Chapter 372
2017 -- S 1003
Enacted 10/04/2017

A N   A C T
RELATING TO INSURANCE - CASUALTY INSURANCE RATING

Introduced By: Senator Roger Picard
Date Introduced: June 29, 2017

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 27-9-51 of the General Laws in Chapter 27-9 entitled "Casualty
Insurance Rating" is hereby repealed.
     27-9-51. Excess profits for workers' compensation and employer's liability insurance
prohibited.
     (a) Each insurance group shall file with the department prior to July 1 of each year, on a
form prescribed by the department, the following data for workers' compensation and employers'
liability insurance:
     (1) The calendar year earned premium;
     (2) Accident year incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses;
     (3) The administrative and selling expenses incurred in Rhode Island or allocated to
Rhode Island for the calendar year; and
     (4) Policyholder dividends applicable to the calendar year.
     (b) (1) Excess profit has been realized if the underwriting gain is greater than the
anticipated underwriting profit plus five percent (5%) of earned premiums for the three (3) most
recent calendar years;
     (2) As used in this section with respect to any three (3) year period, "anticipated
underwriting profit" means the sum of the dollar amounts obtained by multiplying, for each rate
filing of the insurance group in effect during that period, the earned premiums applicable to the
rate filing during that period by the percentage factor included in the rate filing for profit and
contingencies, the percentage factor having been determined with due recognition to investment
income from funds generated by Rhode Island business. Separate calculations need not be made
for consecutive rate filings containing the same percentage factor for profits and contingencies.
     (c) Each insurance group shall also file a schedule of Rhode Island loss and loss
adjustment experience for each of the three (3) most recent accident years. The incurred losses
and loss adjustment expenses shall be valued as of December 31 of the accident year, developed
to an ultimate basis, and two (2) twelve (12) month intervals after this, each developed to an
ultimate basis so that a total of three (3) evaluations will be provided for each accident year. For
reporting purposes unrelated to determining excessive profits, the loss and loss adjustment
experience of each accident year shall continue to be reported until each accident year has been
reported at eight (8) stages of development.
     (d) Each insurance group's underwriting gain or loss for each calendar accident year shall
be computed as follows: The sum of the accident-year incurred losses and loss adjustment
expenses as of December 31 of the year, developed to an ultimate basis, plus the administrative
and selling expenses incurred in the calendar year, plus policyholder dividends applicable to the
calendar year, shall be subtracted from the calendar year earned premium to determine the
underwriting gain or loss.
     (e) For the three (3) most recent calendar-accident years, the underwriting gain or loss
shall be compared to the anticipated underwriting profit.
     (f) If the insurance group has realized an excess profit, the department shall order a return
of the excess amounts after affording the insurance group an opportunity for a hearing and
complying with the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, chapter 35 of title 42. The
excess amounts shall be refunded in all instances unless the insurance group affirmatively
demonstrates to the department that the refund of the excess amounts will render the insurance
group insolvent under the provisions of this title.
     (g) Any excess profit of an insurance group offering workers' compensation or
employers' liability insurance shall be returned to policyholders in the form of a cash refund or be
returned to policyholders in the form of a credit toward the future purchase of insurance. The
excess amount shall be refunded on a pro rata basis in relation to the final compilation year
earned premiums to the workers' compensation policyholders of record of the insurance group on
December 31 of the final compilation year.
     (h) (1) Cash refunds to policyholders may be rounded to the nearest dollar;
     (2) Data in required reports to the department may be rounded to the nearest dollar;
     (3) Rounding, if elected by the insurance group, shall be applied consistently.
     (i) (1) Refunds shall be completed in one of the following ways:
     (i) If the insurance group elects to make a cash refund, the refund shall be completed
within sixty (60) days of the entry of a final order indicating that excess profits have been
realized; or
     (ii) If the insurance group elects to make refunds in the form of a credit to renewal
policies, the credits shall be applied to policy renewal premium notices which are forwarded to
insured more than sixty (60) calendar days after the entry of a final order indicating that excess
profits have been realized. If an insurance group has made this election, but an insured after this
cancels his or her policy or allows his or her policy to terminate, the insurance group shall make a
cash refund not later than sixty (60) days after the termination of the coverage;
     (2) Upon completion of the renewal credits or refund payments, the insurance group shall
immediately certify to the department that the refunds have been made.
     (j) Any refund or renewal credit made pursuant to this section, for the purposes of
reporting under this section for subsequent years, shall be treated as a policyholder dividend
applicable to the year in which it is incurred.
     SECTION 2. Chapter 27-75 of the General Laws entitled "Surplus Lines Insurance Multi-
State Compliance Compact" is hereby repealed in its entirety.
CHAPTER 27-75
Surplus Lines Insurance Multi-State Compliance Compact
     27-75-1. Short title.
     This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Surplus Lines Insurance Multi-State
Compliance Compact."
     27-75-2. Preamble.
