(a) The commissioner shall examine the plan submitted pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 11536. As a part of the examination the commissioner may order a hearing on the plan after written notice of the hearing to the mutual company, and its members, all of whom shall have the right to appear at the hearing. The commissioner may require as a condition of consent that the mutual company make modifications of the proposed plan that the commissioner finds necessary for the protection of policyholders. The commissioner shall consent to the plan if he or she finds all of the following:

(1) For the conversion of a mutual insurer, the plan is fair and equitable to the insurer and its policyholders.

(2) For the conversion of a mutual holding company, the plan is fair and equitable to the company, its members, and the policyholders of the converted insurer.

(3) The plan does not violate the law.

(4) The converted insurer will, after the conversion, satisfy the requirements for the issuance of a license to write the line or lines of insurance for which it is presently licensed.

(b) For the conversion of a converting mutual life company, the commissioner may appoint one or more actuarial, financial, or other consultants, including legal counsel, as the commissioner finds necessary to advise the commissioner in making the determination of whether the proposed plan of conversion meets the applicable requirements of this chapter. The converting mutual life company is responsible for the reasonable fees and expenses of any actuarial, financial, or other consultants, including legal counsel, appointed, and for the mailing and publication of notices to the mutual company and its members.

(Amended by Stats. 1999, Ch. 868, Sec. 6. Effective January 1, 2000.)