maintain the designation toward the fulfillment of the twentyfour hour requirement: Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI), Certified Financial Planner (CFP), Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), Registered Employee Benefit Consultant (REBC), or Chartered Financial Consultant (CHFC) if applying for a life, accident, and health license, or Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) or Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) if applying for a property, casualty, surety, and marine license.”

B. This section takes effect January 1, 2005.

Continuing education requirements

SECTION5. A.Section 3843106(C)(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 323 of 2002, is further amended to read:

“(1)The director or his designee shall administer these continuing education requirements and shall approve courses of instruction which qualify for these purposes. However, the director may enter into reciprocal agreements with the insurance commissioners of other states regarding the approval of continuing education courses, sponsors, instructors, or proctors if, in his judgment, the arrangements or agreements are in the best interest of the State and if the proposed courses, sponsors, instructors, or proctors submitted meet the minimum statutory requirements of this State for approval. However, the director or his designee may not enter into or continue a reciprocal agreement unless the other state has requirements similar to this State in approving courses, sponsors, instructors, or proctors. In administering this program, the department, in its discretion, may promulgate regulations whereby producers provide to a continuing education administrator established within the Department of Insurance proof of compliance with continuing education requirements as a condition of license renewal or, in the alternative, contract with an outside service provider to provide recordkeeping services as the continuing education administrator. The costs of the continuing education administrator must be paid from the continuing insurance education fees paid by producers in the manner provided by this section, except that course approval responsibilities may not be designated to the continuing education administrator. The continuing education administrator shall compile and maintain, in conjunction with insurers and producers, records reflecting the continuing insurance education status of all licensed or qualified producers subject to the requirements of this section. The continuing education administrator shall furnish to the insurer, as specified by regulation, a report of the continuing insurance education status of all of its producers. All licensed producers shall provide evidence of their continuing insurance education status to the continuing education administrator by May first of the biennially compliance year unless granted an extension. Any continuing insurance education approved courses taken subsequent to this May first deadline must be applied to the following biennial continuing insurance education required period.”