     WHEREAS, with regard to non-admitted insurance policies with risk exposures located
in multiple states, the 111th United States Congress, has stipulated in Title V, Subtitle B the non-
Admitted and Reinsurance Reform Act of 2010, of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and
Consumer Protection Act, hereafter, the NRRA, that:
     (1) The placement of non-admitted insurance shall be subject to the statutory and
regulatory requirements solely of the insured's home state, and
     (2) Any law, regulation, provision, or action of any state that applies or purports to apply
to non-admitted insurance sold to, solicited by, or negotiated with an insured whose home state is
another state shall be preempted with respect to such application; except that any state law, rule,
or regulation that restricts the placement of workers' compensation insurance or excess insurance
for self-funded workers' compensation plans with a non-admitted insurer shall not be preempted;
and
     WHEREAS, in compliance with NRRA, no state other than the home state of an insured
may require any premium tax payment for non-admitted insurance; and no state other than an
insured's home state may require a surplus lines broker to be licensed in order to sell, solicit, or
negotiate non-admitted insurance with respect to such insured; and
     WHEREAS, the NRRA intends that the states may enter into a compact or otherwise
establish procedures to allocate among the states the premium taxes paid to an insured's home
state; and that each state adopt nationwide uniform requirements, forms, and procedures, such as
an interstate compact, that provide for the reporting, payment, collection, and allocation of
premium taxes for non-admitted insurance; and
     WHEREAS, after the expiration of the two-year period beginning on the date of the
enactment of the NRRA, a state may not collect any fees relating to licensing of an individual or
entity as a surplus lines licensee in the state unless the state has in effect at such time laws or
regulations that provide for participation by the state in the national insurance producer database
of the NAIC, or any other equivalent uniform national database, for the licensure of surplus lines
licensees and the renewal of such licenses; and
     WHEREAS, a need exists for a system of regulation that will provide for surplus lines
insurance to be placed with reputable and financially sound non-admitted insurers, and that will
permit orderly access to surplus lines insurance in this state and encourage insurers to make new
and innovative types of insurance available to consumers in this state; and
     WHEREAS, protecting the revenue of this state and other compacting states may be
accomplished by facilitating the payment and collection of premium tax on non-admitted
insurance and providing for allocation of premium tax for non-admitted insurance of multi-state
risks among the states in accordance with uniform allocation formulas; and
     WHEREAS, the efficiency of the surplus lines market may be improved by eliminating
duplicative and inconsistent tax and regulatory requirements among the states, and by promoting
and protecting the interests of surplus lines licensees who assist such insureds and non-admitted
insurers, thereby ensuring the continued availability of non-admitted insurance to consumers; and
     WHEREAS, regulatory compliance with respect to non-admitted insurance placements
may be streamlined by providing for exclusive single-state regulatory compliance for non-
admitted insurance of multi-state risks, thereby providing certainty regarding such compliance to
all persons who have an interest in such transactions, including, but not limited to, insureds,
regulators, surplus lines licensees, other insurance producers, and surplus lines insurers; and
     WHEREAS, coordination of regulatory resources and expertise between state insurance
departments and other state agencies, as well as state surplus lines stamping offices, with respect
to non-admitted insurance will be improved; and
     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, it is enacted by the general
assembly as follows:
     27-75-3. Enactment of compact.
     The surplus lines insurance multi-state compliance compact is enacted into law and
entered into by this state with all other states legally joining this compact in the form substantially
as follows:
     ARTICLE I PURPOSES
     The purposes of this compact are:
     (1) To implement the express provisions of the Non-Admitted and Reinsurance Reform
Act (NRRA).
     (2) To protect the premium tax revenues of the compacting states through facilitating the
payment and collection of premium tax on non-admitted insurance; and to protect the interests of
the compacting states by supporting the continued availability of such insurance to consumers;
and to provide for allocation of premium tax for non-admitted insurance of multi-state risks
among the states in accordance with uniform allocation formulas to be developed, adopted, and
implemented by the commission.
     (3) To streamline and improve the efficiency of the surplus lines market by eliminating
duplicative and inconsistent tax and regulatory requirements among the states; and promote and
protect the interest of surplus lines licensees who assist such insureds and surplus lines insurers,
thereby ensuring the continued availability of surplus lines insurance to consumers.
     (4) To streamline regulatory compliance with respect to non-admitted insurance
placements by providing for exclusive single-state regulatory compliance for non-admitted
insurance of multi-state risks, in accordance with rules to be adopted by the commission, thereby
providing certainty regarding such compliance to all persons who have an interest in such
transactions, including, but not limited to, insureds, regulators, surplus lines licensees, other
insurance producers, and surplus lines insurers.
     (5) To establish a clearinghouse for receipt and dissemination of premium tax and
clearinghouse transaction data related to non-admitted insurance of multi-state risks, in
accordance with rules to be adopted by the commission.
     (6) To improve coordination of regulatory resources and expertise between state
insurance departments and other state agencies, as well as State surplus lines stamping offices,
with respect to non-admitted insurance.
     (7) To adopt uniform rules to provide for premium tax payment, reporting, allocation,
data collection and dissemination for non-admitted insurance of multi-state risks and single-state
risks, in accordance with rules to be adopted by the commission, thereby promoting the overall
efficiency of the non-admitted insurance market.
     (8) To adopt uniform mandatory rules with respect to regulatory compliance
requirements for:
     (i) Foreign insurer eligibility requirements;
     (ii) Surplus lines policyholder notices;
     (9) To establish the surplus lines insurance multi-state compliance compact commission.
     (10) To coordinate reporting of clearinghouse transaction data on non-admitted insurance
of multi-state risks among compacting states and contracting states.
     (11) To perform these and such other related functions as may be consistent with the
purposes of the surplus lines insurance multi-state compliance compact.
     ARTICLE II DEFINITIONS
     For purposes of this Compact the following definitions shall apply:
     (1) "Admitted insurer" means an insurer that is licensed, or authorized, to transact the
business of insurance under the law of the home state; for purposes of this compact "admitted
insurer" shall not include a domestic surplus lines insurer as may be defined by applicable state
law.
     (2) "Affiliate" means, with respect to an insured, any entity that controls, is controlled by,
or is under common control with the insured.
     (3) "Allocation formula" means the uniform methods promulgated by the commission by
which insured risk exposures will be apportioned to each state for the purpose of calculating
premium taxes due.
     (4) "Bylaws" means those bylaws established by the commission for its governance, or
for directing or controlling the commission's actions or conduct.
     (5) "Clearinghouse" means the commission's operations involving the acceptance,
processing, and dissemination, among the compacting states, contracting states, surplus lines
licensees, insureds and other persons, of premium tax and clearinghouse transaction data for Non-
admitted insurance of multi-state risks, in accordance with this compact and rules to be adopted
by the commission.
     (6) "Clearinghouse transaction data" means the information regarding non-admitted
insurance of multi-state risks required to be reported, accepted, collected, processed, and
disseminated by surplus lines licensees for surplus lines insurance and insureds for independently
procured insurance under this compact and rules to be adopted by the commission. Clearinghouse
transaction data includes information related to single-state risks if a state elects to have the
clearinghouse collect taxes on single-state risks for such state.
     (7) "Compacting State" means any state which has enacted this compact legislation and
which has not withdrawn pursuant to Article XIV, Section 1, or been terminated pursuant to
Article XIV, Section 2.
     (8) "Commission" means the "surplus lines insurance multi-state compliance compact
commission" established by this compact.
     (9) "Commissioner" means the chief insurance regulatory official of a state including, but
not limited to commissioner, superintendent, director or administrator or their designee(s).
     (10) "Contracting state" means any state which has not enacted this compact legislation
but has entered into a written contract with the commission to utilize the services of and fully
participate in the clearinghouse.
