58-19-35. Examination.

(a) Subject to the limitation contained in this section and in addition to the powers that the Commissioner has under other provisions of Articles 1 through 64 of this Chapter relating to the examination of insurers, the Commissioner also has the power to examine any insurer registered under G.S. 58-19-25, its affiliates, or any acquiring party to ascertain the financial condition of such insurer, its affiliates, or acquiring party, including the enterprise risk to the insurer by the ultimate controlling person, by any entity or combination of entities within the insurance holding company system, or by the insurance holding company system on a consolidated basis.

(b) The Commissioner may retain, at the expense of the registered insurer or acquiring party that is being examined, such attorneys, actuaries, economists, accountants, and other experts not otherwise a part of the Commissioner's staff as are reasonably necessary to assist in the conduct of the examination under subsection (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.

(c) Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 360, s. 2(h).

(d) Repealed by Session Laws 2015-146, s. 1.6, as amended by Session Laws 2015-281, s. 13, effective July 1, 2015.

(e) The Commissioner may order any insurer registered under G.S. 58-19-25 or any acquiring party to produce such records, books, or other information in the possession of the insurer, its affiliates, or acquiring party as reasonably necessary to determine compliance with this Chapter.

(f) To determine compliance with this Chapter, the Commissioner may order any insurer registered under G.S. 58-19-25 to produce information not in the possession of the insurer if the insurer can obtain access to such information pursuant to contractual relationships, statutory obligations, or other method. In the event the insurer cannot obtain the information requested by the Commissioner, the insurer shall provide the Commissioner a detailed explanation of the reason that the insurer cannot obtain the information and the identity of the holder of that information. Whenever it appears to the Commissioner that the detailed explanation is without merit, the Commissioner may require, after notice and hearing, the insurer to pay a penalty of one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day's delay or may suspend or revoke the insurer's license.

(g) In the event the insurer fails to comply with an order, the Commissioner shall have the power to examine the affiliates to obtain the information. The Commissioner shall also have the power to issue subpoenas, to administer oaths, and to examine under oath any person for purposes of determining compliance with this section. Upon the failure or refusal of any person to obey a subpoena, the Commissioner may petition a court of competent jurisdiction, and upon proper showing, the court may enter an order compelling the witness to appear and testify or produce documentary evidence. Failure to obey the court order shall be punishable as contempt of court. Every person shall be obligated to attend as a witness at the place specified in the subpoena, when subpoenaed, anywhere within the state. He or she shall be entitled to the same fees and mileage, if claimed, as a witness in the courts of the county specified in the subpoena as the site of the examination. Any fees, mileage, and actual expense necessarily incurred in securing the attendance of witnesses, and their testimony, shall be itemized and charged against, and be paid by, the company being examined.