(a) In the event a natural disaster such as an earthquake or fire results in covered claim obligations currently payable and owed by the association in excess of its capacity to pay from current funds and current premium assessments allowable under Section 1063.5, and upon a declaration of emergency by the Governor or the President of the United States, the board, in its sole discretion, may by resolution request the department to issue bonds pursuant to this article to provide funds for the payment of covered claims and expenses related thereto. Should the bonds be issued, the department shall have the authority to levy upon member insurers insurance assessments in the amount necessary to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds, and to meet other requirements established by agreements relating to the bonds. The department may enter into an agreement with CIGA for CIGA to act as agent for the department to collect the assessments.

The department may assume the obligation to pay the covered claims of insolvent insurers for the purpose of paying the claims with the proceeds of the bonds. The obligation of the department to pay claims shall be a limited obligation payable only out of the proceeds of the bonds. The department shall enter into an agreement with CIGA for CIGA to act as agent of the department to adjust and administer the payment of the claims. Premium payments collected pursuant to this authority may only be used for servicing the bond obligations provided for in this section and may be pledged for that purpose. Premium assessments made pursuant to this section shall also be subject to the surcharge provisions in Sections 1063.14 and 1063.145.

(b) In addition to the premium assessments provided for in this section, the board in its discretion and subject to other obligations of the association, may utilize current funds of the association, premium assessments made under Section 1063.5, and advances or dividends received from the liquidators of insolvent insurers to pay the principal and interest on any bonds issued at the board’s request.

(Amended by Stats. 2004, Ch. 183, Sec. 236. Effective January 1, 2005.)