     (11) "Control" An entity has "control" over another entity if:
     (i) The entity directly or indirectly or acting through one or more other persons own,
controls, or has the power to vote twenty-five percent (25%) or more of any class of voting
securities of the other entity; or
     (ii) The entity controls, in any manner, the election of a majority of the directors or
trustees of the other entity.
     (12) "Home state"
     (i) In general. Except as provided in subparagraph (ii), the term "home state" means, with
respect to an insured:
     (A) The state in which an insured maintains its principal place of business or, in the case
of an individual, the individual's principal residence; or
     (B) If one hundred percent (100%) of the insured risk is located out of the state referred
to in subparagraph (i)(A), the state to which the greatest percentage of the insured's taxable
premium for that insurance contract is allocated.
     (ii) Affiliated groups. If more than one insured from an affiliated group are named
insureds on a single non-admitted insurance contract, the term "home state" means the home
state, as determined pursuant to subparagraph (i), of the member of the affiliated group that has
the largest percentage of premium attributed to it under such insurance contract.
     (13) "Independently procured insurance" means insurance procured by an insured directly
from a surplus lines insurer or other non-admitted insurer as permitted by the laws of the home
state.
     (14) "Insurer eligibility requirements" means the criteria, forms and procedures
established to qualify as a surplus lines insurer under the law of the home state provided that such
criteria, forms and procedures are consistent with the express provisions of the NRRA on and
after July 21, 2011.
     (15) "Member" means the person or persons chosen by a compacting state as its
representative or representatives to the commission provided that each compacting state shall be
limited to one vote.
     (16) "Multi-state risk" means a risk with insured exposures in more than one state.
     (17) "Non-compacting state" means any state which has not adopted this compact.
     (18) "Non-admitted insurance" means surplus lines insurance and independently procured
insurance.
     (19) "Non-admitted insurer" means an insurer that is not authorized or admitted to
transact the business of insurance under the law of the home state.
     (20) "NRRA" means the non-admitted and reinsurance reform act which is Title V,
Subtitle B of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
     (21) "Policyholder notice" means the disclosure notice or stamp that is required to be
furnished to the applicant or policyholder in connection with a surplus lines insurance placement.
     (22) "Premium tax" means with respect to non-admitted insurance, any tax, fee,
assessment, or other charge imposed by a government entity directly or indirectly based on any
payment made as consideration for such insurance, including premium deposits, assessments,
registration fees, and any other compensation given in consideration for a contract of insurance.
     (23) "Principal place of business" means with respect to determining the home state of
the insured, the state where the insured maintains its headquarters and where the insured's high-
level officers direct, control and coordinate the business activities of the insured.
     (24) "Purchasing group" means any group formed pursuant to the liability risk retention
act which has as one of its purposes the purchase of liability insurance on a group basis,
purchases such insurance only for its group members and only to cover their similar or related
liability exposure and is composed of members whose businesses or activities are similar or
related with respect to the liability to which members are exposed by virtue of any related, similar
or common business, trade, product, services, premises or operations and is domiciled in any
state.
     (25) "Rule" means a statement of general or particular applicability and future effect
promulgated by the commission designed to implement, interpret, or prescribe law or policy or
describing the organization, procedure or practice requirements of the commission which shall
have the force and effect of law in the compacting states.
     (26) "Single-state risk" means a risk with insured exposures in only one state.
     (27) "State" means any state, district or territory of the United States of America.
     (28) "State transaction documentation" means the information required under the laws of
the home state to be filed by surplus lines licensees in order to report surplus lines insurance and
verify compliance with surplus lines laws, and by insureds in order to report independently
procured insurance.
     (29) "Surplus lines insurance" means insurance procured by a surplus lines licensee from
a surplus lines insurer or other non-admitted insurer as permitted under the law of the home state;
for purposes of this compact "surplus lines insurance" shall also mean excess lines insurance as
may be defined by applicable state law.
     (30) "Surplus lines insurer" means a non-admitted insurer eligible under the law of the
home state to accept business from a surplus lines licensee; for purposes of this compact "surplus
lines insurer" shall also mean an insurer which is permitted to write surplus lines insurance under
the laws of the state where such insurer is domiciled.
     (31) "Surplus lines licensee" means an individual, firm or corporation licensed under the
law of the home state to place surplus lines insurance.
     ARTICLE III ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMISSION AND VENUE
     (a) The compacting states hereby create and establish a joint public agency known as the
"surplus lines insurance multi-state compliance compact commission."
     (b) Pursuant to Article IV, the commission shall have the power to adopt mandatory rules
which establish exclusive home state authority regarding non-admitted insurance of multi- state
risks, allocation formulas, clearinghouse transaction data, a clearinghouse for receipt and
distribution of allocated premium tax and clearinghouse transaction data, and uniform rulemaking
procedures and rules for the purpose of financing, administering, operating and enforcing
compliance with the provisions of this compact, its bylaws and rules.
     (c) Pursuant to Article IV, the commission shall have the power to adopt mandatory rules
establishing foreign insurer eligibility requirements and a concise and objective policyholder
notice regarding the nature of a surplus lines placement.
     (d) The commission is a body corporate and politic, and an instrumentality of the
compacting states.
     (e) The commission is solely responsible for its liabilities except as otherwise specifically
provided in this compact.
     (f) Venue is proper and judicial proceedings by or against the commission shall be
brought solely and exclusively in a court of competent jurisdiction where the principal office of
the commission is located. The commission may waive venue and jurisdictional defenses to the
extent it adopts or consents to participate in alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
     ARTICLE IV AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH MANDATORY RULES
     The commission shall adopt mandatory rules which establish:
     (1) Allocation formulas for each type of non-admitted insurance coverage, which
allocation formulas must be used by each compacting state and contracting state in acquiring
premium tax and clearinghouse transaction data from surplus lines licensees and insureds for
reporting to the clearinghouse created by the compact commission. Such allocation formulas shall
be established with input from surplus lines licensees and be based upon readily available data
with simplicity and uniformity for the surplus line licensee as a material consideration.
     (2) Uniform clearinghouse transaction data reporting requirements for all information
reported to the clearinghouse.
     (3) Methods by which compacting states and contracting states require surplus lines
licensees and insureds to pay premium tax and to report clearinghouse transaction data to the
clearinghouse, including, but not limited to, processing clearinghouse transaction data through
state stamping and service offices, state insurance departments, or other state designated agencies
or entities.
