26-14-112. Joint underwriting; pool and residual market activities.

(a) Insurers participating in joint underwriting, pools or residual market mechanisms may act in cooperation with each other in the making of rates, supplementary rate information, policy or bond forms, surveys, inspections and investigations, the furnishing of loss and expense statistics or other information and conducting research. Joint underwriting, pools and residual market mechanisms shall not be deemed rate advisory organizations.

(b) If, after notice and hearing, the commissioner finds that any activity or practice of an insurer participating in a joint underwriting or pooling mechanism is unfair or unreasonable, or otherwise inconsistent with the provisions or purposes of this chapter, he may issue a written order specifying in what respects such activity or practice is unfair, unreasonable, anti-competitive or otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter and require the discontinuance of such activity or practice.

(c) Every pool shall file with the commissioner a copy of its constitution, articles of incorporation, agreement or association, bylaws, rules and regulations governing activities, the name and address of a resident of this state upon whom notices, process and orders of the commissioner may be served and any changes or modifications thereof.

(d) Any residual market mechanism, plan or agreement to implement such a mechanism, and any changes or amendments thereto, shall be submitted in writing to the commissioner for approval, together with any information as he may reasonably require. The commissioner shall approve such agreements if they foster the use of rates which meet the standards prescribed by this chapter and activities and practices not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter.

(e) The commissioner may review the operations of all residual market mechanisms to determine compliance with the provisions of this chapter. If, after a notice and hearing, the commissioner finds that the mechanisms are violating the provisions of this chapter, he may issue a written order to the parties involved specifying in what respects the operations violate the provisions of this chapter. He may further order the discontinuance or elimination of any operation.