17:1C-19. Findings, declarations relative to the Department's expenses

1. a. The Legislature finds and declares that:

(1) The Department of Insurance has a statutory obligation to protect the interests of New Jersey's insurance consumers and to regulate and oversee the operations of the insurance industry. The special needs of the department relative to the monitoring of the financial condition of insurers and health maintenance organizations is recognized by the Legislature as being unique from its other responsibilities.

(2) In order to maintain an adequate level of financial oversight and perform all lawful duties in this regard, it is necessary to establish a special purpose funding mechanism for the department's special needs.

(3) A special purpose funding source is a clear indication of the commitment that the State of New Jersey has made to the special needs of the department relative to its administrative activities related to the financial regulation, supervision and monitoring of insurers and health maintenance organizations. A special purpose funding source will assist in maintenance of New Jersey's accreditation by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Accreditation under the NAIC Financial Regulation and Standards Program is an indication of the department's ability to implement and enforce strong financial solvency standards.

b. The Legislature therefore intends for the actual incurred expenses of the Department of Insurance for all services related to the department's financial regulation, supervision and monitoring of insurers and health maintenance organizations to be apportioned among insurers and health maintenance organizations doing business in our State.

c. The Legislature also finds that establishing a dedicated funding mechanism for the operations of the New Jersey Real Estate Commission is in the public's interest.

L.1995,c.156,s.1.