     (4) That non-admitted insurance of multi-state risks shall be subject to all of the
regulatory compliance requirements of the home state exclusively. Home state regulatory
compliance requirements applicable to surplus lines insurance shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) Person(s) required to be licensed to sell, solicit, or negotiate surplus lines insurance; (ii)
Insurer eligibility requirements or other approved non-admitted insurer requirements; (iii)
Diligent search; (iv) State transaction documentation and clearinghouse transaction data regarding
the payment of premium tax as set forth in this compact and rules to be adopted by the
commission. Home state regulatory compliance requirements applicable to independently
procured insurance placements shall include, but not be limited to, providing state transaction
documentation and clearinghouse transaction data regarding the payment of premium tax as set
forth in this compact and rules to be adopted by the commission.
     (5) That each compacting state and contracting state may charge its own rate of taxation
on the premium allocated to such state based on the applicable allocation formula provided that
the state establishes one single rate of taxation applicable to all non-admitted insurance
transactions and no other tax, fee assessment or other charge by any governmental or quasi-
governmental agency be permitted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, stamping office fees may be
charged as a separate, additional cost unless such fees are incorporated into a state's single rate of
taxation.
     (6) That any change in the rate of taxation by any compacting state or contracting state be
restricted to changes made prospectively on not less than ninety (90) days advance notice to the
compact commission.
     (7) That each compacting state and contracting state shall require premium tax payments
either annually, semi-annually, or quarterly utilizing one or more of the following dates only:
March 1, June 1, September 1, and December 1.
     (8) That each compacting state and contracting state prohibit any other state agency or
political subdivision from requiring surplus lines licensees to provide clearinghouse transaction
data and state transaction documentation other than to the insurance department or tax officials of
the home state or one single designated agent thereof.
     (9) The obligation of the home state by itself, through a designated agent, surplus lines
stamping or service office, to collect clearinghouse transaction data from surplus line licensees
and from insureds for independently procured insurance, where applicable, for reporting to the
clearinghouse.
     (10) A method for the clearinghouse to periodically report to compacting states,
contracting states, surplus lines and insureds who independently procure insurance, all premium
taxes owed to each of the compacting states and contracting states, the dates upon which payment
of such premium taxes are due and a method to pay them through the clearinghouse.
     (11) That each surplus line licensee is required to be licensed only in the home state of
each insured for whom surplus lines insurance has been procured.
     (12) That a policy considered to be surplus lines insurance in the insured's home state
shall be considered surplus lines insurance in all compacting states and contracting states, and
taxed as a surplus lines transaction in all states to which a portion of the risk is allocated. Each
compacting state and contracting state shall require each surplus lines licensee to pay to every
other compacting state and contracting state premium taxes on each multi-state risk through the
clearinghouse at such tax rate charged on surplus lines transactions in such other compacting
states and contracting states on the portion of the risk in each such compacting state and
contracting state as determined by the applicable uniform allocation formula adopted by the
commission. A policy considered to be independently procured insurance in the insured's home
state shall be considered independently procured insurance in all compacting states and
contracting states. Each compacting state and contracting state shall require the insured to pay
every other compacting state and contracting state the independently procured insurance premium
tax on each multi-state risk through the clearinghouse pursuant to the uniform allocation formula
adopted by the commission.
     (13) Uniform foreign insurer eligibility requirements as authorized by the NRRA.
     (14) A uniform policyholder notice.
     (15) Uniform treatment of purchasing group surplus lines insurance placements.
     ARTICLE V POWERS OF THE COMMISSION
     The commission shall have the following powers:
     (1) To promulgate rules and operating procedures, pursuant to Article VIII of this
compact, which shall have the force and effect of law and shall be binding in the compacting
States to the extent and in the manner provided in this compact;
     (2) To bring and prosecute legal proceedings or actions in the name of the commission,
provided that the standing of any state insurance department to sue or be sued under applicable
law shall not be affected;
     (3) To issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the
production of evidence, provided however, the commission is not empowered to demand or
subpoena records or data from non-admitted insurers;
     (4) To establish and maintain offices including the creation of a clearinghouse for the
receipt of premium tax and clearinghouse transaction data regarding non-admitted insurance of
multi-state risks, single-state risks for states which elect to require surplus lines licensees to pay
premium tax on single state risks through the clearinghouse and tax reporting forms;
     (5) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds;
     (6) To borrow, accept or contract for services of personnel, including, but not limited to,
employees of a compacting state or stamping office, pursuant to an open, transparent, objective
competitive process and procedure adopted by the commission;
     (7) To hire employees, professionals or specialists, and elect or appoint officers, and to
fix their compensation, define their duties and give them appropriate authority to carry out the
purposes of the compact, and determine their qualifications, pursuant to an open, transparent,
objective competitive process and procedure adopted by the commission; and to establish the
commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of
compensation and qualifications of personnel, and other related personnel matters;
     (8) To accept any and all appropriate donations and grants of money, equipment,
supplies, materials and services, and to receive, utilize and dispose of the same; provided that at
all times the commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety and/or conflict of interest;
     (9) To lease, purchase, accept appropriate gifts or donations of, or otherwise to own,
hold, improve or use, any property, real, personal or mixed; provided that, at all times the
commission shall avoid any appearance of impropriety and/or conflict of interest;
     (10) To sell convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon or otherwise dispose of
any property real, personal or mixed;
     (11) To provide for tax audit rules and procedures for the compacting states with respect
to the allocation of premium taxes including:
     (i) Minimum audit standards, including sampling methods;
     (ii) Review of internal controls;
     (iii) Cooperation and sharing of audit responsibilities between compacting states;
     (iv) Handling of refunds or credits due to overpayments or improper allocation of
premium taxes;
     (v) Taxpayer records to be reviewed including a minimum retention period;
     (vi) Authority of compacting states to review, challenge, or re-audit taxpayer records.
