(a) Subject to the limitation contained in this section, and in addition to the powers which the commissioner has under Article 4 (commencing with Section 730) of Chapter 1 of this part relating to the examination of insurers, the commissioner shall also have the power to examine any insurer registered under Section 1215.4 and its affiliates to ascertain the enterprise risk to which the insurer is subjected by the ultimate controlling party, or by any entity or combination of entities within the insurance holding company system, or by the insurance holding company system on a consolidated basis. The commissioner may also order any insurer registered under Section 1215.4 to produce the records, books, or other information or papers in the possession of the insurer or its affiliates, including a report on the enterprise risk to the insurer by the ultimate controlling party, or by any entity or combination of entities within the insurance holding company system, or by the insurance holding company system on a consolidated basis, as shall be necessary to ascertain the financial condition or legality of conduct of that insurer.

(b) The commissioner shall exercise his or her power under subdivision (a) only if the examination of the insurer under Article 4 (commencing with Section 730) of Chapter 1 of this part is inadequate or the interests of the policyholders of that insurer are being adversely affected.

(c) The commissioner may retain at the registered insurer’s expense the attorneys, actuaries, accountants, and other experts not otherwise a part of the commissioner’s staff as shall be reasonably necessary to assist in the conduct of the examination under subdivision (a) of this section. Any persons so retained shall be under the direction and control of the commissioner and shall act in a purely advisory capacity.

(d) Each registered insurer producing for examination records, books, and papers pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be liable for, and shall pay the expense of, that examination in accordance with Section 736.

(Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 213, Sec. 6. (AB 553) Effective August 17, 2015.)