616.20 Conversion of plans under s. 616.06 to mutuals under ch. 611 or service insurance corporations under ch. 613.

(1) Authorization. Under a proposal proposed by the officers of a plan operating under s. 616.06 and approved by the commissioner and by a majority of the members voting, the plan may be converted to a mutual under ch. 611 or a service insurance corporation under ch. 613.

(2) Notice and voting rights. Voting on the conversion is required only if the bylaws provide for it. Voting shall be as provided in the bylaws. If voting is required, but there is no notice provision in the bylaws, the officers shall give notice of the plan to convert under sub. (1) to all members entitled to vote on the conversion at least 30 days before the plan is submitted to the members for a vote. Whether or not voting is required, any member who feels aggrieved by the conversion plan may communicate objections to the commissioner who shall give them consideration before approving the plan. If voting is required by the bylaws, the commissioner may not approve the plan until at least 60 days after notice has been given to all members and 30 days after the voting on the plan. In all cases the commissioner may approve the plan only if the conversion plan protects the legitimate interests of the members.

(3) Membership and ownership of assets. Members of the plan shall be the members of the mutual or service insurance corporation created by conversion under this section. Assets of the plan shall become assets of the new corporation, and all existing contracts shall become the contracts of the new corporation.

(4) Liability of officers. If the commissioner approves a conversion under this section, no officer is liable to any member for losses suffered solely as a result of the conversion.

(5) Fees. A new corporation formed under this section is not subject to the fees under s. 601.31 (1) or (2).

History: 1979 c. 261.