     (12) To enforce compliance by compacting states and contracting states with rules and
bylaws pursuant to the authority set forth in Article XIV;
     (13) To provide for dispute resolution among compacting states and contracting states;
     (14) To advise compacting states and contracting states on tax-related issues relating to
insurers, insureds, surplus lines licensees, agents or brokers domiciled or doing business in non-
compacting states, consistent with the purposes of this compact;
     (15) To make available advice and training to those personnel in state stamping offices,
state insurance departments or other state departments for record keeping, tax compliance, and
tax allocations; and to be a resource for state insurance departments and other state departments;
     (16) To establish a budget and make expenditures;
     (17) To borrow money;
     (18) To appoint and oversee committees, including advisory committees comprised of
members, state insurance regulators, state legislators or their representatives, insurance industry
and consumer representatives, and such other interested persons as may be designated in this
compact and the bylaws;
     (19) To establish an executive committee of not less than seven (7) nor more than fifteen
(15) representatives, which shall include officers elected by the commission and such other
representatives as provided for herein and determined by the bylaws. Representatives of the
executive committee shall serve a one-year term. Representatives of the executive committee
shall be entitled to one vote each. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf
of the commission, with the exception of rulemaking, during periods when the commission is not
in session. The executive committee shall oversee the day to day activities of the administration
of the compact, including the activities of the operations committee created under this Article and
compliance and enforcement of the provisions of the compact, its bylaws, and rules, and such
other duties as provided herein and as deemed necessary.
     (20) To establish an operations committee of not less than seven (7) and not more than
fifteen (15) representatives to provide analysis, advice, determinations and recommendations
regarding technology, software, and systems integration to be acquired by the commission and to
provide analysis, advice, determinations and recommendations regarding the establishment of
mandatory rules to be adopted to be by the commission.
     (21) To enter into contracts with contracting states so that contracting states can utilize
the services of and fully participate in the clearinghouse subject to the terms and conditions set
forth in such contracts;
     (22) To adopt and use a corporate seal; and
     (23) To perform such other functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the
purposes of this compact consistent with the state regulation of the business of insurance.
     ARTICLE VI ORGANIZATION OF THE COMMISSION
     (1) Membership, Voting and Bylaws
     (i) Each compacting state shall have and be limited to one member. Each state shall
determine the qualifications and the method by which it selects a member and set forth the
selection process in the enabling provision of the legislation which enacts this compact. In the
absence of such a provision the member shall be appointed by the governor of such compacting
state. Any member may be removed or suspended from office as provided by the law of the state
from which he or she shall be appointed. Any vacancy occurring in the commission shall be filled
in accordance with the laws of the compacting state wherein the vacancy exists.
     (ii) Each member shall be entitled to one vote and shall otherwise have an opportunity to
participate in the governance of the commission in accordance with the bylaws.
     (iii) The commission shall, by a majority vote of the members, prescribe bylaws to
govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes and exercise the
powers of the compact including, but not limited to:
     (A) Establishing the fiscal year of the commission;
     (B) Providing reasonable procedures for holding meetings of the commission, the
executive committee, and the operations committee;
     (C) Providing reasonable standards and procedures: (I) For the establishment and
meetings of committees, and (II) Governing any general or specific delegation of any authority or
function of the commission;
     (D) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the
commission that consist of a majority of commission members, ensuring reasonable advance
notice of each such meeting and providing for the right of citizens to attend each such meeting
with enumerated exceptions designed to protect the public's interest, the privacy of individuals,
and insurers' and surplus lines licensees' proprietary information, including trade secrets. The
commission may meet in camera only after a majority of the entire membership votes to close a
meeting in total or in part. As soon as practicable, the commission must make public: (I) A copy
of the vote to close the meeting revealing the vote of each member with no proxy votes allowed,
and (II) Votes taken during such meeting;
     (E) Establishing the titles, duties and authority and reasonable procedures for the election
of the officers of the commission;
     (F) Providing reasonable standards and procedures for the establishment of the personnel
policies and programs of the commission. Notwithstanding any civil service or other similar laws
of any compacting state, the bylaws shall exclusively govern the personnel policies and programs
of the commission;
     (G) Promulgating a code of ethics to address permissible and prohibited activities of
commission members and employees;
     (H) Providing a mechanism for winding up the operations of the commission and the
equitable disposition of any surplus funds that may exist after the termination of the compact after
the payment and/or reserving of all of its debts and obligations;
     (iv) The commission shall publish its bylaws in a convenient form and file a copy thereof
and a copy of any amendment thereto, with the appropriate agency or officer in each of the
compacting states.
     (2) Executive committee, personnel and chairperson
     (i) An executive committee of the commission ("executive committee") shall be
established. All actions of the executive committee, including compliance and enforcement are
subject to the review and ratification of the commission as provided in the bylaws. The executive
committee shall have no more than fifteen (15) representatives, or one for each state if there are
less than fifteen (15) compacting states, who shall serve for a term and be established in
accordance with the bylaws.
     (ii) The executive committee shall have such authority and duties as may be set forth in
the bylaws, including, but not limited to:
     (A) Managing the affairs of the commission in a manner consistent with the bylaws and
purposes of the commission;
     (B) Establishing and overseeing an organizational structure within, and appropriate
procedures for the commission to provide for the creation of rules and operating procedures;
     (C) Overseeing the offices of the commission; and
     (D) Planning, implementing, and coordinating communications and activities with other
state, federal and local government organizations in order to advance the goals of the
commission.
     (iii) The commission shall annually elect officers from the executive committee, with
each having such authority and duties, as may be specified in the bylaws.
     (iv) The executive committee may, subject to the approval of the commission, appoint or
retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions and for such
compensation as the commission may deem appropriate. The executive director shall serve as
secretary to the commission, but shall not be a member of the commission. The executive director
shall hire and supervise such other persons as may be authorized by the commission.
     (3) Operations Committee
     (i) An operations committee shall be established. All actions of the operations committee
are subject to the review and oversight of the commission and the executive committee and must
be approved by the commission. The executive committee will accept the determinations and
recommendations of the operations committee unless good cause is shown why such
determinations and recommendations should not be approved. Any disputes as to whether good
cause exists to reject any determination or recommendation of the operations committee shall be
resolved by the majority vote of the commission.
     The operations committee shall have no more than fifteen (15) representatives or one for
each state if there are less than fifteen (15) compacting states, who shall serve for a term and shall
be established as set forth in the bylaws.
     The operations committee shall have responsibility for:
     (A) Evaluating technology requirements for the clearinghouse, assessing existing systems
used by state regulatory agencies and state stamping offices to maximize the efficiency and
successful integration of the clearinghouse technology systems with state and state stamping
office technology platforms and to minimize costs to the states, state stamping offices and the
clearinghouse.
     (B) Making recommendations to the executive committee based on its analysis and
determination of the clearinghouse technology requirements and compatibility with existing state
and state stamping office systems,
     (C) Evaluating the most suitable proposals for adoption as mandatory rules, assessing
such proposals for ease of integration by states, and likelihood of successful implementation and
to report to the executive committee its determinations and recommendations.
