(1) Each association shall:

(a) Be obligated to the extent of its covered claims existing prior to the date of default and arising within thirty (30) days after the date of default. In no event shall an association be obligated to a claimant in an amount in excess of the obligation of the defaulting member self-insurer of such association.

(b) Be deemed the self-insurer to the extent of obligations on its covered claims and to such extent shall have all rights, duties and obligations of the individual self-insurer in default or insolvent group self-insurer in default as if such self-insurer were not in default.

(c) Assess its respective individual self-insurers or group self-insurers amounts necessary to pay the obligations of the association under subsection (2) of this section, the expenses of handling covered claims and other expenses authorized by Sections 71-3-151 through 71-3-181. The assessments of each individual self-insurer and each group self-insurer shall be two percent (2%) of the gross paid compensation and medical supplies and services of said member self-insurer during each period of six (6) months. Said two percent (2%) assessment shall be collected by the commission at the same time as and pursuant to the procedures adopted by the commission pursuant to Section 71-3-99, Mississippi Code of 1972. If the obligations of the individual association incurred on or after July 1, 2004, for covered claims arising before July 1, 2004, plus necessary expenses of the individual association incurred on or after July 1, 2004, in evaluating, adjusting, defending or settling such covered claims, exceed the total amount of funds held by the individual association on July 1, 2004, then and to that extent all individual employers and groups of employers who were self-insurers on the dates that the covered claims arose shall be liable for a special assessment in the amount of such deficiency. This special assessment shall be collected by the commission in accordance with the procedures adopted by the commission under Section 71-3-99. All obligations for covered claims arising on or after July 1, 2004, shall be the sole obligation of the association to which the self-insurer in default belongs. The two percent (2%) assessment on each individual self-insurer and on each group self-insurer shall be collected by the commission until the sum of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00) is accumulated by the individual association and the sum of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) is accumulated by the group association. At that time the assessments shall be suspended. However, any employer that becomes authorized under Section 71-3-75 to be a member self-insurer after July 1, 1996, is not entitled to have the two percent (2%) assessment suspended until such member self-insurer has contributed to the guaranty fund to which it belongs for the first four (4) years such employer is a member self-insurer regardless of the amount in the guaranty fund of the association to which it belongs. The two percent (2%) assessment shall be reinstituted for all member self-insurers of the individual association at any time that the guaranty fund balance of the individual association reaches One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000.00) and such assessment shall continue until such time as the balance is Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000.00). The two percent (2%) assessment shall be reinstituted for all member self-insurers of the group association at any time that the guaranty fund balance of the group association reaches Seven Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($750,000.00) and such assessment shall continue until such time as the balance is One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00). If the maximum assessment, together with the other assets of an association, does not provide in any one (1) year an amount sufficient to make all necessary payments, the funds available in such association shall be paid as directed by the commission and any unpaid portion shall be paid as soon thereafter as funds in such association become available. When the guaranty fund balance of the group association reaches One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00), the commission may waive the need for bonding requirements for self-funded pools.

(d) Investigate claims brought against the association; adjust, compromise, settle and pay covered claims to the extent of the association’s obligations; deny all other claims; and may review settlements, releases and judgments to which the member self-insurer in default were parties to determine the extent to which such settlements, releases and judgments may be properly contested.

(e) Notify such persons as the commission directs under Section 71-3-167(2)(a).

(f) Handle claims through its employees or through one or more other persons designated as servicing facilities. Designation of a servicing facility is subject to the approval of the commission.

(g) Reimburse each servicing facility for obligations of the association paid by the facility and for expenses incurred by the facility while handling claims on behalf of the association, and shall pay the other expenses of the association authorized by Sections 71-3-151 through 71-3-181.

(2) Each association may:

(a) Employ or retain such persons as are necessary to handle claims and perform other duties of the association.

(b) Sue or be sued.

(c) Negotiate and become a party to such contracts as are necessary to carry out the purposes of Sections 71-3-151 through 71-3-181.

(d) Perform such other acts as are necessary or proper to effectuate the purposes of Sections 71-3-151 through 71-3-181.