(a) In addition to the minimum paid-in capital stock if stock insurers, or minimum surplus if mutual and reciprocal insurers, required by § 23-63-205, special surplus shall be possessed by insurers hereafter applying for original certificates of authority in this state as follows:

(1) All domestic stock insurers and domestic mutual legal reserve life and domestic reciprocal insurers, when first authorized to transact insurance in this state, shall have, if a stock insurer, surplus, or, if a mutual or reciprocal insurer, additional surplus, equal to not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the minimum paid-in capital stock or minimum surplus otherwise required under § 23-63-205 for the kinds of insurance to be transacted;

(2) Foreign and alien insurers that have actively transacted insurance as authorized insurers in one (1) or more states of the United States shall possess, when first authorized in this state, surplus or additional surplus equal to not less than one hundred percent (100%) of the minimum paid-in capital stock if a stock insurer, or minimum surplus if a mutual or reciprocal insurer, otherwise required under § 23-63-205.

(b) As to all insurers referred to in subdivisions (a)(1) and (2) of this section, and as to currently authorized insurers seeking additional authority in this state, if, after issuance of its original certificate of authority to transact insurance in this state, the insurer requests authority to transact additional kinds of insurance, the request shall not be authorized unless the insurer then possesses special surplus or additional surplus in such an amount as would be required under this section as for an original certificate of authority covering the kinds of insurance the insurer then proposes to transact.

(c) On and after January 1, 1996, as to all domestic stock and domestic mutual and domestic reciprocal insurers currently licensed or obtaining original licensure on and after January 1, 1996, the insurer shall maintain a minimum special surplus of not less than fifteen percent (15%) of the paid-in capital, if a stock insurer, or fifteen percent (15%) of surplus, if a mutual or reciprocal insurer, as reported in its last preceding annual statement. The Insurance Commissioner in his or her discretion may allow domestic insurers to augment special surplus in increments over a period of up to five (5) years to achieve compliance with the minimum amounts required herein, if immediate compliance with this subsection would cause the domestic insurer to be impaired or insolvent.

(d) In his or her discretion, the commissioner may require an insurer applying for its original certificate of authority to possess and maintain additional special surplus, in addition to that required by this subchapter, based on the financial condition of the insurer or the types, volume, or nature of the business transacted by the insurer.