     (D) Such other duties and responsibilities as are delegated to it by the bylaws, the
executive committee or the commission.
     (ii) All representatives of the operations committee shall be individuals who have
extensive experience and/or employment in the surplus lines insurance business including, but not
limited to, executives and attorneys employed by surplus line insurers, surplus line licensees, law
firms, state insurance departments and/or state stamping offices. Operations committee
representatives from compacting states which utilize the services of a state stamping office must
appoint the chief operating officer or a senior manager of the state stamping office to the
operations committee.
     (4) Legislative and Advisory Committees
     (i) A legislative committee comprised of state legislators or their designees shall be
established to monitor the operations of, and make recommendations to, the commission,
including the executive committee; provided, that the manner of selection and term of any
legislative committee member shall be as set forth in the bylaws. Prior to the adoption by the
commission of any uniform standard, revision to the bylaws, annual budget or other significant
matter as may be provided in the bylaws, the executive committee shall consult with and report to
the legislative committee.
     (ii) The commission may establish additional advisory committees as its bylaws may
provide for the carrying out of its functions.
     (5) Corporate records of the commission
     The commission shall maintain its corporate books and records in accordance with the
bylaws.
     (6) Qualified immunity, defense and indemnification
     (i) The members, officers, executive director, employees and representatives of the
commission, the executive committee and any other committee of the commission shall be
immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for any claim for
damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused by or arising out of
any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred, or that the person against whom the
claim is made had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of commission
employment, duties or responsibilities; provided, that nothing in this paragraph shall be construed
to protect any such person from suit and/or liability for any damage, loss, injury or liability
caused by the intentional or willful or wanton misconduct of that person.
     (ii) The commission shall defend any member, officer, executive director, employee or
representative of the commission, the executive committee or any other committee of the
commission in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of any actual or alleged act,
error or omission that occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties or
responsibilities, or that the person against whom the claim is made had a reasonable basis for
believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties or responsibilities;
provided, that nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit that person from retaining his or her
own counsel; and provided further, that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result
from that person's intentional or willful or wanton misconduct.
     (iii) The commission shall indemnify and hold harmless any member, officer, executive
director, employee or representative of the commission, executive committee or any other
committee of the commission for the amount of any settlement or judgment obtained against that
person arising out of any actual or alleged act, error or omission that occurred within the scope of
commission employment, duties or responsibilities, or that such person had a reasonable basis for
believing occurred within the scope of commission employment, duties or responsibilities,
provided that the actual or alleged act, error or omission did not result from the intentional or
willful or wanton misconduct of that person.
     ARTICLE VII MEETINGS AND ACTS OF THE COMMISSION
     (a) The commission shall meet and take such actions as are consistent with the provisions
of this compact and the bylaws.
     (b) Each member of the commission shall have the right and power to cast a vote to
which that compacting state is entitled and to participate in the business and affairs of the
commission. A member shall vote in person or by such other means as provided in the bylaws.
The bylaws may provide for members' participation in meetings by telephone or other means of
communication.
     (c) The commission shall meet at least once during each calendar year. Additional
meetings shall be held as set forth in the bylaws.
     (d) Public notice shall be given of all meetings and all meetings shall be open to the
public, except as set forth in the rules or otherwise provided in the compact.
     (e) The commission shall promulgate rules concerning its meetings consistent with the
principles contained in the "Government in the Sunshine Act," 5 U.S.C., Section 552b, as may be
amended.
     (f) The commission and its committees may close a meeting, or portion thereof, where it
determines by majority vote that an open meeting would be likely to:
     (1) Relate solely to the commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;
     (2) Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal and state statute;
     (3) Disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information which is privileged or
confidential;
     (4) Involve accusing a person of a crime, or formally censuring a person;
     (5) Disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly
unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;
     (6) Disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes;
     (7) Specifically relate to the commission's issuance of a subpoena, or its participation in a
civil action or other legal proceeding.
     (g) For a meeting, or portion of a meeting, closed pursuant to this provision, the
commission's legal counsel or designee shall certify that the meeting may be closed and shall
reference each relevant exemptive provision. The commission shall keep minutes which shall
fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate
summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views
expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an
action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall
remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the commission.
     ARTICLE VIII RULES AND OPERATING PROCEDURES: RULEMAKING
     Rulemaking Functions of the Commission:
     1. Rulemaking Authority. The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to
effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of this compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
in the event the commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the
scope of the purposes of this chapter, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the
commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect.
     2. Rulemaking Procedure. Rules shall be made pursuant to a rulemaking process that
substantially conforms to the "Model State Administrative Procedure Act," of 1981 Act, Uniform
Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p.1 (2000) as amended, as may be appropriate to the operations of the
Commission.
     3. Effective Date. All rules and amendments, thereto, shall become effective as of the
date specified in each rule, operating procedure or amendment.
     4. Not later than thirty (30) days after a rule is promulgated, any person may file a
petition for judicial review of the rule; provided, that the filing of such a petition shall not stay or
otherwise prevent the rule from becoming effective unless the court finds that the petitioner has a
substantial likelihood of success. The court shall give deference to the actions of the commission
consistent with applicable law and shall not find the rule to be unlawful if the rule represents a
reasonable exercise of the commission's authority.
     ARTICLE IX COMMISSION RECORDS AND ENFORCEMENT
     (a) The commission shall promulgate rules establishing conditions and procedures for
public inspection and copying of its information and official records, except such information and
records involving the privacy of individuals, insurers, insureds or surplus lines licensee trade
secrets. State transaction documentation and clearinghouse transaction data collected by the
clearinghouse shall be used for only those purposes expressed in or reasonably implied under the
provisions of this compact and the commission shall afford this data the broadest protections as
permitted by any applicable law for proprietary information, trade secrets or personal data. The
commission may promulgate additional rules under which it may make available to federal and
state agencies, including law enforcement agencies, records and information otherwise exempt
from disclosure, and may enter into agreements with such agencies to receive or exchange
information or records subject to nondisclosure and confidentiality provisions.
