48.32A.105 - Duties and powers of the commissioner. - Washington Statutes

Duties and powers of the commissioner.

(1) In addition to the duties and powers enumerated elsewhere in this chapter, the commissioner shall:

     (a) Upon request of the board of directors, provide the association with a statement of the premiums in this and other appropriate states for each member insurer;

     (b) When an impairment is declared and the amount of the impairment is determined, serve a demand upon the impaired insurer to make good the impairment within a reasonable time; notice to the impaired insurer constitutes notice to its shareholders, if any; the failure of the insurer to promptly comply with such a demand does not excuse the association from the performance of its powers and duties under this chapter; and

     (c) In any liquidation or rehabilitation proceeding involving a domestic insurer, be appointed as the liquidator or rehabilitator.

     (2) In addition to the duties and powers enumerated elsewhere in this chapter, the commissioner may suspend or revoke, after notice and hearing, the certificate of authority to transact insurance in this state of any member insurer which fails to pay an assessment when due or fails to comply with the plan of operation. As an alternative the commissioner may levy a forfeiture on any member insurer that fails to pay an assessment when due. The forfeiture may not exceed five percent of the unpaid assessment per month, but no forfeiture may be less than one hundred dollars per month.

     (3) A final action by the board of directors of the association may be appealed to the commissioner by a member insurer if the appeal is taken within sixty days of the member insurer's receipt of notice of the final action being appealed. A final action or order of the commissioner is subject to judicial review in a court of competent jurisdiction in accordance with the laws of this state that apply to the actions or orders of the commissioner.

     (4) The liquidator, rehabilitator, or conservator of an impaired insurer may notify all interested persons of the effect of this chapter.

[2001 c 50 § 11.]