     (b) Except as to privileged records, data and information, the laws of any compacting
state pertaining to confidentiality or nondisclosure shall not relieve any compacting state member
of the duty to disclose any relevant records, data or information to the commission; provided that
disclosure to the commission shall not be deemed to waive or otherwise affect any confidentiality
requirement, and further provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided in this chapter, the
commission shall not be subject to the compacting state's laws pertaining to confidentiality and
nondisclosure with respect to records, data and information in its possession. Confidential
information of the commission shall remain confidential after such information is provided to any
member, and the commission shall maintain the confidentiality of any information provided by a
member that is confidential under that member's state law.
     (c) The commission shall monitor compacting states for compliance with duly adopted
bylaws and rules. The commission shall notify any non-complying compacting state in writing of
its noncompliance with commission bylaws or rules. If a non-complying compacting state fails to
remedy its noncompliance within the time specified in the notice of noncompliance, the
compacting state shall be deemed to be in default as set forth in Article XIV.
     ARTICLE X DISPUTE RESOLUTION
     (a) Before a member may bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction for
violation of any provision, standard or requirement of the compact, the commission shall attempt,
upon the request of a member, to resolve any disputes or other issues that are subject to this
compact and which may arise between two (2) or more compacting states, contracting states or
non-compacting states, and the commission shall promulgate a rule providing alternative dispute
resolution procedures for such disputes.
     (b) The commission shall also provide alternative dispute resolution procedures to
resolve any disputes between insureds or surplus lines licensees concerning a tax calculation or
allocation or related issues which are the subject of this compact.
     (c) Any alternative dispute resolution procedures shall be utilized in circumstances where
a dispute arises as to which state constitutes the home state.
     ARTICLE XI REVIEW OF COMMISSION DECISIONS
     Regarding Commission decisions:
     (1) Except as necessary for promulgating Rules to fulfill the purposes of this compact, the
commission shall not have authority to otherwise regulate insurance in the compacting states.
     (2) Not later than thirty (30) days after the commission has given notice of any Rule or
allocation formula, any third-party filer or compacting state may appeal the determination to a
review panel appointed by the commission. The commission shall promulgate rules to establish
procedures for appointing such review panels and provide for notice and hearing. An allegation
that the commission, in making compliance or tax determinations acted arbitrarily, capriciously,
or in a manner that is an abuse of discretion or otherwise not in accordance with the law, is
subject to judicial review in accordance with Article III, subsection (f).
     (3) The commission shall have authority to monitor, review and reconsider commission
decisions upon a finding that the determinations or allocations do not meet the relevant rule.
Where appropriate, the commission may withdraw or modify its determination or allocation after
proper notice and hearing, subject to the appeal process in subsection (2) above.
     ARTICLE XII FINANCE
     (a) The commission shall pay or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of
its establishment and organization. To fund the cost of its initial operations the commission may
accept contributions, grants, and other forms of funding from the state stamping offices,
compacting states and other sources.
     (b) The commission shall collect a fee payable by the insured directly or through a
surplus lines licensee on each transaction processed through the compact clearinghouse, to cover
the cost of the operations and activities of the commission and its staff in a total amount sufficient
to cover the commission's annual budget.
     (c) The commission's budget for a fiscal year shall not be approved until it has been
subject to notice and comment as set forth in Article VIII of this compact.
     (d) The commission shall be regarded as performing essential governmental functions in
exercising such powers and functions and in carrying out the provisions of this compact and of
any law relating thereto, and shall not be required to pay any taxes or assessments of any
character, levied by any state or political subdivision thereof, upon any of the property used by it
for such purposes, or any income or revenue therefrom, including any profit from a sale or
exchange.
     (e) The commission shall keep complete and accurate accounts of all its internal receipts,
including grants and donations, and disbursements for all funds under its control. The internal
financial accounts of the commission shall be subject to the accounting procedures established
under its bylaws. The financial accounts and reports including the system of internal controls and
procedures of the commission shall be audited annually by an independent certified public
accountant. Upon the determination of the commission, but not less frequently than every three
(3) years, the review of the independent auditor shall include a management and performance
audit of the commission. The commission shall make an annual report to the governor and
legislature of the compacting states, which shall include a report of the independent audit. The
commission's internal accounts shall not be confidential and such materials may be shared with
the commissioner, the controller, or the stamping office of any compacting state upon request
provided, however, that any work papers related to any internal or independent audit and any
information regarding the privacy of individuals, and licensees' and insurers' proprietary
information, including trade secrets, shall remain confidential.
     (f) No compacting state shall have any claim to or ownership of any property held by or
vested in the commission or to any commission funds held pursuant to the provisions of this
compact.
     (g) The commission shall not make any political contributions to candidates for elected
office, elected officials, political parties nor political action committees. The commission shall
not engage in lobbying except with respect to changes to this compact.
     ARTICLE XIII COMPACTING STATES, EFFECTIVE DATE AND AMENDMENT
     (a) Any state is eligible to become a compacting state.
     (b) The compact shall become effective and binding upon legislative enactment of the
compact into law by two (2) compacting states, provided the commission shall become effective
for purposes of adopting rules, and creating the clearinghouse when there are a total of ten (10)
compacting states and contracting states or, alternatively, when there are compacting states and
contracting states representing greater than forty percent (40%) of the surplus lines insurance
premium volume based on records of the percentage of surplus lines insurance premium based on
records of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for the prior year. Thereafter, it
shall become effective and binding as to any other compacting state upon enactment of the
compact into law by that state. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the clearinghouse operations and
the duty to report clearinghouse transaction data shall begin on the first January 1st or July 1st
following the first anniversary of the commission's effective date. For states which join the
compact subsequent to the effective date, a start date for reporting clearinghouse transaction data
shall be set by the commission provided Surplus Lines Licensees and all other interested parties
receive not less than ninety (90) days advance notice.
     (c) Amendments to the compact may be proposed by the commission for enactment by
the compacting states. No amendment shall become effective and binding upon the commission
and the compacting states unless and until all compacting states enact the amendment into law.
     (d) (1) If this commission does not take effect as set forth in subsection (b) or becomes
ineffective, the superintendent of insurance has the authority to enter into a different multi-state
agreement or contracts to implement the requirements of the "Nonadmitted and Reinsurance
Reform Act of 2010," 124 Stat. 1589, 15 U.S.C. 8201 et seq., or any successor or replacement
law.
     (2) The superintendent of insurance shall not enter into a multi-state agreement or
contract under subdivision (d)(1) unless the division of insurance has done all of the following:
     (i) Completed a fiscal analysis of the impact of the agreement or contract that examines
the expected effects on Rhode Island's gross receipt of premium tax;
     (ii) Reviewed whether the contract will create additional administrative burdens on the
State of Rhode Island or surplus lines licensee;
     (iii) Concluded, after conducting a public hearing, that entering into the agreement or
contract:
     (A) Is in Rhode Island's financial best interest; and
     (B) Is consistent with the requirements of the NRRA.
     ARTICLE XIV WITHDRAWAL, DEFAULT AND TERMINATION
     (a) Withdrawal
     (1) Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and
every compacting state, provided that a compacting state may withdraw from the compact
("withdrawing state") by enacting a statute specifically repealing the statute which enacted the
compact into law.
     (2) The effective date of withdrawal is the effective date of the repealing statute.
However, the withdrawal shall not apply to any tax or compliance determinations approved on
the date the repealing statute becomes effective, except by mutual agreement of the commission
and the withdrawing state unless the approval is rescinded by the commission.
     (3) The member of the withdrawing state shall immediately notify the executive
committee of the commission in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing this
compact in the withdrawing state.
     (4) The commission shall notify the other compacting states of the introduction of such
legislation within ten (10) days after its receipt of notice thereof.
     (5) The withdrawing state is responsible for all obligations, duties and liabilities incurred
through the effective date of withdrawal, including any obligations, the performance of which
extend beyond the effective date of withdrawal. To the extent those obligations may have been
released or relinquished by mutual agreement of the commission and the Withdrawing State, the
commission's determinations prior to the effective date of withdrawal shall continue to be
effective and be given full force and effect in the withdrawing state, unless formally rescinded by
the commission.
     (6) Reinstatement following withdrawal of any compacting state shall occur upon the
effective date of the withdrawing state reenacting the compact.
     (b) Default
     (1) If the commission determines that any compacting state has at any time defaulted
("defaulting state") in the performance of any of its obligations or responsibilities under this
compact, the bylaws or duly promulgated rules then after notice and hearing as set forth in the
bylaws, all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this compact on the defaulting state shall
be suspended from the effective date of default as fixed by the commission. The grounds for
default include, but are not limited to, failure of a compacting state to perform its obligations or
responsibilities, and any other grounds designated in commission rules. The commission shall
immediately notify the defaulting state in writing of the defaulting state's suspension pending a
cure of the default. The commission shall stipulate the conditions and the time period within
which the defaulting state must cure its default. If the defaulting state fails to cure the default
within the time period specified by the commission, the defaulting state shall be terminated from
the compact and all rights, privileges and benefits conferred by this compact shall be terminated
from the effective date of termination.
     (2) Decisions of the commission that are issued on the effective date of termination shall
remain in force in the defaulting state in the same manner as if the defaulting state had withdrawn
voluntarily pursuant to subsection (a) of this Article.
     (3) Reinstatement following termination of any compacting state requires a reenactment
of the compact.
     (c) Dissolution of compact
     (1) The compact dissolves effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the
compacting state which reduces membership in the compact to one compacting state.
     (2) Upon the dissolution of this compact, the compact becomes null and void and shall
have no further force or effect, and the business and affairs of the commission shall be wound up
and any surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the rules and bylaws.
     ARTICLE XV SEVERABILITY AND CONSTRUCTION
     (a) The provisions of this compact shall be severable and if any phrase, clause, sentence
or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of the compact shall be
enforceable.
     (b) The provisions of this compact shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.
     (c) Throughout this compact the use of the singular shall include the plural and vice-
versa.
     (d) The headings and captions of articles, sections and sub-sections used in this compact
are for convenience only and shall be ignored in construing the substantive provisions of this
compact.
     ARTICLE XVI BINDING EFFECT OF COMPACT AND OTHER LAWS
     (a) Other laws
     (1) Nothing herein prevents the enforcement of any other law of a compacting state
except as provided in subdivision (2) of this section.
     (2) Decisions of the commission, and any rules, and any other requirements of the
commission shall constitute the exclusive rule, or determination applicable to the compacting
states. Any law or regulation regarding non-admitted insurance of multi-state risks that is contrary
to rules of the commission is preempted with respect to the following:
     (i) Clearinghouse transaction data reporting requirements;
     (ii) Allocation formula;
     (iii) Clearinghouse transaction data collection requirements;
     (iv) Premium tax payment time frames and rules concerning dissemination of data among
the compacting states for non-admitted insurance of multi-state risks and single-state risks;
     (v) Exclusive compliance with surplus lines law of the home state of the insured;
     (vi) Rules for reporting to a clearinghouse for receipt and distribution of clearinghouse
transaction data related to non-admitted insurance of multi-state risks;
     (vii) Uniform foreign insurers eligibility requirements;
     (viii) Uniform policyholder notice; and
     (ix) Uniform treatment of purchasing groups procuring non-admitted insurance.
     (3) Except as stated in subdivision (2), any rule, uniform standard or other requirement of
the commission shall constitute the exclusive provision that a commissioner may apply to
compliance or tax determinations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no action taken by the
commission shall abrogate or restrict: (i) The access of any person to state courts; (ii) The
availability of alternative dispute resolution under Article X of this compact (iii) Remedies
available under state law related to breach of contract, tort, or other laws not specifically directed
to compliance or tax determinations; (iv) State law relating to the construction of insurance
contracts; or (v) The authority of the attorney general of the state, including but not limited to
maintaining any actions or proceedings, as authorized by law.
     (b) Binding effect of this compact
     (1) All lawful actions of the commission, including all Rules promulgated by the
commission, are binding upon the compacting states, except as provided herein.
     (2) All agreements between the commission and the compacting states are binding in
accordance with their terms.
     (3) Upon the request of a party to a conflict over the meaning or interpretation of
commission actions, and upon a majority vote of the compacting states, the commission may
issue advisory opinions regarding the meaning or interpretation in dispute. This provision may be
implemented by rule at the discretion of the commission.
     (4) In the event any provision of this compact exceeds the constitutional limits imposed
on the legislature of any compacting state, the obligations, duties, powers or jurisdiction sought to
be conferred by that provision upon the commission shall be ineffective as to that state and those
obligations duties, powers or jurisdiction shall remain in the compacting state and shall be
exercised by the agency thereof to which those obligations, duties, powers or jurisdiction are
delegated by law in effect at the time this compact becomes effective.
     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.
========
LC002933
========